“Zaid?”
“Who else would it be?” The jealousy lining his tone is palpable. “Open the door.”
I look around the room for something to cover up with, deciding quickly on the blanket draped on the back of the sofa. I set down my wine, wrap the blanket around my waist like a sarong, smooth down my hair, and open the door.
Zaid looks dreamier than ever. He’s in a gray V-neck t-shirt and destroyed jeans. His hair’s come free, mussed and trickling down into one green eye. My center erupts in flames. “What are you doing all the way out in Queens?”
“Can I come in?” He asks, but doesn’t wait for an answer.
“Sure,” I say as he brushes past me. His close vicinity sends chills all over my body. My brain flashes back to where we were a few hours ago, and I cross my legs for a bit of friction to relieve this constant ache that appears when Zaid is around. “But I don’t know if you can stay. Viv’s pretty pissed at me, and honestly it’s all my fault.”
“It’s not your fault, Tori.” He reaches for my hand but I pull away before he makes contact.
“No, Zaid, it is. I promised her I wouldn’t get involved with you and I broke that promise. Besides, she told me about all of your… women.”
“You’re not the only one who’s been lying, Tori. There hasn’t been any other women. There’s never beenanyother woman but you.” His green eyes sparkle in the low light of my apartment. “Ever.” It’s easy to see that he’s telling the truth. My chest loosens. “And more important, Viv is okay with us.”
“What?” I suddenly wish I had a bra on. There’s no doubt my nipples are poking through my thin, white t-shirt. “How?”
Zaid takes a step toward me and this time, I let him take my hand. His eyes, low and serious, penetrate me with their warmth. “Because I told her how much I love you.”
Say what?“You said that?” My voice cracks from pure shock. “And you meant it?”
Zaid wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me close. He presses his mouth against mine, gentle yet urgent. I melt into him, surrendering myself completely. “Tori, I’ve loved you for years. And it’s time everyone knew. Especially you.” He traces a line down my cheek.
“I think—,” I can’t believe the words coming out of my mouth. “If it really is okay with Viv, that I might be in love with you, too.”
He smiles down at me and raises one bushy eyebrow. “You think?”
“Yeah,” I repeat myself. It’s only been a few weeks, and I know in my heart that he’s the one. That he’s the man I want to be with for the rest of my life. Call it a hunch, or intuition, but there’s no one for me other than Zaid Zarin, but that doesn’t mean he won’t have to work for it. “I think so.”
His lips crash down on mine. His smooth, warm tongue wiggles its way into my mouth and an explosion of wetness drips into my panties. The vibrations in my center increase as he slowly pulls the blanket away from my hips, leaving me standing there in my thin t-shirt and panties. His rock hard erection presses against the thin cotton of my underwear, rubbing against my swollen, aching nub.
“Are your roommates home,” he growls into my mouth. I bite my lower lip, pressing my forehead against his.
“Nope.” Another animalistic noise escapes his mouth. This time when he lifts me up, there’s not an ounce of worry in my body. Instead, I wrap my legs around his waist, grinding into him as he kisses me again. “It’s the second door down the hall,” I say.
Zaid wastes no time, carrying me into my room and setting me down on the bed. He closes my laptop and places it on the floor. “Friends, huh?”
“It’s like comfort food.”
He crawls on top of me, my shirt rising under the pressure of his body. “I like the sound of that.” His teeth nibble into my neck, and a little giggle escapes my mouth.
“Sorry,” I say, trying to suppress my laughter. “I’m ticklish.”
“I like it,” he says, making his way down my body. He pulls my t-shirt up over my stomach, planting gentle kisses near my belly button. For a moment, my body clenches. I have stretch marks and cellulite and other imperfections that he’s literally face to face with. His hands continue pulling up my t-shirt until he exposes my breasts. Zaid looks up at me with hooded eyes. “You have no idea how gorgeous your body is, do you? It’s perfect. Like a painting,” he says in between kisses. “A work of art.”
My nipples stiffen at his words. As soon as I wiggle out of my t-shirt, Zaid’s mouth heads further south, kissing my swollen, aching mound over my panties. He takes a long, firm inhale.
“You smell so good. Ripe and ready for me.” He grabs me between my legs and squeezes. “This is mine now, Tori. It belongs to me.” His thumb rubs circles against my clit, and my breathing increases. “Say it!”
“My cunt belongs to you,” I say, feeling power in the word.
“But don’t worry, my love. My only intention is to make you feel good, to make you come and come until your body runs dry.” His hot breath causes goosebumps to flare up and down my legs as he kisses me over the fabric.
I lift my hips for him as he pulls them off completely. His soft, supple lips press against the crease between my center and my inner thigh. My fingers find his hair. I want to pull him closer to me, shove his face deeper, but the anticipation is all part of the fun.
When he tastes me, my body bucks upward. My breasts fall into my armpits but I don’t care. The trained pleasure of Zaid’s tongue removes all of my worries, and I ride his face as he inserts his fingers, twists them up, higher than I thought possible, and taps my sweet spot.