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

If only he knew.

“We’d have to be married in three weeks.” Her tone was hollow.

“Two. A week for a honeymoon.”

“I guess I should call my mother and tell her the good news,” she said dully. “And Mila and Sahaar. They’re all going to think I’ve lost my mind. And you’re going to have to tell your family.”

“Take the day. Do what you must. And Liyah? Thank you.” He kissed her, but it wasn’t the kiss of a lover. They’d entered a whole new territory, and Liyah had no idea how to deal with it.

She took three days. After six phone calls and messages to her mother, she still hadn’t spoken to her. Part of her wondered if her mother had simply decided never to speak to her again, now that she had someone else who would love her—if her new husband was even capable of love.

Mila and Sahaar were speechless, and it was the first time that she’d told the truth. She told them of the whirlwind romance between herself and Asad, and how she’d fallen in love.

Mila was ecstatic, hugging and kissing her, shouting, planning a celebration party.

“Are you happy?” Sahaar asked her quietly.

Liyah felt herself retreat a little more into her shell. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

She stayed with Sahaar that night and returned to the palace the next morning.

Asad had stuck around, like a dutiful fiancé, and had prepared a large breakfast. There was no server in sight. Approaching her with a cup of Darjeeling, he held it out to her. “Amira said that it is one of your favorites,” he said quietly.

“Yes, thank you.”

“Dine with me.” Once again, she knew that it wasn’t an invitation. He escorted her to the table and pulled out her chair as she sat down. The amount of food waiting there was enough to feed a village.

"I missed you last night."

Liyah was taken aback. All traces of his usual cockiness seemed to be gone, but she could see the wheels turning in his mind.

What was he up to?

“I’ve missed Sahaar and Mila. I enjoyed catching up with them, and I . . . needed to recharge."

"Is that all?"

“I’ve just agreed to something huge, even if it’s just a six-month commitment. I needed to collect my thoughts.”

He looked as if he’d been taken a little off balance, but he recovered well enough—a sexy grin spread across his face, and he extended a platter of spiced pastries.

"Of course. And are you all charged up, now?"

Drawing a breath, she summoned a pleasant, serviceable smile.

“Yes. Quite."

"Good to hear. A jet will be waiting for us at noon. We're flying to look at the site in Abu Dhabi, and I’d like you to see it.”

“I would love to,” Liyah said cheerily, feeling artificial. She dragged out breakfast as long as she could, beyond relieved when Asad was called away. She already had a terrible feeling that when she finally left Dubai, she’d be a completely different person.

Maybe she’d be as hard and cold as Asad.

As Asad held her hand and pointed things out as they flew, Liyah’s mind roamed a million miles away. It bothered her that she hadn’t been able to get hold of her mother. She’d never been away from her this long, and she was worried. What if something had happened to her? It was doubtful that her mom’s new husband would even think to call Liyah and tell her.

Sahaar had opened her home for however long Liyah needed it, but she hadn’t expected to stay this long. Running away from the alienation and loneliness that awaited her at home, she’d thought that by now her mother would have called her and apologized.

Now she couldn’t even get her mother to answer the phone.