He rubbed his eyes and for the first time he wondered if he was doing the right thing by forcing this marriage onto her. But what else could he do?
She made a sound, almost as if she was having a bad dream, and called out his name. Nadir stilled. In his mind’s eye he saw her rising from the bed, her short T-shirt riding high on those shapely legs before she reached him and wound her arms around his neck and pulled his mouth down to hers as she had done so many times in the past.
Naturally enough, she didn’t do that but she did call out again and Nadir found himself crossing the floor to her side.
‘Imogen?’ He reached down and placed his hand lightly on her shoulder. ‘You’re dreaming, habibi.’
He thought he’d spoken softly enough not to really disturb her but her eyes flew open and she blinked and the little frown line appeared as she stared up at him.
‘Where am I?’
Despite the warning in his head telling him she was tired and needed sleep, he didn’t stop himself from reaching down and placing his finger against the frown line. ‘It’s okay. You’re in Bakaan.’
She made a small sound and pushed up into a sitting position. She wasn’t wearing a bra and he couldn’t keep his eyes off the gentle sway of her breasts. ‘Imogen.’ Her name was more like a groan on his lips when he caught her staring at his mouth.
By Allah, he wanted her. Wanted her more than he’d wanted any other woman in his life. More than he’d wanted anything at all for a long time and, as if in slow motion, he reached out and took hold of her hand and tugged her up onto her knees.
She rose to him, all sleepy and pliant, and his mouth swooped down to capture hers in a sweet, lingering kiss. He felt her hands flutter close to his jaw and snag on the stubble of his beard growth. He’d need a shave if he was going to stop himself from marring her pale skin but more than that he needed her and for the first time ever he didn’t feel concerned by that driving need.
Something had been slowly changing within him since he’d found her again. He didn’t know what it was but it was almost as if a piece of his life had slotted into place. Impossible really, given how out of synch his life was right now but still...the feeling persisted.
Not wanting to disturb Nadeena, he broke their kiss and tugged her towards him. When she clung to his shoulders he swept her into his arms and strode out of the bedroom.
‘Nadir?’ She wriggled and he let her slide down the length of his body until she found her feet. But he didn’t immediately let her go.
‘I want to make love to you, Imogen. I want to take you to my bed and show you how well this can work between us. How good it can be again.’
The words were raw, his voice almost hoarse with need. Her eyes widened and even in the low-lit hallway he could see colour rising high on her lovely cheekbones.
She swallowed and pushed the tumble of her hair back from her face and he just wanted to bury his hands in it. He just wanted to kiss her. So he did.
* * *
As soon as his mouth touched hers, Imogen felt her body catch fire and soften against him and all thoughts of the past and the future dissolved. How was it possible to feel so much for one person? To want so much from one person? And then she couldn’t think any more. Just feel—her heart ruling her actions.
Moaning, she gripped his hair in her hands, letting her body melt against his. This was what she had craved for so long. This aching pleasure only he could give her. And like this they were equals with no past and no future. Just the present.