Her Older Sheikh (Sheikh Breaks My Heart #9)

Chapter Six

I f I ever needed more proof that this man is out of my league, then those words are it.

Tread carefully, self.

Imagine yourself as this helpless little lamb, and right next to you is a tiger. Would you feel safe and comfy, just because its claws are sheathed, and it has yet to open its jaws?

No, of course not.

Big, bad animals like Mr. Mine will always make creatures like me feel small and vulnerable, and I love it.

He only has to stare at me the way he's doing now, and I already feel like I'm in danger. All he has to do is be close to me, and it's more than enough to have a creamy rush of lust drenching my pussy.

And when I think about what he's just said—-

I'll take you up to my suite.

Remove your clothes.

And make you cum again and again until you understand that you are the only woman I'm craving for.

I clear my throat, but it's not enough, and I can feel him staring at me in amusement as I end up taking several gulps of my latte.

Calm down, self.

I look up, and my sanity threatens to flee when I see one of his almost-smirks playing over his lips.

C'mon, Mr. Mine.

Can't you be a little less hot so I can think clearly?

I take another gulp of latte and clear my throat before making another attempt to speak. "So, um, about those steps you mentioned."

"What about them?"

"When someone says they're going to take steps to do this or that, they usually start with the basics. Like..step one, which is for us to get to know each other. Or something like that. People don't usually begin with Step 200—-"

Such as taking to his suite a girl whose name he doesn't even know.

"Or Step 500."

Such as making said girl cum again and again until—-

"Are you asking me to slow down?"

"Kinda?" And when that doesn't seem enough for him, I add rather lamely, "I'm new to this."

"And so you feel scared."

"A little."

"Don't be."

He's purring again, and oh my gosh, but I. IS. SWOONING. Again .

"I'm a damn good teacher—-"

Halp, self!

"And I'm very hands on when I teach."

The double entendre is more than enough to turn my panties into a soaking mess, and I quickly squeeze my legs shut before anything can start dripping down my legs.

"Is something wrong?"

His languid tone makes my heart skip a beat even when it tells me I'm being toyed with.

"You know exactly what's wrong."

His lips curve into another almost-smirk. "You're pouting."

"And what if I am?"

"I like it."

Oh, Mr. Mine.

You haven't lost your way with words at all, but I think it's time I turn the tables just a bit.

"Stop it."

The whispered words take him by surprise, and it's his turn to take the bait. "Stop what?"

"Being so sexy," I say with a mischievous smile, and after a moment of silence, he ends up chuckling softly, and the sound is just divine .

"Well-played, my sweet."

My heart trips over itself when I hear what he's called me, and just like that Mr. Mine regains the upper hand between us.

"I mean it though," I say breathlessly. "I need you to stop being so hot or I'll never be able to think clearly around you."

"Who says I want you thinking clearly?"

I stick my tongue out, and Mr. Mine's lips twitch.

"Do you think I'm being childish?"

"I think you're being cute."

"Hmph." I playfully wag a finger at him...and end up gasping when he catches said finger with a nip of his teeth.

"Mr. Mine!"

The words are out before I realize what I'm saying, and all I can do is blush when I see the way his gaze widens.

"Mister... Mine?"

Forget about almost-smirks. What he has playing over his lips right now is a full-fledged smirk, and the sight of it has me feeling deliciously weak.

He leans close, and so do I.

He leans even closer, and I do the same.

Closer and closer and closer—-

"AHEM."

I shove Mr. Mine out of the way without thinking, and he nearly falls out of his chair since I've caught him by surprise.

Oops.

But I have no time to check if he's okay, since there's this old man suddenly standing in front of me.

"Grandpa, hi."

My grandfather doesn't answer, and that is so not good since he's never been the type to hide what he's feeling. You'll always know when he's happy or mad, sad or grumpy. But right now, his expression can only be described as enigmatic, and it's making me feel doubly nervous.

"I don't see Brian around."

Grandpa Paco sounds so bland, and it's making me want to start biting my nails.

"He, um, had to leave early."

"I see."

His gaze flicks to Mr. Mine, who's now standing next to me, and I take it as my cue to make the necessary introductions. "Grandpa, I'd like to introduce my friend, Rashad."

I feel Mr. Mine stiffen the moment he hears me utter his name, and I turn to smile brightly up at him even as I will him with my gaze to pretty, pretty please play along. Grandpa Paco places a lot of importance on first impressions, so we only have this one shot to win his approval.

"Rashad, this is my grandfather Francisco San Jose. But everyone just calls him Paco."

The old man comes from a generation that firmly believes in 'age begetting respect', and relief has my knees knocking against each other when Mr. Mine is the first to reach out for a handshake.

Good job, Mr. Mine!

"A pleasure to meet you, sir," Mr. Mine says in his deep, strong voice.

My grandfather only grunts in response, but I tell myself that's still better than nothing until—-

"Are you really a friend of Maddy," the old man asks oh-so-casually, "or you're hoping to become more?"

Holy, holy, holy Mother of Mockery!

I can't believe he's just asked that, and I realize too late that I should've just wished for Grandpa Paco to give Mr. Mine the cold shoulder like he usually does with any guy he hasn't personally introduced me to.

Mr. Mine glances at me, and I freeze.

This is it , I think numbly. He's going to make up some excuse to leave, and who can blame him? With the way Grandpa Paco's acting, it's totally understandable if Mr. Mine feels like he's about to be threatened with a shotgun wedding.

"I'm hoping to be whatever your granddaughter wants me to be."

What did he just say?

The two men start talking while I struggle to make sense of what just happened.

"Come join us for dinner," Grandpa Paco invites gruffly.

"Only if it's my treat," Mr. Mine answers with surprising suaveness. "Your choice of restaurant, of course."

Grandpa Paco laughs heartily. "It's a deal."

And that's how we end up walking out of Paradijs like one big, happy family.

Mr. Mine excuses himself to take a call just as Grandpa Paco's car comes up Paradijs' driveway, and I'm about to step inside when the old man blocks my way with his cane.

"You should ride with him instead."

"Grandpa!" I know he wants me married, but c'mon now.

"He's the first man you've showed interest in," he points out. "You think I'm not going to take advantage of it?"

"You don't even know him," I protest.

"That's where you're wrong," he says smugly. "He's a member of Paradijs, and so I know he's no fortune hunter."

"Grandpa!"

"Granddaughter!"

The way he mimicks my tone makes me realize I'm acting just a little hysterical, and a rueful smile breaks over my lips despite everything.

Grandpa Paco has always been the type to make snap decisions, and if I'm being honest, I know I kinda sorta take after him as well. Things might be moving too fast, but should I make a fuss when said things are also moving in the direction I desire?

"Did I read the situation wrong, Maddy?"

The gruff concern in the old man's voice makes me sigh, and I tiptoe and place a kiss on his cheek. "No, you didn't."

"All I want is for you to be happy."

"I know." Even when there are times that he annoys me so, I've never once doubted how much he loves me.

"And you know..."

Grandpa's tone turns decidedly casual.

"I also think this young man of yours can make you happy."

"Oh, you do, do you?"

Grandpa grins. "Am I being too obvious?"

"Subtle as a sledgehammer, actually."

"But do you like him?"

I look into his eyes so he knows how serious I am. "I'm pretty sure I'm in love with him."