“I haven’t had sex in six years, Mike.” She grimaced. “More like a virgin who is not a virgin,” she joked, feeling nervous.
He moved his fingers across her flushed cheek, feeling the velvet quality of her warm skin. “That’s okay, we can handle that. Anything else?”
“I wasn’t raped when I was in captivity,” she said, choking on emotions, “if that’s what you’re asking.”
Mike nodded. “I needed to know. Are you protected, Khat? Or do I need to use a condom?”
Her mouth pulled. “Mike, I so rarely have a period… I’m not on anything, but I don’t get a period for months at a time…”
Nodding, he murmured, “It’s the stress. You know your body better than I do. Want me to use a condom? Just to be safe?”
“I think so.” Khat didn’t want to end up pregnant.
“Okay,” he said, opening the bed stand drawer and pulling out a packet.
Khat closed her eyes and felt his fingertips eliciting tiny fires across her cheek and down her neck, as if he were memorizing her. Opening her eyes, she stared up at him. “I trust you…”
Her whispered words about broke Mike. He felt his heart tear as he saw the unshed tears glistening in her eyes, her face open for him to read. “If,” he rasped, “at any time, something doesn’t feel good or you don’t want me to do it, Khat, tell me.” He frowned, wanting her to realize she was in control. A person couldn’t go through captivity and not feel imprisoned in many ways, even if it were only in their mind. “This is important,” Mike urged, cupping her cheek with his palm. The moment he’d said the words, he’d seen a change in Khat’s expression. It wasn’t obvious, more a feeling than an actual facial movement.
“Yes,” she said huskily, “I will tell you.” She lifted her hand, sliding it up across his jaw, feeling the soft bristly quality of his beard. “I know you won’t knowingly hurt me, Mike. I’ve known that about you from the beginning.”
He gave her a wry look, catching her hand, kissing her palm. “But I’m human, Khat. I’m not a mind reader. When I love you, it’s two people here, not just me. Not just what I want.” He curved his fingers around her hand and pressed it to his heart. “Tonight, I want to please you. I want to give back to you.”
She’d had so much of her soul stripped from her, but Mike couldn’t say that. Her lips parted, and he saw turmoil and desire in her green eyes. Maybe she wasn’t used to a man giving back to her, pleasuring her, bringing her along with him. Mike didn’t know. All he could do was show her how much he loved her, wanted her and needed her.
“At least for tonight,” she told him.
He gave her a slight smile. “Yes, we have two more nights here besides this one. We’ll make every one of them count, Angel…” He began to wage a sweet, hot campaign upon her, wanting to melt her mind, engage that magnificent, courageous heart of hers and entwine it within this own. Leaning down, Mike placed a series of slow kisses against her slender neck. He would take a slight nip of her tender flesh, move his tongue across it and then gently kiss the area. Instantly, she closed her eyes, gripping his arms, a soft sound in her throat, telling him she enjoyed it.
Mike moved slowly, inhaling her, tasting her, feeling her response as he outlined each of her collarbones. Her breasts were so close, covered by the soft material, the nipples hardening, pushing against it. Curving his hand around her right breast, she gasped, turning and filling his hand. Her breathing became uneven, her face flushed and he leaned down, capturing that tight nipple hiding beneath the fabric.
Khat gave a soft cry, arching against him, her hand restless, pulling at his T-shirt, gripping his shoulder.
“Like that?” he whispered, moving next to her delicate ear. Her hair tickled his nose, his cheek, as he caught her lobe, nipping it just enough, but not causing her pain. Mike heard her call his name, pleading, her voice hoarse with need. Her hips were restless, straining against his. He wanted her naked against him.
Standing, it was easy for Mike to pull the T-shirt over his head. He dropped it on the floor and pushed out of his pajama bottoms. As he straightened, Khat’s eyes were half-open, drowsy looking with arousal, staring at him, drinking in his entire body. There was no question he wanted her. Mike moved to her side and eased the camisole over her head, revealing her small perfect breasts. He saw the scars that had come across her shoulders, and he leaned down, kissing each of them, trailing those kisses down to each breast, licking near her nipple, her flesh tightening in anticipation.
As his mouth settled on the first flushed peak, Khat mewled. He suckled her, and she thrashed her head against the pillow, rasping cries spilling from her throat. She was so damned sensitive, so hot. He moved her to the center of the bed and lay down at her left side. She turned against him, her hips pressed against him. Gritting his teeth, he felt her lust, her hunger. He took her mouth powerfully. At the same time, Mike slid his calloused hand downward across her soft belly, sliding his fingers beneath the elastic band. More than anything, he wanted her ready for him, wanted her aching for him as much as he ached for her.
Khat gave a whimper as he moved down the cleft of her mound, searching, discovering how wet she’d become. He’d barely touched her, barely begun, and still, her inner thighs were damp. Slowly removing his hand from beneath her pajamas, Mike pulled away from her mouth. Her eyes were wild-looking with a hunger so deep that it made him smile down at her. Khat was restless, moving against him, silently pleading for him to take her. To complete her.
Mike sat up and helped her off with her pajamas. He tossed them over the side of the bed, marveling at her long legs, so tightly and firmly muscled. He skimmed his hand from her slender ankle, up across her calf, knee and splayed out his fingers, appreciating the curved firmness of her thigh. “You are so beautiful,” he rasped, turning and holding her glittering gaze. Her lips were parted, and she was swiftly unraveling beneath his exploration.
Slipping his arm beneath Khat’s neck, Mike drew her upward just enough to capture the nipple lightly between his teeth. At the same moment, he slid his hand over the inner curve of her thigh, opening her. Khat’s fingers dug powerfully into his shoulders, her hips pressed tightly against his exploring fingers. Oh, no question, she wanted him. It humbled Mike as he slid his fingers along the outer rim of her entrance, the fluid so thick and hot that he wondered if she had already orgasmed. He suckled her strongly, while slowly easing his finger through her opening, testing her, wanting to make sure she wouldn’t freeze or become fearful of being penetrated.
Just the opposite happened. The moment he moved his finger within her, she groaned, arching into him, her hand gripping his shoulder, fingers digging spasmodically into his flesh. She was wild beneath him, twisting, trying to pull him deeper into her. Sobs tore out of her, begging him to enter her.
Mike eased out of her, lifting his head and allowing Khat to lie down on the bed. Reaching across her, he found the condom and rolled it on.
“Please,” Khat begged, her breath coming in ragged gasps, “enter me. Don’t keep teasing me, please…”
Mike smiled and settled over her, keeping most of his weight off her, elbows near her shoulders. “Don’t worry, Angel, we’re going to fly. Hang on…” He nudged her thigh more open with his knee. She was trembling with need, her flesh damp, her breasts rising and falling quickly against his chest. She twisted and pushed up against him, wanting him to enter her.
Dragging in a swift breath, his blood blistering through his lower body, Mike absorbed her wildness. And God help him, she was exactly that. No fear. Wanting what was hers. He pressed up against her opening, and she whimpered, her hands gripping his hips, tugging him strongly, wanting him.
Mike held on…barely. He wanted to come so damn badly, his body shuddering, holding back for her sake. His mind started to melt, and he knew he couldn’t plunge into her. No sex for six years and she was going to be tight. No, he had to enter Khat slowly, allow her body time to adjust. But his red-haired hellion was making it c
lear she didn’t agree with his plan.
Her hips bucked violently against his, and at the same time she pulled him forward. Mike entered her. Just barely. He jammed his eyes shut, feeling her surround him like the tightest damn glove he’d ever experienced. Khat was moaning his name, twisting her hips, wanting more of him in her. The fluid was sweet and thick around him, and he gripped the bedcovers in his fists, sweat popping out on his brow. Damn, she was strong! In every way. He’d forgotten Khat was in top shape, just like him. And when those long, strong legs of hers tangled in his, she arched her hips and she pulled him halfway into her.
A serrating cry of pleasure ripped out of her, and she arched as he filled her. Mike felt his control disintegrating against her onslaught. What had he expected? Some sweet, tame woman? Hell, she was a warrior, knew what she wanted and knew how to get it. His heart opened fiercely to Khat as he met and held her green-and-gold eyes. Oh, yeah, she was one hot, fiery babe, no question. Easing deeper, Mike felt her tremble violently beneath him. He felt as if a hand were squeezing the hell out of him; almost painful except for the heat and fluids surrounding him.
He allowed some of his control to slip and began to slowly thrust into her and then pull back. It was slow, and he monitored her expression, heard her cries of pleasure, her fingers wreaking the hell out of his shoulders. This was a woman who wanted him, and it sent a fiery surge through Mike. She wasn’t as fragile as he’d assumed. Shame on him. Well, he’d learn. He slipped his hand beneath her hips and plunged deeply into her, giving her exactly what she wanted.
She came loose in his arms beneath his body as he established a hard, driving rhythm for them. Mike could feel the building explosion within her hungry body, heard it in her mounting, keening cries, her hips matching, meeting his thrusts with primal animal energy. He angled her a little bit more, engaging that silky knot just inside her entrance, driving as deep as he could, feeling her suddenly freeze. Her back arched, and she gave a jagged scream, head tipped back deeply into the pillow, her fingers gripping his upper arms.
Nothing made a man feel better than to have his woman orgasm around him. He continued to draw the sweet juices from her ravenous body, feeling the rippling, gripping effect of her muscles contracting around his thick erection. It was almost too much for Mike to bear as he continued to thrust, continuing her pleasure.
Her cries suddenly became strident once more, and Mike felt her violently orgasm again. He watched a rose flush sweep across Khat’s upper body, and Mike had never felt more powerful as a man as right then.
Finally, when Khat sank weakly against him, her eyes closed, Mike knew she was satiated. At least for this moment. Now he allowed himself off that steel leash, driving into her sweet, hot body. He felt her move, tip her hips upward, aiding him, pleasuring him on his journey. Khat’s hands settled on his hips, and he ground his teeth, feeling the coming, scalding explosion as it ripped through him. He strained, groaned and locked himself against her damp, strong hips, his world nothing but fire tunneling out of him. The release shattered him in every way, his body shuddering violently as the fire engulfed him, threw him into an orbit of nothing but edgy pleasure and fulfilled lust.
Mike collapsed against Khat, his brow against hers. They were both breathing like animals locked in a savage battle with one another. His mind refused to work, but he kissed her closed eyes, her flushed, damp cheeks and grazed her parted lips that were pulled upward in a soft smile of fulfillment. He groaned. “You are one helluva lover,” he rasped, kissing her lips more surely, feeling her smile bloom beneath his mouth.
“You feel so good in me,” she quavered, barely opening her eyes, meeting his narrowed, fiery gaze.
Mike felt perspiration leaking down his temples. Hell, his whole body was in a sweat. So was hers. He liked what he saw in Khat’s eyes; a kind of fearlessness, a woman knowing she’d pleased her man, and he’d pleased her. “Angel, I think I’d like to die just this way. Inside of you.” He shared a heated look with her. When she laughed, it was throaty, and he felt it through every cell of his body. He eased out of her, got rid of the condom and rejoined her. This time, he slid into her welcoming confines, the sensations creating pleasure tearing through him once again.
“Come here,” Mike said thickly, remaining fused together with her. He wrapped Khat in his arms, wrapped her body around his and lay down on the pillow. He felt the warmth, the dampness, the tightness of her around him. And he knew she was going to be sore. His plan didn’t exactly go as he’d expected. He’d taken her more roughly than he’d wanted, and he knew she’d be feeling the effects of it later. For now, let him remain within her, stretching her and allowing her body to accommodate him. Later, he’d take her to the hot tub down at the end of the hall.
Moving damp strands of her hair away from her face, Mike kissed her gently, nuzzling her ear, kissing it and feeling her moan, her hand gliding up against his hairy chest. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Very,” she whispered, smiling weakly.
“You’re a wild woman. Do you know that?”
“I should have warned you. My Afghan blood.”
Laughter rumbled out of his chest. “I like discovering who you are as we go along.” And then Mike gave her a wicked look. “Sort of like hunting for treasure. Beautiful, breath-stealing treasure of your body, your heart and soul.”
His words flowed like a warm, secure blanket across Khat. “You’re a poet, Mike.”
“No,” he groused, “I’m not. But you inspire me, Khat.” And she had touched his heart, held his soul in those scorching moments that they’d gifted one another. He saw her give him a lazy smile, her lashes nearly closed, satiation in her expression. There was no more tension in her face, none in her eyes. He felt relief. Leaning upward, Mike grabbed the sheet and pulled it up to her shoulders.
“I’ve never felt so good,” Khat murmured. “And I’ve never felt more tired, Mike.”
He caressed her thick, silky hair and eased his arm around her back, keeping her close to him. “Go to sleep, baby. There won’t be any more nightmares tonight.”
Because he was going to protect her with his body, his heart and give her the sanctuary she so richly deserved for so long. Hearing Khat’s softened sigh, feeling the weight of her body sag against him, he knew she was drifting off to sleep. In his arms. Where she belonged.
Closing his eyes, his head against the top of hers, Mike had never felt happier in his life.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
KHAT AWOKE SLOWLY. Mike was no longer beside her. She frowned, missing him. Automatically, she slid her hand across where he had been lying, the sheet cool to her touch. She heard the door open. Turning, she saw Mike quietly enter the room¸ wearing a white terry-cloth bathrobe.
“You’re awake,” he said, leaning over, capturing her mouth, drinking in her softness. Lifting his head, he said, “Come on.”
“Where?”
He took her hand, removed the sheet off her naked body and helped her sit up. “To the hot tub.” He picked up the other robe from a nearby chair and helped her put it on. “The heat will take away your soreness.”
Her heart spilled open with his concern, and she allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. “I’ll be okay,” she said, her voice husky with sleep, tying the robe. She saw Mike raise his eyebrow at her.
“Angel, the way we went at it last night, you’ve got to be sore. And I want you comfortable. Okay?”
Khat had never been treated this way. “Thank you…” She stopped at her suite and retrieved two large tortoiseshell combs and wrapped her hair haphazardly on top of her head. Mike led her down the hall. It was barely dawn, the house quiet. It felt good to be cared for, Mike’s arm around her waist. “I slept so deeply.” She sighed, laying her head on his shoulder for a moment.
Mike opened the door. “So did I.” He smiled a little. “Good sex always makes you sleep well. Come on in. This is their little piece of heaven, as Emma calls it.”
Eyes widening, the spa r
oom was covered in light-blue-and-gold tiles. Soft, unobtrusive lighting made it feel as if dawn was on its way toward the horizon. There were thick dark blue rugs near the round-shaped spa that could easily hold ten people. The warmth within the room was humid and moist, but not overwhelming to Khat. There was a silver tray holding two glasses of water. And, to her surprise, a cup of hot Darjeeling tea and a carafe beside it on another tray. She drowsily realized Mike had gone to a lot of trouble for her.
Khat turned around, slid her hands over his shoulders and kissed him deeply. Her body hotly responded as his hands curved possessively around her hips, holding her captive against him, letting her know he wanted her all over again. She smiled against his strong, cherishing mouth. “Thank you,” she breathed, her voice trembling. “For everything…” Khat released him and stepped back to take off her robe.
“You need some attention and care,” he told her, slipping out of his robe. He took hers and placed each of them on a wall hook. Turning, Mike watched her move gracefully into the inviting, bubbling warm water. He saw the scars clearly on her back. Instantly clamping down on his rage, Mike wanted Khat to enjoy the goodness in life, not be reminded of the bad.
Khat groaned, trailing her hands across the surface as she walked to the other side of the hot tub and sat down on the blue-tiled bench. “This feels wonderful, Mike.”
He climbed in. “It does a body good,” he agreed. “Cold water or Darjeeling tea?”
She gave him a grateful look. “Tea, I think.” She held out her hand and took the large mug. “Come sit beside me.”
Mike took a glass of ice water and sat near enough and at an angle, so he could see her. There was soft instrumental music in the background. A small waterfall in the corner, complete with green living plants completed this intimate spa. He looked at the tendrils of her hair, curling in the humidity against her relaxed face. As Khat sipped her tea, Mike remembered those long, tapered fingers of hers around his hips.
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