“Laine, I am not entirely certain who is seducing whom here,” Aziz said.
“No? I’m hardly the practiced playboy here.”
“Maybe you simply have an innate skill,” Aziz suggested. “Maybe it is just me who is caught so fast by your allure…though it is unlikely.”
He placed his hand on her thigh. His touch was light, but Laine tensed anyway in anticipation. She listened to his breathing for a moment, and when he moved to take his hand away, sensing her discomfort, she put her hand over his. His brows rose. His hand moved slowly up her thigh. The gauzy material of her dress slid up with it, and Laine shuddered.
She gently touched his cheek and gave him a kiss. His hand stilled, squeezing the top of her thigh as he returned the kiss eagerly. With his other hand cradling the back of her head, Aziz deepened the kiss, and his hand sneaked ever higher. Laine began to squirm, and her heart raced.
“Not here,” she murmured, pulling away quickly.
Aziz looked down, his eyes unfocused and his brows deeply furrowed. “Of course.”
He stood abruptly, took a few steps, and then turned to look at Laine. He shook his head and walked over to the fountain.
“I’m sorry,” Laine said.
“I don’t know what you are apologizing for.” Aziz ran his hands through his hair. “You excite much passion in me, but the duty to contain it should be mine.”
Laine rose and started walking toward him. Aziz kicked off his shoes, and Laine stared for a moment. Then he climbed up on the edge of the fountain.
“What are you doing?!” Laine laughed.
“Cooling off!” Aziz held his arms out and fell backwards into the fountain.
Chapter Four
Until Aziz hit the water, Laine felt as though time had stopped; she simply couldn’t believe what was happening. But back he fell into the fountain, wearing a suit that had to cost several thousands of dollars.
She shocked back to life with the sound of the splash and darted to the side of the fountain. It looked deep, but it wasn’t a swimming pool!
“Ha!” Aziz said as he popped up, his eyes sparkling.
Laine jumped back, but then swatted his arm. “What is wrong with you!”
“Not much. The water is very nice.” Aziz winked at her and dipped back to float with his arms spread out.
“It’s cold out here!” Laine objected. But she had to laugh as well.
Aziz kicked his legs leisurely. “You could come in with me. Though that would defeat the purpose of my coming in here to cool off. You’d heat it right up again.”
“I think your bigger worry might be hypothermia.”
“If that is Allah’s will, so be it. I accept my fate.”
“You are ridiculous.”
Laine crossed her arms and watched him swim around in the fountain. Aziz turned over in an acrobatic kind of move and pulled one knee up as he beckoned her forward with a finger. The fountain itself, which brought water up through a glowing centerpiece, rained water down on him. He didn’t seem to notice.
Laine shook her head. “I’m not getting in there.”
“You must. I’m lonesome.” Aziz raised a brow. “Do this thing for me.”
“I…” The tone of his voice surprised her. He could have commanded her to do what he’d asked. He could have issued his decree and expected his wishes be followed just as quickly as fetching his water. Instead, he seemed to be genuinely, seriously, asking.
Laine slipped her shoes off and stepped closer to the fountain. Tentatively, she dipped her fingers into the water to test how cold it really was. Aziz grabbed her wrist and jerked her forward. Laine flailed and crash-landed into the water with a huge splash. She didn’t sink too far, because immediately Aziz’s arms were around her. She came up with a gasp.
“I wasn’t ready!” Laine said, smacking the water hard enough to cause a small wave to hit Aziz in the face.
Aziz held his hands up in defense. “You looked like you needed some encouragement! I wanted to be supportive!”
Laine gave him another splash, and he ducked under the water. She looked around for a moment before his arms were around her waist, dragging her back under. For a moment, Laine held her eyes tightly closed. What was Aziz doing? How clean was the fountain? When she opened them, she could see Aziz’s face next to hers. Then she looked up.
She could see the night’s sky through the rippling water, through the transparent awning that covered the patio. It was like the stars were dancing for them. She looked into Aziz’s expectant eyes and touched his chest. Then she pushed herself up.
Laine broke through the surface of the water and panted. Aziz came up with her and pushed her hair out of her eyes.