Her Desert Knight (5 page)

“Then what’s the problem?”

“Old Hassan insists that his father, who sold the land, was sick and under duress and was badgered into selling it. He claims the handshake contract is null and void, and he wants the land back.” Salim crossed his arms. “Not going to happen.”

“I’m guessing the land is worth a lot more now?”

Salim snorted. “Add three zeros and you’re still not close. Hey, the old man needed the cash and he made a deal. I’m sure we’d all be wealthy as kings if we could renegotiate some of the bargains we made at the wrong time. Besides, it’s not like he’s starving. Hassan is one of the best-known engineers in the country, and he has two intelligent sons. Some people should learn to count their blessings.”

“Dani’s not involved in any of that. I doubt she’s even aware of it. She’s here to regroup after her bad marriage.”

“And you’re helping her out with that?” Elan crossed his arms.

“Out of the frying pan, into the fire...” Sara whispered with a wink.

“You do realize that here in Oman you basically need to marry a woman in order to kiss her.” Salim leaned back in his chair, arms still crossed. “You can’t carry on like you’re back in L.A. Especially not with the divorced daughter of a man who’s battling us in court.”

Quasar regretted mentioning Dani. “We’re just getting to know each other. There’s nothing to even be discreet about.”

“Good. Then you can break it off and no one will know.” Salim arched a brow.

“Salim, you should understand from personal experience that it’s not always so easy to break off an unsuitable relationship.” His wife’s eyes twinkled with humor. “You dumped me twice and still ended up married to me.”

“That was different.” His gaze, so filled with love, made Quasar want to shake his head over the transformation of his stolid brother. “We loved each other. Quasar can hardly be in love with a woman he met two days ago.”

“Three days.” Quasar ate a sticky date.

“Not that you’re counting.” Sara winked. “Are you falling in love with her already?”

“All I know is that I enjoy her company and I want to spend more time with her.” He couldn’t explain the powerful feelings she brought out in him. He wanted to protect her, nurture her, make her smile. He wanted to chat with her about little things and see her eyes light up.

“I heard a rumor that her husband was abusive. She may be psychologically damaged.” Salim regarded his brother coolly.

“It’s true about her husband. He sounds like an ass. There’s nothing wrong with Dani, though, except that she’s a little wary.”

“As well she might be with a lothario like you on the prowl.” Elan grinned.

“She doesn’t know anything about me.”

Sara laughed. “Believe me, women can tell a ladies’ man. You’re far too good-looking for your own good, for one thing.”

“But you still want to set me up with your sister?”

“I know you’re a good man at heart. You just need the right woman to steady you.”

“And Daniyah Hassan is not that woman,” growled Salim. “A divorced woman can have a hard time finding her way in our traditional society. If word gets out that she’s had an affair?” He shrugged. “Do the right thing and let her be.”

“I can’t believe you’re worried about her reputation if her father is your sworn enemy.”

“Are we the Three Musketeers? I don’t have sworn enemies. I have business rivals. And her father doesn’t even qualify as one. He’s a mere...insect buzzing in my ear.”

Quasar laughed. “Then what I do with his daughter doesn’t really matter, does it?”

“The Al Mansur family has a reputation to protect.”

“You work on your reputation as a ruthless and brilliant hotelier, and I’ll tend to my own as an international playboy.” Might as well make light of the situation. Attempts at genuine discussion were getting him nowhere. “Now, isn’t it about time for me to read the kids a bedtime story?” He raised his voice so the children, who were still running around the table at full tilt, could hear him.

“Yes, Uncle Quaz! Please do!” The resulting flurry of activity was just the distraction he needed. Quasar vowed never to mention his love life to his family again. He also decided not to mention the dispute over the land to Dani. It was sure to spook her and it really had nothing to do with them. When the time was right he’d approach her father and find a solution that would make everyone happy. In the meantime, all that mattered was making Dani happy.

* * *

“It’s not that far away, only thirty minutes or so. It’s in the foothills.”

Dani held the phone away from her ear as if removing the source of Quasar’s voice would reduce its powerful effect over her. Every cell in her body yearned to say yes. She could picture the mischief sparkling in his dark blue eyes, see the arrogant and sexy cut of his cheekbones, imagine the sunlight dancing in his tousled hair.

She wanted to bury her face in his shirt and inhale the rich masculine scent of him.

“I can’t.”

“Of course you can.” Quasar obviously wasn’t the type to take no for an answer. “I can pick you up at your house. Or any clandestine location you prefer. I’ll have you back by four.”

“My youngest brother was home when I arrived today. He noticed my jeans were wet. I can’t take any more chances.” She’d been cursing herself ever since. She was listening at the door in a panic when her father came home, wondering if Khalid would say something and expose her to inquisition-style questioning. She had no business whatsoever disappearing for another tryst with Quasar.

“Are you trying to tell me that you’ll never see me again?”

Her heart seized. Is that what she meant? It seemed too awful to imagine.

“Because if that’s what you think, you’re dead wrong. I haven’t achieved the success I’ve found in business by giving up easily.”

She wanted to laugh. She found his persistence sexy and appealing. But then there was the other side of the story. “You freely admitted that you quickly grow bored and move on. I can’t afford a casual affair. My emotions are too fragile and if that wasn’t enough, my reputation is in tatters already and I can’t risk it getting any worse.”

“Your reputation will be as safe as the sultan’s treasure. Besides, you might find the place interesting. It’s an old farmhouse. I have no idea how old but possibly a thousand years or more. There are twelve frankincense trees on the property. It’s a window into an earlier time.”

She hesitated. History was an intoxicating drug to her. A thousand-year-old farmhouse
and
Quasar? Hard to resist. “That does sound rather intriguing.”

“Ten o’clock, then. At your house?”

“No! The neighbors might see.” She wanted to go, though. How could she resist? “I’ll be at the market again.” The neighbors might see her there but somehow it seemed less likely. Her temperature rose at the prospect of meeting Quasar again. It was embarrassing how her resolve flew right out the window at the mere sound of his voice.

Much as it had when she’d first fallen for Gordon, against the protests of her girlfriends that he was too old for her, and too possessive. She’d been so sure of her heart. Only to watch it be trampled and left bloodless and empty.

Quasar had already hung up. Probably he was on to his next activity of the evening, barely thinking about her at all. And she faced another sleepless night of fitful dreams mixed with colorful fears and scary anticipation.

* * *

As usual the drive sped by. Quasar was so easy to talk to. He knew so many things and had been to so many places but never made her feel inadequate by comparison.

“We’ll have to go to Angkor Wat together. Some of the temples seem to grow organically out of the jungle, like they really are holy and mystical creations.” He talked with such conviction she could almost see them heading for the airport, ready to explore the ancient ruins of Cambodia, or Peru, or someplace she’d never even heard of.

They drove into the green-cloaked mountains, along a winding road that seemed to go on forever. High, heavy vegetation on both sides hid the outside world and made her feel as if they were driving in an alternate universe, where the dry deserts and bustle of Salalah didn’t even exist.

The road finally petered out and they drove across an expanse of grass toward a building unlike any she’d seen in Oman. “Are we really in Oman?”

He laughed. “I’m pretty sure of it.”

“But your house has a pitched roof. It looks like something you’d see in New Jersey!”

“It’s much rainier here than the rest of the country. That’s why it’s green. I suppose the old farmers figured they needed a pitched roof to keep the rain out of their houses.”

The stone walls had been left unplastered and had an intriguingly ancient appearance. The house was on a sloped hillside, and the frankincense trees formed an orderly rectangle on the higher side of the slope. She could easily picture sheep grazing under their scraggly branches, on the rich grassy hillside that looked like it belonged in Ireland, not Oman. “This place is so well-hidden I’m amazed you even found it.”

“I spent a weekend walking in the mountains two years ago, and I stumbled across it. It was empty and falling down so I looked into the ownership. The old man who lived here had died and his family were in Muscat and didn’t know what to do with the place, so I bought it from them. I love it here. It’s the perfect escape from the real world.”

He reached a tall wooden door, studded with nails, and punched a code into the keypad nearby. The lock clicked and he pushed the door open. “Electronic servants are so much more discreet than the human kind.” He paused in the doorway and kissed her softly on the lips. Her breath hitched and a shiver of awareness passed through her.

All alone.

In private.

With a man who stirred her senses in a way she’d never dreamed possible.

The door clicked shut behind her and Quasar held her hand as they walked across a dimly lit interior room, decorated with embroidered hangings. Unlike the unadorned exterior, the inside had been renovated into a comfortable blend of minimalism and luxury. The walls were plastered smooth and the stone floor scrubbed and honed to shiny perfection. Striking pieces of contemporary furniture added pops of rich color, and eye-catching modern art ornamented the walls. The space was eclectic, warm and filled with personality and exuberance, much like its handsome owner.

Her palm warmed against his and excitement trickled along her nerves. She had a feeling he was leading her to the bedroom and the idea scared and enthralled her in equal parts.

He opened an arched door into a large, octagonal room with embroidered curtains draped over the windows, filtering the midday sun. A wide, low bed, strewn with pillows like a lovers’ playground, filled the middle of the room.

She was right. And this was so wrong. But as he held her hand, she could imagine the feel of other parts of his body—his muscled chest, his sturdy thighs, his strong arms—pressed against her and the siren call of desire echoed through her.

“I’m so glad you’re here with me.” Quasar’s soft voice was a balm to her nerves. He turned to face her and fixed those tempting blue eyes on her. An invitation to pleasure. “We won’t be interrupted.”

“Except by my conscience.” She tried to smile.

“You’re not doing anything wrong.”

“Not yet. But I have a feeling I’m about to.”

“It all depends on your definition of wrong. Enjoying a peaceful afternoon in the mountains with a good friend is very right, in my opinion.”

“Am I really a good friend after such a short acquaintance?”

“Indubitably.”

The strange word made her laugh. How did he manage to get her so relaxed? Today he wore white linen pants, rather wrinkled, and a white shirt with the collar thrown open to reveal his tanned neck. It wasn’t fair for him to be so ridiculously good-looking. How could any girl resist him? They probably couldn’t, so at least she wouldn’t be alone in throwing caution to the wind and engaging in an illicit affair.

“I haven’t had sex in...in...” She felt as if she should warn him that she wasn’t some princess of delights who’d know how to acrobatically leap through twelve different positions without missing a beat. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d enjoyed sex. Her ex-husband had struggled to stay aroused enough to please her. At first she hadn’t minded. Sex wasn’t everything. She was a virgin when she met him so she didn’t know any different and expected that things would improve with time.

Oh, how wrong she’d been.

“Good.”

“Why good?”

“Because you’re starting all over again, fresh and new.”

“Like a virgin?” She laughed, thinking of the Madonna song.

His dark blue eyes sparkled. “Exactly.”

Five

W
as it possible to forget the past, or at least leave it behind? Dani reached for Quasar’s shirt collar with a renewed sense of optimism. She actually wanted to undress him. She’d wondered late at night what his body looked like naked, and now was her chance to find out.

His eyes rested on her mouth as she undid the first two buttons of his shirt, her fingers trembling against his hot skin. Tanned by the sun, and hard with muscle, his chest outstripped her fantasies.

And now his hands were on the buttons of her navy blouse. His long fingers deftly pulled the tiny buttons from their holes, and she hesitated as she saw the bright white of her bra exposed. Unsure of what his eyes would do to her, she didn’t dare look up at him. Instead she busied herself with the remaining buttons on his shirt, trying to keep her breathing steady as she traced the line of buttons down to the waistband of his pants.

“Stop.” He took her wrist gently, which was a relief as she wasn’t sure what to do when she got to his pants. “And kiss me.”

Their kiss melted away the tension building inside her. Quasar’s embrace wrapped her in soothing warmth. She loved that he wasn’t trying to rush her into anything. Her body ached with need, and the feeling was as confusing as it was exciting. Even by American standards she hadn’t known him very long. She could easily postpone this until another time—or indefinitely—and make a show of touring around the house and looking at the old books.

But she didn’t want to. She wanted to see Quasar’s naked body, and feel it pressed against hers. The desire alone felt so rebellious and freeing after the way she’d shut herself down—been shut down—to the point where she’d forgotten what pleasure really was. Now it lapped at her from all directions.

Her fingers found their way to the button of his pants, and undid it. He was hard, aroused as she was, and as she lowered the zipper, it thrilled her to know how much he desired her. He’d unbuttoned her blouse and now lowered his head to her bra, licking her nipples through the thin fabric.

Her hips bucked at the rich sensation pouring through her. She shoved her fingers into his silky hair and gasped at the sensation. Then he undid her bra and suckled her bare nipple until she shuddered with arousal.

She’d never wanted anyone so much. Maybe it was the years of pent-up longing, or maybe it was just Quasar, but she wanted to make love to him so badly she could taste it. “You have a gorgeous body.” She’d lowered his pants down his legs to discover that they were as muscled and powerful as his torso.

“Me? You’re the one with the gorgeous body.” He’d already removed her shirt, and now he unzipped her pants and eased them down over her thighs. “Look at that hourglass waist. And a man could lose himself in between these luscious thighs.” He crouched and buried his head between them, suddenly flicking his tongue in her most private place and making her gasp. When he licked again, she let out a tiny high-pitched noise that might have been embarrassing if she were with anyone but Quasar.

“Oh, my.” She didn’t know what else to say. She clung to his shoulders, enjoying the tensed muscle under her fingertips. Arousal rushed through her, leaving her breathless. Every inch of her was alive with sensation. Quasar’s tongue flicked back and forth, sending little shudders along her legs.

“Lie on the bed,” he commanded softly.

She obeyed, her body almost limp with desire. She eased herself up onto the soft covers and let herself relax. Quasar bent over her, kissing her body, stroking her, and licking her most sensitive flesh until she could barely stand it. “I want to feel you inside me,” she whispered. She couldn’t remember ever wanting anything more intensely.

“It would be my pleasure.” His low murmur was the sexiest thing she’d ever heard. She could hardly believe it was her lying here on this bed, writhing with delight. Even being naked with Quasar felt completely natural. The warm air kissed her skin and the soft, diffused light was gentle on her dilated pupils.

He rolled on a condom, then eased his strong body on top of hers and entered her very gently. He looked right into her eyes at the moment of penetration in a way that said,
I’m here with you right now and nothing else matters
.

Arms wrapped around his back, she welcomed him into her and gave herself over to the strange and wonderful sensations flooding her body. He filled her, making her gasp and moan with pleasure. It seemed impossible that just a few days ago she’d been alone, sure she’d never feel a man’s arms around her again. In fact she hadn’t wanted a man anywhere near her. She’d grown afraid of masculine energy and its demands. She preferred the safe solitude of her bedroom and the comfort of quiet loneliness.

Meeting Quasar had changed everything. He had been so sweet to her from the moment they met. Kind and encouraging, nonjudgmental, supportive... He was like a fantasy come to life—in the form of a breathtaking man with boundless confidence and the world at his feet. And now here he was, making love to her with all the power and passion he possessed and driving her into a realm of intense bliss.

“Oh, Dani.” His voice rasped in her neck. “You’re doing something to me. I’m losing control, I...I...” He climaxed with a dramatic shudder and, breathing hard, clung to her. “I don’t know what happened.” His arms wrapped around her, holding her close. “I meant to last longer but...” His words trailed off into her hair.

“It was perfect,” she murmured, wanting to reassure him. And it was. She’d climaxed so powerfully that her muscles must have gripped him and driven him over the edge, whether he was ready or not. The thought made her want to laugh. That she had so much control over such a powerful and commanding man was funny and made her feel sexy. “I’ve never had an orgasm like that in my life,” she admitted.

“Good.” He heaved a sigh. “Me neither.” He laughed, letting his head fall next to hers. “I don’t know what you’re doing to me, Dani, but everything’s different. It’s just so...different.”

She laughed.

“See, you’re making me inarticulate with passion. Usually I’m a quick-witted charmer, but around you I just...” He pressed his cheek to hers for a second, and she enjoyed the masculine roughness of his skin. He kissed her firmly, then softly, then firmly again on the mouth. He was still inside her, and she felt him throb, and her own sex respond. It made her smile. She couldn’t remember that ever happening before. Her body was having a conversation with his body, an intimate conversation that had nothing to do with their brains, or her fears, or anything other than the sensations and emotions they created together.

“I’m not too articulate at the best of times, but I have no words to describe how I’m feeling, either.” She stroked his hair and nuzzled his cheek. His skin smelled fabulous, rich and musky, with a hint of fragrance like some ancient incense. “Except that I feel very, very good.”

“I’m so glad. You deserve to feel wonderful. Your lover should make you feel cherished and special and beautiful, and it pains me that you’ve ever felt otherwise.”

“You’re making up for it right now.” She smiled, and kissed his nose.

“Good. From the sounds of it I have a lot of making up to do, but I’m up to the task.”

“I have no doubt about that.”

“I promise you I’m a skilled lover, when I’m not overcome by unexpected and intense feelings.” His dark gaze met hers, and she enjoyed the sparkle in his eyes.

“I’m glad I was able to overwhelm you. I’d think an experienced lover could get jaded and bored easily.” Pride tickled her that Quasar was so excited that he literally couldn’t contain himself. Who’d have thought that little Dani—as her ex had derisively referred to her—could have that effect on a man?

Quasar eased out of her and she watched as he walked to the adjoining bathroom. His body was magnificent, sculpted like a bronze statue, and he strode with the lithe confidence that characterized everything he did.

Part of her couldn’t believe her luck to be here with him right now.

The rest of her wondered how she’d hold up when it was all over.

When he was wrapped around her it was easy to forget that her time with Quasar was limited. Everything felt so effortless and perfect she was tempted to assume it would go on forever.

But there was no forever. Everything in human existence had its time limits and her time with Quasar would be a few more weeks at the most. She tried to tell herself it was freeing to know that the relationship had a sell-by date and she didn’t have to worry about it turning sour like her marriage. Still, she’d miss him.

“Why so serious?” His silhouette filled the bathroom door. She hadn’t noticed him watching her.

“I know I should make the most of our time together, but I can’t help thinking about the future.”

He frowned, and she regretted her frank confession. “It’s better to live in the moment.”

She felt his comment like a stab to the chest. He was right, of course. All the philosophers pretty much agreed on that point. Happiness was in the present moment. Everything else was just an idea or a memory. “I’m going to miss you when you’re gone.” Her whispered words hung in the air.

It was pretty amazing that she was still confident enough to admit her true feelings. But that was the cool thing about Quasar. She knew she could say anything and nothing bad would happen. Her ex had been so touchy that she had to carefully vet every phrase that came out of her mouth to make sure it wouldn’t get under his thin skin and make him fly off the handle.

“I’m going to miss you, too. I’ll miss you tonight when you’re alone in your bed in your father’s house, and I’m alone in my bed in my brother’s grand hotel. It does seem a crime that we can’t be together.” His eyes brightened. “Why don’t you come stay with me?”

She stared. To him it was a simple practical consideration—
I won’t miss you if we’re together
—and he’d come up with a practical solution.

That wasn’t practical at all.

At least not if she wanted to preserve what little was left of her reputation. Ending a bad marriage was embarrassing but not utterly fatal to her future prospects. Openly engaging in a sexual affair with a man she wasn’t married to, in full view of his family and the whole world, would be almost up there with hanging a red light outside her window.

“I mean it. My brothers are both married to Americans. They’re not old-fashioned. They’ll understand.”

“I can’t. I intend to live in Salalah for the time being so I have to abide by the customs or I’ll quickly become a pariah. I swear some people already cross the road when they see me coming. I’ve committed a multitude of sins in their eyes by running off to America and marrying Mr. Wrong.”

Quasar sighed. “I suppose you’re right. Still, wouldn’t it be wonderful for us to spend the whole night together?”

Or the rest of our lives?
The stray thought popped into her mind and she quickly banished it.

He stroked her cheek softly. “Are you sure you can’t think of an excuse to stay over?”

His persistence amused her. “I’m not that clever.”

“Usually I am, but you’ve disarmed me so much that I’m not on top of my game.” His mischievous gaze made her smile. He leaned forward and murmured in her ear. “So I think we’d better make love again and see if I can get my sanity back.”

Desire tickled her insides as his low voice stirred her senses. “That sounds like a good idea.”

“At least I still have some good ideas left.” He trailed a finger along her torso, tracing a line between her breasts, and down over her belly, which twitched as he passed it. “And some condoms.”

She giggled. The prospect of feeling him inside her again was ridiculously exciting. She felt like a kid about to unwrap a bar of her favorite candy. If someone had told her a week ago that she’d be gazing at the naked thighs of the most gorgeous man she’d ever met, she would have laughed in that person’s face. If someone had told her she’d ever even be excited by the prospect of sex with a man again she’d have expressed some doubt. Just a few days had transformed her from a wary, shy recluse into a sensual woman ready to risk her heart for a few brief moments of pleasure.

Her heart could handle it. It must be steel-plated by now after all she’d been through in the last few years. As long as the affair was secret and no one else knew about it, she could deal with her private pain when it was over.

Quasar lay on the bed next to her, and she ran her hand over the hard muscle of his thigh, letting desire rise inside her like flood water. Already he was erect again, ready for her. She watched his taut belly contract as she lowered her lips and licked him. He uttered a low groan when she took him in her mouth, and again she loved the power she had over him—power she intended to use only for pleasure, never to hurt him. She enjoyed feeling him grow harder still as she pleasured him with her tongue, then she eased herself up and trailed kisses over his flat stomach with its sprinkling of rough, dark hair.

Her ex had a hard time maintaining an erection and coaxing it back from the dead had become a tiresome chore she dreaded. This was clearly not an issue with Quasar. After he’d rolled on the condom, she climbed over him, and eased herself down on top of him slowly, reveling in each delicious moment of sensation as he filled her.

Her ex hadn’t liked her to go on top. He liked to be in command of everything and probably didn’t want her to think her pleasure was hers for the taking. Quasar’s broad smile and blissfully closed eyes showed her that she was welcome to enjoy him however she liked. She smiled as she moved her hips, and rich, intense waves of pleasure started to roll inside her. “This feels so good,” she murmured. It was wonderful to choose the rhythm, and control the motion, with their mutual pleasure as her only goal.

“It feels even better for me,” he rasped. His fingers stroked her skin, gently rubbing her nipples and driving her even wilder with excitement.

Already her breathing came in ragged gasps and it was hard to form thoughts. Something inside her took over and she found herself quickening the movements as powerful feelings washed through her. When he climaxed with her, moving inside her as her muscles gripped him, the intensity of the sensations made her cry out. She felt so close to him at that moment, with nothing between them, no worries or anxieties or hang-ups, just a shared burst of joy bringing them together.