The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(60)

“Yes ma’am,” Kaye replied, the corner of her lip twitching.

Amir led the way from the gardens, then, directing Kaye down a series of hallways that were decorated with fashionable rugs, tables, and statues. There seemed to be a big thing about statues in Al Rayyan, Kaye noticed. She made a mental note to ask about it later.

Amir stopped in front of a door, turning the knob and pressing it open. Inside was a massive room with an enormous bed, two side tables, and another door that presumably led to a bathroom. Kaye’s suitcase was sitting at the end of the bed.

“Welcome. As my mother said, get some rest and we’ll get ready to film in the morning.”

“Thanks Amir,” she said, turning to face him.

“Of course.”

He seemed distracted, as though he couldn’t get away from her fast enough. It made Kaye curious, but she reminded herself that she wasn’t in the business of Amir’s feelings. In fact, she would do better to stay as far away from them as possible.

“Until then,” she said, feeling awkward.

Amir nodded, then turned and walked away. He didn’t look back as Kaye closed the door, wondering at his pensive mood.





Chapter Thirteen





Kaye spent the rest of the day relaxing for the first time in ages. She opened her suitcase and found all the toiletries from Amir’s guest house before taking a long, luxurious shower. The water was hot, the room was cool, and Kaye was in absolute heaven.

After her shower, she reached down to find the call button to be more of a remote. There were options for cleaning, room service, and “other.” She wondered what qualified as other, but, feeling a bit peckish even after the delicious lunch, she pressed the button for room service. A phone next to her bed rang almost instantly.

She picked it up on the second ring.

“Um, hello?”

“Miss Kearney, you rang?”

“Uh, yes, I did. I was wondering what options you had for food?”

“There is a menu in your bedside drawer, miss.”

Kaye pulled the drawer open, finding a small menu as well as a few books for light bedtime reading. Glancing at the menu, she ordered a fresh fruit and vegetable platter, thinking it was a good idea to make some healthy choices after the heavy meals she’d been having. After the food arrived, she proceeded to do absolutely nothing but enjoy the beauty and comfort of her bedroom.

The sun crossed the sky. At some point she ordered another snack—this time, seafood— and ate it in bed while reading one of the books, then fell asleep with the book on her pillow. It was one of the best days she could remember having in months, though a part of her wished that Amir had been there to spend the time with her. She wondered what he had spent his day doing.

Perhaps reconnecting with his family, she mused as she drifted off to sleep. His eyes were the last thing she thought of, and she reminded herself sleepily to watch her thoughts as they dreamily drifted back to Amir.

The next morning, there was a knock on Kaye’s door again. Rising, she padded over and cracked it open, hoping to find Amir. Unfortunately, she was not so lucky.

“Get up. We have filming to do.”

“Merle, what a pleasant surprise,” she said, her tone bone dry.

“Whatever. Just get ready. I have makeup here ready to prepare you for the day—she’s coming in now.”

Jen gave Kaye a cheerful wave as she dragged an enormous bag into her room, waltzing right past her.

“Morning!” she chirped, positively brimming with energy.

Kaye needed coffee to deal with this. The jet lag wasn’t helping, either. Merle nodded and walked away, apparently done with the conversation.

Closing the door, Kaye turned to face Jen, who watched her with sympathetic eyes.

“You need caffeine,” she declared.

“You’re a mind reader,” Kaye chuckled. “Or a face reader. I imagine it looks pretty bad up in here,” she said, gesturing in the direction of her face.

“Nonsense. You look great. I need coffee! I just figured I’d tell you that you did, too.”

“Fair enough. Let’s place the order.”

Kaye pressed the magic button under the nightstand once more, and before she knew it, the aroma of freshly-pressed coffee beans filled the room as Jen worked her magic, finally dressing her in a beautiful yellow summer dress.

“This will be sure to impress the Sheikh and Sheikha,” Jen said, and Kaye smiled.

“Here’s hoping.”

“I heard they were pretty brutal while the camera was rolling. They’re really getting into this, huh?”

“So it would seem,” Kaye said, rising as Jen finished dabbing a little more makeup on her cheek.

The two of them exited, making their way down the hall as Jen’s radio informed them that they were requested in the royal viewing room. When they got there, filming was already underway, with Amalia whispering to Amir with a deep frown on her face. One of the cameras turned toward Kaye, and she fixed an expression of fear on her face as she made her way over to her future mother-in-law and husband.

“Good morning,” Kaye said, her voice shaking slightly.

The Sheikha glared at her.

“You sleep in late,” she grouched.

“Mother, we have jet lag. Give her a break,” Amir pleaded.