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Five
“We cannot do this again,” Charla panted before crumbling on top of Kasim’s naked, sweat slicked body.
Kasim laughed as his hands automatically went to her hips as his mouth connected hers. She said the same thing after their other four encounters in as many weeks. “You said that last time,” he reminded her.
Pushing against his chest until she was upright, Charla nodded down at him. “I know that, dammit. But seriously this has to be the last time Kasim. I mean it.”
He heard the words but he could also see the regret and disappointment in them. “I know you mean it, I just can’t figure out why.” They had fun when they got together, and not just in the bedroom either. Save for their first night together, they usually made an entire night of it. Dinner, a movie or sometimes dancing in his backyard before their clothes came off.
“Because Kasim we are no good for each other and the longer we do this, the harder it’s gonna be to separate ourselves from this situation.” Her green eyes glittered with sadness and Kasim was torn.
He could give her what she wanted and leave her alone. But he didn’t want to, didn’t even want to think about it. “Why do you think that? We seem to do okay so far.”
Charla nodded her agreement, thick dark locks falling forward to reveal bright pink tendrils. “We do okay now but we both know that could change at any moment.”
“What if it doesn’t?” He was pushing his luck right now and he knew it, but why was she so eager to get away from him? “What if this,” he kissed the hollow of her throat, “becomes something more than sex?”
She laughed and gave him a sad smile. “If that were even a possibility you never would have agreed to just one night, Kasim. You’re not sure about me and that’s fine, but this has to be the last time.” She looked at him for a long time, willing him to agree. To say something to take away the haunted look in her eyes.
He couldn’t agree because he’d slowly become addicted to her sultry laugh, her masterful loving and the sweet gifts she got him just to make him laugh. So instead of agreeing and making himself a liar, he pulled her into another kiss. “Okay after this time,” he flipped her so he was on top and surged back into her until they both forgot the conversation.
Later, long after Charla had left for home, Kasim thought about what she’d said. You’re not sure about me. She still believed that because he hadn’t given her a reason to think it. After a month of endless pleasure, all night loving and arguments over superhero movie franchises, she couldn’t see that his feelings had changed. And they had, hadn’t they?
He liked her and more importantly he liked having sex with her. And talking to her, but the time they spent in bed took him someplace he’d never been before. The way she gave all of herself over to pleasure without worrying about protecting herself, was intoxicating. It was…everything.
He liked the way he felt with her, light and free. Sure they probably wouldn’t go the distance, after all he did have a country to run in a few years and Charla, while charming, would be unsuitable as a wife and Sheikha.
For now though, he wanted her.
* * *
She was crazy, that was the only explanation for agreeing to such a ridiculous plan. “I can’t believe you talked me into this! It’s unnatural,” she yelled to him at the bottom of the small bunny hill he’d put her on.
“It could be worse. We could be at my resort where people you know can see you fall on your cute little butt.”
She sighed, calling herself ten kinds of idiot for agreeing to a weekend away with the man, and for strapping a board to her feet and sliding down a snow-filled mountain. “I don’t care if people see me, I just don’t want to fall.” One confidence building breath later and she slid down the small slope, squealing with joy as she came to a slow, inartful stop. Despite her fear, she enjoyed the few hours spent with him on the slopes. Kasim was a patient teacher, funny and encouraging as they moved from green to blue slopes. She was having a good time.
By dinner though, her legs and butt ached something fierce and she really wanted to order room service and eat in bed while watching a funny movie. But Kasim looked sexy as hell all dressed in a navy shirt with grey slacks, highlighting his sleek strength and dark coloring. “You look good enough to eat,” she told him, cringing at the breathy tone she heard.
He laughed, walking over to her with his arms held out and kissing her until her fingers dug into his biceps and her body pressed hard against his. “Thank you, Charla. I must say this green sweater dress looks beautiful, hugs all your curves deliciously.”
She blushed, feeling her heart lurch at the intense look in his eyes. “Let’s save that for later. I was told there would be food and romance this evenin’.”
He chuckled and led her out of the luxurious suite and into the elevator where he held her hand, upping the romance factor. Charla couldn’t remember the last time a man had held her hand and she decided to enjoy it. For now.
“I’ve heard great things about this restaurant and I think you’ll love it.”
Charla shrugged. She wasn’t much into fancy cuisine, but as long as it tasted good she was eager to eat it. “What kind of food is it?”
“Everything, I’ve ordered us a tasting menu so we can try out everything. Who knows when either of us will make it back here?”
His smile was the same handsome smile he always wore but his words were a knife to the heart. She’d forgotten. Again. In their time together she often found herself forgetting that this was a temporary arrangement and that’s all it could ever be. Sure he trusted her enough to sleep with her and spend a few bucks, but she was white trash from Alabama. Not some cultured socialite or wealthy princess. “In that case let’s eat.” He was right, she thought as the third or maybe the fourth plate was brought out. “It’s very good.”
Kasim’s smile was polite, if confused. “Did I say something to upset you?”
Her own smile brightened until her teeth nearly cracked. “Nope, just feeling muscles I haven’t used in awhile.” That was true even if it wasn’t the entire truth. “How’d you hear about this place?”
He shrugged and took a sip of wine. “I talked with him about opening a restaurant in my resort. He wanted a bigger piece than I was willing to give. But the man knows his stuff.”
