the wedding. As’ad would like to have all his brothers there for the ceremony. And to point out that he would no longer have to listen to their father’s complaints that they had yet to all find brides.
Zarina wove her way through the tents, pausing at one in the back, almost on its own.
“In here, sir,” she said, holding open the flap. “I wish you a good evening.”
As’ad ducked inside. The tent was dim, with only a few lights. There was an open space covered with rugs, and a pile of cushions in front of him.
“If you will please be seated.”
The request came from a dark corner. He recognized Kayleen’s voice. A quiet tent, seclusion and the company of a beautiful woman, he thought as he lowered himself to the cushions. The evening had improved considerably.
Music began. The melody was more traditional than contemporary, as were the instruments. An interesting choice, he thought, as Kayleen stepped out of the shadows. It was his last rational thought for a very long time.
She wore veils. Dozens and dozens of sheer lengths of fabric covered her body. Yet there were flashes of skin- her waist, her legs, a bit of arm.
Her face looked the same, yet different, with her eyes suddenly dark and intriguing. Jewels glittered from her wrists and her ears; her skin shimmered in the dim light. She was the woman he knew yet a woman he had never known. Even before she began to move, he wanted her.
She moved her arms gracefully. He saw the henna on her skin and dropped his gaze to her bare feet. It was there, as well. The patterns were oddly erotic on her fair skin.
She moved her hips back and forth, turned and a single veil dropped to the rug.
It showed him nothing more. She was too well-wrapped. But when it hit, his chest tightened. Blood heated and raced through him, heading to his groin, where it settled impatiently. The desire was instant, powerful and pulsing.
He knew of the dance, had heard it described, but had never experienced it himself. He’d heard men talk of the power of being seduced in such a way by a woman and had privately thought them weak. But now, as Kayleen danced in time with the music, he knew he had been wrong. There was something primal in her movements, something that called only him.
She turned again and another veil fell.
It was all he could do to stay seated. He wanted to jump to his feet, pull her close and take her. He wanted to be inside of her, feeling her heat, pleasuring them both. Heat grew until he burned. And still she danced.
Her hips moved back and forth, her arms fluttered. This time when she turned, he knew the veil would fall, anticipated it, looked greedily to see more of her. A tug and it fluttered to the ground.
She turned back. He saw a hint of curve, the lace of her bra, and he was lost. He sprang to his feet and crossed to her. After he grabbed her around the waist, he pulled her against him and kissed her.
He told himself to hold back, that she wouldn’t appreciate his passion, but despite his forceful kiss, she met him with the same intensity. She plunged her tongue into his mouth, taking as much as she gave.
Kayleen was shaking, both from nerves and from need. Zarina had been right. Despite her uncertainty, she’d managed to bring a prince to his knees. Or at least his feet, which was just as good.
She’d seen the need in As’ad’s eyes, had watched him get aroused. He was already hard and straining. Even as they kissed, he pulled at the veils covering her, swearing with impatience when one tangled and would not budge.
“How many are there?” he asked, his voice thick with frustration and sexual arousal.
“A lot.”
She reached for his shirt and began to unbutton that.
“Too slow,” he told her and ripped the shirt open, then shrugged out of it. Seconds later he’d removed the rest of his clothes. Then he was naked and reaching for her.
His eagerness thrilled her. She was already damp and swollen, ready to be taken. To show him, she reached between them and stroked his arousal. He groaned as his maleness flexed in her hand.
“I want you,” he breathed in her ear. “I want you now.”
His words turned her to liquid. “Then take me.”
He stared into her eyes. “Kayleen.”
“I am to be your wife, As’ad. Take me.”
He lowered her to the cushions and pushed the veils aside. After pulling down her panties, he slid his fingers between her legs.
“You want me,” he told her as he rubbed against her swollen center.
“Always.”
He smiled, then continued to touch her. She pushed his hand away.
“Be in me,” she told him. “Claim me.”
His breath caught, then he did as she asked. He settled between her knees and pushed inside of her.
She always forgot how large he was, how he filled her and made her ache with need. Normally he was slow and gentle, but tonight he pushed inside as if driven. The passion excited her.
He thrust deeply, groaning, his arousal moving her in a way she’d never experienced before. Her muscles began to tense and she closed her eyes to enjoy the ride.
He took her hard and fast, as if daring her to keep up. She accepted him easily, letting each plunging, rubbing pulse take her higher and higher. She pulled her knees back, then locked her legs around his hips, drawing him in deeper.
Faster and more, pushing and straining until her release was only a heartbeat away.
He spoke her name. She looked up and saw him watching her.
“You are mine.”
Three simple words, but they were enough to send her spiraling out of control. She lost herself in her release, screaming as the pleasure claimed her. He pushed in twice more, then groaned the end of his journey.
The waves of their pleasure joined them and they clung to each other until the earth stopped moving and their bodies were finally at rest.
Kayleen let herself into her suite shortly after midnight. She felt happy and content and as if she could float. Or do the whole veil dance again!
Rather than turn on a light, she crossed to the balcony and stepped out into the night. The air had a slight chill, but she didn’t care. All she had to do was think about how much As’ad had wanted her and she got all hot inside.
The evening had been magical and she didn’t want to forget any part of it. If there were-
The sound of a chair moving caught her attention. She turned and saw something sitting in the shadows. The light from a cigarette glowed briefly.
“Well, well, aren’t you a bit of surprise.” Her mother’s voice was low and tight with something Kayleen didn’t recognize. “I thought you were just a silly girl who’d gotten lucky, but I was wrong. You just have a different game you play.”
Kayleen faced her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That innocent, country-mouse act is a good one. I’ll bet your prince fell for it in a heartbeat.”
“I’m not acting. All of this is real.”
Darlene laughed. “Don’t try to play me. I invented the game. I’m saying I respect your tactics. They wouldn’t work for me, but they obviously work.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s late. I’m going to bed.”
“You’ve already been to bed. What you’re going to do this time is sleep. Am I wrong?”
“I’m not discussing this with you.” She wouldn’t allow the other woman to turn her amazing evening into something ugly.
“You made one mistake, though. Falling in love with him makes you vulnerable and that means you can make a wrong move. It’s better to stay detached. Safer.”
“I’m marrying As’ad. I’m supposed to love him.”
Her mother laughed again. “Just don’t go expecting him to love you back. Men like him don’t. Ever.” She inhaled on her cigarette. “That’s my motherly advice to you. A little late, but no less valuable.”
