Chapter 7
Only five minutes had passed since the last time she’d glanced at the time. Mandy stared at the ceiling, wondering if she was going to get any sleep tonight. It was two thirty in the morning, her eyes burned, and her whole body ached. She needed rest!
Unfortunately, her brain continued to buzz, trying to decipher the unspoken messages from Zahir earlier. What was he not telling her? Mandy went over their conversation again and again, trying to understand.
Frustrated, she flipped the covers off and got out of bed. Shoving her feet into the soft slippers that she always traveled with, she walked over to the open suitcase and pulled out a pair of leggings and a tee-shirt, pulling them on. She didn’t bother with a bra tonight, assuming that the camisole with the elastic band would suffice for a nighttime walk.
Mandy slipped out of the suite and looked both ways down the hallway. There were guards at each end and she was fairly certain that there were cameras along every hallway.
For a brief moment, she considered heading back to her suite and finding a book online. However, from past experience, Mandy knew that walking and getting things out of her head were the best way to get some sleep. Reading was a close second, but just going for a walk almost always helped. The silence of the night allowed her brain to process, to work through problems that she didn’t have the bandwidth to figure out during the daylight hours when so many other issues took priority.
So, she walked. Her slippers helped keep her progress silent against the ornately decorated tiles of the hallway. She wasn’t exactly sure where she was going, but a specific destination wasn’t her goal. Her mission right now was to think, to clear her mind so that she was tired enough to get some sleep. The dim lighting in the normally brightly lit up hallways helped sooth her as well.
A sudden clang caught her attention. She froze in the middle of the hallway, listening hard, trying to determine where the sounds were coming from. The kitchen? She didn’t know the palace well enough yet to know the various areas, so it could be the kitchen or a billiards room, for all she knew.
Slowly, Mandy followed the sound, listening to determine the direction from which it was coming. Finally, she stopped in front of the double doors with a circular window, peeking through to find the kitchens.
It was the middle of the night, so the kitchen staff wouldn’t be here. So, who was in the kitchen? Surely, the guards wouldn’t have let a stranger into the palace, right?
Mandy pushed through the doors and saw Zahir standing at a metal prep table, his arms and hands covered in flour.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her words shattering the relative silence of the night.
His head snapped up and jerked to the doorway, those laser eyes of his staring at her with an intensity that caused her to step back.
“Go back to bed, Mandy,” he snapped, then started kneading the dough on the table. He splashed more flour onto the table and pressed the heel of his hand into the dough, turned it, and repeated the process.
“What are you doing?” she repeated. Instead of returning to her suite, she inched closer, fascinated. He was the ruler of one of the most powerful and influential countries in the world, and he was making bread by hand in the middle of the night?
Zahir focused on kneading the dough, watching for signs that the gluten chains were developing. He didn’t look up at Mandy but he couldn’t help but be aware of her presence. He could smell her. Hell, he could feel her energy!
She wanted to know what HE was doing? He was trying to keep himself from pulling her into his arms and kissing her senseless! He was doing his darndest to not walk right over to her and make love to her on the counter behind her. He was losing his damn mind!
He’d spent the past several hours thinking about the story she’d told him earlier. He wanted to go to his security team and have them start an investigation. He wanted to call his pilot and fly back to Pennsylvania, to walk into the police station and demand that the detectives do their job with the information that Mandy provided.
Then the woman walks into his space?
Damn it!
He looked at her and blinked, suddenly realizing that she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her soft, delectable breasts were completely unencumbered and his jaw nearly hit the floor.
“You look tired,” he observed, suddenly noting the dark circles under her eyes. “What’s wrong, eazizi?” he demanded.
Her big, blue eyes blinked up at him and she shifted on her feet. “I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted, her voice a soft whisper now.
“Why? What’s wrong?” He grabbed the bowl and dumped the dough into it, covering it with a towel. Then he wiped his hands on another towel and came toward her. “What’s going through that brilliant mind of yours?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, thrusting those breasts higher. Did she know what she was doing? Did Mandy have any clue as to what was going through his mind?
Obviously not, he mentally grumbled.
He stepped closer, pinning her against the counter. “What are you doing here, Mandy?” he demanded, his voice raspy.
“I…uh…was just…I couldn’t sleep.”
“Why not?” He reached around her, pinning her in place by setting his hands on the metal counter behind her.
“I was…um…thinking about what you said earlier.”
He looked into her eyes, then shook his head. “You’re lying. What’s really on your mind?”
She opened her mouth, but the words wouldn’t come out.
“Maybe I should tell you what I’m thinking about,” he commented, tilting his head as if contemplating her.
Mandy considered it, then shook her head. “I’m not sure anything good could come from you telling me what’s on your mind,” she told him firmly. She raised her hands, intending to push him away. But instead, her fingers lingered on his chest, not pushing in any way.
“Oh, I think something very good could come of my thoughts,” he promised, as he lowered his head.
Mandy was shocked when she felt his lips brush her neck. It was just a flutter of sensation at first, but when she gasped, he went back for more. And then he was sucking on her neck. The feeling was so intense, so wonderful, that she had to grip his shoulders to remain standing. Trying to hide her reaction to his touch was pointless and Mandy closed her eyes.
“See?” he whispered, nipping at her earlobe. “That was very good, wasn’t it?”
“Yes!” she replied back, her voice more breathless than she wanted it to sound.
“Do you want me to do that again?” Zahir didn’t wait for a reply. His lips were already brushing against the overly sensitive skin on her neck and it felt so good!
Then she felt his hands moving along her skin. Didn’t she have clothes on? Yes! Yes, she’d definitely gotten dressed before going for her walk. So how was it possible that his fingers were touching the bare skin along her back?
Zahir’s hands moved higher sliding against her ribs to cup her breasts. Camisole, he realized, pressing his fingers underneath the thin bit of elastic supporting her breasts. And then there was nothing but bountiful breasts and taunting nipples against his palm. Every sound she made created another jolt of lust that went straight to his groin.
“This isn’t the best place to be exploring for the first time,” he groaned, but before she could respond, he covered her mouth with his, kissing her and encouraging her to kiss him back. He felt her fingers against his shoulders, but he wanted those light touches against his bare skin.
Stepping back, he took her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. “Let’s finish this conversation in private,” he ordered and tugged her along with him.
He knew that he had to hurry. The walk to his suite would remind her of all the reasons why she shouldn’t do this. But tonight, he didn’t want to restrain himself. He wanted her naked and writhing underneath him. He wanted to dismiss the other women who were coming to meet him and just announce to the world that he would marry Mandy. Hell, when he’d started this whole debacle, he hadn’t realized how slowly he’d have to take this seduction of his chosen bride.
Nor had he realized that there would be obstacles in his path. But he’d figure it all out. Never before had a challenge been more important to him.
“Where are we going?” Mandy called out.
Zahir slowed down, but realized that she looked nervous again. So instead of replying, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply. His body guards turned away, but Zahir was still aware of how he needed to get her alone.
“This way,” he said when he straightened. His voice sounded raspy, but that was her fault as well. If she wasn’t so damned delectable, then he wouldn’t be in this kind of pain.
“I think we should talk about this here,” she told him, tugging against his hand.
Zahir paused and looked down at her. There was an intense level of satisfaction when he noticed her kiss-swollen lips and the way her nipples pressed against the thin material of her top.
“Okay, let’s have this discussion out here in the hallway.” He moved closer, but only touched her hands where their fingers were still laced together. “I want to make love to you, Mandy. I want to know every inch of your body in the most intimate way.” He leaned back slightly, looking her up and down. “I want to know what you sound like when you–”
He couldn’t finish that comment because she’d slapped a hand over his mouth, stopping the flow of words. But since her hand was there, he covered the back of her hand with his free one, pressing her fingers against his lips as he sucked one into his mouth. As a reward, she gasped, and didn’t pull her hand away. In fact, she moaned, closing her eyes and angling her head as if the pleasure was overwhelming.
“Still want to discuss this out here in the hallway?” he asked.
“No. Private!” she replied with an urgency that he’d never heard in her voice before.
“Good answer,” he replied, then led her into his private suite. When the door was safely closed, he scooped her up into his arms. “Now, where were we?” he asked, as he carried her into his bedroom. It took him only three strides to reach his bed where he lowered her onto the silky sheets. There, he tugged her leggings off, pausing to admire the small bit of lace that covered her private parts.
“I love the black lace,” he groaned, then kissed her stomach right above that scrap of material. He could smell her arousal and it drove him wild with need.
“Too much!” she whispered, rolling her hips slightly, as if calling to him.
Zahir answered the call! With enthusiasm. One of his fingers slid underneath the lace, teasing her velvety, wet folds. “You want me,” he groaned, watching her face. She was staring at him as well and he moved his finger deeper, exploring that wetness.
“Yes,” she replied. “More,” she begged, spreading her legs as if in a daze. Her hips lifted towards his seeking fingers. When his forefinger brushed against that nub, she cried out, then slapped her hand over his.
“Are you keeping my finger in place,” he teased, “or do you want me to stop?”
“Don’t you dare stop!” she snapped, her hips shifting again. And again.
He nearly laughed out loud, delighted with her uninhibited response. “That’s hot, my dear, but,” he pulled his finger away. “I’m not ready to give you a climax just yet.” He pulled his hand away, ignoring her whimper of protest. He took her hands, pulling her upright. “I want you naked, eazizi.” And he tugged her tee-shirt up over her head, tossing it onto the floor.
“I need to touch you as well,” she told him, her hands smoothing up over his shirt covered chest. “Will you…get rid of this for me?”
In a flash, his shirt was gone and he reached down for his belt buckle. Within moments, his slacks were gone and she stared at him, her mind fuzzy from lust and amazed at the powerful muscles that had been barely hidden by his clothing.
“Wow!” she whispered, letting her finger trail down over his chest, watching as the muscles jumped as she touched him. “You’re beautiful.”
He groaned, pressing her hand against his skin. “I love having you touch me, Mandy, but right now, I can’t take too much of it.”
His words made her grin as she leaned forward, pressing a kiss against his chest.
“You’re going to pay for that,” he warned, as he pulled her tee shirt and camisole up and over her head.When she was completely naked, he pressed her back, looking at her.“I think you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen,” he told her.Blushing slightly under his intense gaze, she couldnt help but feel a sense of excitement flood through her. His fingers traced the curves of her body, sending shivers down her spine. She watched as his eyes darkened with hunger, and she knew what was coming next.
Zahir leaned down and captured her lips in a fiery kiss, his tongue exploring every inch of her mouth. She moaned softly, her body already quivering with anticipation. He trailed kisses down her neck, nipping gently at her skin until she moaned. She gasped as his hands found her breasts, teasing her nipples until they were hard and erect.
With a sudden burst of passion, he flipped them over so he was on his back, and she was straddling him. She looked down at him with a smirk, and he raised an eyebrow. Mandy sat on top of him, his erection throbbing against her core. She sat up and pulled her hair back, arching her back. He moaned and thrust his hips upwards, his erection rubbing against her throbbing center. He gripped her hips, and he flipped them back over so that he was on top again. He leaned up on his elbows and gazed into her eyes.
“Somehow, I knew this was going to happen.”She breathed, reaching down and stroking the length of him. He pulled her legs up, positioning himself between her thighs. Her body was already aching for him, begging him to take her. He pressed his hips against hers, rubbing his erection against her as he leaned in and kissed her deeply.
His hand trailed down her body, cupping her heat and rubbing that sensitive nub. She arched against him, her body growing wetter by the moment. Her breath caught in her throat as he parted her and thrust inside of her. She moaned loudly, digging her nails into his shoulders as he moved within her. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he pounded into her until Mandy cried out, gripping his shoulders as her orgasm overwhelmed her. Clinging to him, she was only vaguely aware of him finding his own climax, but she couldn’t form enough of a thought to question him.
Moments later, he collapsed down on top of her, then pulled her into his arms as he moved to his side, holding her close.
As soon as they had their breathing back to normal, Mandy looked up at him. Their eyes locked and…the storm started all over again. Slower this time, but with a bit more intensity. They made love for hours, exploring each other all night long. When the sun began to rise over the horizon, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight.
“You’re amazing,” he whispered into her hair. She smiled.
“So are you.”
She heard him chuckle and blushed. Youre beautiful, he told her and kissed her bare shoulder.
With a sigh, she snuggled closer, spooning her body against his. Mandy felt him kiss the top of her head and took a deep breath, inhaling his scent. Moments later, she was sound asleep.