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When Laine began to come again, she grasped the back of Aziz’s shoulder with one hand and tightened around him like a vice. A deep, guttural noise came from Aziz and his hips jolted forward again and again and again.
And then, utterly spent, he fell back against the seats, caressing her back and pulling her close to him. She remained on top of him and let him pepper her neck and breast with his kisses. She laid her head on his shoulder and pressed a little kiss beneath his chin.
“I hope this properly shows you my gratitude,” she said coyly.
“I would eagerly keep you here for the rest of my days,” Aziz vowed.
Laine listened to his heart for some time. Her hand moved up and down his firm, warm chest. It was almost too hot in the car now. They were both drenched in sweat, rather than fountain water.
Then Laine surprised herself.
“Come back to my place,” she murmured.
Chapter Five
The first light of the morning streamed through the blinds, warming the room and causing Laine to pull the covers over her eyes. She was comfortably ensconced in the blankets of her memory foam bed, and it was far too early to be rushing off to work, she was fairly certain. With a stubborn yawn, Laine peeked at her phone resting on the nightstand to confirm that she didn’t have to get up yet. Then she realized that it was Saturday. No need to get up at all.
She closed her eyes again and sprawled out a little further, intending to enjoy those last few moments before her internal clock did the work of making her rise and attend to all the errands she hadn’t gotten around to that week. A moment afterward, however, a strong arm circled around her waist from behind, and Laine jumped in shock, causing her phone to tumble off the nightstand.
“Shhhh,” Aziz whispered soothingly. “It is only me.”
“It…!”
Laine turned and blinked, still fighting the fog of sleepiness. She stared at him for a long moment and then rolled over and curled into his arms. Somehow, she had not expected him to still be there at morning light. After agreeing to come back to her place, they had worn themselves out with a few extra rounds of horizontal aerobics around the apartment and eventually ended up in the bed, with the actual intent of sleeping. It seemed obvious that Aziz would be on his way once he’d had the time to rest.
But there he was, humming to himself softly as he stroked her back. His eyes were closed. It seemed he was also trying to fight the daylight and steal a few more moments of sleep. So that had to be it. He had to simply be tired. They’d had a long night, after all.
In spite of herself, Laine felt suddenly and completely awake. She watched Aziz as he slept. It hadn’t just been the excitement of the evening, she mused. He really was an incredibly handsome man. Something in his face was both rugged and gentle. It was in every move he made, as well. Not necessarily toward strangers, but definitely toward her. The night before had seen moments when he seemed like he could exert his power ruthlessly, but he’d held back when she’d asked. He’d never been ruthless with her.
On the contrary. Aziz treated her as though she were something rare and valuable. He extended her every courtesy, even when she was being secretive and a little rude. Laine had to wonder, was it all a part of the seduction? Could a man like that truly be so smitten with a woman like her?
She found herself combing her fingers through his hair, and eventually, he opened his eyes with a smile.
“You are watching me,” he pointed out, although the words seemed fond.
“I guess I am. You’re still here.” Laine shifted herself a little bit.
“Should I be elsewhere?” Aziz looked around the room curiously.
“I’d think so. I would have thought you had somewhere important to be.”
Aziz nodded. “Often, this is true. But not this weekend. We all need some time away from our responsibilities.”
“I’m not sure I know what that’s like. I don’t take vacations.”
Aziz rolled his eyes. “Of course you don’t. Americans live to pay their bills.”
“Look, it’s a bit early in the morning to be making broad generalizations regarding the East and the West, okay?”
Aziz chuckled. “This is true.” He pushed himself up, careful not to disturb her. “I did not notice last night, but you do have a lovely home. We could have gone to my hotel room, which is much bigger, but your space is exquisite.”
“Thanks. Decorated it myself. That’s what I do.” Laine pushed herself up as well and rested against him.
“I know this.” Aziz smirked at her.
“What are you smiling about?”
“I have a meeting later this week, which should prove terribly amusing.” He looked around her room critically. “I like the choice of that painting. It is intriguing, if a bit unpolished.”
