“Amar took care of it,” Rylee said. “I’m holding a Robert Cavalli gown in my hands.”
“Get out of here!”
“It’s true.”
“Send me a picture. Damn you, Rylee, you get all the fun. First you catch the eye of a sheikh’s son and he sends you designer gowns. I’m starting to get a bit jealous.”
“Don’t get jealous, Camryn. Your time will come.”
“But you’re still nervous about tonight, aren’t you?” Camryn sensed her friend’s uneasiness even over the phone.
“Am I that obvious?”
“Only to me, ’cause I know you. What are you nervous about? This isn’t your first rodeo.”
Rylee laughed at Camryn’s bluntness. “No, but as you just said, he’s a sheikh’s son. He’s probably had tons of women, maybe even a harem. How can I compete with that?”
“You can’t, and you don’t,” Camryn said. “Amar obviously sees something in you that attracts him. Just focus on that and let nature take its course.”
“Thank you, Cam. I guess I just needed some reassurance.”
“I’m always here if you need me,” Camryn replied. “And I want details tomorrow — lots and lots of details.”
“As soon as I come up for air, you’ll be my first call,” Rylee said.
Chapter 6
Amar met Rylee at her door, holding a medium-sized black box. He looked dashing and handsome in a white tuxedo and bowtie. The tux was made for him and fit his wide shoulders and bulging biceps, which Rylee had seen for herself earlier that afternoon when he’d thrown off his shirt.
“Come in.” She motioned for him to join her, but before she could move, he spun her around so he could see her fully in the gown. His eyes took in every inch, from the lattice detail on the bodice of her gown to the mini tulle train that whisked behind her.
“You’re breathtaking.”
“Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
Amar grinned. “Thanks, but I think you are missing something.”
“Really, I think you thought of everything.” Along with the dress box, there’d been another containing the most obscene pair of designer heels, a wrap and a clutch purse.
“Almost,” Amar said, “but you need this.” He opened the black box he’d been carrying and revealed a stunning diamond necklace and matching earrings.
Rylee’s eyes widened. “Amar, it’s stunning, but I couldn’t possibly wear that.”
“You can, and you will.” He removed the necklace from the box. He turned her around until her back was facing him so he could put it around her neck.
“Amar, please tell me this is a loaner,” she said as he swept her hair aside. She’d chosen to wear it straight rather than her usual curls.
He smiled. “Yes, so long as we mention the designer, it’s yours for the night.”
Rylee exhaled as she donned the matching earrings. “Thank God. I’ll have to guard these with my life.”
“You won’t have to, you’re with me. And now you’re ready. Let’s go.”
Rylee reached for the wrap and the gold-sequined clutch that had arrived with the dress and walked out the door with Amar.
Everyone in the hotel noticed them, from the staff to the patrons to the bellmen. With Amar’s six-foot-four stature, he was impressive to begin with, but add the tux and Rylee’s eye-catching gown, which made her look like a golden goddess, and the two of them were showstoppers.
The doorman opened the passenger side door for them, and they slid inside the waiting limo. Butterflies swarmed inside Rylee’s belly at the thought of not only being Amar’s date but at what would happen after the ball. This afternoon they’d nearly gotten carried away in the moment, just enough so that Rylee had felt the package Amar was working with. She suspected he would be a demanding yet giving lover, and she was secretly thrilled that he was determined to romance her tonight, rather than do a wham-bam thank you ma’am, which he could have easily attained this afternoon.
“Are you okay?” he asked from beside her.
“Absolutely.”
Most of the night was a blur for Rylee. She wouldn’t remember where the Julep Ball was held or the elaborate decorations adorning the room. She wouldn’t remember the champagne that flowed or the endless people Amar introduced her to, many of whom only wanted a photo with the successful businessman that they could tweet or Instagram, or the other couples eager to party hop to the Unbridled Eve or Barnstable and Brown Party.
She would recall the moment Amar took her into his arms for a slow dance that was more like a slow burn of what was to come later that night. Rylee allowed herself to live in the moment, breathing in his male scent by wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I’m so glad you stayed, Rylee,” Amar said huskily as he hugged her close to his broad frame.
“So am I.” She looked up into his dark eyes, which smoldered with passion and heat.
“Are you ready to get out of here?” he asked quietly as he looked at her intently.
She understood, and was she ready to take the next step in their relationship? She answered with one word: “Yes.”
Once in the car, Rylee thought Amar would be raring to go, but instead he held her hand, circling her palm with his thumb as the limo pulled off. It was a tiny but intimate action that had Rylee up in arms as if he’d kissed her passionately.
The ride back to the hotel took longer than before, but eventually the limo came to a stop and the driver opened the car door. Amar exited first and held out his hand as Rylee stepped out of the vehicle. She was surprised to find they weren’t going back to the hotel for a night of unbridled lovemaking, as she’d thought, but instead had arrived at a country cottage in the woods. Even more, dozens of rose petals adorned the path up to the cottage door.
Rylee turned to look up at Amar questioningly.
“I didn’t want prying eyes,” he said. “I wanted tonight to be about us and nothing more. Come.” He led the way.
Rylee swallowed the frog in her throat and followed him up the rose-strewn path.
When he opened the door, allowing Rylee to precede him, she saw that the cottage was bathed in candlelight, and she heard soft music playing. A fire blazed from the fireplace and a bucket of champagne was chilling in a stand nearby. He’d thought of everything.
“Do you do this for all your women?” Rylee asked, turning around to face him.
Amar closed the door behind him, and Rylee heard it lock. “No, I don’t.” His eyes smoldered, and Rylee felt her lips chap. She licked them and watched Amar catch the action. Before she had time to react, he swept her in his arms. His lips came down over hers hungrily and moved to explore the shape and surface of her mouth. His kisses were soft but intent, with a purpose. His tongue coaxed apart her lips, invaded her mouth and quickly tangled with hers. It was electrifying and sent spirals of ecstasy swirling through them both. Before Rylee had time to recover, Amar was pulling her down onto the bearskin rug and pillows that had been strategically placed in front of the roaring fire. His hands splayed across her bare back and lowered even further to cup her butt as he held her securely in the safety of his arms. His touch made her skin tingle, and she wanted more, much more.
But just as quickly as he started, he pulled away from their embrace. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Rylee stared up at him from his lap, where she was still nestled, and tried to catch her breath.
“I’m not usually so forward, but from the moment I saw you tonight, I’ve wanted to kiss you.”
“You have?”
“Couldn’t you tell?”
Rylee thought about several instances in which she’d caught him staring at her that evening, but then just as quickly he’d looked away and she’d wondered if she’d imagined it. “I suppose.”
“I had this evening all planned out i
n my head,” Amar said. “How smooth I was going to be when I took you to bed, and now I’ve ruined it all by behaving like a clumsy teenager.”
Rylee touched Amar’s cheek. “This” — she motioned around the room to all the trappings of a night of lovemaking as she rose to her feet — “and the dress and jewels are wonderful, and I’m sure it’s what women have come to expect from a man like you, with your reputation.” Amar lowered his eyes. “But” — she tilted his chin down to look at her — “I don’t need all this or have to be made to feel like I’m in Pretty Woman. I’m here because I want to be with you.”
Amar stared at her in disbelief as he rose to sit on his haunches. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.” She reached behind her to the zipper of the designer dress and tugged it down, letting it fall in a whoosh to the floor.
She could see Amar was stunned by her boldness, but he didn’t say a word. He just let her continue.
The strapless bra she wore was next. She reached behind her, unhooked it and it slid down until she was standing before him in nothing but her bikini panties, garter belt and heels. She stepped out of the dress, knocking it away. She’d never been this bold before, but there was something about Amar that made her feel that she could be carefree with him and comfortable with her sexuality.
“I love the getup,” Amar said, “but it’s gotta go. I want you naked, Rylee. I want to be inside you.”
She knelt down to Amar, and this time it was she who kissed him and opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. This time she took the lead. Amar was shell-shocked at Rylee’s boldness. Every stroke of her tongue against his stoked a desire that had been building inside him for days, and now it was at a fever pitch. He combed his fingers through her hair. He liked it straight but preferred her natural, unruly curls. Wanting more, he pressed his thigh between hers, and when he did, they lost their balance and tumbled onto the pillows.
Her head tipped backward, and he used the opportunity to nuzzle a tantalizing spot where her pulse beat rapidly. Then his hands lazily moved all over her so he could devour her whole. But it was her breasts that he found first, breasts he’d only begun to really explore out in the pasture earlier that day. But this time he would not be rushed. This time, he could take all the time he wanted.
He took one of her already engorged nipples in his mouth, and he sucked and licked and teased it with his tongue. Rylee whimpered her pleasure as he continued to suckle one breast while teasing the other with his fingertips, bringing it to a rocky hard pebble.
“You have on too many clothes,” she murmured.
Amar realized he’d been remiss in not providing her the same luxury he’d had of touching her soft, scented skin. He rose long enough to remove his tuxedo jacket and unbutton his shirt. But Rylee wasn’t wasting any time. She reached for the zipper on his trousers and undid it. His erection was obvious and jutted out as she relieved him of his pants. He kicked them off in a huff. Soon he was bare-chested and wearing only his boxer briefs and socks.
“That’s much better,” she cooed, batting her eyelashes at him.
“You think? Because I think you’re still wearing entirely too much.” Amar returned to the rug, and this time he was the aggressor, pushing her backward on the pillows. He unlatched each of her garters one at a time, watched Rylee’s eyes become more hooded as he hooked his thumbs under the side of the sexy knickers and gently drew the material down her legs. Rylee lifted her bottom to help remove them, and then she was completely naked to his adoring eyes. And adore her he did, but now she seemed slightly embarrassed.
“You’re so beautiful,” Amar whispered, stroking her inner thighs. He wanted her to know how much he loved her body. “I’m going to enjoy exploring you, Rylee, tasting all of you.” There would be time for his own needs later. Right now, he wanted to please her, pleasure her and make her scream his name.
“That sounds like an intriguing promise.”
“And I plan on delivering.” Amar lowered his head to her feet. He started at her ankle with one kiss, working his way up with teasing flicks of his tongue to the underside of one knee and then the other. His mouth idly played with the soft folds of her inner thighs. He felt Rylee begin to quiver as his mouth made its way higher.
“Amar, please …”
He gave her exactly what she craved, with a long stroke of his tongue at her sex. Rylee jumped, but he held her down with his hands and swirled his tongue across her clitoris, teasing her, blowing on her.
Rylee moaned as he went deeper with his tongue first and then his fingers. He could feel her arousal coiling tightly around him and it excited him to no end. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself inside her and end the torture, but this was her moment. He did figure eights with his tongue, circling, delving, teasing until she climaxed, calling out his name.
“Amar!” She fell backward against the pillows.
Pleased, he looked down at her and saw a small sheen of perspiration across her brow and chest. “This was just the beginning, baby. There’s more to come, so prepare yourself.”
Rylee glanced down at his rock-hard penis. “I can see that. So bring it on. I’m ready for you.”
Amar grinned devilishly and swiftly removed his boxers, freeing his penis and showing Rylee exactly what she’d felt earlier that day. He was magnificent, and Rylee licked her lips in eager anticipation, but it was Amar who was quick to react, and, on his haunches, reached for some strategically placed condoms near the fireplace. When he said he’d thought of everything, he meant it, Rylee thought.
“Allow me.” She rose, reached for the foil packet and took it out of his hands. She was about to rip open the foil when she had a better idea and lowered her head instead to take him full and deep in her mouth.
“Oh!” Amar seemed shocked yet pleasantly surprised at her double cross. She bobbed her head, taking him in and out, circling her tongue around his shaft and then out to tease the head with quick flicks of her tongue. Amar fisted handfuls of her hair in his hands as she loved him with her mouth.
His moans of “Yes, Rylee, yes, babe,” moved her. Rylee nearly had him at the brink when he swiftly turned her on her back. His fingers found the damp place between her legs, and she was just as wet as she’d been before if not more. Amar spread her wide with his thighs, and she lifted her knees in response, allowing Amar to ease inside her. He worked his way in until she was able to take all of him.
“Amar …” She clutched at his back with his fingernails.
“Yes, love.” He looked down at her with passion-glazed eyes.
Her eyes said, “more” and he gave it to her by rising slightly and moving slowly but deeply inside her. Rylee could feel herself opening up to him unlike she had to any other man. She arched her pelvis against him, creating the perfect friction as he thrust deeper and deeper inside.
“Oh, yes!” she screamed, but Amar covered his mouth with hers and began to pump wildly into her. Rylee surrendered herself to the moment, to Amar, to the reaction he could cause within her. She exploded.
“Rylee!” Amar gave one final thrust, and she heard his release as he joined her in a peaceful bliss.
Amar stared down at Rylee as she slept. She looked beautiful, peaceful and very satisfied. He’d ensured that. Last night, they’d made love, and she’d climaxed again and again. When she had, she’d seemed surprised by it. That’s when she’d shared with him that she’d never been able to reach orgasm with her prior lovers unless by way of oral sex.
Her admission had been like a test for him, one in which he had to score high marks. So he’d been determined to make sure she’d come each time they’d been joined together. And she had. As a man, that was immensely rewarding, knowing he could please his woman. And Rylee Hart was certainly his right now.
He hadn’t exactly played fair. He’d used all his charm, romantic skills and prowess as a lover to ma
ke sure she’d eventually succumb. It hadn’t hurt that Jeremy was no match for him. Sure, he was a nice guy, but he wasn’t who Rylee needed. She needed a take-charge man, and Amar knew that he himself fit the bill.
A buzzing came from the nightstand, and Amar looked at his cell phone. It was his father. He would have to take the call.
“Hello,” Amar whispered as he slowly slid out of the bed while Rylee continued to sleep.
“So, are we ready for the Derby today?” his father asked. “Did you neutralize your opponent? What are the odds now?”
Amar looked back at Rylee. He didn’t want her to know he hadn’t just gone after the horse because she was Jeremy’s but also to increase his father’s odds. “Yes. And our chances are improved,” Amar replied softly.
“Why are you whispering?”
“I, uh, have company,” Amar said. He sighed in relief as he entered the safety of the hall away from Rylee’s ears.
“So you prevailed?” his father said. “I should have known. Enjoy the piece while you can.”
“She’s not a piece,” Amar responded forcefully.
“Whatever,” his father said dismissively. “You just ensure we have a win. I have some friends hoping to win big today.”
“Dreamer is a long shot, but Desert Storm will certainly place.” Amar took a seat at the small pedestal table in the dining room.
“Placing means nothing. I want a win.”
Of course he did. His father wasn’t used to losing.
“I don’t ask much of you, Amar. I allow you to do your own thing in the U.S., but you said you wanted this part of the business.”
“You don’t need to remind me,” Amar replied. Years ago, he’d thought agreeing to oversee his father’s horses would bring them closer. Now he knew he’d been wrong. He knew his father just saw it as a way to try and control him. “And you don’t allow me to do anything. I’m in control of my own life.”
“You think so? If I wanted you back here, you would be.”
“Why would you even want it, Father? So your favorite son and country people can mock or degrade me? No thank you. My home is in the States, and I’m happy here. You’re just going to have to accept that.”
Harts of Arizona Series Page 43