The Sheikh's Collection. Оливия Гейтс

“Shame on me for believing I meant more to you than just a quick fix to save your sterling reputation. And shame on you for leading me to believe you were honorable.”

      She could tell by the harsh look on his face she’d delivered a knockout blow. “I would be less than honorable if I kept you here any longer when we both know that I will never be able to give you what you need.”

      Battling the threatening tears, Piper snatched up the book and clutched it to her heart. “You’re right, Your Highness. I need a man who can let down his guard and take a chance on love, even though I’ve recently discovered love is a risky business. But just remember, there’s a little boy who’s going to need all the love you can give him, since, like his father, he’s never going to know his mother. Don’t fail him because you’re too afraid to feel.”

      Without giving him a chance to respond, Piper stormed down the hall to the make-believe lovers’ hideaway, slammed the door behind her and started the process of packing. Only then did she let the tears fall at will and continued to cry until she was all cried out, though she inherently knew she was only temporarily done with the blubbering.

      Not long after Piper finished filling the last of the suitcases, a series of knocks signaled a guest had come calling, the last thing she needed. Unless... On the way to answer the summons, she couldn’t help hoping Adan had somehow come to his senses and decided to ask for a second chance. That he would appear on the threshold on bended knee with his heart in his hands and a declaration of love flowing from his gorgeous mouth. As if that fairy-tale scenario was going to happen. Most likely she’d find Abdul standing in the hall with his head slightly bowed, a live-to-serve look on his face while he declared his unwavering need to carry her luggage.

      She discovered she’d been wrong on both counts when she opened the door to the ever-smiling Kira. “I’m so sorry to bother you, Your—” She sent a quick glance over her shoulder. “...Piper, but the art shop didn’t have any canvases available and they only had colored chalk. They did offer to order the supplies for you.”

      She’d forgotten all about the painting she’d planned to give Adan. “That’s okay. I won’t be needing those supplies now.” Or ever.

      Kira appeared sorely disappointed. “But you seemed so excited over surprising your husband.”

      He’s not my husband, she wanted to say, but opted for a partial truth. “I probably shouldn’t mention this, but you’ll know soon enough. The marriage isn’t working out, so I’m returning home this afternoon.”

      Kira hid a gasp behind her hand. “I am so sorry, Piper. I was so certain seeing you and Adan together today that you were completely in love.”

      “Love isn’t always enough, Kira,” she said without thought.

      “I know that all too well, Piper.”

      She sensed her newfound friend did, at that. “Oh, well. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as they say. And I’m going to miss having the opportunity to get to know you.”

      “Surely I’ll see you when you bring the baby to visit his father.”

      If only that were the case. Leaving Sam would be equally as difficult as leaving his father behind, never knowing what might have been. “Adan is going to have full custody. I travel a lot with my job and we both think it’s important Sam grows up in his homeland with his people.”

      “But you’ll be coming here to see him often, right?”

      And now for the final, and most painful, lie. “Of course.”

      That prompted the return of Kira’s smile. “That’s wonderful. We can still have those smart-remark sessions when you’re here.”

      “I’d offer to have one now, but I want to give Sam one last bottle before I go.”

      As Piper stepped into the hall to do that very thing, Kira drew her into a hug. “Goodbye for now, Piper. I wish you the best of luck.”

      “Same to you,” she replied as she started toward the nursery, before she gave in to the temptation to tell Kira the truth.

      As much as she wanted to see the cherished baby boy, Piper dreaded telling him goodbye. That didn’t prevent her from lifting the sleeping Sam from his crib and holding him for the very last time. He opened his eyes slowly and didn’t make a sound, as if he understood the importance of the moment. She walked around the room as one more time she sang the lullaby she’d used to put him to sleep. If only she could be his mother. If only his father had loved her back. If only...

      “The car is waiting, Your Highness.”

      Piper wanted to tell Abdul it would just have to wait, but she saw no use in prolonging the inevitable farewell to the second love of her life. She kissed Sam’s forehead, laid him back in the crib and managed a smile. “I love you, sweetie. I know you’ll forget me once I’m gone, but I will never forget you.”

      Or the man who had given him life.

      After one last look at Sam, Piper turned to go, only to discover Adan standing in the open door looking somewhat remorseful. “I did not want you to leave before I expressed my gratitude for all that you’ve done for myself and Samuel.”

      She truly wanted to tell him what he should do with that gratitude, but she couldn’t. She honestly wanted to hate him, and she couldn’t do that, either. “You’re welcome, Your Highness. It’s been quite the adventure.”

      He attempted a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yes, it has. And I also want to assure you that I will treat my son as he should be treated. I will make certain he has all that he desires.”

      Too bad he couldn’t promise her the same. “Within reason, I hope. I’d hate to think you’d buy him his first plane on his first birthday.”

      He favored her with a dimpled grin. The same grin she’d noticed the first time she’d laid eyes on him. “Rest assured I will withhold that gesture until his second birthday.”

      “Good idea. We wouldn’t want him to be too spoiled.”

      A lengthy span of silence passed as they remained quiet, as if neither knew what to say next. Piper had already said what she’d needed to say when she’d told him she loved him, even if he hadn’t done the same. Now all that remained was the final goodbye. “Well, I guess I need to get my things and take to the friendly skies. I’d like to say give me a call if you’re ever in need of ending your celibacy, but that wouldn’t be wise.”

      He streaked a palm over the nape of his neck. “I suppose it wouldn’t be, at that.”

      “And just so you know, I don’t regret the time we’ve spent together. I only regret this little fake fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending. But that’s life. Goodbye, Adan.”

      When she tried to make a hasty exit, Adan caught her arm and pulled her into an embrace that didn’t last nearly long enough. “You are a remarkable woman, Piper McAdams. I wish for you only the brightest future with a deserving man.”

      She was convinced he could be that man, if only he believed it, which he didn’t.

      Piper began backing away, determined to leave him with a smile. “I’m going to forgo the whole man-hunting thing for a while, but I’ve decided I am going to further pursue a career in art.”

      “I am pleased to hear that,” he said sincerely. “Perhaps you can send me some of your work in the future. I will pay top price.”

      How badly she wanted to run back into his arms, but her pride had already suffered too many hits as it was. “I’ll certainly give that some serious consideration. In the meantime, take care, Adan.”

      “I wish the same to you, Piper.”

      She chose not to afford Adan another look for fear she might do something foolish, like give him another kiss. But after she climbed into the black limousine a half hour later, she glanced back at the red-stone