Page 46 of A Festive Surprise

Chapter Fifteen

Farid

The rug was soft on Farid’s back. The fire embers crackled in the grate. Holly’s beautifully naked body straddled him in the red glow, her shadow dancing on the ceiling as she rocked on top of him.

She was uninhibited and free, guiding Farid’s hands everywhere she wanted them and he obliged. Moaning, she arched her back, pushing her glorious breasts forward. Such beauty. He pushed himself into a sitting position, and she gasped; he wanted to look in her eyes. Pulling her close, he locked his gaze on hers and she returned it. A fierce light burned in her wide ink-black pupils. The heat of her skin against him sent rocket fuel pumping through his veins, but he held on, alternately kissing her, then pulling back and holding eye contact.

‘Oh, Christ.’ She braced her hands on his shoulders, rocking faster. Her eyes slipped out of focus and she breathed rapidly before her head dropped into the crook of his neck. He wanted to hold her, soothe her, kiss her some more. He tried but he couldn’t hold back any longer. Air. He gulped for it, then the world exploded around him, shattering atoms everywhere.

Holly nuzzled his shoulder and caressed his back.

He couldn’t move. Wrapped in her arms, he was safe and he clung to her, prolonging every last sensation. She moaned and jiggled a little, letting out a half-sigh, half-laugh.

‘So good,’ she whispered. ‘So, so, good.’

‘Bahebek, jamilati,’ he said.

‘What does that mean?’

I love you, my beautiful. He kept the words in his head. It was risky enough but it was exactly how he felt. Love saturated every part of him, swamping him. The urge to pour some of it into her burned him. Now they were joined by this love. ‘Merry Christmas, my beautiful.’ He stroked her back.

‘Merry Christmas? It’s still three weeks away.’

‘But I am the gift that keeps on giving.’

‘Ooh, Farid.’

‘Is that me on the naughty list too?’

‘Oh, no. You’re definitely on the nice list. That was very nice and you’ve just offered to give it to me again. Extra nice points for that.’ She climbed off him, giggling. ‘You are such a beautiful man.’

He closed his eyes. She was kissing him again. There was no stopping her. He rested back on his elbow, angling his head and teasing her. Another human initiation test could be ticked off his life list. He’d survived his first time. And he hadn’t failed, or she wouldn’t be jumping back for more so soon. His chest swelled and the last vestiges of tension ebbed from his shoulders. Lying back, he pulled her on top of him and she squealed.

‘You are too damn sexy,’ she said in between kisses.

He rolled over, pinning her under him. And, Wallah, she was beautiful. The power of love burning inside him was overwhelming. He wanted her all over again. ‘And so are you. You make me a wild beast. I cannot control myself. I want you so bad.’

‘I’m sure I want you in equal measure. So, why don’t we go to bed?’

Soft blankets enveloped them as she lay on the firm mattress beneath him. He dipped in and kissed her. The stars twinkled in the pitch-black sky beyond the window as he spilled his soul into her, showering her with all the feelings in his heart while she worshipped his body. He was a god and she was his goddess. Afterwards, they twined together in the warmth, and he pulled the fur blanket over them, snuggling in and keeping her close. Sleep came quickly but it didn’t last. He woke. His legs were restless.

Perhaps he should have told Holly this was his first time. But why drag it up? Would she care? Was it important? She might have guessed from his obvious lack of preparation. At least she was a modern woman who travelled with every eventuality covered. Something else nipped at his brain. He sagged into the pillow. What was it? Why couldn’t he fall into a deep and beautiful sleep? But of course. This was stolen time. Holly was only here for the next few weeks. Barely a month. One month. Then what? She would disappear. How could he face the world alone now? Again. After this. He rolled in behind her and held her close, pressing his nose into her cheek.

What should he do? Revert to his original plan? Use this as experience? Thank her, kiss her goodbye, and move on? Random images of faceless women played in his mind. Would any of them touch his soul the way Holly had? Was this inexperience? All he knew was how he felt around her and what joy it brought. When they cooked and ate together, when they walked together, talked and laughed. And now this.

She shifted so her face was buried in his neck. A tune he’d heard on the radio that morning floated into his head and he hummed it. His throat vibrated on Holly’s warm brow as he went through the notes.

‘Farid,’ Holly mumbled.

‘Mmm.’

‘No more Christmas songs.’

‘I don’t know what song it is.’

‘“The First Nowell”.’

He smirked. How appropriate for a night of firsts. He hummed again, the chords mellow and soft. Holly breathed on his neck but he kept going. His fingers wound their way into her hair, stroking her. As he finished the song, he whispered to her in Arabic, telling her everything he wanted, knowing she wouldn’t understand a word.

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