She’d never thought of lingerie as wrapping, but she supposed it was. Several minutes later she found herself trying on slacks and blouses, sweaters and boots. There was an entire collection of casual clothes. She put on each outfit and walked out for Rafiq’s nod of approval. He often asked her opinion, agreeing when she liked something, telling her not to get it if she didn’t.
After a half hour or so of casual wear, she moved into cocktail dresses. There were flirty designs with asymmetrical hems and black silk with beading. These were followed by actual formal gowns.
Kiley found herself zipped into one that was strapless, velvet and flowing. The garment swayed with her movements. The strapless style showed off more than she was used to but she didn’t feel exposed. Instead she ran her hands down the velvet clinging to her body and knew this was the one.
“I love it,” she said as she burst out of the dressing room and twirled in front of Rafiq. “Isn’t it the best? Don’t you love the skirt?” She held it out for him, then spun again. “Even the shoes are fabulous.” She held out one foot to show the strappy silver sandals Gerald had brought her. “They hurt, but beauty is pain.”
Rafiq stood and moved next to her. “So you like it?”
“I love it. But seriously, where exactly am I going to wear something like this?”
“To the fund-raiser on Friday.”
“Really? You mean I can get it?”
He smiled. “You are unlike anyone I’ve known before. So very earnest.”
“No. Not earnest. I want to be sexy and exotic and—”
He cut off the rest of her sentence by pulling her close and kissing her. There were no preliminaries this time, no gentle teasing. Instead he claimed her, thrusting into her mouth and taking what he wanted.
Had someone described such a kiss to Kiley, she would have sworn she would hate it, but in reality, she found herself eager to surrender. The act of being taken by a man who knew exactly what he was doing was a short road to pleasure. Blood heated, her thighs trembled, and soon she found herself forgetting about everything but the need to be as close to him as possible.
At last he drew back and rested his hands on her shoulders. “What were you saying?” he asked.
“I haven’t got a clue.”
“Good. We will take the dress because it was made for you.”
He turned her toward the dressing room, kissed her bare shoulder and then gave her a little push.
She moved as if in a dream. Wow, talk about an easy way to cloud her mind and change the subject. He was really good at that whole kissing thing. They should do it more.
But when Kiley walked into the spacious dressing room, she found herself suddenly nervous again. Not because of what Rafiq had done, but because of the lace and silk nightgown hanging directly in front of her.
Oh, my. So, was she expected to, ah, try that on and model it?
She crossed the carpeted floor and stood in front of the lingerie. In theory she could be covered, but the lace didn’t leave all that much to the imagination.
Still, this was for Rafiq and he was going to see her naked eventually. She might as well get used to the idea. Besides, so far all their physical contact had been pretty spectacular.
She removed the evening gown and the sandals, then slipped off her strapless bra. As she reached for the nightgown, she would have sworn the lights dimmed just a little.
The silk and lace slid down her body. The cool fabric made her shiver, but not as much as when the door suddenly opened and Rafiq entered the large dressing room.
He seemed taller, bigger and more dangerous. She’d always known he was a man, but at that moment he seemed even more male. Almost predatory.
She had the urge to cover herself, but instead forced herself to stand still, with her chin raised. She wanted this. At least, that was the theory.
His dark gaze swept over her, settling on her face. “You’re very beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“Do you believe me?”
“I want to.”
“You should believe.” He took a step closer.
There was something about his eyes, something…
“What are you thinking?” she asked, half afraid of the answer.
“That I want you. I will not take you. Not yet, but I want you.”
His words made her tremble, but not with fear. Instead an emotion swept through her—one she couldn’t identify right away. And then she knew.
Desire.
She wanted him. While she was nervous and uncertain, she still wanted to know what it would be like to be with him.
He moved close but didn’t touch her. Instead he slowly walked around her. “You told me you were a virgin,” he said, his voice low. “How far did you and Eric go?”
The question embarrassed her. “Some kissing,” she whispered.
He stopped in front of her and touched her cheek. “I only wish to understand how much is familiar and what is new. I want to excite you, Kiley, not frighten you.”
Of course. “We, ah, did some touching. You know, he, ah, touched my breasts.”
His gaze never left her face. “Anywhere else?”
“A little. Just through clothes.”
“Did you touch him?”
“Not, um, there.”
“Did you see him naked?”
She swallowed. “No.”
“But you do understand what happens between a man and a woman?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “I got an A in health class.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure you did.”
He moved behind her. The dressing room was a circle of mirrors so she could see him as he lowered his head and lightly kissed her shoulder. She saw as well as felt the scrape of his teeth on her skin. Her breasts tightened. The outlines of her nipples were clearly visible.
When he brought his hand around in front of her, she was sure he was going to touch her there. Instead he rested his palm on her belly and splayed his fingers. She felt the imprint of each one.
Move! She silently screamed at him to shift higher, to touch her breasts. They ached, and she knew that only his touch would make things better. Heat burned her through the silk, but he did not move. Just when she was about to cover his hand with hers and lift him into place herself, he straightened and stepped back.
“We should go now.”
“I’ve never gone through a drive-thru in a limo before,” Kiley said as she unlocked her front door and stepped into her ground-floor apartment. “I’m just glad we managed the turn. I’m sure everyone there talked about seeing us.”
Rafiq watched as Kiley flipped on lights, then showed Arnold to the bedroom.
“I made room in my closet earlier.” She eyed the hanging bags and boxes, then shook her head. “But not enough. We’ll be a second,” she called to Rafiq. “Make yourself at home.”
He did as she requested, moving around the living room, stopping to look at family photographs on a shelf in the corner and above the unit holding the television. There were photos of three girls, obviously sisters, and parents. Pictures from graduations, weddings, and vacations. None that could be Eric, though, he thought.
Arnold and Kiley came out of the bedroom. His chauffeur nodded and left, while Kiley picked up the bags of burgers and fries. “Do you want to eat in here, or in the dining room? Well, it’s not a room, really. More of a nook. But there are chairs and a table. Or we could eat at the sofa. Do you want to watch something on television?”
She still wore the clothes she’d had on at work that day. A narrow skirt and pale-pink blouse, sensible high heels. He preferred her in the nightgown…or perhaps nothing. Yes, that would be his preference. Bare skin.
“Why are you nervous again?” he asked. “I thought you were more comfortable with me now.”
“I am. It’s not you. It’s me and the apartment.” She shrugged. “I like it here. The place was built in the 1920s so there are lots of architectural details. I like the hig
h ceilings and arched doorways. But it’s still a one-bedroom apartment. You’re Prince Rafiq of Lucia-Serrat. Have you even been in an apartment before?”
“Yes. Several times.” Although not one like this, he thought. Still, he liked the pretty furniture and the plants that grew in brightly colored pots. “This place suits you.”
“Thank you. I like it. No pets, though, and I always wanted a dog. Not that Eric did. Don’t you want to eat?”
He shook his head. “I am not hungry, but you go ahead.”
“Is it the burger thing? Should we have gone somewhere more upscale?”
“It is not about the food at all.”
“Then what’s wrong? You seem…restless.”
He was. The logical part of him, the civilized man, knew that seduction would be the most pleasurable road for both of them. But the desert warrior wanted to simply take the woman before him. He wanted to know the heat of her embrace, the taste of her skin. He wanted to hear her cries of pleading, then of pleasure, as he coaxed her into surrender.
So he held on, knowing it was too soon and yet still needing that which he could not have.
“I find myself in the unique position of waiting for what I want,” he said.
She tilted her head. “I don’t understand.”
“You.”
“Oh.” Her eyes widened. “But we have an agreement. I’m a sure thing. You could just…you know. Do it.”
He smiled. “As we’ve discussed. But there is more to being with a woman than the act itself. There is anticipation and then joint pleasure. I’m not interested in getting off, Kiley. I want you to be as ready, as aroused.”
Her eyes got bigger and bigger. He moved closer but didn’t touch her.
“Besides, there are other pleasures,” he told her. “Tonight I enjoyed watching you try on different clothes. I imagined where we would be when you wore them. What we would be doing. Dancing in the ball gown. On the beach with you in shorts.”
She stared at him. “The nightgown?” she asked, barely breathing.
“In my bed.”
“Is that something you like thinking about?”
“Yes. It makes me want you more.”
He reached for her hand and brought it to him. He guided her until her palm pressed against his erection. He kept his touch light, in case she wanted to pull away. Instead she rubbed against the length of him, discovering his hardness.
“All this from thinking about us being together?” she asked.
He nodded.
“What would happen if we kissed?”
Chapter Five
Kiley hadn’t meant to kiss Rafiq, but there she was, up on tiptoe, pressing her mouth against his. Something had come over her and she’d given in to the urge. Fortunately, he didn’t seem to mind. He kissed her back, moving his mouth against hers.
She put her hands on his shoulders and felt the strength of him. So solid, she thought. So masculine. There was power there, which he kept under careful control. What would happen if he truly let go? Would she be overwhelmed? Swept away? Both thoughts thrilled her.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. He brushed his tongue against her bottom lip as he rested his hands on the small of her back. More, she thought as she parted for him. She wanted more.
Every part of her ached. An unfamiliar wanting made her skin feel too tight. Heat flared within her, moving without purpose, leaving her edgy and impatient.
She circled his tongue with hers, then pressed her lips together and sucked. He tensed in her arms, then nipped at her lower lip.
Was he still hard? she wondered, not exactly sure how to find out. She wanted to press her hips against his, rub with her belly to feel for the thick ridge, but the action seemed too obvious and tacky. Still, touching him had been exciting. To think he could react like that without them doing anything thrilled her. She wanted more. She wanted…
He moved his hands to her waist where he tugged gently on her blouse. The cotton pulled free of the waistband of her skirt. As they continued to kiss, he slid his hands under the fabric until he touched her bare skin.
Excitement filled her. Even as he pulled back enough to kiss his way along her jaw, he slipped his hand around to her waist, then slowly, ever so slowly, up her rib cage.
Yes, she thought, letting her head fall back. He kissed her neck, then nipped her earlobe, and still his hands rose. His fingers moved, his palms brushed. Closer and closer to her breasts. Her body tensed, her nipples tightened so much they ached. He had to touch her. He had to.
And at last he did. He slipped his hands over her bra and cupped her.
It felt good. Better than good. Without thinking, she reached down and began to unbutton her blouse. Her hands brushed against his and she froze as she realized what she was doing. The mood faded and uncertainty set in. She dropped her arms to her sides, opened her eyes and found him watching her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, not sure what she apologized for.
“Because you were enjoying what I was doing? Because you wanted more?” He reached for her hand and drew her close again. “I would be unhappy if you hadn’t liked my caress. It pleases me to touch you. I want it to please you, as well.” He put her hand on his chest. “Do you like that?”
She rubbed her fingers against his hard muscles. “Yes.”
“Then we are in agreement.”
He reached for her blouse and finished unfastening the buttons. Then he bent down. “Want me,” he breathed, just before he kissed her.
She surrendered instantly. All doubts faded and she wrapped her arms around him, eager to be closer and feel all of him.
He brought his hands back to her breasts and rubbed her through her bra. He found the front clasp and easily unfastened it. Then he touched her bare skin and it was heaven.
It was all she could do to keep kissing him while he explored her curves. It wasn’t that she wanted to stop the kissing, but there was so much to think about and experience. The warmth of his fingers, the way he tickled and teased before finally brushing his thumbs against her tight nipples. The pleasure that shot through her when he rubbed harder there.
More, she thought. More.
He must have heard her because he bent down and pressed his mouth against her breast. Even as his hand continued to touch and stroke and rub, he sucked her nipple, flicked it with his tongue, then sucked again.
She clung to him, barely able to stay standing. Fire shot through her. Need grew until it was all she could think about.
He moved to the other breast and pleasured her there. Her breathing grew ragged. Her panties dampened and her thighs trembled.
“Rafiq,” she breathed.
He raised his head and kissed her, then stepped back. His gaze moved to her bare breasts. “So beautiful,” he told her, then looked into her eyes. “I will see you in the morning.”
“Wh-what? You’re leaving?”
He smiled. “It is best. Good night.”
Then, before she could grasp what was happening, he walked to the door and let himself out. She was left standing in her living room, half-naked and not quite sure what had just happened. If he was trying to make her want him more, he was doing a really great job.
“The man knows what he’s doing,” she said as she fastened her blouse. “Thank goodness one of us does.”
Friday night Kiley sat in Rafiq’s Mercedes SL 600 convertible. The close confines of the car made her very aware of the man next to her. Although, she was starting to think she would be aware of him even if they were at opposite ends of a football field. He’d shown up in a tailored tuxedo, looking elegant and very princely. Just thinking about it made her toes curl.
“You didn’t have to let me off work early,” she told him as they drove onto the freeway and headed west. “Me being your mistress wasn’t supposed to change things between us.”
He glanced at her. “Are you complaining because I asked you to work less?”
She smiled. “
Is that your way of saying ‘shut up and say thank you’?”
“Perhaps.”
“Then I will.” She looked out the window, then back at him. “This is my first fund-raiser. Is there anything I should know?”
“Not at all. There will be a cocktail hour, dinner, dancing and entertainment. I attend to support the children’s hospital and because, as a representative of Lucia-Serrat, it is expected of me. But otherwise it is not how I would choose to spend my evening.”
“Me, neither,” she confessed. “But being with you is fun.”
“Thank you. I enjoy your company as well.”
His words made her happy. Funny how she’d been so willing to be his mistress without considering all the intimacies implied in the relationship. Not just that they would be lovers, but also that they would spend time together.
Fortunately, being with Rafiq really was easy and fun. There was also a connection she hadn’t expected, which made her wonder how they were going to go back to just working together when the three months were over. Then she reminded herself that it was barely the end of week one of her three-month affair. Perhaps she should not be so quick to anticipate the end.
They pulled up in front of the large Westside hotel. After the valet helped Kiley out of the low-slung car, she smoothed the front of her dark-blue velvet ball gown.
“Ready?” Rafiq asked as he came around the rear of the car and offered her his arm.
“Absolutely.” She felt good. Confident and attractive. It was only after they entered the ballroom that she realized how many people were watching them.
“They’re staring,” she whispered, trying to keep smiling.
“It’s because you’re so beautiful,” he told her.
“Ha. It’s because you’re a prince. I’m used to blending in. This is going to take some getting used to.”
“Be grateful I didn’t bring over any of the really big jewelry.”
Even as she laughed, she touched the diamond and sapphire necklace Rafiq had put on her earlier that evening. The sparkling stones had delighted her. Hearing that they were just on loan hadn’t diminished her pleasure in wearing something so beautiful.
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