Page 3 of The Sheikh's Fake Fiancée

She cleared her throat, her whole body tingling at his touch, his scent. “H-how long will I need to keep up the charade?”

“One month. By that time your name will be exonerated and my mother should realize having a daughter-in-law and grandchildren are no longer her greatest wish after all.”

She’d been so wrapped up in her own misery; she’d forgotten his father had died in his sleep not even twelve months ago. Her own father had died a week after having a terrible stroke. She’d been twelve and yet it was still fresh in her mind. At least she’d had time to say goodbye. Kain and his mother wouldn’t have had that same luxury.

If Kain noticed her introspection, he didn’t mention it. His expression was somehow both resolute and impassive when he added, “Then you and I can go our separate ways and no one will be any the wiser.” He dropped his hand. “You will, of course, be adequately compensated for your trouble and your time.”

Zania blew out a slow, considered breath. If she really did no longer have a home then an income would be nothing short of a blessing. And it wasn’t as if she had to kiss a toad. Kain was a little too easy on the eyes. That being with him might actually salvage her reputation helped make up her mind.

“What do you say?” he prompted huskily.

She blinked at him. Then swallowing back any doubts, she said, “Yes, I’ll do it.”

Chapter Two

After accompanying Sheikha Aisha on so many working holidays and attending countless functions and events, Zania had grown used to private jets and helicopters. Perhaps that was why she was so surprised when the driver of the luxury black sedan she and Kain had climbed into twenty minutes earlier, stopped at a pier, where a shiny red speedboat gleamed under the midmorning sun.

She glanced at Kain with a frown, all too aware of his lithe, masculine body. She could only imagine how ripped he’d look without clothes. She mentally shook her head. Hadn’t she learned her lesson? She was already considered the lowest of lows after handing her virginity to Tabari. “Is this how you traveled to Holly Island?”

He helped her out of the car, then nodded to where a motored luxury yacht sat farther out in the deep azure ocean. “I much prefer floating on the water than high altitude flying. And I figured the extra time will give us a chance to get to know one another a little better before I introduce you to my mother and my people.”

Her chest constricted and it took everything she had to ignore the sheer terror that came with pretending she was worthy of Kain. She’d bet his people and his mother already knew of her…reputation. She instead focused on accepting his proffered hand as he helped her into the speedboat and onto one of its seats.

If he’d noticed the spark of electricity at their touch, he didn’t let on. She was just relieved therewasa physical pull between them and it wouldn’t all be an act.

Are you going to keep pretending intimacy no longer scares you?

She rubbed suddenly damp hands on the cool aqua fabric of her abaya. She’d had her first taste of sex with Tabari and she didn’t want to repeat the act. She was clearly not the hot-blooded woman she’d once believed she might be.

The driver tucked their luggage onto the floor as Kain untied the mooring ropes. He took the seat closest to her as their same driver took the helm of the boat and started its engine. The idle was a powerful throb that deepened into a snarl as the boat launched forward. She reflexively clasped Kain’s thigh, leaving her hand there for a moment as his muscles flexed and shifted under her touch.

She flushed and released her hold, painfully aware of her smeared name and how her forwardness might be misinterpreted. She lifted that same hand to touch her hijab, checking it was pinned down as the wind tore at the aqua-and-white fabric, pulling loose some strands of her dark, mahogany hair.

Kain leaned close and captured her hand in his with a smile, the wind whipping any words away he might have said. It was enough that his eyes were warm, his expression unguarded. He really didn’t care about the rumors and speculation. He had his mind set on a course with her in it and nothing was going to sway him.

The driver slowed the speedboat as they neared the luxury yacht. Once they were moored and Kain stepped onboard the stern’s lower deck with the ease of much practice, he turned and helped her onboard, a young deckhand in white shorts and a white polo shirt then appearing to grab their luggage from the smaller boat.

The deckhand bowed his head and said, “Sheikh Kain, will this all be going to the master suite cabin?”

Kain nodded. “Yes, thank you, Jamie.”

Zania sucked in a sharp breath, but waited until Jamie hurried off with their bags before she asked, “I did not realize our fake engagement meant sleeping together?”

“We share a bed, Zania, nothing more. Under the circumstances, your reputation will hardly suffer.”

She flinched, hurt a sharp blade drilling through her heart. She’d deflected so many snide comments and ugly looks from others, it was surprising how much it affected her coming from Kain. But then, he’d always been her staunchest supporter. That he was willing to share a bed with her but wasn’t interested in her physically—shewasdamaged goods, after all—hurt even more.

He sighed, regret flickering across his face. “I apologize, shortcake. That wasn’t fair.”

“No need.” She looked away from him, the sparkling, deep blue waters giving her little comfort. “Life isn’t always fair.”

“No, it isn’t.” He caught her chin in his hand and drew her gaze back to his. His dark eyes held hers. “But it doesn’t mean we can’t recreate our destiny.”

Hurt gave way to a surge of anger. “You’re a man living in man’s world. Even better, you’re a sheikh. What could you possibly understand about me? About any woman?”

“I’m not blind. Only someone truly selfish would fail to empathize with what you went through.”

A blonde stewardess approached, looking chic yet professional in a white skirt that hugged her long, slender legs to her knees. A white polo outlined her generous bust, a navy and white silk scarf knotted beautifully to one side of her neck. “Sheikh Kain, it’s lovely to have you back onboard. You’ve picked the perfect day to sail.” She glanced at Zania, her blue eyes sharpening. “Would you and your guest enjoy a drink and perhaps some canapes on the upper deck?”

---