The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(50)

He nodded.

“Go ahead and put them right up here. I’ll give them a little bit of flavor.”

Kaye stood, bringing the wooden board full of fresh cut veggies over and setting them on the counter next to Amir. He tensed, grasping her hand and looking at it. She jumped in surprise.

“What—” she began, but had no time to finish her question.

“A ring,” he said, his tone serious. “We forgot to put a ring on your finger!”

Kaye glanced at her hand, still encased in Amir’s grasp. Her heart was beating a little faster at his touch, and she knew she had to find a way to let go. She pulled her hand up as though to look at it more closely—like she needed to—and he let go, thankfully.

She couldn’t afford to have her heart racing for Amir. A million dollars depended on it. A lifetime of security. The ability to eat anything but crackers. She reminded herself every time she realized she was staring at him just what was a stake.

“I’m sure we can come up with a story for it. Maybe I had to get it refitted, or it was sent to the cleaners the day we filmed our earlier scenes.”

Amir visibly relaxed.

“Yes, those are both viable options. Quick thinking, Kaye. Still…”

He left the steaks and vegetables by the grill, walking away and into the other room. He disappeared for several minutes before he returned with a little black box in his hand. Kaye swallowed.

This wasn’t exactly how she pictured her first engagement.

Seeing the trepidation in her eyes, Amir cracked open the box to show her what was inside. A stunning diamond ring with beautiful rubies on either side graced the inside of the box, shimmering in the muted light of the kitchen.

“This was my grandmother’s,” Amir said, removing it from the box.

Kaye held up a hand to stop him.

“Amir, I couldn’t possibly. That ring deserves to go to a woman you actually love…someday,” she protested, but Amir simply shook his head.

“We have to be believable. I would never use any other ring for the woman I love. No, this one will have to do.”

He reached for her hand, and she allowed him to take it. When he slid the ring onto her finger, it was a perfect fit, and a shiver ran down Kaye’s spine.

“Just for the show. I promise you I won’t keep it once this is all over and done.”

Amir simply nodded, satisfied that they had filled their plot hole before he plopped the steaks and veggies onto the grill, and they began to sizzle.

“There’s some wine in that little fridge over there,” he said, nodding toward the other side of the kitchen. “If you’d like to share a bottle.”

Kaye nodded, grateful for the libation. She opened the wine fridge and looked at the bottles. The contents of that tiny fridge could have probably paid off her rent for life, but she tried not to think of that as she picked a nice, cool bottle of champagne.

Unwrapping the cork, she popped it, the sound echoing across the room as Amir glanced back at her.

“Champagne. Inspired choice.”

“It feels like we should be celebrating,” she said, finding two flutes and filling them while Amir continued to cook.

She located a couple of plates, napkins, and silverware, and set the small table that was just off the kitchen. By the time she was finished, Amir’s steaks were ready, and he asked her to bring the plates over for him to load up. The food smelled outstanding, and Kaye’s mouth was watering as she took a seat, excited to share another sumptuous meal with her host.

“To life—both real, and reality TV,” Amir toasted, lifting a glass.

Kaye clinked hers against his, taking a sip.

“To life,” she agreed, enjoying the crisp taste and the bubbles that tickled her tongue.

She cut a piece of her steak and took a bite, the meat melting in her mouth as an eruption of flavors exploded around her taste buds. She looked up to see Amir watching her, expectant.

“All right, fine, best steak I’ve ever had,” she complimented begrudgingly, and he beamed with pride.

“I thought so,” he said, taking a bite of his own. “Now, about naming your new car…”

The two tossed around names for a while until they settled on ‘Iishraq’, meaning sunshine in Arabic.

“The perfect way for me to commemorate the Sheikh with the sunshine personality who gave her to me,” Kaye concluded.

They ate the rest of their food in comfortable silence, Kaye enjoying the savory taste of another exquisite meal. She would dearly miss this food when all this came to an end, but she reminded herself that she would have plenty of money to buy whatever she pleased. It would all work out in the end, no matter what.

“Thank you for letting me stay here,” she said when they were finished eating.

Amir shook his head.

“It’s no trouble at all. Besides, it will be easier to film with you close by, and you’ll find my guest house to be more than comfortable.”

“I already have. We did a bit of filming in there today for my one-on-one interviews.”

“And how did those go?”

“I think they went well. I tried to be convincing.”

“You are an exceptional actress, Kaye.”

“So are you. You really impressed me today,” she said.

Was he blushing a little?