The small army of servants glided out of the room as quietly as they had entered, bowing to the impossibly tall man dressed in Western clothing. Layla's whispered words in Arabic brought a fleeting smile to his harsh features, and Astrid swallowed nervously when the full force of his ice-cold blue eyes settled on her. The man was sex-on-legs gorgeous, if you liked that sort of thing. Not that you do, girl, remember. Long, straight black hair framed a strong face with perfect cheekbones and a prominent nose. The faint scar over one eye simply accentuated the air of quiet power and strength in his gaze, which settled entirely on her, making her breathing speed up against her will. The stubble on that perfect chin completed the whole bad boy look. Astrid bit her lip to stop the groan rising from deep within her when he moved toward the low table in front of her bed, picked up one ripe strawberry, and popped it into his sensual mouth, his knowing eyes never once leaving her face.
The simple movement drew her gaze toward the subtle play of muscles visible through the tight fit of the plain T-shirt. His biceps were straining. Light trousers left little to the imagination, his thighs flexing under the thin cotton as he straightened up again with the lithe grace of a predator. Astrid had to remind herself to keep breathing. There was no mistaking the bulge in his crotch that she had glimpsed briefly before forcing her eyes back up to his face hastily, lest he had noticed her staring.
Girl, you are still dreaming, you have to be or hallucinating or something. What was in that drink Anna gave me?
Men like this were never interested in her, yet there was no mistaking the sexual awareness in those ever-darkening eyes as his gaze roamed freely over her body, settling on her embarrassingly erect nipples, straining against the thin silk sheet she clutched in trembling fingers.
This cannot be happening! She never reacted like this to any man, least of all a perfect stranger.
"You must be hungry, after last night." His deep, slightly accented voice washed over her, making her nerve endings tingle and bringing a fresh wave of moisture between her thighs, leaving her in no doubt of what her body wanted.
"Last night? Nothing happened last night."
His chuckle, coupled with one large hand tucking a strand of her blonde curls behind her ear, did little to help calm the excited rabbit that seemed to have taken up residence in her chest. He slid his hand under the curls behind her neck and brought her so close that she could almost taste him as his breath fanned her face, an all-too-familiar scent causing her breathing to hitch even more.
This is Rashid? Her dream lover?
"A man could take offense." The smile accompanying those whispered words lit up the harsh features, and Astrid found herself leaning in closer to all that warmth, drawn by the magnetic pull of those deep blue eyes crinkling up at the corners in obvious amusement.
"Oh no, my pretty, not until you've seen Layla, and you need to eat." Rashid drew back slowly, one slightly calloused finger leaving a trail of heat along her jaw, and this time Astrid could not stop the needy moan from escaping. Mesmerized by his fluid movements and held in place by her growing ache of need deep down in her core, she watched as he took another strawberry. The heat in his gaze stoked the slow fire in her belly to a raging inferno as he slowly pried her lips apart with the ripe fruit.
"Open for me, my pretty."
The whispered command skittered across her fevered skin, her own hand closing over his as she took a bite out of the lush fruit, its juices spilling down her chin. Seeing Rashid's eyes darken further, his pupils dilating as his gaze followed the trail of juice trickling down between her breasts, gave her the courage to take another bite, until her mouth closed over his hand, causing him to jerk visibly as she sucked his fingers into her mouth. He growled low. She released his fingers with a start, and within the space of one wild heartbeat, he pulled her onto his lap, one large hand cupping the back of her head, the other finding its way under her sheet, settling just under her left breast. Heat coursed through her at the lick of his tongue along her jaw, following the trail of juice over the sensitive skin of her neck, down over her collarbone, skimming across the tops of her breasts, dipping into the hollow between. She clung helplessly to his shoulders, digging her fingernails into his biceps, all conscious thought leaving her body with the shuddering breath she exhaled. Sensation assaulted her, her skin tingling where his tongue trailed across her flesh, and when his firm mouth finally suckled one erect nipple, his teeth gently nipping, she was lost, oblivious to her surroundings and any misgivings, not recognizing her own needy voice begging for more, her body straining to get closer to the rock-hard erection nudging her swollen sex through the restraints of his trousers.
"My lord, the baths are ready."
Rashid froze at the sound of Layla's voice, his breathing as harsh as Astrid's, and with a rueful smile, he pulled the sheet back up over her breasts, his knuckles skimming across them as he did with firm deliberation, making her gasp sharply.
"I should have your head for daring to interfere, Layla." With one last grim smile for Astrid, he turned toward the other woman, who bowed deeply at his curt demand. "Make sure she is well prepared. My patience is at its end."
"As you command, my lord." Layla bowed again, a small smile on her face, as her dark eyes briefly connect with his.
Astrid held her breath when he turned around at the open door. The predatory look that accompanied his next words raised her blood pressure a few more notches. "Eat, rest, enjoy the baths, for tonight you will know you are not dreaming."
