Desert Rogues Part 2 (80 page)

“Sometimes we don't get what we want. I'd like you to be careful with her heart. You're the kind of man a woman dreams about finding.”

He grimaced. “Because I'm a prince?”

“I won't say that's not interesting, but it's not the main reason. There's something about you.” She touched his arm. “Be kind to my little girl. That's all I can ask.”

She walked inside the house. Rafiq watched her go. He almost wished he could have told her the truth. That she didn't have to worry. Kiley had come to him in order to get revenge and she had no interest in making their relationship about much more than that.

As he stood alone on the patio, he found himself wondering what it would be like if he were different. If he was the kind of man who believed in love and happily-ever-after. Then he would have to regret letting her go. But he didn't believe, and when the three months were up, he would walk away without looking back.

 

“My mother approves,” Kiley said as they drove toward the hotel that evening.

Rafiq glanced at her. “I doubt that.”

“It's true. She told me. She said you're everything a woman could want in a man.” Her mother had also told her to be careful about getting her heart broken, but Kiley already knew that.

“I enjoyed meeting your family,” he said. “They are good people.”

“Thank you. I'd been afraid things would be awkward, but you fit right in.” She glanced at him. “I had no idea you were a college football fan.”

“I'm a man with many interests.”

“Apparently.” Right now she was one of them—but for how long?

Don't go there, she told herself. Don't think about the future. There was only now. This night, this week, this month. Or three of them, to be precise. And then he would let her go.

When she'd asked about being his mistress, she'd been interested in revenge, nothing more. She hadn't thought about Rafiq as a person. Now she knew more of the man, and she liked him. She also admired him. Being in his company made her happy. She trusted him, laughed with him, wanted him. It was, she acknowledged, a recipe for emotional disaster.

She also knew that if she told him she was afraid of falling for him, he would break things off immediately. So she wouldn't say anything. She would live life to the fullest and deal with the consequences when their time was up. She would also abide by their agreement of an affair—nothing more.

She wanted to believe she mattered to Rafiq, and in some ways she was sure she did. But he was a prince, and the woman he chose to marry had serious implications. He wouldn't choose lightly, and he would never choose a regular woman from a completely normal middle-class American family. It just wasn't done.

There would be pain when the relationship ended, but she would survive. And in the surviving, she would learn and grow. Having been involved with Eric and then with Rafiq, she would know what to look for in a man and what to avoid. She would find the right partner, fall in love and start the family she'd always wanted. And for the rest of her life, she would have the memories of these three magic months.

They drove into the hotel parking lot and stopped by the valet. As their luggage was unloaded by the bellman, Rafiq took her hand and led her inside.

He checked them in and followed the night manager to their room.

Tonight, she thought as the other man explained about the hotel amenities. They would be together tonight. She was tired of waiting, tired of being the student. She wanted to be his equal—a lover he found fascinating.

“Here is our presidential suite,” the manager said as he opened one side of a double door.

Kiley looked at Rafiq. “I didn't book this.”

“I know. I had my travel agent take care of it.”

The room was lovely, with a view of the city, a spacious living room and two bedrooms. For her it was totally upscale, although she had a feeling that Rafiq normally traveled in more style.

Their luggage was brought up. He tipped the bellman, who left with the manager.

She crossed to the window and he followed. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She snuggled into his embrace.

“Thank you for staying over,” she said.

“We had to. There's brunch tomorrow at your parents' house. I'm looking forward to it.”

She smiled, then turned in his arms and touched a stain on his shirt. “I think the baby spit up on you.”

“I am sure of it.”

“You didn't mind being run over by toddlers or dragged into family arguments about where to go on vacation or the state of the roof.”

“I enjoyed myself today. They are good people and they didn't have any expectations of me.”

“A pleasant surprise?”

“You don't know how much.”

She could imagine, though. The night of the fund-raiser had shown her that she wouldn't have enjoyed growing up in his world, always on display.

She studied his face, the handsome lines and masculine features. She touched his mouth and remembered how he'd touched her on the plane.

He smiled. “There are two bedrooms,” he said. “Which would you prefer?”

She pointed to the master, with the large bed and marble bathroom. “That one.”

“Then I'll take the other one.”

“I don't think so.”

His eyebrows rose.

She shrugged. “Unless it's really important to you, of course. I'm not going to force you to sleep with me.”

“Kiley?”

“You said to let you know. So I am. I'm ready, Rafiq. I want us to make love tonight.”

H
er words made Rafiq hard in an instant. He ached to claim her right there, to strip off her clothes and bury himself inside of her. Control seemed unimportant in the face of his growing need.

But he held back. As much as he wanted to plunge himself inside of her, he wanted to make this good for her more. There would only ever be one first time for her. He would always be the first man to make her his. He wanted to make sure every moment of their lovemaking made her tremble with delight.

Without speaking, he took her hand and led her into the bedroom. Once there, he turned to her and pulled her close, then lowered his head so that he could claim her with a kiss.

He felt her instant surrender. She melted into him, parting her lips and clinging to him. Her breasts pressed into his chest, her thighs brushed his.

He slipped his tongue into her mouth and tasted her sweet heat. She welcomed him, circling, rubbing, dancing. Each stroke, every brush, even the lightest touch of her fingers on his back inflamed him. Need pulsed in time with his heartbeat. He had never been one to simply take what was offered. He prided himself on reducing his bed partners to whimpering puddles of sexual satisfaction, but he had never
wanted
this much before.

It was as if the ancient blood of his heritage, of those long-gone desert warriors, now controlled him. He wanted to tear off her clothes and gaze upon her naked body. He wanted to move inside of her, filling her until they both cried out in ecstasy.

But she was a virgin and patience was required.

He forced the erotic images from his mind and gently stroked her back. He deepened the kiss, but made no other attempt to move things along. There would be plenty of time, he told himself.

She was the one to pull away and kiss his jaw. As she rubbed her body against his, she nibbled on his neck, then sucked his earlobe. His erection pulsed.

“You're going slow,” she said, speaking into his ear.

“Yes. It's your first time.”

“Don't.”

He stiffened. “Don't what?”

“Don't go slow.” She looked at him, and he saw the desire in her eyes. “I meant what I said. I'm ready. Touch me.”

As she spoke, she unfastened the button on her jeans. He accepted the invitation and slid down the zipper, then eased his hand between her panties and her soft, warm skin.

Then he swore. She was hot, wet and already swollen. He rubbed the engorged center of her pleasure and made her moan. He eased a finger inside of her, and her hips arched toward him. He withdrew and she whimpered.

It was too much, he thought, battling animal urges. He could have held back if she'd been cautious or afraid or hesitant. He could have waited longer if she'd needed more time. But her blatant invitation was more than he could resist. More than he should have to.

He dragged her to him and kissed her again. But this time he claimed her as his. As he entered her mouth, he began unfastening the buttons on her blouse.

She reached for his shirt, but her inexperience slowed her down. He had her blouse off and her bra open before she'd managed two buttons. He broke the kiss and stepped back.

“Perhaps I should undress myself,” he said as he finished unfastening his shirt, then tossed it aside.

“I'd like that.”

She shrugged out of her bra and toed out of her shoes, then moved back into his embrace. Now her bare breasts rested on his skin. He could feel her tight nipples brushing against him. They groaned together.

He cupped both her breasts and caressed her with his fingers. As she dropped her head back and closed her eyes, he nudged her toward the bed.

Kiley felt the mattress behind her and waited for the flash of fear. There wasn't any. Just a building need that made her want to hurry things along. Her blood raced with an urgency that made it impossible to catch her breath. More. She wanted more. She wanted all of it.

She sank onto the bed, pulling Rafiq down beside her. He wrapped his arms around her and rolled, drawing her across him until they were both stretched out on the sheets. Even as he kissed her, he touched her breasts, rubbing, teasing, making her ache and need.

When his hand moved lower to her already-open jeans, she grabbed for the denim and pushed. Jeans and panties slid down her thighs until she was able to kick them and her socks off. He settled his hand between her legs and began to explore all of her.

She parted for him, knowing what would happen and more than ready to experience pleasure again. But this time was to be for both of them, so as he touched her, she reached for him.

He was hard. She felt the length of him through his slacks. Even as he circled around her and rubbed, she matched the movements on his erection.

After a minute or two he pulled back and looked at her. “You're distracting me.”

“Really?” The thought if it made her smile.

“More than you know.”

“Then let's do more.”

He laughed and sat up. After taking off his shoes and socks, he stood and quickly removed his slacks and briefs. Then he was naked, and she could see all of him.

He was lean and muscled and very much aroused. When he joined her on the bed, she reached for him.

“I want to touch you,” she said.

“I have something better in mind.”

He knelt between her thighs. As she watched, he gently parted her, then slowly began to push inside. At the same time, he rubbed that center spot, making it difficult for her to think about anything but the way he made her feel.

Still, even as her body tensed in anticipation of her release, she felt him filling her. The stretching was unfamiliar and a little uncomfortable. She stiffened slightly and he stopped.

“Does that hurt you?” he asked as he lightly caressed her breasts.

“Not really. It's just strange.” She fought the need to close her eyes as his fingers worked their magic. “My doctor told me that I'm not going to bleed or anything. There's no physical proof.” Ack! Talk about embarrassing. “You know what I mean.”

“I do. Does this feel good?”

He lightly squeezed her nipples between thumb and forefinger.

“Oh, yeah. That works.”

He moved his right hand between her legs. “And this?”

He began the rubbing again. Instantly she felt herself spiraling toward her release.

“Good,” she gasped. “Really good.”

“Then let me pleasure you.”

He spoke softly, not the least bit commandlike, yet she found herself wanting to obey. He rubbed faster and faster, pressing a tiny bit harder, arousing her until release became inevitable. She felt him moving deeper inside of her but was more caught up in the rising tension and the way his fingers took her to the edge and then pushed her over.

Her climax engulfed her. She got lost in the waves of pleasure. He kept touching her. She rocked her hips, liking the sense of fullness as she came. Rocked a little faster until she realized he was moving, too. Moving inside of her.

Her eyes popped open. He was over her, his arms supporting his weight as he slowly moved in and out of her. She could see the tension in his face, the need in his eyes as he watched her.

“We're making love,” she whispered.

“So we are.”

“I like it.”

“Good.”

He moved a little faster. She spread her legs more, inviting him to go deeper. As he did so, she felt a hint of anticipation, a flutter of wanting. This had possibilities, as well.

But that was for next time. Now she simply wanted him to experience what she had.

“Come for me,” she whispered.

He smiled. “As you wish.”

He closed his eyes and pushed into her twice more before stiffening, then groaning her name.

 

Rafiq poured more champagne into Kiley's glass. “Are you still hungry?” he asked.

She looked at the demolished plate that had originally held a burger and fries, along with the empty bowl of what had been ice cream.

“Nope. I'm completely full.” She sipped the bubbly liquid and grinned. “I've never had champagne with a hamburger before.”

“What do you think of the combination?”

“I like it.”

They sat next to each other on the comfortable sofa in the suite's living room. She pulled her robe more securely around her and tucked her bare feet under Rafiq's thigh.

It was done. She'd officially changed her status to nonvirgin, and the entire event had been spectacular.

“You look happy,” he said as he rubbed her bare calf.

“I am. Thank you for tonight.”

“My pleasure, and I mean that most sincerely.”

She leaned against the sofa and smiled at him. “This has been a good day. One of my best ever. You made my first time perfect.”

“I wanted to.”

She believed him. She knew that he'd been concerned about her while they'd made love. She liked that about him, along with other things.

Who was this man who made love with her so wonderfully? How could she have worked for him for two years and never noticed his goodness and humor and how incredibly sexy he was?

“You don't go back to Lucia-Serrat very often,” she said.

He looked at her. “An interesting change in subject.”

“I was thinking that you've been little more than a boss to me until very recently. I never allowed myself to see the actual man inside the suit. Now I have and it changes things.”

He nodded. “I don't go back to the island much. In time it will be important to me to live there permanently. But not yet. My father runs the country well. He is busy with that and with his wife and family.”

Kiley tried to remember all she knew about Lucia-Serrat and its ruler. “His wife is American, isn't she?”

“Yes. Phoebe grew up mostly in Florida. They met when she was on vacation. They fell in love very quickly and have been married nearly twelve years. They have two daughters.”

“I know. The half sisters you refuse to shop for. You're better about your brothers.”

“That's because they're boys and I know what they want.”

“Do you stay away to give them a chance to be a family?” she asked.

He shrugged. “In part. I would be expected to move into the prince's residence. While the girls are so young, it is better that they have their father's attention.”

She snuggled close and rested her head on his shoulder. “Tell me about the island.”

“It's very beautiful. There are beaches and a rain forest. One of the world's largest banyan trees is there. And, of course, the famous Lucia-Serrat meerkats.”

“I love meerkats.”

“Most women do.”

“They look like little bandits. So cute. Do you miss your home?”

“Sometimes.”

And yet he stayed away because it was the right thing to do. Talk about a tough act to follow. He was going to make falling in love with someone else a bit of a challenge.

She raised her head and sipped her champagne. “Do you know who you're going to marry?”

He stiffened slightly. “Why do you ask?”

“Don't panic,” she said with a grin. “I'm not hinting. I'm asking. You're going to have to marry and have heirs. Do you know who it is? Have you picked out some innocent schoolgirl who will be raised in proper princess fashion?”

“Not yet. I may choose as I like or have my father arrange a match.”

“That will never happen,” she told him. “You're too stubborn to let someone else pick your wife. You might want to stay away from Carmen, though. She had quite the temper.”

“I remember.”

The nature of their conversation surprised Rafiq. He braced himself for the not-so-subtle hints indicating that Kiley would make the perfect wife, but they never came. Now that he thought about it, she had never mentioned extending their affair or talked about the future at all.

“You need someone tall,” she said. “A lot taller than me.”

“Why?”

She sighed. “Because, she'll look better in her clothes and therefore in all the pictures. There's a reason fashion models are so tall. Make sure she's smart and funny. You'd hate it if she was dull. But not too skinny. Look for childbearing hips.”

“I find it disconcerting to discuss my future wife with my current mistress.”

She looked surprised. “But we've seen each other naked. You deflowered me. I wouldn't have thought there were any topics off-limits. I guess I didn't know you were so sensitive.”

“I'm not
sensitive,
” he said with a growl.

She patted his arm. “Of course. My prince, a delicate flower. Who would have known?”