The Sheikh's Virgin Bride(70)

It would be worth it, in the end. Even if she did walk away with a broken heart.

When she reached the end of the aisle, the Justice of the Peace smiled warmly down at her. She was a woman in her early forties, dressed in a smart black robe.

“Who gives this woman to be wed?” she asked, her voice deep and official-sounding.

“I do,” John-the-actor said, turning to kiss her cheek before he placed her hand in Amir’s.

Her fingertips tingled as she stood next to Amir, facing him as they looked back at the Justice of the Peace, the ceremony in progress.

“We are gathered here today to join these two souls in holy matrimony. This is a couple that has found the kind of love that so many hope for, but so few find. It is a true love, a deep love. A joyful melding of spirit and heart that will last until they are parted in death.”

Kaye stared at the woman, trying not to crumble. Her stomach hurt at her words. None of it was true, and yet, she was really getting married. It felt like such a lie, but it also didn’t.

“We will now recite the vows. Amir, if you’d like to go first?”

Amir nodded, and he pulled out a piece of paper—one that looked awfully similar to the one she had been handed that morning and had to memorize.

“Kaye,” he began, clearing his throat. “The moment I met you, I rescued you.”

There was a general chuckle from the crowd, and Kaye smiled indulgently at him.

“But the truth is, you are the one that rescued me. All my life, I’ve been trying to figure out who I am, what my place is in this world. I wandered aimlessly without purpose or place, lost in a sea of siblings and royal responsibilities. When I met you, I finally felt as though I had found myself. I love you, I cherish you, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together.”

Kaye’s eyes misted over at his speech, a tear of genuine emotion falling at his words. There was so much truth in them, even as there wasn’t. He stood upright, strong and stoic as always when he was in character, and Kaye remembered that this was all an act.

“And now you, Kaye. Please recite your vows.”

Kaye cleared her throat, wiping away a tear as she stared into Amir’s eyes, her own lines memorized.

“Amir, you are my prince charming, my rescuer, and my one true love. I promise to love and cherish you for as long as we live, and I promise to do the best I can to support you in all of your dreams and adventures. Thank you for changing my life so wholly. You are my everything.”

The JP nodded, grabbing a pair of rings. Kaye’s engagement ring still comfortable on her finger, Amir slid a gold band next to it as he promised to love and support her for the rest of their days. His ring was platinum, and as she slid it onto his finger, a sense of finality washed over her, even as she knew that the marriage was over before it even began.

“Without further ado, I pronounce you husband and wife! Amir, you may kiss your bride.”

Kaye stared up at him, wondering what his plan was. Amir had found clever ways the entire time of showing her affection without actually kissing her. His eyes shot to her lips before he met her gaze, his head lowering before he closed his eyes and captured her lips in a sweet, soft kiss.

There was so much more behind it, a power Kaye could feel with every inch of her skin. Still, he pulled away, grasping her hand as the two of them turned toward the ecstatic crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Al-Asfour!”

A great cheer erupted as Kaye and Amir made their way back down the aisle together. He pulled her hand up and kissed the back of it before they disappeared behind the doors of the mansion.

“Cut!” Jesse called.

And just like that, the magic was gone.





Chapter Eighteen





Amir let out a breath as he leaned against the wall of the lobby. After a moment, he looked at Kaye.

“You look great,” he said, and the corner of her lip turned up.

“You do, too. We should give our costume and makeup team a raise after this.”

Amir chuckled.

“I assure you, they make plenty.”

Before they could continue their conversation, Jesse walked in.

“Fantastic job, you guys! We’ll call that a wrap for today—we have a lot of take down to do before we pack up for the honeymoon teasers in Barbados tomorrow. I tell you one thing—I think this show is going to be very popular! Fabulous chemistry today!”

“Thanks, Jesse,” Kaye replied.

He nodded and walked back out, leaving the two of them alone once again, a married couple.

“Well, at least we don’t have to film an after-party,” Kaye mused, and Amir stood upright from the wall.

“What do you think about getting dinner, just the two of us?”

In spite of herself, Kaye wanted to spend the evening with her new husband. Her stomach danced with giddiness as she smiled up at him.

“I would love to. Can we not do it dressed like this, though?”

Amir’s smile was warm as he gazed down at her. She could almost believe that what he had said in his vows was real, if only just a little bit.

The money, she thought. The money!

“You can dress however you’d like, though I would recommend something a little fancier than jeans for the place I have in mind.”

“I think I can handle that,” Kaye said.