CHAPTER EIGHT
For the first time since she’d been abducted, Olivia was in her element. She’d been born to be of service to others, so she couldn’t stand by idly while someone suffered, even to her detriment.
Olivia gritted her teeth. The bastard had discovered her weakness and used it against her. Then why wasn’t she livid instead of mildly irritated? Because maybe deep down, she was relieved she no longer had to walk around on pins and needles.
In a roundabout way, Khalid’s hands-off approach had worked in his favor. He didn’t push himself on her. He also never mentioned if and when he’d let her go. Because of this, he ended up occupying her every waking moment and quite a few of her dreams. As a result, her resolve had slowly weakened as she waited and wondered when he’d pounce. Essentially, all she’d done was postpone the inevitable.
Since her altruistic nature wouldn’t allow her to renege on their bargain, Olivia set aside her grievances and followed Khalid. They stopped in front of a tent slightly smaller than the one they occupied. Several men guarded the entrance and Olivia wondered which one was the expectant father. She had her answer when a low, keening moan made one of the men jump to his feet.
Olivia stepped forward with Khalid shadowing her. “Hello, I’m Olivia Bryant and I’m here to help with the delivery.”
Frowning, the man glanced at Khalid who translated Olivia’s introduction.
The expectant father glanced back at Olivia, after a beat he pulled back the tent flap and disappeared inside. Olivia moved to follow, but Khalid stopped her.
“I can’t go in during childbirth,” he disclosed. “It’s forbidden.”
“Can you remain close if I need you to translate?”
“I’ll be right here.”
Relieved he would be close by, Olivia shifted into command mode. Glancing down at the men still sitting outside the tent, she asked, “Ready to get started?” Khalid nodded. “Tell them to get off their butts and fetch some hot water, clean cloth, and grain alcohol.”
To her surprise, Khalid smiled. An odd occurrence considering they had very little to smile about of late. Like lightning in the night sky, the gentle curve of his lips was inexplicably beautiful. Mesmerized, and temporarily forgetting her train of thought, Olivia blinked up at him.
Sensing his effect on her, Khalid stepped closer, igniting an embarrassing, yet delicious ache between her thighs. “You have no idea how sexy you are right now.”
“You don’t mind a woman doing her job?” she asked, recalling his abhorrence of educated women.
Khalid’s smile widened, exposing a dimple in his right cheek. How did she miss that? “You’ve changed my mind, hydi luwaa sagheer…my tiny general. I think, I’ll let you take command in our bed.”
Poof! Olivia went up in smoke as she imagined them rolling around the low dais in their tent. Khalid winked at her, turned around to bark her orders to the men, instantly whipping them into motion. Unlike Olivia who remained motionless. How could she deliver a baby when all she could think about was making them?
***
Two days later, Khalid entered Vezir’s tent. He scanned the darkened space and found Olivia lying curled up on the floor, her hand tucked inside a makeshift cradle. Exhausted, even the sound of Fatima singing to her newborn son didn’t disturb her.
Temporarily dragging his eyes from the woman who confounded him at every turn, Khalid squatted down next to Fatima. “Are you both well?”
Fatima looked over at Olivia, who still hadn’t stirred, and smiled. “With her help we both live. She is a blessing, a true gift from the gods.”
Khalid silently agreed. As he stood, his chest swelled with pride and something else—a deeper appreciation for a woman’s right to the same education as a man. If it wasn’t for Olivia’s medical knowledge his cousin would’ve lost his wife and child. Once again the woman had changed his way of thinking.
Khalid walked over and knelt beside Olivia. Mouth slightly ajar, she looked dog-tired. Disturbing her felt like a crime, and yet he’d missed her terribly, especially in his bed. Even if they weren’t having sex, Khalid wanted her beside him.
“Wake up, tihoussay.” He reached out and slid his index finger along her cheek. Her skin was as soft as a babe’s.
Slowly, like a blossoming flower, Olivia opened her eyes and stretched. “Hey,” she murmured, sleepily.
A hot flush rushed through Khalid’s body. If only he could coax that kind of greeting out of her every morning instead of abject silence, he would eagerly await the setting sun. Lately he’d been dreading it because that meant another tortuous night of not being able to make love to her.
“You did well.” Khalid nodded toward Fatima and the baby.
Looking almost diffident because of his praise, Olivia sat up. “It’s what I was trained to do.”
Khalid’s eyes widened. Her caftan was smeared with blood. “You look like you’ve been to battle and lost.”
Olivia glanced down at the soiled garment and chuckled. “I guess I look a fright.”
“Stomach churning,” he said, holding out his hand. “Come, you’re overdue for a bath, a hot meal, and a soft bed.”
Without any hesitation, she accepted his help and allowed him to pull her to her feet. Khalid looked down at their joined hands and frowned. Usually, touching her drove him wild with desire. This…this simple contact of flesh against flesh felt comfortable and so very right, like they’d been doing it for years instead of just for the first time.
Unwilling to let go of her, or the unfamiliar feelings rioting through his head, Khalid continued to hold her hand as he escorted her from the tent. They crossed the encampment, coming in contact with several clansmen, each of them eager to make Olivia’s acquaintance. Khalid smiled. In less than forty-eight hours, Olivia had gone from curiosity to an essential part of the tribe.
Khalid stopped in front of their tent, his hand slowly slipping from hers. “Wait here while I go inside and fetch you a change of clothes.”
“Okay,” she murmured and then stifled a yawn behind her hand. She blinked, drawing his gaze to her eyes. The setting sun had turned her eyes a warm golden brown. Despite her hair falling to her shoulders in wild disarray, and the temporary indentions in one cheek from sleeping on it, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.
Khalid didn’t tarry. He rushed inside, grabbed an ivory caftan, slippers, a bar of soap and a towel. When he returned, he was slightly out of breath, but Olivia was still standing where he’d left her, fighting sleep. Smiling, he threw caution to the wind, picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder. His hands slid up the back of her slender thighs, and the familiar desire rushed through his blood, thickening his cock.
“What are you doing?” She placed her elbows on his back, propping herself up.
Khalid smiled. She hadn’t demanded he put her down. “I’m carrying you to the oasis,” he replied cheerfully. “You’re almost asleep on your feet.”
“You’d better not drop me,” she said, surprising him.
“I wouldn’t dare.” He meant it. He was carrying precious cargo.
***
Exhausted, Olivia allowed Khalid to carry her to the water basin. Plus, the lift afforded her a great view. At this time of day, with the sun sinking into the Atlantic, the desert was breathtakingly beautiful. Tinted by the orange rays of the low-hanging sun, the ocean of white sand had become a romantic shade of pink. Even the clouds in the sky appeared fluffier, the sky bluer.
Romantic? Olivia rolled her eyes. Dead tired, she obviously wasn’t thinking straight. Her fatigue had to be the reason why she now felt at ease in Khalid’s presence. And if she were honest with herself, she’d even started to enjoy his company.
Outwardly, Olivia pretended to be disinterested, while she’d actually hung onto his every word, especially his stories of growing up as a child on two continents. She was fascinated about the boy who went back and forth year after year between his parents who loved each other, but were too stubborn to accept the other’s culture.
Khalid and his brothers grew up with the best of both worlds--living in the lap of luxury in their father’s chateau nestled in the Loire Valley, to roaming from oasis to oasis with his mother’s tribe.
If only he knew his stories engendered more of a response than the dozens of gifts he plied her with to gain her favor. Learning about his childhood allowed her to see what had shaped his character and how he’d become the man he was today. The proud, stubborn, albeit chauvinistic charmer who could have any woman he wanted.
So why her? Olivia mused over the million dollar question. In her opinion, other than her intelligence, Olivia believed she was nothing special. She topped out at only five feet. Her nose was too broad as well as her hips. Her dark hair had a touch of a wave and her eyes were a nondescript shade of brown. She had a pleasant enough smile she assumed, only because others always complimented her on it.
If Khalid’s hungry glances were any indication, one would believe she was the most beautiful creature who’d ever walked the face of the Earth. His desire for her was palpable like an approaching storm—the maddening calm before all hell broke loose.
Did a part of her really want him? Olivia snorted. When had she ever stopped wanting him? Even now her breasts tingled, and the flesh between her thighs throbbed as he walked along the crest of a sand dune and then descended into an oasis surrounded by tall grass and palm trees. Like so many times in the past, he skirted the larger body of water, favoring a smaller pool of water partially hidden by vegetation.
Much too soon, Khalid set her down. He handed her a bar of sweet-smelling soap and her clothes. Per his usual routine when he brought her to bathe, he walked over to a palm tree and sat down, lazily stretching his legs out in front of him. He never joined her in the water. He also never turned away. Instead, he sat on the bank, openly ogling her as she bathed.
Perplexed by his actions, Olivia absently worked the soap into a lather. Had he forgotten their bargain? Was he no longer interested? Had he only pretended to appreciate her education? As more and more questions formed in her head, the more she wanted to verify their validity.
Ignorant to the art of seduction, a blush crept into her cheeks. What would a more experienced female do in her shoes? Of course, Olivia came up empty. A virgin with like-minded friends, she had no reference point.
Thinking of the weapons in her limited arsenal, Olivia pushed at the shoulders of her soiled gown. It slid slowly down her body and pooled around her feet.
To maintain a modicum of modesty, Olivia usually washed herself with her back turned to Khalid. Not this time. As soon as she stood in the middle of the waist-deep water, she turned to face him. Her gaze met his as she reached up and removed the remaining pins from her hair. Gaze riveted on her, his tongue flicked out to lick his bottom lip in an action so carnal she could almost feel its damp heat against her skin.
Olivia submerged to wet her hair. When she emerged, Khalid stood by the edge of the pool, no longer a distant spectator. With a knowing smile, she didn’t temper her movements or hide her desire as she lathered her hands. Her pert breasts jiggled and her nipples formed hard peaks.
Her strategy worked. Khalid removed his tagelmust, followed in quick order by his tunic, trousers and knee-length leather boots. Tall, skin kissed by the sun and athletically built, she practically devoured him, drinking in his nudity, marveling at his masculine beauty.
His thighs were muscular and in perfect proportion to his slim hips, trim waist and broad shoulders. His hair had grown exponentially over the weeks into a chaotic mass of black curls which helped to soften the sharp planes of his high cheekbones and angular jaw.
Already erect, his cock jutted out from a nest of black hair. He was long and thick with a fat mushroom-shaped head. Olivia gulped. He’d rip her in two! Suddenly unsure if she could go through with their agreement, she averted her gaze. For good measure, she turned around, ignoring him altogether.
“Don’t shy away from me now, tihoussay.” A wave washed over her as he stepped into the pool. “You have to finish what you started.”
The gravely texture of his voice sent goose bumps racing across her wet skin, and a succession of images of them in a variety of positions danced in her head. Thankfully, the water was cool, because she was suddenly burning up.
“Finish what?” She asked, going against her very nature by playing dumb. With slightly trembling hands, and needing a diversion from her perverted thoughts, Olivia reached up to work the soap in her hair.
“Seducing me.”
“You’re imagining things,” she lied. “I’m simply trying to take my nightly bath.”
Chuckling, he reached around and fished the bar of soap from her hands. “Then let me help you with your bath.”
“That isn’t necessary—”
“But I insist,” he interjected with enough conviction that she knew she had no other choice but to comply.
Heartbeat pounding in her ears, Olivia closed her eyes and waited. He placed his hands on her shoulders and began to move them in a sensual, circular motion down her back. Olivia bit down on her bottom lip, stifling a moan. His warm touch reminded her of that night in the greenhouse when he’d worked her into a mind-blowing orgasm.
“About our bargain?” He stood so close, his body heat slammed into her back, almost knocking her off her feet. “I won’t hold you to it. I was selfish for putting my needs above not only the life of a mother and child, but also your calling.”
Olivia’s eyes snapped open. His declaration caught her completely off guard. She’d assumed it would take a brick upside the head to change Khalid’s way of thinking. And yet, he seemed to have come full circle overnight.
Nursing was her calling, and Olivia was glad he respected that side of her. His shift in mindset was exhilarating. So much so, a warm and fuzzy sensation spread from her roots to the tips of her toes. And it didn’t take much for that feeling to turn into something more amorous.
Olivia frowned at her lack of common sense. The reprobate finally saw her as a person, and all she wanted was to recapture the passion she’d experienced in the greenhouse.
Of course, she blamed it entirely on the hands gliding over her skin. They’d lulled her into a false sense of security while heightening her awareness of him. Add a moonlit night in the middle of a desert oasis, a dime store novel couldn’t have set the scenario up any better.
“What?what if I want to honor the bargain?”
His hands stilled, resting on her shoulders, and yet Olivia felt unbelievably light. She’d made her choice and it was surprisingly liberating.
Silently, Khalid slid his hands downward and circled her torso, and then pulled her into him. The wide expanse of his chest and rock hard abs was like velvet beneath steel against her back, his cock just as unyielding against her rear.
“Say it,” he rasped. He reached up and caught her breasts, his thumbs played with her nipples, flicking them into pointed peaks. Olivia’s mouth dropped open in a loud moan.
“Say it,” he repeated before capturing her earlobe between his lips and sucking hard.
“You want me to beg, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Olivia’s mind protested, while her body pleaded for her to reconsider, especially when his hand trailed down her belly, and settled between her legs. His fingers combed through her pubic hair and gently tugged, ripping a sob from her.
This was so unfair! His hips were doing that slow seesawing motion that made her long to feel him deep inside her.
Still, she managed to say, “I’m not going to beg.”
“So stubborn, yet so beautiful. Maybe you need more convincing.”
He picked her up, maneuvered over to the shallow edge of the pool and laid her on her back. He pushed on her legs and they fell open shamelessly as he settled between them. With his lips hovering deliciously close to her sex, his gaze met hers.
“Say it.” His warm breath fanned against her inner thigh.
Shivering, Olivia shook her head. She might be in heat, but she wasn’t a fool. She knew full well Khalid was going to seduce whether she acquiesced or not. Of course, that didn’t mean she couldn’t humor him. “I’m not going to beg.”
Grinning devilishly, Khalid lowered his head. He kissed a hot path along her thigh, and then his tongue rimmed the folds of her sex. He teased her quivering slit, dipped inside, and latched onto her *.
Olivia gasped as he sucked and licked on the sensitive bud. White-hot pleasure pumped through her veins, her core tightened, the tension building in her belly.
Just when she thought it couldn’t get any better, Khalid speared into her sex with his tongue. Crying out, Olivia bucked against him, sending his tongue deeper. His growl vibrated both along her skin and through her. Olivia reached for him, her fingers tangling in his wet hair.
“Khalid,” she gasped his name, her pride slipping as he pushed her to the brink of orgasm.
“I won’t give you what you want unless you beg me.” His fingers replaced his mouth. “And when you do, you’ll think I’m still inside you whenever we’re apart.”
Higher and higher he pushed her, working her with both his mouth and fingers. Olivia tried to bite back a scream, but it was useless. Her body shook violently, virgin muscles contracting. She arched her back and cried out as she climaxed.
Boneless, she barely had the strength to move. It didn’t deter Khalid from teasing her some more. His mouth covered her cleft, sucking her greedily. Olivia’s eyes shot open in disbelief. There was no way she could come again so quickly.
And yet the pressure escalated, this time with more intensity than before. Instinctively, Olivia responded accordingly. She circled her hips and ground her sex against his mouth. “Khalid,” she chanted, moving faster and faster. She was so close…so very close.
She just needed a final push.
Khalid’s lips clamped down on the bud between her legs, tugged softly and she tumbled, free falling into another orgasm.