Salim’s voice came from just behind her, making her shiver as his voice hit that rumbling note that never failed to soften her feminine core and scramble her wits.
He stood close. She felt his breath feather her hair and his body heat against her back. Just that was enough to make her breasts feel fuller and damp heat form between her thighs.
Rosanna snapped her eyes open and focused on the beautiful room, rather than the urge to swing around, plaster herself against him and beg for him to take her.
‘It’s very special. It radiates welcome and wellbeing.’
And Romance with a capitalR, but she didn’t mention that. Because it would be dangerous thinking of Salim and romance together.
This was about lust, she told herself firmly. It was a pragmatic choice to scratch a physical itch and get it out of their systems. She couldn’t afford to weave any other fantasies about Salim.
Rosanna blinked, horrified to discover that from joy her emotions had swung abruptly to distress.
‘Would you like tea after our journey? Or breakfast? You must be hungry.’
She should be. They’d left so early that she hadn’t eaten. Presumably their early start had been to avoid being seen together.
Rosanna pressed a hand to her suddenly churning stomach. She wasn’t used to the idea of a secret relationship. As if it, or she, were shameful. ‘No thanks, I’m fine.’
Silence. Was it imagination or did her skin tighten as she waited for Salim to speak?
‘Perhaps you need to rest. We had a very early start.’
‘No!’ The word was out before she realised she’d formed it. ‘I’m perfectly fine and wide awake.’
Still he didn’t touch her. Why?
Because he’s giving you the courtesy of time and spacetoadjust. Because he’s a decent man who won’t pounce on you the moment you’re alone together.
Rosanna swallowed, her throat aching with tension. ‘Thereissomething I want.’
‘Yes?’
She felt him move closer, his body mirroring hers, his breath tickling her ear.
‘Make love to me, Salim.’
CHAPTER TEN
ITWASEXACTLYwhat he planned to do. Yet Rosanna’s words were a cold blast to his overheated libido.
Make love, she’d said, and for a second he’d been in total agreement. Till he read the nuance of her words.
He’d brought her here because it was one of his favourite places, plus it was close enough to the city that he could return quickly in an emergency.
He’d given instructions that the place be prepared for them and he’d enjoyed planning to please Rosanna. He’d instructed that the suite be filled with roses because he thought she’d enjoy them, and because they reminded him of her. Her skin was as velvety as any damask petal and as fragrant. She could be thorny too but at heart there was a honeyed sweetness that was irresistible.
Yet, now they were here, he realised how she might misinterpret things. He planned a sybaritic week of sex and relaxation. What he’d given her was a romantic bower.
Worse, though she had no way of knowing, he realised it had never been a place where sheikhs dallied with passing lovers. It had been transformed into a special place by one ruler for the queen he loved. Only queens and their families stayed here.
Yet how could he hold back from Rosanna? He’d already lashed his arm around her waist and hauled her back against him.
He breathed deep, trying to summon restraint. The whole drive here he’d fought a hard-on that had made driving a chore and tested his patience to the limit.
Salim bent his head and used his free hand to drag her hair out of the way so he could nip at her neck. She shuddered in response, her head lolling to one side in invitation.
He loved her eager passion. Rosanna might be a feisty woman and in business matters a formidable negotiator, but when it came to intimacy her instant responsiveness was everything he could want.