The Sheikh’s Secret Heir(31)

She definitely enjoyed watching his face as he clasped her hips while she moved slowly, surely. His efforts at maintaining control showed in the tight set of his jaw and the way his brows furrowed.

Kira wanted him in that powerless state, so she took him deeper and witnessed when his fortress of self-control began to crumble. She was also primed for surrender when he slowed the pace.

“I want this to last,” he told her in a harsh whisper. “I refuse to let it end too quickly.”

“Are you strong enough to resist, Tarek?” she asked as she wriggled her hips.

“I have always been strong enough. Before you.”

Kira had to admit that made her feel somewhat special, and empowered.

They engaged in a sensual war of wills, seeing who would give in first as they shared a smile and soft kisses. She so wished they could be closer, not physically but emotionally. She so wanted to mean more to him than only this. She didn’t dare put any stock in that unless she wanted to set herself up for the ultimate disappointment.

A few minutes later, Tarek’s respiration grew ragged while moisture beaded his forehead and finally, he closed his eyes. Every muscle in his body seemed to tense beneath her before he bowed his head, signaling his own climax wasn’t far way. And then came the low groan followed by a long breath and few crude words muttered in Arabic that she understood well, thanks to being around the Mehdi brothers during her formative years.

He tipped his head back, his eyes still closed. “You win, yet I have never been so happy in losing.”

Smiling, Kira laid her cheek against his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart while he softly rubbed her back. Perhaps making love on a boat deck would be deemed casual and unconventional, but she felt no less in tune with him. She waited for the remorse, for the internal lectures over letting this happen, and actively participating, yet they didn’t come. No matter what transpired between them in the days ahead, or if he disappeared from her life for good after learning the truth, she would cherish the memories. And in a perfect world, when their child asked if they ever loved each other, she wished she could honestly say they did. Regretfully, she knew all too well a perfect world didn’t exist.

* * *

Tarek had never been in love before, and he had no intention of traveling that road. Yet as he watched Kira, curled up beside him on the bed, her hands resting on the pillow beneath her cheek, eyes closed and face slack with sleep, he experienced emotions he had never welcomed, nor felt, until now.

In his life, love had come with betrayal. Betrayed by his mother and the man he had known as his father. Betrayed by a monarch who had denied him. Deep in his soul, he believed Kira to be different. She demanded honesty and he felt as if he could place his faith in her. Yet he also believed he could not offer her a long-term future.

Tomorrow morning, his first order of business for the day involved a request that would allow them more time together for however long they had left. If all went as planned, she would assist him in overseeing the completion of the resort. He would gladly offer her an opportunity to expand her expertise, even if he could not offer her more, provided she did not refuse him.





Seven

“That’s impossible.” And unrealistic for Tarek to assume she could extend her time in Cyprus and ignore her responsibilities to the royal family.

He scooted up against the headboard, giving Kira a bird’s-eye view of his bare chest, which didn’t help her concentration. “You would only be required to remain for another week to ten days,” he said.

She pulled the covers up to her neck and sighed. “Rafiq would never agree to that.”

“He already has.”

She rolled to her side, her mouth agape. “You asked him before you asked me?”

“Yes. I had to make certain I had his permission before I spoke with you. He claims that Miss Battelli is thoroughly enjoying resuming her duties for the time being.”

Elena would never let on if she wasn’t. Then again, Kira might be out of a job when she returned. “At any rate, it’s not fair to her to interrupt her well-deserved retirement just so I can continue to frolic about with you for another two weeks.”

“I do not frolic.”

She had inadvertently trampled on his manhood. “You know what I mean, so don’t get your ego in a tangle.”

He shifted to his side and extracted her grip from the gold Egyptian cotton sheet. “You would gain great experience overseeing the project.” He rolled her hand over and kissed her wrist. “You would gain great pleasure spending more nights with me.”

The memories of their lovemaking, both on the deck and in the bed at dawn, fogged her already hazy mind. The boat hadn’t been the only thing rocking last night. “I don’t have the experience Athena has.”