Page 14 of The Sheikh's Fake Fiancée

His mother nodded, pride glinting in her damp eyes. “Your dad would have been proud of your particular brand of revenge.”

Zania felt faint. It seemed Kain wasn’t always the nice guy. For the people he loved he clearly made his own rules. So why did that reassure her?

Kain’s gaze held hers. “I’m sorry if that news disturbs you.”

She shook her head. “I’d be far more disturbed if you’d done nothing.”

Shamsa sniffled, then managed a smile. “You chose well, Kain. She’ll be a perfect fit for our family.”

Chapter Nine

Zania waited until the dressmaker, who’d arrived to measure her up for the many outfits she needed in the next few weeks, stepped out of the dressing room that was attached to the walk-in closet, then disappeared from view before Zania properly looked at herself in the full-length mirror. Her breath caught in her throat at the abaya she’d chosen for her first dinner as Kain’s future wife.

The royal blue fabric with woven silver thread was the most exquisite thing she’d ever owned, the silver hijab with its sapphire jewel pinned at the front just above her brow making her look sophisticated and regal, as though she really did belong with Kain.

She ignored the flutter of yearning in her stomach. Kain would never see her in that way. She was here because she had a job to do. She lifted her head, her kohl-lined eyes flashing. If it was the last thing she did, she’d make sure everyone believed their ruse that they were in love.

If she’d managed to fool Kain’s mother, surely fooling his friends and his people would be a piece of cake in comparison?

Her ring flashed under the chandelier lights, and she lifted her hand to stare at the gorgeous piece of jewelry. It had to be worth a small fortune. Not even Aisha’s exquisite jewelry collection compared to this one ring.

She’d bet that had changed though for Aisha now. She’d seen the way Dhamar had looked at her at Aisha’s party. He’d offer her more than his family’s jewels. He’d give her his kingdom if that was what it took to have her. Zania didn’t doubt for a second that Aisha would have forgotten all about Tabari the moment Dhamar moved in to sweep her off her feet.

A pang of envy shot through her. What must it be like to experience such devotion from a man? To be loved for real and without reservation?

A tread sounded behind her as Kain approached in his sheikh robes. Her chest tightened. He looked…untamed, a wild predator ruling over his subjects. But then hewasthe king of his own jungle.

She couldn’t forget that he’d tracked down the monster who’d killed his dad in cold blood, and made the murderer pay for his sins while sending a message to anyone else who knew the truth not to hurt a member of his family ever again. A shiver went down her spine. She didn’t want to know what kind of torture Kain had devised. All she needed to know was that he protected those people he loved.

“You look stunning, shortcake.”

Pleasure filled her from the inside out. “Thank you. As do you.”

“Stunning?” he asked with a wry smile. “That wasn’t really the look I was going for.”

She snorted. “If it makes you feel better, you’re more dashingly fierce than you’ll ever be stunning.”

He chuckled. “That’s more like it.” He stood behind her, dwarfing her with his size. His eyes all but glowed. “You know, I could just eat you right up.”

Her womb clenched, moisture rushing between her thighs even as her nipples poked against her lacy bra. “Thisisjust pretend,” she reminded. It was bad enough she was beginning to yearn for more without him putting the idea more firmly into her head.

He lifted his hands and clasped her shoulders, and it took everything she had not to moan and lean against all his strength even when he said huskily, “And yet I’m finding it harder to remember that the longer I’m with you.”

Her voice sounded rusty coming from her suddenly dry throat. “This is only day three. I’m certain by the end of the month the novelty will have worn off.”

“Or perhaps my feelings will have grown stronger.”

Feelings or lust? She didn’t have the strength to ask. Instead she said,“Don’t.”

Don’t make me want something I can never have.

He skimmed his hands down her arms, electricity zinging through her nerve endings and making her blood burn hot, his presence seemingly filling the entire dressing room. “Don’twhat?”he asked silkily.

She swallowed hard. “Don’t pretend this is more than it really is.”

“What if itismore, shortcake?”

She blinked. “Please don’t make me regret agreeing to this charade.”

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