by Ann Cory
His thumbs ran down the side of her face and ran along her bottom lip. “I believe your greatest adventure is waiting for you. The past isn’t unknown to you, the future is.”
Jasmine caught her breath. His words hit her like a bucket of ice. Here was the man who could take her to all the places she ever wanted to go. Her stomach knotted. He was her adventure. “Damn you. It’s like you know all the right things to say.”
“I only say how I feel.”
“Don’t change. It’s a rare quality.” She sighed and shook her head. “Since you’re being all open and honest, I guess I should say exactly how I feel.”
He pressed a finger to his chin. “Okay. I’m listening.”
“Since there isn’t anything to keep me here, and this isn’t the life for a king, then there is only one choice to make. Yes, I will go back to ancient Egypt with you.”
Okpara opened his arms and she nestled close into his powerful chest. She heard the beat of his heart and knew she’d made the right decision. In many ways, she’d be going home.
“You have made me very happy. I promise you will be content in your life as a queen.”
The idea of being a queen actually terrified her, but she didn’t want to ruin the moment. “With you by my side, I don’t doubt it.”
She rose to her toes and pressed her lips against his. Her knees went all weak again and desire flickered in her belly. The nights were certain to be her favorite part of being in Egypt.
Jasmine paused mid-kiss and drew back.
He cocked a brow. “Is something wrong?”
She thought someone called her name, but figured she was hearing things. “No, for the first time, everything is right.”
Jasmine went to kiss him again when she both heard and recognized the voice.
“What the hell is going on?”
She turned to see Mason poised with a gun in his hand, eyes brimming with rage. This would take some creative explaining.
“Where the hell did you get that gun?”
He flicked his wrist. “I bought it, for protection.”
Okpara stepped in front of her and Mason cocked the gun.
“Are you hurt? Did this freak do something to you?”
Jasmine’s heart thundered. “Stop it, he isn’t a freak, show some respect. This is King Okpara.” She stretched out her arm with the bracelet on it. “I came across this inside a wall, and its powers brought him here from his time. Actual ancient Egypt. It’s quite amazing when you think about it.”
Mason sneered. “What’s gotten into you? You’re too smart to fall for some jerk in a costume telling wild tales.”
“Crazy as it is, it’s the truth. Look, I’ll explain everything to you in detail if you’d just put that stupid gun away.”
He shook his head. “Not until he steps away from you.”
She faced Okpara, hoping at least he would listen. “It’s okay, he won’t use the gun. I think he’s been watching too many action adventure movies or something. I’m going to try and reason with him.” Jasmine took a step away but the king put a protective arm around her waist.
“You are my future queen. I am not leaving your side.”
What could she say? Jasmine sighed and shook her head at Mason.
“I know you have feelings for me, but I consider you a friend, nothing more. It wasn’t ever going to go anywhere.”
He glowered. “You’ve never given me a chance.”
Her patience level with him neared empty. “I’ve been nothing but straightforward with you from the get-go, but you refuse to listen.”
“I’ve done everything for you. Who do you think paid for your trip here?”
She hesitated a moment. “The university.”
“Wrong. I paid for your ticket. I thought this would be a romantic way for us to get to know one another. But I see now that I’ve wasted both my time and money.”
Jasmine felt a slight pang of guilt. She would never have agreed to come had she known he purchased the ticket. Being in Mason’s debt was the last place she wanted to be. “I never asked you to do any of that, though I am grateful.”
He ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, right. I wanted to tell you earlier, but you were too busy keeping your distance. Then I find you with a half-naked man, and you’re talking all crazy.”
He’d gotten on her last nerve. “It’s not crazy, and I don’t expect you to believe me anyways. There’s nothing left to say.”
“Sure there is, we can talk about this privately. Alone.”
When would he leave her alone? “No.”
Mason’s tone changed drastically. “Why not?”
Like it or not, he needed to hear it from her. “Because I’m going back in time with King Okpara. I’m going back to ancient Egypt.”
His expression changed about five different times before he broke the silence. “I don’t even know how to respond to that. What can he possibly give you?”
“I didn’t know what I wanted out of my life, but I do now.”
Mason waved a hand at her. “He has you brainwashed or something.”
She threw him a dirty look. “Not at all.”
“What would make you leave everything behind to run off with someone you hardly know?”
“You know as well as I do, history is my passion. Now I can be a part of it. I believe it’s where I belong.”
The glint in his eyes darkened. “You belong with me. Give me a chance before you throw your whole life away.”
“It’s not your decision to make.”
Mason raised his gun and aimed it straight at her. “I said stay with me.”
This was a side of him she never expected to see.
Okpara tightened his grip on her.
“I’ve made up my mind and I’m sorry it doesn’t work into your personal plans. Get over it.”
Mason’s face changed to a crimson hue. “I refuse to walk away and leave you behind. I’m not ready to give up fighting for you.”
Her mind could hardly formulate words. She’d never stared down the barrel of a gun before. “This isn’t a game. This is my life. I’m following my heart for the first time. Don’t you dare take that away from me.”
“I warned you that eventually you’d get caught up in a dangerous attraction.”
She wanted to laugh considering he was the one threatening her, but she didn’t dare. “It’s not a dangerous attraction. It’s a mutual one.”
Mason raised his other hand to help steady the gun. “I suggest you kiss your attraction goodbye.”
The room spun before her eyes as the brunt of his words hit her. “Wait, what?”
He aimed the gun toward Okpara and walked forward. The wild look in his eyes frightened her. He meant to kill the king.
“Please don’t, I beg you.”
Okpara released his hand from her waist and shielded her. “The lady doesn’t want to be with you. I can understand that rejection stings, but if you truly love her and want nothing but her happiness, then simply let her go.”
Mason continued to walk forward. “Shut up freak. You don’t even know what you’re talking about. I’ve loved her for over two years and I’m not giving her up now. Either you go back to the circus you came from, or I’m going to pull the trigger. Your choice.”
“Since I am unable to leave without her, I suppose your only recourse is to kill me.”
Jasmine couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Mason, if you kill him you might as well kill me too. I’ve no intention of being with you. Ever.” She knew it was a risky thing to say, but she needed to get that gun pointed away from them.
“And you won’t be with him, either.”
Before she could respond there was a deep rumble. The ground beneath their feet shook and large pieces of stone crashed down from the ceiling, stirring up clouds of dust. With her arms covering her head, she ran to try and find a safe place.
“Jasmine!”
She faintly heard Okpara call to her,
but couldn’t see him in all the falling debris.
“I don’t know where you are,” she shouted. “What’s happening?”
“The pharaohs have been angered. They are letting their presence be known. To threaten a king is punishable by death.”
Mason’s voice broke in. “Jasmine, come with me now. If you stay in here, you’ll get hurt. The king of Egypt can’t help you.”
She was so angry with Mason she wanted to throw something at him. “This is your fault. How dare you threaten to kill a king?”
Some of the dust cleared and she vaguely saw Mason, his gun still at the ready. A couple feet away she could make out Okpara’s majestic form. She had to do something.
Jasmine moved quick as lightening to where she’d seen the king when another rumble started. A large stone came down from the ceiling and hit her on the head. The impact stunned her and sent her to her knees. She heard the gun go off and froze.
“Okpara,” she cried.
Slowly, she tried to get to her feet, but a wave of nausea sent her reeling back to the ground. More of the limestone debris fell and made it difficult for her to keep her eyes open. The little she could open them didn’t make much of a difference. The flames of the torches had been snuffed out and they were shrouded in darkness.
She heard someone coming and strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist.
“Let me go,” she screamed, fearing it was Mason.
“My queen, you are safe. I will protect you.”
To hear Okpara’s soothing voice flooded her with relief.
“Are you hurt? I heard a gunshot.”
“I am fine. We need to find a way out.”
“Why doesn’t the bracelet take us back to your time? Can’t we make it work somehow?”
“Its powers cannot be manipulated. We remain here until it sends us back.”
“What do we do until then?”
“All we can do is wait.”
“We could die waiting. There must be something. Anything.”
“Perhaps the power is stronger where you found the bracelet.” Okpara laced his hand in hers. “Come. We must hurry.”
She ignored her throbbing headache and pushed on through. As the rest of the pyramid began to fall away, she worried their way would end up blocked.
Blindly, they moved through the room until his grip loosened from her hand.
“Make your way to the room and I’ll find you.”
What was he doing? “No, we need to go together.”
“Neither of you are going anywhere.”
Mason startled her as he came up behind her and pushed her to the ground. “Stay down or I’ll end up shooting you.”
“Damn it Mason, this has to stop.”
“Shut up,” he hissed. “Now, King Okpara is it? Let’s settle this like men.”
He fired three shots that lit up the room long enough for her to see Okpara fall to the ground.
“Okpara,” she screamed. “Talk to me!”
When he didn’t answer, her heart sank. Tears ran down her cheeks. Without him there’d be no future, and there was no past.
“Come on Jasmine, playtime’s over.”
Fear ebbed through her. If Mason couldn’t see her, she could still get away and bring back help. Quickly, she crawled up the causeway. She could only hope that time was on her side. Maybe the ancient pharaohs would take pity on their king and send him back for a proper burial.
Halfway up the causeway, the floor began to sink beneath her, taking her with it. Jasmine tried to grab hold of anything solid, but the strength of the pull was too great. She panicked as what felt like sand rose past her waist, chest and shoulders. No one could help her. In the darkness, no one could save her.
She took one final breath before the ground swallowed her up.
Chapter Five
Jasmine emerged from the luxurious milk bath with her skin silky smooth to the touch. She’d been sponge bathed and pampered by four ladies who were thrilled to be assisting their new queen. They’d given her a sheer white gown to wear and left her to dress alone.
After all the chaos it felt good to relax. Her bare wrist reminded her of the beautiful peridot bracelet. Though damaged, it had still held enough power to bring them back. When she’d opened her eyes and seen King Okpara’s worried expression as he hovered over her, she’d known they’d made it back safely.
The dress flowed along her body as she walked around the spacious bedchamber. She couldn’t believe the size of the king’s bed. It was so large and round it could be its own island. No wonder his majesty had no problem accommodating ten women at once. Now that she was here, there’d be no more sating other women’s desires. Only her own.
Jasmine admired the red satiny sheets and tasseled pillows. Flames from dimly lit torches danced along the wall creating a soft glow. The room was set for seduction. She’d been here before, in her dreams.
“Do you approve, my queen?”
Okpara entered the room, looking even more handsome than before. She thanked the gods for having this man to herself.
“I’m not a queen yet.” Jasmine gestured around the room. “You have an impressive place here, and I’ve only seen the bedchamber.”
He flashed her an impish grin. “It’s the most important room in my temple. And the only one you will see tonight.”
“Oh really?”
“That is correct. For now, I get you all to myself.”
Her gaze followed the muscles of his shoulders, chest and stomach. Perfect for running her fingers along. She moved in close, her nipples pressing against her sheer gown. It seemed impossible for her to not be turned on in his company.
“Now that you have me here, what are you going to do to me?”
“Everything you have ever imagined in that evocative mind of yours.”
Her thoughts raced from zero to naughty. “Sounds sinful.”
“It can be. Here in Egypt, it is customary to try out the bed on your first night.”
She couldn’t hold in her laughter. “Do you say that to all the women?”
“Other women? There is only you.”
“Good answer.”
Her hands smoothed along his muscled shoulders, traipsing along each solid peak.
“First, I have a gift for you.” In his hand lay a small box made of clay.
Her chest tightened. “Are you kidding me? This is all one fantastic, enormous gift right here. I don’t need anything else.”
He opened her hand and placed the box in her palm. Just the touch of him sent electric shocks throughout her body.
“Get used to my spoiling you. Now open it.”
She removed the top and saw an exquisite peridot pendant on a long gold chain. Jasmine blinked back a tear. “It’s absolutely breathtaking.”
“I had it made especially for you. Something fit for a queen.”
Never before had she believed love could be like this. She removed the necklace and held it out to him. “Will you put it on me?”
“Of course.”
Jasmine turned and held up her hair. The chain fell lightly against her skin and the radiant jewel hung between her breasts.
“How does it look?”
His gaze lowered to the necklace. To her surprise, he frowned. “Hm. Something is not right.” He reached for the hem of her dress and lifted it over her head. “Ah, now it looks perfect.”
Jasmine shook her head. “Men. But seriously, thank you. It means the world to me.”
He touched her cheek. “I’d give you the world.”
In her mind, he already had. “I know.”
Jasmine removed his cloth and admired his nakedness. Perfection had a name, and it was Okpara.
“I’d like to show my thanks for all you’ve done for me. My king.”
Before he could respond, she knelt and wrapped her hand around the base of his cock, sliding it along his heated length. His cock grew in her hand, so hard and thick. The masculine scent of his sex almost consumed her wit
h a feral need. Her pussy ached greedily, but she wouldn’t oblige, this time his white heat would grace her lips.
She watched his eyes close to half-mast as she trailed her tongue along the thick underside of his cock. His muscles twitched when she swirled his moist head with her lips, tasting him for the first time. Delicious. The sound of his pleasure as she took him in her mouth added to her enjoyment. Right then, she claimed him, as he’d claimed her.
Jasmine pulsed her lips up and down his cock, engulfing him further each time. She surprised herself how far she could take him, breathing out as she descended. Mouth tight she sucked him, milking him dry. His groans were sweet music to her ears. She rested her palms against his thick thighs and felt his muscles clench beneath his skin.
Faster she pumped her mouth along his cock.
“You don’t get off that easy,” he growled.
Okpara picked her up and fell back onto the bed with her on top. He pulled her forward until her pussy was stretched wide over his mouth, her thighs situated on either side of his head. She was about to scold him for not letting her bring him to an orgasm when he laved his tongue along her clit. Her legs trembled and he went to town.
He devoured her like a starved animal, suckling, licking, flickering the hell out of her tiny organ of pleasure. His hands held her hips firmly, even though she squirmed. Never had a man ravaged her with such passion and intensity. “Faster, oh please, I’m so close,” she cried, her body nearing release. It felt so good her eyes welled up with tears.
A tiny trickle started from somewhere inside and grew until she came in a long, hard rush, moistening her insides with a light, creamy film. She hollered, not caring if all of Egypt heard her. A series of jolts followed, but he didn’t let up. He continued suckling her clit. Her juices spilled down around his mouth, but his eyes stared deep into hers. He truly was going to fuck her into oblivion.
Another orgasm started low, and then broke free. His tongue laved along her soaked slit as he lapped her up. She’d never felt closer to a man in her life.
Even with her legs like mush, she wanted him to come. Jasmine scooted herself back, straddling her legs around his waist. With her hand, she held his cock and sank herself onto him.
His hands trailed along her chest and breasts, gently caressing her nipples between his fingers. As he pinched them, she sped up her movements, undulating over him.
