She shook her head, too shell-shocked to dissemble; to protect her innocence. “That is not like anything I’ve ever felt before.” She bit down on her lip, her smile bursting through anyway.
“You liked it,” he dragged his body higher, so that his powerful legs straddled her and she could feel the strength of his arousal through his pants.
And she wanted that. She wanted more.
Her hands at his belt buckle were insistent, but he shook his head, kissing her lightly on the top of her head.
Doubts began to nudge aside the complete, blind pleasure of a moment ago. “What is it?”
“I want that, believe me,” he rushed to reassure her. “But I think you need to … acclimatise … to this.”
“I’m acclimatised,” she promised.
His laugh made her tummy flip. She arched her back and lifted her knees towards the ceiling, so that his erection was tantalisingly close.
“And I’m not finished with you yet.”
“I want everything. All of you.”
His eyes widened; a muscle jerked in his jaw. She reached a finger to it and felt its firm pulsing.
“Yes,” he nodded slowly. “But not tonight.” He kissed her forehead again. “Tonight is just for you.”
CHAPTER FIVE
“Isn’t mulled wine supposed to have the alcohol heated out of it?”
Tara grinned over the cup, her hair made wild by the ice cold wind that had buffeted her on the walk home earlier that evening. “Only if you’re not very careful and clever, like I am.”
“Well, it’s delicious.” Melinda sipped it again, catching a piece of orange rind.
“I don’t have any other friends who appreciate my talents for Christmas cocktail making.”
Melinda pulled a face. “I don’t know if this counts as a cocktail,” she pointed out. “Though it is delicious.”
“Hey, careful there, or I won’t top you up.”
“That’s a good thing! Half of this and I already feel woozy.”
“You’re such a lightweight.”
Melinda’s cheeks flushed. “I know.” A buzzing sound vibrated from the kitchen and she uncurled her legs from beneath her and moved towards it, placing her wine on the bench beside her phone. Tara was right behind her.
“Booty call?”
Melinda laughed but her heart was accelerating wildly. “No way.”
Conscious of her friend’s eyes locked on her face, she opened her phone and read the message.
It was from Ra’if.
I can’t stop thinking about you. X
She smiled, holding the phone close as she digested the words.
“Well?” Tara prompted.
“Nothing exciting.”