The Sheikh’s Pretend Fiancée

by Leslie North

  Liyah’s mother didn’t need her help anymore. Not after she’d married that narcissistic jerk three months ago. Yet another reason that Liyah had escaped to Dubai. “Go back to bed. I’ll let you know what I decide later.”

  Sahaar was still asleep, so Liyah left a note saying that she was going to have breakfast in the city. She let herself out of the house as quietly as she could manage and proceeded to follow the instructions on the note. Taking the bus to the inner city, she called the number on the paper from the payphone.

  The phone number must have been Asad’s direct line. His voice was still husky from sleep when he answered, and her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t even bother to introduce herself. “I have some questions,” she said without any preamble.

  “Not over the phone,” he said quickly. “I’ll have a driver pick you up. Tell me your location.”

  She waited, the city still relatively quiet around her, and she closed her eyes and enjoyed the peace. If she hadn’t been so stunned yesterday, she would have remembered to ask questions. Like—would she have to live with Asad? What was she supposed to say when people asked how the two of them met? How was Asad going to explain not inviting her to any events in the past?

  The same driver picked her up, and he said nothing as he drove her to the palace. When she stepped out of the car, she was stunned by the immense structure sprawling before her. It blended the beauty of Middle Eastern architecture with the hint of a desert oasis, palm trees lining the drive in the front. Rather than stopping at the entrance, Ori had driven to the back of the mansion—building—palace. Yes, palace. For starters, Liyah could see the sun sparkling from a pool that was easily half the length of a football field.

  No wonder Asad had offered her so much money. It was probably pocket change to him. “Does all this belong to Asad?” she asked quietly.

  “This is the Sharif home,” Ori answered. “All four children reside in their own suites, but when the current sheikh passes, all this will belong to the eldest. More than likely, Asad will allow his brothers and sister to stay, but they are free to reside in their own homes. All of them have condos in the city, as well.”

  It wouldn’t matter if all four siblings stayed here. The palace could house twenty families and still have plenty of room left over.

  Feeling more out of place than ever, she slowly followed Ori from the car to what appeared to be a private back entrance. The driver pushed a button to the side of the door, motioned to her to stay where she was, and went back to the car.

  When the door swung open, a slender young servant peered shyly at her. “Right this way,” she whispered and ushered Liyah in.

  The short hallway led to two doors. The servant passed the one on the left and instead knocked on the door at the end. She then ducked her head in a nod and scurried away through the other door.

  Once again, Liyah was being passed around.

  The door swung open, and Asad stood there, dressed only in a pair of khaki shorts. His hair was dripping wet, and there was a towel slung casually around his shoulders. Liyah wondered if he’d gone for a dip in the pool or if he’d just taken a shower.

  It was a wonder that she could think at all. His body was beautiful. Muscles rippled beneath the surface of his glistening olive-colored skin, and he looked so hard and smooth that, for one insane moment, she wanted to reach out and touch him.

  “You’re here earlier than I expected,” he grumbled. “Please have a seat while I finish dressing.”

  It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him not to get dressed on her account, but she did as she was told.

  The suite opened into a large sitting and dining area. The sun streamed in through wide windows, yet the room was perfectly temperature-controlled. As she looked around, she realized that she could fit five copies of her apartment into his living suite.

  “I like your place,” she said, a ridiculous bubble of laughter rising out of nowhere. “It seems a little big for just one person. Do you have a cat? Or a dog? Maybe a goldfish. That might help take up some of the space.”

  “You want a pet?” he asked from another room.

  “Who, me? I love pets, but I never have time for them. Maybe one day. But I’m just saying that you should get a pet. Something big, that might take up some room. Actually, dogs aren’t really popular around here, are they? You could totally fit some horses in here.” God, she was babbling again.

  Shut up, Liyah.

  Too bad she wasn’t so good at following her own advice. “Would I have to live with you?” she blurted out.

  When he emerged, he was fully dressed—but no less sexy. “Yes,” he said quietly. “I’ll present you as the American I’ve been secretly seeing. Now that things are official, I’ve invited you to live here with me for the duration of our engagement.”

  “Right. That makes sense. Why would you be engaged to an unemployed woman living with a widow?” she muttered, looking away from him to fix her gaze on the view outside the window. “I know that you wanted someone quiet and unassuming, but aren’t people going to realize that you are way out of my league?” She turned back to him, her eyes narrowing. “I’m a teacher. Well, I was a teacher. Now I’m a hooker.” Her cheeks flushed, and she shook her head. “That came out wrong. I am not sleeping with you.”

  “Liyah.”

  His voice held a trace of laughter, and she gritted her teeth. Did he really think this was funny?

  “How about I explain this to you, and then you can ask your questions.”

  “Sure. That sounds good.”

  “I’ve taken several trips to America over the years, so it won’t be hard to believe that I’ve been seeing you in secret. We’ll stick to the truth as much as possible. You were drawn to me because you’d already been to Dubai, and after several dates and several months of writing letters to each other, we eventually fell in love. I wanted to protect you from the public, so I kept quiet until I proposed. You were a teacher, but I swept you off your feet.” A wry grin crossed his face before he sobered and continued, “Amira will school you on our customs and how to present yourself when you’re with me. Some will approach you, but Amira is already fabricating the answers to the most common questions. You’ll stay here in the suite with me, but there is a second bedroom. You’ll sleep there. It’s unlikely that we’ll have any overnight guests, and of course, my family will know the truth. The servants will be discreet. You’ll attend certain functions with me, and we’ll make some solo public appearances, but otherwise, you’re welcome to entertain yourself. There will be a car at your disposal, and you’re welcome to visit your friend and exchange-mother whenever you’d like. I’m not here to take anything away from you that you aren’t willing to give.”

  “And when it’s over?” she whispered.

  “When I’m certain that the investors won’t pull out, we’ll call off the engagement. Some will pry, but we’ll just explain that in the end, we realized that we simply were not a good fit. You’ll be paid, and you can return to your life.”

  “How long do you expect me to pretend?”

  “I can’t say for certain,” he answered carefully. “But I should warn you that it may take a few months. I’ve already authorized an extended stay for your visit, so you don’t have to worry about applying for a work visa.”

  It sounded so cut-and-dried. Professional. “When would you want me to move in?”

  “You’re already here.” He shrugged. “I see no reason for you to leave.”

  Liyah blinked. “I don’t have my stuff. I have to go home and get my things.”

  “Amira will shop for you, to get you a suitable wardrobe,” he said dismissively. “Any personal items are better off at your exchange-mother’s.”

  “I told Mila that your sister invited me to stay. She’s going to notice that I didn’t bring my things,” Liyah pointed out. “Plus, I still have to explain things to Sahaar. I need to say goodbye.”

  Asad’s mouth twisted in displeasure, but he finally nodde
d his head. “Very well. I’m sure we can find some place to store your things. I’ll have a driver take you home, but you’ll say your goodbyes, pack your things, and return immediately. There is much to do—and not much time.”

  Bossy, much? He’d already turned his back as if to dismiss her, so she left the same way that she came. Though she’d seen him drive away after dropping her off, like magic, Ori was waiting for her as she left the private entrance, holding the car door open for her.

  When she’d returned home, Sahaar was just pulling out a batch of pastries from the oven. Unable to help herself, Liyah reached over and snagged one. Popping it into her mouth, she moaned over the warmth.

  “Breakfast in the city and still hungry?” Sahaar teased. “My sons would be proud.”

  Liyah laughed and shook her head in response. She hesitated then and chose her next words carefully. She didn’t want to hurt her exchange-mother, but she also knew that she couldn’t tell Sahaar that everything was going to be all right. “I met a friend the other day, and I was having breakfast with her. Amira Sharif. She . . .”

  “Yes. I know who she is.” Sahaar waved her hand impatiently as if wanting Liyah to get to the good part.

  Liyah knew that Sahaar was eager for her to make friends. “She's invited me to stay at the palace. They have a large library, and it’s a great opportunity for me to review their collection.”

  “You don’t have to explain, Liyah. I’m sure it’s a wonderful opportunity for you, and I’m pleased.” Sahaar smiled warmly. “Just make sure you call and check in from time to time.”

  “I will. I’ll still visit. I talked to Mila this morning about it, but I was going to say goodbye after I packed my things. There’s a driver waiting for me.”

  “Mila is already gone, but I’ll pass the word on. I’m sure she’ll be visiting you soon enough.” Sahaar reached over and hugged her. “Be safe, Liyah. Remember that you are beautiful, just the way that you are.”

  Sahaar clearly didn’t think that she’d return the same person, and Liyah couldn’t help but wonder if the older woman was right.

  5

  Several days passed, and Liyah barely saw Asad. Amira took control of the situation, took Liyah shopping, and reprimanded her every time the shock she was feeling was evident on her face. Liyah’s own life paled in comparison to the lap of luxury Asad and his family treated as a backdrop to their own perfectly sculpted features. Their mannerisms were dipped in grace and the mastery of the social arts.

  Despite the independence that women were allowed in Dubai, she was expected to be submissive toward Asad when they were in public. No doubt that was why he’d chosen her instead of someone like Mila, but Liyah didn’t bother to point out that being shy didn’t make her submissive.

  A few nights in a row, she heard Asad’s step—he’d walk into the suite and stop at her door for a few moments before walking on to the other bedroom, but he never knocked or asked to come in. He was always gone by morning.

  Liyah wondered if that was how it was going to be, but then one day when she returned from another exhausting shopping trip with Amira, she found Asad waiting for her.

  “You’ll dine with me tonight,” he ordered. “I want to see if you’re ready.”

  “Ready for what?”

  “Rashid’s birthday party is several days away, and many of the investors will be there. You’ll be introduced as my bride-to-be.”

  Her mouth instantly went dry. She was far more comfortable in Amira’s company than what would most likely be a party—with hundreds of people.

  “I have dinner plans,” Amira said at her elbow, a mischievous smile lighting her face. “How do they say it in American? You two crazy love-birds have fun.” With a wink, she saw herself out.

  Liyah wasn’t afraid of Asad, but it was on the tip of her tongue to beg Amira to stay as the door was closing behind Asad’s sister.

  He must have seen the look on her face, and he instantly reacted. “You’ve been sharing a wall with me for the past five nights. You don’t really think that I bite, do you?” he murmured.

  A shiver went up her spine, but it wasn’t fear gathering between her legs.

  He grinned, tilting his head to eye her with feigned speculation. “Although, I have to admit that in some situations, I do enjoy biting.”

  Her fake boyfriend was every girl’s fantasy. It should have made it more difficult, but the flirting put her at ease.

  He reached over and stroked a finger up and down her arm. “That’s it,” he said soothingly. “You’re going to have to act as though you’re comfortable with me. As though I touch you intimately every night.”

  Now he was just poking fun at her. Stepping back, she scowled. “I realize that you may not know this, but this isn’t my first acting gig.”

  “No?”

  “Of course not,” she scoffed. “I was one of the three weird sisters in Macbeth when I was in high school.”

  He barked with laughter. “A witch. Of course you were! Well, my dear, consider this dinner your audition.”

  The second story of his suite opened to a private terrace, and her breath caught in her throat when she saw the small table with the white tablecloth and single candle within the glass hurricane. The flame flickered teasingly. “A romantic dinner,” she muttered. “How is this an audition?”

  “Prove to me that you can act like the doting and loving girlfriend, and I’ll tell Amira that her job is done. You can spend the rest of your time doing whatever you like.”

  Liyah perked up. “The library?” she asked instantly. “I can explore your private collection of books?”

  “I’ve given you a credit card with an outrageously high limit and sent you shopping, yet all you want to do is read,” he said with a shake of his head. He pulled out her chair, and she felt a little giddy as she sat down. She tried to pretend it was because she could finally enjoy the library, but she knew it was the way his hands casually brushed along her back as he circled the table and sat down in his own chair.

  A servant appeared with a dining cart, domed dishes shining silver, promising rich flavors to come. As the meal was served and the wine poured, she slowly recounted everything Amira had told her. “Public displays of affection are not allowed, so I won’t have to kiss you.”

  “A pity,” he murmured.

  She almost kicked him under the table. “I should never interrupt you when you’re speaking to someone else, and I’m never to publicly argue with you.”

  “Or privately.”

  She fixed him a stern stare. “As if.”

  “We met three years ago when you were in New York for business. I was still in college, but I’d taken the weekend to see a show with my friends. We had our first meeting in a taxi.” She scrunched up her nose. “That’s pretty cliché in the West, but maybe not here.”

  “Go on,” he said with a chuckle.

  She picked up her wine and took a sip. “We shared the taxi home, and I was apparently halfway in love by the time we reached my hotel. You asked me to dinner, and by the end of the weekend, we’d agreed to be pen pals.”

  “Amira,” Asad growled. “I told her no pen pals. We agreed to keep in touch. Through email.”

  True, Liyah couldn’t see a man like Asad writing anyone love letters. “You took another trip two months later and took some time to come visit me. The next thing I knew, you were visiting me once a month, and we were dating.” Unable to help herself, she yawned.

  “Bored with our love life already?”

  “Your sister is exhausting,” Liyah muttered without thinking. Immediately, she was ashamed. Amira had been nothing but kind and helpful.

  “Agreed. How did I propose?”

  “You probably sent me an email,” she muttered. He cleared his throat, and she looked longingly at her food. Her stomach rumbled, but she knew it wouldn’t make it from the cart to the table until she finished. “You’d seen one too many romance movies and dropped a ring in my champagne glass. I nearly c
hoked on it. You proposed. I said yes. We laughed and cried and kissed.”

  Asad lifted an eyebrow. “You don’t seem like a woman in love.”

  “Women who are hungry are rarely in a loving mood,” she joked, but she could see that Asad was concerned. “I’m getting comfortable here, but it’ll be different when we’re around people. I’ll be that shy and boring woman you were hoping for, and even though I’ll stand close to you and let you put your arm around me, no one will look twice at me.”

  “I never said boring,” he said roughly. “I may not know much about you, but I can tell that you are not boring.” Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a black box. “My mother would not give consent to give you the family ring, so I purchased this today. It’s not much, but it should suffice. If anyone asks, you can tell them that the family ring will be given to you when we’re wed.”

  Popping the box open, Liyah could only stare at the huge emerald that glittered under the lights of the terrace. If he thought this wasn’t much, she shuddered to think of what the family ring must look like. It’d probably break her finger.

  “It’s beautiful. Thank you,” she murmured as she closed the box.

  “When this is over, you may keep it.” He snagged the box and pulled the ring out. When he took her hand and slid the ring on her finger, her whole body warmed and tingled. It felt completely unreal, like she was living in someone else’s body and seeing a whole new life through their eyes. “You’re meant to wear it. Even when we’re alone. Just in case.”

  “Sure,” she managed. “Thanks.”

  Lame.

  Asad crooked his finger for the servant, and Liyah breathed in relief when the food was finally served. She was famished. As she cut into a succulent steak, she strove to make pleasant conversation. Might as well get into practice. “I haven’t seen your parents or your brothers since I’ve been here. What do they think of this plan?”

  “My parents are traveling. They’re not pleased, but they won’t refute my claim. My brothers think it’s a brilliant idea. That alone should give me pause.”