Page 43 of Bred By the Sheikh

“Good.”

The attendants cleared dessert several minutes later.

When we were alone again, Tariq poured water into my glass.

“Tell me something.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“It isn’t.”

“Your track record with questions says otherwise.”

He leaned back.

“You know I’m Qadiran.”

“I know now.”

“My family is part of the ruling house.”

That explained the title in a way CEO never could.

“You’re actually royal.”

“I am.”

I blinked at him.

“I probably should’ve researched you more thoroughly.”

“I’m pleased you didn’t.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you’ve spoken to me like I’m Tariq, not a title.”

“You told me I could.”

He gave me a faint smile.

“That isn’t the same as doing it.”

I thought about the breakfast attendant going rigid because I’d called him Tariq.

“I can imagine.”

He looked down briefly at his glass.

“For most of my life, there have been assumptions attached to marriage.”

A knot formed low in my stomach.

“What kind of assumptions?”

“That I would eventually marry. That there would be children. Heirs.”

The word sent a strange little pulse through me.