Page 9 of The Sheikh's Fake Fiancée

She tensed even further, her voice as rusty as an old metal wheel. “Just because I don’t want to have sex with you, it doesn’t mean I can’t act the part of an adoring fiancée.”

Her words seemed to push him farther away emotionally. “You’re attracted to me, shortcake. I’d be a fool not to see the signs. The question is, why don’t you want me to touch you?” He inhaled sharply. “Are you still in love with Tabari?”

Anger surged, making her forget for a moment her fear. “No, I’m not in love with him. And I’m not a virgin anymore, Kain. I know when I want someone.”

“Yet you fight your attraction to me.”

She flinched at the savagery of his tone, and he sighed heavily and said, “I don’t want you to be afraid of me. I’m not sure what I’ve done for you to feel that way.”

“You’ve done nothing.” She swallowed hard, then added softly, “I’m just not…passionate.”

He sucked in a breath. “Says who?”

“Says me.”

He rolled closer to her and cupped one side of her face. “That is crazy talk. You are as passionate as you are sexy.” His eyes glittered. “If Tabari made you feel any other way that is on him, not you.”

She swallowed hard. Was he right? Were all her self-doubts because of Tabari? Or was she just willing to use him as a scapegoat?

Kain stroked her cheek, his blunt fingertips flooding her with warmth and desire. “Go back to sleep, shortcake. I’ll see you in the morning.”

When he rolled over and his breathing deepened within minutes, she didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry.

Chapter Six

Zania stood on the top deck beside Kain as the yacht was steered into a sheltered bay, her throat drier than the sandy shore in the distance and the dunes that marched backward as far as the eye could see.

The scene would have looked primitive and wild if not for the busy marina that had people coming and going along its pier, where boats and yachts of all descriptions were moored.

Kain turned to her, his dark hair ruffling in the sea breeze. “Are you feeling okay?”

She resisted touching her colorful hijab with fluttering fingers. “You mean other than the fact my stomach is tied in knots?”

“It will get easier, I promise,” he said gently. “Once the first day is behind us, you’ll find your footing.”

She nodded and inhaled slow and deep, the salty air unable to soothe her nerves. “One day at a time.”

He nodded. “Yes, that’s it, exactly.”

The yacht slowed as the captain steered them toward their berth. A seagull screeched in the sky above them, it’s white and gray wings gleaming under the already hot, midmorning sun.

The stewardess had packed their bags, and once the deckhand had secured the yacht’s mooring, he withdrew to collect their luggage from their cabin. A few minutes later he handed their bags to a man on the pier who was clearly a chauffeur going by his smart black uniform with gold detailing, white gloves and a black hat.

The people ceased their activity and stood to gawp at their sheikh as he stepped onto the pier. All of them bowed subtly and moved out of his way after he helped Zania onto the wooden platform then escorted her along its length.

Nothing untoward happened, but she breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the end of the pier, where their chauffeur stashed their luggage into the cargo compartment of a luxury SUV, then opened the back passenger door for her to climb into its back seat. It was a different world inside the privacy of the vehicle, but she was grateful for Kain’s support when he slipped in beside her and laced his fingers through hers.

The chauffeur claimed the driver’s seat, doffed his head at them in the rearview mirror, then pulled the luxury vehicle away from the staring eyes of Kain’s people.

Kain’s dark gaze settled on her as he regaled with some facts about his homeland. “My palace is on ten hectares of land in the city of Qaman, around fifteen minutes’ drive from here. I used this marina rather than the city port as there’s less chance of the media accosting us and peppering you with questions.”

“Thank you.” She needed to focus on the first hurdle of meeting his people inside the palace and, even more intimidating, meeting his mother.

“I had a fleet of my cars head to the city port to distract the reporters waiting outside my palace gates.”

She blinked. “You’rethatpopular?”

A single dimple appeared in his cheek as he smiled. “You’re the popular one now after the scandal broke out about our relationship.”

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