Holy Allah. He’d made his choice. He hadn’t realized it until the words were out of his mouth, but now he didn’t want to take them back. He chose her. He loved his brothers, but he couldn’t condemn one soul just to save another. And even if Mira hated him for all eternity, that didn’t change anything. She didn’t deserve this any more than he did. Any more than his brothers’ did. She didn’t deserve anything but happiness.
He was so caught up in his thoughts, he didn’t see her push off the couch. Didn’t hear her cross the floor. Didn’t even know she was next to him until her soft voice said, “I love you, Tariq.”
His head came up. His eyes widened. “You…what?”
A gentle smiled curled her kiss-me mouth. “I love you.”
Disbelief rushed all through him. “Mira, I’m a monster. I came here with the intention of—”
“Damning my soul. Yes, I got that.” She stepped closer, rested her palms against his bare chest. Warmth seeped from her hands into his body, easing the chill deep inside. “But you haven’t yet. And you don’t want to. And since you’ve been gone, I’ve had several days to research and think things through, and there’s only one thing I know that really matters.”
“What’s that?” he asked before he could think to stop himself.
She lifted her hand, brushed it against his cheek. And he leaned into her touch without even realizing he was doing so. “I made my own wish. I brought you here. I didn’t have to do that, Tariq, so you shouldn’t feel guilty about anything that happens to me. It was my choice.”
“Mira—”
She rose on her toes. Wrapped her arms around his neck. Brought her body flush against his until the chill was nothing but a memory and her heat was all he felt. “I would do it again too. Even if it was only for a few days. Even knowing everything I know now. I would do it again to spend these hours with you because they’ve been the best of my life. I thought I wanted to know how to be desirable, but I realized…I already am. I just hadn’t met the right man.”
“Mira,” he whispered, unable to stop himself from closing his arms around her. “I am not a man.”
“No, not technically, but it doesn’t mean you deserve what was done to you. I can’t even begin to try to understand your world, but I know what’s in your heart. I know that you care about your brothers. About your father and your kingdom. And I know from spending time with you that you have a gentle soul, regardless of what you think. You tried to stop me from following through with my wish. You protected me from those Ghuls. And when I wouldn’t change my mind about wanting to be with you, you did everything you could to prolong my wish so I wouldn’t be hurt. Even knowing that witch could punish your brothers in the meantime. And then you come back here with these marks on your back, and I…”
Her voice caught with so much emotion, it radiated through his entire body. “That’s not something a monster does, Tariq. That’s something an honorable man does.”
He didn’t know what to think. She loved him. A slave, sent to condemn her. Really loved him.
She looked down at his chest. “I know that in your own way you care about me, because you wouldn’t have done all that if you didn’t. Even if it isn’t—”
“Mira, I care more for you more than I’ve ever cared for anyone else.”
Her eyes lifted to his, brightened at his words. “You do?”
He nodded and brushed his thumb over her cheek. Even as his heart pinched at what that meant. “More than I ever thought I could.”
A slow, sexy smile spread across her lips. Lips that were plump and lush and tempting as they skimmed across his. “Show me,” she whispered. “Forget everything else right now, and just show me.”
CHAPTER NINE
Mira’s skin tingled with excitement and nervousness. Not the same nervousness she’d felt the last time they were together. No, she wasn’t worried about pleasing him; she was worried about what came after. What she and Claire had discussed. What she had to do when it was over.
Don’t think about that now. Think about Tariq. Think about being with him. Think about this last moment together.
He lowered his mouth to hers, and she opened to him without hesitation, tasted the hunger on his tongue—the same hunger she knew was on hers. His hand slid down her spine, pressed gently against her lower back, drawing her body even tighter against his. She moaned into his mouth, tangled her fingers in his hair, and kissed him harder. Wanted to kiss him as no one had ever kissed him before. As she hoped no one would ever kiss him again.
He hadn’t said he loved her, but that was okay. She didn’t need the words. She knew he cared about her. And that was enough.
She took a step forward, forcing him back. When his butt hit the raised bed, she slid her hands down his chest, smiled as his arms closed around her and he lifted her feet off the floor, then laid her out of the mattress just as she wanted.
He was all solid muscle and chiseled angles. She watched in wonder as he shrugged out of his shirt, kicked off his boots, as he climbed over her. Desire darkened his eyes, brought a flush to his cheeks that superheated her blood. She reached for him, was careful not to touch the wounds on his back, then lifted to meet him, pressing her lips against his with a fierceness that stole her breath. He lowered his body to hers, and she loved the beat of his heart against her own, loved the heat radiating from his skin. Loved how they fit together as if they were made for each other.
He kissed her jaw, her earlobe, trailed his lips down her neck, and nibbled at the tender column of flesh. She moaned, arched into him. He slid his hand across her belly, under her shirt, and up to palm her breast. Electricity rippled across her skin as she lowered her back to the mattress again. As she found his mouth and kissed him once more while his fingers teased her nipple into a hard point beneath the satin of her bra.
She broke away from his mouth. Breathed heavily. “Tariq—”
“Lift up, hayaati.” He eased off her so she could sit up, then tugged the shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor. Eyes locked on her satiny bra, he flipped the front clasp and tugged that off as well until her breasts spilled into his large, more than capable hands.
“So soft,” he whispered. Her nipples tightened under his heated stare. As he cupped each one and ran his thumb across the tip. Then she nearly came out of her skin when he lowered his head and laved his tongue across her nipple.
Groaning, Mira dropped her head back in pleasure and arched into his mouth. She’d had lovers before, but none had been like Tariq. None had known where to touch her to make her lose control. Dark flashes of arousal pulsed through her. She wanted to taste him on her tongue again. Wanted to feel his cock deep inside. Wanted him limp and sated in her arms when it was over then begging for more. And she wanted to be the only one to satisfy him, just like this, every day, for the rest of his days, however long that may be.
Don’t think about the future. Just enjoy right now.
She knew that was what she had to do. She knew it was the only way she’d survive. But it didn’t stop her from wanting. From needing. From dreaming about a future she knew they could never have.
He flicked the button on her jeans as he brought his mouth back to hers, slid the zipper down. When she lifted, he pushed his hand inside her jeans and around to cup her ass, grinding his erection against her mound until she saw stars.
“I love the sounds you make, hayaati.”
She loved the sounds he made too. Loved when he groaned against her. When he rubbed that glorious erection between her legs as he was doing now. Just when she thought she’d go mad from the grinding, he broke away from her mouth, dragged her jeans and underwear down her hips, tore them from her legs, and dropped them on the floor near her shirt. Then he peeled off his own jeans and climbed back on the bed, smiled in that sexy, lazy way of his that heated her blood to near-boiling levels.
Her gaze slid over his perfect body. She could stare at him for hours and never tire of the view. But right now she wanted more
than just looking. She wanted him.
He cupped her left breast, then slid his fingers lower to her stomach, and finally into all her moist, wet heat. She groaned again, lifted her hips. Needed him everywhere. Anywhere. “Tariq…”
“You’re so wet, hayaati.” He lowered his head, nibbled at her neck, teased her with his fingers.
She closed her eyes and rode his fingers as he stroked her, gave herself over to his wicked touch. Tingles spread out from her sex, loosened her limbs, made her achy with need. She turned her head, found his mouth, kissed him deep while he circled her clit with his thumb, while he slid his fingers lower and finally inside her.
She groaned, tightened around him. Gasped when he stroked her deep. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. She wanted all of him. “Tariq, I need you now.”
His eyes were as dark as she’d ever seen them when he pulled back from her mouth, and stared down at her. He shifted his body over her, pushed up on one hand, then filled her in one fluid movement that drew a gasp from her lips and sent pleasure spiraling through every cell.
Yes. Yes…
She tightened around his length. Tried to hang on to his shoulders as he drew back out and in. As he slowly picked up his pace, that pleasure grew in intensity until it was all she could feel.
“Mira,” he moaned. “Allah, I love being inside you.”
She loved having him inside her. She met each thrust with her own. His lips closed over hers. She moaned into his mouth, wrapped her arms around his shoulders as she lifted to meet him. And she kissed him again and again while he made love to her. Wanting to draw this moment out. Knowing it was going to be their last.
Tears burned her eyes, but she forced them back, didn’t want anything to ruin the moment. They rocked gently against each other on the boat. Water lapped at the hull. But she knew he was getting close. She could tell by the flush of his cheeks, by the way he thickened inside her. By the way he hit that spot again and again, driving her closer to her own release.
“Open your eyes, Mira. Come with me.”
She blinked several times, met his gaze. And his eyes…God, they were the most beautiful things she’d ever seen. Not sharp or brilliant in color but vibrant. Fathomless. Alive. Everything she felt when she was with him.
Her orgasm rocketed through her, sending electrical sensations all through her body that robbed her of breath and thought and focus. It went on and on as he thrust harder, deeper, as he filled her as no one ever had before. And when he roared through his own release, long moments later, she was still shuddering, still jerking, still moaning at the most intense orgasm she’d ever experienced.
He fell against her. Aftershocks continued to ripple through her body, but thought returned. And with it, a feeling of completeness, of belonging. Of home.
Slowly, she sifted her fingers into his damp hair, kissed his temple. “That was better than last time,” she said. “Think you can do that again?”
He chuckled, and the vibrations spread all through her chest, warming her deep inside. “This time, I might need a moment to recover, hayaati.”
She rolled her eyes even though he couldn’t see her. “So much for being an all-powerful supernatural being, huh?”
He smiled as he pushed up on his arm and looked down at her. A devilishly sexy grin that heated her blood all over again. “Are you mocking me?”
“No, I was just stating an observation.” She hooked one leg around his thigh and rolled him to his back, keeping him locked tight within her. He went easily, smiling at her joke the whole time. And she took that as a sign that his back didn’t hurt nearly as much anymore. Or maybe she’d taken away the pain. “What if I promise to do all the work?”
She pushed up to sitting. Tightened her sheath. Grinned down at him with all the confidence she hadn’t known was inside her. His eyes darkened again as he rested his hands at her hips and she rocked slowly against him. He hardened quickly inside her, as if all he needed was that tiny bit of coaxing.
“And what if I want to help?” he asked, lifting to thrust deeper inside her. “Just a little?”
She grew wet and hot and achy all over again. Bracing her hands on each side of his head, she leaned close. “I guess a little help won’t hurt, djinni. But this time, my wish is to pleasure you. So you have to let me do whatever I want.”
His lips curled as she closed her mouth over his. As she lifted and lowered. As she slid her tongue along his and tasted his hunger all over again.
“Your wish, hayaati. My command.”
CHAPTER TEN
Tariq was pretty sure he’d never been so satisfied.
Mira lay draped over him, her chest rising and falling with her labored breaths, her hair a wild tangle of silk all across his sweaty skin. He ran his fingers through the thick blond mass, loving the feel of it—and her—against him as she tried to slow her breath, as they both came down from another rocking climax.
His heart pinched when he thought of what would happen next. They were safe out here on the water, but as soon as they went back to shore, Zoraida would expect results. And when he refused, the sorceress would become enraged. He didn’t want to lose his brothers, but he couldn’t damn Mira. She was as innocent as they were. And he could no longer sacrifice one for the good of others.
“Where are we?” he asked as he stared up at the ceiling.
“On a boat,” she said, her voice vibrating against his chest, sending tendrils of pleasure all through his skin. “I already told you that.”
He smiled, even knowing all the danger that loomed ahead for both of them. With her, he felt light, alive, loved. And that’s what he’d hold on to. Even when his brothers were gone and Zoraida took her fury out on him. He’d remember this moment with her and everything she’d given him and know his choice was worth it. “That’s not what I meant, smartass. I meant, where is the boat?”
She pushed up on one arm and looked down at him. Her eyes sparkled in the low light, and his heart cinched down even tighter as he looked into her beautiful face. “You need to be more specific, djinni. I’m not a mind reader, you know.” She grinned again. “On the Columbia. Off Sauvie Island. Don’t worry, we aren’t drifting. I dropped anchor.”
He wasn’t worrying about that. He was worrying because they didn’t have much time. They needed to get out of this bed and strategize. He needed to teach her to recognize the influence of Ghuls so she could defend herself when he was gone. But he didn’t want to do that yet. He just wanted to stay here and be close to her, even though doing so was only prolonging the inevitable.
He brushed a lock of hair back from her face. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the water. I miss it. Thank you for this.”
“Your kingdom is near the coast, isn’t it?” When he nodded, she said, “You sail a lot?”
“I used to. Not much lately.”
“I guessed,” she said, pushing up to sit on his legs.
He loved that she wasn’t self-conscious about being naked with him anymore. Loved the way she trailed her hands down his chest. “Let me guess? Your research?”
That Cheshire-cat grin returned once more. “Something like that. But I didn’t bring you on this boat just because I thought you might be missing the water.”
“You didn’t?” She shook her head, and his brow lowered as he tried to read her expression. “Then why?”
Resting her hands on his chest, she leaned down and kissed him. “Because I love you.”
His heart turned over, and he opened to her, drawing her tongue into his mouth one more time, hoping it would be enough. Knowing it wouldn’t.
She ran her hands over his shoulders as she kissed him. Down his arms and back up again. He lost himself in her kiss. In the sheer perfection of her. In all the love he’d never had before. Her fingers trailed down to his wrists. She grasped his arms, tugged them above his head. He smiled as she kissed him. As his desire built all over again.
Okay, one more time. Then he’d get serious. So long
as they were out on the water and she still needed him, he’d let her do whatever she wanted. For however long it took. When she was finally sated, then he’d refocus.
“I love when you touch me like this, Mira.”
She pushed his hands together over his head. “Good. Because I have a feeling in a minute, you’re going to be really mad.”
His brow dropped as she pulled away from his mouth. And then something cold and metal snapped over both his wrists.
He jerked his head back, looked up. But before he even saw the cuffs, he knew they were iron. Knew because it zapped his energy and made him weaker than he’d been in years.
His gaze shot back to Mira. She quickly climbed off him. A guilty look ran across her face. “What are you doing? Mira, uncuff me right now. Iron—”
She winced. “I know. Iron makes you weak. But trust me, Tariq, there’s no other way.”
He watched in shock and disbelief as she tugged on her clothes. Of course, she knew. She’d researched his tribe extensively. He jerked on the iron cuffs with what little strength he had. But they were secured to a hook in the wall, and all his efforts did was jangle metal against metal. “Mira. What…? Why…?” He pulled hard again. Knew he was growing weaker with each second. “You have to let me go.”
She tugged the comforter over his naked body. Then leaned down so she was close to his face. “I know she can’t see us on the water. Or hear us. But I also know you’d never let me do what I’m about to do, so I had to cuff you.”
She ran her fingers over his jaw, and instinctively, he leaned into her touch, even as anger pushed up his chest. “Mira, listen to me—”
His words cut off when her fingers moved down his throat; then both hands spread across his collarbones as if she were feeling for something.
Panic spread through his entire body as she began uttering words in an old language he’d only heard once. Words Zoraida had spoken when she’d bound him to the opal. And his eyes grew wide when the opal he wore in his realm—the one that was just like Mira’s but invisible here—materialized against his chest.