The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(64)

His portly back disappeared, and Amir and Kaye set their helmets quietly back on the bike. Then, it was back to work. They filmed some more scenes of them fighting dramatically about Amir’s parents and their traditions. They filmed a reconciliation, and a heartwarming scene with the whole family. Kaye even got to meet Amir’s eldest brother, Hadid, who had taken a break from an advisory meeting when he’d heard Amir was in town. The man was almost as handsome as his younger brother.

Almost.

“Don’t let this little tyke fool you, Kaye. He’s quite the rascal,” Hadid said with a laugh.

Kaye shot a glance back at Amir, who wasn’t smiling. She could see how he would want to get out from beneath the moniker of ‘younger brother’.

“I can assure you, he is one of the most intelligent, most professional men I have ever worked with. He’s a great success out in Hollywood, all on his own.”

She didn’t know why she felt the need to defend him, but when she looked back at him, Amir’s expression was entirely unreadable. Hadid slapped his brother on the back affectionately.

“Good to hear. I always knew Amir would be a great success in anything he pursued. Well done, little brother.”

“Thanks, Hadid. I hope your legislative training is going well.”

“We have great teachers,” Hadid said, gesturing toward their parents, who were chatting with a chef in the corner.

Amalia ended the conversation and joined their little group.

“We’re going to have dinner tonight in the main hall with as many of our children who can come. I’d like you to meet the brood, Kaye. You’ll find them in good spirits, even if not the most well-behaved royals in the history of our country.”

She looked sternly over at Amir.

“This will be off-camera. The children aren’t as willing to put themselves on camera as we are. They have reputations to protect.”

“And you don’t?” Amir asked, amused.

“We’ve established ourselves. They haven’t. You children have much to prove. Now, move along and finish whatever you need to have done before then. I would like a nice family dinner before you all leave for another ten years.”

Amir nodded, and they met with Jesse in the home theater to film them watching a sponsored up-and-coming movie, their conversation closely recorded. Once the movie was done, it was time for dinner. Amir shook hands with Jesse and wished him a good night before escorting Kaye to the grand dining room.

There, six of Amir’s brothers and sisters with their spouses and children were all boisterously taking up the great hall. Kaye’s head spun as she was introduced to each person, and she watched with awe as Amir affectionately embraced every member of his family, getting on the ground to play with the children.

As the evening passed, there was love and laughter all around them, and Kaye’s heart warmed as she was regaled with stories from their unusual childhoods as a large royal family. Only when the children began falling asleep at their chairs did they finally agree to turn in for the night.

As Kaye lay in her spacious guest bed, she tried to focus on the feeling of love she had experienced that evening, and not on the day ahead. It would likely feel like one of the shortest plane rides of her life.





Chapter Fifteen





The next morning, the royal couple stood at the top steps, giving Amir and Kaye hugs as the cars waited to take them to the airport.

“It was such a pleasure to meet you, Kaye. And to work with you! The fear in your eyes was beyond believable,” Amalia said.

Kaye laughed, hugging Amir’s mother tight.

“That’s because it was very real. You are a fearsome woman to behold. I’m grateful that I’m on your good side.”

“Me, too,” Amalia chuckled, and she turned toward Amir.

“You be a gentleman with this young woman. Make sure she is taken care of, right?”

“I would never let you down, Mother. She is an exceptional colleague.”

Amalia’s eyes were filled with mischief as she nodded.

“Mmhmm,” she said, kissing her son on both cheeks before waving them off.

Jamir waved too as he wrapped the other arm around Amalia’s shoulders, the two of them still waving even as the cars disappeared from sight, heading in the direction of the national airport.

This time, Kaye and Amir had first-class seats on a commercial airline, and were forced to share it with a variety of other passengers. Kaye found herself seated several rows away from Amir, but she told herself that was for the best.

Her attraction to him was only growing more intense as they spent more time together. Part of her was certain that it wasn’t just her, either. There were times that she would catch him staring at her when he thought she wasn’t looking, only to glance quickly away when she met his gaze. She told herself that he was just brainstorming for the show, practicing how to look at her like he’d fallen for her.

Deep down, she knew better. Or at least, she thought she did. As soon as he would get close to her, he would push her away again. She knew he had to, because they had signed an agreement about it, but she always wondered just how much he might be experiencing the same feelings.

Could he be falling in love with her?

Kaye’s stomach roiled with discomfort. She was unsure about her feelings, about Amir’s, and she had a very scary meeting with her own family coming up as soon as the plane touched the ground of her home state.