Page 99 of Deadly Betrayal
The idea took root. He’d make her deathKhalid’s choice in such a way that the man was indebted to him. Hispulse sped up. Standing, he went to the door and instructed hisnephew Rangeen to take a photo of their two prisoners. It was acold night, and sharing body heat was one of the only ways tosurvive it. Any good soldier or doctor would know that.
Tariq returned to the table and stood acrossfrom his business partner. “Be at peace, my friend. None of myguests will bother you.”
Looking tired and uncertain, Khalid pushed tohis feet. “I thank you for your hospitality. My only regret is thatmy fiancée is not here to celebrate your nuptials with us.”
A smile broke across Tariq’s face. “I’mcertain she is with us… in spirit.”
Khalid gripped the edge of the table as hisface drained of blood. So, he had figured out Azita was here at thecamp, perhaps he’d even recognized the American’s screams. Thiswhole conversation had been another manipulation to get Tariq toadmit to having captured Khalid’s whore and her Americancompanion.
Eyes wild, Khalid charged at Tariq. “What didyou do to her?” he screamed, spittle spraying Tariq’s face.
When Khalid’s hands wrapped around his neck,Tariq pulled his knife out of the holster hidden under hiskameez. He grabbed Khalid’s arm and twisted, spinning theman around so his back was against Tariq’s chest and the bladepressed against his throat. “Never attack someone you cannotbest.”
Khalid struggled, pushing at Tariq’s arm withhis hands while tilting his head away from the knife. Tariq pressedharder, allowing the finely sharpened metal to penetrate the man’sskin. Khalid hissed at the burn. Red bubbled out, forming a narrowpath down his neck. “Where is she? Please,” Khalid begged.
Disgusted, Tariq shoved the man away. He’dknown children with more spunk. Khalid fell against the table, butquickly righted himself.
“Forgive me, Khan Tariq. My fiancée wasrecently injured, and I am sick with worry. If she is here, pleaseallow me to see her.”
There was a knock at the door. Tariq gaveKhalid his back. The insult would be lost on him, but Tariq couldenjoy it. He stepped into the hall. “What is it?” he askedRangeen.
“The photo, Khan Tariq.”
Tariq took the proffered phone and stared atthe image. He couldn’t hide his glee. It was perfect. But this wassomething the illustrious Agha Khalid had to see for himself. Hereturned to the room, Rangeen with him. Khalid looked up, a hopefulexpression lighting his eyes. This was almost too easy.
For maximum effectiveness, Tariq would ensurethat every step of what was to happen would be Khalid’s decision.There would be no room for evasion or recrimination. Plastering abenevolent smile on his face, and injecting his voice withgoodwill, Tariq said, “Agha Khalid, I am a generous man. Tomorrowis my wedding day, and I wish for all my guests to be happy. Do youdesire to see your fiancée immediately?”
Khalid looked between him and Rangeen. Theglint of hope turned to one of uncertainty. Tariq gave him pointsfor that. After a moment, Khalid nodded. “If you would be so kind,Khan Tariq.”
Tariq turned to his nephew. “Take him to thehole.”
The bright moon shone down on Kaden, turninghim into a silver god as he slept. Azita thrilled at the sensationof his body against hers: the heat, the hardness, the comfort. Hisarm hadn’t left her waist in hours. In a few minutes, she’d have toawaken him to administer his medication, but for now, she let himrest, and she let herself enjoy.
If Kaden wasn’t hallucinating and Jake orsomeone else—he hadn’t said who—came to their rescue tomorrow, thenthis was her last chance to watch him, to see his masculine lipspart as he drew breath, to see his broad chest expand as it filledwith air. Her fingers traced his face, memorizing every feature,every crease, every smooth plane, every stubbled curve. They’dnever get the night together she’d promised him, so she’d have tomake do with the parts she could see and leave the rest to herimagination. It would have to be enough.
A sigh slipped out unbidden as she nudgedherself closer and splayed her hand across his heavy pectorals. Thesoft hair on his chest tickled her palm until she passed over asmall nipple. Unable to resist, she rolled it between two fingers,enjoying how it hardened at her touch. Something else for her toremember.
Tilting her head, she nestled her face in hisneck and lightly ran her lips along his skin near his hairline. Hesmelled wonderful. There was a hint of the soap from their room atthe guesthouse, sweat, and something unique to him. She couldn’tget enough. Almost of its own volition, her tongue sneaked out andtook a small lick. Tastes exploded on her tongue, both sweet andsalty. She moaned and eased herself closer, anchoring her top legover his.
This time, she licked and nibbled the wholeexpanse from his shoulder to his ear. The soft lobe seemed to meltbetween her teeth. A tightening started low in her belly andsensation bloomed between her legs.Khodaya, what was shedoing? The man was injured. Sleeping! Instead of doctoring him, shewas taking advantage of his incapacitation.
After a last lingering kiss to his warmflesh, she tried to move away, but the arm encircling her waistturned to steel. “Where do you think you’re going?”
Kaden’s voice was sleep roughened, lower thanusual, and incredibly arousing. Her nipples hardened and rubbedagainst his side. With his other hand, he gripped her leg andpulled it over him, over his erection. At the same time, her ownsex made full contact with the crest of his hip. Heat suffused thearea and her pelvis rocked involuntarily. “I… I… oh!”
His hands controlled her movements, gentlypushing and pulling, while maintaining a constant pressure. Shefelt transported, much like the drug addicts at the clinicdescribed.
“Kiss me,” he urged, thrusting against herthigh. His eyes looked glazed, but that could have been from thereflection of the moon.
She leaned over him and brushed his lips. Hegroaned as though in frustration and raised his head. The actionsealed their mouths, and when his tongue stroked her lips, shehurried to let him in. His frenzied exploration surprised andexcited her. Encouraged to explore him, she tentatively touched histongue. He returned the caress until it felt as though theirtongues were dancing, a marriage of smooth and rough.
On a moan, he sucked her tongue into hismouth. The tugging sensation startled a gasp from her, and beneathher hand, his chest rumbled. She pulled away, but not too far. “Areyou laughing at me?”
His eyes crinkled and he smiled, his bruisesmade invisible by the night. “I’m happy. You make me so fuckinghappy.”
Hearing the words she’d thought never to hearfrom a man, her heart swelled, grew until it filled her chestcavity. A whimper tore from her throat and she kissed him again.She nipped, nibbled, sucked, and tasted. Pleasure swirled insideher, reaching from the tips of her toes to the top of her head.
She controlled their mouths, while hecommanded her body.
