Page 16 of The Sheikh's Fake Fiancée

“The rumors?” Zania filled in.

Karima gaped. “Actually, I was going to say, despite his arrogance at times.”

Zania’s heart sank. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”

“It’s all good,” Karima replied. “We all know about the gossip.” She fluttered her lashes at Ali. “We’re just lucky to have such understanding men to see us through the bad times along with the good.”

Zania wasn’t sure what had happened to Karima in the past, but felt it wasn’t something to ask her now.

Karima turned back to Zania. “Don’t worry, if anyone says one bad word about you, I’ll shut them down. She glanced at her husband, Ali. “We both will.”

Salem adjusted the ruby tie at his neck. “I never did give much credit to rumors.”

Ali smirked and said, “That’s because your own reputation is questionable.”

Kain winked. “Salem, you just haven’t met the right someone yet.”

Zania had a feeling Salem had met dozens of wrong someone’s, he was gorgeous. That he didn’t interest her, despite his looks and charisma, told her just how deep Kain’s hooks had sunk into her.

“Enjoy the rest of the night,” Kain said to his three friends.

Zania smiled at them. “It was lovely meeting you all.”

“Kain has got it bad for her,” Karima said with an overloud whisper as Zania and Kain walked away.

Zania’s face burned and she looked up at Kain to see if he’d overheard. He grinned, completely unashamed and amused. “So far so good.” He nodded at some men father away. “Let’s go meet a few of my security detail and another one of my senior aides.”

She followed him over, and one face began to blur into another when Kain finally said, “It’s almost time to sit and enjoy dinner.”

“I sense abutin there.”

“But not before we get our official photos taken.”

She followed his gaze and found the photographer, surprised somehow that it wasn’t the now famous photographer, Holly. “Is that really necessary?”

He nodded, then guided her over to where thick, cream drapes, signaled the official photo area. No doubt everyone else would come forward afterward to prove they had attended the official introduction night of Kain’s future wife. Being seen was everything to those who weren’t quite wealthy or famous enough, even to those who were.

Click. Click. Click.

Kain slid an arm around her waist, his adoring gaze then looking down at her while she gazed right back. Her heart fluttered. His acting was superb. She only hoped she was playing her part half as well.

“Good, good,” the photographer said as he snapped a few more shots of them in different poses. “These will be perfect.”

Kain’s aide approached them then. “Dinner will be served in fifteen minutes if that suits you?”

Kain nodded. “Thanks Maruf. That will be fine.” He turned to the photographer. “You have fifteen minutes to secure anymore shots of the guests who wish to be photographed.”

He guided her to a bar then, where he ordered them champagne. She accepted the flute and asked, “Are we doing okay?”

“Even better than I hoped. You’re quite the consummate actress, shortcake.”

She gulped down some of the fizzy alcohol, stupidly pleased by his compliment and made possibly a little high by the alcohol.

His mother approached in a lime green concoction that made her look every inch the regal mother. “What a wonderful night.”

Kain inclined his head. “I couldn’t agree more.”

The older woman smiled warmly at Zania. “I’ve let everyone know your official engagement party is a week from now.”

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