Modern Romance July 2018 Books 5-8 Collection. Annie West

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СКАЧАТЬ to say he rode didn’t do him justice. Lina’s gaze was riveted as he completed a circuit of the field. Deftly he wove through obstacles as easily as if he and the horse were one, then used a traditional horseman’s lance to capture a flaming hoop two others had failed to snatch.

      Around them the crowd roared and the girl beside her sighed and clapped.

      ‘Oh, isn’t he wonderful? Wouldn’t you like a man just like that?’

      Lina’s instant agreement died in her throat, pain settling like a boulder, crushing her insides. For she wanted it too much. Not just any man, and not simply because he was athletic and impressive, but because he was Sayid.

      She wanted him. Badly.

      For five days she’d been his secret lover and the desire for him had grown, not lessened.

      But it wasn’t just desire, was it?

      Lina wanted more, so much more. The idea of him performing these feats one day at his wedding celebration to some sophisticated woman of his own class made her nauseous. She grimaced, tasting the ashes of stupid, impossible dreams on her tongue.

      Stoically she told herself that whatever the future held, she’d wish Sayid well—a happy marriage to a loving wife and the blessing of children.

      The thought stirred a savage jab of pain right through her ribs and she stiffened, breathing through the ache.

      ‘He’s certainly memorable,’ she murmured eventually.

      ‘And to think you see him all the time. How lucky you are.’

      Silently Lina nodded, her eyes still on Sayid. Lucky didn’t begin to describe it. What were the chances a man like Sayid would ever be interested in someone like her? Their week together was an amazing, glorious experience and she intended to hoard the memory of it close through the long, lonely time ahead.

      Now he drew the horse up amongst the other riders, a grin splitting his proud features as they chatted. This was another side to Sayid and he fascinated her. Not the passionate, generous lover who gave her delight beyond anything she’d imagined. Not the serious, guarded ruler with the weight of a nation on his shoulders, but a man of vibrant energy and good humour. A man other men respected as one of their own, not simply because he was their Emir.

      Lina swallowed hard. Sayid was charismatic in a way that had little to do with his royal position. It was no wonder she was...a little blinded by him. Her feelings were strong, of course, but when their week was over and she left, surely that dazzle would dim and she’d learn to refocus on other things.

      She had to believe it.

      * * *

      Hours later Lina paused in a fragrant palace courtyard on the way back to her room, her mind full of Sayid.

      Though they’d travelled back to the palace together, he’d left her in the grand foyer, heading towards his office. She shouldn’t have been surprised. He never accompanied her on the long walk to their adjoining suites, even if they left an official function at the same time. It was as if he didn’t want to remind anyone that they stayed alone together at one end of the palace complex.

      Was he protecting her reputation?

      She should be grateful yet tonight she felt...on edge.

      The need for Sayid swelled stronger than ever, drawing her skin tight and her nerves to a state of frantic anticipation.

      Surely he’d come to her tonight. They hadn’t spent a night apart since she’d taken up his proposition.

      Heat eddied, slow and thick, through her pelvis.

      That stare he’d sent her as she danced, so intense and brooding, had almost made her misstep. She’d wanted to go to him then, ignoring everyone. She’d wanted to make love with him, desperately. Wanted to feel his hands on her bare flesh, his hot breath against her lips, his powerful body moving in perfect harmony with hers.

      Lina shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, sagging against a slender column in the arched colonnade surrounding the perfumed rose garden. Ordinarily she loved this place, but tonight found no peace here.

      She wanted Sayid with every cell of her being. But she also craved the right to simply...be with him, not just when they had sex. She wanted a role in his life, and the thought petrified her.

      Lina shook her head and turned towards her room. She couldn’t afford to think like that. Their affair was time-limited and not negotiable.

      Minutes later she opened the door to her rooms and entered the darkened space. Snicking the door shut behind her she stepped forward and straight into the looming figure that emerged from her sitting room.

      ‘Sayid?’ The word ended in a muffled sound of pleasure as his mouth slammed into hers, sealing her lips.

      Instantly desire rose like a whirlwind, blotting out doubts and her earlier restless dissatisfaction.

      This couldn’t last but for now he was hers.

      Throwing her arms around his neck, Lina fell into him.

      ‘Where the devil have you been?’ he growled against her mouth. ‘I was going to send out a search party.’

      Strong arms lashed her close, lifting her high till her dancing slippers no longer touched the floor. She adored his strength, his ability to make her feel at the same time delicate yet powerful enough to match him.

      Tunnelling her fingers through his thick hair she nipped at his bottom lip, smiling at the low rumble resonating at the back of his throat.

      He moved, powering her across the space till she felt something cool and hard at her shoulders. Disorientated, Lina opened her eyes and realised they were in her sitting room, up against the reinforced glass door that led onto her balcony.

      Pressed between Sayid and the door, she curled her leg up, hitching it around his hip. A shudder racked her as the move brought her up against his erection. Her need for him, for the affirmation of his lovemaking, escalated to impossible heights. It took only that, his mouth and his body against hers and she was lost...desperate.

      Holding tight, she tried to climb higher, but was frustrated by her dress. The skirt wasn’t wide enough. A whimper escaped just as one big hand closed over her breast, sending a spasm of pleasure rocketing through her.

      Seconds later dark eyes snared hers. For a moment Lina gazed into his proud face. Then there was a whirl of movement as Sayid gripped her waist and put her down. Thankfully he held her as he spun her around, or she’d have lost her balance.

      Dazed, Lina stared through the glass at the city lights spread like glittering jewels across the dark plain before them. Then the sprinkle of lights blurred as Sayid tugged her long skirt high, baring her legs and hips. Cool air rushed around her bare flesh and she shivered, surprised at how exposed she felt, though she still wore all her clothes. But then her dress was rucked up to her hips.

      Her heightened senses discerned the familiar musky scent of arousal sharp in the air. The sound of laboured breathing, and, she closed her eyes in thankfulness, the rasp of a zip.

      Her СКАЧАТЬ