by Dahlia Rose
“Touch me,” he whispered against her mouth.
She couldn’t resist his soft entreaty and reached between them to wrapped her fingers around his turgid rod. He pressed his face into her neck, and his agonized groan told her he enjoyed the way she stroked his cock.
“I ache for you,: Layth moaned. “I’m going to bury myself inside you.”
New delicious sensations wracked her body, and she felt the tip of his cock pressed against her folds of flesh. He moved slowly, and she felt her body take him in inch by inch, teasing them both. The pressure of his cock entering her, stretching and filling her, made her bite her lip. His slow movements tortured her until she couldn’t take it anymore. The road to pleasure seemed unbearable, and Ciji raised her hips in one fluid motion, forced his length deep inside her. She cried out with the sensation of completion that infused her body.
His groans mixed with hers as he moved inside her. Taking them both on that ride to ecstasy, he shuddered in her arms as she moved beneath him. She wrapped her legs high around his waist, flexing the muscles of her thighs, pulling him deeper with every thrust. He muttered her name and lifted her leg onto his shoulder. She screamed as his penetrating became deeper. She wanted to feel everything he had to offer, wanted it all at once.
Wild with need, she cried out, “Take me hard.”
He made a feverish sound and pounded into her body. She felt her control slip, and carnal need took them both.
“I can’t hold back any longer,” he said in a throaty voice. “Fall with me, my darling.”
“Yes, my love. Yes!”
Ciji felt her orgasm take hold. With her leg on his shoulder she was pinned under his onslaught. She cried out, and his harsh shout filled the air as he followed her to completion. Minutes slipped by before he moved from over her. She murmured her protest as he rolled away, but snuggled against him. He pulled the cool silkiness of the sheets over them both. It was later in the evening when they finally left the tent in the jeep. She looked back as it faded into the distance, holding the memory in her heart. She knew it would stay there for the rest of her life.
Since they were in his house, Layth had made it a point to sleep with one of the communications radios next to the bed. She saw it every night while lying beside him. After their day of passion, they went back to the cool interior of his house and took a leisurely bath together before climbing into the bed. Nothing could break her bubble of happiness or so it seemed until the crackling of the radio roused her, and she opened her eyes groggily. Layth had the radio in hand and was speaking in Arabic to the person on the other end. She understood them easily, and what she heard made her eyes widen in terror.
“My prince, you must find sanctuary immediately. Leave to Jeddah now!”
“What’s wrong, Kamir?” Layth asked calmly.
She remembered Kamir was the driver of the dark car that night Layth saved her from the square.
“Rashid, sire. He has told Josef where you are, and he is on his way,” Kamir explained. “The king confronted him with evidence and gave him the opportunity to speak to the princess before he was taken away. Josef ran, my prince, and Rashid was paid for your information.”
“How do you know this?” Layth demanded to know.
“I saw Rashid with the money. He was paid,” Kamir explained. “I brought him before your father, and with the guards present, he spoke readily and is now imprisoned. Josef has nothing to lose, my prince. You must come to the palace where you will be safe.”
“We shall do so immediately,” Layth responded. “Be at the ready when I arrive. Then we go back into the desert to retrieve Josef to pay for his treachery.”
She was up and rushed to the first bedroom she was in to find clothes to wear without Layth asking her. The situation had turned for the worse, and now the men who wanted her dead were heading their way. More so she was worried for Layth. He was the prince first in line to rule when his father stepped down. If anything happened to him… She didn’t even want to think about it. The cost would be great. In those moments when he spoke to Kamir, she heard the deadliness in his voice. He would make sure she was safe, and then the scorpion of the desert would hunt his prey. Josef would be better off turning himself in, she thought.
He strode into the room without knocking. “We have to leave now.”
He took her hand and then pulled her into his arms for a swift kiss. “I swear no harm will come to you.”
Ciji looked up at him and trusted him with every fiber of her being. “I know I’m safe with you.”
They left the house in a rush, and in the silence of the night, even she could hear the engines coming from the distance. It was so dark she didn’t know from where, but Layth got them there in the same conditions. He could find his way, she was sure of it. He pulled the jeep from behind the walls of his sanctuary and headed into the night. The speed with which the vehicle moved made the bumps and dips in the sand even worse. She glanced at him, and his face was hard as if he was cut from stone. Another new facet of Layth came to light. The soldier, the warrior, and he was angry. She said nothing and held on for dear life while they sped out into the night and back to civilization. Her fantasy seemed to have come to an abrupt end.
Chapter Four
Layth drove like the devil was after him, and when he saw Jeddah over the horizon he thought they’d made it. The palace was at the far end of the city, and when he heard the sound of bullets peppering the back of the land rover, he knew it was a matter of life and death. There was no way he would let Ciji be harmed. Now that he had her in his life, he was not letting her go. The last few days with her was bliss. He’d found what he was looking for in a woman without even trying. He couldn’t wait to make plans with her about their future, but that would be after he spoke with his father. The time had come for him to explain that taking the throne was not part of his plans. Another round of gunfire filled the night air, and the metallic ping told him they hit the jeep closer than before.
“Head down in the seat, Ciji. Don’t look up until I say otherwise,” Layth ordered grimly. She looked up at him, those chocolate brown eyes wide with fear. He smiled at her and winked. “I told you you’d be safe. I intend to keep my promise, my love. Now head down.”
She bit her lip, nodded, and bent as low in the seat as she could. More bullets hit the vehicle, and he made a quick swerve as they entered the city of Jeddah. He went down the side alleys where only one vehicle at a time would be able to move in the narrow streets. He didn’t want to endanger his people still in their beds asleep, but there was no other recourse to get to the palace. Finally, he saw the white walls that protected the royal home. He made a quick swerve in the jeep and drove like a mad man along the length of it. He knew he would come to the main gates soon enough. He looked back to see two of the other jeeps that carried Josef’s men were gone and only one remained with, him sitting in the front. The other men decided the risk of being imprisoned or killed for threatening the prince was too great. But Josef knew that a cell would be his next stop, he had nothing to lose.
“Enough,” Layth muttered.
He saw the main entrance, and waiting was Kamir and the palace guards. Josef would be his capture. Layth wanted to be the one to throw him in jail himself for the hurt he’d caused his sister, for the threat on Ciji’s life, and for soiling his family’s name. He swerved the jeep in front of the gate, kicking up sand as he did. Kamir ran up, and behind them the jeep that carried Josef broke away and headed down an alley.
“Get her behind the walls. I am going to go get Josef.” Layth bustled her from the seat, and as his trusted man get her into the place safely, he pulled out and became the predator. He caught up with Josef’s jeep quickly, and with a fist, he smashed the dashboard of his own jeep. From its depths he pulled a gun, and with the precision of all his training, he fired at the wheels of the other vehicle as they tried to get away.
The first clip was emptied into the back to the jeep, and they fired in return. Layth
reloaded with one hand knocking the clip to the semi automatic gun on his knee. This time he was true with his aim, and the back wheels shredded beneath the jeep he was chasing. It flipped with the sound of crushing metal and spilled its passengers out onto the ground as it skidded to a halt. Four men groaned and moaned as he got out of his jeep, and another truck filled with palace guards pulled up behind him. Josef was still in the crumpled vehicle as he walked forward and pulled him none too gently out. His head was cut, and he stared at Layth angrily.
“Do you think this is the end of it? Your sister will find a way to get me released,” Josef said defiantly. “This is the mass of her love for me.”
“Not if we send her away to start a new life and to do something she loves,” Layth replied. “Her music perhaps or another venture. Her life has become secondary to your needs, not anymore.”
The palace guard ran up with weapons in hand. “Your orders, sire?”
“Take them into custody, and find out who was in the other jeeps. Arrest them as well,” he answered briskly. “This one goes with me.”
Layth took a set of black plastic zip ties from one of the soldiers and secured Josef’s hands before putting him in the passenger seat of his jeep. “Just give me an excuse to hurt you, Josef. It would give me infinite pleasure to smash my fist into your face,” he said close to his brother-in-law’s ear. He drove with the sullen man back to the place of Jeddah and through the gates. The first thing he saw when he pulled up to the steps leading to the palace was a group of people waiting. He had only eyes for Ciji who stood wringing her hands next to his father. He got out of the car and handed Josef over to the palace guards. Instead of Ciji running up to him, it was Niema who threw herself into his arms much to his dislike.
“My darling prince, I was worried for your safety!” Niema cried out.
“I’m fine.” Layth disengaged her arms around his neck. His father and Ciji walked up. He saw the question in her eyes as he pushed Niema away.
“Father, he said. “May I speak with you after we have dealt with Josef?”
His father nodded. “Of course.”
He turned to Ciji and cupped her cheeks, “Kamir will show you to my rooms. I’ll see you later.”
“Ok,” she whispered.
He watched her walk away with Kamir, and Niema pouted up at him. “Who is she, eh, that gets to be in your rooms while I sit in guest accommodations?”
Layth looked at her with disinterest and had no time to play nice with the spoiled woman. “You accommodations are better than any five star hotel. If you’re uncomfortable go home.”
“My king, do you hear how your son speaks to me, as if I’m some woman from the streets?” Niema cried out.
“If you have not figured out yet, my child, I have no control over Layth,” his father said. “Come, son, let us deal with the matter of our greedy in-law.”
Layth didn’t even look at her again. He walked up the palace steps with his father and into the palace. The quicker the business at hand was dealt with, he could get back to Ciji. He hadn’t said it yet, but he would declare his love to her and ask for her hand. He found his destiny in her eyes and the taste of her lips. He was not going to let that go.
* * * *
The hours passed. It was almost three in the afternoon while she waited for Layth. She had been brought breakfast and a light lunch, yet Kamir said Lyth was still dealing with the matters at hand. He’d left the palace but sent a message he would return before night fell. She could hardly wait. She longed to hold him and make sure he was ok. Ciji looked around the Layth’s opulent rooms in awe. Everything seemed to be lined with gold, even the frame of his massive bed. When she came in, her things were packed and waiting in his room, and the purse which she left at his house sat on the bed. He’d taken care of everything, which was exactly how Layth was. This was completely opposite to his house in the desert. She didn’t know whether to sit or stand and felt very out of place in its magnificence. She was little Ciji Fay from the East side of London. The ugly duckling in the midst of swans came to mind. Oh goodness, I am so out of my element.
There was a knock on the door, and without waiting for an answer, the girl from outside swept into the room regally. The emerald colored dress and veil trimmed in gold made her look amazing. Her eyes were cold as she studied Ciji with disdain etched on her face.
“You’re the little waif that caused all the problems, eh?” she said. “They should have left you with the beggars on the street. Who are you to think you can be in the rooms of the prince?”
“I didn’t ask to be brought here. Layth requested it.” Ciji lifted her head and stared into the light green eyes filled with hate.
“You more than likely whored yourself out to him while under his guard.” Niema eyed her critically, and Ciji lowered her gaze. “Ah, yes, that’s it. You lay with a prince and think now you are a princess.” Her laughter tinkled like shards of glass on the ground. “He took you to his little hut in the desert, and you think he loves you now.”
“I think nothing of the sort,” Ciji said angrily. “You need to leave before you start something here that you cannot finish.”
“Really? You would hit me? Typical commoner.” Niema went to the bed and ran her hands along the smooth sheets. “I’ve lain with him in this bed many a time. I guess I can share him after all if he keeps the commoner outside the palace walls. But any children would be mine. He would need a pure bloodline. If you can live with that so can I, but he will use you like the others. Layth always comes back to me.”
Others, always comes back to me. The words echoed in her head, and her blood ran cold. Everything she thought she had seemed to be a lie. All he said were words he’d whispered before to other women. How many more she wondered. He was a prince. His charm could fall from his lips like rain from the sky. Did she fall into the most obvious of traps?
“Still don’t believe me?” Niema held up her hand and showed of a huge diamond sent in gold. “We’re betrothed, soon to be married, so make your choice, English waif. Will you be the common whore to the prince soon to be king?”
She felt as if she was trapped, out of place, and as usual at the bad end of a really bad joke. Ciji couldn’t stand the cruel sneer on Niema’s face, the woman engaged to Layth. Just the thought of it made her stomach roll, and a shudder ran through her. He’d played her for a fool and did exactly what she asked him not to, broken her heart. Niema’s cruel laughter echoed as he took her bags and purse and hurried down the hall. She almost ran into Kamir trying to find her way outside.
“Ms. Fay, where are you going?” he asked with concern.
“Kamir, can you get me to the British Embassy?” she asked quickly.
“Yes, but should you not wait for the prince…?” he began.
“No, no, no, I’m not waiting for Layth.” She heard her voice rise and tried to control her panic. “I’m an English citizen, and I’m asking for you to take me to my embassy. I expect you to do so at once!”
“Ms. Fay, you are obviously upset. Let me contact my sire so he can come back here and….”
“And do what, lie to me just a little bit more?” She gave a short laugh and sighed. The tears she tried to hold in fell and trailed down her cheeks. “Niema filled me in about their engagement, Kamir. Please take me where I need to go.”
He pursed his lips and nodded before leading her outside and to a black sedan. She said nothing staring out to the city as they passed markets, restaurants, and throngs of tourists. People with lavish money came to these countries and lived like kings and queens. How did she compare in any way? Why did she think that he could see past the wealth? She thought he was different, but she was so wrong. A genius status didn’t help her in the least when it came to love. It left her treading water, and now she was sinking fast. Ciji didn’t even wish Kamir goodbye when she stepped from the car. She showed her identification at the gate and then went quickly to the United Nations offices in the large embassy. They wanted to book h
er on a flight out in the next day or two, but she demanded to be sent to the airport immediately. There was no way she was spending another night in Saudi Arabia or in the same time zone as Layth.
She was rushed by car to the airport and hustled onto a flight that was just leaving. They held the gate for her until she got there. Ciji sat in first class and put her head against the window. As the metal bird took off, she let the tears fall while she headed back to where she fit in, her little cottage in the countryside just outside London.
Chapter Five
“Sire, you may want to come back to the palace,” Kamir said. “Ms. Fay has left the palace and went to the embassy. I stayed and soon after I saw them take her by car to the airport. I think Niema may have caused you some trouble.”
Layth smashed his cell phone button in anger and pressed his foot against the gas to increase his speed. He was on his way back to the palace anyway and hearing this just ruined his mood. What has Niema done to cause Ciji to flee? He stopped the car in front of the palace steps and got out without even closing the door. He knew someone would move it in the blink of an eye. He had some business to take care of. Layth strode through the halls heading toward the guest rooms with purpose. Most of the women and servants scurried out of his way with fear in their eyes. He could feel the hardness of his face. His jaw was clenched so tightly that his face ached.
Niema was not in her rooms, so he turned and went back to his own knowing somehow she would be there. He threw the doors open and strode across the room. Niema was sitting up in his bed completely nude and with a seductive smile on her face. It did nothing for him. His cock didn’t even jump with seeing her bared before him. The body she had, hid the serpent beneath, and nothing about that was attractive in the least.
“Get up, get dressed, and remove yourself from this palace immediately,” he said without formality.
Her smile faltered, but then she purred. “My prince, I’m offering myself to you. Don’t be hasty not to accept.”
