by Leslie North
Mahi smiled and squeezed her waist, “It will be fine.” He said something to the trainer and received the reins. He issued another command in Arabic and the animal began its long legged-stride down the driveway.
Carolyn held on for dear life, only relaxing and beginning to enjoy the experience after another ten minutes had passed.
“How far is this preserve?” she asked.
“Not too much farther now. Sit back and relax.”
Carolyn tried to do so, but sitting back meant leaning against Mahil’s chest, and the memory of their recent kiss came rushing to the surface. Instead, she sat with her back straight, trying in vain to steady herself so she didn’t bump into him but each brush against him only intensified how she felt. The slight breeze that tickled her bare legs did nothing to calm her increasingly frayed nerves.
By the time they reached the Second Chance Preserve, she was a bundle of unfulfilled sexual energy and in desperate need of putting some distance between the two of them.
Chapter 8
Carolyn slid off the back of the kneeling camel, grateful for the hand that Mahil kept on her arm as her legs reacquainted themselves with solid ground. The swaying motion of the camel had made her slightly motion sick, and it was several moments of deep breathing before she finally felt like herself again.
“Sheik Mahil!” an exuberant, high-pitched voice called out.
Carolyn turned to see a vivacious redhead almost running towards them, her bright smile meant for Mahil and him alone.
“Teri, I’d like to introduce you to my American friend, Carolyn Michaels.”
“Carolyn, this is Teri, a research student studying birds of prey here at the Sanctuary.”
Carolyn watched, as the young woman quickly looked her up and down, before making a small face at her clothing. She saw Mahil watching her and briefly nodded in Carolyn’s direction, “Hi.” She immediately turned her smile back to Mahil, reaching out to touch his forearm as she went on and on about their newest animals.
“I’m pleased to see that you’re fitting in here. I have a meeting in a few moments, but I was hoping to give Carolyn a quick tour of the facility. Would you care to join us?”
Carolyn wished the young woman would tell him she had other responsibilities, but she was not so lucky. Teri situated herself on Mahil’s far side, hanging onto his forearm and taking every opportunity to lean up against him as they walked
She was dressed in the traditional long dress, but a small leather belt around her waist made it appear much more feminine and accentuated her lush curves hidden beneath the heavy fabric. Carolyn felt an immediate surge of jealousy as they continued their tour of the facility.
She tried to blame her surge in emotions on her lack of sleep, as she wasn’t prepared to face what they could mean. Mahil had been quick to point out her traitorous body’s response to him, which she had simply attributed to her kidnapping.
They started in the birdhouse and Carolyn was astonished to see an eagle up close. The majestic creature had come to the preserve with a broken wing, which had been splinted and now was almost as good as new.
“So, what will happen to the eagle when the bandage finally comes off?” Carolyn asked.
Teri glanced at her, “She’ll be released back into the wild of course. To keep such a majestic creature captive would be a crime. Don’t you think Sheik…”
“Mahil. Just Mahil, Teri. And yes, I do think she will be much happier back in her natural habitat.”
“She?” Carolyn inquired, trying to ignore the irritation that was building where Teri was concerned.
“She.” Mahil glanced at his wristwatch and then made a face, “Come along. I want to check on Sheba and then I need to attend this meeting.”
“Who is Sheba?” Carolyn asked as Mahil led both women out of the birdhouse and towards a row of metal cages.
“Sheba is a spotted leopard that came to us when she was but four months old.” Carolyn immediately spotted the cat, who had heard their approach and was now happily pacing from one side of her cage to another.
She watched in awe as Mahil spoke to the cat and then reached his hand inside the cage to scratch her ears. The leopard rolled over onto her back, nuzzling his hand as he scratched beneath her chin and her belly.
Mahil glanced back at her and urged her forward, “Come here and pet her. I promise she won’t hurt you.”
Carolyn took a step forward, but Teri shoved her way past and quickly slipped in next to Mahil, “I’ve been wanting to pet her since I got here. I can’t believe she’s so tame.”
Mahil smiled down at the assistant and then stepped back, motioning for Carolyn to take his place. “Come on, Cara. Come pet her.”
Cara? That was a new nickname even for her, but coming from Mahil, she found she liked the sound of it. She stepped in front of him, but Teri was insistent on keeping Mahil’s attention solely on her. Carolyn slipped her hand inside the cage and petted the animal’s soft fur, but she quickly pulled her hand back when the cat surged to her feet and began pacing the cage once again.
“Isn’t that sweet? She knows you weren’t petting her any longer. Too bad. I would have loved to have petted her for a bit more.” Teri gave Carolyn a smug grin and then directed Mahil’s attention to several other problems the young woman seemed to be having with some of the newest animals.
Carolyn found herself following behind them down the stone path that led back to the administration building, listening and watching as the young research student flirted with Mahil without a conscience.
She was taken aback by the level of jealousy she was feeling. She was attracted to Mahil, but it was only a sexual response. Her emotions weren’t engaged, so why was she feeling jealous?
She’d long ago decided that now was not the time for relationships and she certainly wasn’t going to tumble into one with her captor. No, Teri was welcome to him. If she wanted to be with someone, there was any number of men back home, and just as soon as she could convince Mahil to fly her there, she’d do just that!
*****
Mahil listened to his newest research student continue to talk about everything and anything she thought might keep his attention focused on her, all the while wishing Carolyn would assert herself and tell the young woman to back off.
As they reached the administration building, Ahmed intercepted them, “Sir, your meeting has been postponed. It seems a sandstorm has shut down the capitol city. They’ve asked to re-schedule it for next week.”
Mahil was happy and smiled, “That will be fine.”
“Does that mean we can tour the rest of the facility together?” Teri asked enthusiastically.
Mahil had spent more than enough time in her chattering presence and nodded towards Ahmed, “Why don’t you show Ahmed around? I’m sure he’d love to meet the newest arrivals.”
Teri looked like she wanted to argue, but seeing the firm set to Mahil’s mouth; she nodded her head and then turned a dazzling smile upon Ahmed, “Let’s go see Sheba first.”
“Do not attempt to pet her without me there. The last person who did that required sixteen stitches in their hand and forearm.” Mahil made sure Ahmed got the message and then turned his attention to Carolyn.
“Would you like to see more, or visit the gift shop?”
Carolyn looked at the building and then answered him, “Gift shop, but if this place is not open to the public, why have a gift shop?”
“We open the sanctuary up to school groups and research teams from around the world. The gift shop serves as a focused form of advertising for what we do here. Especially when they buy something with our logo on it.”
“I see,” she murmured, stepping inside as he held the door open for her.
She stopped and he could tell she was immediately pleased with how organized and happy the atmosphere seemed. She was drawn to a display showing necklaces and bracelets. “These are lovely.”
Mahil nodded, “They are made by the locals.” He reached out,
selected a necklace with green beads, and secured it around her neck, “Beautiful.”
Carolyn touched the necklace, looking into the small mirror and loving how it looked lying against her skin, but then she remembered she didn’t even have her purse here with her. She reached to remove the necklace, saddened that she would be unable to buy the trinket to remember her time here in Al-Sarid.
Mahil captured her hands, bringing them down between them, “Why are you taking it off?”
“It’s lovely, it really is. But I can’t buy it.”
“I haven’t asked you to. The necklace is for you, habibti. A present from me to you.”
Carolyn shook her head, “I can’t accept it.”
“You can and you will, Cara. Because I wish it.”
Carolyn capitulated and found herself being led out the side door of the small gift shop, “Where are we going now?”
“A different route back to the palace.”
“Palace? You call the place you live a palace?” She’d seen the luxury inside, but she’d only spent a few moments looking at the outside. “Exactly what is a Sheik?”
Mahil took her arm and led her towards a stone staircase that led up into the foliage, “I am Sheik of this region. It is similar to a ruler – or a mayor. Except that, I have ultimate final say. Over everything.”
Carolyn didn’t tell him how egotistical that made him sound, too astounded by how much power he actually had here in Al-Sarid.
She let him lead her up the stairs, glad when they finally reached a small area that was mostly horizontal. A variety of wildlife including birds and monkeys lived in the trees of the jungle area they were walking through, but even though there were no cages, none of the animals attempted to do them harm. It’s as if they know they are in a safe place.
Carolyn followed him, and thirty minutes later found herself descending the final staircase that stopped at the far side of the palace. “Here we are, back where we started from.”
Carolyn smiled and told him, “I’m glad we didn’t have to get back on that camel. Honestly, I can’t believe how sore I am after that walk.”
Mahil looked at her and then slowly smiled, “Come with me. I know just the thing.”
Chapter 9
Carolyn followed Mahil as he led her around the side of the palace. They walked through various courtyards, past columns of marble and gardens filled with fragrant flowers that reminded her more of a tropical paradise than a desert-ridden wasteland.
“Where are we going?” she asked him a few minutes later. They had come to a stop near a wooden gate.
Mahil smiled at her and then pushed the gate open, revealing a luxurious garden oasis. A large clam-shaped pool of water was situated in the middle of the garden, surrounded by palm trees, ferns, and flowering plants that perfumed the air.
The water entered the pool from a small waterfall, adding a soothing array of sound to the area that immediately calmed her spirits.
She walked forward, feeling like Eve in the Garden of Eden, “What is this place?”
“It is called a paradise pool. Most palaces have such a place where one can relax in the mineral water and soothe their tired bodies and minds. Come and take a swim.”
Carolyn looked at the inviting water and then shook her head, “I need a bathing suit.”
“No you don’t. Besides, you just rip up the clothing I give you.”
Carolyn blinked at his verbal jab and then watched in part horror and fascination as he summarily stripped in front of her. He removed his shirt, revealing a chest devoid of hair, tanned, and well-muscled.
Next came his shoes, which he kicked off followed by his socks and jeans, which he left in a small pile at the edge of the water. He glanced at her once and told her, “Come on. Get out of your clothes. The water’s warm.”
He turned and dived straight into the water while she watched. The last thing she saw before he disappeared beneath the surface of the water was his finely chiseled buttocks and long legs. She’d only glimpsed his manhood, but what she’d seen had been enough to start her engines and fuel her imagination.
He surfaced, shaking his head to clear the water from his eyes and then stared straight at her. “Come on in. The water’s very refreshing.”
Carolyn looked at the water and then back to him. “Turn around,” she requested, making a spinning motion with her fingers.
Mahil looked at her and then slowly shook his head, “No.” He let his gaze skim from her neck to her toes, and Carolyn felt her body heat under his frank perusal. She knew he was challenging her, but what he didn’t know is that she was never one to back down from a challenge. Even if it was the prudent thing to do.
Firming her lips, she took a step towards the water and reached down to unbuckle the sandals from her feet. She held his gaze the entire time, biting her lip when she saw the fire ignite in his blue eyes. Where they were normally ice blue, they had now darkened to a deep sapphire color. She felt her stomach twist and a shiver of awareness skittered down her spine.
Carolyn slowly stood up and inched the altered dress up, pausing for effect when she reached the top of her thighs. She skimmed it up higher, shimmying her hips as she revealed the lacy underwear that she’d found in one of the bureau drawers, and then moved it higher, revealing her belly button and the firm muscles of her stomach.
One of the benefits of working herself to a frazzle had been not having to worry about gaining weight. In fact, she could stand to put on a few pounds to take the sharp edges off her hips and shoulder blades. At least that’s what Kerri had told her several times over the last few months.
Mahil swam closer to the edge of the pool as she pulled the dress up higher, slowly revealing the cups of the matching lace bra that cradled her lush breasts, and then in a swift move, she pulled the offending garment off and over her head, tossing it to the ground behind her.
She took another step towards the pool, intending to enter the water with her underwear still intact, but a steamy look from Mahil stopped her. “Off.” The unspoken I dare you wasn’t lost on her and she narrowed her eyes at him.
You want a show? I’ll give you a show you won’t ever forget.
Slowly lowering the straps of the bra, she let them rest on her upper arms as she reached behind her to unfasten the hooks. Putting her arms behind her forced her breasts up and out and she smirked when Mahil groaned softly. Meeting his gaze, she brought her arms back around and deliberately let the bra slide from her body.
Carolyn knew what she looked like, but seeing the appreciation on his face made her feel beautiful in a way she’d never felt before. His eyes followed her curves, and as she dropped the bra to the ground and reached for the waistband of her underwear, she watched him swallow and slowly walk towards her. He was still chest deep in the water, and the steam rising up helped provide her with the extra bit of protection she needed to finish disrobing in front of him.
Rolling the waistband down, she pushed her panties down past her knees and then carefully stepped out of it. She resisted the urge to cover herself, instead standing before the pool of water and lowering herself into the water with the carved steps the pool provided.
She gasped as the heat from the warm water seeped into her legs and then her buttocks as she walked deeper and deeper into the water. The mineral salts were already working on her sore muscles as Carolyn continued going deeper until she could no longer stand.
Swimming over to him, her body shivered in response when he reached out his hands and grabbed her around the waist, continuing to bring her into him until their bodies were flush against each other from chest to knees.
The feel of his naked body against hers, hot and hard - a contrast to the soft pillow of her breasts. “You were right,” she told him softly, still holding his gaze.
“About?” he asked, squeezing her waist and then letting one hand skim up her side, his fingertips brushing the outside curve of her breast before rising to run the back of his fingers across her collar
bone.
“The water does feel nice.”
When his roving hand dipped between them, closing around her nipple and rolling it between his thumb and forefinger, she only managed to keep her eyes open by sheer determination. His touch felt so natural and right, and yet, she’d never been one for easily giving of her body to another.
This man had kidnapped her from her country, forced her to reside in his home, and refused to take her home until she shared all of her deep dark secrets with him. The last thing she should be doing was wrapping her thighs around his hips and helping him fit their bodies together.
But she was helpless to resist the sexual pull between them. Being here with him. Now. In this place. Felt right somehow. She didn’t understand it, but as his fingers grazed the valley between her legs, making sure she was primed and ready for him, she didn’t care. His touch felt so good and she’d been without sex for longer than she liked to admit. She needed this. She wanted this. With him.
*****
“Cara, tell me you’re ready for me? I’m so hard for you, I don’t think I can go slowly.” Mahil warned her as he dragged in a steadying breath while her body clenched around his searching fingertips.
“Please…don’t make me wait any longer. I want you,” Carolyn told him, closing her eyes and reveling in the feelings his touch was evoking in her body.
“Kiss me,” he commanded her. He used his free hand to lift her chin up, capturing her lips in a heated kiss that made the one from earlier seem like child’s play. He didn’t merely kiss her; he consumed her. Her breath became his, as he sought to possess her.
Turning, Mahil brought them over to the side of the pool and lifted her legs so that she could place her feet on the solid rock at the bottom of the pool ledge. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she lifted her hips as he adjusted himself. Rubbing the head of his shaft against her slit, he began to push slowly in, careful not to go too fast. She was so small and tight, he didn’t want to hurt her. Not now. Not ever.
