“Don’t think just because you win a single battle that you can claim victory in a war. I’ll have you forcibly removed from the palace tomorrow morning. In fact, I can have you on a plane tonight. You can sit down and play the part one last time, but tomorrow you will be out of my life, Piper.”
Tears threatened to blur her vision. “You don’t care that I love you?”
His hands tightened, and his voice ground from his throat. “I want to do the right thing for you. For my country. Can’t you see this is for the best?”
She let her eyes meet his again. “No. And I won’t go away quietly. You think you can find some more biddable bride, but I’ll make it hard on you. I’ll fight for my family.”
“So be it.” He kissed her again, a hard meeting of lips. When he brought his head back up, he was perfectly calm again, the mask he wore slipping into place so easily. “Gentlemen, you will have to forgive me for the delay. My bride is looking exceptionally lovely tonight.”
And by tomorrow, if Tal had his way, she would be gone. It was the hardest thing she’d ever done, but she plastered a smile on her face and joined the group, taking a glass of wine from one of the servants. She mingled, speaking to each politician, turning the conversation to the economy and politics when she could. She could feel Rafe’s and Kade’s warm eyes on her, giving her strength. And every time she looked up, Tal had to look away because she caught him staring.
She completed her circuit around the room, never allowing a moment when she wasn’t smiling, wasn’t charming. She found herself alone finally, on the far side of the room and away from the guests, staring out the big bay windows that overlooked the grounds. The sun had set, and silvery moonlight illuminated the gorgeous gardens. This land was foreign and beautiful and, in a few short days, had begun to feel like home.
Where would she be tomorrow? She’d spent so much of her life knowing exactly where she would be. She’d expected to live and die in a small Texas town, accepting her fate. At some point she’d discovered the strength to make her own way. Was she strong enough to keep her family together?
“You play the part well. I’ll give that to you. You have the gracious queen act down.”
She saw his reflection on the glass. Talib. Beautiful, remote, her sheikh. The thought of losing him hurt her heart. “I’m only doing it to please you.”
“If you want to please me, you’ll walk out and take my brothers with you,” he shot back in a heated whisper. He stared out the windows, his face a polite blank, so unlike the man who’d spanked her and forced his cock deep in her body, binding them together just hours before. Now he was telling her to leave.
“If I really thought it would please you, I would leave, but I remember what it feels like with you inside me,” she said softly. “I know how you make love, Tal.”
There it was. Just a little twitch to let her know she’d scored a hit. If she hadn’t been watching closely, she would have missed it. His face went blank again. “It was sex, Piper. You’re too naïve to know. I fuck the same way every time.”
She rolled her eyes. She couldn’t help it. She turned, making sure to lean back so there was no way he could miss her breasts. Rafe had selected her gown, a gorgeous red designer item with a plunging V-neck. And there it was again, a little flare to his eyes and a tent in his slacks. Yes, he was utterly disinterested in her.
“Sure. Except you told me you haven’t had a lover in your dungeon in years. Me, Tal. I was in there,” she murmured.
His eyes hardened. “You snuck in there.”
“I was curious. If you really hadn’t wanted me in there, you would have politely asked me to leave. I would have, you know. I would have left and never gone back, but that isn’t what happened. What happened was you made love to me.”
His jaw tightened, his eyes trailing to her breasts. “You overestimate your appeal.”
Piper snorted. She couldn’t help it. “Yes, I’m so good. So well-practiced. Tal, you can send me away, but I’ll still love you.”
“And I will forget you. Piper, I’ll get married two weeks after you’re gone and I will move on. You can wait all you like, but I’m done with you.” He turned and walked away.
She stared at him. What the hell was she doing? If he’d really decided on this course, how could she change his mind? He would simply have his guards forcibly remove her from the country, and she wouldn’t be allowed back in. If he didn’t want to see her, he would never look on her face again.
“Your Highnesses, honored guests, please join us in the dining hall. Dinner is ready to be served.” A turbaned servant in a black uniform smiled as he and his helper stood at the double doors that led to the dining hall. Piper stared as Tal walked toward the doors. He would put as much distance between them as possible. He would sit at one end of the long table, relegating her to the other. He would try not to speak to her again until he sent her away.