by Lexi Blake
Except they had hummed back to life the minute Hottie Number One had laid a hand on her. Her heart rate had tripled and her skin had sizzled with life. Too bad her mouth hadn’t stopped working. She talked way too much when she was nervous. “Hey, do we have a couple of new guys around? Tall, maybe Middle Eastern but talk with British accents?” Hottie Number Two had been just as beautiful as his brother. She was sure they were related.
Gina’s eyes widened. “Are you talking about Rafe and Kade al Mussad? Yep. You are. Every woman who meets them gets that glazed look in her eyes. They’re here a lot. I’m surprised you haven’t met them before.” Her voice dropped to a gossipy whisper. “They’re filthy rich. They represent all the business interests for Bezakistan. Aren’t you working on their green project?”
Yep. And all the paperwork was in a giant heap that she would have to painstakingly reorganize. She could do it tonight. It wasn’t like she had anything else to do. This job was her gateway to bigger and better things. “Yes. I’m getting all the numbers ready for the guy on the other end. Tal.”
Gina stared at her. “You just sighed when you said his name.”
“I did not.” Except she kind of had. Tal was her counterpart in Bezakistan. Black Oak Oil was working with the government of Bezakistan to start a green energy project, and Piper was in charge of putting together all the research. She’d been e-mailing and talking on the phone to Tal for several months. “He’s just nice.”
“Tal, huh? In Bezakistan? I don’t think I’ve heard of him. What I do know is that the sheikh, Talib, is just as gorgeous as his brothers. Have you met this man you’ve been talking to? You might want to take a look because I’ve heard they grow them hot over there.”
Piper shook her head. Not Tal. Tal was sedate and very polite. His voice was soothing and intelligent. She couldn’t imagine him looking like the two movie-star gorgeous men she’d just met, and she kind of liked it that way. “I seriously doubt it. He’s really…smart.” And organized and creative. And she didn’t even know how old he was. Probably older. And married. With lots of kids. But she could dream a little.
Gina hopped off the desk. “I don’t need a smart man. Give me a dumb hot guy any day of the week. My Matthew couldn’t find his head in his ass, but his chest is a work of art. Are you coming to lunch with us?”
Piper forced a sunny smile on her face. “Can’t. I have so much work.”
Gina shrugged and walked out, the door closing behind her.
Piper’s stomach growled, and she wished she hadn’t left her bagged lunch on the train. It hadn’t been much. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a few baby carrots, but it would have been better than nothing.
She thought about her tiny studio apartment. She’d sent the last of her money to Mindy to pay for her school. There wouldn’t be more for another week when her modest check from Black Oak came in. She took mental stock of her fridge. The next week didn’t look good.
She glanced at the calendar, her stomach taking a dive. Well, at least she wasn’t hungry anymore. Tomorrow was supposed to have been her first wedding anniversary, if she’d managed to get down the aisle. She could still feel the white satin on her skin as she tried on her wedding gown. She’d looked at herself in the mirror and, just for a moment, she’d been a princess.
Tears filled her eyes. Turned out, her prince preferred strippers to nice girls he’d met at church. She’d been left at the altar with a note and the judgmental stares of everyone in her small town. And she’d still had her sister to put through school since Mindy’s scholarship had mysteriously dried up the minute Piper was no longer connected to the mayor’s family.
Piper took a deep breath. She couldn’t go back there. She was here now. Granted, she had a job that paid next to nothing and an office she could barely move in, but this was her kingdom. It wouldn’t be forever; it would grow. Until then, she would make it work.
With a deep breath, she put aside thoughts of shattered romances and beautiful men with sun-kissed skin. Piper reached for the stack of papers in front of her. She had a job to do.
Chapter Two
Rafe fidgeted. The plush chair he sat in was comfortable, but his brain wasn’t on the supple leather and masculine elegance of Dex’s office. His knee bounced—a sure giveaway that he was deeply impatient. Kade gave him a wry smile, reminding Rafe why he refused to play poker with his clever younger brother. He didn’t have Kade’s poker face. Dex would likely see right through him, but hell, he wanted to go find Piper and take her away.
That’s what his ancestors would have done. His own mother had been the latest in a long line of beautiful captive brides, each selected, abducted, and blissfully married after a whirlwind courtship designed to sweep her up and make her fall madly in love forever. Rafe wasn’t unaware that they had a big task in front of them. Oh, they could romance Piper. They might even be able to get the innocent little thing into bed. But finding the right path to ensnare her heart would be more difficult. That was, of course, if Talib still wished to proceed after hearing whatever Dex James had to say and meeting Piper himself. The way he felt about her now, Rafe would be hard pressed not to kick in his older brother’s teeth if he didn’t.
“Are you two insane? She’s not your type.” Dex closed the door behind him with a resounding thud.
Rafe was curious. “Why would you say that, friend?”
Dex raked a hand through his hair and frowned, as though putting off the moment when he had to speak. “She’s a very sweet girl.”
Kade’s lips flattened to a hard line. “And you think we do not like sweet girls?”
“You might like them, but you should damn well stay away from them, especially Piper.” Dex didn’t hesitate now, clearly in full-on big brother mode. “That girl is one of the nicest women I’ve ever met. She’s smart and funny, and okay, a complete klutz, but on her it’s endearing. She’s Hannah’s friend. They came from the same small town. When she was looking for work, she called Hannah, and we gave her a job. I would have given her a better one, but she insisted on this research position even though it’s entry level. She wants to be involved with this project and learn everything from the ground up.”
Because she had a core of integrity. Rafe had already discerned that. He had been following her up the hallway before she’d accidentally run into the very plastic Amanda. He’d stopped to get a drink from the water fountain when she’d walked by, all curves and hips. In an instant, his thirst had changed.
Rafe had prowled up the hall after her, plotting to offer his help with carrying her folders, but then he’d heard her talking to her sister on the phone. She’d paid for the girl’s school. Of course, he’d only heard a part of the conversation, but from what he gathered, she would not allow her sister to work more than a few hours a week while attending university because she’d had to do it herself and did not wish the girl to struggle. Family was important to this woman, and Rafe both understood and respected that. In fact, he found that quality deeply attractive.
Rafe had taken the opportunity to carefully inventory the woman’s appearance. Cheap clothes, shoddy shoes she must have purchased at a thrift store, a cell phone that had seen better days. The soft beauty obviously sent her sister every spare cent. Learning that she was Piper, the focus of Talib’s current interest, only made his curiosity peak more.
The reports Talib had sent said nothing of her sinfully sexy innocence. Instead, they had been filled with all the information the sheikh would find important, an amalgamation of numbers and dates that formed the sum of Piper Glen’s life to this point. Tal hadn’t mentioned how sweet she was, likely because he wouldn’t particularly care. He had noted her very high IQ. Nowhere in the report did he mention how she’d sacrificed for her sister. There had been one or two lines about her family, but nothing that got to the heart of the woman.
What sort of game was Talib playing? He feared it was working since Kade was already mentally putting a ring on her finger and placing her between
the three of them in bed. Rafe wanted to know more about Piper before he allowed himself to become attached. But time was running short. He couldn’t take the months he would have liked to get to know her. They had one objective—get her back to Bezakistan where they could see if she would make a suitable bride—then seduce her accordingly.
If she was everything she appeared to be, Rafe would enjoy having such a woman. He could become necessary to her. He could care for her, seeing to her every need until she turned to him like a flower to the sun. He could show her his world and make himself a place in hers.
Dex sighed. “Look, I know the drill, guys. Hell, Slade and I practically invented the drill. You find a hot little piece of ass, get her in between the two of you, make her scream down the roof, then take her to dinner and give her a nice parting gift. I get it. But Piper is off limits because A, I like her and she deserves better than to be a notch on your bedpost, and B, if she ends up crying to my wife that you two used her, and Hannah finds out I could have protected her, my wife will have my balls. She’s pregnant again. Do you know what a hormonal woman can do to a set of balls? I know we talk about testicles like they’re the be-all, end-all of strength, but those fuckers are fragile. If you want some action, talk to Amanda. You saw her, right? Blonde. Big boobs and sharp tongue. She’ll be up for your games, but Piper won’t know what game you’re playing, much less how to play.”
Amanda? Rafe slid his brother a long glance. Clearly, Kade wasn’t interested in that shit either. Dex so conveniently forgot his own history, which included seducing the lovely young Hannah before he and his brothers married her. They both let Dex go on and on about the horrors of uncommitted sex and how much they could scar Piper’s gentle psyche and heart or whatever, simply because he thought Rafe and Kade would never settle down.
Rafe held up a hand. “You are wrong in this, friend. We are not simply looking for a woman for the night.”
Dex stopped and stared. “What do you mean?”
Kade sat back, one leg casually perched over his knee. He looked like the negligent playboy he was, but Rafe knew his younger brother was quite serious now. “It means we must choose. Tal is nearly thirty-five, so our time is almost up. Gavin explained this to you?”
Gavin was the CEO of Black Oak Oil and the James brother with the closest ties to Bezakistan. He was also Dex’s eldest brother. Along with their middle brother, Slade, they shared Hannah.
“Sort of,” Dex said. “Talib has six months to pick a wife, right?”
It was so much more complicated, but that summed it up neatly, so Rafe nodded. “Yes. We toyed with the idea of revising the constitution to more accurately reflect the modern world, but we’ve run into trouble with that.”
Kade jumped in. “If we start playing with the constitution, we’ve been told we open it up to all sorts of revisions, including those from some of the more religious factions in our country who would prefer a government that was less Westernized and more like our neighbors.”
“And we know very well that several lawmakers would like to strike down the royal family’s marriage customs to weaken us,” Rafe added.
Dex’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You share a wife so you don’t have to split up the country, correct?”
“Exactly,” Rafe confirmed. “It’s a tradition that began long ago in our mountain regions as a way to keep a family’s wealth intact without cutting off the younger siblings and is still largely practiced by our population today. Primogeniture was the Western world’s tradition, but it forced younger sons into poverty, religion, or war. We did not wish that on our children. The same holds true today, though many do not see it. They view our tradition of bride sharing as barbaric, but it keeps the family centered on a common purpose.”
Dex grinned. “Well, you’re not going to get any argument from me, buddy. Lightning would strike real damn fast, and my balls would be toast for sure.”
“I’m glad you agree. The trouble is that our brother has proven rather picky.” Rafe was being generous. Talib had been a nightmare. Not that he and Kade hadn’t voiced some objections themselves.
Collectively, they’d looked into twenty women over the past two years. All twenty had been rejected. Talib didn’t want another royal because he didn’t want the headache of dealing with two royal families, or some princess with a trained smile in the ballroom but a haughty demeanor in the bedroom. He didn’t want a fame monger or a curiosity seeker, either. Bezakistan, with its unique customs and culture, was always a source of interest and mystery, after all. Talib wanted someone intelligent. She had to be educable about media affairs, have a lovely smile, be reasonably photogenic, and be kind. She had to like children, puppies, and rainbows, yada yada yada. None had passed Talib’s tests.
Which was just as well since Rafe had hated every one of those twenty cold women. They had been lacking in heart and a little hard in the soul. Kade would not have hesitated to take one or two of them to bed, but he’d made it clear that he had no interest in marrying any of them. Now the deadline for the three of them to find a bride and wed her breathed hotly down their necks. If they didn’t select one soon, the throne would pass to their cousin, Khalil.
No one who liked their chic yet charming country as it was wanted that.
“We’re actually here because Talib has found a possible candidate.” Kade’s sly smile told Rafe they were on the same page. Dex wanted to give them a lecture? They would give him a surprise.
Dex’s eyes rolled slightly. “Seriously, you’re looking for a wife, but you’re taking a little detour to salivate over my researcher? Not cool, guys.”
Rafe put the folder with Piper’s information on the desk, his palm remaining on it. It contained the original report and Tal’s observations about the girl, along with a few snippets of instant messaging conversations they’d shared. Rafe had already memorized them and had been intrigued, but meeting the girl had increased his understanding and enthusiasm a hundredfold. “You are right, of course. That would be very ungentlemanly of us.”
“And obviously your wife’s friend is far too sweet for nasty men like us.” Kade grinned.
“Dude, I’m glad you understand what I’m saying.” Dex held up his hands. “I’m not trying to disrespect you. I really do know what it means to be in your place, having a certain…itch and liking it scratched frequently. Slade and I had to hunker down and try to survive big brother until Hannah softened him up. But Piper isn’t a good-time girl. She’s the kind of girl you marry. Can’t you find someone else?”
Rafe’s lips turned up as Dex fell neatly into their trap. “I would not wish Piper heartache. Now, this is the name of the woman Talib wishes us to investigate as a potential bride. He thinks she’s quite intelligent and possesses many of the qualities we seek. If you could tell us all you know about her before we approach her, perhaps fill in any gaps in our report, we would be so grateful.”
Dex pulled the folder toward him. “Sure thing. Any woman you choose will be one lucky lady. Your country is beautiful and that palace is something else.” He opened the folder, caught sight of Piper’s name, and sighed. “You’re a son of a bitch.”
Rafe couldn’t help but smile. “So, you’ll set up lunch for us?”
He growled a little. “You two better take fucking good care of her. No, damn good care. No fucking her. Not until this thing is settled.” He picked up the phone and started talking.
Kade slid Rafe a slow smile.
Yes, they would take damn good care of her, indeed. Eventually, he suspected, they’d take fucking good care of her, as well.
* * * *
Piper looked around the restaurant, hoping no one noticed her thrift store clothes. She felt deeply out of place, and yet she couldn’t help but stare. It was beautiful, completely unlike anywhere she’d been before, but then there was only one place in her hometown that would qualify as a restaurant. Patty’s Pie Hole didn’t look like this.
Gosh, she hoped she didn’t break anything and could
figure out which fork to use.
“What looks good to you, habibti?”
His voice was like rich chocolate. Rafiq. He’d introduced himself that way, but quickly asked her to call him Rafe. He’d been the one to hold open the door for her and to help her out of the car. He probably knew she was likely to take a header right on the street.
“What does that mean?” He’d called her that twice. She wasn’t sure if he just kept forgetting her name. Black Oak Oil didn’t hand out security badges with employees’ names.
“Habibti?”
Piper nodded, trying not to let her eyes widen as she took in the prices on the menu. She could buy a cow for what they charged for a steak. Mr. James had explained that she was being treated, but she wasn’t used to being treated this well. “Yes, sir. I don’t know what that means.”
Kadir, or Kade as he liked to be called, elegantly slid his napkin over his lap. “It’s the Arabic equivalent of sweetheart.”
She hid a smile. At least men were the same across the world. She’d been around men all her life who called every woman, from eight to eighty, sweetheart or darlin’. They were either trying to be charming or were wretchedly bad at remembering names. But it was still somewhat endearing. “Oh, that’s nice. So, what exactly can I help you with, Mr. al Mussad? I assumed you were getting all the research notes and projections from Tal.”
“Tal?” Kade asked.
Rafe didn’t miss a beat. “Yes, Tal. You know the man who’s doing the field research in Bezakistan for the Clean Energy Project, brother.”
Kade leaned forward. “Seriously? Tal? Is he shitting us?”
