"Shiek" - читать интересную книгу автора (Connie Mason)

Jamal gave her a smile that melted her bones, though she'd die before admitting it.

"Ah, sweet vixen, you must think little of me if you believe I'll take my pleasure and dismiss you quickly. Nay, when dawn colors the sky you will still be with me. Before this night ends you will swoon from the splendor of my loving. Resign yourself, my warrior princess, for you are mine now, and I am a vigorous lover."

"Keep my father safe and I'll willingly submit to your every desire, my lord." The words nearly choked her.

Jamal gave a hoot of laughter. "Have I finally tamed you, my pet? I think not. I'm not stupid. I know why you have suddenly become obedient. I want you hot and passionate, not acting like a martyr on the altar of my lust. I vow before this night is over you'll wonder why you resisted me so long." He took her hand. "Come sit beside me, and we will share a light meal."

Zara wanted to claw the smile from his face and fought desperately to hold both her temper and her tongue. Jamal was the most egotistical, arrogant man she'd ever met. She had promised to go to him willingly but she'd never said she'd enjoy it.

Servants moved about silently, serving a dish called harina, a hearty soup with tomatoes and peppers. There were also olives and flatbread, and at the end of the meal, honey cakes and fruit, with mint tea to wash it down. Jamal ate sparingly, taking small sips of tea as he watched Zara pick at her food. At length he motioned for the meal to be taken away. The servants cleared away the remnants of the meal and disappeared.

By that time Zara began to feel lightheaded and tingly all over. The odd sensation reached deep into her innards, causing a sensation that made it difficult to concentrate on anything but the way her body was behaving.

Jamal noted her distress and gave her a sharp look. "Did Nafisa prepare almond milk for you before you arrived?" he asked conversationally.

Zara looked at him curiously. "Aye."

Jamal spit out an oath. "I wish she hadn't."

"Does it matter?"

Jamal shrugged. "Not really." But his eyes told her otherwise. His gaze, sharp and intense, searched her face, watching, waiting, for something... something...

Zara squirmed on the cushion beside him, assailed by a peculiar sensation that traveled through her veins like wildfire, creating a wanting inside her that frightened her. What was happening to her? Her hands clenched and unclenched nervously in her lap as she tried to sort out the weird things going on inside her body.

She gave a small cry of surprise when Jamal scooped her into his arms and set her on her feet. "I want to taste you," he said, pulling her into his arms. His mouth came down on hers, savoring her taste, exploring the softness of her ripe lips. "You taste like honey," he whispered against her mouth.

His tongue flicked out to lick hungrily at her lips, then slipped between her teeth to sip more fully of her sweetness. Zara groaned. She was hot, so hot. Burning. Her blood was on fire. Her nipples ached, and she ground her hips against Jamal's erection to obtain relief from the scalding heat of her arousal, but there was no relief, only more fire.

Jamal thrust his leg between hers, aware of her distress and the cause of it. Allah take Nafisa. He didn't want Zara like this. He hadn't ordered the aphrodisiac that Zara was given in the almond milk. He needed no help in arousing his princess.

Zara moaned again, riding his leg and pressing her breasts against his chest. Her nipples were so sensitive they ached. Something was happening to her! She wanted Jamal's hands on her; she wanted him inside her.

"Ride me, sweet princess," Jamal whispered hoarsely. "Take the edge off your hunger. Later I will arouse you again, when the effects of the drug have warn off."

"You gave me a drug?" Zara gasped, nearly beyond coherent thought. If she didn't get relief soon she'd explode.

"Shhh, don't talk. You're nearly there."

Suddenly she screamed, her climax so intense she blacked out for a moment. When she came to herself she was lying on the bed, and Jamal was holding a wet cloth to her head.

"What happened?"

"I'm sorry, Zara. Nafisa acted on her own. The drug will wear off in a short time, and then I will prove that I need no help from aphrodisiacs to bring you to ecstasy."

Zara groaned. Allah help her.