Embrace My Heart(39)

“Sim.” The purr was low and needy. “I’m close...please...please don’t let me come in my panties...”

His resulting laughter held a roguish element, and he didn’t let up at all. Instead, he increased the pressure. His fingers ventured inside the crotch of her lingerie to test the merit of her fears. He sank into a pool of her cream and grinned. “Afraid it’s a little too late for that.”

Vectra didn’t care. The dual massage of his thumb and middle finger had her selfishly fixated on reaching her peak. Sim thrust his finger high, driving and stirring her channel with repeated, maddening strokes. The moves had her sobbing as arousal and delight enveloped her in a cocoon of elation.

Shamelessly, she moved against him in a timeless rhythm until her body tensed in a telltale bow that prefaced deep shudders overtaking her slender frame.

“Good girl,” Sim crooned, continuing his ruthless fingering and stroking as she came apart in his arms.

He was so thoroughly addicted to the way she sounded in the throes of ecstasy. She collapsed into him, but he could feel her muscles continuing to spasm around his finger.

He took pity then. Gently pulling her into his arms, Qasim kissed her temple and then placed her on the sofa. He went to retrieve her shoes from beneath the glass desk in the back of the office.

Returning to Vectra, he took the liberty of putting her into the strappy heels, massaging her calves once he was done.

“Are you upset with me?” An unapologetic smirk curved his kissable mouth.

“These are my favorite panties.” She sounded playfully woeful and then sighed. “But that’s what washing machines are for, right?”

Qasim reciprocated her shrug. “I know a place that’s got a pretty good one.”

“Really?”

“Mmm-hmm...”

Vectra pretended to ponder that. “I could use a nap, too.”

“It’s got a pretty amazing bed.”

“Is that right? Good for sleeping?”

“Good for all kinds of things,” he promised.





Chapter 11

Qasim found that Vectra wasn’t teasing when she admitted to needing a nap. She dozed off after about ten minutes into their drive. She was out for the duration of the trip to his condo in Nob Hill, one of San Francisco’s most coveted areas.

He didn’t mind her sleeping. It gave him the chance to secure the SUV inside the private attached garage, take her into his arms and carry her inside. She stirred while he took a short stairway leading to the private elevator that opened right into the condo’s living room.

“It’s okay...” he soothed, “I’ve got you.”

Vectra stirred again once the elevator car began its ascent.

“I’ve got you,” he repeated and realized he wanted those words to ring true in every way that could matter. Leaning against the elevator’s walnut-paneled walls, he rested his face into the top of her head and breathed in the airy fragrance clinging to her short dark hair.

Vectra fidgeted once more. This time, she nuzzled her face near the collar of his shirt. He had covered her with his suit coat before taking her from the SUV. Qasim raised his head, tracing her features and appreciating the flawless appeal of her face. Hers was a face that, only in the security of his most secret thoughts, he would admit to wanting to wake up to every morning.

How would she feel about that? Idiot. She’d already given him that answer. Hadn’t she? I’m not a clingy woman, she’d said.

Would she change her tune for the right man, he wondered. Could he get her to take a chance on him?

The car bumped softly upon reaching its destination and opened up in the living room. Qasim carried his alluring burden into his semidarkened retreat. Pausing for a time, he observed the dynamic view of the Bay and the sparkling lights of the city he adored. The view was visible from almost every one of the enormous windows, a prevalent feature of the condo’s open floor plan that had moved Qasim to purchase it.

Quietly, he took the route to his bedroom across the rich, wide planks of the walnut floors. The condo was starkly designed, but maintained unique warmth thanks to the towering bookcases and wide fireplaces in almost every room. Shallow, automatic lighting from the wardrobe room doused the bedroom when he arrived there with Vectra. He set her on the middle of the almond-colored comforter with its merlot-colored throw pillows cluttering the carved walnut headboard. He waited, ensuring the move hadn’t jostled her awake. He moved to further dim the closet lighting.

With an expert touch, Qasim relieved Vectra of her shoes, dress and underthings. He got her situated between crisp, wine-colored sheets. All the while, he forbade himself to crawl in with her. Instead, he dutifully took her clothes to his laundry room. He made even more effective use of his time by going through the accumulated mail while the clothes washed and his houseguest slept.