The Sheikh's Pregnant Employee (Almasi Sheikhs 3)

His father beamed, on his arm a lithe, dark-haired woman, precisely the woman Zahir had been scheduled to marry. He couldn’t have dared dream that she’d have a penchant for older men. It had proved an elegant solution for the company’s desire to acquire new drilling lands. Plus, his father was happier than ever. And more than happy to hand over the reins of the business so that he could enjoy this new chapter of his life.

“If it weren’t for me, my boys wouldn’t be with any of these lovely ladies!” His father grinned at Fahwar, his new wife.

Zahir grinned, rolling his eyes. His father loved to claim responsibility for the rampant success of his sons’ love lives.

“Yet we’re with them despite your matchmaking,” Omar quipped.

“Any progress?” He and his new wife settled into a chair nearby. She crossed her legs demurely, leaning into him like a needy kitten.

“Should be an update soon,” Zahir said, scrubbing at his stubbly jaw. He hadn’t shaved in a full day, not since Layla went into labor. “This baby better come soon.”

The double doors swung open, and the doctor approached. A collective gasp rang through the waiting room.

“Mr. Almasi.” The doctor smiled at Zahir. “You should come with me.”

Zahir stumbled behind the doctor in a daze, his breath caught in his throat. He followed him down a hall to the right and then into a dimly lit room. And there, on a bed, draped in a cream-colored gown, was his beautiful Layla holding a tiny little bundle.

Layla looked up at him, her face red and tear-streaked. “Baby, we have a baby!”

Zahir stumbled closer, his vision shrinking to encompass only them. He brushed Layla’s shoulder, then caressed the blanket-swaddled newborn.

“What…?” he began.

“A girl,” she choked out. “We have a baby girl.”

Zahir felt hot tears sliding down his cheeks, and he pressed his forehead to Layla’s while the emotion washed over him, made him stiff and incredulous.

“We should name her after your mom,” Layla whispered, holding out the little bundle for him to take. Zahir took his new daughter into his arms, gazing down at her, absorbing her tiny features for the first time.

“Sabella,” he whispered. “This is our Sabella.”

Zahir leaned forward, hugging Layla while he clutched the baby to his chest. This was his family. The family he couldn’t have dreamt of, the family he never realized he needed. His heart was full to bursting, and he showered kisses between Layla and Sabella, the first of the rest of their lives.

These were the girls he’d never let go of.