A Christmas Bride - By Susan Mallery Page 0,79
rest of his clothes. Then he was naked and reaching for her.
His eagerness thrilled her. She was already damp and swollen, ready to be taken. To show him, she reached between them and stroked his arousal. He groaned as his maleness flexed in her hand.
“I want you,” he breathed in her ear. “I want you now.”
His words turned her to liquid. “Then take me.”
He stared into her eyes. “Kayleen.”
“I am to be your wife, As’ad. Take me.”
He lowered her to the cushions and pushed the veils aside. After pulling down her panties, he slid his fingers between her legs.
“You want me,” he told her as he rubbed against her swollen center.
“Always.”
He smiled, then continued to touch her. She pushed his hand away.
“Be in me,” she told him. “Claim me.”
His breath caught, then he did as she asked. He settled between her knees and pushed inside of her.
She always forgot how large he was, how he filled her and made her ache with need. Normally he was slow and gentle, but tonight he pushed inside as if driven. The passion excited her.
He thrust deeply, groaning, his arousal moving her in a way she’d never experienced before. Her muscles began to tense and she closed her eyes to enjoy the ride.
He took her hard and fast, as if daring her to keep up. She accepted him easily, letting each plunging, rubbing pulse take her higher and higher. She pulled her knees back, then locked her legs around his hips, drawing him in deeper.
Faster and more, pushing and straining until her release was only a heartbeat away.
He spoke her name. She looked up and saw him watching her.
“You are mine.”
Three simple words, but they were enough to send her spiraling out of control. She lost herself in her release, screaming as the pleasure claimed her. He pushed in twice more, then groaned the end of his journey.
The waves of their pleasure joined them and they clung to each other until the earth stopped moving and their bodies were finally at rest.
* * *
KAYLEEN LET HERSELF into her suite shortly after midnight. She felt happy and content and as if she could float. Or do the whole veil dance again!
Rather than turn on a light, she crossed to the balcony and stepped out into the night. The air had a slight chill, but she didn’t care. All she had to do was think about how much As’ad had wanted her and she got all hot inside.
The evening had been magical and she didn’t want to forget any part of it. If there were—
The sound of a chair moving caught her attention. She turned and saw something sitting in the shadows. The light from a cigarette glowed briefly.
“Well, well, aren’t you a bit of surprise.” Her mother’s voice was low and tight with something Kayleen didn’t recognize. “I thought you were just a silly girl who’d gotten lucky, but I was wrong. You just have a different game you play.”
Kayleen faced her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“That innocent, country-mouse act is a good one. I’ll bet your prince fell for it in a heartbeat.”
“I’m not acting. All of this is real.”
Darlene laughed. “Don’t try to play me. I invented the game. I’m saying I respect your tactics. They wouldn’t work for me, but they obviously work.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s late. I’m going to bed.”
“You’ve already been to bed. What you’re going to do this time is sleep. Am I wrong?”
“I’m not discussing this with you.” She wouldn’t allow the other woman to turn her amazing evening into something ugly.
“You made one mistake, though. Falling in love with him makes you vulnerable and that means you can make a wrong move. It’s better to stay detached. Safer.”
“I’m marrying As’ad. I’m supposed to love him.”
Her mother laughed again. “Just don’t go expecting him to love you back. Men like him don’t. Ever.” She inhaled on her cigarette. “That’s my motherly advice to you. A little late, but no less valuable.”
“Good night,” Kayleen told her and walked back into her room.
Her good mood had faded, which she hated, but worse were the doubts. Was her mother right about As’ad? Kayleen needed him to love her. She hadn’t realized it mattered, but it did. And if he couldn’t...
She walked into her bedroom and sank onto the mattress. If he couldn’t, how could she marry him?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
KAYLEEN HUDDLED IN the chair in Lina’s living room and did her best to keep