Page 44 of Unknown Royal Baby

CHAPTER TEN

ISAMLOOKEDINTOSEARCHING, golden brown eyes and felt his control snap. His hands tightened on hers.

She thought he didn’t want her?

He’d held back, needing to persuade her into marriage and not wanting to rush her physically. But he’d imagined his heated thoughts had betrayed him. After all, they’d been intimate before. He’d assumed she’d read his hunger, despite his attempts to rein it in.

But she was an innocent, remember? And you only had one night together.Maybe she’s not adept at reading the signs.

The reminder that he’d been her only lover fuelled that renegade hunger, yet made him feel protective too.

He wrapped his arms around her and tugged her against him. A sigh chased its way up his throat as their bodies made contact.

Just holding her, fully clothed, made him shudder with satisfaction. What was it about this woman? She created a need in him more potent than any he’d ever known.

Her hands pressed to his chest, fingers splayed as she tipped her head back, keeping their gazes locked.

‘You reallywantme?’

‘Of course I want you. In London I broke every rule to have you.’ That he knew for sure. ‘Since you came to Zahdar I’ve been having cold showers every day. I’m trying to give you time to adjust.’

She looked at him with solemn eyes. ‘You never said.’

He frowned. Before the reception he’d told her he wanted her as his. But he’d been concentrating on reassuring her, supporting her in preparation for their first appearance together. Maybe he hadn’t been completely clear.

‘I’m saying it now. I’m desperate for you, Avril. Let me show you how much.’

Isam gathered her up in his arms and, when her lips curved into a fragile smile, marched across the room and into her bedroom, hitting a light switch on the way. He laid her on the bed, almost laughing at her expression of mixed shock and eagerness.

Despite her earlier doubt she didn’t protest. Far from it. All the worries and demands of the long day disintegrated as he looked down at her, watching him avidly.

He wanted to take his time cataloguing everything from her velvet skin to the way the rich fabric enhanced her feminine shape. It was a hard-fought battle against the urgency that had tested him since meeting her across that London conference table.

Shucking off his shoes and keffiyeh, he followed her onto the bed, reaching for her foot in one jewelled sandal. Swiftly he released the narrow straps and tossed it away. He explored her instep, her dainty toes, high arch and curved ankle, registering each shiver and twitch in answer to his touch.

She was so responsive that he made himself pause rather than swiftly work his way up her body. He propped her heel on his thigh and worked the muscles of her foot in a deep massage. Her tension dissolved almost instantly. Her soft moan was the most erotic music.

It reminded him of the way she’d gasped out his name as she climaxed.Thatmemory was clear and enticing and never failed to arouse.

Isam lowered her foot to the bed and stripped away her other sandal before massaging that foot.

Avril lay before him, fully dressed, eyes narrowed to slumbrous, golden slits, shifting needily, her hands curling into the bedspread.

A shaft of heat tore through him, settling in his already hard groin. He wanted hernow, without preamble. But it would be even better if he took his time.

Her dress was soft as he pushed it up her legs, but not as soft as her flesh. Unable to resist, he pressed a kiss to her calf, then stroked it with his tongue, feeling her muscle spasm.

‘Isam!’

Her voice was husky. It made his skin tight and weighted his groin so he had to take a moment, concentrating on control.

He looked up to find her propped on her elbows, watching him, eyes radiant with ardour.

‘Patience, sweetheart.’

He wanted her so badly it hurt. But he wanted to imprint himself on her. To set up a deep-seated need in her that only he could assuage. To make her cravehim.

Because he couldn’t remember everything he needed to about how they’d come together?

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