The Sheikh's Enemy Lover (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 12)

by Cara Albany

  There was nothing else for them to say to each other. The tension had been building between them all night. Every glance, every accidental brush of their hands, every smile had been leading up to this. She knew it and, judging by the look on his face, Khalid knew it also.

  Belle sighed softly and Khalid's gaze settled on her lips. His eyes narrowed, and she saw him swallow, as if he was trying to contain the emotions so obviously surging through him.

  His head dipped and she lifted her mouth up to welcome his. Just like before, his kiss was tender with a hint of hunger. She loved it like that, knew that he felt the same passion, similar need as her own.

  His tongue probed her mouth gently, triggering instant waves of delight in every one of her nerves. No-one had ever made her feel like this, she told herself, as she tried to satisfy her need with his kiss.

  Khalid's hand slid around her back, drawing her toward him. Her body softened against his. She felt his firmness pressing against her, warm and full of promise. Belle groaned into his mouth, and his attention became instantly more urgent. She curled her arms around his shoulders, savoring every moment of his kiss. The powerful muscles of his shoulders were taut and firm.

  Then, without warning, he lifted his head, their lips parting, and he looked at her with dark eyes that burned with need. She saw his nostril flare, and for a moment he looked like a feral creature, desperate to claim its prey.

  Suddenly, she felt herself lifted up, and then she was in his arms, carried by him. She clutched at his shoulders, feeling his muscles effortlessly take her weight.

  "Khalid. What are you doing?" she asked giggling quietly.

  "What does it look like?" he growled.

  His gaze flickered up toward the top of the stairs. Was he really thinking about taking her up those steps? And then what? Was he hoping they could simply pick up where they had left off a few weeks before. Then, she had lain in his bed many nights and days. Now, though, things were different, weren't they?

  The sensations coursing through her body told her those objections weren't going to last long.

  Belle peered into his eyes and she saw that he was waiting for some kind of signal from her, some agreement. She felt his arms tighten around her, holding her even closer. She could feel the intense heat from his body against her; knew how that heat would feel once they were both naked and lying on his bed. Memories stirred and she didn't even try to drive them away.

  Belle lifted her head and kissed him gently. Apparently, that was all he needed to make his decision final.

  It only took him moments to stride up the staircase. She felt as light as a feather as he carried her all the way along the corridor. She knew where he was taking her. Anticipation intensified inside her.

  Then they arrived at an ornately carved door, one she immediately recognized. He kicked the door open, urgency getting the better of good manners it seemed. He carried her into his room.

  She hadn't been in this room for weeks, but she hadn't forgotten a single detail. There had been many lonely nights when she'd only had memories of the high ceilings, the luxurious furnishing, the plush carpets, the mixture of elegance and sheer opulence.

  It felt good to be back. She assumed he would put her down, but she was completely wrong about that. Instead, he continued on into the bedroom and laid her gently down onto the bed. She lay on her back looking up at him. His breathing was heavy, but there was a look of satisfaction on his features, as if he was simply overjoyed that she was here in his bedroom.

  Her long, blonde hair had spread out on the bed around her head. She curled some of the strands around a finger and gazed up at him. The corner of his mouth curled into an appreciative grin.

  Belle sat up and perched on the edge of the bed. She looked up at Khalid, taking in the sight of his power, his dominance. He pulled off his jacket and tossed it on the floor. Reaching for her, he tugged on her dress. She shifted, lifting the dress up over here head and discarded it alongside his jacket.

  Khalid's gaze was filled with heat as he looked down at her. He reached around and unclipped her bra. She lifted it clear of her breasts and dropped it at her feet. She flicked her shoes off as she watched Khalid begin to unbutton his white shirt.

  Her breathing quickened as she saw him open up the front of the shirt. Dark hair covered his firmly muscled chest. His stomach was a sexy ridge of muscled temptation.

  Belle rested a hand against his abdomen, feeling the heat of his body against her skin. He sucked in a sharp breath as she touched him. Khalid dropped the shirt on the floor and wrapped a hand gently around her wrist when she threatened to slide it downward to touch his firmness which was clearly visible beneath his dark pants.

  Her eyes locked on his when he stopped her from touching him. She saw him shake his head imperceptibly. It was as if he was saying it was too soon for that. That he wouldn't be able to control himself if she touched him there.

  She understood and ran her hand up to his chest, feeling the dark hairs that tangled between her fingers. Once more, she heard him draw in a deep, calming breath. His chest widened with the breath and she felt a tingle of anticipation when she felt the sheer strength contained in his body.

  It was a potent, powerful physique. She was already familiar with every muscle, every curve, every inch of his skin. But, even that knowledge didn't do anything to put out the fire of need which had been ignited by being so close to him.

  Then he started to unbutton his pants, slowly loosening them and easing his way out, revealing the white shorts beneath. Moments later, he was out of the pants, and she could see the strength of his desire for her on full show underneath the white shorts.

  Her throat tightened, and her heart pounded. This time she wasn't going to be denied, she told herself, as she reached out, laying her hand flat against the contour of his thickness. He lifted his head and groaned as she curled her fingers around the tempting shape, feeling its raw power.

  Khalid reacted like a man possessed. He knelt down between her parted legs and leaned forward, laying his lips on one of her nipples. As she felt the peak enveloped by his mouth, the tongue circling, Belle let out a cry of ecstasy. Sensation swept through her with a shocking ferocity.

  She grasped hold of his hair as his mouth fed upon the peak of her nipple, feasting on her flesh, just as he had done so many times before. She could tell by his hunger that he'd missed her every bit as much as she had hungered for his touch.

  Belle lifted her head back, closing her eyes, sinking into a world of pleasure. She felt his hands at her side, curled around her torso, gently holding her in position. His mouth worked miracles, igniting heat at her core. She clenched her thighs against him, holding him tight, not wanting to let him go, wanting him to continue to lave her nipple. She felt the heat of his body, the sweat of his skin against the soft skin of her inner thighs. Already she felt as if they were one, as if they were united as one. And yet there was more to come.

  Belle kept her eyes closed and felt his hands slide down to her hips, tugging on her panties. She lifted her hips slightly, understanding what he wanted, knowing that she wanted exactly the same. She felt his mouth move away from her breast.

  Belle looked down and saw Khalid gently easing her panties down the length of her thighs to her bare feet. He leaned back and she kicked them away.

  Completely naked now, she felt not a hint of awkwardness, being so exposed like this to him. Especially not while he was looking at her with such an appreciative, hungry gaze.

  He looked ravenous, as if he couldn't hold on much longer.

  His gaze said so much. There was everything she ever wanted in that gaze, including desire and longing.

  Was that look a declaration of something more? Of love?

  She asked herself that simple question and waited for the answer. She held the answering voice at bay, preferring to savor that look on Khalid's face.

  He stood quickly and hooked his thumbs along the waistband of his briefs. She watched him shift o
ut of them and then he was naked.

  He was ready for her. She could see that. He casually touched himself and the sight of that inflamed her need even more. He was beautiful, powerful, intoxicatingly potent looking.

  Desire clawed at her and heat flared in her core. Almost instinctively she reached down and covered herself with a hand, almost as if she was hesitant to let him know how the sight of his body had affected her. Realizing what she had just done, she forced herself to place her hands on either side of her hips, while she looked up at him. Glancing at his maleness proved to be unavoidable.

  Then Khalid moved forward, rested his hands on her shoulders and guided Belle down onto her back. He lay down beside her. Every nerve in her body was on fire with desire as she saw him settle alongside her. She ran her gaze along the length of his body, appreciating his nakedness, letting the sight of it burn into her mind, into every part of her being.

  Belle felt Khalid's hot body press against hers. She curled a hand around the muscles of his upper arm as he leaned in and kissed her. Lying naked next to him, his lips warm on her mouth, his tongue probing for entry, was almost too much to bear. She felt the weight of his strong body lean against her, his skin damp with desire.

  Belle gasped and clawed at his arm, her nails digging into his flesh. Any sharpness he felt merely seemed to drive more passion into his kiss. His hand cupped her chin as he controlled the angle of her mouth, as if he wanted to make sure he was giving her as much pleasure as he could. She felt the rough skin of his fingers around the curve of her chin.

  He moved slightly, pressing his firm, thick desire against her. The promise of him fired up the heat even more at her core. She pressed against him, wanting him to know the strength of her need.

  Then he placed a hand on her shoulder and she eased onto her back. His hand went to her thighs and he made it clear he wanted her to open her legs for him. She did that as he gazed at her, the appreciation visible and obvious on his features.

  Then he shifted, his head moving down, and she knew he was going to do what he'd done before. What she'd thought about so many times. The prospect of the pleasure he was about to give her made her roll her eyes involuntarily. She drew in a deep breath and let out a quiet sigh, desperate to control her impatience.

  Then she felt his fingers at her core, expertly touching, easing her apart. Belle's heart hammered, almost out of control. Sensation rippled through her and she clutched at the comforter, fisting it in her tight grasp.

  Then she felt him explore her, his attention tender, his tongue igniting delight in her. Belle groaned and called out his name. Moment after moment passed, and he traced sensitive circles around her, each movement triggering a new wave of ecstasy.

  Belle shifted her hips, but Khalid held her steady, determined to take her to a peak. She thought she might lose her mind, such was the intensity of the pleasure. Every motion of his mouth sparked new sensation. Her senses were aflame, but still he carried on, unstoppable.

  She had no intention of asking him to stop. Wave after wave of pleasure ignited her soul and at last a final wave washed over her, causing her to cry out, wrenching from her a yell of submission to absolute ecstasy.

  For a while she lay there, temporarily spent. Khalid shifted and lay his head on her belly, looking at her, his gaze filled with contentment as he watched her return to reality. For the moment, at least, she told herself. Because she knew he wasn't finished, knew that he had more in mind for her and for himself.

  Khalid lay at right angles to her body. Belle reached out and grasped his firmness, feeling the velvety weight of it in her hand. As she touched him, Khalid sucked in a deep, sharp breath. His gaze flashed at her, urgent and questioning. He wasn't the only one who could play games like that, she told herself.

  But, before she could act on that thought, Khalid wrapped his arms around her, and rolled onto his back, pulling her on top of him. She squealed as she settled across his belly, looking down at him. Her legs straddled his wide torso. She leaned forward, her blonde hair a tangle, the tips brushing his chest. She rested her hands on his chest, letting him support her weight. She felt the taut power of his body beneath her hands.

  Their eyes met and it felt almost like before when they had made love countless times. But somehow, she realized this felt different. She didn't know why, but the way he was looking at her was new, fresh, different. There was an intensity, a purpose, in his gaze which she hadn't seen before.

  Khalid smiled up at her. He gripped her hips gently and lifted his head, nuzzling on her breasts. His lips almost seemed to feed on her nipples, as his head shifted from one breast to the other. Every time he did that she felt spasms of pleasure ripple through her. Heat reignited at her core.

  Belle could feel the hardness of his stomach muscles against that soft, still tender core. His warm tongue traced circles of delight. She shifted her hips, teasing him, watching for every little reaction on his face. She wanted to see the torment on his features.

  But, before she had a chance to continue with that, Khalid growled. "What are you doing to me, Belle?" he gasped. She could hear the struggle in his voice. She knew what he wanted her to do, but she was going to make him wait.

  Belle shimmied from side to side, and tilted her head. "Nothing, Khalid," she breathed.

  She heard him draw in a deep breath, saw his gaze flare with something primal, a look that caused heat in her core to flare even warmer.

  His jaw tightened and she felt his hands grip her waist harder. "Really?" he gasped.

  Belle nodded, saying nothing, waiting to see what he would do next.

  Khalid'd chest expanded as he sucked in a controlling breath. Then he lifted Belle and eased her downward, placing her core next to his firmness. Feeling it so close to her, sensing its pulsing need, Belle moved slightly. Khalid's nostrils flared and he gazed at her, communicating something elemental to her, making it clear that he couldn't wait any longer. That he needed her, wanted her, that he would claim her in the next few moments.

  Every nerve in her body was alive with anticipation as she moved her core closer to him. Then, she felt him at her entrance. With a slow, tender move she guided him, all the while watching him, seeing his eyes widen with the torment she was putting him through.

  Then, with a gentle push, he was inside her. She gasped, feeling herself clench around him, sensing his fullness become a part of her. Khalid let out a guttural sound that seemed to have been drawn out of his soul. His gaze was unflinching, and then they started to move in unison, a dance of ecstasy and desire.

  Belle pressed herself as close to Khalid as she could, feeling waves of pleasure sweep through her with every movement. It felt so good to have him so close, to feel herself surround him like this. Every move of her body drew groans of approval from Khalid. His voice was deep, cracking with emotion, almost bestial with a hint of ferocity.

  Their movements were in perfect harmony as they drove each other toward the peak they both needed to ascend.

  Belle rested her hands on his flat stomach and twisted, each gyrating of her hips causing Khalid to gasp.

  Then, with them both lost in the ecstasy which Belle knew could only come from something deep and true, they both cried out. Belle felt herself transported, every nerve quivering, shaking with sensation. Khalid's movement became urgent, demanding, yet still tender. Then he roared his pleasure and she tumbled over the precipice with him into a place of ecstasy and love.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  "Good morning."

  Belle heard his voice, a deep, easy growl. As she rose up from deep sleep, before she opened her eyes, she was aware that she was lying in bed. In Khalid's arms. She inhaled his scent, a masculine mixture.

  Opening her eyes, she saw him looking straight at her, smile bright, his gaze warm and welcoming. Early morning light filtered in through the thin curtains at the windows.

  "Morning?" she asked, her voice sleepy. She felt his warm body, the strength of his arms around her. Curling her l
egs around his, beneath the comforter, she snuggled closer to him.

  Khalid nodded in response to her question, continuing to drink in the sight of her.

  Belle ran a hand through her hair, recalling what had happened during the night. A warm glow filled her heart as she remembered their love-making.

  "How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

  "You really want to know?" she asked and drew in a deep, satisfied breath.

  He leaned his head closer and planted a soft kiss on her lips. She reacted quickly, instinctively seeking more. But he pulled away from her, resting her head against his chest. She felt him breathe in deeply, his chest filling slowly, growing large. She inhaled his animal, masculine scent and savored the warmth of his body.

  Belle glanced up at Khalid. "What time is it?"

  "Eight. Are you hungry?"

  She lifted her head, surprised that it was that late. "You're already thinking about breakfast?" she asked.

  Khalid grinned wolfishly. "Last night took a lot out of me," he joked.

  Belle tilted her head and lifted a brow. "Out of you? What about me?"

  Khalid drew her close, kissing her forehead. "I don't recall you complaining."

  She felt her face color, heat rising to her cheeks. "That's not what I meant."

  "Not enough?" he asked.

  Belle slapped him playfully on his bare, muscular upper arm. Khalid yelled with pretend pain, although she could see that he kind of liked what she'd just done.

  Khalid rubbed his arm and smiled at her. "That's how you show gratitude?"

  Belle squinted at him, but he just laughed. "I wasn't aware I was supposed to be grateful," she said.

  Khalid continued to laugh. "I'm only kidding," he teased.

  Belle sat up, holding the blanket across her chest. She saw the hunger in his eyes as he watched her moving. Maybe he was interested in picking up where they had left off, she told herself. She still felt exhausted after the night. He'd been insatiable, making love to her repeatedly, until she literally couldn't take any more. There had been a fresh hunger that no amount of intimacy could satisfy.