The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(62)

Amir looked as though he was going to ask more about her family situation, but Jesse took her cue and ushered them away from the room, leading them toward a massive garage.

“Now, I want you to whisk her away. Try to be daring, and again, not so…soft.”

Kaye stifled a chortle. The number of times Amir had to be reminded to be a more macho version of himself was a little outrageous, in her opinion. He simply nodded, reaching for a pair of helmets as the cameras began to roll.

“Let’s get out of here,” he said, his tone gruff.

He was like some superhero pretending to be his alter ego. Kaye fought hard to maintain a straight face as she stared up at him, appearing, for all the world, as a forlorn lover who had been rejected by her fiancé’s family.

“And go where? I don’t belong here, Amir. Maybe this isn’t going to work after all. Maybe we acted too fast.”

“Are you kidding me?” he asked, grasping her gently by the shoulders. “We’re made for each other, Kaye. It’s you and me against the world, and we’re going to win!”

“Against who? Your parents? Mine? Is that really winning, in the end?”

“We win in the end because we have love. Isn’t that enough?”

Jesse made a gesture for more masculine lines. Amir audibly sighed.

“Come on. On the bike, now. I’m taking you out.”

“And if I refuse?” Kaye asked, trying to help him out.

He leaned toward her, towering above.

“Then I will sit you on it myself and kidnap you from this palace.”

“Dangerous,” Kaye cooed, a smile in her voice.

“Don’t tempt me,” he said, wrapping his arms around her lower back and pulling her close.

Before he could kiss her, he plopped the black helmet over her head, kissing the top of it instead.

“It’s just you and me, Kaye. Let me show you what life is like in my world when my parents aren’t breathing down our necks.”

“That’s the best idea you’ve had all week,” Kaye replied.

He revved the engine, and they zoomed off, two cars filled with cameras on either side.





Chapter Fourteen





Kaye held on to Amir’s toned torso as he wove between cars, cameramen shouting from either side as he left the filming crew in the dust. A wave of excitement coursed through her as the wind whipped around them, the warm sun contrasting nicely with the breeze. Before long, she looked over her shoulder and couldn’t see either car.

Amir continued to weave through traffic, twisting and turning down a myriad of roads until Kaye was completely and totally lost. He began driving up what had appeared to be a towering dune, but was really a golden paved road that led up to the top of a monument. Amir skidded to a halt at the very top, facing the city.

“You’re going to get in so much trouble with Merle,” Kaye said as she stepped off the bike, removing her helmet.

Amir’s grin was gorgeous as he removed his own, his dark hair tousled, his eyes shining in the sunlight.

“I’m always in trouble with Merle.”

“It’s going to be tough to speak with you when you’re not your macho character.”

“I’ll have you know I am very macho in real life.”

Kaye scoffed.

“You’re certainly much more pleasant to be around when the cameras are off.”

He lifted a curious eyebrow.

“You really think so?”

“Of course I do. Have you even noticed that Jesse has to remind you to be more…”

She couldn’t find the right word.

“Rude?” he offered, and she laughed.

“Well, yes. Though I’m not sure that’s the best word for it.”

“Who knows? Anyway, look down.”

Kaye glanced down, finding her feet planted on a golden dome. Amir rolled his eyes.

“Not that far down, that way,” he said, gently taking her shoulders in his hands and facing her in the direction of the city.

Everything gleamed beneath them, as though they were standing on top of the world. Kaye inhaled, taking in the gorgeous sight. The palace was still just as sprawling from up there, but from so high up she could get a really good look at the winding gardens and myriad of pathways outlining the inside.

“It’s such a beautiful country,” she whispered.

Amir stood next to her, just close enough to have their shoulders touching. It was still enough to bring a tingling sensation to that area of her body. He stared out at the scene, that same wistful expression on his face.

“You miss it,” she noted.

Amir released a breath, crossing his arms as he stared down at the city.

“A little piece of you always misses home, I suppose.”

“Not always,” Kaye said.

He looked at her then, his expression curious.

“You are nervous about flying back to Indiana,” he observed.

They weren’t questioning each other. At this point, they knew one another well enough to simply comment in understanding. It was something Kaye noticed, and to her chagrin, she liked the feeling of closeness between them.

She liked it a little too much, given their contract.

Kaye met his gaze, her eyes heavy with the weight of her worry.