by Cara Albany
He lifted his head, and she opened her eyes, gazing up at him. At first she was shocked at the way he was looking at her, with such tenderness, such emotion.
"Well, that was a surprise," she said trying to sound casual, but noticing that her voice was cracked with emotion.
"Erin. What can I say?" he growled. "The last three days have been torture. You know that, don't you?"
She lifted her hand and placed a finger against his lips. "I know. For me, too, Karim. You don't need to say anything."
His eyes narrowed, first with understanding and then clouded with sudden, dark desire. His mouth crashed down upon hers, his lips seeking harsh satisfaction, a desperation in his kiss that she felt equally as much in herself. It was as if they'd melted into one being, here, underneath the burning sun, on the hot sand.
She wondered what would happen next. Even as she asked herself that question, she already knew the answer. But it wouldn't happen here.
When their lips parted and he asked her if she wanted to go back to the villa, all she could do was nod silently.
It had been a long wait, but it would soon be over. Once and for all.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The door to her suite slammed shut behind them, and Erin had to suppress a giggle. She smiled at Karim as she walked backward away from him. Lifting a hand, she curled a finger at him, saying nothing. But, she could tell he knew what she meant as she made her way toward her bedroom.
Karim grinned at her and lifted his T-shirt up over his head, throwing it hard across to land on the sofa. Erin swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. Karim's tightly muscled torso looked even more delicious in the soft light of her suite.
Karim paced toward her like a predatory animal, his shoulders hunched, his brows furrowed, eyes dark with desire. He flicked off his flat shoes. Now barefoot, he padded across the marble floor. She watched, anticipation growing in her, as he stalked toward her. He had a now familiar determined expression on his face.
Karim's gaze flickered down at her bikini. He lifted a brow. "You're turn," he growled.
Erin shook her head and waved a finger from side to side. "Not yet," she teased continuing her steady backward pace through the open door to the bedroom.
Karim hooked his fingers inside the waistband of his pants. "You want everything off?" he joked.
Erin tilted her head and halted at the foot of the bed, feeling the edge of the mattress press against the back of her knees. "Why not," she replied laughing quietly.
Karim grunted and advanced toward her, but she held him at bay with a hand on his bare chest. The feel of his skin, the soft touch of his dark hair, the heat of his body was almost unbearably tempting. She saw his jaw tighten defiantly, but she spread her fingers wide, holding him at bay.
For the moment, at least. She wanted to be sure. Now that they were alone in her suite she knew they wouldn't be disturbed. But, Erin still needed to be certain she was doing the right thing.
She'd raced him back to the villa, running across the beach, with him trailing well behind. As she'd ran from him, she'd wondered if the spell of the moment when he'd kissed her had been broken.
But it hadn't. Now that they were in her bedroom, now that there was only one question to be answered, she felt the intense need even more.
Karim reached out and tugged on her bikini top, his gaze transfixed by the sight of her almost naked body. She pushed him and then lost her balance, tumbling down onto the bed.
Gazing up at him, she watched as he slowly tugged down his pants, revealing that he was wearing tight boxer shorts beneath. Erin tried to swallow as she took in the sight of Karim kicking his pants away, with an almost impulsive irritation. He knew she was making him take everything slowly. Did she think she was just teasing him, though? That, once he was naked, almost ready for love-making, she'd change her mind?
There was no changing her mind now. Especially now that her breath was catching in her throat as she watched Karim hook his thumbs into the top of his boxers and start to slowly tug them down across his hips.
Erin shifted nervously on the bed as she watched him reveal his splendor, the fullness of his desire plain to see. Erin felt herself instinctively clutch at the bedspread. Karim kicked away his boxers and lifted one knee up onto the edge of the bed, placing it between her open legs. It was a gesture that contained challenge and impatience.
He wanted her naked. His gaze ran along the entire length of her body, and she knew what he expected her to do. But, before she could move, Karim had bent down and was curling his fingers around the edges of her bikini bottom. He looked up at her and smiled as he tugged at the bikini, sliding it down her hips, revealing herself to him. She saw his eyes narrow approvingly as he gazed at her.
Then she lifted her bare feet, and he slid off the bikini bottom and tossed it on the floor. Erin conquered an impulse to cover herself with a hand. Because, right now, all she wanted was for him to gaze upon her. He didn't say anything to her. He didn't need to. Not with the way he was looking at her with such desire, such need.
Erin's gaze went to his own desire, and she could see the promise of it, now that it was at its largest.
Erin slid up on the bed and reached round, untied the bikini top and started to pull it off, but he reached up a hand and stopped her from doing that. Erin stared at him as he moved upward, knees on either side of her body. She could feel his power, sense the way it was contained in his feral physique. She felt heat flare at her core, and need called frantically for her attention.
Karim reached down and gently eased the bikini top away, revealing her full breasts. He dropped the bikini top dismissively to the side of the bed as he gazed down hungrily at her. Then his head and shoulders dipped, and his mouth claimed one of her nipples. Erin groaned as he started to lave her peak with his hot tongue. Pleasure made her body jerk, and she arched her back. His tongue circled her nipple sending shock waves of delight through her.
Erin clutched at his hair, holding on to him, desperate that he continue. She felt the entire length of his body settle down gently upon her. His need pressed against her, tantalizingly near her core which was now hot with anticipation.
Erin wrapped her arms around Karim's shoulders, feeling the tightness of his muscles, the barely restrained power. His head moved, and his lips claimed her other nipple, lips circling, tasting her, devouring her. And, as before, ecstasy pulsed through her. She closed her eyes and delivered herself over to him, submitting to his desperate hunger, which was now becoming even more intense, even more relentless.
It seemed that his need to taste her body was insatiable, but eventually he lifted his head and crashed his lips down upon her mouth, his tongue seeking an entry she was eager to grant him. The entire hot length of his body rested down on her. He took his weight on his elbows as he continued to kiss her with a passion she hadn't sensed in him before now. She traced her hands down his back until her fingers felt the tight muscles of his behind.
Erin gasped as he probed her mouth with his tongue, triggering indescribable pleasure. It was almost more than she could take. He had completely overwhelmed her with the sheer power of his body, the pure, animal wildness of his need.
Suddenly he lifted his head and gazed down at her, his dark gaze taking in the sight of her own ecstasy which she was sure was written all across her flushed features. There was an intensity of feeling in that gaze which momentarily took her by surprise. Then he shifted slightly, starting to kiss her again. This time, though, she felt his hand reach down along the length of her, down across her belly, until she felt his fingers at her core. Her heart started to race frantically as she felt him ease her gently open.
Sensation quivered across her, and she curled her fingers desperately against his muscular back, digging her nails into his flesh. But he didn't flinch. He continued to touch her gently and then she gasped as she felt his finger circle her most sensitive area. She thought she would lose all self-control. The ecstasy was almost unbearable. She twiste
d her hips, almost tempted to ask him to stop. But, as he held her firm and continued his slow, easy movements, driving her wild with pleasure, she finally gave in to the inevitable. This was where she belonged. With this incredible man who seemed to know every way of lifting her to new heights of ecstasy.
Within a short time, she knew she was about tumble over the cliff. The need to have him closer to her became imperative. As he caressed her core one last time, she felt a sudden wave of pleasure descend upon her, and she cried out, holding Karim tight, feeling her entire body quiver. He embraced her as she fell into a warm pool of pleasure.
After a short while, he started to kiss her, more gently this time, as if he understood her need now.
Then she reached down and held his own desire firmly in her hand. He gasped, and his eyes lit up, understanding dawning in his gaze. He shifted position, settling himself at her core. She was still alive with pleasure there, but the need to have him as close as possible to her added an urgency to her movements as she shifted her position for him. She could sense that he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
Then she felt him press tentatively at her core. She laid her hands gently on his hips and felt him ease himself inside her. As she clenched around him, she saw him arch his back, his face transformed by ecstasy. Then he started to move slowly, sending waves of pleasure through her body. The pace of his movements became more urgent, and he gazed down at her as they became one. With each thrust she felt the force of his desire pressing against her, triggering a riot of sensation that once again began to drive her toward the same destination as before.
It was if they'd always meant to be together as their bodies danced in harmony, each movement lifting them both higher.
Then, she felt the same wave as before, racing toward her. This time, though, she knew somehow it would be different. Because they were together. Because they were one.
Karim's rhythm became faster, and she could sense his climax was near. His breathing became quicker, as did her racing heartbeat.
Then, he cried out his pleasure, arching his back and she felt herself tumbling over the precipice with him and into an ecstasy she'd never believed possible.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
They made love all night long. Over and over, Karim claimed her, possessed her, and drove her to an ecstasy more intense than the last time. Erin had never known anything like it. Karim's hunger for her, his determination to give her as much pleasure as possible, seemed insatiable. And that was the word that rang in Erin's mind all through the long night.
Insatiable. Every time she thought she'd satisfied him, he asked for more.
She'd had no idea that he could be like this. It was as if a dam had been breached, and all of Karim's pent-up desire had been released. She'd had no idea he felt so strongly about her. Had all those arguments just been a cover obscuring this intense, hidden need?
During the night, he'd uttered words to her which had taken her by surprise. Words of affection and much more. And, in her moments of exquisite torment, she had said those same words to him. How could they possibly say such things to each other, when they both knew the real reason why they'd come together in the first place?
Many times during the night she told herself it didn't matter why they'd been brought together by fate. Because, that was what it felt like as she lay in his arms, exhausted and sated by pleasure.
Fate. Destiny. That was the only way she could explain this crazy situation. How could two people who'd expressed such loathing for each other end up feeling like this?
Finally, she fell asleep. When she awoke, he was nowhere to be seen. Then she heard the sound of the running shower from the bathroom. She got up and padded, naked, into the bathroom. The shower was steam-filled, and she saw Karim's completely naked figure standing beneath the narrow torrent of water. He looked glorious. Water tumbled down his glistening torso. She watched him turn from side to side granting her a view of back and front. Echoes of the desire from the night sounded inside her.
He saw her enter and smiled. "You're awake," he said grinning at her. He looked so pleased to see her, it touched her, made her feel a sudden warm emotion. "Come here," he told her.
She stepped into the shower, and he embraced her. It felt amazing to be standing beneath the thin, invigorating needles of water, Karim's firm body pressed against her. She felt him harden against her belly. He smiled at her through the rivulets of water which ran down his face, as if sensing that she'd noticed his instant arousal.
He eased her closer to him, putting her head beneath the water. She laughed and then he kissed her, tasting her the way he'd done so many times during the night. She ran her hands down his wet body, feeling the warmth of his skin, the firmness of his muscles. In spite of everything that had happened during the night, despite feeling almost completely spent, she felt her core warm in response to his possessive embrace.
She leaned back against the wall, the cool tiles hard against her back. As if encouraged, Karim pressed hard against her, devouring her with his kiss. His hand slid down, cupping her breast. With his other hand, he cupped her chin, lifting her mouth up, as if desperate to make the most of his punishing kiss. Erin submitted to every tender touch, every probing movement of his tongue. He tortured her some more with kisses down the side of her neck and up behind her ear. It was as if he already knew everything necessary to bring her entire body to life, make it sing with pleasure.
They washed away the traces of the night as they held each other close. Finally, they stepped out of the shower, got dried and dressed. They made their way downstairs hand in hand. It seemed as if Karim didn't want to spend one moment away from her. She was quite happy to go along with that.
They had breakfast on the terrace. They talked about the coming day, and he suggested they take a long walk, but she was sure she didn't have the energy for such a thing. Not after last night.
Karim talked about going back to Qazhar, and for the first time, she wondered if things would change between them once they'd returned there. During breakfast, she saw Karim look out to sea as if he was searching for something. When she eventually asked him what he was looking for, he shrugged it off as nothing and changed the subject.
Erin decided to call her mother. She went to her room to make the call. She didn't know yet what she would say. Obviously nothing about last night, but she knew her mother would be able to read between the lines no matter what Erin said to her about Karim.
Erin sat on the sofa of her suite and propped her feet up, stretching out, feeling more relaxed than she'd felt in a long time.
She heard the phone being picked up and her sister Nicole's voice.
"Hi, Nicole. It's me. Can you put mom on the line?"
"Erin? How are things going on your desert island?"
"Fine, Nicole. And it's not my desert island. It belongs to Karim."
She heard Nicole snort. "Doesn't that mean it's yours, too?"
Erin let that question slide. "Can you put mom on the line?"
"She's not here. She had an important meeting to attend. I think she'll be back in the afternoon."
Erin felt disappointed. She'd wanted to talk to her mother. Sharing at least some hint of her past twenty-four hours might have given her a chance to start putting things in perspective.
"While you're on the phone, Erin, have you seen the pictures? And the video?"
"What are you talking about, Nicole?"
She heard her sister groan. "Don't tell me you haven't seen the morning news."
"Why?"
"You're on it. And Karim, too."
A chill sensation slid up Erin's spine. "What are you saying?"
"And, may I say, you two look like you're having a great old time." Nicole continued, oblivious to Erin's concern.
Butterflies fluttered in Erin's stomach, and she felt dread grip her throat. When she spoke next, she could hardly get the words out. "I don't know what you're talking about, Nicole. But you better tell, me right now," Erin
said trying to contain the panic in her voice.
"It's funny. I just turned on the TV this morning and there you were, running along the beach with Karim chasing after you," Nicole said breezily. "I have to say, it looked pretty romantic. You both looked so happy. The perfect newlyweds. The commentators on the news could hardly contain themselves." Her sister concluded her revelation with a loud giggle.
Now panic did grip Erin, seizing her by the throat. She leaned back on the sofa, speechless for a long moment. How did Nicole know about yesterday on the beach with Karim? How had those pictures and videos been taken? Erin thought back to yesterday. Understanding started to glow dimly at the edge of her mind.
"Did it say how they got the pictures?" she asked Nicole.
"Seems like there were some paparazzi who took a boat out after you two left on the plane. Must have taken them a while to get there. But, you know those guys. They'll do anything to get a good picture. Especially of a couple who are hot in the news. And that's you two, right?"
Paparazzi? Of course, that would explain it. There must have been a boat out there as Karim had been chasing after her all the way back to the villa. Erin swallowed. It was just as well they hadn't done anything else except kissing on the beach. The thought of what might have happened if they'd both lost self-control was too horrific to even contemplate.
Nicole seemed completely oblivious to the potential disaster the photographers could have caused.
"You say it's all over the media."
"Yeah. You can see them online, too. Social media is buzzing with it."
"Oh, God," Erin exclaimed. She lifted a hand to her face and shook her head. Could this get any worse?
"Are you okay?" Nicole asked sounding genuinely concerned. "I thought you would have found it pretty funny. Belle has spent the morning screaming with laughter every time she sees you on the TV."
Erin sighed heavily. What would everyone think?
"So, how is Karim?" Nicole asked, a sudden mischievous tone in her voice.