He didn’t want to think about that, about her being with someone else, so he pushed the image away. For now, and for as long as he wanted her, Maggie was his. Yet he had only bought her time. Did Jon still possess her heart?
“Better,” Maggie said as they walked out of the restaurant. “That was exactly what I needed.”
“You have an impressive appetite,” Qadir said.
“I know. It gets embarrassing. I’ve always thought that if my work weren’t so physical, I would blow up like a balloon. Which, at this moment, I don’t care about.”
For the first time since her uncomfortable conversation with Jon, she felt as if she could catch her breath. Maybe it was that big, juicy hamburger sitting in her stomach. A burger, fries and a shake had been exactly what she’d needed to change her mood.
“Thank you,” she told the man at her side.
“You are welcome. Although I enjoy watching you throw things, I like seeing you smile, as well.”
She looked up at him, at his dark eyes, his handsome features. “You’re really smooth.”
“I know.”
“It’s a prince thing, isn’t it?”
“Some of it is me. My cousin Nadim is also a prince, but he is completely lacking in personality.”
“I talked to him at the ball. He was a lot more formal than you.”
“A kind way of ignoring his shortcomings.”
Maggie hadn’t been impressed, either, which made her wonder why Victoria would even consider marrying him. Yes, he was a prince and all, but marriage was forever. Especially a royal one.
Qadir put his arm around her and pulled her close. “I, however, have a wonderful personality and you are completely charmed by me.”
“That’s true,” she said with a laugh, even as she leaned into him. She liked it when he held her or touched her. Her body melted as little nerve endings began a “touch me” dance in the strangest places.
She wanted to turn to him and have him kiss her. Deep kisses like before with lips and tongue and hot breath. She wanted to be swept away and taken and…
Oh God. She was pregnant. Pregnant with another man’s child. She couldn’t have erotic thoughts about Qadir. It wasn’t right. It was borderline icky.
He was totally the wrong man and even if he wasn’t, her being pregnant made her the wrong woman.
The good news was her attraction to him was purely physical. It wasn’t as if her heart had gotten involved at all.
They headed back for the car. Qadir had driven and parked at the end of the block. But before they reached the gleaming Mercedes, she caught sight of a window display.
Last week she never would have noticed it, but today she slowed as she took in the pale green blanket draped over the white rocking chair. The small-scale dresser had painted rabbits playing together on the drawers. A toy box stood open with stuffed animals spilling from it.
Maggie slowed, then stopped. “I’ve never been in a baby store before,” she whispered.
“Would you like to go in now?”
It probably wasn’t the shopping he’d had in mind, but she nodded anyway, then hesitated before stepping through the open door.
“Is this okay?” she asked.
“Yes.”
She could see displays set up like rooms, with cribs and tables. Changing tables, she told herself, having no idea where that information had come from.
He dropped his hand to the small of her back and gave her a little push. She stepped through the door.
The space was huge and filled with clothes and toys, supplies and furniture. Maggie walked in a few feet, then stopped, not sure what to look at first.
“I don’t think I can do this,” she murmured.
Qadir came up beside her. “You do not have to do anything today. That should make things easier. We will walk around and get some ideas. Later, you can decide about what you need. Think of this as the first visit to the showroom. You’re not buying a car today.”
The analogy was perfect and helped her relax. She smiled at him. “Did I mention you’re good?”
“Several times, but it is praise I enjoy so feel free to say it again.”
Without thinking, she leaned against him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. She raised her head for a real kiss, hoping he would—
“Prince Qadir, what an honor. I am Fatima. Welcome to my store.”
The speaker was a pretty woman in her thirties. She beamed at both of them, clasping her hands together. Maggie’s stomach knotted and she instantly regretted the hamburger.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” Qadir said smoothly.
Maggie stepped back and cleared her throat. What was she supposed to say? Her pregnancy had been reported in the newspaper and showing up here, like this, would only cause people to think Qadir really was the father.
“We, ah, were just looking around,” she said, wishing she didn’t sound so lame.
“Of course. Please. Explore. If you have any questions I will be at the front desk.”
Fatima gave a little bob, then hurried away. Maggie watched her go.
“I’m sorry,” she said, feeling awful. “We shouldn’t have come in here.”
“Why not?”
“Because of what people will think.”
“You are having a child.”
“But not yours,” she said, trying not to shriek. “That’s what they will think.”
“We know the truth.”