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.
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.
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