The Sheikh's Pretend Fiancée (The Sharif Sheikhs 1)

“There is. They usually sit right next to each other, to remind us that we’re in competition with each other, but he had it moved to the lower palace for the party.” Asad hadn’t mean to admit to the competition, and she gazed up at him curiously.

“You’re in competition with each other?”

“Pretty much since we were children,” he admitted. “We’re trying to build up the Sharif name, so the competition is good for us.”

Just then, his sister walked into view, a smirk on her face. “Admitting that you two keep trying to top one another?” she asked and rolled her eyes. “Next, Rashid will show up with a fiancée on his arm, as well. He’d never allow Asad to reach a milestone without him hot on his heels, even if it is all make-believe.”

“Amira,” Asad hissed as he glanced around. Luckily, no one was watching. “What is the matter with you?”

She shrugged. “Bored, I suppose. I remember when my brother actually hosted fun parties. Now, it’s all about business. Liyah, darling, you look like you could use a drink. Come with me.”

Asad was about to insist that she stay with him, citing business rather than pleasure, but he knew it was a lie and that Liyah probably did need a drink. He thrived in a group of people, but it was obvious that her energy was draining.

“I’ll find you in a bit,” he promised and kissed the top of her head. “Stay away from Rashid while we’re here. There’s no telling what the fool will do.”

As she and Amira walked away, he turned and found another pair of eyes studying him. “Bashar,” Asad greeted with a reverent bow of his head. “I’m so glad that you could make it.”

Bashar pulled out two cigars and beckoned Asad into the card room. “I went to greet your brother and wish him well, but there seems to be other news more pertinent than Rashid’s birthday. I hear you’re to be married. I take it the lovely creature walking away with Amira is the lucky lady?”

“Yes. Her name is Liyah.”

“An American. And you’ve hidden her

away for quite some time. Why is that, Asad?”

He tried not to look uncomfortable as he accepted the cigar and lit it. Lying to those closest to him was never easy. “I wanted to keep her away from the press. We have enough presence where she’s from, and I did not want her hounded day and night.”

“Protective. I can respect that. Clearly your sister has taken to her. What about the rest of your family?”

He remembered his mother’s outraged gasp when he’d told her his plan. It was because of the lie that his parents had refused to come back early for the party. “My brothers like her well enough, but you know my mother. No one is ever good enough.”

Bashar rumbled with deep laughter. “So true. I would like to meet this lovely lady of yours, but I am afraid that I must leave the party early. Business calls.”

Business? Asad withdrew the cigar from his mouth and narrowed his eyes. “Is everything all right?”

His father’s old friend waved a hand in the air. “Everything is fine. Do not concern yourself with it. I must bid my leave with your brother. He is becoming a fine young man.”

And me? Asad wanted to ask. Bashar seemed to read his thoughts as he slowly dragged his eyes up and down the younger man. “And it seems that you have, as well. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, Asad. It seems that you’re not the boy I once knew.”

A feeling of victory settled in Asad’s chest as Bashar walked away, but there was no one to celebrate with. More than anything, he wanted to tell Liyah that her part in the plan was working, but the wallflower was difficult to find for the rest of the party.

He couldn’t help but feel disappointed.

7

Liyah knew that she should have found Asad again during the party, but her emotions were making it difficult to fake the loving relationship. Instead, she stuck close to Amira and Khalid, the one brother who wasn’t vying for her attention.

It was nice watching the two youngest siblings squabble lovingly with each other, but she couldn’t forget the heated anger in Asad’s eyes when he saw her with Rashid. She hadn’t realized how much tension was between the two men, and faking it was difficult, especially with her growing desire for Asad.

Asad later asked where she went, and she admitted that the party was a bit over-the-top for her. He seemed to see right through the half-truth, but he didn’t ask her to elaborate.

He also didn’t disappear again.

Although he spent the next few days working on his project, he always came home in time for dinner. She was expected to dine with him, even though she didn’t know why. They always ate in relative silence. He might answer a few questions now and then, but mostly he brushed her off. If it hadn’t been for the lingering looks or the casual touches, she would have thought she was invisible to him.

The cold Asad was back, and he seemed to be here to stay.

One day, as she lounged on the couch with a book, he stopped beside her and narrowed his eyes. “Why do you wear such baggy clothes?” he demanded.