Wrapped in Pleasure (23 page)

Drawing in a deep breath, she slid across the leather seat to him, felt a tingling in her body the moment her thigh touched his. He was wearing a white dress shirt and a pair of dark slacks. But even sitting she could only marvel at his muscular body, fit and trim, wide shoulders, flat stomach, perfect abs. Her attention moved lower, specifically to his crotch, and the only words she could think to say were, “Oh, my.”

He shifted so he could easily turn to look at her. “I love your dress. The moment I saw you in it this morning I wondered about a few things.”

Johari felt the trembling in her body when he reached out and, with the tip of his finger, traced around the thin strap. She was trying to concentrate on the fact that the smock-
styled sundress, with an empire waist and full skirt, really didn’t reveal a lot. But she had known the moment she had seen it during one of her and Cel’s shopping sprees that it was the dress for her. She had no idea at the time she had made the purchase that this was the man—this incredible caliber of man—she would be wearing it for.

“What did you wonder about?” she asked, as his dark eyes swept over her once again. Everywhere his gaze touched seemed to ignite something within her that made her pulse race.

“Your breasts.”

It seemed that as soon as he mentioned that part of her body her nipples began to respond as if they knew they were being discussed. They suddenly felt sensitive against the material of her dress and she wondered if Monty knew she was not wearing a bra. This type of sundress did not show any cleavage so nothing would have given her away. Well…almost nothing. There was that telltale sign of those same nipples pressing hard against her dress, easily being seen.

“What about my breasts?” she heard herself ask, grateful that Ishaq was not privy to their conversation.

“I was thinking about how pretty they must be, how they would fit in my hands, how they would taste in my mouth, wrapped around my tongue, sucked, licked and devoured.”

Johari released a slow, deep breath. She could only stare into Monty’s dark eyes, speechless, and it didn’t help matters that he seemed fascinated with her dress straps. His long fingers, caressing both the material of her dress and some of her skin, had sensations fluttering in her stomach, heat settling between her legs.

“Lesson number two, Jo, when it comes to a woman’s breasts, when used correctly, they can bring a man to his knees,” he drawled huskily.

Johari knew the look she gave him at that moment had to
be wide-eyed surprise. She knew men liked breasts but didn’t know they could be that powerful. “Why and how?” she couldn’t help asking.

He smiled as he continued fidgeting with her straps. “A number of reasons, but I think the main one is that it gives them such a warm, sexual feeling. Some men think they are the softest part of a woman, which is why they like to cuddle with them.”

“What do you think?” she asked, trying to get her mind off the fact that his fingers were slowly working their way beneath the front of her dress as they talked.

“Personally, I think they are one of the most beautiful parts of a woman,” he said.

“And personally,” she decided to say, “I don’t know what’s the big deal.”

She didn’t want to come out as bitter, but she was one of those women who’d never been blessed with big breasts, and sometimes the significance a lot of men placed on them annoyed her. To some, the larger the better. She was far from being flat-chested, but now she couldn’t help but wish they were somewhat bigger.

As if Monty had read her mind, had been privy to her every thought, he said, “Your breasts are perfect.”

She looked him straight in the eye and said, “How would you know? You’ve never seen them.”

“Because I know. And as far as seeing them…”

Before she could draw her next breath, he leaned over and captured her lips.

Never had Rasheed taken so much pleasure in kissing a woman as he enjoyed kissing Johari. There was just something about her lips, the way they fit beneath his, the way they tasted, their shape, size and texture. Everything about her
lips was perfect, just like he knew her breasts would be. Just thinking about them made hormones that he had tried to control most of his adult life spring into action, threw his testosterone into overdrive and made everything male about him aroused and ready to go. He could not recall such a thing ever occurring before.

But there was something about this particular young and innocent tongue that was frolicking inside his mouth that had every cell inside his body thrumming to life, making him realize just how long it had been since he was pleasured by a woman, and just how much he wanted to be pleasured by one now. But he knew not just any woman would do; only this woman.

Amazing.

Another amazing thing was how right she felt in his arms, how warm, tantalizing and right. It was as if she was created specifically for him. He suddenly lifted his mouth from hers, thinking he was having a monumental lust attack to even consider such a thing. No woman, even the one he was destined to marry, had been made specifically for him and it was foolish to even let such a notion take shape in his head.

He studied her lips, which his mouth had just released, saw they were moist from his kiss and knew he wanted to sink his mouth into hers again, so he did while his hand reached out to cup the shape of her breasts through the material of her dress.

He absorbed in his mouth the moan she made in her throat and appreciated the way her body arched against his hand. Automatically and absolute. He would be a fool not to acknowledge the fact that she wasn’t the only one nearly pushed over the edge. And while his mouth was still locked with hers, using skilled fingers, he eased down the straps of her dress.

With perfect precision, unerring timing, he moved his mouth from her lips to her breasts, immediately latching onto a nipple, liking the sound of her moan when he did so. The
moment he drew it into his mouth and began sucking on it, he knew her taste would ultimately be his downfall. She was sweetness and temptation all rolled into one and he became fascinated by the feel of his tongue as it circled her nipple, enjoying the texture as well as her taste.

He released one nipple and before moving to the other he leaned up and gazed at her chest, and felt his erection harden even more. Her breasts were perfectly shaped mounds, the perfect size, the perfect weight. One nipple was wet from his kiss.

“I told you that your breasts were perfect,” he whispered, leaning to capture the other peaked nipple between his lips. His tongue skimmed over it before he greedily sucked it into his mouth.

He could tell from the way she gripped the back of his head to hold him to her breast that she liked the feeling and that he was arousing sensations inside of her. They were sensations she had not felt before. But he didn’t plan on stopping there. There was a direct correlation between a woman’s breasts and that area between her legs, which was the reason she was shifting her legs back and forth. With every suck of his tongue, heat was gathering near her womb and spreading through all parts of her body. Her panties were getting wet and the feminine scent of her was flowing through his nostrils and causing him to devour her breasts with unrestrained hunger.

Needing to touch the wetness that had gathered between her thighs, he shifted and reached his hand under her dress while keeping his mouth firmly on her nipple, letting his tongue continue to drive her over the edge and showing her what a perfect multitasker he was.

His fingers moved past her panties and she automatically spread her legs. When he felt her moist heat, he was filled with a monumental need to taste her in that very spot. Stake his
claim. It was a good thing that he knew they were less than five minutes from the airstrip, otherwise he wouldn’t hesitate to lay her back on the seat and bury his head between her legs. But still, he intended to give her something to remember him by.

Giving her breasts a rest, he buried his face between them as his hands concentrated on letting his fingers pleasure her. She felt swollen, hot, ready, and he moved his fingers inside her, caressing the area he knew would stir a need within her, a need that only he could quench.

“Monty!”

Her crying out his name did something to him, and the sound was of an intensity he hadn’t heard before. There was a sexiness in her voice and the more he stroked her the wetter she became. He could tell she was on the verge of the climax he was intentionally giving her.

And when her body moved in a fierce jerk, he knew she was about to let out a scream and he quickly left her breast to angle his head. He sank down on her mouth, tangling with her tongue the same way his fingers were tangling with the sensitive and beautiful blossom between her legs.

She was still quivering beneath his mouth, and his fingers were enjoying the feel of the aftershocks going on between her thighs. The air surrounding them had the fragrance of uncompleted sex. He breathed in deeply, absorbing it into this nostrils, pulling it through to his lungs.

“You came.”

His words hadn’t been sugarcoated. They had been as blatant as words could get, given his hand was still under her dress, not ready to let go. A satisfied smile touched her lips and she slowly opened her eyes and met his gaze. “Yes, I did, didn’t I?” she responded breathlessly. Stunned, but totally without shame. “My first time.”

A huge smile curved Rasheed’s mouth. He hadn’t expected
it, but it only gave credence to what a passionate being she was. She had held his head to her like mother would hold a baby and he had taken all she had offered, and she hadn’t been ashamed to admit she had gotten an orgasm. Her first. Now was not the time to tell her there were many more where that one had come from.

He pulled his hand away and made sure she watched as he licked his fingers. “I can’t wait to taste you there,” he said, smiling over at her.

And then because he couldn’t help himself, he leaned over and kissed her again, vaguely aware of Ishaq on the intercom letting him know they had less than three minutes before they reached their destination.

He pulled back from her lips but not before taking one final swipe with his tongue. He then leaned up and readjusted her dress, making sure the straps were back in place.

“We’re sharing a bed tonight, Jo. If you have any objections you need to let me know now.”

She nervously swiped her bottom lip with her tongue. He watched the movement and wished she hadn’t done that. It was bad enough thinking about what would take place in his bed tonight.

“No, I don’t have any objections.”

He smiled. “I’m glad.”
And only Allah knew just how glad he was.

J
ohari glanced around the bedroom she’d been given thinking of just how beautiful the room was decorated and the view she had of the Atlantic Ocean was stunning. It seemed there was a lot Monty hadn’t told her, such as the fact that he was good friends with Raul Santini, the man who was making headlines for being a top contender as the next president of Argentina.

The size of his villa was another thing Monty hadn’t told her. Situated between Brazil and Argentina, the villa was on a private island that Monty owned. When the small plane had landed she was speechless at the size of the estate that sat in the middle of the ocean with its own landing pad. Monty had explained the only mode of transportation to his island was either by plane or boat.

The huge multilevel villa was breathtaking in both design and structure and was surrounded by beautiful trees and lush
grasslands. She doubted she’d ever seen so much greenery in her entire life. And there were the mountains in the background providing a picturesque view of turquoise blue waters and a sandy white beach.

According to Monty, he had purchased the existing island a few years ago from a member of Raul’s family and came here whenever he wanted to rest and relax.

He told her about the tennis courts he had installed and the racetrack he had put in due to his love of auto racing. And because he enjoyed riding horses he kept several on the island as well as a catamaran he liked taking out on the water to fish on occasion.

She could only assume business for Monty was going well for him to be able to indulge in such luxuries. The staff had been glad to see him, had greeted him as Señor Monty, and she could immediately tell they respected him and he respected them. She guessed, from their easy acceptance of her presence, that it was not uncommon for him to bring a woman with him whenever he came to the island.

Johari drew in a long breath. Knowing such a thing should not bother her since she was nothing more to Monty than a woman he had agreed to teach how to please a man. She couldn’t stop the blush from spreading over her features when she thought of what had happened in the back seat of the limo earlier that day. Her body was still tingling from the memories. If he could make her feel such pleasure with his fingers, she didn’t want to imagine how things would be with him inside her body.

She heard conversation outside and moved across the room to the balcony. Monty and Raul Santini were standing downstairs on the patio carrying on a conversation. They were speaking in Spanish and whatever they were discussing had them in good moods.

She couldn’t help studying the two men. Both were darkly handsome but it was Monty who was holding her attention. He had removed the jacket he had on earlier and was wearing a pair of dark slacks and a white shirt. He was more than just darkly handsome, he was sensuality and elegance all wrapped up in one. He was passion. He was pleasure. And no matter when she saw him, his appearance was immaculate. There was a cool assurance that radiated from him and drew her to him like a magnet.

He even had the ability to maintain that air of cool assurance whenever she was in his arms. Her heart began pounding in her chest when she recalled his mouth on her lips, her breasts and his fingers inside of her, stroking her flesh and making her feel sensations she had never felt before. Sensations that had singed her skin, shattered her nerve endings and made her come apart in his arms. He had proved all the things she had heard from some of the girls at school were true. There was power in passion. Power in persuasion. Power in pleasure.

And he had promised her more pleasure tonight. They would be sharing a bed and he had not hesitated in letting her know that. He was giving her just what she asked for—lessons on how to go about pleasing the man she would marry.

Why was the thought of being in the arms of any man other than Monty beginning to disturb her? Why was the thought of any other man tasting her lips, kissing her breasts, using fingers to stroke her into an orgasm beginning to bother her?

She let out a confused sigh and the sound must have carried because Monty glanced up and saw her.

Rasheed had stopped conversing with Raul Santini the moment he sensed Johari’s presence. And when he had stared up and seen her standing on the balcony he had become
speechless. She smiled at him and he felt a deep stirring in his gut.

Her hair, which she had tied back earlier, was now fanning her face, showing the beauty of her features in a way he enjoyed viewing. Even from a distance he could see the lushness of her dark eyes and perfect lips. They were lips he enjoyed kissing. His focus shifted to the sundress she still wore and he couldn’t help recalling the moment he had lowered the straps, finding her braless and devouring her breasts, discovering her taste. He was getting aroused just standing there, looking at her and remembering. He was tempted to go inside and—

“I see your future wife fascinates you, Monty.”

Santini’s words reminded him of his friend’s presence. He had contacted Santini from New York and told him he would be arriving. He had also shared with his good friend everything. There were few men he trusted implicitly and Santini was one of them. He knew there was nothing Santini would not do for him and vice versa. In this situation, Santini had been placed in a precarious position, since not only was he Rasheed’s friend but he was close friends with Jamal, as well, since their days as teens attending that private school in France. This was Santini’s first time seeing Johari, although everyone had heard of Jamal’s baby sister and his fondness for her.

Rasheed smiled at Santini’s observation since it was right on target. “She does more than merely fascinate me, Santini. She fires my blood.” His words were true and he couldn’t help but look forward to tonight when he and Johari would move their relationship to another level. A very intimate level that had blood gushing through his veins in anticipation of it.

“I can understand why. She is a very beautiful woman. The kind that can leave a man breathless.” Santini paused a few moments and then asked, “When will you tell her the truth as to who you are?”

Leave it to his friend to remind him of the farce he had orchestrated. “I don’t know,” Rasheed said. “We will share ten days together and then I will return her to New York. I will tell her then.”

“And I will hate to be in your shoes when you do. She will feel betrayed.”

Betrayed
. At that single word Rasheed glanced back to the patio to find Johari was no longer standing there. He turned back to Santini and said, “
Betrayed
is a strong wrong, isn’t it? Given the fact that she is the one out of place. She should be back in Tahran planning for our wedding. Instead she is here being seduced by a stranger. The way I see it, I am the one who should be feeling betrayed. I told you how I walked into that nightclub and found her dancing on the tables, Santini. That type of behavior from a woman who is destined to be my future queen is not acceptable.”

“Yes,” Santini said and smiled. “But when you saw her she evidently fired your blood. Even now you can’t stop looking at her. I couldn’t help noticing.”

Rasheed frowned, slightly agitated. “You notice too much.”

“Yes, but in this case I couldn’t help it. And I still say that she will feel betrayed.”

Rasheed shrugged. “Then she will just have to get over it. I would not have taken such drastic measures had she followed protocol. As far as I’m concerned, whatever happens she has brought on herself.”

“So a wedding will take place regardless?”

“Yes, a wedding will take place regardless,” Rasheed said. He would marry Johari. Once she discovered his true identity she would feel the sting of betrayal, but like he said to Santini, as far as he was concerned she had brought it on herself. She would be sharing a man’s bed. She had been given her first
orgasm by another man. It meant nothing that the other man had been him. The bottom line was that Johari didn’t know it. And how she would feel once she found out the truth didn’t matter to him. She had initiated this mockery; however, he was more than happy to bring it to an end, but not until he had his way with her. He would gladly prove to her that no matter how experienced, a wife and a mistress were two separate entities and as far as not being able to accept him having a mistress, she would not have any choice in the matter.

“I wish you luck, Monty.”

He glanced back at Santini. “Luck?”

“Yes, because you’re going to need it. No matter what brought this on and no matter how she might have contributed to it, she will resent what you’re doing. She is not just one of your other women.”

Rasheed chuckled. “No, she definitely is not that.” His mistresses weren’t exactly the innocent types. The last one he brought here had liked wearing next to nothing and hadn’t minded flaunting her attributes in front of him, Santini or anyone else caring to look. But Johari was different. Even his staff had noticed the difference the moment Johari had entered his home. She had greeted them with kindness, and she possessed an air of innocence that any woman he dealt with before could not come close to claiming. For Pete’s sake, she was still a virgin. When was the last time he had bothered to rid any woman of her virginity? Anyone who knew him knew that he much preferred experienced women.

And another thing Rasheed was sure his house staff had noticed was the fact that Johari was a lot younger than the women he usually had affairs with. Another giveaway was that he’d asked that she be given a separate bedroom. Juanita,
his housekeeper, had stared at him in surprise before escorting Johari up the stairs to one of the guest suites.

“Will you be staying for dinner?” he asked Santini.

Raul Santini smiled. “Thanks for the invitation, but I have a strong feeling that you would like to be alone tonight with your future wife.”

“Johari, have you lost your mind?”

Johari placed the phone from her ear, convinced Cel had burst her eardrums. “No, my mind is very much intact,” she responded.

“Then what are you doing on some island off the coast of Argentina instead of back in New York where I left you?”

Johari sighed deeply. “I told you why.”

“Yes, you explained your reasoning but I’m not sure what you’re doing is going to work. What if Monty teaches you all that you want to know and your future sheikh still wants a mistress?”

“Then I would have accepted that I had failed.”

“You would not have failed. You need to just sit down before the wedding and lay down the law to him and—”

“Cel, I’ve told you. In my country a woman does not lay down any laws. She accepts any that her husband has made for her. That’s why, knowing what I know, I have to do whatever I can before the wedding.”

“Yes, but you’re supposed to be enjoying the sights, having a good time, not spending your time worrying about how to please a man, who in my opinion would be a total jerk to take another woman in addition to you. Experience or no experience, it just wouldn’t be right.”

Johari heard everything Celine was saying. And she
was
having a good time. That day she had spent with Monty at Coney Island, dancing those times for him in his condo, the
plane trip across the ocean where she had sat in his lap while he had kissed her senseless, and even now being here on this island with him. And Monty had suggested that they do a picnic tomorrow.

“Don’t worry about me, Cel, I’ll be fine.”

“I do worry about you. Promise you won’t do anything foolish.”

Johari considered Cel’s words and wondered if sleeping with Monty fell within that category of foolish. In that case she would indulge in a lot of foolishness tonight.

“I need to get ready for dinner. Do enjoy the rest of your cruise.” She quickly hung up the phone before Cel could start preaching again. She checked the clock on the nightstand. She needed to shower and get dressed for dinner. Anticipation was flowing through her veins at the thought of seeing Monty again.