To Kiss a Sheikh

Fariq was the father of the five-year-old twins she’d been hired to look after. It was important to get off on the right foot—and the left foot. She’d expected first-day-on-the-job jitters, but not like this; he was disturbingly good-looking. But she’d always believed beauty was only skin deep. Character came from within. This was her chance to put her money where her mouth was.

She was face to face with her boss, who, if not the best-looking man she’d ever seen, was certainly in the top three, and all she had going for her was her naked face. What she wouldn’t give for the crutch of cosmetics, or the props of high-heeled pumps and a tailored business suit.

Crystal was trying to pull off a plain appearance, as stated in the list of requirements for this position. That was a challenge for a former beauty queen, the pride and joy of her hometown, Pullman, Washington—population nine thousand when the university was in summer session. In that other life, success was all about appearance. This was the flip side of the coin—her moment of truth. Would the prince see past the hideous glasses, shapeless long-skirted navy suit, sturdy sensible shoes and hair pulled back from her face so tightly she looked like an ad for the facelift doctor not to use?

If he did, she would be sent packing, without the very generous salary that was the main reason she’d come here; the other reason being the opportunity to travel and experience life. That reason was important to her mother and had been the only way Crystal could get her to accept financial help.

“Please have a seat, Miss Rawlins.” He held out his hand, indicating the chair in front of his desk.

“Thank you.”

She sat and resisted the inclination to sigh in ecstasy at the soft, supple leather of the barrel-back chair.

“So,” he said, rounding his desk, then sitting behind it. He met her gaze. “How was your trip from—” he looked down at what was probably her employment paperwork “—Washington? The home of delicious apples, I believe.”

“Not in Pullman. It’s wheat—all wheat all the time. And my trip was very long, Your Highness. I lost track of how many time zones I crossed.”

“Yes.”

Fariq Hassan was the middle of King Gamil’s three sons and apparently didn’t waste words. Her research on the fabulously wealthy royal family of this near-idyllic Middle-Eastern country revealed that they didn’t keep an especially low social profile. His younger brother, Rafiq, was something of a playboy. The eldest son, Crown Prince Kamal, heir to the country’s throne, was considered by the press to be the most eligible royal bachelor. And Fariq was a widower, sought after by some of the world’s most beautiful jet-setting women.

No wonder. It had taken her all of ten seconds to research the fact that Fariq was probably the best-looking prince she’d ever laid eyes on. Not as flippant as it sounded since he was the only prince she’d ever laid eyes on. But she’d seen pictures of all three Hassan brothers in tabloids and magazines. They could be trouble in triplicate to female hearts.

In addition to his tall, powerful physique, number two sheik’s black hair and smoldering good looks made it a real challenge to take her eyes off him. And Crystal took great satisfaction in her recently acquired skill of overlooking a handsome face. Just as Clark Kent was invulnerable to anything but Kryptonite, she was impervious to the charms of your average, ordinary, everyday, run-of-the-mill normal hunk. But Fariq Hassan was so not average, ordinary, everyday or normal.

“Are you recovered from your trip?” he asked politely.

“I’m getting there. Yesterday I felt like something the cat dragged in,” she admitted. “I probably looked that way, too,” she added, testing the waters.

“I’m sure that wasn’t the case.”

“You’re very kind. And I’m grateful for the chance to acclimate. I very much appreciated the time to rest up in order to make a favorable impression on you and the children.”

“Tell me about your experience with children.”

He studied her carefully but his eyes gave no hint of anything besides normal curiosity. If anyone had learned to pick up a blip of masculine interest on her feminine radar it was Crystal. She’d had enough unwelcome practice and she’d made up her mind not to be arm candy ever again. His neutral reaction was a sign her masquerade was working. So why was she vaguely disappointed that he didn’t find her the tiniest bit attractive?

“I paid my way through college with money I earned doing child care.” And scholarship money for placing second in a local beauty pageant. “My degree is in elementary education. After graduation, I took a position for a year with a well-to-do family in Seattle. You probably have my letters of recommendation in front of you.”

“Your references are impeccable. A degree in education?” he asked, meeting her gaze.

Those black eyes of his seemed to see right through her. Like X-ray vision. She might be a Clark Kent in training, but which one of them was really a super hero in disguise?

“Eventually I’d like to teach.” She sat up as tall as she possibly could and pulled her shoulders back, meeting his gaze in what was her best I’ve-got-nothing-to-hide attitude.

“You have no desire for a family of your own?” One midnight-dark eyebrow lifted.

“Someday. But there are things I want to do before love, marriage and children.”

“In that order?”

“What other order would there be?”

A corner of his mouth curved upward. “Children then marriage.”

Her cheeks grew hot at the suggestion of bedding before wedding. That arrangement raised no eyebrows in this day and age and she didn’t judge anyone else for it. But there was something about talking so intimately with this man that just made her burn all over.

She shifted in her leather chair, then met his gaze. “Your Highness, I’m not so naive that I don’t know this happens. But not to me.”

“I see. But don’t American women pride themselves on the ability to have a career and family at the same time? What is the point in waiting, Miss Rawlins?”

“Because that’s not the way I want to do it. I adore children, which is why I chose a career in education. And when I have my own, I intend to stay home and raise them. But when the time is right, I’ll go back to work. My teaching schedule will allow me to spend holidays and vacations with my children.”

“Ah. A planner. Very organized.” He frowned.

“You disapprove?”

“On the contrary. I find the characteristic quite refreshing.”

He didn’t look as if he found it refreshing. He looked as though he didn’t believe her. She clasped her hands together and rested them in the her lap. “May I ask you something?”

“Yes.”

“Forgive me if this sounds impertinent, but as an educator I’ve learned it’s important to create an atmosphere where no question is perceived as stupid.”

His mouth turned up. “I see. Now that you’ve qualified yourself, please, ask your stupid question.”

She wasn’t quite sure if he was laughing at her or not. But she decided not to let it put her off. She was who she was, and because of his children, they would be dealing with each other. It was important for him to be clear on the fact that she was a woman who spoke her mind.

“It’s not actually a stupid question. It’s along the lines of a stupid clarification. This…talk we’re having feels more like an interview than a meet-and-greet.”

“Excuse me?”

“You know—we introduce ourselves and you welcome me to your country. Which you’ve done quite nicely. But I was under the impression that I’d already been hired for the position.”

He nodded. “Aunt Farrah was most impressed with you, and I respect her opinion very much. But these are my children, Miss Rawlins. The final decision is mine.”

“So if you disagree with Princess Farrah—”

“You will be on the first plane back to the United States,” he stated bluntly.

“Which brings up another question.”

“A stupid one?” He flashed a grin taking any sting—perceived or otherwise—from the words.

“I…I hope not.” She cleared her throat. “Why did you require an American nanny? Why not a woman from your own country, familiar with El Zafirian customs?”

“I will teach my children about their country. As will the rest of my family. But many of our business dealings are in the West, and, by virtue of their birth, Hana and Nuri will be involved in service to El Zafir. They will be required to interact with representatives of America. You will be able to prepare them for this, which someone from my country could not. It is a requirement I think very important.”