by Albany,Cara
Lucy knew that she wanted to be here by his side, in his bed. But, that treacherous part of her wanted to force her to take an action she knew she would never forgive herself for taking.
She drove the thought back into the darkest recesses of her mind, strengthening her resolve.
Lucy ran her fingers into Azim's lustrous hair, feeling its thick, steely touch. She opened her mouth even more to him, feeling his body sink down even closer beside her. Once again his scent and taste filled her, triggering an intoxicating wave.
As he settled down, kissing her with more passion than she'd ever remembered, she closed her eyes, feeling the weight of his arm rest across her middle. His fingers traced a teasing line up to her breast. The touch of his hard fingertips on her nipple sent a delicious jolt of desire quivering through her.
Lucy arched her back and groaned. She felt him press closer to her, the thickness of his desire against her hip. His powerful legs eased across hers and he shifted, moving his strong, muscular frame across her. The weight of his body felt exquisite, the feel of his damp skin totally overwhelming. She felt heat ignite at her core as she realized just how close he was to her most sensitive area.
Their lips parted and Azim took his weight on his elbows. He looked down at her, his damp hair loose by the side of his face, his eyes burning with fierce, growing need. She shifted and felt his body respond to her movement, fitting itself to her frame, as if they already belonged as one.
Lucy took hold of his arms, savoring the thickness of his muscles, feeling the slight vibration as he strained to contain himself.
But, still he was making her wait. Did he want to drive her insane? The sudden thought sparked a tremor of impatience in Lucy. She thrust an arm across his shoulders and pulled hard at him, tugging him toward her. He seemed to sense her frustration, but all he did was tense his shoulders and look at her with a feral defiance.
Not yet, he seemed to say. He was teasing her, and she wasn't sure how much longer she could stand it.
Then he dipped his head and settled his lips, once again, onto one of her nipples. At the same time he shifted, and she felt the length of his firmness at her core, probing, seeking entry. Almost as if sensing it was too soon for that, he moved his hips, taking himself away from her. She felt a sudden emptiness and tried to shift lower, calling him back, but he refused to respond to her imploring move.
Instead, his tongue became more ravenous, feasting on her nipple with movements that were slow and teasing. She gave herself over to the movement of his lips as they circled her nipple, sending waves of pleasure racing through her body.
Not satisfied with her subdued groans, Azim intensified his attention, moving across to her other nipple, drawing a loud, gasp from Lucy. She arched her back and he took the chance to slide a hand beneath her, drawing her body against his.
Then he shifted his head downward. She felt him shift his legs as if asking her to open her own for him. What did he have in mind? She felt his soft breath against her belly. His tongue traced a line down the middle, and she felt her core heat even more, moistness increasing.
Lucy took hold of a handful of Azim's hair and held it tight. She wasn't trying to stop him doing what he wanted with her. She knew she didn't want to stop his progress, knew that she wanted his tongue to continue driving her wild. Lucy gasped, her breath suddenly quickening at the thought of what he needed from her.
She felt him lift her hips slightly with the hand at her back, and she instinctively opened up for him, moving her legs apart. Now there was no going back.
She felt his breath on the skin below her navel and knew with a sudden shock that he must be gazing tenderly at her core. That thought quickened her already frantic pulse, made her breath even shorter.
She felt him trace his hand in a delicate, tender line up the inside of her thigh. Her body shook as she felt the rough tips of his fingers ease their way upwards, caressing her soft flesh.
Then his fingertips were at her core, just as before. Only this time it felt a hundred times more intense. She groaned as she felt his fingers unfold her and find the same place he'd so tenderly, yet mercilessly pleasured.
She couldn't contain herself, as she spasmed beneath his touch, and she almost gave in to the urge to reach down and try to stop him. Because, although she knew the pleasure that he was so determined to bring her to, she wasn't sure she'd survive it here on the bed next to him.
His finger circled easily around her most sensitive part and it seemed as if every part of her being simply broke apart. Her body crumbled beneath is touch. Ecstasy filled every part of her, making muscles soften, nerves coming alive.
There was nothing she could do. There was nothing she wanted to do. He was intent on driving her to insanity and she was content to let him to do just that.
Every movement of his finger sent waves of ecstasy coursing through her, made the heat at her core grow stronger, made her desperate to take him inside her. She hadn't realized until now just how much she had wanted him close to her. How much she had really longed to be with him like this.
"Azim," she gasped, looking down at him.
He gazed up at her, his dark eyes full of brooding, restrained desire. She could see the floodgate in those eyes and she could only imagine the force of passion that was being held at bay.
"Lucy," he murmured. He watched her as he moved his fingers again, and she gasped. She gazed at him, eyes wide, pleading for him to put him out of her misery.
Seeing the strength of her demand, he removed his hand and lifted himself up. The feeling of his fingers moving away from her core left an ache there, but she was instantly consoled by the thought that they'd soon be united.
Azim settled himself between her legs, positioning his thick manhood at her entrance. She felt it touch her and saw Azim look down at her. His own breathing had become ragged now, and she could see the impatience and desire on his face.
Then he shifted, lowering himself down onto her. She felt the weight of him on her mound, and then she felt one soft thrust and, once more, he was inside her. She tightened around him and he groaned, his eyes closing, his back arching. For a moment they held themselves in check as if they both wanted to savor the moment of their reunion.
Then he started to move, at first with gentle thrusts, easing himself into her. Each movement sent waves of pleasure flowing through Lucy. She took firm hold of his shoulders, feeling the sweat on his skin, the heat that was starting to burn there.
He moved faster now, smoothly driving them both to ecstasy. He was gasping now, his gaze locked on her. She saw a familiar feral desire on his features. The same look he'd had on his face the first time they'd made love two years before.
But, as she lay there, feeling this amazing man deep inside her, Lucy realized one startling thing. It had never been like this before. This was a whole new level of intensity.
She grasped onto him as he started to increase his rhythm, began to take complete possession of her. Wave upon wave of total and complete pleasure washed over her.
He pressed his weight against her mound, and she felt him drive deeper into her, forcing her closer to the shattering moment she knew was imminent. She felt herself tighten around him, and that seemed to trigger his own desire. He groaned so loud, she thought the walls of the tent would tumble.
But, he hadn't finished yet.
Azim shifted his elbows, his body dropping softly down, so that all she could feel upon her was his weight, the tightness of his muscles, the delicious sensation of his moist skin. He was consuming her now, and she wrapped her arms around him, feeling him drive inside her. Urgency took hold of him and he kissed her, all the while the rhythm of his hips quickening, until she knew that they were both near the precipice.
Their harsh, quick breaths were in almost perfect unison and she felt his movements become insistent and desperate.
She felt him deep inside her and then she could sense the all-consuming wave coming toward her. Toward them both. Azim
drove into her one last time and then his back arched and he cried out, just as she did. The unimaginable torrent of ecstasy took possession of her and she felt her body break into pieces as she tumbled into nothingness. The only thing she could cling on to was Azim, as she grasped hold of his shoulders, feeling him shake with ecstasy.
And then, they simply collapsed into each others arms, joined together as they once had been and were now once again.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Azim opened his eyes to find Lucy wrapped around him, her arms across his bare chest, her legs curling over his legs. It was as if, even in sleep, she was determined not to let him go. Azim smiled to himself. It felt good.
Sunlight eased through spaces in the corners of the tent and into the sleeping alcove. He lay on the bed for a while, reluctant to move in case he woke her. The night they'd just spent together had been an incredible reminder of their passion for each other. Finally, after two years of dreaming about Lucy, he'd been given a chance to taste her body, enjoy everything about her, feel her shake with pleasure beneath him.
Azim drew in a quiet, long breath and recalled the sheer ecstasy he'd felt being inside her again. It just felt so right, so perfect. He wondered how he'd survived these past years without her.
With an inward sigh, he realized he hadn't really survived well, at all. Who was he trying to fool? He knew the truth. Every member of his family knew just how much losing Lucy had affected him. But, right now, he didn't want to remember anything from those days immediately after he'd realized, with a sinking heart, that she'd left him.
Last night had only reminded him just how much he'd missed her.
No.
It was more than that, he scolded himself.
He hadn't just missed her. That didn't even come close to expressing the emptiness he'd felt. Living without Lucy had been a living hell. Every day since she'd walked out on him had been filled with darkness, had been completely confusing, leaving him feeling utterly empty.
Now, all that had changed. He felt it in his bones. The way they'd made love together, the sheer intensity of the closeness they'd shared, made him certain that at least some of the barrier between them had been broken down. Maybe not all of it, but at least enough for him to keep on pursuing his ultimate goal.
And what was that? He narrowed his brows, felt his jaw tighten as he considered what he was really striving so hard for.
It was easy, he told himself. Really simple.
He was going to make Lucy his wife. It was that simple. After last night, seeing the way she'd responded to him, the way she'd opened up her heart to him, he knew he had a chance. Maybe his last chance, he thought. Perhaps he'd never get another chance like this.
Destiny and fate was the way his sister had described it when he'd complained to her two years ago that, as far as he was concerned, he'd blown it, letting Lucy escape him like that. But, as usual Azim's sister had been a calming source of wisdom. Her counsel had been that he should wait, not do anything stupid or rash, like running after Lucy, find out where she was. In Azim's sister's opinion he'd get another chance. And when he did, he was to make sure he didn't do what he'd done the last time.
So, during this whole crazy twenty-four hours Azim had done everything in his power not to put pressure on Lucy, not to make her feel like he was hemming her in, tying her down. Because he knew that had been her reason for running before. Had seen the signs but had foolishly ignored them. He'd been too eager, too determined. Too quick to rush to a heart-felt proposal of marriage. One that had ultimately scared her into running away from him.
But, how could that make sense when you loved someone, he asked himself.
And that was one thing he knew to be absolutely real.
He loved Lucy. It was that simple.
And, after last, unless he was a total fool, Azim was sure that Lucy still loved him. Even if she wouldn't tell him so in the cold light of day. He didn't care about that. He'd overcome that reluctance. He was determined to do so.
Now, all that mattered was the way she'd looked at him last night, the emotion in her beautiful eyes, the way she'd cried out when she'd tumbled over the edge with him into climax.
He heard Lucy draw in a soft, sleepy breath, and she curled her arms even more firmly across his chest. He smiled, savoring the feeling of her fingers against his ribs.
He reached down gently and lifted her arm off his chest. She groaned quietly, her pretty mouth pouting with annoyance, her brows furrowing slightly. Watching how, even in sleep, she could be so demanding made him smile.
He managed to slide off the bed without waking her. He went quietly outside. The sun had risen and the sky was already a clear, bright blue.
Azim attended to the two horses. He intended for him and Lucy to leave early. If they got a head start on the day, they might just make it to his friend's coastal palace by early afternoon. He knew he'd have to explain that decision to her. It made sense to Azim. It meant a shorter desert journey. Once they reached his Al Kharif friend's palace he knew there would a helicopter available to take the the final leg of the journey to Qazhar, back to his own palace.
Zarif's wedding was imminent and Azim knew he'd never be forgiven for missing it.
While he was checking the horses, he noticed Lucy's horse complaining about one of its rear legs. Azim checked it more closely and discovered the animal had what looked like a swollen tendon. Azim figured that might slow them down, but then he had a better idea. He could leave the horse behind for Hassan's men. He'd already instructed Hassan to return to camp later that morning. The tribal leader would be glad of the extra horse.
That meant one thing, as far as Azim was concerned. He grinned at the prospect. Lucy would have to ride with Azim. She would have to spend the remainder of their journey right next to Azim whether she liked it or not. After last night, Azim had no doubt whatsoever that she would accept the suggestion, even though he knew she would put up a show of protest.
The tent flap opened and Lucy emerged. Azim's heart leapt as he saw his beautiful lover, barefoot, with a bed sheet wrapped around her body walk toward him. She was rubbing sleep from her eyes, her hair was a wild mess, and she looked like she needed some coffee. But, Azim knew one thing. He'd never seen anyone look more gorgeous than Lucy did right at this minute.
"Good morning," he said.
Lucy squinted at him and smiled. "Morning," she replied.
Azim rushed to her, taking her in his arms. She felt warm and her eyes were suddenly wide as she looked up at him. He kissed her, savoring her sweet taste. She felt so good in his arms, as if it was the only place she belonged.
When he gently lifted his lips away from hers, he saw the emotion in her eyes, watched as she scanned his features. He wondered what she was trying to find.
"How are you feeling?" he murmured.
Her stomach rumbled and her eyes flashed with surprise. She placed a hand over her belly.
"I'll get some breakfast," he said.
Azim prepared some simple food for them. While he did that, she went back inside to get dressed. When she came back out, he saw that she was wearing her shirt and pants, ready for the day's desert journey. He wondered what she was thinking about the remainder of the journey. Was she thinking it would be their last day together? That, once they reached the coast, it would be a short trip back to the city? Was she thinking that last night would be their last night together?
That thought made his jaw tighten. He wasn't about to let that happen.
They ate breakfast, during which he told her about her horse's lame leg.
"Does that mean we have to wait for Hassan?" she asked.
Azim shook his head. "We can't wait for him to return to camp. It might be so late, we can't make decent progress. I reckon we can reach my friend's palace by mid-afternoon."
He saw Lucy's eyes narrow at the mention of the Al Kharif palace on the coast. He explained that once they got there, they'd be able to travel by helicopter to Qazhar city. It would
take less than an hour.
He watched the way she considered that last point. Did she realize he was hinting that, once they got to Qazhar city, she'd once more be free to go where she pleased? If that was the case, what choice would she make? Would she simply thank him for his help and go her own way?
Azim contained the surge of emotion triggered by that thought. How was that even possible, after what they'd shared hours before? They hadn't even talked about that. He put that down to simple, early morning awkwardness. Surely she wasn't thinking last night had just been some glorified one night stand with the sheikh in his desert encampment.
The thought made him bristle.
"You okay?" she asked. He saw the concern in her eyes. She always had been able to discern his shifting moods, had always been able to sense his unease.
"I'm fine," he replied. He chewed on a fig. "I was just thinking we should get started. If we're going to share a horse, we'll need to slow the pace down a bit."
Lucy nodded. He saw she was about to say something, but he felt a sudden urge to make a move. If they started any kind of talk, they might not get out of the camp early enough.
As they tidied up the remains of breakfast he saw that she was watching him closely. Was she trying to gauge his reaction to last night? There'd be time for talking later, once they were out in the desert.
It didn't take long for them to pack everything they needed, including extra water from the supplies left by Hassan.
Then Azim lifted Lucy up onto his horse, in spite of her protestations. He climbed up onto his mount and tucked himself behind Lucy. He wrapped an arm around Lucy's waist. It felt good to have her so close. As he stretched out to take the reins, he buried his nose in the scented tumble of her blonde hair. He inhaled the sweetness and felt himself firm.
She leaned back against him and turned her face to his. "Comfortable?" she asked, giving him a mischievous grin. Had she noticed his instant reaction to her closeness?
He smiled at her. "I was just about to ask you the exact same question," he replied. "Would you like me to move?"
