“I must have your obedience.” A command that he didn’t bother to temper. “Do not fight me now.” He had to have the control here. Had to do this his way, otherwise he would lose it.
Her dark eyes searched his face and he felt himself tense at the hesitation. If she said no, he did not know what he would do.
It felt like an eon until she finally nodded, and the relief nearly made him dizzy.
“Good. That is very good, Habibti. Keep your arms above your head.”
She obeyed, her lower lip caught between her teeth.
So unbelievably sexy.
He ripped open the condom packet, protecting them both and she watched him, her eyes huge and dark, her breathing fast and getting faster.
“Turn over,” he ordered, his voice guttural.
“But . . . but I want to see you.”
“Please . . . ” He forced the word out. “It has to be this way.” He did not want her to look at his face. Did not want her to look into his eyes and see the dark heart of Khalid looking back at her. Better she didn’t look at him at all.
She hesitated only a moment but then, taking a soft, ragged breath, she did as she was told, turning over onto her front. So beautiful. Long, elegant golden back, the soft swell of buttocks and thighs . . . perfection.
Yes, this was better. This was safer.
Isma’il slid an arm beneath her hips, lifting her. She made a soft sound, his name a murmur, ending on a low moan as he slid one hand up the back of her thigh, between her legs, touching, stroking the slickness of her sex.
Gently, he spread her open with his fingers and eased hiself gently, slowly inside her.
She tensed and he wanted to ask if she was okay, if it hurt, but he couldn’t speak.
The wet heat of her almost blanked his mind. So tight. So unbearably tight. His grip on his control slipped, dark hunger rising inside him. He fought it back, grasping her hips, moving as slowly and gently as he could. But the need that clutched him was unstoppable.
Lily took a sobbing breath as he slid one hand around to cup her breast, circling his thumb around her nipple then brushing over it, pinching lightly. “Oh . . . Isma’il . . . ” Her voice was barely recognizable.
He thrust deeper, faster, unable to stop himself. The hunger roared inside his head, wanting her. Wanting to take her, devour her, mark her. Make her his. And he obeyed it, covering her body, bending his head and pressing his mouth against the sensitive place between her shoulder and neck. Biting her as he slid a hand down between her thighs, brushing her clitoris with his thumb. Lily’s back bowed and he felt her convulse around him, a wild cry bursting from her.
Then, holding her tightly, he allowed the physical pleasure free rein, moving hard and fast and deep until it exploded inside his head like a firework and took him under.
* * *
Lily pressed her hot face into the sheets, the pleasure still ricocheting around inside her body, her heart thumping hard in her chest, feeling Isma’il collapse onto his side next to her, one arm still curled possessively around her waist.
So, that was sex.
She’d heard many times from various friends about how much of a disappointment their first time had been. How awkward and strange and messy and painful. She’d never felt like she’d missed out on anything.
But now she knew differently. That hadn’t just been pleasurable. That had been shattering. How was she supposed to put herself back together after that?
“Are you okay?” Isma’il’s voice near her ear.
“Yes.” She took a breath, then turned in his arms, meeting his gaze. Concern shaded the blue depths and it made her throat get a little tight. “I’m fantastic, actually.” She touched his cheek, his skin hot beneath her fingertips. “That was amazing. I had no idea sex was like that.”
“It is not like that. Not usually.”
“Not even for you?”
“No.” He shifted his head, kissing her fingertips. “Not even for me.”
Her heart felt tight, his lips soft beneath her fingers. “So is that your usual position?”
“You are full of questions, Ms. Harkness. I am not sure I approve.”
She smiled at the lazy tease in his voice. “I’m being serious. Why did you turn me over? I really wanted to see you.”
Long, sooty black lashes flickered, veiling his gaze. “I told you, I like to be in charge. And that is a position where I can be.”
He certainly had been. “Why? What’s so important about being in charge?”
The long, lean powerful body next to hers tensed. “I would not be much of a sheikh without it.” The words were spoken lightly, betraying no evidence of the tension that gripped his body. “Wait there, Habibti. I will be back in a moment.”