After abandoning her to the tour guide, Asad met up with her again at the resort, and there was no trace of anger in his face. In fact, he was in a wonderful mood. He talked about the plans he had for the condo, while she stared out the window. The resort was breathtaking. Candles illuminated the walkways around the three pools tiled in luxurious Arabian patterns. Triangular arches opened into entertainment and dining areas that were draped in variations of heavy to translucent fabrics, fairytale-stone lights forming the chandeliers. If that wasn’t enough, the pool ran right up to their door in a private and enclosed entrance. It was a marvel of design, and she desperately wished that she was here under different circumstances.

Joining her at the window, Asad began to undress her.

She didn’t refuse him as the light by the pool in the highest dome mingled with the night streaming in through the windows. Enchanted and mesmerized, she asked herself what she was doing, knowing she was inching deeper into the dangerous unpredictability of him. Laying herself out to be consumed by this man whose hands turned women to putty.

His eyes seared through her possessively. There was no mistaking the look.

And though it did not seem an act, she couldn’t help but feel too vulnerable for comfort.

He seemed to sense this and lifted her up in his arms. "You enchant me."

Eyes pricking with emotion, she blinked it away as best she could. "You don't have to charm me. There are no cameras here."

Grinning, he tilted his head, eyes searing through her. "All the more reason for you to know my words are true."

Sitting her along the edge of the pool, he dove into the water and came up for air right between her legs. Dropping back on her elbows, she let him devour her until there was no more room for guilt, and no remorse. There was just this, the passionate sex that she’d never known existed, and the man who had taken possession of her heart and soul.

When he finally drew her into the pool with him, he wasn’t gentle or easy. Their panting moans echoed off the walls, but she didn’t care who might hear. She just wanted to lose herself in the sensations and pretend that this was all she needed. Skin-to-skin contact. His lips on her throat. His teeth tugging her nipples. His cock sliding all the way in, until she couldn’t tell where she ended and he began.

When it was over, his cocky attitude was all but gone, and he carried her silently to the bed, where she fell into dreamless sleep.

They returned to the suite the next day, and he almost never relinquished her hand. They played and cuddled, and he acted like the most attentive lover. “I told my friends about you,” he whispered in her ear. “Not just the investors, but my oldest and closest friends. They want to meet you before the wedding.”

“What did you tell them?” she asked, almost afraid to hear the words.

“Not the truth,” he admitted. “But as close to the truth as I could possibly get. I told them that my relationship with you has surprised even me, changed me, and that I was going to spend our entire marriage doing my best to make you happy.”

Pushing herself up, she turned her head and gazed down at him. His eyes were open, and she thought she could detect some vulnerability in them. “All six months?”

“I know that you’re making a sacrifice,” he said as he pressed his hands over her heart. “But I will do whatever it takes to make sure you don’t regret it. In that, you can believe that my vows will be true.”

Heartfelt. Sweet. Sincere. For the first time since she’d entered this damning agreement, Liyah felt her hopes rise. Maybe, just maybe, Asad was falling in love with her, as well. And maybe, this sham of a marriage would turn out to be the most beautiful thing that had ever happened to her.

* * *

She could barely sleep that night. Even after he’d made sweet love to her body, she’d ended up standing on the terrace and staring at the city below. Home. This really could be her home, but she knew what she had to do. She had to confess to Asad that she loved him, and see if he felt the same. Even if he didn’t, the constant questioning, the masks—they were driving her insane, and she just couldn’t live like this any longer.

Liyah would go through with the marriage, no matter what. She’d already resolved to do that, but at least she would know what to expect.

When she finally did fall asleep, a smile on her face, she woke up to a note from Asad saying that he was conducting some business in the city. Wanting to surprise him for lunch, she dressed and hurried to find the driver. “I need to discuss something with the sheikh,” she said breathlessly. “Can you take me to him?”

Ori chuckled, and Liyah could have sworn she heard him mutter “about time” under his breath. Full of hope and love, she sat back and watched the city fly by.

Dubai.

Home.

“He said he had some business in the market,” Ori said as he pulled over. “I’ll wait right here until you return. Take your time. Enjoy yourself.”

Thanking him, she practically flew out of the car and into the throng of people. Peddlers and shoppers jostled her, but she paid them no mind as her eyes scanned the area for her intended.

Liyah finally found Asad sitting at a small table at a restaurant patio. She was a little disappointed that he was already having lunch, but when the person in front of her stepped away, her heart dropped into her stomach, and she froze.

He wasn’t alone. A beautiful brunette sat in front of him, their hands clasped around the flowers and candle that danced in the middle of their table. There was a charming smile on his face, the smile that he’d reserved for Liyah, and clarity finally settled in.

Asad was never going to be interested in her. He just wanted to conquer her body. She was a convenience set up right in the middle of his suite for him to sample, and she’d signed on to be the appetizer for the next six months—but the main course?

He couldn’t even refrain from his dalliances until they were married.

Asad Sharif was never going to love her.

She was such an idiot to fall for the kisses and the sweet words. Gullible. Naive. The perfect woman for Asad’s devious plan.

There was no pain as she walked back to the car and slid in. “Take me to the palace,” she said calmly.

Ori raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. The first thing that Liyah did when she returned to the suite was to pack her things. The dresses that Asad and Amira had bought her still hung in the closet, but she wouldn’t wear any more of those clothes. She couldn’t. If she was going to get through this, she needed to shed her vulnerable shell. When she left, she’d leave all this behind.

After all her judgment of her mother, she hadn't picked a winner, either . . .

Unable to hold the tears back anymore, she ran to Amira’s room and let herself go.

* * *

Asad returned to the suite to have dinner with Liyah, only to find her dressed in a classy pair of pants and a lovely blue top. “Are you dressing up for me now?” he teased.

“I had an early dinner,” she told him simply as she picked up her book. He waited to hear the details, but she barely looked at him.

“I got you a gift while I was out today,” he said and set down a rose-colored box. He knew how much his bride-to-be loved the local food, and he’d gone to a small, well-hidden local place and purchased the best baklava around.

She didn’t even look up from her book. “Thanks,” she said coldly, eyes glued to the open page.

“What’s wrong, Liyah?” he said as he gently took the book away. “You’re not acting yourself.”

Cocking her head, she stared at him. “I’m about to be the wife of a sheikh. I need to play the part. At least for now.”

“What do you mean—for now?”

Swinging her legs off the couch, she snagged the book back from him and stood. “I don’t believe my mother will be attending the wedding. I’m a little concerned for her, so after the honeymoon, I’ll be returning to the States.”

“Okay. I’ll go with you.”

“No, you won’t. We’ll be conducting the rest of this arrangement long-distance. You’re welcome to tell everybody that my mother has taken ill, and I’ve returned to tend her. I’m sure from there you can also spread some lies about my wild conduct while I was away and divorce me. I’d like to be paid right after the wedding.”

His mouth dropped open, and ice filled his veins. He’d never, ever seen her act like this before, and she didn’t even bother to wait for a response.

Instead, she stalked to her room, and he heard the unmistakable sound of a lock turning.