by Cara Albany
Then he surprised her, yet again. He lifted her up into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him and gazed into his eyes. She knew where he wanted to go next.
And then he started to carry her toward the bedroom.
NINE
He carried her into the bedroom. Zafar let her down gently from his arms. She stood by the side of the bed. The very large, very welcoming bed, she told herself.
Lori turned to him. Zafar seized her just like he'd done out in the other room, with the same impatient haste as before, drawing her body against his. He kissed her with obvious need, with clear urgency.
Then their lips parted, and he took a step back, quickly unbuttoning his shirt. He took it off and cast it onto the floor.
Lori drank in the sight of his perfect torso. It was tightly muscled, bronze-skinned and with a tempting spread of dark chest hair. She gasped sharply with anticipation.
There was hunger in his gaze and she was sure she could see a hint of restlessness in his eyes. Zafar leaned forward and kissed the side of her neck, tracing a line with his tongue down the length of her smooth skin. She groaned with pleasure. She felt his hot breath against her flesh.
Then, she felt him tugging at her dress, pulling it off her shoulder. Moments later, she'd loosened the dress and cast in onto the floor at her feet. She slipped off her shoes.
He loosened her bra and unhooked it, freeing her full breasts. For a long moment he savored the sight of her, and then his lips descended hungrily onto one of her nipples. She gasped as she felt his tongue circle deliciously, sending tingles throughout her entire body.
Waves of delight spread through her. She felt heat at her core and knew she wanted him again. Needed him. Needed his touch.
This time, though it would be different. This time their union would be real. Complete in every possible sense. And that was exactly what she wanted. And she could see it was what he needed. What he intended to claim.
He continued to lave her nipples, sending shock waves of ecstasy coursing through her body. Finally, he guided her down onto the bed and slipped off his pants and briefs.
He stood for a moment, gazing down at her. He looked incredible, his masculine glory full and erect. Thick and huge. She felt her throat tighten, and there was a delicious ache at her core.
Then he came down on the bed, stretching out alongside her. She slipped off her panties, and then their openness with each other was complete.
Lori gazed for a few long, exquisite moments at his incredible body. At his fullness. She wanted him inside her. Desperately.
The bed was soft beneath her as he settled across her. She felt the delicious weight of him as he lay across her. His nakedness pressed against her. She felt the tightness in his body. The pent up tension that needed release.
Impatience was driving her crazy. And she could tell it was doing the same to him.
Zafar kissed her. He let his hard, powerful body settle down upon her. They seemed to fit together, perfectly melting into one.
The heat of his skin was intense, and the taut firmness of his muscles was impossible to ignore. When she touched the muscles on his arm, he felt like a wound up spring, waiting to be let loose.
For a few exquisite moments she submitted to him, gave herself over to him completely. Let him possess her completely. She could never have guessed what it could feel like to be claimed. But she knew she was about to find out.
Her mind was empty. All she could feel was the incredible sense of power and promise in his body. The pleasure of touching his body, feeling his dominant presence.
Lori felt him shift slightly. His firmness pressed against her core, and she knew he wanted her, knew he needed to be inside her.
Then, not waiting a moment more, he pushed gently and slid inside her. She gasped, and felt herself tighten around him. He paused a few moments that seemed to last an eternity. She felt impatience well up inside her.
And then he started to move, pushing into her. The sensation was exquisite. She'd never known pleasure like it. Never known closeness like this.
She wrapped her arms around Zafar, holding him close. She enclosed him in her embrace. His breathing quickened as he began to thrust into her, over and over.
At first those thrusts were gentle, even too slow to satisfy her. But soon the pace of his movements began to change. She glanced up at his gorgeous features, and saw the ecstasy written there.
She saw how hard he was working to contain himself. His jaw was tight, his brows furrowed. He gasped every time he thrust into her. There was such fierce desire on his features.
Zafar eased down upon her, taking his weight on his elbows. He thrust into her again and again. Each time, waves of pleasure swept through her. With each thrust, he pressed himself against her mound, sending pulsing pleasure into her body.
She wanted it to go on forever. She wanted this pleasure to never stop. She sank into the pleasure, giving herself over to it.
Time lost all meaning. There was only pleasure. Zafar. His body. Her pleasure.
But, even as she submitted completely, even as wave after wave of ecstasy seized her, she knew he was near his own climax. As was she.
She grasped at his hips, curving her hands around his powerfully muscled rear. Muscles taut and tight and irresistible.
It felt perfect. Exquisite. She wanted him deep inside her. As close as possible. With every thrust, it felt as if he was deeper inside, more perfectly a part of her.
For a few final moments, he pushed into her with increasing pace. Increasing need. Increasing power.
Then, she felt him press a few last times, a more urgent rhythm taking over his body. She felt her climax sweep over her. Every nerve in her body flamed into life.
He groaned and his entire body tightened as ecstasy took hold of him. He called out her name and then roared his pleasure completely. She felt him empty his desire inside her.
They collapsed into each other, enfolding themselves in a warm, unforgettable embrace. Their breathing was fast, but it was also in perfect unison.
A feeling of indescribable joy swept over her. She could hardly believe what had just happened. It had been as if a sweet madness had overtaken her. Taken hold of him, too.
She could feel his heart beating against her chest. Felt the moistness of his body. The incredible heat of his powerful physique.
Zafar shifted to one side and curled his arms across her, holding onto her tight. He kissed her shoulder from time to time, delicately as if savoring the taste of her skin.
He leaned against her side. She gazed at him. They didn't need to say anything to each other. They both knew what that had meant. Knew that it had been impossible to avoid.
They lay in each other's arms for a long while. She could hear the sounds of voices from downstairs. The soft rumble of limo engines. Some of the guests were starting to leave.
He leaned across and kissed her gently on the lips. He stroked her hair and gazed into her eyes. "You're amazing. You know that, don't you," he stated.
She peered at him. "Only me?" She glanced down, taking in the wondrous sight of his incredible body. "You're not so bad yourself."
She knew it was hardly the time for teasing, but the habit had been established between them already and it was hard to stop.
Zafar smiled. "I've wanted you since the first time I saw you," he explained.
"You mean, since the first time I slapped your face," she said with a grin.
He tilted his head. "There was that, too," he said and grinned back at her. "It was pretty forgettable. That was a first."
She squinted at him. "I find that hard to believe."
"It's true."
She smiled and gazed up at the ceiling. "So, you want me to believe that no woman has ever refused you? That you've never stepped over the line," she said.
He propped his arm up by the elbow and rested his head against his palm. "I stepped over a line tonight," he said. He narrowed his eyes at her. "You seemed to like me stepping over it."
"Why?"
"You caught me unawares," she explained.
"Really? I thought you were pretty aware of what was going on between us," he retorted.
She hesitated a few moments and then said: "I didn't expect it to be like that."
"Like what?"
She thought for a moment. "So sudden."
"I tried to tell you how I felt last night, when we were in the garden."
"I know you did. And maybe I just wasn't listening," she said. "Or maybe I didn't want to hear it."
"You did a pretty good job of pushing me away," he said.
"I know," she replied, feeling the same regret she'd felt all day. The truth was, there had been a part of her which was hoping something like this would happen. It had preyed on her mind all day and all through the evening.
The clumsy attempt by Leila to put Lori off had only made her more determined to seize this moment. Made what she wanted more clear in her mind. To be with this amazing man. A temptation too powerful to resist.
Lori turned and leaned into him. She kissed him, savoring his scent, a raw masculine aroma that triggered something visceral inside her. She wondered if she could be ready for him again.
She let her hand drift down to his waist and felt his own firm readiness, right there in her hand.
Zafar's eyes widened and he grinned at her. He lifted a querying brow and she smiled at him. She saw his nostrils flare. Heard him draw in a deep breath. There were times when his sheer animalistic quality turned her insides to a wonderful, quivering mess, she told herself.
She knew he was impossible to resist. And why should she resist him, anyway? They'd crossed a barrier and there would be no going back. Not from this moment onward.
Lori heard more noises from downstairs and hesitated. "I think we're going to be missed if we stay up here any longer."
Zafar nodded. "You're right." He paused a few moments. "In any case, I need to speak with Kadir."
She frowned. "Why?"
He sat up quickly and ran his hand through his damp hair. "It's nothing," he said, too sharply for her satisfaction.
She sat up next to him, keenly aware of their nakedness. But that didn't matter now. They were comfortable with each other.
Lori felt a sudden knot of concern in her middle. "What do you have to say to Kadir?"
He slid off the bed and bent down to pull on his briefs. For a moment she enjoyed a spectacular view of his perfect rear. He slipped on his pants and shoes and lifted his shirt from the floor. He turned to her and saw the appreciation on her face. He smiled as he put on his shirt.
"You didn't answer my question," she said.
His brows furrowed. "I can't go into it, Lori. Not right now."
In the midst of his refusal, she loved the sound of her name on his lips. She scooted to the end of the bed and started putting on her panties and bra.
She tried to ignore the voice telling her to ask one important question. It was a question she had considered asking him yesterday at dinner and in the garden. Now didn't seem like the best time, but he'd brought it up.
"Is it anything to do with Kadir and Alaya?" she asked.
When she saw the expression on his face, she immediately wanted to take the words back. His brows furrowed and his lips were drawn into a thin, tight line. He looked as if she'd stunned him into silence with her question.
She'd been right. Something was going on, and right now, she wasn't sure she wanted to be involved. But, she knew how important Alaya's happiness was to her. She needed to know if something was about to happen.
"Why would you ask that?" he said in an even voice.
Lori stood quickly and bent down, lifting her dress up off the floor. As she slipped it on, she peered at Zafar. He looked suddenly uncomfortable.
"Because I was going to ask you yesterday, and I didn't. Maybe I should have done it then, instead of now."
"What were you going to ask me?"
"You disapprove of Kadir seeing Alaya, don't you," Lori said.
Zafar grunted. "That's not strictly true."
She frowned. "It is. I saw it all day yesterday. The way you kept looking at Kadir whenever he was near Alaya."
Zafar shook his head. "That isn't true."
"It is, Zafar," she insisted.
She slid her feet into her shoes and faced him. "Every time Kadir said anything nice about Alaya, you looked almost disgusted. As if she shouldn't even be with him."
Zafar peered at Lori. Now there was a steadiness about that look which had not been there a few moments ago. A distance. "Kadir already knows what I think," he said.
"What did you tell him?"
Zafar glanced away from her. She could see him weighing up his next words. "I told him I didn't think Alaya was a suitable choice for him."
"Choice of what?" Lori asked.
His eyes narrowed. "Companion," he said.
"That's all?"
He tilted his head. "It's pretty obvious what Kadir's ultimate intentions are, don't you think?"
She gasped. "I know how much this means to Alaya. She doesn't stop talking about Kadir."
"She's Qazhar born. She knows what's possible and what isn't."
"What do you mean?"
He turned away from Lori and strode into the sitting room. She followed him. He halted and faced her. "Kadir is wasting his time with Alaya," he declared. His voice echoed in the large, high-ceilinged room.
"Who are you to tell him what to do?"
"I'm his friend, Lori. His best friend. We've known each other since we were children. I sacrificed a lot to be his friend. Kadir's family is not as high-born as mine. My association with him was frowned upon. But, I refused to let anyone stop me being Kadir's friend."
"So, he's grateful to you for being so generous as to be friends with him? Is that it?"
Zafar shook his head. "No. It's much more than that. Over the years, Kadir has gained a great many benefits as a result of his association with my family," Zafar said. "My royal family," he added with great emphasis on the words.
Lori could hardly believe what she was hearing. "What kind of friendship is that?"
Zafar moved closer. "It's the way things work here in Qazhar, Lori. Perhaps you don't understand. Maybe you'll never understand."
Her eyes narrowed as she noted the sudden change in him.
His voice became firmer. "This country functions thanks to connections. Privileges are granted. Favors exchanged. And, in return, long term relationships are formed." He leaned in closer. "That's how this country has always worked. How it will always work. And I have to do everything I can to preserve that. No matter what."
She stared at him, stunned at this declaration. Moments ago she'd been lying in his arms. And now? He seemed like a completely changed person.
Lori gazed into Zafar's eyes and saw the hardness, the distance had returned. How could that be? Was his sense of duty to Kadir that strong? Was this just something beyond her comprehension?
"So, what are you going to tell Kadir?"
Something heavy sank in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't sure she wanted to know the answer to that, but she knew she had to ask before he left. Because it was obvious he was going to leave. The feeling in her belly only intensified at that thought.
He sighed heavily. "I have to tell him that my original opinion still holds. That Alaya is not a suitable bride for him."
"How do you even know he's planning to ask her to marry him?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Trust me, I know," he said firmly.
Lori took a step back and glared at Zafar. "You can't do this."
"I have to," he replied.
"Why does it have to be tonight? Why can't it wait?"
Zafar shook his head. "Kadir asked me for his opinion tonight. It seems he feels that such a special evening as this is the perfect time to ask her."
"It's that simple? And you're going to do that. You're going to tell him to
give her up."
Zafar nodded and cleared his throat. "I am." His voice was steady and emphatic.
Lori took a step toward him but halted when she saw how he looked at her. He had transformed before her very eyes into the cool, disdainful prince she'd battled with yesterday. Gone was the man who had, moments before, turned her world upside down.
"Don't do this, Zafar," Lori pleaded.
"I have to, Lori."
She took his arm. "Please, Zafar. I can't bear the thought of Alaya being hurt. She's been so good to me."
He looked at her, his gaze steady and unflinching. He didn't say anything. There was a hint of uncertainty in that gaze.
"Surely you can wait a while before you give Kadir your opinion. Maybe you can delay it a day or two."
Still he didn't respond. Didn't refuse her request. Maybe there was hope, she told herself.
"Do it for me, Zafar," she murmured.
Zafar looked into her eyes. He shook his head and she felt her heartbeat quicken. "I don't know," he said quietly.
"Tell him you haven't decided yet."
"He might just go ahead and ask for Alaya's hand, anyway," Zafar said.
"And he should, if he loves her," Lori snapped. "But I understand what you're telling me. Maybe there are things which prevent someone from acting on their true feelings. Bigger things than just love."
At the mention of the word, Zafar's gaze penetrated deep into Lori. He held his gaze for a very long, thoughtful moment.
Zafar nodded. "Maybe if I tell him I have to take the advice of someone else. Then he'll wait."
Lori knew who that someone else could be. The image of Aunt Leila popped into her mind. It seemed, the matriarch of the family certainly had a stranglehold over everyone.
Lori had already had a taste of that downstairs. And she was a stranger. She wondered what it must be like to be already caught up in the web of connections that kept Qazhar society stable and functioning.
Zafar looked at Lori. "I'll see what I can do," he said.
There were sounds from beyond the terrace. The sounds of limos driving off. Zafar turned toward the noises. "I best be going."
Zafar took a step toward Lori, obviously intending to kiss her goodbye. But she was having none of that, she told herself.