The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(53)

She glanced up at him with a question in her eyes. His eyes were dark as he looked down at her, ever serious.

“I’d like you to meet my parents before we get married, Kaye. I’m not sure they’re going to be thrilled about all this, but it’s important to me that they get to know you a little. Would you be willing to do that?”

She stared up at him as though considering his question, then her face broke out in a smile.

“Of course I would. I don’t want to get married without knowing my future in-laws, at least on some level! When are they coming?”

“Well, that’s the thing…” he hedged. “They aren’t coming here. We have a flight booked for early next week to head out to see them.”

“We’re going to Al Rayyan?” she asked, her voice filled with excitement, like she had no idea that was the plan all long.

“Yes, if that is amenable to you,” he said, still holding her hand.

She nodded enthusiastically.

“How did I get so lucky with you?” she asked, her voice soft.

He pressed his lips gently against her temple before sitting back, not too physical. He had been careful not to get into contract-breaking territory, though he had managed to plant several whisper-soft kisses on her person—whether it was her hand, her forehead, a shoulder. Every time, her body erupted with longing, and she had to fight to use that feeling simply to stay in character, and not think about anything else.

“I’m the lucky one,” he replied, gazing out into the sunset. “Now, I have someone to share all of this with.”

They sat in silence for a bit, Kaye wondering if she should start on another topic. The cameraman looked antsy as the silence dragged on.

“I would like to meet your family, too,” he said, prompting her.

Kaye’s unease was apparent, and it wasn’t entirely an act.

“I’m not sure they’re going to be super supportive of this,” she said.

“You think they will disapprove of me?”

Amir looked so affronted that she nearly kissed him just to get the look off his face. Not wanting to break any rules, she simply squeezed his hand and gazed into the water.

“We just got engaged so fast, and my parents are pretty old-fashioned. They are from a small town in the middle of nowhere. Things are done a certain way…I’ve never really fit into their idea of how things should be.”

Amir gently took her chin between his fingers, guiding her face back up to look at him.

“You are exactly the way things should be,” he said sternly.

She stared up at him, wondering if he was going to kiss her. He looked like he was about to when, instead, he pulled her to his chest and held her close, his body warm and comforting as she rested against him, enjoying the sensation.

Sometimes, she really wished that this was all real, and not just a show.

“That’s great guys, thanks!”

The cameraman shut off his camera and walked off, heading in the direction of the trailer. Jesse stepped out of the mansion, greeting them.

“Another great day! We’ll see you both in the morning for more fun, huh?”

“Until then,” Amir replied, though his usual off-camera cheer was a little muted. Perhaps he was feeling the exhaustion of the day as well.

Jesse left shortly after, leaving them both side by side at the pool, a star or two poking holes of light in the otherwise darkened sky.

“Great job today,” Amir said.

“You, too. I think we’ve got some good chemistry.”

“Yes. Very much so. I think this show will certainly be a hit.”

“And then you and I can go off to do even more great things.”

He was quiet for a moment.

“That’s the goal,” he said, not convincingly. He stood, then, holding out a hand to help Kaye up. “I hope you have a good night, Kaye. Is there anything you need?”

She stared at him, wondering if she should ask him to have another meal with her, or just have a nightcap. Anything to not have to say goodnight. Shaking off her feelings, she instead just shook her head.

“A good night’s sleep should be just the thing. I’m beat.”

Amir nodded.

“Me too. Until the morning, then. Goodnight, Kaye.”

“Goodnight,” she replied.

She turned back toward the guest house, unaware that he was watching her until she closed the door.





Chapter Ten





Kaye was curled up in her bed dreaming about the handsome Sheikh when a knock at the door jarred her awake. When she opened her eyes, she blinked into the pitch black of night.

“What on earth…” she mumbled, falling out of bed and walking carefully toward the direction of the knocks.

When she opened the door, the blinding lights from the mansion glared back, Amir’s silhouette vaguely recognizable in front of them.

“Wake up, sleepyhead! We’ve got a plane to catch!”

“What time is it?” she asked.

“Three in the morning. We want to get there at a reasonable time. Al Rayyan is quite the journey from here!”

Kaye blinked again, still processing the information. Of course, she knew that they had an early-morning flight. She just hadn’t expected three in the morning to arrive so soon. Nodding, she stifled a yawn.