The underwear set, while pricey, was gorgeous and worth every penny. Lucas would be speechless when she stripped down and paraded in front of him. She couldn’t wait.
Stepping into the room, she shucked off her coat and tossed her purse and bag on the coffee table. The room was silent. As quietly as she could, Kissa pushed open the doors separating the bedroom from the rest of the suite. Lucas lay sprawled on his stomach across the white covers, his feet hanging over the edge of the bed, and his left arm under his head. She smiled at the sight. Staunch, professional Dr. Lucas Slate slept like a worn-out five-year-old. And he was perfect.
She padded across the floor in her bare feet until she came to the side of the bed. Quietly, she slipped onto the warm sheets. She gently brushed of lock of Lucas’s hair from his forehead. He groaned and turned over, opening his eyes slowly.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you,” she said, leaning down and dropping a kiss on his cheek. She couldn’t help herself. He looked so adorable all sleep mussed.
“I’m glad you did. How was your shopping excursion? Buy me anything good?” he said, his voice gravelly from sleep. The sound trailed down her spine like an illicit caress.
“As a matter of fact, I did get something for you.” She thought of the lingerie waiting in the bag.
He circled her wrist with his hand and lightly stroked his fingers over her skin.
“Is it a surprise?”
“Of course it is. Be a good boy and I’ll give it to you early.” She moved closer to him, nuzzling her hip nearer to his chest. She studied his face, drinking in his features in the soft light of the hotel room. Licking her lips, she leaned down again and slanted her mouth to his in the barest kiss. He growled and slid his hand up her forearm, tugging her closer still.
“I can be a very good, love,” he whispered against her lips.
She braced herself with one hand against his chest, the feel of his muscles beneath the suppleness of his sweater more enticing than his kiss.
“I’m finding that out, Professor,” she murmured against his mouth, teasing his lips with hers. He groaned again as he moved his free hand up to the cup the back of her head. With practiced ease, he took control of their kiss. When he held her, nothing else in the world seemed to exist. He clutched her hair in his hand, tugging lightly on the strands deepening their connection. She grew light-headed with desire as she sank into the richness of it all.
Leaning down, she positioned her body next to his, sliding her curves against his body like a kitten seeking warmth. She kept on kissing him as if her life depended on it. He sucked on her bottom lip, nipping at it as he maneuvered her underneath him. Strong hands worked their way down her body to stop at the waistband of her jeans. Undoing the button, he eased the zipper down and tugged them off her hips.
“Lift up, love,” he whispered against her mouth.
She complied lifting her pelvis to let him remove her jeans.
“Beautiful.” His hot breath caressed her neck as he pressed gentle kisses there. “Sweater off. Now.”
She shoved him away a bit and gripped the bottom of her sweater. Looking up into his eyes, she grinned. “Things are a bit one-sided don’t you think?”
“We’ll even the score some,” he said, getting up to stand beside the bed, staring down at her.
She pulled the sweater over her head and tossed it toward the chair in the corner. Licking her lips, she arched her back just enough to cause her breasts to rise, her nipples hard against the lacy fabric of her bra.
Lucas widened his stance, watching her, and tugged his shirt over his head. His muscles flexed. God, he was so perfectly made. She felt her body flush with arousal at the sight. She gripped the sheets to keep herself from reaching for him. She wanted this time to be slow, languorous, and liquid. Not the fast, frenzied pace of this morning in the shower. She wanted to take her time to explore every inch of him. Memorize every plane of his body.
She leaned back on her knees, letting him drink in the sight of her clad only in her underwear. She heard his sharp intake of breath as he raked his gaze over her curves.
“Do you have any idea how beautiful you really are?”
“Why don’t you tell me?”
“How about I show you?” he asked, before sliding down beside her. He traced his fingers over her cheek and rubbed his knuckles along her jawline. She purred at his touch. Lucas curled his hand around the nape of her neck and tilted her head back, slanting his lips against hers.
Moving his hand lower, he spread his palm out to caress her throat and chest, tickling the edge of his fingers into the lacy top of her bra. Her nipples responded immediately, pebbling even more.
His mouth fed on hers, his tongue sparring with hers as he deepened the kiss. He skimmed his hands over her soft curves. His mouth was masculine and hot, and she became lost in their combined passion. Lightly pushing her back against the cool sheets, she moaned against his lips. He bent her backward until she was resting on the mattress, her soft body sprawled beneath him. He let his hands trace over her body as if trying to memorize her every curve and dip.
With a deftness likely born of years of practice, he slid a hand around to her back and made short work of unhooking her bra and freeing her breasts. Cool air hit her already hard nipples, stiffening them into even tighter peaks. Kissa closed her eyes as his tongue skimmed down her sensitive skin. His mouth traced a path to her right breast. She stilled, the air in her lungs in short supply. She waited. He blew warm air over her nipples, her body wound ever tighter and her pussy grew wetter.
Closing her eyes, she savored the pleasure as he began to lick slowly at the hardened peak. She caught his head in her hand, offering him more of her breast. Tearing his lips away from her nipple, he buried his face in her warm breasts and listened to the sound of her breathing. He cupped her breasts, thumbs stroking, and licked her neck.
Kissa tugged at his zipper. “Take them off, Lucas. Now.”
He stood once more, not far from her grasp, and dragged off his slacks. She leaned up, cupping his erection and squeezed gently. She felt his groan of pleasure tear through him.
“You are driving me mad,” he said before sliding back onto the bed with her, tracing his fingertips over her bare skin.
“All part of my evil plan. I want you out of your mind for me,” Kissa said with a laugh.
“I wager you’ll succeed at this rate, love.”
She felt his mouth move against her throat and her heart pounded in anticipation of what she knew was to come. She couldn’t stop moving as flames scorched her body in the wake of his tongue. He worshipped her, taking his time until she was lifted to the very precipice of insanity, ready to take the plunge at the merest push. His breath was warm on her breasts, her stomach, as he gave a series of little nips down to the elastic band of her panties.
Pushing aside the lacy fabric, he slid a finger in so deep that her muscles clenched around him and she cried out his name with engulfing passion. The sound reverberated around the quiet hotel room. Kissa didn’t care. Hell, she didn’t care if they heard her all the way down in the lobby. The things Lucas was doing to her body had her wound tighter than a drum. She wanted more. She wanted everything he had to offer. She wanted it all.
Pulling his finger free of her, he yanked her panties off with such force the ripping sound caused her to jump. She’d never had a man want her so much he tore her clothes off. It excited her even more, her pussy growing wetter. He bent his head and lapped at her clit like a starving man.
She clutched the sheets for anchor. Her body exploded, rippling with life, with pleasure, nearly rocketing her off the bed. Then his mouth was fastened to hers and he was lifting her hips, surging into her. He was thick and full and thrust through her orgasm, sending shockwaves of flame through her body.
“Take all of me, Kissa, deeper.” His voice was hoarse, and he tilted her hips as he pushed deeper. He drove into her, sending her to the edge again and again. She dug her fingernails into
his back, desperate to hold onto him somehow. He was her anchor. Her body spasmed around his cock as the pleasure overtook her completely. Light burst behind her eyes. She felt him swelling even more, seeming to grow harder deep inside.
With one final thrust, she felt him grow stiff and his growl of desire mingled with her own.
They lay there for what seemed like an eternity, their breathing mingling, their hearts racing. Kissa drew lazy circles over his back muscles as he shifted to take some of his weight off her.
“Bloody amazing.” He rolled to one side of the bed, dragging her close with one arm wrapped around her. “Even better than this morning.”
All the words she wanted to say to him lay deep inside her as they rested in each other’s arms. But still, she couldn’t bring herself to say the most important three. I love you. They stuck in her throat. The fear of his response to such a declaration stopped her in her tracks. While aware he loved her as a friend and enjoyed the carnal use of her body, she was still so very unsure of how deep his emotions ran. Letting the seriousness of her thoughts melt away for a bit, she tried to revel in the euphoria from this bout of lovemaking and snuggled deep against his warm body, the lethargy of her two orgasms seeping through her veins.
“I’m inclined to agree with you.”
“Go to sleep, chicken. I’ll set the alarm so we’re up in enough time to get ready for dinner,” Lucas said, pulling the covers around their naked bodies.
Kissa rested her head on his chest and nodded, a soft sigh the only sound she made before drifting off to sleep.
Chapter Ten
Lucas scanned the restaurant’s interior, trying to catch a glimpse of where Kissa had run off. Almost immediately after their party sat down, she’d dashed off with a man called Ahmed who Kissa introduced as the owner and a family friend. Now, here he was seated at a long table, surrounded by his family, and missing the woman he craved beyond all reason. He’d thought for a moment before they dozed off together the previous afternoon she’d been about to say the magic words he longed to hear. But nothing had come forth from those pretty lips other than a contented sigh.
His fevered brain recalled the night before after dinner with his parents at their house. He’d brought Kissa back to the hotel and they’d made love, slow and gentle and so full of heat Lucas was sure they’d scorched the sheets clean off the bed. He’d woken her the same way this morning, caressing and kissing every inch of her until she’d come apart in his arms.
They’d spent the day wandering London, discovering the city and each other together. It was heaven, and he wasn’t going to let this feeling go.
His mother poured over the menu, grinning like a child at the choices. His father let slip Margaret was keen to eat here but up until now there hadn’t been an opportunity. The kids seemed thoroughly engrossed in the band set up at the far end of the dining room, playing intriguing songs from the Middle East. Some felt like modern pop songs while a few others sounded very traditional. Lucas could imagine he sat in a lush restaurant somewhere in Cairo or Dubai as opposed to snowy London.
Lucas looked glumly at the empty chair beside him. He knew he should be happy for some time with his family, but he wished Kissa would come back soon. Awareness ricocheted through him in the form of the small velvet box tucked into his coat pocket. It seemed to burn a hole through the fabric He knew the ring, which had belongs to his Gran many years ago would suit Kissa to a T . He only had to get her to accept it…and him. Tonight, he’d ask her to marry him, and he’d be damned if she’d turn him down. There was no doubt in his mind she felt more for him then simple friendship and a healthy dose of lust. There was love there, or Lucas would hand his PhD back to Oxford. Lucas tried to enjoy his family and their animated conversation, but his mind simply would not relax enough.
“My friends, please allow me to select your dinner this evening.” Lucas turned his head to see Ahmed returning to the table with outstretched arms. The man was a rather striking old chap. He had an Omar Sharif quality to him and an engaging smile.
“Kissa has spoken to me about all of you and we’ve put our heads together to provide you with a feast the likes you have not seen.”
Lucas found himself smiling at Ahmed’s words. He was a charmer. His mother laughed, and his father just shook his head in amusement.
“Where is Kissa?”
“She is in the back, sir, preparing a surprise for all of you. You will see her shortly.” Omar clapped a hand on Lucas’s shoulder.
“We’ll leave the menu selection to Kissa and you, then,” his mother said from her position down the table.
Ahmed grinned even wider before grasping his hands together in a gesture of pleasure. He winked at them and scurried off, leaving the family to ponder what their host and Kissa had in store for them.
It seemed almost immediately after Ahmed disappeared plates of food were placed on the table much to the intrigue of his family. Everything looked and smelled amazing.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. I bring you a special treat this evening. From Egypt, by way of America, I present to you a woman who commands the desert sands with a flick of her shimmering veil. A woman who makes men melt with a mere shake of her hips. A beautiful Egyptian rose to rival Cleopatra herself. Please welcome, a Jewel of the Nile, the beautiful Kissa!” Ahmed’s voice boomed over a heavy drumbeat pounding out.
Emerging from behind a golden screen near the bandstand, Kissa appeared twirling a large silken veil in around her. Clad in a long flowing skirt of burgundy silk and a bra top showcasing all her amazing curves, she slid bare feet across the wooden floor in front of the band. Her hair flowed loose around her body in waves. The restaurant went wild at her entrance.
Kissa moved from table to table, executing impressive dance moves. Lucas was in awe. He knew she danced, but he’d never seen her like this before. She shimmied, hip rolled, and veil danced. The music moved her. She let go with hedonistic abandon and embraced the sexual side of her nature.
Coming to stop in front of their table, she tossed her veil to Lucas, a wicked smile on those delicious lips. He couldn’t help returning the gesture as he continued to watch her dance. She looked him dead in the eye, and Lucas knew in that moment, she danced only for him. Her gift to him. To entice him. As if he needed something like this to make him want her—and want her he did. Even more now than ever before. This beautiful, graceful creature seducing a roomful of men, making the women long to be her, was his and only his.
With a slow wink to him, she undulated her stomach muscles and leaned backward until she knelt on the dance floor and the back of her head touched the wood planks in an elaborate back bend. She rose gracefully, brushing her body with her hands.
The room erupted in thunderous applause. Kissa flushed a bit as she smiled to the diners. She blew a kiss of thanks to the band. All the while she remained standing near the table. Turning her attention back to him, she gave him a gorgeous grin.
Lucas was on his feet before he could stop himself. He swept her into his arms and planted a solid kiss on her lips. She laughed against his mouth, her palms resting on his chest.
The restaurant broke out in applause once more. Kissa pulled away a bit, this time her blush going full force. Apparently, dancing seductively for strangers didn’t embarrass her but being soundly kissed in the middle of a dance floor did. Lucas let her move away from him only a fraction of an inch, shackling her wrist in one hand.
He fished the box from his coat pocket with his free hand before sinking to one knee. The whole restaurant seemed to go quiet. His family turned their chairs, each straining in different directions to catch a better glimpse of the dance floor. His mother was beaming like a loon.
Kissa stared down at him with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open in shock. She tugged at her wrist, but Lucas couldn’t help but notice she didn’t put much effort into it.
“What are you doing?”
“Kissa Nazir, you are my best friend and th
e love of my life,” he said looking up into her beautiful face, enjoying the play of emotions.
“Get up you idiot. People are staring.” She tugged her hand again.
“Hush your mouth, chicken, and let me finish. I want them to hear me.”
She bit her bottom lip but didn’t say a word. Those quicksilver eyes of hers never left the box in his outstretched hand.
“No fancy words other than I love you. Kissa, my angel and my heart, would you do me the honor of being my wife? We’ve wasted so many years just being friends when we should have been more. What say you, love? Will you have this stuffy English professor?”
She remained silent, the room waited with bated breath, and Lucas felt the blood pounding in his head as he grew a bit cold. Maybe he’d misjudged how she felt for him. Maybe this was to only be a fling and he’d gone and ruined it all with a daft proposal. He moved to stand, feeling like a world-class idiot, but stopped in his tracks when he looked up at her face once more.
“Yes. Of course I’ll marry you.” Tears swam in those quicksilver eyes of hers and her free hand was pressed to her lips. She nodded, letting the tears flow down her cheeks. She slid down to perch on his bended knee and captured his mouth in a passionate kiss. He scooped her up and stood, spinning her across the dance floor, never breaking the kiss. Applauses mixed with cheers filled the air around them but Lucas didn’t even notice. He had the best Christmas ever in his arms and in his life. His best friend had become his lover and would become his wife. He didn’t think he could be any happier.
Kissa Under the Mistletoe Page 6
