Ashraf pulled back, ignoring her protest, and dropped to his knees. He smelled damp flesh, sweet woman and the musky, smoky scent of arousal.
His gaze fastened on her belly, which had once cradled his son. Pride, wonder and possessiveness gave added depth to carnal arousal. He stroked the tiny striations running across her skin.
‘Stretch marks...’ Her voice was breathless.
Wondering, he shook his head. ‘You’re amazing.’
Tori’s laugh was uneven, as if she didn’t believe him, but he was lost in wonder at the miracle her body had made and in sheer, blistering lust. He was afraid that if he wasn’t careful he’d push her onto the floor and take her with the finesse of a rutting stallion.
Ashraf forced himself to slow, watching the contrast of his dark olive-skinned hand on her pale, satiny skin. But despite his best intentions his patience was negligible. Seconds later his fingers had insinuated beneath the narrow sides of her bikini bottom, sliding it down.
She was blonde there too, the damp V between her legs pale gold.
‘I’ve found treasure,’ he murmured, running his hands down her thighs and then back up and around to anchor in her buttocks. Her muscles squeezed beneath his touch.
Tori’s hands were in his hair. He grabbed one, nipped the fleshy part of her palm with his teeth, then kissed the spot, feeling a voluptuous shiver race through her. She was deliciously responsive. So responsive that he couldn’t resist leaning in and nuzzling the pale golden hair that pointed the way to Paradise.
‘Ash!’ Her voice was reedy and weak, but her grip spoke of robust feminine need as she tilted her pelvis forward.
Ashraf explored with his tongue in thorough strokes that turned her shivers to deep shudders. Her gasps were the most satisfying music and the perfume of her arousal was heady, beckoning him to delight.
He’d intended to take his time, to seduce her so thoroughly that he’d overcome her scruples about marriage. But now he discovered a flaw in his plans. He wanted her too much to wait. This time, at least. He had never felt so strung out. It shouldn’t be possible, but he felt as if he’d spill himself here and now, bringing her to climax.
After a lingering kiss he pulled back and rose to his feet. Unfocussed eyes met his and satisfaction warmed him. He liked her dazed with need for him.
‘Undress me, Victoria,’ he ordered, enjoying the sound of her full name, an intimacy they alone shared.
His satisfaction cracked as she reached for his long robe and pulled it up his legs with clumsy hands. He liked her touch, but even the brush of her fingers tested his control, teasing him when he was already stretched to breaking point.
He’d left his shoes at the door, so when she lifted his robe off he was bare but for silk boxers. This time Ashraf was the one to shudder as her gaze raked him. He felt it as if she’d stroked her slim fingers across his skin. He stood proud, lifting towards her, hardening still further.
‘Your scar healed well,’ she said finally.
Her touch slid along his ribs, tracing the knife mark. Where she touched he burned, as if she trailed ice over searing flesh.
‘You haven’t finished,’ he gritted out, capturing her fingers and securing them in the waistband of his boxers.
Amusement flickered in her eyes. ‘How remiss of me.’
But instead of pulling the offending garment away she sank to her heels before him. Ashraf’s lungs atrophied at the sight of her there, naked and alluring, a carnal fantasy made flesh. His brain and lungs stopped when she tugged his underwear down and leaned in, taking him in her mouth.
Ten thousand volts jolted through him. He felt soft lips, moist heat, the tease of silken hair and then incredible, sweet delight as she drew hard on his flesh.
For a moment that lasted half a lifetime he gave himself up to carnal gratification. The feel of what she did to him, the sight of her there on her knees...it was too much.
Ashraf grabbed her shoulders and gently pushed her away, almost relenting when he saw her heavy-lidded eyes and moist lips.
‘Later...’ His voice cracked right down the middle.
‘You didn’t like—?’
‘Of course I liked.’ He sounded angry—probably from the effort it took not to pull her back. ‘But I want to be inside you.Now.’
A flush crested her cheekbones. Amazing, given what she’d just been doing. And charming. Utterly charming.
‘Come.’ Ashraf drew her to her feet.
They stood so close she swayed and he pulled her in against him, revelling in the slide of her body against his. Every part of his flesh was an erogenous zone. One more touch, one more look from this woman, might send him over the edge.