The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(41)

He looked even more handsome with them on. Kaye swallowed, thinking about beaches, trying not to think about a shirtless Amir on one of them.

“What about you? There were whisperings from the other actresses when you came out. Is any of it true?”

Amir’s face fell for a second before he settled it back into a good-natured smile.

“That depends. What were they reading?”

Kaye shrugged.

“The tabloids, I don’t know. I don’t read that garbage.”

“Good for you. It’s nice to know we have at least one ally in the world that doesn’t see us as soap opera characters to be filmed at every turn.”

“Happy to lend my support,” Kaye said.

“To answer your question, I imagine parts of what they know are true, but you’ll have to tell me the rumor before I can dispel it.”

“The rumor is that you’re a Hollywood playboy that has dated nearly every actress and model in town.”

Kaye was a Midwesterner, and she prided herself on her ability to tell things as they were. Amir laughed again, and she was glad for it, because the sound was music to her ears.

“Well, I don’t think I’ve dated everyone in the area, but I’ve had my fair share of relationships.”

“And none of them suited you?”

Amir inhaled, letting out a breath as he considered his answer.

“It’s not that we didn’t suit, per se. There is a certain attitude here, a certain…”

He paused, allowing himself time to get his thoughts in order. Finally, he shrugged.

“I don’t know. No one around here knows how to have a good laugh, you know? Everything is so serious but also so over-dramatic. ‘If I don’t stay a size zero, I’ll lose my career. I have to get this plastic surgery or everyone will think I’m hideous!’ No one talks about much outside of their careers, or their physical appearances, or the next runway or awards show. It can get very dull very fast.”

“What would you prefer to talk about?” Kaye asked, curious.

Amir’s eyes grew distant as he turned the car down a city street, winding his way back through town.

“Something. Anything. What about the meaning of life? Why are we here? Why don’t more people travel? And when they do, why do they isolate themselves instead of really immersing themselves in a culture?”

He glanced back at Kaye and his lip twitched upward.

“I’m sorry. You must think I’m a terrible rambler.”

Kaye smiled up into his eyes. There was so much behind them—so much she wanted to know.

“I think there is much more to you than meets the eye,” she replied.

He pulled up in front of a restaurant and parked the car in front of a valet. Before Amir had time to, a man came over and opened Kaye’s door for her, and she had to slide out.

“Thank you,” she said, and the valet nodded.

“Miss. Enjoy your lunch.”

“Chris! How are you, bud?”

The valet’s face lit up at the sight of Amir, and as he approached to take the keys, Amir stuck his hand out for him to shake, which he did, heartily.

“Always good to see you, Amir,” the valet said, and Amir beamed.

“Aha! I finally got you to use my first name.”

“Well, someday, we’re going to be colleagues, so it would be weird for me not to, right?”

“You bet,” Amir affirmed, releasing the young man’s hand.

Kaye noticed there was a very large bill in the valet’s hand as he slid into Amir’s car.

“You always come in the best cars,” the valet called out, and Amir laughed again.

He might have been the most jovial man Kaye had ever met. Then again, when one was extremely rich and handsome, she imagined happiness was fairly easy to come by.

“Just for you! We’ll see you in a bit, Chris.”

“I’ll take good care of her!”

“You better, or you’re paying for it with your first big paycheck!”

“I’ll just buy you a new one,” Chris joked before closing the door and driving toward a garage.

Kaye turned to the Sheikh with an amused expression.

“Are you friends with everyone in L.A., or just the valets?”

His grin was infectious as he held out his arm for her to take once again, and she happily wrapped her hand around his bicep, resisting the urge to squeeze.

“Possibly everyone. As you’ve heard, I’m quite the socialite.”

They entered the upmarket establishment; all around them were tables with crystal decorations and china tableware, only a few of them populated. The hostess glanced up, and when she saw Amir, she smiled.

It seemed the whole world smiled when Amir was there. It certainly wasn’t the same world Kaye was living in.

“Amir, welcome back. Would you like your usual table?”

“I would. Thank you, Alice. How’s that commercial going? Have you filmed it yet?”

“We film it tomorrow. Hopefully they’ll keep me on as a regular extra!”

“Fingers crossed for you,” Amir said, crossing his fingers to show his support.

Alice led them to a table toward the back, which was private while still having a good view of the rest of the space. She handed them their menus, bid Amir a fond farewell, and was off to help another set of patrons that had just walked in.