Beauty and the Sheikh (12 page)

The elevator ride was made in silence, but his fury screamed volumes. Holly pressed her lips together and straightened her spine, trying to prepare for the verbal lashing he was sure to turn on her once they were safely inside their room.

It wasn’t her fault, and she would make him realize the truth if it was the last thing she did. Men like Byron Olsen were slimeballs—she hadn’t done one single thing to encourage him.

Holly stepped into the penthouse first and walked straight to the terrace as Rafiq shut the door firmly behind them. The wind swept her hair, blowing into her face the silky strands that had been tediously straightened by the patient and sweet women earlier today.

The sun had recently set and the sky was still stained with lovely shades of coral and pink. But she couldn’t enjoy the view because her muscles were wound taught as she waited for Rafiq to yell at her.

When the terrace door opened she cringed but stood tall and kept her chin raised.

 His hand closed over her shoulder, fingers curling with enough strength to encourage her to turn around.

Despite her vow to be composed and strong, her voice broke. “It wasn’t my fault, Rafiq. I didn’t—”

He pulled her quickly against him, pressing her face gently against his shoulder as his arms closed around her. “I know,
habiba
.”

She blinked, the fight leaving her in a rush. “You do?”

His arms tightened around her and she thought for a moment she felt a small shudder slide through his body. He sighed and then pressed a kiss against her forehead. “I have no illusions that anyone but Byron Olsen is at fault. I always knew he was a bit of a scoundrel, but I never expected him to try something like this and I’m so damn sorry he went after you, Holly. I should have sent one of my guards to follow you.”

He wasn’t blaming her. It sank in and Holly blinked at the tears that suddenly blurred her vision. “I was in the restroom. I hardly required a guard.”

“Actually, being with me always makes you vulnerable for attack. I knew this, and yet I let you walk away alone.” He cursed softly and his arms tightened around her. “I take full responsibility. It won’t happen again.”

The hairs lifted on the back of her neck. Rafiq seemed to be taking this quite intensely, almost as if he felt personally responsible for her.

“From the moment we arrived at dinner, I sensed you did not care for his company.”

She allowed herself to lean completely into him, welcoming the comfort of his embrace. It was hard to think about why this moment seemed so important, but she knew something had significantly changed. For once, she wasn’t at the receiving end of Rafiq’s accusations. “No, I really didn’t care for him.”

“Have you met him before?”

She knew she shouldn’t have been surprised by Rafiq’s perceptiveness, but all the same she was. “Our paths crossed once at a party.”

“And did he try to force his advances on you then as well?”

Apparently the stiffening of her shoulders was all the answer he needed, because he made a soft growl in response. 

“He was a bit too ‘friendly,’ was how I liked to think of it. But then, that was often the case.” She kept her head buried against his shoulder, didn’t want to see the reaction in his eyes as she continued. “When I was modeling, there were occasions when a group of us girls would be sent to high-profile parties where wealthy, influential men would be in attendance.”

He was silent for a moment. “And what was required of you at these parties?” There was no accusation in his tone, but she could sense the heaviness behind his words, as if he really didn’t want to hear the answer.

“Nothing overtly scandalous. We were just the pretty decorations, I suppose. We were supposed to flirt a bit. Nothing beyond that. Unless…”

“Unless?”

“Unless we wanted to, but of course that was off the clock and completely non-business related. Some of the girls saw it as a place to look for their next lover.” She winced, knowing how shallow it sounded. “Most didn’t. I certainly didn’t. It was simply another job for me.”

“And Byron Olsen pursued you at one such party?”

“Yes, but I made it clear I wasn’t interested. I wasn’t that kind of girl, Rafiq—you must believe me.”

Rafiq gave a heavy sigh and pushed her back gently. She felt his gaze on her. “I do believe you. Why did you not tell me, Holly? I would have canceled the dinner with him.”

“I didn’t realize who we were having dinner with until I arrived, and it would’ve been too late. Besides, he’s one of your business allies. I could never have done that to you.” She sighed. “I didn’t think he even remembered me.”

Until she’d felt his hand on her knee. The presumptuous, shady bastard.

“Ah,
habiba
, you are so young and naïve at times. I don’t think there is a man on earth who could forget you.”

The husky timbre in his tone had butterflies dancing in her stomach. 

“I’m sorry, Holly.” He caught her hand and brushed his thumb across her knuckles. “I fear I’ve misjudged you.” 

She lifted her head to look up at him, stunned by his words. His eyes were alight with regret, but also with need and tenderness. Her heart clenched in response and her throat grew tight.

“Perhaps I should pour you a drink?” He dragged his gaze away, as if he didn’t trust himself. “Some wine to settle your nerves?”

She didn’t want wine; she wanted to kiss him. The same powerful need that had hit her during dinner slammed into her again. The urge to not stop this time—instead of fighting Rafiq’s seduction, giving in to it.

Always it had been Rafiq claiming a kiss. Taking her mouth in a demonstration of power, or in a slow move of seduction. But this time, she wanted that power. It would be her choice.

Holly lifted her hands to cup his face. Rafiq flinched when her fingers grazed his scar, and he reached for her wrist as if to stop her. But then he lowered his hand back to his side and waited. Watched her.

“Thank you.” Her heart quickened as she lifted her head toward his. “For believing me, Rafiq.”

She closed her eyes and pressed her lips against his.

He didn’t kiss her back, and she was aware of the sudden tension coiling through his body. She heard the shift in his breathing.

Holly brushed her lips over his again, with enough pressure to part his. The warmth of his breath mingled with hers and every nerve ending on her body shot to life. She was poised on the brink of turning and running like mad, or taking the leap into the unknown.

She wanted the unknown, and she wanted it with Rafiq. Had always wanted it with him. She lifted her mouth from his just slightly. “Make love to me.”

Rafiq groaned, but made no move to pull her closer. “Holly, I shouldn’t. You must know how much I want to, but perhaps this isn’t the right time.”

If she’d had any doubts her decision was the right one, his hesitation erased them. How many times had he promised to bed her? That he would seduce her? And yet when she offered herself to him with no expectations, he hesitated. 

She considered his words. Was she asking for all the wrong reasons? Would she wake up tomorrow and hate him once more? 

Have you ever really hated him
? 

She looked past him, to where the night sky had started to appear and a few stars twinkled. The warm Monaco breeze slid over them like a silky intoxicating caress.

No. She’d never hated Rafiq, despite her protest otherwise. She hated the way he’d treated her at times and the assumptions he made, but he’d been right. The line between loathing and love was very thin, and sometimes she wasn’t quite sure which side she fell on. Though lately it was becoming clearer.

“We’ve spent so much time fighting.” She traced his mouth with trembling fingertips. “I’ve already waited two years for this night, Rafiq. Please don’t make me wait any longer.” 

Chapter 10

Rafiq’s control snapped at her husky plea. His intentions of being a gentleman vanished as a ravaging hunger for her took over. He dragged Holly hard against him and claimed her mouth. Her arms wove around his neck and she kissed him back fervently, her sigh of relief only making his groin tighten. 

Any ability for him to change his mind vanished as Rafiq slid his arms under her knees and waist and lifted her without breaking the kiss. He made his way back inside the suite and glanced up for a moment to orient himself. Not even a minute later they were in his room and he lowered Holly down onto the blue opulent bedding.

Her hair fanned in silky threads over the pillow as she stared up at him with hunger in her eyes.

Attempting to go slowly would be the challenge of the night, but he could not imagine rushing their pleasure of their first time together. Of exploring all the tempting curves and crevices of Holly’s body.

The blood in his veins quickened as he reached for the strap of her dress. The gown reached nearly her ankles, but he would enjoy every inch of skin he revealed along the way.

“Are you certain, Holly?”  

“Yes,” she whispered. “More certain than I’ve ever been about anything.”  

Any other reply would’ve devastated him, and yet he would have stopped if she wanted him to. Even if it had killed him.

Rafiq slid one strap from her shoulder and then the other before reaching behind Holly to find the tiny zipper hidden low on the back. She arched her hips as he eased the dress from her body and tossed it to the floor. His breath caught at the sight of her pink-tipped breasts, suddenly freed to his eyes, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to see all of her. He gently removed the triangle of fabric shielding her femininity, leaving her completely naked.

Holly was stunning. So seductive and almost innocent in the way she balled her fists at her side, as if she were trying not to cover her body with her hands.

“Holly, you are like a work of art,” he choked out, the need in his blood at fever pitch now. 

She lay before him completely exposed, and he could see the mix of uncertainty and arousal in her eyes.

The uncertainty stunned him. Did she doubt he wanted her? How beautiful she was? How many men would give their souls to touch her? Him included. And tonight she would finally be his.

Unable to wait a moment more, he lowered his mouth to hers for another taste, eager to hear her soft cries and awaken her body to pleasure.

While his tongue tangled with hers, Rafiq trailed his hand lightly from her shoulder to the curve of her breast. He paused to tease the dusky tip, loving the way her nipple tightened against his fingers. Then he continued his journey in mapping out her soft body, following the indent of her waist and then the curve of her hip.

Ever so slowly—wanting to savor this moment he’d waited what seemed like an eternity for—he inched his hand inward, toward the apex of her thighs. He caught Holly’s gasp of pleasure as his knuckles grazed the damp, springy curls between her legs.

He lifted his mouth from hers to stare down at her. Beautiful. Every inch of her. Her breasts were swollen, the deeply pink nipples hard and ready to be suckled. Her concave stomach with the tiny seductive crater, and then slim thighs with the small patch of dark curls that shielded her sex. 

Everything inside him tightened with desire. He needed her like he’d never needed another woman.

Rafiq teased one finger just barely into her feminine folds and found hot, silky moisture there. He couldn’t suppress the groan that spilled from his lips.

“Rafiq.” Holly’s hips lifted and her head fell back against the pillow. “Oh, yes. Please, touch me.”

The sight of her wild in her abandon stranded the air in his lungs. Holly was a goddess. More intoxicating to him than the strongest brandy. 

How often had he fantasized about this, had dreamed of having Holly lying beneath him and crying out her pleasure? Begging him. And now the moment had come. He would have her—have every fantasy fulfilled, but there was no triumph.

Only the sudden stab of shame, so sharp and painful it almost overpowered his need for her. Almost. But he wouldn’t stop now—couldn’t stop until he’d buried himself in her and exorcised this consuming desire.

He lowered his head again, but this time to capture one puckered nipple in his mouth. She cried out when he suckled, her hands delving into his hair and holding him tight. Pure temptation. The taste of her sweet softness consumed him, erasing any lingering guilt and the ability to think. All that mattered was this moment and having Holly crying out his name.

Rafiq slipped his finger deeper into her tight sheath and groaned at how her warm, wet depths gripped him. He probed her gently and then slid his thumb up to seek the tight bundle of nerves that would bring her the ultimate release.

He found her sweet spot and teased it relentlessly, pulling sharp cries of pleasure from Holly as her hips rocked against his hand.

“Let yourself go,
habiba
,” he murmured against her breast before he transferred his mouth to its twin. He laved the peak, before alternately suckling and teasing it with his tongue. 

Holly’s hands slid from his hair to grip his shoulders as breathy pleas spilled from her lips. He took her higher, to the edge of the cliff before sending her flying into ecstasy. 

With Holly’s body still trembling through her release, Rafiq moved away from her long enough to shed his clothing, every second away from her sheer torture. He was nearly blind with arousal as he returned to the bed. His mouth sought hers, hard and demanding as he settled between her thighs.

Holly’s long legs wrapped around his waist as he sank into her. He wanted to go slow, knew he should, but it was difficult. Rafiq ground his teeth, willing himself to not take her too quickly.

But then she bit his lower lip lightly, made the sweetest mew of pleasure, and he was lost. Rafiq grasped her hips and buried himself deep inside her.  

Holly’s sharp gasp ripped through the room, dragging his conscience back to the present and away from the paradise of her body.

What…

Reality sank in. How unusually tight she was and how tellingly still she’d gone when he’d entered her.