His Defiant Desert Queen(88)
MIKAEL WAS DONE TALKING. He’d said far more than he’d intended to say but he was glad he’d told Jemma the truth. Glad she knew now who he was, and what he was. Better for her to know on the fourth day than the eighth. Better to give her all the facts up front, instead of blindsiding her at the end.
He rose from the table, drew her up to her feet. “I cannot think anymore, or talk anymore. I am talked out. I need diversion. What about you?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“You’ll see.”
She followed him back into the Crimson Chamber. The satin sheets had been changed, and freshly made, the bed lined with stacks of ruby-hued pillows.
A bright white light shone from the ceiling, onto a screen attached to the far wall.
He saw Jemma glance up at the light, and then saw the moment she realized it was actually a projector. “Is that what I think it is?” she asked, turning to him.
“Do you like movies?”
“Yes.”
“I do, too. I thought maybe you could use a break from the pool and the sun and would enjoy a good film.”
“I’d love it. But only if you stay with me. Otherwise I wouldn’t enjoy it at all.”
* * *
Jemma loved their afternoon at the movies in the Crimson Chamber. The dark red walls and rich burgundy and ruby pillows and cushions made the room feel like an elegant, and exotic, movie theatre. Staff brought them food during a break between the two films, a break Jemma laughingly called the “intermission,” and then curled back up in Mikael’s arms when the second film began.
He had to leave at the end of the second movie to check in with his staff. He kissed her before he left and promised to meet her for dinner in the courtyard. They were to dine outside tonight, inside the pink and turquoise tiled pavilion. “We’ll go to the Turquoise Chamber tonight. You’ll enjoy tonight,” he told her, kissing her again.
“I’ve enjoyed every night,” she answered truthfully, smiling up at him.
* * *
She arrived in the courtyard that evening before he did, dressed in the filmy turquoise kaftan that had been laid out for her.
The kaftan was long, reaching her ankles and it swished as she walked, clinging to her stomach, hips and thighs.
Jemma wandered around the grand courtyard, admiring the large blue tiled pool lit by blue and pink lights, and pausing to smell the sweet fragrant lilies and roses that grew in clusters in enormous glazed pots.
She was glad she’d arrived in the courtyard before Mikael. She enjoyed having this moment to herself, liked the excitement bubbling within her, and the sense of anticipation.
She’d enjoyed this afternoon with Mikael. She’d found it hard to concentrate on the movies, though, with him there, at her side. She’d wanted him to make love to her, but he hadn’t. He’d held her, and kissed her several times, but he’d otherwise shown admirable restraint.
She, on the other hand, wanted to be touched. She’d curled at his side, pretending to watch the movie when all she really wanted was touch. She was beginning to feel addicted to pleasure. Or was she addicted to him? She didn’t know, wasn’t sure how she could know.