“He’s lucky to have all of you, especially you.” He squeezed her tighter again and tucked a curly strand of hair behind her ear.
Rylee sensed his mood changing from one of anger to calm. She could also feel a certain member slightly swelling at her mid-section from their close proximity. “Easy boy,” she whispered, glancing down. “There will be time for that later.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
The celebration of Dreamer’s win continued from the afternoon into the evening, with a big party at the Galt House Hotel. Sharif had planned and anticipated Desert Storm’s win. Who would have known it would be for Dreamer and not his father’s Arabian?
The soiree was attended by politicians, businessmen and socialites, but none of them mattered to Rylee. As she stood on the rooftop terrace overlooking the heart of Louisville and waterfront, she was only interested in one man that evening: Amar. But her thoughts momentarily lapsed to her phone call from earlier that day. She’d gone back to the hotel to shower, but first she’d called Jeremy. She was sure he’d heard about the win, and she’d wanted to see if he was okay. He hadn’t been happy to hear from her.
“What do you want, Rylee?” he’d asked tartly.
Rylee hadn’t prepared for such a chilly response, and it took her several moments to recover before she said, “I was calling to check on you. I’m sure you’ve heard that Dreamer won.”
“Did you call to rub salt in my wound that your prince just made a killing off my horse?”
Rylee was taken aback. “Of course not. I would never do that Jeremy. I just—I just—”
“You just what?” he asked. “You wanted to see if I was licking my wounds? Well, if you must know, I am. I’m kicking myself for having let my emotions get in the way of business. I worked hard day and night with Dreamer to make sure she’d qualify for the Derby. And for what? To lose her in a pissing match I was never going to win? So as much as I appreciate the sentiment behind the call, I’m not interested, Rylee.”
“I can see that you’re upset with me, Jeremy, and I’m sorry I wasn’t straightforward with you about where we stood — that’s on me. And I guess I just wanted to say that … your instincts were dead-on. I hope you don’t let this moment define you as you’re very talented. That’s all I wanted to say.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone, and Rylee thought Jeremy had hung up on her, but instead he said, “Thank you. And Rylee?”
“Yes.”
“Amar has gotten everything he wanted this weekend: You and my horse. Take care of yourself, okay?”
Rylee didn’t want to get into another argument with Jeremy about Amar because they were never going to see eye to eye, so all she said was, “I will,” and ended the call.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Amar said as his strong arms encircled her waist and brought her back to the present.
Rylee cocked her head to one side to look at him. “Nothing I want to discuss,” she said. “Can we enjoy the moment, just you and me?”
“Absolutely,” Amar replied as she rested her head on his shoulder. She suspected he wasn’t eager to get into a serious discussion either. Otherwise he might have to share with her what had occurred with him and his father at the Derby after Dreamer’s win.
“We’ve had one rollercoaster of a week,” Rylee said.
“Is that a good thing or bad thing?”
Rylee turned around to face him and touched his cheek gingerly. “It’s been a great thing.”
“Oh, just great?” Amar asked. “I was shooting for amazing, spectacular. I guess I’m going to have to step up my game.”
She laughed. “A jokester. I like this side to you. You should show it more often.”
“You bring it out in me,” Amar said honestly.
“I can say the same for you,” Rylee said, smiling. “I usually don’t act this impulsively.”
“No? Then we must change that.” He grabbed her hand, slid into a dark corner of the terrace shrouded by local flora and shrubbery and backed her up against the building.
Before she could react, Amar was on his knees reaching up underneath her dress and pulling down the thong she wore, pocketing it in the breast pocket of his tuxedo jacket. His hands slid alongside the outside of her thigh until they came to her bare bottom, and he cupped it in his hands. Rylee knew what was coming next and was mortified.
“Amar, what are you doing? Get up. Anyone can come out here.” Rylee tried to swat his hands away, but Amar wasn’t moving a muscle. He had her pinned against the wall.
“That’s what makes it fun and impulsive,” he replied as he slid his head under her dress. She tried to close her legs, but she heard him command, “Open your legs.”
She complied and parted them. That’s when she felt his tongue at the triangle between her thighs. He slid inside her. Rylee gasped.
“Easy,” he murmured from his knees and made the same action again. His tongue slowly slid in and out of her vagina while his hands caressed her backside. Rylee could feel herself becoming more and more turned on that Amar was giving her head in public when anyone could walk out on the terrace and catch them.
“Oh …” She tried to suppress a moan.
But that didn’t stop Amar. He continued to deliberately tease her clit, the center of her pleasure, with his tongue. In and out. In and out. She clutched at his shoulders for support, but that only spurred him on and caused him to put one of her legs over his shoulder while the other remained on the ground. And he didn’t just use his tongue. Soon, she felt his fingers and his tongue play with her as they stroked her clitoris gently.
“Oooh, yes …” Her moans were coming involuntarily now as his tongue and fingers continued to work their magic, bringing her pleasure to a feverish pitch. In and out. In and out.
“Amar! Oh, God!” It was such delicious torture that Rylee thought she would turn into a puddle, but Amar kept her upright. She clutched at his head, spurring him on, and he complied.
When his tongue dove inside her and hit the spot, her climax hit her with full strength, and Rylee’s entire body began to contract and convulse. Amar steadied her as her knees began to liquefy. As her contractions subsided, he licked her until he’d gotten all her juices before he rose to his feet.
He licked his lips in delight. “You tasted so good.”
Rylee blushed several shades of red as her heartbeat raced at what had just happened between them in the middle of a party!
“But that was just an appetizer. I want the whole entrée,” he whispered just as two partygoers crashed the terrace, interrupting their heated encounter.
“Oh, we didn’t know anyone was out here,” the woman said.
“No worries,” Amar said, pulling Rylee toward the door. “We’re finished here.”
“Is everything ready for tonight at the cottage?” Amar asked Sharif when Rylee went to the ladies room to freshen up.
Sharif stared at him.
“What?” Amar asked.
“Why do you look so flushed?”
“No reason,” Amar said. “Must be warm in here.” He loosened his tie.
“No, I don’t think that’s it. You have a look.” Sharif eyed him suspiciously. “A look that says you just had sex. Did you and Rylee just do it on the balcony?”
“Lower your voice,” Amar ordered.
“Well, did you?”
“Mind your own business.”
Sharif shook his head. “You just answered my question. And to answer yours, yes the cottage is ready as you instructed.”
“Good. ’Cause I’m ready to get out of here.”
“It’s a party celebrating your horse’s win.”
“No one cares about that anymore. They just care about the free food and drink. I don’t want to miss a moment with Rylee. You make my apologies,” Amar said
and headed for the door.
Sharif grabbed his arm. “Wait! You forgot your new phone.” He handed Amar an iPhone. “Try not to smash this one.”
Amar rolled his eyes and snatched the phone as he went in search of Rylee. They hadn’t talked about when she would return home, but he suspected it would be soon and he didn’t want to waste another minute. He had a surprise waiting for her that would show Rylee just how special she was to him.
The cottage was again lit with candles and rose petals when Rylee and Amar arrived back later that evening, but as Rylee opened the door, she was shocked to hear someone singing. LIVE.
Rylee looked up at Amar questioningly.
“Should we look for the source?” he asked.
She nodded and he took her hand, leading her outside onto the patio. The backyard was lit up like the Eiffel Tower at night and there in the moonlight was John Legend on a piano singing “All of Me.”
“May I have this dance?”
“You may,” Rylee said, completely blown away that Amar had gone through the trouble to romance her in such a fashion. She knew it was all a fairytale and would soon come to an end, but she would enjoy it for as long as it lasted.
Amar pulled her into his embrace, and they swayed to the love ballad. She lay her head on his chest, and he held one of her hands while the other rested on the curve of her lower back.
When Amar gazed down at her, radiating magnetism and vitality and maybe just a little bit of danger, Rylee’s breath caught. She could hear her heart throbbing loudly in her ears and not just there, but lower in her nether regions. Her body ached for his touch.
When the song was over, they thanked John and moved back inside. The riveting climax Amar had given her earlier had her insides clamoring with excitement for what was to come next. As soon as he’d closed the patio door, they moved toward each other, propelled by their mutual passion. They began ripping at each other’s clothes, desperate to be free of them. Her dress hit the floor, followed by his shirt, then his trousers. A trail of clothes were behind them as they made their way to the bedroom.
They joined together on the bed, Rylee in her bra and panties and Amar in his boxer briefs. “Let’s slow this down,” he said. “I don’t want to rush.” He bent down to place a kiss on her shoulder and then another on the opposite shoulder. “I want to savor you like a fine wine.”
He slid his hands behind her back to unclasp her bra and bring her breasts into his full view as he laid her backward against the pillows. He took an exorbitant amount of time paying homage to each breast, suckling each, teasing them with his tongue, molding them with his hands. She whimpered, wanting more.
He licked his way from her breasts down to her flat stomach, teasing her belly button. But he didn’t stop there. He went lower until he found her wet and throbbing center. He’d been right that the balcony was just the appetizer. She knew he would be even more diligent in his efforts to make her come.
“Please, Amar, don’t make me wait.”
Rylee wrapped her legs around his waist and tried to bring him forward so she could reach for his boxers, but he grasped both of her hands with one of his and then he lowered his head to her womanhood. And that’s where he stayed.
Her breathing became hard. She couldn’t focus. She felt feverish, but Amar wouldn’t stop tasting and teasing her with his masterful tongue and pliant fingers. He didn’t stop until she had two shattering orgasms and pleaded with him to take her.
“You want me now?” he asked.
“Yes, now! Please!”
He pushed down his briefs in an instant and donned a condom. His rock-hard arousal pressed against the V of her thighs demanding entry. “I want to be inside you.” He clasped her ankle, skimming her thigh and the curve of her breasts.
“And I want you to be,” she murmured. Their lips met and a spark ignited, hotter and brighter as he slowly eased inside her, inch by beautiful inch, and Rylee moaned in ecstasy.
“Yes, oh God, yes!”
Her sighs and moans of pleasure spurred Amar on, and he began to thrust, slowly at first, allowing them to find a rhythm. Then he quickened the pace. Faster and faster. Harder and deeper. All thoughts in Rylee’s head went away, and she was lost. Her only thoughts were of Amar and this time, this place and how it couldn’t get any better than this. Her fingers stroked his skin, and she dragged them down his back as she clutched him to her and circled her ankles across his backside. She buried her face in his neck, and when he found the perfect spot, she cried out his name, “Amar!”
Amar was awakened from his sleep again by the buzzing of his cell phone on the nightstand. The clock read four AM, but the display on his phone caused him concern. It was his youngest brother, Tariq. Careful not to wake up Rylee, Amar quickly pressed the answer button and slid from the bed.
“Hello?”
“Amar?”
“Yes, what’s wrong, Tariq?” He knew it couldn’t be good if Tariq was calling now, as Tariq knew what time of day it was in the States.
“It’s Father.”
“Yeah, what about him?”
“He-he’s had a heart attack.” His brother’s voice trembled.
“Heart attack?” Amar’s voice rose, and he glanced at the bed, but Rylee still slept peacefully.
“Several hours ago.”
“Why am I just hearing of this now?” Amar asked as he searched the room for his pants. When he didn’t find them, he crept out and found them in the hallway. He struggled to pull them on as he cradled the phone in one ear.
“Your phone just rang and rang.”
That’s when Amar remembered he’d smashed his phone earlier that day after he and his father had quarreled.
“No one knew your new phone number,” he heard Tariq say. “We had to chase you down to the hotel and finally Sharif before we got your new number.”
“How is he?”
“His condition is critical.”
“As soon as I call Sharif, I’ll be on my way.”
“No need. I already contacted Sharif, and a limo is waiting to take you to the airport. Your jet is fueled and has clearance to leave within the hour. All you have to do is go straight there and be ready for immediate takeoff.”
“I’m on it.” Amar said. “And Tariq?”
“Yeah … don’t worry. The old man is as strong as an ox. He’ll pull through this.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you soon.”
Amar ended the call and looked toward the bedroom where Rylee lay sleeping. He wished he could wake her up and tell her everything that had happened, but he had no time to spare. He glanced down at his watch as he pulled on the shirt he’d been wearing last night. He barely had enough time to get to the airport, and if he woke her, there would be questions and she’d be upset. Better he let her sleep and call her in the morning.
Chapter 8
Rylee felt the morning sun on her face as it peeked through the windows. She didn’t want to open her eyes. Last night with Amar had been just as amazing as the night before. Each kiss, each touch, each caress was more feverish and passionate than the last. He hadn’t been able to get enough of her, and the feeling had been mutual. She wanted Amar like she hadn’t wanted another man. Not even Shelton could come close to what she felt for Amar. He’d awakened a desire that had lain dormant for some time, but now that he had, she couldn’t wait for another round.
Languorously, she stretched across the bed and reached for Amar, but all she found was emptiness. Her eyes popped open.
“Amar?” she called out.
No response.
Rylee sat up. He was probably in the kitchen making coffee or something. She slid from the bed, pulling at the sheet and wrapping it around her. Her dress from last night was nowhere to be found and was most likely in the living room or on the floor of the hall, where she and Amar had left their clothes in their ha
ste to be naked.
She padded on the floor in bare feet and found no clothing. “Amar?” she called out again until she made it to the living room.
“Good morning.” Sharif rose from his seat at the kitchen table.
“Omigod!” Startled, Rylee hugged the sheet closer around her body. “Where’s Amar?”
“I’m sorry, Ms. Hart, but Amar has been called back suddenly to our country of Nasir to deal with an urgent family matter. He wanted me to send you his regrets that he was unable to relay this information to you this morning, but it was most pressing he return home to the kingdom at once.”
“Really?” Rylee asked as the cold realization that she’d just been played by a rich playboy flooded through her.
“Yes, ma’am. He was most upset to have to leave you.”
“I highly doubt that!” Rylee spat as she searched the room for her clothes. Instead of the dress she’d been wearing last night, which lay over a chair, she found an outfit had been laid out for her on the table beside it: jeans, a shirt and lingerie, along with her boots. She stormed over to grab them.
Sharif began to walk toward her, but Rylee warded him off with her hand. “Stay back,” she warned. “I need to get dressed.”
“Of course.” Sharif turned away. “My apologies if I have offended you. That wasn’t my intention or Amar’s, I’m sure.”
“I could give a rat’s ass about your boss’s intentions,” Rylee hissed as she spun on her heel and rushed out of the room.
She made it to the bedroom before the tears that had been behind the anger flooded down her cheeks. How could she have been so foolish to believe she would be any different from the countless other women Amar had taken to bed? But at the very least, she thought he would have had the guts to face her and not have his assistant give her the kiss-off. Had she really believed they might spend a couple of more days together before she had to go back to Tucson because they’d had great sex?
Rylee stormed into the bathroom adjacent to the master bedroom and turned on the taps to the shower as hot as she could take it, but she doubted it would wash off the misery that was slowly starting to overtake her. She stepped into the walk-in shower and under the spray, allowing the water to flow through her hair and over her naked body. She wanted to wash away the night — hell, the entire weekend — as if it had never happened.
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