Unexpectedly Expecting the Sheik's Baby - Elizabeth Lennox Page 0,17

words and a terrifying moment. That feminine side of her, the part that might have agreed to his suggestion…she’d hidden that part of herself for too long.

“I can’t,” she whispered, even while her hands curled into fists to keep herself from reaching out to touch him. “I can’t do any of that.” Why was she pleading with him? Why was she so desperate for him to understand? What power did he have over her that she couldn’t just slap his face and demand that he leave her alone?

His eyes searched hers, moving downwards, noticing the abhorrent sports bra that flattened her full, ripe breasts against her chest. Cassy tried to hide her body’s reaction, but her breathing was labored as she fought to control her need.

“You feel it, don’t you?” he asked gently.

She almost cried out when his hands smoothed against her fingers, causing her fingers to release the tight grip she had on the comforter. She wanted to tell him why she needed to maintain that hold, because otherwise, she was afraid her hands might…they would…touch him, explore him. That could not happen!

But even as she thought that, her back arched slightly, feeling his breath against her neck. “Please,” she told him. Although Cassy wasn’t sure if she was begging him to stop or to give her more of those delicious, fluttering kisses along her neck.

Never had she felt this way towards a man. She’d thought she’d shut down that part of herself. So long ago, as her body had matured, the boys had definitely noticed. The names the others had called her had hurt deeply. She’d learned to suppress this need, to ignore all of her desires because everyone considered her to be a bad person. In her mind, everything about sexuality was wrong and sinful. She’d endured too many hours of taunting, too many cruel comments from her classmates, to think anything else.

And now this man, with the challenge and the lust in his eyes, was bringing all of that back. He was showing her that she was a woman again.

Suddenly, instead of the passion of moments before, those horrible memories surfaced and she pulled back, her eyes startled, horrified that she could…that she might want to…!

All of the unpleasant memories came rushing back. The embarrassing way her body swayed when she moved without the tight sports bra. Or the way the boys in high school had watched her breasts with salacious glee while the girls in school had looked on with malevolent fury even as Cassy had pressed her books against her chest, trying to hide her figure. Nothing had worked. They’d still stared and, to this day, Cassy was self-conscious of her breasts. And now, she was painfully embarrassed at the way he could make her feel, of the thoughts surging through her mind, and the need making her body feel things that were…wrong.

“Please,” she whispered again, but this time, it wasn’t a plea for him to continue. This time, it was a plea to stop. Cassy closed her eyes as that dreadful need almost choked her.

Pushing off the bed, he looked down at her and Cassy was painfully aware of her awkward position, curled up on the enormous bed, nearly naked and completely defenseless. She pulled the sheet higher to cover herself, her only defense against those vicious memories and her current shame that her body would betray her in such a way. Relieved, she lifted her eyes, looking right back at him with gratitude that he hadn’t pushed her further.

Nasir saw that shame and knew that something had shifted inside of her. Something dark and he didn’t like it. He stepped back again, giving her more space.

The legal side of Cassandra was a powerful woman. He’d watched her in the meeting back in London, repeatedly impressed with her knowledge of international law, the intricacies of various challenges. He’s also appreciated her suggestions on how to overcome those challenges.

But now, seeing that haunted look in her eyes, Nasir knew that Cassandra was complicated. There was something holding her back. He had to respect that. He wanted to banish the bad memories and replace them with good ones, but before he could do that, he had to understand her.

“There are clothes in the closet for you,” he said, his voice even huskier than before. “Take your time getting ready and join me downstairs. We will meet in a half hour.”

Relief surged through Cassy. She watched as he walked away, distracted momentarily from her pain by