Sold To The Sheikh Bidder

He gave her a cocky grin. “Oh, good. I hate being what people expect.”

She couldn’t help but grin back. “Me, too.”

Khizar took a bite of his appetizer, a small portion of ravioli with a pesto sauce. He swallowed and pointed at his plate with his fork.

“This may not be traditional Milwaukee food, but it’s pretty good.”

Jacqui tried some of her soup and nodded in agreement. “It’s amazing.”

They ate for a minute in companionable silence, and Jacqui was struck by how easy it felt being with Khizar. She’d known him less than a day, and yet she wanted to share things with him. And she wanted to know more about him.

“So, what was it like growing up as a prince? Sorry, sheikh.”

Khizar gave her a forgiving smile.

“A lot of expectations, but also a lot of privilege. I went to the best schools and traveled around the world before I was sixteen. I also started working in the family business in one way or another as a teenager. I would make public appearances as a member of the royal family, and I began working for my father when I was eighteen.”

“Is your family close?”

Khizar nodded. “Very much so.”

“And what do your parents do?” Jacqui asked.

“These days, mostly work with my uncle.”

Jacqui smiled wistfully. “I always wanted to be part of a big family. My adoptive parents couldn’t have kids of their own, which is part of the reason why they adopted me.”

“Then you have been a true blessing to them,” Khizar said firmly. “Do they live here in Milwaukee?”

“They do, and I see them as often as I can. The bakery has kept me busy, but we have dinner every Sunday evening.”

“I have dinner with parents on Tuesday evenings. I don’t know why Tuesdays—my mother picked it years ago as the night to focus on family, and my father indulges her in everything. So, every Tuesday, I go to my parents’ house. Many times, my cousins or my mother’s sisters join us.”

“It sounds wonderful,” Jacqui said.

“It’s a cacophony of noise and food, and yes, it rather is wonderful.”

Jacqui smiled at him, and when he smiled back, she got a little lost in the depth of his gaze. She didn’t look away until the waiter cleared his throat and, startled, she nodded at his question about taking the plates away.

“So, is being royalty or being a CEO why you’re able to buy out an entire bakery and give it away?”

It was a forward question, Jacqui knew, but the wine and company were making her feel warm and safe.

Khizar chuckled at the slightly blunt question. “A little of both, I suppose. I am in the city for business, but I used my personal funds to buy everything. The need to take care of those less fortunate is something my siblings and I were taught from a young age, so I try to act on that wherever I go.” He cocked his head and added, “I suppose it is a bit of the royal privilege to know that I have enough money to do things like that.”

Jacqui raised her eyebrows. “A bit?”

Khizar laughed in agreement. “Okay, a lot.”

Jacqui grinned. “Still, I think you’re like a modern-day Prince Charming.” She thought for a moment. “Sheikh Charming.”

Khizar laughed loudly, charming Jacqui even more.

“I like that. I am delighted to be Sheikh Charming.”

The main course was served and Jacqui kept asking questions. Khizar didn’t seem to mind answering, and Jacqui wanted to learn everything about this fascinating man.

She was intrigued by how far apart their life experiences were, and honestly, a little jealous. She didn’t really want to be royalty; she was happy being a simple baker. But to have a large, close family, and to not want for anything? That made her long for a different life, one more like his.

And, she had to admit, she was definitely attracted to Khizar. He was handsome, and charming, yes, but he was also kind. It had been a long time since she’d felt like someone really knew her, and he had made that leap in just a few hours.

Plus, he was fun. They ate at least a bite of every dessert the restaurant offered, and drank more wine, and Jacqui had more fun in that one meal than she’d had in a long time.

Even if it was just that one night, and she never saw Khizar again, Jacqui knew her life would be changed because of meeting him.