by Leslie North
She didn’t want to talk about her mother so the conversation lulled as they ate. Suited to her illustrious passenger, the food was a cut above what she was used to eating. She wasn’t sure exactly what it was, not quite the same as chicken or turkey, but richer-tasting. Pheasant, maybe? And the dressing hadn’t come out of any grocery-store bottle, she’d swear to that. She took a sip of her water, pondering privately that a fine wine would probably better suit the quality of the meal. Not that she’d know fine wine, of course.
Leaning her head back, she sighed. “You know, I used to read books and dream of adventure, but now that I’m in it, I’ve discovered something.”
“What’s that?”
“Adventure sucks.” She laughed wryly. “Although it could be much worse. I don’t guess I’ve thanked you for getting me out of the plane. I didn’t take you for the hands-on type. I would have thought you’d have ordered your hulking bodyguards to do the deed.”
“You think they’re hulking?” he asked with a chuckle. “Perhaps I should hire some scrawny ones. Maybe they’ll be less distracting,” he teased.
Balling up the plastic wrap, she tossed it on the dashboard. “From what? The situation? Trust me, I’d much rather be focused on well-formed men than being trapped in an abandoned airplane hangar.”
“With me,” Iman grumbled. “You are horrible for a man’s ego, you know that?”
“Ah, yes. Because a handsome, exotic prince is obviously lacking in attention!”
“You think I’m handsome?”
Natalie laughed and shook her head. “This is nothing special for you, is it? You’re probably the king of adventure and scandal.”
“Hardly,” Iman said wryly as he twisted in his seat to face her. “My brothers? Absolutely. I’ve always been the good son. The responsible one. When my father passes, I’ll be Crowned Sheikh, and there are certain expectations of me.”
Cocking her head, she gazed at him thoughtfully. Maybe she’d misjudged him. The more she looked at him, the thicker the air grew around them. “I think I might go outside for a bit. Clear my head,” she whispered.
“Why? What’s going on in that head of yours?” he asked as he reached out and stroked a finger down her cheek.
“I thought you didn’t do anything scandalous.” Those fingers traced over her lips, and she resisted the urge to dart her tongue out and taste him.
“I don’t.” His voice roughened as he added, “But I don’t think I can make it through the night without touching you. So if you don’t want this, let me know now, and I’ll find some other place to sleep.”
There it was. Her way out. She should politely decline and wait it out until they were rescued, but she somehow couldn’t get the words out. This was adventure. Romance. The story she’d always thought was lost to her, and it was a single kiss away.
Leaning forward, she gave in.
His kiss was everything that she’d dreamed it would be. It wasn’t the awkward first kiss that she’d shared with ex-boyfriends or even the hasty kiss of a man who wanted to get into her pants. This was the kiss of a man who knew the art of seduction. It was slow and methodical. The thrust of his tongue was merely a preview of what he planned to do to her. The pressure he exerted was filled with thrills and anticipation. Shivers of pleasure ran up her spine, and she leaned into it. Wanting more.
Needing more.
Slowly, he twisted her around and pushed her down into the seat as he swung her legs up. His fingers deftly maneuvered the buttons of her shirt, and as he peeled it off her shoulders, he worked carefully to avoid putting any pressure on her bound-up wound. “Let me know if I hurt you,” he whispered.
“You won’t.” The words flowed off her tongue, and she believed them. This man was safe. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her.
Raining kisses down her neck, he lifted her gently and unsnapped her bra. “I’ve been fantasizing about you from the moment I laid eyes on you,” he whispered. “You are simply stunning.”
Her breasts spilled free, and he wasted no time in giving them attention. Stroking her. Tasting her. She arched into his mouth as her eyes drifted shut. Pleasure cascaded through her, and she moaned softly.
He took his time with her, nibbling on her, teasing her, as he moved down her body.
“Lift your hips,” he demanded. Her body responded to him without a second thought, and he easily pulled her skirt down. She was naked under him, arching into him, aching for him.
“So perfect.” His lips fluttered over her abdomen as he spoke. “What do you want me to do to you, Natalie?”
What did she want? She wanted his hands on her again, caressing her and spreading her legs open. She needed him where she pulsed for him. Her heart was pounding hard, and blood roared in her ears. It was far too difficult to think straight. “Everything,” she managed to moan. “I want you to do everything.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” His breath teased her pussy. “I want to do everything.”
When his tongue slid over her, she lost all sense of decorum. Drowning in ecstasy, she hooked her legs over his shoulders and let him sweep her away. His fingers, his tongue, his mouth, his teeth, every move he made brought her closer and closer to the edge.
“Iman,” she gasped. “Oh! What are you doing to me?” Lifting her hips, she bucked up against his face and mewled. So close. As his tongue swept over her clit, she cried out and nearly slammed her foot on the dashboard. The orgasm rocked her long and hard, and she was still breaking apart when he gently lifted her away.
“Careful, or you’re going to hurt yourself,” he chuckled as he pulled her astride his lap. “Are you okay?”
“More.” Leaning over, she kissed him long and hard. Her own juices were still on his lips, and she pulled back in surprise.
He smiled at her knowingly. “Did you like that?”
Natalie was almost embarrassed as she nodded and went back for a second taste. As their tongues dueled, she could feel his erection pressing against her. Tension started mounting inside her again, and she slowly moved over him until he was the one who was gasping.
His hands stroked up and down her naked back as she worked on the buttons of his shirt. She needed to feel his warm, supple skin under her hands. She wanted to feel those muscles ripple with every touch. “Naked,” she muttered as she spread his shirt.
“You are naked,” he chuckled as he nibbled on her ear. “I like it.”
“No,” she insisted, “I want you to be naked.”
“Lift your hips.” Curious, she complied. He lifted her arms and arched her back as he took another taut nipple in his mouth, and she moaned and squirmed. “Iman, I wanted to taste you!”
“Sorry. I got distracted.” He swiped his tongue over her one last time before he pulled his shirt off and reached for his pants. “We can either get out of the plane, and I take my pants off, or…” His voice trailed off as she reached down, unzipped him, and fished him out. “I guess that answered that question.”
He was warm and hard between the palms of her hands, and she watched his face intently as she stroked him. His features, cool before, were twisted in pleasure as he grunted and lifted his hips. She didn’t get to play nearly as long as she wanted to before he moved her hand away and pulled her hips downward.
“Ride me, sweetheart. As hard and fast as you want. I want to feel you come on my cock, Natalie.”
His words were her undoing, and she slowly lowered herself onto him. Inch by delicious inch. Pulsing around him, milking him, she gasped as she placed the palms of her hands on his perfect chest until she was completely straddled across his lap, and he was buried to the hilt.
“Feel me, Natalie?” he whispered. “Because I can feel all of you, and believe me, nothing has felt better.”
She could have echoed his sentiments exactly. She was hardly a virgin, but sex had never felt like this before. They’d barely gotten started, and she was losing parts of herself to him. Passion flamed between them, and Natalie lost all control. Dro
pping her head back, she closed her eyes and moved with him.
In the empty hangar, the sounds of their lovemaking echoed off the walls. Cries of pleasure sounded through the night as he encouraged her, demanded more from her, controlled her, and let her take control.
There was nothing normal about this. She’d melted into him, become part of him, and now he was driving her higher than she’d ever been before. Riding him, she gasped and moved harder, faster. Every muscle in her body strained as she desperately searched for something to hold on to. Fear that she would fly away took hold, and she stared at Iman. “Don’t let me go,” she whispered.
His arms circled her, and he pulled her down across his chest as he kissed her. “I’ve got you, Natalie. I’ve got you. Just let go.”
His hands reached between them and pinched her nipples. The earth fell away, and the primal scream of pleasure that ripped from her throat barely pierced her ears as she split into a million pieces. He didn’t stop moving, he wouldn’t let her go until his own roar pierced the darkness, and then he held her so tightly that she wondered if he would ever let her go.
4
Whomp whomp whomp. Whomp whomp whomp. Whomp whomp whomp.
Through the small windows, Iman could see the dust blowing up from the blades of the helicopter. Help had arrived, and it arrived with the Haamas flag on the side. His uncle was here.
“What in the world?” Beside him, Natalie stirred and pushed herself up.
He didn’t want to be cold, but he didn’t want her to be embarrassed, either. “Get dressed,” he said hoarsely as he gently eased her off his chest. “It looks like the rescue team is here.”
“Oh, no!” Scrambling, she reached for her clothes, and he did the same. He’d finished buttoning up when they heard the door to the hangar open.
“Your Royal Highness?” someone bellowed. “Are you in here?”
Hopping down from the plane, he closed the door enough to block Natalie while she finished dressing. “Back here,” he said loudly and cleared his throat. He wouldn’t have minded another night with Natalie in his arms. She was a siren, and one night was not enough.
“Crap,” Natalie hissed behind him. “Where is my bra?”
Unable to help himself, he cracked a smile. It had been a long time since he’d been caught with a woman, and his sassy beauty was obviously not taking it well. “I’ll distract them,” he murmured as he looked back at her. “Mind that wound. We’ll get it stitched when we get back home.”
Jogging across the hangar, he interrupted a group of guards before they turned the corner and caught the lovers. Just as he had expected, Sheikh Salah was with them.
“Uncle,” he said, nodding his head in respect.
“Iman. I’m happy to see that you are well. We began a search for you when we heard of the crash landing. Your pilots and guards along with Ambassador Cham were airlifted to a hospital. They wrecked their vehicle, but I believe all will survive. Come, now. We want to clean this mess up before the press get wind of it.”
Just then, Natalie joined him. She was still adjusting her clothes, but she held her chin high.
He motioned her to his side. “Uncle, this is Natalie. She’s the flight attendant from the plane, and she’s wounded. Natalie, this is my uncle. Sheikh Salah.”
She bowed her head, and Iman was relieved that she didn’t try to shake his uncle’s hand. “Pleased to meet you,” she murmured.
“I see,” Salah said coldly. “Iman, please board the helicopter. I’ll make sure the young lady is debriefed, and we’ll send her some help.”
“She’s coming with us,” Iman said sharply. “And I’m not going to stand here and argue with you about it. She requires stitches.”
His uncle didn’t look happy, but the older man nodded his head. “Very well. We’ll leave someone behind to clean this up, and we’ll be on our way.”
Iman put his hand on Natalie’s back to guide her to the helicopter. She looked nervously at him, and he tried to give her a reassuring smile. His uncle was a hard man, but Iman wasn’t going to abandon her. “Don’t worry,” he whispered.
“Easy for you to say,” she muttered, but she followed him to the waiting chopper.
One of the guards tried to pull him up and in first, but he refused and gently pushed Natalie before him. Despite the clear displeasure on the men’s faces, they pulled her up.
She winced in pain, but she didn’t say anything.
When he climbed aboard, he immediately sat next to her. “Are you okay? Is it your arm?”
“I’m fine.” She put a hand on his chest. “You’ve got to stop. You uncle is glaring at me.”
“That’s his normal look. He glares at everyone,” he tried to reassure her, but in truth, Salah was glowering at her. Iman shot his uncle a warning look and settled back as the helicopter rose in the air. The loud whack of the blades and the rush of the air made conversation impossible, so he contented himself with holding her. Even clothed, she still felt good in his arms.
It was a tense ride back to Haamas as Natalie sat stiffly next to him, and when they began to descend, she pulled away from him a little. He understood her misgivings, but he wished that she’d trust him. After what they’d shared last night, didn’t he deserve that much from her?
The pilot landed them directly behind the palace, and Iman made sure that Natalie was the first one off the helicopter. Once they’d cleared the deafening noise from the blades, he joined the group that was standing at the ready, waiting, and quickly informed them of her injuries.
The doctor pursed his lips but simply nodded.
Iman returned to Natalie and put a hand on the small of her back as he bent his lips to her ear. He knew that everyone was staring at them, but he didn’t care. Her safety and comfort were his first priority. “Go with them and get stitched up. I’ll join you shortly.”
“Iman, I’m not properly dressed to be in your palace,” she said anxiously. “I don’t think your doctor will treat me.”
“They work for my family, and they’ll do as I tell them. Don’t worry about a head covering. Go on.”
She gave him one last look of trepidation before she followed the doctor into the palace.
“Uncle Salah,” Iman said with a crooked smile as the older man joined him. “You seem tense. Don’t worry. I won’t let her run amuck in the kingdom during her stay here.”
“Iman,” Salah said gravely. “I did not want to tell you in mixed company, but when your father heard of the plane crash, he took a turn for the worse. I don’t think we have much time.”
Iman felt as if his uncle had punched him the gut. Reaching out, he grabbed Salah’s shoulders to steady himself. Whatever he’d expected, it wasn’t this. It was one thing to know that his father might only have a few months to live, but it was another entirely to know that he might not last the night. “My brothers?” he asked hoarsely.
“They’ve been notified, but they aren’t expected until morning. If your father passes tonight, I will oversee the transition of power myself. I would suggest that the American not be in the palace during that time,” Salah said coldly.
Iman tried to sort through his thoughts. It was strange to hear Salah speak of his own brother’s passing in such cold terms, but he’d never been emotional. As the head council member, Salah had always put the kingdom before his own family. He probably wouldn’t mourn his brother’s loss until the ceremonial crown was successfully passed to Iman.
His father was dying.
“Don’t worry about Natalie,” he said absently. “She won’t be a problem, and she can be trusted. I’m sure of it. Take me to see him.”
As he followed his uncle into the palace and down the halls, his stomach turned over. He couldn’t imagine life without his father. The man was a bit too traditional for Iman’s taste, but he was a strong leader, respected by the kingdom, and beloved by his family.
Iman had no idea how he was going to step into his father’s shoes once he was gone.
Grief washed over Iman as he looked at his father’s lifeless body on the bed.
He was too late. His father was already gone.
As he stumbled forward, the only logical thought in his muddled mind was that he was glad that he could spend the night in Natalie’s arms.
No one would even look her in the eye. Natalie tried not to cry out as the doctor set the last stitch. One of the women placed a blue hijab on the table next to her, and once they were finished, she hastily covered her head and tried to tuck in as much of her hair as possible.
“Let me,” a young woman said with a small smile as she stepped forward and finished wrapping the covering for Natalie. “My name is Tahira.”
“I’m Natalie.” She smiled gratefully. “Do you work here at the palace?”
“I do. My family has worked for the Karawis for several generations now.” The young woman smiled shyly. “Your presence here has caused quite a bit of commotion, and that’s saying something. Especially tonight. Come. Follow me. We must tuck you away before Sheikh Salah comes looking for you.”
“That’s Iman’s uncle?”
“His Royal Highness or Prince Iman,” Tahira whispered, glancing around as she walked Natalie down the gorgeous halls of the palace and opened a door. “You must remember to call him that here when you are with others.” She raised her voice to say in a more normal tone, “This is the guest suite. I’ve been asked to stay with you.”
Natalie didn’t mind. This sweet woman looked to be her own age, and she was certainly the nicest person that she’d met, and that included Iman. While she had enjoyed their night together, and his heroics, she hadn’t forgotten his smug attitude on the plane. “You said, ‘especially tonight.’ What’s happening tonight?”
Tahira lowered her eyes. “The king passed away an hour ago. Now that Sheikh Iman has returned, he will be crowned as the new king of Haamas.”
