Kamal nodded, understanding the desire to help those in need.
“So, what about you? What do you do for a living?”
Kamal looked at her and let his eyes wander down to her mouth. Thoughts of answering her question fled as he imagined what she would taste like. Leaning closer, he inhaled her unique scent, wondering how much of it was artificial and how much of it was her. Scooting closer to her, he lifted a hand and let it trail down her temple and around her neck to tangle in her hair.
Lowering his head, he gently placed his lips upon hers, taking small tastes of her lips.
Erin relaxed against him, one hand coming up to rest on his chest as she kissed him back. She shivered at the contact, tilting her head slightly as he rubbed his fingers on the back of her neck.
Kamal lifted his head, murmuring to her softly, “Come back to my rooms with me.”
Erin instantly shook her head. “No. I couldn’t possibly. We just met.” She started to pull away, and Kamal didn’t want to consider parting from her so soon.
“Then ask me to join you,” Kamal suggested, seeing that his driver was just pulling up in front of the address Erin had provided him.
Erin turned her head and saw that she was home before turning back to look at him. Once again, her emotions danced across her features, and Kamal said a silent prayer that she would agree.
Slowly nodding, she replied, “Would you like to come in for a nightcap? Will your driver mind waiting?”
Kam grinned at her. “I would like, and my driver will return within moments of my call.”
“Really?” Erin asked, seemingly unconvinced.
“Really. Shall we?” Kamal asked, turning as the driver opened the door. He exited the limo and then reached in to assist Erin out. Gesturing towards the sidewalk, he spoke briefly to his driver in Arabic before following her.
Erin didn’t see the second vehicle pull up or the two large guards exit it and begin scanning the street for threats.
Kamal not only saw the vehicle, but he also realized that their presence could seriously alter his plans for the next several hours. With another terse command to his driver, he followed her up the walkway, assured that the guards would be properly informed to remain invisible to his hostess.
5
ERIN
Erin took her keys from her purse, pausing to catch her breath, which stalled as she felt Kamal’s heat at her back. Taking the last step onto the porch, she tried to control the shaking of her hand as she placed the key in the lock.
When Kam reached over her shoulder and steadied her hand to complete the job, she felt her pulse quicken and struggled to calm her racing heartbeat.What was it about this man that affected her so completely? She couldn’t remember ever being this turned on by someone she had just met.
Mentally shaking her head, she pulled the key from the lock, pushed the door open, and walked into her home, glad that she had spent a few hours cleaning up earlier.
Kamal followed her in, shutting the door behind him. Turning, she saw him look around, and she tried to envision what her place looked like from his perspective. She loved her eclectic mix of furniture and artwork that adorned the open common area, but she wondered if he would see it as an extension of her personality like she did. The furniture pieces were mostly neutrals, but large splashes of color were sprinkled throughout in the form of pillows, artwork, and rugs that she’d picked up at local markets and art shows.
“You have a lovely home.”
Relieved, she replied, “Thank you. Have a seat, and I’ll see what we have to drink.”
Kam reached out a hand, stopping her from leaving the room, “I think we both know I did not come here to drink.” He watched her closely as a blush heated her cheeks. She’d always prided herself on being a very confident woman, yet around him, she was nervous, and she couldn’t explain why.
Erin watched him from beneath lowered lashes. “Would you like to sit down?”
Pulling her into him, he wrapped his arms around her before lowering his head and answering her with his mouth. He tasted her, letting his teeth nip at her bottom lip before pulling her chin down and opening her mouth to him.
Erin felt as if she was being consumed and found she didn’t mind at all. She let her hands wrap around his shoulders, stepping closer to his body and brushing her breasts against his hard chest. She relaxed against him, reveling in the strength she discovered in his embrace.
Continuing to kiss her, Kamal murmured against her lips, “You taste sweet, like honey.” He stroked her back with one hand dropping below her waist to caress her bottom. When he gave the flesh there a squeeze, she moaned against his lips, and he dropped his other hand down as well.
Using his hands to pull her into him, he turned them so that he was leaning his hips against the back of her couch. Pulling her into the vee of his legs, he pressed her core against his own hardness.
Erin couldn’t seem to get close enough to him. With one hand, she stroked his chest, drawing her touch down over his abs. She stopped when she encountered his waistband, hesitantly pulling his shirt from his pants. Her fingertips flirted with the skin just beneath his pants.