Page 23 of The Sheikh’s Christmas Present

Jarik spread the blanket over the sand. Maria felt almost shy when she sat down on it. He didn’t seem to have the same issue. Instead, he stripped off his shirt and reached for the button of his shorts.

“What are you doing?” Maria asked, quickly averting her eyes.

“We’re at the beach. I’m going for a swim!” She could hear the amusement in his voice, but she still didn’t look back up until she could hear him splashing in the water. When she raised her head, the air escaped her lungs.

Oh. God. Although half of his body was hidden from view since he was waist-deep in the water, he still looked mouth-wateringly good. The water ebbed and flowed against his chiseled chest, and she couldn’t help but stare as the rivulets ran from his shoulders and down his body.

Heaven help her, she wanted to press her mouth to his skin and lick that very same path.

“Come, join me,” he said in a tantalizing voice.

“I just bought this outfit,” she argued weakly. “I don’t want to get it wet. This shirt is white!”

“I wouldn’t mind seeing that,” Jarik admitted. “But if you would rather not get your new clothes wet, you can always take them off.”

Maria had never been skinny-dipping in her entire life. She was an adult. Surely, she was not going to start now? And certainly not with Jarik. She opened her mouth to tell him that, but he took a few steps toward her. As the water dipped lower and lower on his body, she stared as more skin emerged.

“Come on, Maria. Let go. Have a little fun,” he coaxed gently.

“It’s tempting,” she admitted, the words slipping out in spite of herself.

He stopped just short of revealing his cock, and she almost moaned in frustration. “Shy?” He laughed and slowly turned his back to her. “I won’t see a thing.”

Her body didn’t feel like her own as she stood and slowly pulled her shirt up. Despite everything she had said earlier this morning, she knew that desire was winning out. Shimmying out of her skirt, she reached for the clasp of her bra.

He’d seen her naked before. It shouldn’t be such a big deal, but as soon as her clothes were off, she hurried into the water. Although it was cold against her skin, she didn’t stop until only the swells of her breasts remained exposed. Reaching out, she traced a finger over his dark skin.

Jarik shuddered, but he didn’t turn around. “Did you bring me here to seduce me?” she asked quietly as she moved closer. Unable to resist, she pressed the palms of her hands against his shoulders and pressed her nipples against his skin.

“I won’t deny that I want you,” he said darkly. “And I did hope that if you relaxed, you might feel freer.”

“I bet you bring all your women here.” Wanting to know just how badly he wanted her, she slid her hands under the water and traced her fingers over his hip bones. Just a few more inches and she’d be able to wrap her hands around his cock.

He inhaled sharply. “I’ve never brought a woman here.”

11

Maria froze.Never?

“Why now? It’s beautiful. I would think you’d want to show it off.”

“It’s a piece of my history,” he said through clenched teeth. “I don’t share it. Maria, are you trying to kill me?”

He was sharing it now, but she didn’t point that out. Instead, she danced her fingers up and down his thighs. “I don’t think that you’d be much fun if you were dead. You don’t even realize how much you make me feel alive. I want to share that with you.”

“If you keep touching me like that, I’m going to turn around.” His voice was heavy and thick, and she immediately pressed her naked body against him.

“Not yet,” she pleaded. “Let me enjoy this. Please.”

“I want you to, but if you keep at it, there won’t be anything left to pleasure you with. Unless that’s what you want—and if that’s the case, then by all means, keep playing.”

Maria laughed, her voice sounding strangled and pressed her head to his back. The waters lapped around them, and she felt the current tugging gently at her legs. More than one thing threatened to sweep her away.

All she had to do was let go.

“Maria?”

“I let a complete stranger pay me money to fly him out of the country. I shared a room with him, and I let him touch me. And now…” she swallowed hard. “Now, I’m naked in the water with him, and I know exactly what I want.”

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