"We'll have to go to Angkor Wat together. Some of the temples seem to grow organically out of the jungle, like they really are holy and mystical creations." He talked with such conviction she could almost see them heading for the airport, ready to explore the ancient ruins of Cambodia, or Peru, or someplace she'd never even heard of.
They drove into the green-cloaked mountains, along a winding road that seemed to go on forever. High, heavy vegetation on both sides hid the outside world and made her feel as if they were driving in an alternate universe, where the dry deserts and bustle of Salalah didn't even exist.
The road finally petered out and they drove across an expanse of grass toward a building unlike any she'd seen in Oman. "Are we really in Oman?"
He laughed. "I'm pretty sure of it."
"But your house has a pitched roof. It looks like something you'd see in New Jersey!"
"It's much rainier here than the rest of the country. That's why it's green. I suppose the old farmers figured they needed a pitched roof to keep the rain out of their houses."
The stone walls had been left unplastered and had an intriguingly ancient appearance. The house was on a sloped hillside, and the frankincense trees formed an orderly rectangle on the higher side of the slope. She could easily picture sheep grazing under their scraggly branches, on the rich grassy hillside that looked like it belonged in Ireland, not Oman. "This place is so well-hidden I'm amazed you even found it."
"I spent a weekend walking in the mountains two years ago, and I stumbled across it. It was empty and falling down so I looked into the ownership. The old man who lived here had died and his family were in Muscat and didn't know what to do with the place, so I bought it from them. I love it here. It's the perfect escape from the real world."
He reached a tall wooden door, studded with nails, and punched a code into the keypad nearby. The lock clicked and he pushed the door open. "Electronic servants are so much more discreet than the human kind." He paused in the doorway and kissed her softly on the lips. Her breath hitched and a shiver of awareness passed through her.
All alone.
In private.
With a man who stirred her senses in a way she'd never dreamed possible.
The door clicked shut behind her and Quasar held her hand as they walked across a dimly lit interior room, decorated with embroidered hangings. Unlike the unadorned exterior, the inside had been renovated into a comfortable blend of minimalism and luxury. The walls were plastered smooth and the stone floor scrubbed and honed to shiny perfection. Striking pieces of contemporary furniture added pops of rich color, and eye-catching modern art ornamented the walls. The space was eclectic, warm and filled with personality and exuberance, much like its handsome owner.
Her palm warmed against his and excitement trickled along her nerves. She had a feeling he was leading her to the bedroom and the idea scared and enthralled her in equal parts.
He opened an arched door into a large, octagonal room with embroidered curtains draped over the windows, filtering the midday sun. A wide, low bed, strewn with pillows like a lovers' playground, filled the middle of the room.
She was right. And this was so wrong. But as he held her hand, she could imagine the feel of other parts of his body-his muscled chest, his sturdy thighs, his strong arms-pressed against her and the siren call of desire echoed through her.
"I'm so glad you're here with me." Quasar's soft voice was a balm to her nerves. He turned to face her and fixed those tempting blue eyes on her. An invitation to pleasure. "We won't be interrupted."
"Except by my conscience." She tried to smile.
"You're not doing anything wrong."
"Not yet. But I have a feeling I'm about to."
"It all depends on your definition of wrong. Enjoying a peaceful afternoon in the mountains with a good friend is very right, in my opinion."
"Am I really a good friend after such a short acquaintance?"
"Indubitably."
The strange word made her laugh. How did he manage to get her so relaxed? Today he wore white linen pants, rather wrinkled, and a white shirt with the collar thrown open to reveal his tanned neck. It wasn't fair for him to be so ridiculously good-looking. How could any girl resist him? They probably couldn't, so at least she wouldn't be alone in throwing caution to the wind and engaging in an illicit affair.
"I haven't had sex in...in..." She felt as if she should warn him that she wasn't some princess of delights who'd know how to acrobatically leap through twelve different positions without missing a beat. She couldn't even remember the last time she'd enjoyed sex. Her ex-husband had struggled to stay aroused enough to please her. At first she hadn't minded. Sex wasn't everything. She was a virgin when she met him so she didn't know any different and expected that things would improve with time.
Oh, how wrong she'd been.
"Good."
"Why good?"
"Because you're starting all over again, fresh and new."
"Like a virgin?" She laughed, thinking of the Madonna song.
His dark blue eyes sparkled. "Exactly."
Five
Was it possible to forget the past, or at least leave it behind? Dani reached for Quasar's shirt collar with a renewed sense of optimism. She actually wanted to undress him. She'd wondered late at night what his body looked like naked, and now was her chance to find out.
His eyes rested on her mouth as she undid the first two buttons of his shirt, her fingers trembling against his hot skin. Tanned by the sun, and hard with muscle, his chest outstripped her fantasies.
And now his hands were on the buttons of her navy blouse. His long fingers deftly pulled the tiny buttons from their holes, and she hesitated as she saw the bright white of her bra exposed. Unsure of what his eyes would do to her, she didn't dare look up at him. Instead she busied herself with the remaining buttons on his shirt, trying to keep her breathing steady as she traced the line of buttons down to the waistband of his pants.
"Stop." He took her wrist gently, which was a relief as she wasn't sure what to do when she got to his pants. "And kiss me."
Their kiss melted away the tension building inside her. Quasar's embrace wrapped her in soothing warmth. She loved that he wasn't trying to rush her into anything. Her body ached with need, and the feeling was as confusing as it was exciting. Even by American standards she hadn't known him very long. She could easily postpone this until another time-or indefinitely-and make a show of touring around the house and looking at the old books.
But she didn't want to. She wanted to see Quasar's naked body, and feel it pressed against hers. The desire alone felt so rebellious and freeing after the way she'd shut herself down-been shut down-to the point where she'd forgotten what pleasure really was. Now it lapped at her from all directions.
Her fingers found their way to the button of his pants, and undid it. He was hard, aroused as she was, and as she lowered the zipper, it thrilled her to know how much he desired her. He'd unbuttoned her blouse and now lowered his head to her bra, licking her nipples through the thin fabric.
Her hips bucked at the rich sensation pouring through her. She shoved her fingers into his silky hair and gasped at the sensation. Then he undid her bra and suckled her bare nipple until she shuddered with arousal.
She'd never wanted anyone so much. Maybe it was the years of pent-up longing, or maybe it was just Quasar, but she wanted to make love to him so badly she could taste it. "You have a gorgeous body." She'd lowered his pants down his legs to discover that they were as muscled and powerful as his torso.
"Me? You're the one with the gorgeous body." He'd already removed her shirt, and now he unzipped her pants and eased them down over her thighs. "Look at that hourglass waist. And a man could lose himself in between these luscious thighs." He crouched and buried his head between them, suddenly flicking his tongue in her most private place and making her gasp. When he licked again, she let out a tiny high-pitched noise that might have been embarrassing if she were with anyone but Quasar.
"Oh, my." She didn't know what else to say. She clung to his shoulders, enjoying the tensed muscle under her fingertips. Arousal rushed through her, leaving her breathless. Every inch of her was alive with sensation. Quasar's tongue flicked back and forth, sending little shudders along her legs.