by Cara Albany
Becca's hand went all the way down to the belt of his pants. Sensing her impatience, Zaheer unbuckled the belt, loosening the waist of his pants. He eased them down, slowly, watching Becca's reaction. Her heart was pounding faster now as she saw just how much Zaheer enjoyed teasing her.
Zaheer's eased his pants downward, and then she could see the true extent of his desire. His firmness was visible inside his white boxers. Becca swallowed, almost unable to take her eyes off that promise, that temptation. She watched as Zaheer kicked his pants away and stood before her.
Becca felt a desperate need to touch him, to remind herself of everything she'd been missing all these years. She reached out a hand, intent on loosening his desire. But, Zaheer wrapped his hand around her wrist, holding her hand steady, preventing her from touching him.
Becca gazed up at him, seeking an answer. In response, Zaheer merely shook his head and took Becca softly by the shoulders, easing her down onto the bed. She lay down flat on her back, feeling the softness of the bed beneath her.
Zaheer didn't immediately lie down next to her. Instead, he hooked his thumbs inside the waist of his boxers and slid them down slowly. As he did that, his gaze was locked on Becca. Her heart pounded furiously as she watched him do that. She felt a sudden impulse to sit back up, reach out, and take hold of what she saw there. But she resisted the temptation, instead lying flat, drinking in the sight of Zaheer's fullness.
Then he was standing before her, as naked as he'd been earlier. He was glorious looking, like a wild animal let loose. His gaze darkened even more, desire burning hard and hot in the limitless pools.
Becca's throat tightened, and heat flared at her core. Breath became difficult as she took in the sight of Zaheer's powerful manhood. He reached down and took himself in hand for a moment, then eased down onto the bed alongside Becca. She twisted and removed her bra.
When she lay back, he didn't waste a moment, his head dipping ravenously onto one of her nipples. His tongue laved her and she felt sensation flash through her body. She gasped and arched her back, feeling Zaheer's hand slide beneath her body, drawing her closer to him. She felt the heat of his body, inhaled his intoxicating male scent.
Zaheer's tongue circled her nipple, driving sensation into her body, igniting need at her core. In spite of herself, Becca squirmed impatiently, twisting her body so that it pressed against him. She curled her legs around his, feeling the harshness of his body, hardened by a life in the desert.
His knee parted her legs and she felt his thigh ease into the opening between her legs. She pressed her core impatiently against his thigh, feeling the sheer power of his muscles.
Still he fed on her body, transferring his attention to her other nipple. And as before, when his tongue circled her sensitive flesh, feasting on her, she gasped out loud, feeling the electric wave of delight course throughout her entire body.
How could she have forgotten how this could feel? That voice murmured in the deep, dark corner of her mind. She knew the answer to that question. Becca had never forgotten how it felt to be in his arms, the sensation of being naked with Zaheer, feeling his raw power, delighting to his skilled touch, his tender passion. She'd tried to pretend to herself that it was something she could do without. But, now that she was here, again, she knew that was a lie. Becca knew she couldn't exist without this passion, this closeness, this connection with Zaheer.
Becca drew his head firmly against her, wanting as much as he could give her. Sensing her need, Zaheer's head moved slowly down, his tongue tasting her, tracing a line down her belly and pausing. He kissed her skin, and she felt him draw in a deep breath as if he was trying to drown his own senses in everything about her.
Becca's hand held his head steady. Then she felt his fingers tracing a line toward her core. She felt him tug gently at her panties. Within a few moments she'd slid them down and then she was completely naked. The sensation of being utterly open to him made her body tingle with anticipation.
Zaheer sat up slightly, and gazed down at her. She saw complete adoration in that gaze, as well as a barely disguised hunger. She saw him swallow and knew that he was finding it difficult to control his need.
Zaheer's gaze met hers, and then his head dipped. His lips kissed her near her core and she felt his fingers tease a tormenting line down to the softness of her inner thighs.
Becca's heart felt like it was going to burst any moment now as Zaheer's fingertips eased up to her core. His touch was so gentle, so tender. She knew exactly what he wanted.
Becca gasped as she felt his fingers tease open her folds. Then he touched her most sensitive area and it was as if her entire being lit up in an instant. Becca groaned and she took gentle hold of Zaheer's dark hair, clutching it firmly, determined that he not move his head.
Zaheer's touch was expert and gentle. He hadn't forgotten how to take Becca to the heights of pleasure. Soft gentle movements triggered sensation in Becca's body. Her core was warm with need. Need for him; his fullness. But she knew this wasn't the moment for that. Not yet, anyway.
For now, he was driving her crazy with every circling movement of his tender finger. Becca clutched at the bed at her side. Wave upon wave of pleasure rippled through her. She gasped with every motion, every tender movement.
"Zaheer, please," she heard herself moan, shocked at how desperate her voice sounded. But it didn't matter. Nothing really mattered anymore. Not when he was driving her to this peak of pleasure.Then, with one more movement of his fingers, she felt unstoppable sensation claim her body, sending her tumbling over into an abyss, her body quivering with ecstasy.
Becca cried out, and Zaheer shifted position, holding her close, as she came down from her peak. They lay together for long moments. Becca's racing heart finally began to slow. She wrapped her arms around Zaheer, feeling the renewal of sensations she'd once believed lost forever.
Then Zaheer moved, shifting his body until he settled his weight gently on her. His nakedness was astonishing. She felt his whole body as it eased down onto hers. He took his full weight with his elbows. Then he kissed her again. She felt the hardness of his chest against her breasts. Felt his firmness pressing at her core.
Becca coiled her arms around Zaheer, enveloping him, holding him close. She tasted his lips, felt the warmth of his breath against her skin. He felt powerful and tight. Like a coiled serpent waiting to do what nature had created him to do.
Zaheer's weight settled on her. His muscles felt tense and she knew he needed release; knew he wanted to give her even more pleasure. Becca gasped inwardly. As if that was possible. She was enclosed in him, possessed by him. She needed to be claimed by him.
Then he lifted his head and gazed into her eyes. She saw such amazing tenderness in that gaze, but there was also something else. A fierce, primal need that she knew he had to satisfy. He wanted her. She wanted him inside her, united with her. Again.
Zaheer moved his hips and Becca felt him press at her core. She moved and he thrust his hips, easing himself into her. She gasped and felt herself clench around him. Zaheer paused and drew in a deep breath. She felt his muscles tighten.
Zaheer began to move, slowly at first. Every thrust sent sensation flooding through Becca. Pleasure filled every part of her being as he moved, steadily and rhythmically. Each movement brought fresh waves of delight. They were one again. She'd wanted this for a long time, even if she hadn't admitted that fact to herself.
Their bodies moved in perfect harmony as Zaheer moved, with every thrust gaining a fresh urgency. She could feel him holding himself in check, trying to hold back the inevitable release for as long as humanly possible.
Ecstasy quivered throughout her body with every movement of his hips. She reached down and grasped hold of his hips, the tense muscle there. She dug her nails into his flesh, enough so that he would know just how much pleasure he was giving her. She gasped and gazed up at him. His face was a picture of ecstasy.
His thrusts became even more urgent now. She knew he was
close to release. His hips pressed down on her, sensation flaming in her core with every movement. She knew she was close to another peak. Looking at him she saw that it was the same for Zaheer.
Then his pace quickened and she knew he wasn't going to be able to hold on any longer. But she didn't care, because all that mattered was that they would share the same ecstasy, fall into the emptiness together.
Then Zaheer was pounding into her with a primal need and she felt her entire body quiver with sensation. He lifted his head and roared with his own pleasure. She felt his body tense and then his release came with her clenching onto him.
Moments later, Becca felt the wave sweep over her, drowning her in pleasure that she wanted to last for eternity.
CHAPTER TWELVE
For long moments, Becca held onto Zaheer, sensing him coming down from his own ecstasy. Sweat beaded his warm flesh and his muscles quivered slightly, shaking with the intensity of his release. He settled down onto her, holding her tenderly. She felt like the most precious thing in the world to Zaheer as she eased down from her own peak, her entire body shaking with the remnants of pleasure.
Her rapid breathing began to slow in perfect harmony with his. It seemed to take a long time, but eventually she felt her senses return, her pounding heart begin to slow.
Zaheer was a skilled lover; a gentle and considerate lover. But Becca had also witnessed the familiar ferocity of Zaheer's primal passion. The sheer strength of his need. That strength had shaken Becca to the core of her being. Every nerve still quivered.
Becca drew in a deep breath. She'd never felt more alive than she did now.
They lay in each others arms for a long while. Eventually, Becca felt the energy of the long, eventful day drain out of her. Everything had happened so quickly, she told herself. They'd arrived on the island only hours before. And now, here they both were, lying naked together having reawakened their incredible connection, that bond which had proven impossible to break.
What could she say to Zaheer?
What should she say? It was clear how he felt for her. It was impossible to ignore, after what had just happened. Certainty pulled at her, trying to make her submit to some kind of commitment, some kind of surrender.
What would this all mean now? Where could they go from this? There was still so many unspoken things they had to explore. How real was this connection they'd just renewed? What she felt seemed somehow different from three years ago. There was an intensity to it which had been missing then.
Becca curled her arms around her sheikh lover and glanced at him. His eyes were closed for the moment, and she wondered what he was thinking. He looked lost in contentment.
As far as she was concerned, this changed everything. The determined way he'd pursued her; the kindness he'd shown to her; the sensitivity to her every need. The way he'd brought her back into his world. His consideration for her cousin.
And finally, his obvious need for Becca.
All of that added up to a sense that the man who lay in her arms right now was a different man than the one she'd left behind.
After a while, she felt Zaheer's body become heavy and she knew he was drifting off to sleep.
On realizing that, feeling him against her body, she allowed her mind to empty and she fell into a deep, satisfied sleep.
****
During the night, hours later, Zaheer awoke to find himself lying against Becca. He glanced at her. She was sleeping, her features softened with satisfaction.
He gazed around the room, sat up slowly and drew the covers over her. The night air coming from the open terrace doors was cool.
Zaheer slid carefully off the bed and went out onto the terrace. The moon was full, casting a silvery light on the sea. He heard the crashing of the waves against the rocks far below. The night air cooled his skin. He didn't care that he was naked. No-one would be able to see onto the terrace from anywhere else in the palace. In any case, the servants would be asleep.
He needed some time alone to think about what had just happened. Every nerve still held a remnant of the ecstasy he'd shared with Becca. He thought about their lovemaking and smiled to himself. This was exactly where he wanted to be. With the woman he wanted.
No. It was more than that. He realized that now.
It wasn't mere want. Nothing so trivial.
It was love.
He wanted to be with the woman he loved.
As he played with that thought, he felt a surge of joy in his heart. It was true. He did love Becca. Even if he hadn't spoken those words to her properly, the way he knew he should have. The way he'd wanted to. Even if that crucial declaration hadn't come as easily as he'd wanted, he knew he adored her, needed her to be part of his life. Forever.
He recalled the passion of their union. He shook his head, almost unable to believe it had happened. She had brought out a need in him he'd almost forgotten existed. She still could do that, he told himself. He'd never felt like this with anyone else. At one point, years before, he'd even given up hope of ever finding this kind of joy with a woman.
But those days were gone. For good.
Becca was back in his life.
Now, the only thing that mattered was how to make that situation permanent.
He thought about how she'd reacted to meeting Erin and Karim. Maybe she understood what kind of life awaited her in Qazhar. Now that she'd seen how it could be, would that sway her opinion?
He thought about how she had reacted when he'd kissed her out in the corridor. The earlier resistance had gone, replaced with an instant reaction to his need. He hadn't realized just how intense her own need for him could be.
But, he'd seen it. Felt it. Tasted it.
Zaheer smiled to himself. This was what life was all about, he told himself. A sudden surge of emotion swept through him.
This was all that mattered.
Being with a woman who could move your soul, free your spirit, make you feel alive.
He wanted that. All of it. And he wasn't going to let anything or anyone stand in his way.
Not after tonight.
Zaheer leaned forward, gripping hold of the marble balustrade. He felt the tension in his body lessen as he reminded himself that she was here with him. He turned around and gazed back into the room. He could see her there, beneath the covers, sleeping soundly. She looked so peaceful, so happy. Could he even begin to hope that she would stay that way? Wasn't that the only thing that was important to him, now. Her happiness?
Zaheer heard a soft, rhythmic tapping sound and froze. He listened again, trying to ignore the sound of the waves.
He heard it again. Someone was at the door of the suite.
Zaheer went into the bedroom, quickly put on his pants and slightly torn shirt, slid his feet into his shoes and went to the door. He opened the door and saw one of the male servants, Abdul standing in the corridor. Abdul bowed and Zaheer could tell the man was slightly nervous about coming to the door.
"Your pardon, Sheikh. I tried to find you but you weren't in your room." Abdul hesitated a moment, then continued. "I assumed you may be visiting with the esteemed American guest," Abdul explained.
Zaheer stepped out into the corridor and pulled the door shut. He didn't want Becca waking up because of the talking. "What is it?" he whispered impatiently.
"There is a phone call for you, downstairs," Abdul said.
"A call? Who from?"
Abdul frowned. "Your brother, Qazim, is on the phone." Abdul looked concerned. "He said it is most urgent he speak with you," Abdul added.
"At this time?"
Abdul nodded. "Your brother was very insistent, my Sheikh," he said.
Zaheer felt concern stir in his gut. His brother wouldn't have called in the middle of the night unless it was something important.
Zaheer nodded to Abdul and started along the corridor. Abdul followed behind as Zaheer sped downstairs and went to the room where he'd taken Becca earlier that evening. He closed the door behind and went to the tabl
e, sat down on the corner of it, and lifted the phone to his ear.
"Hello? Qazim?" Zaheer said into the phone.
"Zaheer?" he heard his brother's voice at the other end of the line.
"What's wrong?" Zaheer asked Qazim. "Why the late call?"
"How are you, brother?" Qazim asked uneasily. Zaheer could hear the worry in Qazim's voice.
"I'm fine. Or I was until a few moments ago," Zaheer said. If only Qazim knew just how fine Zaheer had been, he told himself wryly.
Qazim cleared his throat. "I had to call Karim just to check where you were. I didn't know you were on Karim's island. And with a guest," Qazim added. Zaheer heard the familiar mischievous tone in Qazim's voice. His brother always liked to tease Zaheer about the women in his life.
"What's happened?" Zaheer said firmly, ignoring the last part of what Qazim had said.
There was another long pause and then Qazim spoke: "Father asked me to find you," he said.
Zaheer felt worry tug at him. "Father? What does he want with me?"
Qazim sighed. "I don't know. All I know is that he ordered me to do whatever I could to track you down. And, right away, too."
"Why?"
"I don't know. He wouldn't tell me. You know how he never tells me anything, Zaheer," Qazim said.
Zaheer felt a momentary sympathy for Qazim. It was true. Their father had always treated Qazim less seriously than he treated Zaheer. Being the eldest brother, Zaheer knew that much of the future responsibility for the entire family would fall on his own shoulders.
Eventually.
It was a heavy burden, but one that he looked forward to taking on. Right now though, he had other things to deal with. Like getting an answer out of Qazim.
