When he was finished, he collapsed on top of her. The bed wasn’t big enough for him to roll away. He could have fallen asleep like that, but she shifted with discomfort. He remembered that part of being a generous lover was cleaning up the mess, so he lumbered to his feet. He soaked a washcloth and took care of her. He wiped her breasts, her belly, between her legs. She trembled at his touch, still sensitive. His shaft thickened with interest.
“Don’t even think about it,” she said.
He set aside the washcloth, smiling. “You can’t handle another round?”
“Please. Let me rest.”
He climbed into bed and put his arm around her, content to wait. He’d rushed things by telling her he loved her earlier. She was rattled from the day’s events. She’d believed him dead. Putting on the emotional brakes was a natural reaction to trauma. If she needed him to slow down, he’d slow down. If she needed time, he’d give her time. He’d do anything for her—because what he felt wasn’t temporary.
It was forever.
Chapter 20
Layah didn’t dream of Khalil.
She dreamed of William, locked in battle. Jumping through fire, guns blazing. Shielding her with his body, protecting her from harm.
She woke at dawn in the safety of his arms. He cradled her for a few moments, his breath fanning her ear. Then he eased away from her and sat at the edge of the bed. She tugged the sheets up to cover her naked body, studying him. He had broad shoulders, rippled with muscle. She felt deliciously sore from last night’s activities, but eager to touch him again. She crawled across the mattress and wrapped her arms around him. The sheet fell away, leaving nothing between them.
He glanced over his shoulder at her. “This is how I’d like to wake up every morning.”
She cuddled closer, pressing her bare breasts against his back. She could hear his heartbeat, strong and sure. He lifted a hand to her hair and cradled her head. He held her in place behind him, as if he never wanted her to move.
“I’ve decided to take you captive,” he said.
She inhaled a sharp breath. “Captive?”
“It’s only fair.”
“Will I stay in this room?”
“Yes. I’ll tie you to the bed.”
“Naked?”
“Naked, or covered with a sheet. I’ll rip it off you whenever I want.”
Her nipples tightened into fine points and heat settled between her legs. She could hear the edge in his voice, the near seriousness of his words. She understood his desire to take control of the situation. To take control of her. He was an idealistic American. He wanted a happy ending to their story, and he couldn’t accept anything less.
She touched her lips to his shoulder. “I will be your captive, if you like.”
“Can I tie you up?”
She stretched out on her back and brought her wrists together in offering. His eyes darkened at the supplicant move. Instead of playing her game, he rose from the bed and put on his pants. He paced the room, raking a hand through his hair. He didn’t want her submission. He wanted her heart.
She covered herself with the sheet again. “We can take a bus to Yerevan. My parents will wire me money for tickets.”
“I have to call my commander first.”
“And your mother? You will call her?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me about her.”
“She’s a nurse. She lives in Kansas City.”
“Is that where you’re from?”
He nodded.
“Where do you live now?”
“San Diego. California.”
“Where is your father?”
“He died when I was eleven.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shrugged, sitting down next to her.
“What was he like?”
“He was a womanizer and a drunk. It was hard on my mom.”
“Not on you?”
“It was, but I think she got the worst of it. She had to raise me on her own.”
“Were you a good boy?”
“Hell no. I was a nightmare.”
She smiled at his description. “How so?”
“I was angry and impulsive. I liked to fight. I climbed everything. I fell and broke bones and drove her crazy.”
“She must be proud of you now.”
Hud gave Layah a measured look. “Aren’t your parents proud of you?”
“I don’t know.” She stared up at the ceiling, clutching the sheet to her chest. Her parents wouldn’t approve of this affair, but maybe it didn’t matter. She’d already fallen far from grace. “I’ve disappointed them.”
“Because of Khalil?”
“They also didn’t want me to leave home, or to study English in Baghdad. I was never a good Assyrian girl.”
“You went to medical school. Isn’t that good enough?”
“Marrying an Assyrian doctor would have been better.”
He shook his head in disbelief. “My mother would love you.”
She was touched by the compliment, and she didn’t think he gave it lightly. “Did she like your first wife?”
“She did not.”
Layah laughed at his wry expression. He curled up beside her, his arm draped across her waist. She studied his hands, which were as hard and strong as the rest of him. His veins stood out in harsh relief.
“I’ll come back for you,” he said against her neck.
“Don’t.”
“Why not?”
She turned to face him, her throat tight.
“Is it Ashur? Are you doing this for him?”
“I want to see him settled, but he’s not my only concern. I can’t bear to hope for something that will never be.”
A muscle in his jaw flexed. “What if I can get you a visa?”
“How will you do that?”
Hud didn’t answer.
She traced the insignia on his chest with her fingertip. “Do not lie for me. This job is who you are. It is too important to risk.”
“You’re important, too.”
She rose from the bed, denying him. “I meant what I said last night.”
He followed her across the room and grasped her shoulders. “Tell me you don’t love me, and I’ll walk away. I’ll let you go.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I don’t love you.”
He flinched as if she’d struck him. She didn’t think he believed her. She thought he’d kiss her until she admitted the truth. Either that or throw her down on the bed and make love to her roughly, like he had several times
