Page 46 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

Nicole peered up at him. "Wasn't there anyone special?"

Rashid narrowed his eyes. "Here?"

Nicole nodded.

Rashid shook his head."If you mean has any woman ever lived here with me, then the answer is no," he said.

Nicole nodded and said nothing immediately. She looked suddenly thoughtful. "Has there been any reason for that?"

"Like what?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. Was there ever someone?"

Rashid drew himself up to his full height. "There have been women. I would be telling you a lie if I pretended otherwise."

"Of course," she said turning away from him slightly.

"I did live down in Qazhar at various times," he explained. "When my parents lived there. During those years, you could say I enjoyed myself. Like any other young man."

Had that sounded too harsh, too clinical? But, it was the truth. When he'd been younger, there had been many women, but none had affected him the way this beautiful woman had done. He felt she needed to know that he was not entirely inexperienced in the ways of women. That was really what she'd been asking him.

Rashid leaned closer to her. "I was a different person then," he said.

"We were all different when we were young," she said.

Nicole's eyes were bright as she looked up at him. Her mouth was slightly open, her lips full and moist. He wanted to reach out and trace his thumb along the length of her lower lip. He imagined how soft her lip would feel against the hardness of his skin.

Rashid felt his heart quicken. Being so close to Nicole reminded him of how he'd felt that morning. The soft desert breeze brought her scent to him. He inhaled it deeply and slowly, savoring the delight.

Nicole seemed to sense his growing desire because he saw her cheeks flush a subtle, beautiful pink. Rashid moved closer, mere inches, but it felt as if he'd crossed an enormous divide. Nicole didn't move away from him. He took that as the only encouragement he would need.

Rashid slid his hand along the balustrade and curled his fingers over Nicole's hand. She didn't pull her hand away from his. Instead, she glanced down, and he saw the corner of her mouth crease with the hint of a smile. Her gaze lifted to him. There was no refusal in that gaze. Rashid had waited long enough, and there was no denying the need which had risen up within him.

He slid his hand around Nicole's waist and gently eased her toward him. Nicole lifted her chin, and for a moment he thought there was a suggestion of defiance in that movement. He had one final moment of doubt, worrying that he'd been premature.

But then she smiled at him, and Rashid knew that, in the next moments, he would claim what he had been obsessing about all afternoon.

Being so close to the her lips ignited instant desire in him.

His head dipped and his lips crashed down on hers, devouring her with a sudden, fierce hunger. She gasped quietly as he pulled her body against his. He felt her soften against him, pressing herself eagerly on him.

Sensation flamed through Rashid, as he crushed his firmness against her.

Her lips tasted sweet. Rashid felt Nicole lift her head slightly, seeking him out, inviting him to kiss her even more firmly. Her need felt as strong as his. He felt as if he'd crossed a barrier and entered a new place, somewhere he'd left behind a long time ago.

Nicole's breath quickened as he wrapped his arms around her. His embrace was hungry with need. Her scent was intoxicating. The warmth of her body merely added to his own heat.

Nicole turned and leaned back against the balustrade. He felt her knees part and he pressed his need against her middle. Her low moan merely encouraged Rashid even more.

He felt her trace a hand up into his hair, snaking her fingers through the locks. The touch of her fingers felt exciting. Exquisite. His heart was pounding as he slid his hands down her side, resting them on her hips. He drew her nearer to him, needing to feel her close, wanting more of this delicious sensation.

When Rashid probed her mouth with his tongue, Nicole breathed heavily. He sensed her pleasure, her approval. Every movement of his tongue brought signs of a tightening desire from Nicole. There was no going back, now.

Feral, urgent want fired up within him. He felt every nerve in his body ignite with desperate desire.

Nicole's hands slid down to his back and he felt her fingers dig into his muscles, as if she wanted to take possession of his flesh. He gasped with the sharp, exquisite discomfort. He lifted his head back, feeling the separation of their mouths as a sudden, harsh absence.

Rashid peered urgently into Nicole's eyes. She smiled back at him. Her gaze spoke volumes to him. He quirked a brow at her and her gaze lowered, taking in the sight of his chest, watching his shoulders rise and fall with his urgent breathing.

---