The Oil Tycoon and Her Sexy Sheikh by Ros Clarke Page A

Khaled would always prefer not to take any risks in the Saqat waters, but they weren’t living in a utopian idyll where they could both get exactly what they wanted. They had to deal with the tough choices forced on them by reality.
    …
    Jamil knocked lightly on the door to Khaled’s private office.
    “Come in.”
    “Ms. McInnes to see you, sir.”
    He was sitting behind a vast desk, piled high with files and papers, much like his office in the Natural History Museum had been. He smiled ruefully at Olivia. “It doesn’t seem to matter how much space I have to work in, I always fill it.”
    “Do you know where everything is?”
    “More or less. Have a seat.”
    She moved a pile of papers off the nearest available chair and sat down. Khaled offered her some coffee. He poured them both a cup, then walked round to lean against his desk.
    “I enjoyed your visit to the radio show.”
    Olivia smiled. “So did I.”
    “I hope lots of Saqati women were inspired by it. There are no laws in Saqat that could prevent a woman from doing the sort of job you do, but still we have very few women working in such roles.”
    “Why not?”
    He thought about it for a moment. “I suppose because social pressures are much harder to change than the laws. I can’t make women apply for jobs or go to university, and there are a lot of people who still believe that women don’t need as much education as men because they will spend their lives at home, bringing up the children.”
    “There are people everywhere who think that. Most of them are men.”
    He nodded, acknowledging the point. “We’ll need teachers who will show our children that it’s not true. We’ve a long way still to go.”
    “Your wife could also set an example.”
    “Aliya is an educated woman. She hopes to establish her own business. A fashion boutique.”
    “I see.” That didn’t sound likely to inspire Saqati women to great endeavors. “Sadiah is wonderful.”
    “She is. She’s a real inspiration. Not just to the women, either. A lot of men listen to her show.”
    “You know, the one thing that would help to change things most for the women in your country would be economic growth.”
    “I know.”
    “More money means more jobs, more jobs require more education. For everyone.”
    He sighed. “Come on, let’s see what we can do about it.”
    He cleared a space on his desk and brought out the contract. She moved her chair nearer and they both pored over it. “Here,” he said pointing at a line. “We need to specify exactly what provisions should be made in case of an endangered species discovered near the rig.”
    Olivia nodded and listened to his suggestions, then made a few of her own. Together they worked section by section through the entire document. Eventually, Khaled leaned back in his chair and looked at her.
    “That’s it,” he said. “We’ll get it written up with all the amendments. And then I’ll sign it.”
    She drew in a long breath. She’d done it. He was going to sign. “You’re sure?”
    He shrugged. “I’ve been impressed with everything I’ve seen of your company. And you were right, my people do deserve this.”
    “Yes.”
    “And…” His lips twisted ruefully. “I want to do it for you. To give you your dream.”
    Her mouth went dry. He was doing this for her?
    “You deserve it, Livvy. You’re brilliant and your father is a fool for not realizing it years ago. You won this contract, and I’ll make sure he knows it.”
    She took a deep breath. She ought to say yes. She wanted this contract, she wanted the job. She wanted Khaled, but she couldn’t have him.
    It felt as if the contract was a consolation prize. He was offering her this like some men gave their girlfriends jewelry to say good-bye. Olivia wouldn’t have a necklace or a pair of earrings to remember Khaled by—she’d have an oil rig in the Persian Gulf.
    “You have to do it for the right reasons, Khaled.”
    His mouth twisted. “I know why I’m