"I'm very serious,” he replied in a dry tone. “I still intend to use scarves on you, but I have to recover from your ill use of my poor man's body."
"Should I apologize for taking advantage of your innocent self?” she questioned, getting into the game. Her heart warned against talking with this man, and her brain argued that talking crossed the line from plain sex to making love.
"Hell, no. Feel free to jump my bones anytime you please,” he offered. “I can even give you a few suggestions to stoke my fire, so to speak."
"I promise to jump you as much as humanly possible tonight, but everything ends when the suns comes up.” She tried to keep her voice flat and matter of fact but winced when she heard the trembling in it.
"Yes, I did promise we'd both be back where we belong in the morning, didn't I?” Damon sounded matter of fact.
So it was to be just sex between them and nothing more. It had been his pride she'd hurt three years ago and not his heart. Well, it was far better she learned this lesson now rather than in the morning. Much more time with the man and she'd be in love all over again. But this round she didn't think three years would be enough time to get over him.
He turned their bodies so her back lay flush against his chest. His hardening erection pressed tightly against the cheeks of her ass. She felt her blood begin to pump faster and her breath catch.
Nibbling on her neck, he gently asked, “What have you been doing these past three years?"
She wiggled against his hot length. “Sure you want to waste your time talking?"
He groaned and buried his face in her neck, taking a sharp bite of her shoulder then soothing the pain with the heat of his tongue. “You're a witch, woman. Don't tease a man so soon."
"Soon? It's been almost five whole minutes."
He grunted and cupped her breasts with his hands. “Give me seven and I'm all yours. For now, I want to find out what you've done in the past years."
"Nothing much.” It wouldn't be wise to let him into her life. Sharing everyday details would make her feel closer to him, something she wanted to avoid at all cost. The end would come soon enough and sharing the intimate details of her life wouldn't change a thing.
Damon was a lover of women. All women, all types and sizes—short, tall, thin or full figured. And they loved him right back. He couldn't give her the relationship she craved, but he would provide her with the best orgasms of her life. So Ariel would take what she could get and try to forget the rest.
In the darkness of the tent, he moved to peer down at her. “Nothing much? You've sat around your house, apartment, or box looking at the walls and done nothing?"
When put that way, it did sound ridiculous. But how far did she let him know without giving him control? She finally settled for a portion of the truth.
"I live in an apartment. Not a box.” She smacked his arm in response to the teasing remark.
"Good to know.” He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against her lips. “So how do you pay for this apartment-not-box you live in and where might this lovely home of yours be located?"
Again she debated how much to tell him. But did it really matter? It wasn't like he wanted the information to find her after the night was over. He was simply marking time until his body recovered. With the new perspective, tension leave Ariel's shoulders. It had been silly to think Damon would use her personal information to stalk her. He would probably forget her once they left the tent.
"I'm living in Houston right now, but I never know where I'll end up for the series. The show has me all over the place."
"Ah, yes, the show. How did you stumble upon that?” Gentle fingers combed through her hair, relaxing her.
"I worked for a local television show. One day they were looking for someone who had knowledge of the local Hispanic legend and myths. Since it was a minor of mine, I spoke up. When it came time for the anchor to give her report, she bumbled the names, got facts mixed up and generally made an ass of herself. When the station manager realized what was going on, he threw me in front of the camera to finish the segment. And the rest, as they say, is history."
When Damon didn't say anything, she peered up at him. He wore a contemplative expression. “What? You didn't think I'd make a living out of obscure legends?” She kept the hurt from her voice. What difference did it make? They were nothing more than temporary lovers.
"I've seen your shows. You're a natural in front of the camera. You make ancient tales understandable to modern man and woman. I understand your program is now being viewed in schools across the world. Congratulations on a well deserved success."
He sounded normal, even pleasant, but she got the feeling there was more behind his words than he said.
He spoke again before Ariel could question him. “So you enjoy what you do? Traveling from country to country, digging in the desert or swamp to bring tales to life?"
What the hell, the truth certainly couldn't hurt her with Damon. “I did enjoy it for the first few years. I love visiting other countries, learning new things, but...” she trailed off, her courage fading.
In quick and efficient movements, Damon rolled her onto her back and settled atop her, elbows braced on either side of her head. “But what?” he prodded in that silky baritone.
"But I'd like to stay in one place long enough to discover the why of it all. Why do certain cultures have the customs they do? To learn more of the language and land. I'm only in one place for maybe four weeks, and then it's time to move on. For once, I'd love to stay, put down roots and discover all the aspects of a country."
Damon's lips slanted across hers, devouring. His greedy hands molded her breasts, shaping and plucking at the nipples. “I want you."
"But—"
Damon slid into her like a sword to sheath. His hips pounded into her with relentless ease. He was mad in his desire, and Ariel couldn't help but be caught up in his sudden wave of passion.
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled his head down for a kiss that was as wild as their lust. The orgasm came upon her quickly. She moaned her release into his mouth while he continued to thrust.
When the last shivers left her, Damon withdrew from her and quickly flipped her to her stomach. He shoved several pillows beneath her hips and once again entered her like a mad man lost in lust.
"More,” he whispered in her ear, nibbling and licking his way down her neck. “Come again for me, love."
Her slick channel wept, open for his taking. The smoothness of his thrust and the depth of this angle quickly brought her back into the throes of ecstasy.
Damon continued to murmur sweet words in her ear. How beautiful she was. How hot and tight her pussy felt to him. How he couldn't get enough of fucking her. With each word, Ariel fell deeper and deeper under his spell. While the sex was truly amazing, the connection between them scared her more.
"No, don't think, my love. Be with me now. Think only of me, of what my cock is doing to your sweet body. You are so wet for me.” This time he reached between the pillows and her body and found the center of her desire. Gently, he circled the rigid flesh with his finger as his groin slapped against her ass in a pounding rhythm.
"So good,” he muttered, breathing heavily behind her. His body picked up speed. “Come with me again. Come for me ... now."
She was helpless to deny him. Ariel's soul broke apart and release tore through her. Vaguely aware of Damon stiffening behind her, she heard his own muffled shout. And then his weight covered hers once more.
* * * *
Morning light bravely trickled through the silk-draped tent. Ariel winced as she tried to roll over and found herself trapped by a hairy well-muscled arm.
Just like that the night before came rushing back. She and Damon had made love all night. He had taken her in ways she'd never imagined and offered her free reign to explore his body. Ariel had eagerly taken him up on the offer.
She smiled, remembering the shocked pleasure on his handsome face when she'd taken his c
ock in her mouth. He'd tasted salty and with a hint of musk. A taste she wanted more of, but it wasn't meant to be. The smile fell from her face as she turned to look at her temporary lover.
He lay asleep on his side, the sheet slipped down to reveal his perfection. She would never get tired of looking at him. The darkly tanned skin, corded with muscle. She even thought his feet were sexy.
Recognizing the path these thoughts would lead her down, Ariel quickly scooted out of bed. She wouldn't have much time before he woke up. She didn't want to go through the whole awkward morning after. It had been a sound reason to leave quietly three years ago, and it would work for her now.
Spying her clothes, Ariel made her way to the far side of the tent. She'd just yanked on her pants when a husky voice broke the silence. “So you are planning on sneaking away from me again, Ariel?"
Damon lay awake in the big bed, propped up on a mound of pillows and looking too sexy for first thing in the morning. It was all she could do to stop herself from jumping him again.
"I ... ah ... thought I'd check and see if my crew got here. Then we need to start shooting.” She waved a hand through the air. “Work, work, work, you know."
She shot him a small smile then turned her back to pick up the rest of her clothes.
With a speed that surprised her, Damon closed the space between them, picked her up and threw her back on the bed, using his nude body to hold her in place.
"What the hell is the matter with you?” she demanded even as her blood heated.
Eyes narrowed, he answered in a terse voice, “Maybe I'm not done with you yet."
"Not done with me yet? You, bastard. You don't get to choose when you're done with me. It's my life. My decision.” She tried to buck him off, but her attempts only seemed to amuse and arouse him.
"And if I want to change that?” Damon's tone went from teasing to serious in the space of a heartbeat. “What if I want it to be our life and our decisions?"
He couldn't be serious, could he? Ariel looked into his dark eyes and saw the stark honesty there. Another emotion flared, but fear kept her from naming it. “What are you talking about? Our life? Our decisions? Have you lost your mind?"
Giving a fast shake of his head, Damon ripped the thin material of her pants away and pressed his hardening erection into the wet heat between her legs. “I'm very serious, my love. This time there is no running away from me. We'll talk this out if we have to stay in this bed for the next month."
The thought of spending a month doing nothing but feasting on Damon's body made her moan and open her thighs wider. “You ... we ... ah, can't."
He thrust his cock into the moist folds. “We can, love, but don't tempt me now. We do have to talk."
"There's nothing to talk about,” she managed between heated breaths.
Damon leaned down and brushed gentle kisses across her lips. “There's a lot to say, love. We started it last night, and this morning we'll finish it."
"Why do you keep calling me, love? I'm not your love. Love never had anything to do with what's between us. We have sex, great sex, but that's all."
A small laugh escaped his tempting lips. “I've been in love with you since the night you walked away from me."
Ariel froze and stared wide-eyed at the sudden stranger above her. “You can't ... ah ... love, Damon?"
A quick kiss to the lips and long thrust of his hips, and once again Damon seated himself fully inside her eager channel. “I can love you, and I do."
"But that doesn't make any sense.” She protested all the while her body continued to move in sync with his. If he kept this up much longer, she wouldn't be able to think period.
Eager lips pressed against hers then lifted. “It would have made better sense three years ago if you'd stayed until morning."
A small moan crept out of her mouth. Really, the things that man could do with his hips should be illegal. “But I heard you loved women and left them."
His luscious movements stopped. His eyes widened in shock, and the healthy color drained from his normally dark skin. “You left me because of some damn rumors! Woman, are you mad?"
Regaining her composure and her control over her wayward hormones, Ariel looked into his angry face. “What else was I supposed to think? You never said a word about love or emotions.” She unsuccessfully tried to shove him off, but the oaf wouldn't budge. “Would you please get off me? If we're going to fight, I'd prefer not to have you inside me when we do."
Instead of being the gentleman and agreeing, Damon once more resumed his erotic motion. “No, I'll not leave your deliciously hot pussy. Every time I do, you seem to try and get away. No, we'll have this discussion just as we are."
He shook his head. “The rumors were just that, rumors. Stupid ones I started myself to keep the marriage-minded women away."
"How was I to know that?” she demanded even as her body sped up and their breathing became labored.
"Put your legs around my hips, love.” Damon groaned when she complied. “Damn, you feel good."
With a quick twist, he reversed their positions. Ariel stared down from her perch, mouth open and eyes crossed from pleasure.
"Ride me, Ariel. Let me watch your beautiful face as you come."
His words set fire to her passions. She rose until only the very tip of his erection remained inside her. Then she slammed herself back down, taking every inch of him.
They both moaned at the sensation.
Ariel soon lost her original rhythm. All that mattered was the thick cock invading her with every downward stroke. She increased her speed, wanting more of him, more of everything.
Damon's clever fingers parted her moist folds and stroked her clit until all coherent thought left her brain. She turned into a mindless, passion-driven animal. Wanting nothing more than Damon's cock taking her for the rest of her life.
The climax exploded, leaving Ariel sweaty and breathless. She slumped onto Damon's hard, damp chest, vaguely aware of his own harsh breathing.
"Much more of this and we'll kill ourselves.” He rasped the words.
When she tried to slide off his body, he clamped his arms tight around her waist. “Don't,” he warned in a soft voice. “We're not through yet."
A weak laugh trickled out of Ariel's throat. “What more is there to do to one another?"
Without opening his eyes, Damon gave her a wicked grin. “More, much more."
"So what now?"
At her question Damon's eyes shot open. “Now, you admit you love me, can't live without me and agree to marry me. We'll live here, and you can explore the natives and ancient cultures of my country to your heart's content."
Ariel sat up in shock, which forced Damon's semi-hard penis back into her heat. They both shivered. Until Ariel shook her head and slid off to his side.
"You mean it. All of it?” Hope rose within her.
Damon turned his serious dark eyes on her. “Of course, I mean it. I would have told you this same thing three years ago if you'd stayed around. I love you, always have and always will."
Ariel fell into his arms with a joyful cry. “I do love you so much, Damon. I tried all this time to forget you, but you would never really leave my mind."
"Thank God for some things,” he muttered. Then in a louder voice, “And you will stay and marry me, right?"
"Yes, I'll marry you. I'll work here in your country. Whatever you want."
Damon laughed at her enthusiasm. “I won't take you up on the everything I want. I know you'll come to your senses sooner or later, but for now, what do you say we seal the deal?"
"How did you want to seal this deal?” she asked with a sensual grin.
He gave a wicked laugh. “In the oldest and most pleasurable way possible, my love."
And her sultry sheik proceeded to completely close the deal for her heart.
* * *
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Allie Standifer, Sultry Saudi Nights [Destination Pleasure 4]
Sultry Saudi Nights [Destination Pleasure 4] Page 2