She released a curt laugh. “First the boat, now the beach. I’m beginning to think I’m an exhibitionist.”
“You are more daring than you would wish to believe.”
Yet not quite daring enough to blurt out the truth. “I’ve never been that way before you. Actually, you’re only the second man I’ve been with.”
He looked both pleased and surprised. “I am honored. You are the first woman I have trusted implicitly.”
The gravity of what she had to reveal weighed heavily on her heart. If she told him now, she would ruin the wonderful aftermath of their lovemaking. And when he kissed her tenderly again, she decided to wait until tomorrow to tell him she had been lying to him all along. With that revelation came the probability of a permanent goodbye.
Eight
“Have you not told him yet, cara mia?”
Seated cross-legged in the middle of Tarek’s king-size bed, Kira gripped the cell phone and instantly regretted calling Elena to check on the state of affairs at the palace. “No, I haven’t found the right time.”
“You have been there almost three weeks.”
She found herself caught in the grip of shame. “Yes, but we’ve been very busy readying the resort. The grand opening is less than a month away.”
“And I would estimate your pregnancy should begin to show around that time.”
Kira realized Elena was right. Her waistbands had already begun to grow tighter and her belly had become much more rounded. If Tarek had noticed, he hadn’t said. He’d definitely seen her eat like two-hundred-pound man, and naked on more than one occasion. “The signs aren’t obvious unless you know I’m pregnant. And I promise I’m going to tell him very soon. At least before I return to Bajul next week.”
“I believe it is imperative you do and soon. Now I have a question for you. Do you happen to know Tarek’s mother’s first name?”
“Actually, no, I don’t. Why?”
“Someone I once knew a long time ago was acquainted with a woman by the last name of Azzmar.”
“Was she from Morocco?”
“Yes.”
“That’s odd. I’d wager the chances of it being the same woman are slim, but it is a small world.”
“Much smaller than you realize, cara. Please call me when you are on your way to Bajul. And if you don’t mind, ask Tarek to stop by and see me when he returns to the palace. Perhaps we can make a connection between the two women.”
That seemed like a strange request. “I’ll ask him, but I make no promises. He’s very guarded about his parents.”
“I have no doubt about that. Stay well, Kira.”
With that, the line went dead, and Kira’s mind shot into overdrive. Elena’s cryptic words could keep her guessing for the duration of her stay in Cyprus. Tarek’s astounding lovemaking could keep her in a sexual frenzy as well.
As if she’d conjured him up, the breathtaking billionaire strolled into the room wearing a black shirt and tan slacks, along with a sinfully sexy look. “It is nice to have the remainder of the day off.”
It was nice to see him after spending the morning with a cross contractor who didn’t care for her suggestions. “We deserve it after working so hard the past few weeks.” Busy weeks dealing with the resort pitfalls and wonderful nights spent in the throes of passion.
Hands in pockets, he approached the bed slowly. “How would you propose we spend the time today?”
Playing truth or consequences per her promise to Elena would be good. Kira patted the space beside her and geared up for the revelation she had put off for too long. “We could talk for a few minutes.” Or not, she thought, as Tarek toed out of his loafers, pulled off his socks and began unbuttoning his shirt.
After he removed and kicked off his slacks and underwear, he stood beside the bed looking like a very proud Adonis. “We will talk later,” he said as he crawled toward her like a sexy, stalking cougar. “At this moment, I need you very badly.”
“I noticed.” Boy, had she ever.
He rose to his knees, quickly divested her of the yellow sundress that didn’t require a bra, slid her panties down to toss them over his shoulder and then gave her a long, lingering look. “I wish to have you this way all the time.”
“That might be awkward when we’re out in public.”
He smiled as he circled her nipple with a fingertip. “Would you like to try something new?”
She managed to move the comforter from beneath her and Tarek, uncovering another set of exquisite silver sheets. “Are you suggesting perhaps we make love on the rooftop? We’ve already initiated your shower, this bed several times, the beach, the yacht, and oh yes, the supply closet at the resort. Lucky for us we didn’t get caught.”