every ounce of strength he still possessed, Adan pulled away and stepped back before he did something they might both regret. The dejected look on Piper’s face gave him pause, and the urge to come up with some viable excuse. “You, lovely lady, are too much of a temptation for even the most controlled man.”
Her expression brightened. “No one has ever accused me of that before.”
“Apparently you have not been with anyone who appreciates your finer points.”
Now she looked somewhat coy. “But you appreciate them?”
If she could see the evidence of his appreciation, she would not have posed the question. “I more than appreciate them, as I also appreciate and respect you. Therefore I am going to escort you back to the hotel and bid you good night.” Or crush his determination to refrain from sex for three more months.
Piper pretended to pout. “But the night is still young, and I’m still cold.”
“All the more reason to deliver you safely inside the hotel.”
“Your room or mine?”
She seemed determined to make this incredibly hard on him...in every sense of the word. “Your room, and then I will retire to mine.”
She sighed. “All right, if that’s what you really want.”
If he said that, he would be lying. “It’s not a question of if I want you. The question is, would it be wise to continue this?”
“And your answer?”
“Completely unwise.”
“Maybe we should ignore wisdom and do what comes naturally. We’re both of age and free to do as we please, so why not take advantage of the opportunity?”
Just as he opened his mouth to issue another unenthusiastic argument, she kissed him again. Deeper this time, more insistent. He slid his hand down her back, cupped her bottom and brought her up against his erection, hoping to discourage her. The plan failed. She made a move with her hips and sent him so close to the edge that he considered lifting her skirt, lowering his pants and dispensing with all propriety.
The last thread of his coveted self-control prevented him from acting on his desire. He refused to succumb to animal instinct. He could not discard the vow, or his common sense, for one night of unbridled passion with someone he was clearly deceiving. He would remain strong, stay grounded, ignore the fact that he had a beautiful, sensual woman at his disposal and...
Whom was he attempting to fool? “Let’s retire to my room.”
She had always strived to be the good twin. Straight as an arrow. Boring as hell. Never before had she demonstrated such assertiveness toward a man.
Now remarkably Piper found herself alone in an elevator with that man, with only one goal in mind—ending her self-imposed celibacy in a virtual stranger’s hotel room. Oddly A.J. kept his distance and remained silent as they traveled all the way to the top floor. After the doors sighed open and they stepped out of the car, she expected to see a corridor containing a line of rooms. Instead she noticed only one double mahogany door flanked by two massive, stoic guards. If a pilot warranted this much security, then he must work for an incredibly powerful family or some high-ranking politician.
A.J. lightly clasped her elbow to guide her forward before stopping at the entry to mutter something in what she assumed to be Arabic. One of the men turned immediately, slid a card key in the lock and opened the doors. As soon as they were safely sequestered inside, Piper took a moment to survey the area—exquisite dark wood floors, towering windows revealing the Chicago skyline, even a baby grand piano in the corner. An opulent penthouse designed for the rich and infamous. Her current companion was one lucky employee.
Piper started to comment on that very thing, but her words never made it to her open mouth. A.J. did, and the kiss he gave her had the impact of a firebomb. Somehow she ended up with her back against one wall with A.J. pressed against her, her face bracketed in his palms. When he shrugged the sweater from her shoulders, slipped it away and tossed it behind him, her heart rate began to run amok. Any concerns flittered away on the heels of a heat she’d never felt before with any man. But this man knew what he was doing, right down to the way he brushed kisses along the line of her jaw and her neck before he brought his mouth to her ear. “The bedroom,” he whispered. “Now.”
Okay, that would be the next step. A daring step. A step Piper had never taken with a man she barely knew. “Lead the way.”
No sooner had she said it than he clasped her hand and guided her toward another closed door where he paused to kiss her again. When his palms roved along her rib cage before they came to rest on her bottom, she found it very difficult to breathe.
He suddenly broke all contact and took a step back. “There is something I need to say before we go any further.”
Piper managed to break through the sensual fog and back into reality. “You’re married.”
“Of course not.”
That left only one scenario as far as she could see. “If you’re worried that I’m making some alcohol-induced decision, you’re wrong. Yes, I’ve had a couple of drinks, but I’m not drunk. And yes, this strangers-in-the night scenario is a first for me. In fact, I’ve only had one lover, and even calling him that is a stretch.”
He seemed totally confused by that concept. “How is that possible for such an appealing woman?”
“Believe me, it is possible because I’m very particular.”
“I am flattered, yet I still question whether you are giving this enough thought.”
She didn’t want to think, only do. “Look, in a perfect world, I’d suggest we spend a few days getting to know each other before we take this step. But unfortunately I was informed only a few hours ago that I’m traveling to some obscure Middle Eastern country to schmooze with sheikhs for the sake of trying to win a water conservation contract.”
His expression went stone-cold serious. “Are you referring to the Mehdis?”
“Yes, and I realize they’re your friends, but—”
“We need to talk.”
That meant only one thing—party’s over. “All right,” she muttered, unable to mask the disappointment in her voice.
A.J. led her to the white sofa set out in the middle of the room. After they settled on the cushions side by side, he took both her hands into his. “You are one of the most beautiful, intelligent and intriguing women I have met in a very long time. Quite simply, you’re special. For that reason, I do not want to take advantage of you.”
Take advantage of me, dammit, she wanted to say, but opted for a more subtle debate. “I’m not special at all. However, I’m sure you normally require an experienced partner, and if it’s that’s your concern, I’m much more adventurous than I seem. I think my being in your hotel room is a sure sign of that.”
He released her hands and leaned
