One Hot Desert Night by Kristi Gold Read Free Book Online Page A

identity, although it was tempting to allow him to believe we are involved.”
    She leaned a shoulder against the wall as the need to be somewhat coy, even flirtatious, overcame her. “In your dreams.”
    He moved closer and nailed her with those damnable dark eyes. “I did have those dreams last night.”
    She playfully slapped at his arm like a fourteen-year-old with a first crush. “You did not.”
    He sent her a half smile. “Yes, I did. One cannot control the subconscious.”
    Clearly, she was having trouble controlling herself around him because at the moment, she really, really wanted to kiss him. “I agree with you on that. But I also know that you and I have no business dreaming about each other.”
    He inclined his head and studied her for a moment. “Did you have dreams of me?”
    If only that were true. If only she were that well-adjusted. “Actually, no, but don’t take offense. I was extremely tired and I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow.” And that happened to be one colossal lie.
    “My dreams of you were very interesting,” he said, his voice low and compelling.
    “In what way?”
    He reached out and streamed a fingertip down her cheek, a gentle and almost comforting gesture, as if he sensed she needed that. “You were very spirited in my imaginings. I believe you are that way in all your endeavors.”
    Her recent past came crowding in on her. “At one time, I suppose I was, but lately that’s not necessarily true.”
    “Is this due to lack of confidence due to your lover’s disregard or has some other event changed you?”
    His intuitiveness took her aback. Yet for the first time, she was very, very tempted to confess. “No, it’s because...” She had no reason to tell him anything, though somehow she sensed he’d understand. “Let’s just say things happen when you least expect it. Some not so great things, and we’ll leave it at that.”
    After a brief bout of silence, Rayad took a step back. “Should you wish to speak to me of these
things
, it would be my honor to listen, and you may trust what you say will remain between us.”
    How badly she wanted to believe him, but she really couldn’t. Not yet. “Thanks for the offer. I appreciate it.”
    He offered a warm smile. “I suppose you should return to your room before your meal turns cold.”
    “You’re right,” she said as she pushed away from the wall, clear disappointment in her tone. “Have a productive day.”
    “Will I see you tonight at the gathering?” he asked.
    “Unfortunately, I’m required to make an appearance. But I only intend to stay long enough and mingle very little.”
    “If you are inclined, will you mingle with me?”
    That would not be classified as a chore on any level. “I suppose I can add you to my dance card.”
    He frowned. “I do not believe there will be dancing at this event.”
    She laughed. “I know. That’s just a saying...never mind.”
    He surprisingly clasped her hand and brought it to his lips for a soft kiss. “I will look forward to the moment when we meet again.”
    After he released her, Rayad turned and retreated in the opposite direction, leaving Sunny’s mind in a serious state of confusion. She’d begun to discern a soft side to the tough guy, but perhaps his consideration only covered his true goal—seduction. She refused to fall in the frail-female trap. Or maybe she’d become too jaded to believe any man’s motives. After all, she thought she’d known Cameron well, and she’d been terribly wrong. What true friend and former lover turned his back on someone in their hour of need? A man whose own guilt overrode his compassion. A man looking for a way out of a relationship that had grown static due to both parties’ opposite goals and vast differences. She, in part, had played a role in their demise by pushing him away.
    If she ever decided to have a serious relationship with someone else, Sunny vowed to choose a man who believed in open, honest