One Hot Desert Night (5 page)

* * *

For the second time in two days, Sunny’s dear sister had arrived at her suite to deliver a morning greeting, only this time she wasn’t alone.

Piper stood in the corridor outside the guest suite with a sleepy baby, dressed in blue footed pajamas, resting on her shoulder. “I’m surprised you’re up at this hour,” she said as she breezed into the room. “I was walking this fussy little guy and thought I heard you stirring.”

Sunny didn’t care that Piper had stopped by or knocked loud enough to disrupt her sleep, had she been sleeping. She did have some measure of concern over what her twin would see. And after she saw it, the questions would start rolling in. Lots of questions. “Just thought I’d get an early start with my day.”

When Piper laid little Sam on the unmade bed, the baby rolled to his belly with his knees bent beneath him, popped his thumb in his mouth and stuck his bottom in the air as if he wanted to show off the cartoon-airplane appliqué strategically positioned there.

So cute, Sunny’s first thought. Such a big responsibility, her second. A responsibility she didn’t welcome at this point in her life. Maybe someday she’d change her mind on her own without any pressure from those who believed it was past time for her to settle down.

As Piper turned from the bed, Sunny purposefully shook off the unwelcome recollections of her last argument with Cameron. But she couldn’t shake the fact her sister was bound to see the evidence of her plans.

And no more had Sunny thought it, Piper did it—shot a look straight at the open bag set on the divan. She brought her attention back to Sunny, her blue eyes wide with surprise. “Are you going somewhere?”

She could lie, or she could play the avoidance game. “I’m not leaving permanently, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Are you going on an assignment?”

“In a manner of speaking, but it’s not work-related.”

“Are you being intentionally vague?”

Absolutely. “If you must know, I’m about to tour the countryside.”

“Alone?”

Sunny brushed past Piper and shoved a couple of T-shirts, a swimsuit and two pairs of shorts into the duffel. “No, mother hen. I have an escort.”

“Do I know this escort?”

“Maybe.”

“You’re going with Rayad, aren’t you?” Piper asked a little louder than necessary.

Sunny zipped up the bag, set it on the ground and turned to her meddlesome sister. “You might want to keep your voice down so you don’t wake the baby.”

“He can sleep through a sonic boom, and you haven’t answered my question.”

Time to reluctantly come clean. “Since I suppose you’ll find out sooner or later, Rayad invited me to spend the day exploring his land.”

Piper released a shrewd laugh. “I’m sure that’s not all he wants to explore.”

No matter how hard Sunny tried to fight it, a few wicked images invaded her brain. “Look, as bad as I hate to admit it, you were right. He’s a nice guy. The perfect gentleman.” And a stellar kisser. “Besides, you’re the one who encouraged me to get to know him.”

“True, but I thought if the two of you liked each other, maybe you’d start with dinner and a movie. I didn’t expect you to go gallivanting all over Bajul with him for heaven knows how long.”

“This is why I didn’t want to tell you, Piper. You’re blowing it way out of proportion. It’s only a day trip.”

“Then why are you packing extra clothes?”

Good question. “Because I like to be prepared, just in case.”

“In case he wants to hold you captive?” Remorse passed over Piper’s expression the moment the sarcastic question left her mouth. “I’m so sorry. Poor choice of words.”

Sunny hated pity of any kind, but she’d give her sister a free pass—at least on this count. “You don’t have to evaluate everything you say to me, Piper. The abduction happened, and it’s over. And while we’re on that subject, why did you tell Rayad about it?”

“Because he came to me,” she replied. “He sensed there was something going on with you beyond your breakup with Cameron. He also wants to help you with the aftereffects.”

Now she wondered if Rayad’s invitation had more to do with sympathy than with the desire for her company. A question she’d definitely ask him for the sake of clarity. “Like I said, he’s a decent guy, and he expects me to meet him downstairs in less than twenty minutes. So if you don’t mind, I need to dress.”

Without saying another word, Piper gingerly picked up her sleeping son and returned him to her shoulder. “Just be careful, Sunny. I’d hate for you to have your heart shattered all over again.”

Funny, her split with Cameron wounded her pride more than her heart. “Since I have no intention of getting involved with Rayad beyond a casual relationship, you have no need to be concerned.”

Piper crossed the room, patting Sam’s bottom as she went. “I didn’t intend to fall for Adan, either.” She paused at the door and smiled. “I want a full report when you get back this evening, and have fun. Just not too much fun.”

With that, she disappeared, leaving Sunny alone to prepare for the trip with Rayad. She returned to the bag, opened it again and added a few travel-size toiletries, like they might somehow get stranded on a desert island, or perhaps in the desert. A ridiculous assumption, but he did mention swimming, so maybe it wasn’t so far-fetched. She’d also learned the hard way that one never knew what the future might hold. And that unknown factor drew her in like a moth to a porch light. So did the prospect of spending the day getting to know Rayad even better.

The thought of an adventure exhilarated her. Thrilled her. If luck prevailed, she would have an experience she wouldn’t soon forget, with a man she quite possibly would never forget.

Five

“W
ould you be so kind as to tell me where you are taking my sister-in-law?”

Leaning against the passenger door of the customized black Mercedes SUV, Rayad maintained his calm in light of Adan’s heated tone. “Would you be so kind as to inform me why this is your concern?”

“She is my wife’s sister, and she deserves to be treated with respect.”

Rayad’s own anger began to build, yet he refused to reveal it. “You may rest assured she will receive the utmost respect.”

Adan pointed at him. “If you so much as make one inappropriate advance, you will have to deal with me.”

As it had been when they were in their formidable years, he took great pleasure in tormenting his younger cousin. “Then I am to assume that I may make an
appropriate
advance?”

Adan’s features turned fierce. “You bloody know what I mean, Rayad. No advances whatsoever. She is very fragile.”

He would not describe Sunny as fragile. Wounded, yes. Fragile, never. “If it puts your mind at ease, Rafiq warned me to take care with her from the moment she arrived.”

“My brother is a wise man,” Adan said. “And if you find having both of us taking up verbal arms against you disconcerting, I promise you do not wish to deal with my wife.”

That instilled more fear in Rayad than Bajul’s entire armed forces setting their sights on him. “Again, you need not worry. We will only be gone for the day.”

“I hope I didn’t overpack.”

Rayad turned his attention to Sunny standing behind Adan, a large olive-green bag clutched in her arms.

Adan shot him a suspicious glance and said, “I believe you stated you are going on a day trip.”

“We are,” Sunny said, a slight flush coloring her cheeks. “I’m one to prepare for any scenario, like a car breaking down. Earthquake. Monsoon. That sort of thing.”

“You cannot be too prepared.” Rayad opened the door and held out his hand to assist her. “Let us be on our way.”

Adan glared at him. “I expect you to have her back here before dark.”

After he helped Sunny into the Mercedes, he closed the door and regarded his cousin again. “I have long since passed the time when I needed fatherly warnings, Adan. We will return when I see fit to return.”

Without awaiting a response, Rayad rounded the vehicle, climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the ignition. He sped away, glancing in the rearview mirror to find Adan still standing under the palace portico, appearing as if he would like to chase after them in his bathrobe.

“Nice ride,” Sunny said as she ran a slender hand over the console dividing their seats.

The gesture, no matter how innocent, caused Rayad to shift slightly against the tightening in his groin. “It is adequate.”

“I’d say the satellite radio, leather seats and moonroof qualify it as more than adequate. Company car?”

“Personal vehicle.”

“I should be so lucky,” she said. “My personal vehicle is a subcompact, but then I don’t really drive that much.”

He would gladly escort her anywhere she dared to go, particularly in a carnal sense. Yet he had to move slowly and accept that any intimacy between them might not come to pass.

Settling into silence, Rayad concentrated on navigating the steep descent away from the palace. Yet when Sunny’s sigh drew his gaze, he saw her hide a yawn behind her hand. “You clearly are tired.”

“Well, since the crack of dawn is still sealed,” she began, “and I didn’t get into bed until after midnight, I’m still a bit sleepy. But I’ll wake up as soon as we get where we’re going, wherever that is.”

He felt the need to prepare her for the first step of their journey. “The place I am taking you will involve climbing, if you are willing.”

“How much climbing?”

He sent her a glance to find her frowning. “Minimal, and I will assist you.”

“As long as it’s not Mount Everest, I can handle it.”

He had no doubt she could.

When he noted the sky had begun to turn a lighter blue, he picked up speed, taking care to stay close to the side of the cliff as they ascended to their destination before they reached the village.

“Is it necessary to go this fast?” Sunny asked, a hint of concern in her tone.

“Only for a few more minutes.”

And after those minutes passed, he pulled over at the road’s bend and put the vehicle in Park. “We have arrived.”

Rayad left the Mercedes and rounded the hood, only to find Sunny had exited without his aid. He knew better than to debate his duty as a gentleman. She was fiercely independent, one of the many aspects that had earned his admiration, though it warred with his protective nature.

As Sunny stretched her arms above her head, her shirt rode up above the waist of her beige cargo shorts, exposing bare skin that earned his immediate notice. “What now?”

He considered several answers to the query, yet what he desired to do, and what he should do, were in direct contrast with each other. “We will climb the precipice to your right.”

She turned to survey the rock surface before presenting him with a less-than-pleased look. “It’s definitely steep.”

“Only from here. Once we begin our ascent, you will see it is not so difficult.”

“If you say so,” she said as she made a sweeping gesture toward the side of the mountain. “You go first, and I’ll be right behind you.”

Not at all what he had planned, yet he would refrain from arguing with her for the time being. “I will be happy to help you if the need arises.”

“I appreciate your concern, but I have hiked quite a bit in my lifetime.”

“Then perhaps it is time to test your skill.”

She presented a smile that brightened her emerald eyes. “I’m always up for a challenge.”

He happened to be up for several challenges, though one he did not particularly favor—resisting her feminine wiles. Yet he must resist so to prove he still retained some honor in light of his oftentimes dishonorable—though necessary—profession.

As the sky began to turn a pale blue, Rayad realized they would have to hurry to enjoy the advent of dawn. “Perhaps it would be best if you go first,” he told her as he walked to the base of the rock wall. “I will remain close behind you.”

She moved beside him and scowled. “To check out my butt, no doubt.”

He had not considered anything but her safety, yet since she had mentioned it... “I wish to remain behind you in the event you stumble.”

“And if I do, that means I’ll fall back on you, and we could both plummet to our deaths.”

“The peak is not as high as you might believe. If we fell, we might—”

“End up in a full body cast?”

“Suffer a few scrapes and bruises and possibly a broken bone.”

“Or neck.” She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. “But if you’re willing to break my fall and be my cushion, who am I to argue?”

She smiled at him over one shoulder before she began to ascend the rock, carefully choosing her footholds, as if she had done this before. Perhaps she had, and that came as no true surprise to Rayad.

She fascinated him. She made him feel emotions he had long since learned to bury. She made him feel as if he were a whole man again. Many years had passed since he had experienced such strong, unwelcome emotions.

Surprisingly, she reached the top of the cliff with expediency, and once there, she turned and favored him with a smile. “You’re as slow as a snail.”

The insult sent him up to join her in a matter of seconds. “You clearly are a skilled climber,” he said as he came face-to-face with her.

“I’ve done my share in some pretty rough regions, and apparently, so have you.”

If she only knew where he had been, and what he had been forced to do at times, she would probably scurry back down the mountain and run to the palace. “I have, yet it is not often I have been graced with such a beautiful companion.”

Her smile returned, soft and overtly sensuous. “And I’ve never known anyone who so easily threw out the compliments.”

“Do not doubt my sincerity, Sunny, for as I have said before, I know true beauty.”

With that in mind, he clasped her shoulders and turned her to face the east. The first fingers of light had begun to reveal themselves above the mountain range, giving the sky an orange cast. “This is why we are here. To pay homage to your namesake.”

He remained close to her side to witness her reaction firsthand to that which he had so often taken for granted. Without speaking or moving, she stared at the sun as it rose in the distance. A warm breeze ruffled her blond hair, yet she seemed oblivious to her surroundings, and him. Though he should not be concerned by her inattention, for some reason he was.

“It’s breathtaking,” she finally said. “Seeing the dawn of a new day gives you hope that the world isn’t such a terrible place after all.”

Yet his world could be a terrible place on a constant basis. “I find this scene gives me a sense of peace, as well.”

She sighed. “Sometimes peace is hard to come by so you look for it wherever you can find it.”

He knew that to be all too true. “You will have peace again, Sunny. You are a survivor.”

“Actually, you’re right, and like I told you last night, I’m going to be fine.” The slight break in her voice belied her conviction.

“You are not yet
fine
, but you will be as soon as your soul is on the mend.”

She turned her gaze to his, a hint of frustration calling out from her green eyes. “Really, it’s okay. As far as I’m concerned, my breakup with the ex-boyfriend was long overdue.”

“I am referring to your abduction.”

Rayad could tell by the way her body stiffened that she relied on denial to dampen the memories. “I try not to think about it too much for the sake of my sanity.”

Sensing she needed comfort, he laid his palm against her lower back, relieved when she did not recoil at his touch. “There are certain experiences in life that haunt us for many years. Circumstances that will lessen in impact, yet never be entirely forgotten. Fortunately, the passage of time does aid in gaining perspective.”

“What events are haunting you, Rayad?”

Because his attempt at counsel had led to his transparency, he would only supply a half-truth. “I am serving in the military. Oftentimes that regretfully entails witnessing revolting acts imposed by men on other men. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to provide details.” Nor would he reveal his own personal tragedy.

“I understand.” After a brief span of silence, she asked, “Is that the baby-making mountain over there?”

That brought about his smile. “
Mabrứuk
. And yes, if you believe in the legend, it has the power to render women fertile within a hundred-mile radius.”

“I’m not saying I believe in the legend, but would you mind keeping your distance? Just in case.” She followed the comment with a coy smile.

He did not care to keep his distance or acknowledge that he gave the folklore credence. “I do not believe that
Mabrứuk’s
powers would enable me to impregnate you with only a touch of my hand.”

“I suppose that would be miraculous.”

“And it would take away the pleasure of the process of procreating.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her eyes. “True. But the process doesn’t have to be only about procreating, does it?”

“No, it does not.” Should they continue this conversation, he might attempt to begin the process. Yet when it came to Sunny, vigilance should be paramount.

When she failed to speak, he felt an apology was in order. “I am sorry if I have upset you with my talk of procreation.”

“Not at all,” she said. “In fact, for the first time in a long time, I’m starting to feel like myself again. That kiss last night didn’t hurt.”

He tipped her chin up, forcing her to look at him. “If you believe nothing else about me, believe this. I would never intentionally do anything to make you uncomfortable.”

“I know that, otherwise I wouldn’t be with you. But there is something you can do for me.”

“Whatever you wish.”

“Kiss me good morning.”

He struggled with what he wanted and what she needed. What he must do to win her trust so that he might guide her through the crisis. Yet refusing a beautiful woman’s request for a kiss was foreign to him. Still, he vowed to proceed carefully from this point forward, and chose to press a chaste kiss against her lips.

She did not look at all pleased. “Very sweet. Not what I had in mind, but nice.”

He cupped her cheek in his palm. “Had I kissed you the way I wish to kiss you, we might spend all day on this mountaintop. And though that might be pleasurable, we need to continue our adventure before the storms arrive.”

Sunny turned her face to the skies. “I don’t see even one cloud.”

“The deluge is coming,” he said. “But you will see no rain where I am taking you.” A destination where he had never taken another woman since... He pushed away the bitter realities to focus on his companion.

“Can you give me just a little hint about where you’re taking me aside from your land?”

“You will soon see for yourself. I will tell you it is unlike any place you have ever been before.”

“I’ve been quite a few places.”

“Trust me on this point.”

“That remains to be seen.”

Though she had said it with a touch of amusement, Rayad realized he would have to earn her confidence. And should anyone discover where he was taking her, he could be stripped of his duties and his honor, or worse.

Sunny McAdams would be worth the risk.

* * *

Rayad hadn’t been kidding about the lack of rain. For the past twenty minutes, Sunny had yet to see any water whatsoever. The landscape had flattened into desert, the ground covered mostly in sand as far as the eye could see. Aside from one scant patch of grass supporting a small herd of sheep, the route they were taking showed few signs of population. And the farther they drove, the more desolate the surroundings became.

She adjusted in the seat to get a better look at Rayad and marveled at the perfection of his profile. The fit of his dark green T-shirt. She even sneaked a peek at his extremely masculine legs exposed because today he wore a pair of khaki cargo shorts and hiking boots. She also couldn’t help but ponder the possibility of a real kiss later today—provided he actually cooperated. If she accomplished nothing else, she vowed to convince him she wasn’t some broken, needy female who had to be treated with kid gloves. Okay, maybe she was a bit broken, but she felt as if she might be on the mend, thanks to him.