The next morning, Mia woke up in Rami's arms, warm and comfortable, her body still tingling from the pleasure of their lovemaking. She could feel a lingering soreness deep down between her hips, but the ache was sweet; she couldn't imagine any pain she could have enjoyed more. "How are you this fine morning?" Mia smiled, turning over to face Rami. "I think this is probably the most comfortable bed I've ever been in," she said, stretching against his body under the sheets. Rami chuckled.

"It should be, it cost enough," Rami told her. He pulled her closer to him and brushed his lips along her temple. "I'm hoping-if this is not too much too soon-that you're going to spend a lot more time in this bed." Mia snorted.

"I want to take it slow," she said, considering. "I don't?want to just-start out basically living here or something like that."

"But a few nights a week? Maybe?" Rami looked into her eyes hopefully. Mia laughed.

"You must have been really deprived," she said, poking him in the ribs playfully. "If you're this bowled over after last night." Rami kissed her lightly on the lips, his hands beginning to wander over her body with more than just playful intentions.

"Or maybe you're just that great in bed," Rami suggested. "On top of being patient, kind, conscientious?" Rami kissed softly along the column of her throat, and Mia felt her desire reawakening under the heat of Rami's touches.

"I'm still a little sore," she said apologetically. "We'll have to?go slow this time, if we do it again."

Rami smiled against her lips. "I will go so slow with you," Rami murmured, covering her body and claiming her lips. Mia found that it was just as easy to fall into his rhythm and flow, as it had been the night before.



TWELVE