Their Virgin Concubine(36)

Tal leaned in, his lips brushing hers. The first touch sparked against her skin, and she opened her mouth to gasp, but he cut off the sound, his tongue surging in.

Electricity pinged through her body. Piper lost the will to worry about what anyone would think. Her hands came up, clutching Tal as he pulled her close, drawing her into his heat. She would have to thank Rafe for forcing her into heels because otherwise poor Tal would be bent in half. Even with the four and a half inch stilettos, he still bent down to take her lips. He was the tallest of the brothers, his body the broadest as if he’d been built that way to wield authority. Through the rich material of his perfectly cut suit, she could feel how firm his muscular body was. Everything feminine inside her softened, yearned to get even closer. Ached to surrender.

His hands tangled in her hair, pulling it out of the staid bun she’d fashioned this morning. He didn’t prevaricate. He didn’t play. He tugged on her hair and dominated her mouth. She could feel the hard line of his erection against her belly.

Her breasts tingled, felt heavy—burned for his touch. And she was doing that thing again, getting wet and ready. It had practically become her default state since she’d met these men. Constantly surrounded by them, every day she endured a needy ache she didn’t know quite how to combat. Every night, her solitary bed had become an exercise in broken sleep and frustration.

Tal gave her one last kiss, then released her. He took a deep breath, rubbing their foreheads together. His usually steady voice was just the slightest bit shaky. “Piper, this banquet is meaningful to my brothers and me. Thank you for agreeing to come.”

“You’re welcome,” she said automatically. Her brain was still mush after Tal’s kiss.

“And afterward…will you come with us, allow us to see if we can make you happy? My brothers and I don’t enter into relationships lightly, but we all want very much to be with you. I assure you, we will treat you like a queen.”

She was on the precipice of something. Was it heaven or complete disaster? No clue. But could she live the rest of her life not knowing which it would have been? She’d always played it safe. She’d done the right thing and waited for something special.

If this wasn’t special, she had no idea what the word meant. She realized this meant giving herself utterly to these three men, and she would never have imagined that she would want or care for all of them. But sometimes, she supposed, life took strange turns.

“Yes.”

A slow smile crossed his lips, and he brushed his nose against hers. “I will do everything in my power to ensure you will not regret this. Now go and prepare for the banquet. I will look forward to this evening.”

She took a step back and nearly fell on her backside, her heels wobbling beneath her. Tal caught her in his arms, pulling her back up and steadying her on her feet.

“Thanks,” she said breathlessly.

“Pandora is back, I see.” He smiled. “Yes, I know all about that. I think it’s an apt nickname. You are certainly shaking up my world.” He seemed satisfied that she wouldn’t trip, and Kade now stood beside her, offering his arm. Tal graciously gave her up to his brother.

Kade took advantage. “Thank god, we’re back to kissing.” He thrust an arm around her waist and planted a perfect kiss on her cheek. “I’ve missed kissing you, cuddling you. And now I have to take you to Rafe. Maybe I won’t tell him we’re off the leash just yet.”

Tal stopped at the door, turning to her. “And Piper, whatever happens, know that I will always take care of you.”



* * * *



Rafe watched as Piper and Alea disappeared with the spa attendant. He rather wished he could go with her, watch as she was pampered and turned into the queen he knew she could be.

She’d said yes. Oh, she didn’t know exactly all she was saying yes to, but such was the way of captive brides in Bezakistan. And weren’t most relationships a bit like that anyway? When one started a relationship, there was no sure way of telling where it would go. Only this time, he knew damn well it would lead to marriage, and he knew he could make Piper happy. He would do everything in his power to make her so.

He turned and walked out of the lush spa. It catered to Bezakistan’s elite and the wealthy tourists who visited. He nodded to the security team who had followed discretely behind him as he’d led Piper and his cousin to the spa. Three stayed behind and one peeled off to follow Rafe as he walked down the street.

Normally they all trailed him, but he wasn’t about to leave Piper unprotected. Talib had been insistent on her security protocols. There was no way to miss how worried Tal was about Piper’s welfare. His brother was a bit paranoid, anyway. It was understandable. After what Tal had endured, Rafe was surprised he went out at all.