The Sheikh's Contract Bride

by Holly Rayner

  “Where I come from, we’re used to some pretty delicious meals every morning.”

  “Where I come from, when you’re as rich as you are, you hire a cook to do that for you.”

  “But you’re right here! Why not just get that cute little butt up and wrestle us up a meal?”

  Kaye rolled her eyes, glancing at the camera with an expression that said, Can you believe this guy? She stood and headed toward the fridge. Inside, there was a whole bunch of expired food.

  “Ugh, what died in here?” she asked, taking a full step back from the fridge.

  Some of the staff snickered, and she realized the rotten food had to be a plant. Amir stood and joined her, his nose twitching in distaste.

  “The fridge must have died. Does that happen?”

  Kaye bestowed a loving smile on him, placing a gentle hand on his arm.

  “Yes, my love. Things do break. Not used to seeing it happen in real life?”

  Amir shrugged.

  “Those things were always just…fixed,” he said, tugging her away from the fridge.

  He pulled her into the circle of his arms, running a hand along the line of her jaw. Kaye stared up at him with adoration in her eyes.

  “What would I do without you to explain all these things for me?” he asked, gesturing to the smelly fridge.

  She turned and glanced back at it.

  “I don’t know, but if I have to breathe that in any longer, I’m going to hurl.”

  “Hurl?” Amir asked, though clearly he knew what she meant.

  “Throw up,” she clarified.

  “Ah. Yes, let’s not have any of that. This tile is far too dignified for such a mess.”

  “Cut!” Jesse called.

  He stepped back out in front of the camera.

  “That was great you guys, really great. Now, can I get Kaye over here to talk a little about your differences?”

  “Sure,” Kaye said, nodding to Amir as she was tugged away to another part of the kitchen.

  The camera light went on again, and she was back in character.

  “Amir is one of the sweetest people I know, but he is definitely a little…out of touch. One time, I tried to get him to open a tin can for me. Didn’t know how,” she laughed.

  She could hear Amir having his own interview across the kitchen.

  “Kaye is such a sweet girl. She’s beautiful and funny. She just really doesn’t know how to pick up on my cues, though. Like, when a man wants breakfast, make him breakfast!”

  She glared at him from across the room, and he blew a kiss at her, the expression dripping with sarcasm. All of it was caught on camera.

  “All right, now let’s get the two of you sitting side by side, talking about your relationship,” Jesse said.

  He led them toward another living room, which housed an array of luscious smelling flowers, the open windows letting in the scent of the sea breeze. Amir and Kaye were placed side by side, and he reached for her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. Her fingertips tingled where he touched them.

  “Okay, now tell me a funny story about how you met,” Jesse said, turning the cameras back on.

  Amir glanced down at Kaye and smiled.

  “Well, Kaye here was being a bit of a mess on the dance floor—doing this American…chicken dance thing?—and it was my duty as a man of Al Rayyan to ensure that she didn’t make a total fool out of herself.”

  “Amir,” Kaye scolded, nudging him playfully. “That is not at all what happened. There was actually a man that wouldn’t leave me alone.”

  Amir’s expression turned stony. He looked ferocious in an instant. While disconcerted, Kaye continued on as though the behavior was totally normal.

  “The guy was hounding me all over the floor. He lured me into a corner and was about to lay his hands on me when, out of nowhere, this guy swooped in and saved the day.”

  She nestled a little more closely into Amir’s side, breathing in the clean scent of him. He smelled like soap and clean linen, and it was the most comforting smell she had ever experienced. Amir was tense beneath her touch.

  "I would have beaten that man for his behavior, stalking a woman like that. He had no place to behave in such a manner. Fortunately, I was able to get that point across with as little violence as possible.”

  “And saved the day,” Kaye gushed, beaming up at her “fiancé.”

  Amir smiled warmly down at her, his brown eyes filled with an adoration that seemed so real, Kaye was almost fooled herself. She reminded herself to tell him to seriously consider a career in acting after the show wrapped.

  “Cut! That’s good guys, really awesome. Let’s get you doing some scenes in some other parts of the house, okay?”

  Kaye nodded, and together she and Amir spent the rest of the day filming scenes that would constitute their everyday life as a couple in love. While they showed affection toward one another, Amir never kissed her.

  “Where I come from, that’s just not a way we show affection before marriage,” he explained to the camera.

  Kaye nodded respectfully.

  “There are so many ways to show love. Besides, it will make that first kiss even more special, won’t it babe?”

  Amir nodded, twirling Kaye and tugging her into his embrace, where he dipped her.

  “Like dancing, for example,” he said.

  He was dashing and charming, but there were so many elements to the reality show version of Amir that weren’t even close to the man he was off camera. It was a fascinating transformation. When the cameras turned off, he lifted her back onto her feet, stepping away.

  “You’re really good at this,” Kaye told him, her voice laced with admiration.

  Amir shrugged.

  “Thanks. I’ve been around enough actors to know the ropes a bit. Also, Merle drilled my character into me pretty hard, and we all know what happens when we disappoint Merle.”

  There was a general chuckle that echoed around the room.

  “That should be good for today. We’ll film some evening scenes tomorrow night, and do some cutting and editing tomorrow morning, so you should expect us to start setting up sometime in the afternoon. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great. Thanks for everything, Jesse,” Amir said, holding out a hand for Jesse to shake, which he did.

  “No problem, man. You guys make it easy. Kaye, great job today. I think we’ve really got a hit show on our hands. You two have great chemistry on camera.”

  Kaye felt a small blush creep up her cheeks.

  “Thanks, Jesse.”

  He nodded.

  “We’ll have Jen arrive a little earlier than us tomorrow to get you both camera ready, okay?”

  “Sounds good,” she replied.

  With that, Jesse and the rest of the crew packed up their supplies, leaving the larger pieces in the front courtyard.

  As she got ready to leave, Kaye remembered with a start that she hadn’t thanked the Sheikh for her gorgeous new car yet. She turned to him, beaming.

  “Sorry I didn’t have time to say so before, but thank you so much for the car. It was really sweet of you, and I appreciate it so much! I love her; she’s gorgeous. I need a name, though!”

  Amir returned her grin.

  “Happy to help. We can think up a name tonight over some dinner, if you want?”

  Kaye gave him a confused look.

  “They told me to ready the guest house for you. I thought you had planned on staying there for the shoot,” the Sheikh explained.

  Remembering that conversation, Kaye lowered the hand holding her car keys.

  “Oh yeah, but I only brought a small bag, which is…somewhere.”

  “I’ll help you find it, and anything else you need, we can send Joshua to get as well.”

  “Are you sure that’s okay? I don’t want to do anything that might put me in violation of the contract.”

  “No need to worry about that—you’ll be staying in a different building from my room, after all. I would be honored
to have you as my guest,” he said, turning as he gestured back toward the house.

  Kaye thought about her dingy apartment, comparing it to the rather comfortable bed she had seen in the guest house. With a nod, she joined Amir, and they began searching the house for her missing bag.

  They found it in the downstairs bathroom where she’s had her hair and makeup done. Kaye grabbed it, then Amir led her out back and to the doorway to the guest house.

  “I hope you’ll find everything to your liking here. I do like my guests to be very comfortable, so anything you need, just say the word.”

  “Thank you, Amir. You’re a gracious host.”

  “I will be having quite a few guests for a very long time around here. I should be nothing if not gracious.”

  His smile was warm. Behind him, the sun was sinking toward the horizon, lighting the back of him like a golden halo. Kaye realized that she was staring, and she blinked, bringing herself back to reality.

  “Well then,” she said, not sure how to end the conversation.

  “Are you hungry?” he asked.

  In that moment, Kaye realized she hadn’t actually eaten anything all day. Her stomach instantly protested.

  “Yes, but what will we eat? You’ve got a fridge full of rotten food, if you remember.”

  The corner of Amir’s lip twitched, and he leaned in conspiratorially.

  “Good thing the actual kitchen is in a much better hidden place. Come on.”

  He turned and made his way back toward the main house, and Kaye had no choice but to follow. After all, a woman needed to eat, right?

  Chapter Eight

  Amir led the way through the various open spaces of his mansion until they reached a subtle corkscrew staircase discreetly tucked into a corner. He waved for Kaye to follow him down.

  “This is quite the secret, as you can tell,” he said, stepping carefully as they wound their way down, muted light coming from below.

  “It’s not terribly well-hidden, then,” Kaye observed.

  “Ah, but it is. Everyone is always so distracted by the glamour of the floor above, that they fail to notice this little corner in the back. In all the parties I’ve had—and I’ve certainly had a few—no one has ever managed to find me when I sneak down here for some peace and quiet.”

  They reached the bottom, and Kaye gazed around at her new surroundings.

  It was a cozy space, almost like an in-law suite, but for the mega-rich. There was another comfortable living room, a posh-looking kitchen toward the back, and a door that presumably opened up to another bedroom.

  “This is quite the hideaway you’re sharing with me then,” she observed, curious that he would do so.

  After all, for all their engagement mumbo jumbo, Amir and Kaye were practically strangers to one another. He shrugged one shoulder, leading the way toward the kitchen.

  “You are my fiancée, after all. We should have no secrets. Also, when Merle gets to be a bit too much, now you know where you can hide.”

  Kaye grinned at that as she took a seat at the kitchen counter, watching as Amir pulled out a series of ingredients from the surprisingly well-stocked kitchen.

  “A bit too much?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow.

  “I think there are words one could use for Merle that go well beyond the realm of polite conversation,” Amir said, setting out a cutting board and plopping a series of vegetables in front of Kaye.

  “Now, chop chop,” he said, gesturing toward the veggies.

  “Now, knife knife,” Kaye replied, and Amir turned, procuring a sharp cutting knife and handing it to her.

  She accepted it and began chopping vegetables as he seasoned some steaks.

  “You really like steak,” she observed, breathing in the scent of the herbs. “Are you going to grill that?”

  Amir nodded, still focused on his food prep.

  “It is one of my favorites. While the restaurant I took you to has a good selection, you’ve never had a good steak until you’ve had one of mine.”

  “Humble, aren’t you?” she teased, and Amir smiled.

  “You’ll see,” he said.

  A dimple appeared with his grin, boyish and handsome, and Kaye nearly cut her finger as she stared at it for a moment too long.

  A minute later, Amir turned with the seasoned steaks on a plate.

  “Are you ready to be amazed?” he asked.

  She stared at him with a deadpan expression. Unfazed, he turned and opened what had appeared to be another set of cabinets, but was really a built in indoor grill.

  “Wow!” Kaye exclaimed, and Amir laughed. “Are you going to grill these too?” she asked, gesturing toward the cut vegetables.

  He nodded.

  “Go ahead and put them right up here. I’ll give them a little bit of flavor.”

  Kaye stood, bringing the wooden board full of fresh cut veggies over and setting them on the counter next to Amir. He tensed, grasping her hand and looking at it. She jumped in surprise.

  “What—” she began, but had no time to finish her question.

  “A ring,” he said, his tone serious. “We forgot to put a ring on your finger!”

  Kaye glanced at her hand, still encased in Amir’s grasp. Her heart was beating a little faster at his touch, and she knew she had to find a way to let go. She pulled her hand up as though to look at it more closely—like she needed to—and he let go, thankfully.

  She couldn’t afford to have her heart racing for Amir. A million dollars depended on it. A lifetime of security. The ability to eat anything but crackers. She reminded herself every time she realized she was staring at him just what was a stake.

  “I’m sure we can come up with a story for it. Maybe I had to get it refitted, or it was sent to the cleaners the day we filmed our earlier scenes.”

  Amir visibly relaxed.

  “Yes, those are both viable options. Quick thinking, Kaye. Still…”

  He left the steaks and vegetables by the grill, walking away and into the other room. He disappeared for several minutes before he returned with a little black box in his hand. Kaye swallowed.

  This wasn’t exactly how she pictured her first engagement.

  Seeing the trepidation in her eyes, Amir cracked open the box to show her what was inside. A stunning diamond ring with beautiful rubies on either side graced the inside of the box, shimmering in the muted light of the kitchen.

  “This was my grandmother’s,” Amir said, removing it from the box.

  Kaye held up a hand to stop him.

  “Amir, I couldn’t possibly. That ring deserves to go to a woman you actually love…someday,” she protested, but Amir simply shook his head.

  “We have to be believable. I would never use any other ring for the woman I love. No, this one will have to do.”

  He reached for her hand, and she allowed him to take it. When he slid the ring onto her finger, it was a perfect fit, and a shiver ran down Kaye’s spine.

  “Just for the show. I promise you I won’t keep it once this is all over and done.”

  Amir simply nodded, satisfied that they had filled their plot hole before he plopped the steaks and veggies onto the grill, and they began to sizzle.

  “There’s some wine in that little fridge over there,” he said, nodding toward the other side of the kitchen. “If you’d like to share a bottle.”

  Kaye nodded, grateful for the libation. She opened the wine fridge and looked at the bottles. The contents of that tiny fridge could have probably paid off her rent for life, but she tried not to think of that as she picked a nice, cool bottle of champagne.

  Unwrapping the cork, she popped it, the sound echoing across the room as Amir glanced back at her.

  “Champagne. Inspired choice.”

  “It feels like we should be celebrating,” she said, finding two flutes and filling them while Amir continued to cook.

  She located a couple of plates, napkins, and silverware, and set the small table that was just off the kitchen. By the ti
me she was finished, Amir’s steaks were ready, and he asked her to bring the plates over for him to load up. The food smelled outstanding, and Kaye’s mouth was watering as she took a seat, excited to share another sumptuous meal with her host.

  “To life—both real, and reality TV,” Amir toasted, lifting a glass.

  Kaye clinked hers against his, taking a sip.

  “To life,” she agreed, enjoying the crisp taste and the bubbles that tickled her tongue.

  She cut a piece of her steak and took a bite, the meat melting in her mouth as an eruption of flavors exploded around her taste buds. She looked up to see Amir watching her, expectant.

  “All right, fine, best steak I’ve ever had,” she complimented begrudgingly, and he beamed with pride.

  “I thought so,” he said, taking a bite of his own. “Now, about naming your new car…”

  The two tossed around names for a while until they settled on ‘Iishraq’, meaning sunshine in Arabic.

  “The perfect way for me to commemorate the Sheikh with the sunshine personality who gave her to me,” Kaye concluded.

  They ate the rest of their food in comfortable silence, Kaye enjoying the savory taste of another exquisite meal. She would dearly miss this food when all this came to an end, but she reminded herself that she would have plenty of money to buy whatever she pleased. It would all work out in the end, no matter what.

  “Thank you for letting me stay here,” she said when they were finished eating.

  Amir shook his head.

  “It’s no trouble at all. Besides, it will be easier to film with you close by, and you’ll find my guest house to be more than comfortable.”

  “I already have. We did a bit of filming in there today for my one-on-one interviews.”

  “And how did those go?”

  “I think they went well. I tried to be convincing.”

  “You are an exceptional actress, Kaye.”

  “So are you. You really impressed me today,” she said.

  Was he blushing a little?

  “Yes, well. I’ve had plenty of exposure. The harder parts will be when we go to Al Rayyan, and I’ll have to act alongside my family.”