"Lie on the bed," he commanded softly.
She obeyed, her body almost limp with desire. She eased herself up onto the soft covers and let herself relax. Quasar bent over her, kissing her body, stroking her, and licking her most sensitive flesh until she could barely stand it. "I want to feel you inside me," she whispered. She couldn't remember ever wanting anything more intensely.
"It would be my pleasure." His low murmur was the sexiest thing she'd ever heard. She could hardly believe it was her lying here on this bed, writhing with delight. Even being naked with Quasar felt completely natural. The warm air kissed her skin and the soft, diffused light was gentle on her dilated pupils.
He rolled on a condom, then eased his strong body on top of hers and entered her very gently. He looked right into her eyes at the moment of penetration in a way that said, I'm here with you right now and nothing else matters.
Arms wrapped around his back, she welcomed him into her and gave herself over to the strange and wonderful sensations flooding her body. He filled her, making her gasp and moan with pleasure. It seemed impossible that just a few days ago she'd been alone, sure she'd never feel a man's arms around her again. In fact she hadn't wanted a man anywhere near her. She'd grown afraid of masculine energy and its demands. She preferred the safe solitude of her bedroom and the comfort of quiet loneliness.
Meeting Quasar had changed everything. He had been so sweet to her from the moment they met. Kind and encouraging, nonjudgmental, supportive... He was like a fantasy come to life-in the form of a breathtaking man with boundless confidence and the world at his feet. And now here he was, making love to her with all the power and passion he possessed and driving her into a realm of intense bliss.
"Oh, Dani." His voice rasped in her neck. "You're doing something to me. I'm losing control, I...I..." He climaxed with a dramatic shudder and, breathing hard, clung to her. "I don't know what happened." His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. "I meant to last longer but..." His words trailed off into her hair.
"It was perfect," she murmured, wanting to reassure him. And it was. She'd climaxed so powerfully that her muscles must have gripped him and driven him over the edge, whether he was ready or not. The thought made her want to laugh. That she had so much control over such a powerful and commanding man was funny and made her feel sexy. "I've never had an orgasm like that in my life," she admitted.
"Good." He heaved a sigh. "Me neither." He laughed, letting his head fall next to hers. "I don't know what you're doing to me, Dani, but everything's different. It's just so...different."
She laughed.
"See, you're making me inarticulate with passion. Usually I'm a quick-witted charmer, but around you I just..." He pressed his cheek to hers for a second, and she enjoyed the masculine roughness of his skin. He kissed her firmly, then softly, then firmly again on the mouth. He was still inside her, and she felt him throb, and her own sex respond. It made her smile. She couldn't remember that ever happening before. Her body was having a conversation with his body, an intimate conversation that had nothing to do with their brains, or her fears, or anything other than the sensations and emotions they created together.
"I'm not too articulate at the best of times, but I have no words to describe how I'm feeling, either." She stroked his hair and nuzzled his cheek. His skin smelled fabulous, rich and musky, with a hint of fragrance like some ancient incense. "Except that I feel very, very good."
"I'm so glad. You deserve to feel wonderful. Your lover should make you feel cherished and special and beautiful, and it pains me that you've ever felt otherwise."
"You're making up for it right now." She smiled, and kissed his nose.
"Good. From the sounds of it I have a lot of making up to do, but I'm up to the task."
"I have no doubt about that."
"I promise you I'm a skilled lover, when I'm not overcome by unexpected and intense feelings." His dark gaze met hers, and she enjoyed the sparkle in his eyes.
"I'm glad I was able to overwhelm you. I'd think an experienced lover could get jaded and bored easily." Pride tickled her that Quasar was so excited that he literally couldn't contain himself. Who'd have thought that little Dani-as her ex had derisively referred to her-could have that effect on a man?
Quasar eased out of her and she watched as he walked to the adjoining bathroom. His body was magnificent, sculpted like a bronze statue, and he strode with the lithe confidence that characterized everything he did.
Part of her couldn't believe her luck to be here with him right now.
The rest of her wondered how she'd hold up when it was all over.
When he was wrapped around her it was easy to forget that her time with Quasar was limited. Everything felt so effortless and perfect she was tempted to assume it would go on forever.
But there was no forever. Everything in human existence had its time limits and her time with Quasar would be a few more weeks at the most. She tried to tell herself it was freeing to know that the relationship had a sell-by date and she didn't have to worry about it turning sour like her marriage. Still, she'd miss him.
"Why so serious?" His silhouette filled the bathroom door. She hadn't noticed him watching her.
"I know I should make the most of our time together, but I can't help thinking about the future."
He frowned, and she regretted her frank confession. "It's better to live in the moment."
She felt his comment like a stab to the chest. He was right, of course. All the philosophers pretty much agreed on that point. Happiness was in the present moment. Everything else was just an idea or a memory. "I'm going to miss you when you're gone." Her whispered words hung in the air.
It was pretty amazing that she was still confident enough to admit her true feelings. But that was the cool thing about Quasar. She knew she could say anything and nothing bad would happen. Her ex had been so touchy that she had to carefully vet every phrase that came out of her mouth to make sure it wouldn't get under his thin skin and make him fly off the handle.
"I'm going to miss you, too. I'll miss you tonight when you're alone in your bed in your father's house, and I'm alone in my bed in my brother's grand hotel. It does seem a crime that we can't be together." His eyes brightened. "Why don't you come stay with me?"
She stared. To him it was a simple practical consideration-I won't miss you if we're together-and he'd come up with a practical solution.
That wasn't practical at all.
At least not if she wanted to preserve what little was left of her reputation. Ending a bad marriage was embarrassing but not utterly fatal to her future prospects. Openly engaging in a sexual affair with a man she wasn't married to, in full view of his family and the whole world, would be almost up there with hanging a red light outside her window.
"I mean it. My brothers are both married to Americans. They're not old-fashioned. They'll understand."
"I can't. I intend to live in Salalah for the time being so I have to abide by the customs or I'll quickly become a pariah. I swear some people already cross the road when they see me coming. I've committed a multitude of sins in their eyes by running off to America and marrying Mr. Wrong."
Quasar sighed. "I suppose you're right. Still, wouldn't it be wonderful for us to spend the whole night together?"
Or the rest of our lives? The stray thought popped into her mind and she quickly banished it.
He stroked her cheek softly. "Are you sure you can't think of an excuse to stay over?"
His persistence amused her. "I'm not that clever."
"Usually I am, but you've disarmed me so much that I'm not on top of my game." His mischievous gaze made her smile. He leaned forward and murmured in her ear. "So I think we'd better make love again and see if I can get my sanity back."
Desire tickled her insides as his low voice stirred her senses. "That sounds like a good idea."
"At least I still have some good ideas left." He trailed a finger along her torso, tracing a line between her breasts, and down over her belly, which twitched as he passed it. "And some condoms."
She giggled. The prospect of feeling him inside her again was ridiculously exciting. She felt like a kid about to unwrap a bar of her favorite candy. If someone had told her a week ago that she'd be gazing at the naked thighs of the most gorgeous man she'd ever met, she would have laughed in that person's face. If someone had told her she'd ever even be excited by the prospect of sex with a man again she'd have expressed some doubt. Just a few days had transformed her from a wary, shy recluse into a sensual woman ready to risk her heart for a few brief moments of pleasure.