Her lips parted. “There,” she whispered. “Kiss me there.”
She felt his breath first, warm and soft, skittering across her sensitive skin, then the merest touch of his lips, just enough to send her pulse soaring. He pressed harder, branding her with the heat of his mouth. She clung to the rail and gulped at the salty air. His tongue swiped a trace across her skin, as if tasting her. He pulled away, just a little, and blew gently so that her wet skin was suddenly cold. She shivered.
“Do it again.”
“There?” he asked in a low voice. “Or here?” His finger trailed down her jaw and landed on the pulse point in her neck. Her blood pumped harder and faster in response.
She sighed raggedly. “Please. There.”
Khaled reached behind her to cut the engine. He cupped her jaw between his hands and lifted her chin. He tilted his head and studied her with an intensity that ought to have embarrassed her, but somehow only increased her desire. Olivia bit her lip to keep herself from begging him to hurry up. She arched toward him in mute invitation. His thumbs began to circle slowly, just under her jaw. She whimpered.
When she thought she might explode from wanting, he bent his head and licked. She shuddered with pleasure. He did it again. And again and again. With each stroke, desire built. When finally he pressed his mouth to her skin and sucked, Olivia let out a long breath. She detached her hand from the rail and clung to Khaled instead. He began to trail his kisses further up her neck, along her jawline, tracing her cheekbone, all the way finding sensitive spots Olivia had no idea she possessed. Wherever he touched her, with lips, or teeth or tongue, her nerve endings sparked into delicious sensation. Her body was more intensely alive than she had ever known possible, yet still it wasn’t enough. She wanted more. She wanted everything.
She wove her fingers into his hair and guided his head down until his lips met hers. It felt like this was the part of her that had always been missing. Like this was how kissing was always supposed to have been, and everything else had been practice.
She had no idea how long they were locked in their embrace, but eventually Khaled pulled free and the world shifted back into focus. He hooked his arm tightly around her waist and turned the ignition key with his free hand.
“Khaled,” she murmured.
“Hmm?”
“What are we doing?”
“We’re going to Straer Island. We’ll anchor offshore and have lunch.”
“I didn’t mean that.”
“I know. You worry too much. We’re just having fun.” He dropped a kiss on her temple and squeezed his hand at her waist.
“Being foolish, you mean.”
She didn’t pull away from his hold, but in her mind, Olivia went over the hundreds of reasons why she shouldn’t be kissing Khaled Saqat. By the time he dropped anchor and they sat down for lunch, she had almost persuaded herself that it wouldn’t happen again. But his fingers brushed hers as he passed her a glass of wine, and shivers ran down her spine. She leaned toward him, and he took that as invitation to kiss her. Soft, sweet, and so delicious she forgot all about lunch.
Damn. She was going to have to do a lot better than that.
He didn’t make it easy for her. The boat was small and they were seated close together on the bench. Khaled ate the simple picnic food with obvious pleasure. He tore the fresh bread and handed her half to spread with butter and cheese. He selected a shiny red apple and bit into it, careless of the trickle of juice running down his chin. Without thinking, Olivia caught a drop with her finger. Khaled moved the apple away, daring her with dark, tempting eyes. She traced the path of the juice, bringing the pad of her finger to his lips. He caught her wrist and held it in place. Slowly, deliberately, his tongue licked the morsel of juice from her skin. And then he let her go with a grin.
“More wine?”
“No. Thank you.” She was lightheaded enough, thanks to that wicked tongue of his.
“A grape?” He plucked one from the bunch and lifted it to her lips, teasing. Tantalizing.
“I can feed myself.”
Khaled leaned closer. “I’m sure you can, but where’s the fun in that?”
“We’re supposed to be working.”
“Everyone’s entitled to a lunch break. Even you.”
She shook her head. “I normally have a sandwich at my desk.”
He popped the grape into his own mouth and leaned back against the rails, leisurely eyeing her up. “Why do you work so hard?”
“I like work.”
His lips tightened as though he was repressing a smile. “Really? Do you like the work, or do you just like being in charge?”
It was a good question. She thought about it as she peeled a tangerine. “I like both.”