The al Mussads knew how to take care of their charge. They would know how to take care of a woman, too. She just had to choose one and enjoy.
“Do you like it? Kade picked it out for you. He might not care about your office attire, but he certainly likes selecting lingerie.” Rafe stood in the doorway, leaning his strong body against the portal. He’d loosened his tie and a bit of sun-kissed throat peeked through. His midnight black hair was slightly messy, making him look less like a prince and more like an everyday man. Almost approachable, even. She longed to touch his hair to see if it was as soft and lush as it looked. Rafe kept his hair ruthlessly short and under control, so she appreciated this look at the moment. Kade’s was longer, brushing his earlobes, but always looked soft.
She was alone with Rafe. He had kissed her first. Maybe…
Her heart rate tripled as she met his stare. “It’s beautiful. In fact, everything you’ve bought for me is. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
He stepped forward, invading her space. “Do not concern yourself with repayment. Would you wish to insult me? I enjoy giving you nice things.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. “I want you to know I appreciate them.”
“I am glad.” Rafe smiled faintly. “Piper, Kade and I would like to talk to you.”
She didn’t want to talk just now. He stood so close. The last thing she wanted was another kindly lecture on what to expect in Bezakistan. And though she loved the fact that Rafe could talk about books and culture with her, she didn’t want an intellectual discussion. She rose up on her toes, her lips meeting his for a long moment. Gosh, his lips were sinfully soft.
“Piper?” He pulled back slightly, his expression somewhere between concerned and confused.
She moved forward, her body softening against his. Without the heels, she felt so tiny against his tall, muscular frame. She had to stay on her toes to position her lips beneath his. “Rafe, I want you.”
“Oh, Piper…” A shudder went through his body. “Those are such sweet words, habibti.”
No, he was sweet. She nuzzled his neck, loving the way he smelled so spicy, exotic, and masculine. His skin was warm, and she wondered what it would be like to sleep against him, his body cradling hers. A deep longing went through her. One night. It was all she would have with him, but she would know how it felt to be held and wanted.
She caressed her way down to his waist, trying to pull his crisp white dress shirt from the waistband of his designer trousers so she could touch more skin.
“Piper,” his voice was soft, but firm. “Wait, habibti. You must stop.”
She kissed his jaw, trying to reach his lips. He stepped back, his hands warding her off rather than pulling her in.
Shock slapped her suddenly. She was making an idiot of herself.
Piper took an awkward step back, tripping over her own feet and landing on her backside. Humiliation swept through her, stinging her veins. She felt a hot flush race up her face.
“Habibti, let me help you.” Rafe reached down to assist her, a graceful god taking pity on the mortal.
Piper shook her head, scooting further away, unwilling to look at him. “I’m fine. I’m really sorry. That was wrong of me.”
It had been stupid. So dumb. Tears threatened. Of course he didn’t want her. Johnny had told her that she wasn’t sexy. She simply hadn’t listened. Instead, she’d wanted. Craved. Taken his sweet kiss earlier to mean something more. She needed to be realistic. Wealthy, smart, royal… A man like Rafe would only look at her with charity in his eyes.
She needed to get him out of here, or better yet, she needed to go. She didn’t belong in this room.
“What happened?” Kade walked in and bent to her, completing the perfect picture of horror. “Piper, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
She put her hands up, holding the men at bay, still refusing to meet their gazes. “I’m fine. I’m just going to grab my things and find a smaller room to bed down.”
She would do that. Grab her things, rather than all the gorgeous trappings the brothers had bought for her. The romantic bed and lacy nightie had danced through her head, creating the mirage that she was beautiful and Rafe might want her. But she wasn’t beautiful. Sexy high heels didn’t make her a sexy girl, just a walking disaster waiting to happen. When she got to her new place, she would find the Bezakistani equivalent of a mall and buy some sensible shoes. Flats. Shoes that didn’t make her believe she’d become some femme fatale.
“This is your room. I made it ready for you. And I didn’t just tell the servants what to do. I picked everything out. You do not like it?” Still on one knee, Kade held out his hand to her.
“It’s beautiful.” She hauled herself up, pulling up on the bed, but the silky duvet slid and just as she got to her knees, she slid right back down and into Kade’s waiting arms. Darn it.
“I’m fine,” she snapped. “You can put me down.”
Kade didn’t. He stood, rising to his feet without the aid of anything to balance him and never once tipping her over. He simply stood, cradling her in his arms. “I think not, Pandora. I think I might carry you around, lest you destroy the plane.”
He teased her with a sexy little grin, but it didn’t matter. Perhaps they found her amusing, charming in a quirky, offbeat way. Somehow that made her humiliation worse. Tears pooled in her eyes. “Please put me down.”
“Damn it, Kade, you should not have said that to her.” Rafe rolled his eyes at his brother.
Kade’s arms tightened around her as he sank to the bed. “I meant nothing bad. What the hell happened? Why are you crying, Piper? If Rafe said something unkind, I can beat him.”
“I should like to see you try,” Rafe grumbled.
Maybe when they started arguing again, she could slip out and find a place to hide. “It’s fine. I’m just tired.”
“Piper kissed me.” Rafe’s words became soft, his shoulders relaxing as he looked down at her. “I was trying to explain the situation when she fell.”
Kade’s face went blank, and he set her down next to him on the bed. “That is twice you have kissed Rafe.”
Shame swept over her. “I’m sorry. I know I didn’t have any right to do it. I apologize and hope it doesn’t make you think less of me. I’m not usually aggressive.” They might just ship her right back to the States the minute they landed. She wondered if she still had a job at Black Oak Oil. Once Gavin heard how she’d behaved with his friends, not even her relationship with Hannah would save her.