Sold To The Sheikh Bidder

Khizar didn’t mind. He knew he’d been blessed with wealth, and he was happy to share some of that good fortune. He had everything he needed and most everything he wanted; he was happy to give and happy to work with those who needed a hand up.

He was impressed with Jacqui, too. She had been dealt a bad hand in life, at least in her childhood. And instead of using it as an excuse, she used it as a purpose. She had a kind spirit and a generous heart, even to the point of taking pity on him when he hadn’t known where to go to hand out the food he’d bought.

Khizar had to laugh at himself. That hadn’t been part of the plan. He was going to astonish her with his magnanimous gesture, buying all this food for people who needed it and helping her business for the day at the same time, but he hadn’t thought of how to actually hand the food out. Fortunately, she’d stepped in and saved him.

And it definitely wasn’t a hardship to spend time with Jacqui at dinner. She had relaxed and opened up, and while he was looking for information, he also found himself simply enjoying her company.

They lingered over dessert, and Khizar teased her about taking notes for her bakery. Mostly, he did it just to hear her laugh, a sound he was very much coming to enjoy.

When he’d paid the bill, and thanked their servers with a rather large tip, he held her chair as she stood. They walked outside, and Jacqui took a deep breath of the night air.

She looked happy, Khizar thought. What he said, though, was, “May I take you home?”

“Thank you, Khizar, but I think I’m going to walk.”

“At least let me call you a cab,” he protested.

“It’s fine, really. I’m not that far from my apartment, and I don’t mind the walk.”

He felt like he should try to convince her otherwise, but also knew it wasn’t his place.

“Besides,” she took another deep breath and continued, “I love this time of year. It’s still cool enough for warm drinks and jackets, but you can feel the hint of warmth in the air.”

Khizar smiled. “In Nudushan, it’s always warm. But we enjoy warm drinks anyway.”

“I think I’m going to have to do some research tonight. I’d love to know more about your country.”

It was the perfect opening, Khizar thought.

“And I’d love to tell you more. Have lunch with me tomorrow, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know about my home.”

Jacqui smiled, albeit tightly. “I’d like that, but I’m not sure I can get away from the bakery again.”

Khizar shrugged. “I’ll buy all your creations again tomorrow, if I have to.”

That got him a laugh.

“Oh, please don’t. I’d feel terrible,” Jacqui said. “Fine, then, I can get away for a late lunch; I’ll have someone to cover the shop.”

“Excellent. What time shall I pick you up?”

“Around two?”

Khizar nodded. “Two it is. I’ll see you then.”

“I look forward to it.” Jacqui smiled at him shyly.

Khizar wasn’t quite sure how to end the date, since that’s basically what this encounter was. Rather than go in for a kiss, he opted for a warm hug.

He held out an arm to her. “A handshake seems cold for two pastry-wielding do-gooders such as ourselves. How about a hug instead?”

She nodded and stepped into his arms, standing on her toes to place her own arms around his neck. Khizar was surprised again; she felt like she fit there. Still, he kept it brief and chaste. He let her go and stepped back a bit.

“Good night, Jacqui. Thank you again for today.”

He found himself a little dazzled by her smile as she said, “My pleasure, Khizar. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He watched her walk away, waiting until she was out of sight before he asked the valet to bring his car around. He drove to his hotel, left the car with the valet there, and walked into the elaborate lobby.

The doorman greeted him with a respectful nod, and the older woman behind the concierge’s desk wished him a good evening.

Khizar headed for the elevator, but at the last second, turned. He wasn’t quite ready to go up to his room yet, so he walked into the hotel bar. The room was dark and elegant, with brown leather booths along one wall and a few tall leather chairs scattered around the room next to dark wood tables.

He took one of the chairs in a corner where he could watch the room, but it was clear he didn’t want to be disturbed. A server in a crisp white shirt and black pants stopped by the table a few minutes after he sat down. Khizar ordered an expensive whiskey, neat, and then contemplated his next move.

Jacqui was a lovely young woman. She obviously needed help with her business, and Khizar supposed that was one way he could ingratiate himself into her life.