Read One Hot Desert Night for Free Online Page B

know why. That has to be the most antiquated tradition in the history of womankind.”
    Her sister’s blue eyes sparkled with amusement. “It was worth it seeing you in that hoop skirt. Now promise you’ll attend tonight or I’ll post pictures of that on the web.”
    Sunny snatched the gown from Piper’s clutches. “Fine. I’ll put on the darn dress and parade around for fifteen minutes, thirty tops.”
    Piper frowned. “Funny, I thought this royal blue one would be your least favorite. And I know how much you detest a high neck.”
    Not when she had an obvious scar to hide. She didn’t dare let her sister see the wound for fear she would have to explain, and she wasn’t prepared to reveal the details yet, if ever. “I like the overall cut of the dress. Sleeveless, satin and simple, yet elegant.”
    “And also loose fitting,” Piper said. “You won’t be able to show off your figure that I’ve envied since we were teenagers.”
    She didn’t care one whit how it looked on her. Much. She admittedly yearned to catch a glimpse of Rayad, and maybe continue her interview. “It’s fine, Piper, and I’ve envied your curves for years. And that you got the blue eyes and I got stuck with green. Besides, I’m sure no one will notice me at all.”
    Piper barked out a laugh. “Sure, Sunny. Just keep telling yourself that. I’m fairly certain I know at least one man who’ll be staring at you all evening, just like he did at dinner last night.”
    Darn if her sister hadn’t noticed. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
    “Rayad. He eyed you like you were dessert.”
    “He did not.”
    “Did so.”
    Sunny was simply too sleep-deprived to get into this now. “Go take care of your son.”
    “Aren’t you going to try it on?” Piper asked, followed by her patent scowl.
    Only after she was assured she had complete privacy. “I need to shower first, but I’m positive it will fit.”
    “We have yet to discuss your shoes.”
    Obviously her twin was intent on playing dress-up. “I have shoes.”
    “Heels?”
    “What does it matter? The gown is floor-length so no one will see my feet anyway. And I promise not to wear sneakers or hiking boots.”
    “Or you could wear these.” Piper reached into the pocket of one garment bag to retrieve a pair of silver sandals with three-inch heels. “The perfect finishing touch, and they’ll give you a little height, although at five-six you really don’t need that.”
    Her sister’s long-time height envy was now showing. Sunny snatched the platform torture shoes and set them at the foot of the bed. “Great. I’m all set. Now if you don’t mind, I need to bathe.”
    Piper gathered the remaining dresses into her arms and sighed. “If you’re hungry, the chef has some lunch for you in the kitchen. Wear a little extra makeup tonight, and if you need your hair done, Kira is a master.”
    She’d only briefly met the palace staffer and frankly didn’t trust anyone with her hair. “I can handle my hair, so if you’re done giving me orders, you can run along now.”
    Piper backed toward the door, grinning. “You are so going to totally blow Rayad away.”
    Her sister quickly left the room before Sunny could insist she didn’t need to impress anyone, let alone a man who was virtually a stranger. She did need to get on with the day and ignore thoughts of that man that had played on her mind much of last night.
    After making the bed, she made quick work of her routine and emerged from the shower feeling somewhat more human. Then she caught sight of the raised horizontal welt right above her collarbone and cringed. They’d told her she could eventually have a plastic surgeon repair it, but in time she hoped to be brave enough to wear it as a badge of honor. A reminder that life could end on a moment’s notice with one flick of a switchblade.
    Pushing the recollections aside, she dressed in a light blue T-shirt that concealed the evidence, put on a pair of white