Her Desert Knight

by Jennifer Lewis

  “I’m going to miss you, too. I’ll miss you tonight when you’re alone in your bed in your father’s house, and I’m alone in my bed in my brother’s grand hotel. It does seem a crime that we can’t be together.” His eyes brightened. “Why don’t you come stay with me?”

  She stared. To him it was a simple practical consideration—I won’t miss you if we’re together—and he’d come up with a practical solution.

  That wasn’t practical at all.

  At least not if she wanted to preserve what little was left of her reputation. Ending a bad marriage was embarrassing but not utterly fatal to her future prospects. Openly engaging in a sexual affair with a man she wasn’t married to, in full view of his family and the whole world, would be almost up there with hanging a red light outside her window.

  “I mean it. My brothers are both married to Americans. They’re not old-fashioned. They’ll understand.”

  “I can’t. I intend to live in Salalah for the time being so I have to abide by the customs or I’ll quickly become a pariah. I swear some people already cross the road when they see me coming. I’ve committed a multitude of sins in their eyes by running off to America and marrying Mr. Wrong.”

  Quasar sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Still, wouldn’t it be wonderful for us to spend the whole night together?”

  Or the rest of our lives? The stray thought popped into her mind and she quickly banished it.

  He stroked her cheek softly. “Are you sure you can’t think of an excuse to stay over?”

  His persistence amused her. “I’m not that clever.”

  “Usually I am, but you’ve disarmed me so much that I’m not on top of my game.” His mischievous gaze made her smile. He leaned forward and murmured in her ear. “So I think we’d better make love again and see if I can get my sanity back.”

  Desire tickled her insides as his low voice stirred her senses. “That sounds like a good idea.”

  “At least I still have some good ideas left.” He trailed a finger along her torso, tracing a line between her breasts, and down over her belly, which twitched as he passed it. “And some condoms.”

  She giggled. The prospect of feeling him inside her again was ridiculously exciting. She felt like a kid about to unwrap a bar of her favorite candy. If someone had told her a week ago that she’d be gazing at the naked thighs of the most gorgeous man she’d ever met, she would have laughed in that person’s face. If someone had told her she’d ever even be excited by the prospect of sex with a man again she’d have expressed some doubt. Just a few days had transformed her from a wary, shy recluse into a sensual woman ready to risk her heart for a few brief moments of pleasure.

  Her heart could handle it. It must be steel-plated by now after all she’d been through in the last few years. As long as the affair was secret and no one else knew about it, she could deal with her private pain when it was over.

  Quasar lay on the bed next to her, and she ran her hand over the hard muscle of his thigh, letting desire rise inside her like flood water. Already he was erect again, ready for her. She watched his taut belly contract as she lowered her lips and licked him. He uttered a low groan when she took him in her mouth, and again she loved the power she had over him—power she intended to use only for pleasure, never to hurt him. She enjoyed feeling him grow harder still as she pleasured him with her tongue, then she eased herself up and trailed kisses over his flat stomach with its sprinkling of rough, dark hair.

  Her ex had a hard time maintaining an erection and coaxing it back from the dead had become a tiresome chore she dreaded. This was clearly not an issue with Quasar. After he’d rolled on the condom, she climbed over him, and eased herself down on top of him slowly, reveling in each delicious moment of sensation as he filled her.

  Her ex hadn’t liked her to go on top. He liked to be in command of everything and probably didn’t want her to think her pleasure was hers for the taking. Quasar’s broad smile and blissfully closed eyes showed her that she was welcome to enjoy him however she liked. She smiled as she moved her hips, and rich, intense waves of pleasure started to roll inside her. “This feels so good,” she murmured. It was wonderful to choose the rhythm, and control the motion, with their mutual pleasure as her only goal.

  “It feels even better for me,” he rasped. His fingers stroked her skin, gently rubbing her nipples and driving her even wilder with excitement.

  Already her breathing came in ragged gasps and it was hard to form thoughts. Something inside her took over and she found herself quickening the movements as powerful feelings washed through her. When he climaxed with her, moving inside her as her muscles gripped him, the intensity of the sensations made her cry out. She felt so close to him at that moment, with nothing between them, no worries or anxieties or hang-ups, just a shared burst of joy bringing them together.

  How could this be wrong if it felt so good and didn’t hurt anybody? She collapsed gently on top of him and his strong arms closed around her back, holding her close. His chest rose and fell beneath her and emotion welled inside her. In his embrace she felt so supported and cared for and cherished, just as he’d said she should. Which was silly, since they really didn’t even know each other that well. There was a connection between them that neither of them could fully understand or articulate, but it was there all the same.

  She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. She wished she could stay here forever, pampered by his affection and his simple enjoyment of her company.

  “That was something else, Dani.” His gruff voice and the gentle way he stroked her hair almost undid her. Their bodies seemed to fit so perfectly together, still throbbing and pulsing with enjoyment even as they lay quietly in each other’s arms.

  “You’re something else.” She wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know, and that was okay. She didn’t even mind being one in a long stream of eager women. Why not? It was the most pleasure she’d ever experienced during sex; she’d probably never know anything like it again. “And I’m very glad you interrupted my reading that day.”

  “Me, too. It pains me to say this but it’s almost time for you to leave.”

  “Already? I feel like we just got here.” A glance at her watch revealed that he was right. How had three hours flown by so fast? And how sweet of him to keep an eye on the time for her when he could have ignored it in the pursuit of his own pleasure. “I really wish I could stay, but we both know I can’t.”

  “Can you come back tomorrow?”

  She smiled, her face still pressed to his neck. “I’d love to.”

  * * *

  The next day they could hardly wait until the drive was over before they peeled off each other’s clothes and made steamy, passionate love again. The attraction between them was so intense it threatened to singe their flesh. Dani had never known such powerful desire. It undid her inhibitions and let her revel in pure enjoyment for its own sake. Afterward, they wrapped themselves in luxurious silk robes from the bedroom closet, and unpacked a lunch Quasar had brought from the hotel. They were in a room that had been remodeled into an open kitchen and living-room area. The ancient pale stone walls contrasted with the light-filled modern spaces, and stained-glass lanterns sprinkled glittering jewels of color over the walls and ceiling.

  “Goodness, look at this salad. It must have twenty different things in it.” There were lush slices of fruit, nuts, fresh greens—everything looked as if it had been picked that morning.

  “Salim scours the world for the most creative chefs and makes them an offer they can’t refuse.”

  “It must take some convincing to get them to come to Salalah. I bet most of them have never heard of it.”

  “Money talks.” Quasar grinned and spooned helpings of the salad he’d brought into beautifully painted earthenware bowls.

  “Not to everyone.”


  “Sooner or later, most people will listen to it. That’s my experience, anyway.”

  “That’s a very mercenary view of the world.” She poured them both a glass of fresh limeade with fragrant mint leaves.

  “True. What do you think motivates people?” His gaze contained a challenge. She resolved to rise to it.

  “I think most people want to be happy. I know I do.”

  “To a certain extent I agree.” He stretched out on one of the sofas, dish of salad balanced on his knee. “The problem is that no one really knows what makes them happy. They rarely even know when they are happy. They just notice when they’re not.”

  “And they decide that a few more zeros on the end of their bank account balance will make them feel better?”

  “Pretty much.” He winked.

  It was hard to counter, since she wasn’t motivated by money at all. She’d been lucky enough never to have to worry about where her next meal was coming from. Family loyalty might come with obligations, but they were amply paid back by the security her family offered when she needed it most.

  On the other hand, was she happy?

  She looked at the gorgeous man seated on the sofa next to her, contentedly munching on the exotic salad. Right now, the answer was unequivocally yes. She was happy. She knew it wouldn’t last forever, or even for much longer, but right now she was in bliss.

  “I’d like to meet your father.”

  “What?” She almost dropped her fork.

  “It’s not right for us to keep meeting in secret. We’re in Oman and we should abide by Omani custom.”

  She swallowed hard. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  He won’t like you. And with good reason, since you’ve tempted me into an illicit affair. “You’re only here for a short time. There’s no point.”

  “Of course there is. We don’t have to tell him we’re having sex, but at the very least he should know we’re friends.”

  “But we’re not friends.” We’re a lot more than that. Or much less. She wasn’t quite sure. Her stomach had shriveled into a tiny knot. Her feelings of blissful happiness were evaporating into the air-conditioned atmosphere as she faced the true nature of their relationship head-on.

  Quasar still looked relaxed and at ease, sipping his limeade. “Don’t worry, I’ll charm him.”

  “He’s not really susceptible to charm. He’s an engineer. He’s all about structure and substance.” He’ll want to know when the wedding is. She couldn’t say that. She’d rather die. A pleasure-seeking international playboy like Quasar would not be marrying her in this lifetime. Even in the throes of passion she wasn’t delusional enough to think that.

  “Trust me.”

  She shook her head. “Trust me. It’s not a good idea. Besides, I don’t like being told what to do. That’s what my ex-husband specialized in, remember?” She was proud of herself for speaking her thoughts. She didn’t need a man to run her life and tell her what was appropriate. Not that she was pleased with herself for sneaking about, but under the circumstances it seemed like the only approach that protected both her feelings and her reputation. Quasar cared about her feelings because he wanted to please her, and her father cared about her reputation as a matter of family honor, but neither of them really had much reason to worry about the big picture.

  “I don’t want to tell you what to do, but I don’t like this sneaking around. It doesn’t sit well with me. We have nothing to be ashamed of.”

  “You just admitted there was no reason to tell him that we had sex.” She noticed how he called it having sex, not making love. “So it’s not like you wouldn’t be hiding something anyway. It will be easier for me if he never knows about us.”

  “I’ve spoiled your appetite for this delicious food.” He looked ruefully at the fork now sitting idle on her plate. “I’m sorry. I’ll drop the subject. If you want me to be your secret lover I’ll try to go along with it.”

  She managed a smile. “I bet this isn’t your first secret affair.”

  “I cannot tell a lie. I’m no stranger to subterfuge. I think I’m getting too old for it, though. I’d rather have everything aboveboard.”

  “Sometimes that’s just not possible. Besides, you’re thirty-one. That’s not old.”

  “I’m a mature man and you’re a mature women and we should be able to enjoy each other’s company openly.”

  “In America, maybe, but not in Oman.” Things would be so different if they were in New Jersey, or California. On the other hand, if they were, Quasar would probably be spending the afternoon with a glamorous starlet or a sexy businesswoman, and would never have noticed her. She didn’t exactly have men pursuing her everywhere. Her cousin said it was because she gave off energy that said, Stay away! Her ex had been persistent enough to break through her reserve. Then he’d been persistent enough to steamroll right over her and empty her life of anything but him. She didn’t know how to have a normal relationship. Her affair with Quasar was anything but normal but maybe it could be if the circumstances were different.

  If they weren’t in Oman.

  If Quasar were an ordinary man.

  If she were an optimistic, confident woman who still believed in love and happily-ever-afters.

  But none of those things were true so she had to make the best of where they were right now. She picked up her fork and tried for an encouraging smile. “I appreciate you wanting to meet my father. It really is sweet of you. It just isn’t a good idea.”

  “I’ll bow to your superior wisdom on the topic. You’ve lived in Oman a lot longer than I have.” He didn’t look mad, or even put out. Probably it didn’t matter much to him either way and he’d just made the suggestion to please her. Which was sweet.

  She forked some salad into her mouth and let the sweetness of orange and mango spread over her tongue. She needed to live in the moment. To be happy while the opportunity presented itself.

  Which shouldn’t be hard given the circumstances. Diffuse sunlight poured through the lattice screens on the arched windows, pooling in luxurious patterns on the marble floor. Quasar’s slate-blue eyes sparkled with the passion and excitement that she’d put there. In bed he’d been making love to her with a look of rapture on his face. Who wouldn’t be happy in her place?

  It wasn’t as if she were falling in love with him. Now that would be stupid. She wasn’t stupid. They’d enjoy each other’s company, then they’d go their separate ways. There was no danger of getting in over her head. In the meantime she just needed to keep her head, and protect her heart.

  “I can see you’re not hungry, beautiful.” Quasar put down his plate and knelt at her feet. He kissed her fingertips, then her lips, and desire flared through her, banishing her doubts and worries. “Shall we go back to the bedroom?”

  She placed her plate on an inlaid wood table. Feeling was so much easier than thinking. Right now all she wanted to do was press her naked body against Quasar’s and lose herself in his touch. “Absolutely.”

  Six

  “I’m telling you, leave well enough alone. Her father hates our whole family.” Elan reined in his horse, who was blowing hard. They’d trailered two horses, borrowed from a close friend, and headed out to the mountains to let off some steam. They were up on a high slope with a view of Salalah partially visible through the trees.

  Quasar leaned back in his saddle on his gray mare, who was puffing and blowing from the effort of the ascent up the mountain. “But I can reason with him, make a deal that will win him over. I’m famous for negotiating my way out of tough situations.”

  “Or into them. Are you going to marry her?” His brother’s intense gaze slammed right into him.

  “I just met her.”

  “See? You’re just experimenting. Playing around. Seein
g what will happen. And I think we both know, based on your history of relationships, what will happen.”

  Quasar frowned. “You think I’ll grow bored with her.”

  “I don’t know her. How could I predict that?” Elan leaned forward to flick a fly off the neck of his sturdy chestnut gelding.

  “I want to bring her over so you can all meet her.”

  “That will tell her that you’re serious.”

  “I am serious!”

  “Not by Omani standards. Serious means marriage. Don’t lead her on until you know where you’re going.”

  Squinting into the late afternoon sun, they guided their sweating horses down a winding trail on a wooded slope. “How do I know where I’m going if I don’t at least get started in the right direction. Did you know right away that you would marry Sara?”

  Elan laughed. “Hell, no! I was determined to have nothing to do with her. She was my employee, for crying out loud.”

  Elan had not only had an affair with his secretary, but he’d also accidentally got her pregnant. “But you ended up in the right place, married to the woman you love.”

  “Yeah.” Elan took a gulp from his canteen. “I learned to stop being the boss and trying to run the show, and let Sara be my partner. So if Dani doesn’t want you to meet her father, then don’t.”

  “I see your point.”

  “You can’t charm your way into every situation. Or out of it. Old man Hassan hates our family with a passion that could last for generations. If you can manage not to fall in love with his daughter you’d probably be doing both of you a favor.” Elan’s familiar piercing stare caught him off guard again. “You’re not in love with her already, are you?”

  “Me?” Why couldn’t he stop thinking about her? Wanting to be with her? Wanting to tell everyone about her? Was that love?

  Probably not. Nevertheless, it was likely some possessive male thing that would still get him into trouble.

  “Because if you’re in love with her then it’s a different story.”