Her Desert Protector, page 13
“Yes. I didn’t want anyone to see me.”
He frowned. Was she having second thoughts about them? He stared at her face. It didn’t seem like it. She had an excited glow to her. “Why?”
“Why what?” She turned and looked at the room. “This is nice.”
He’d dimmed the lights, and dinner was on the side table waiting for them. But first he wanted to get to the bottom of her worry about someone seeing her. “Why didn’t you want someone seeing you?” He took her by the shoulders and turned her so she faced him once again.
“Because I’m naked under my robe. It’s embarrassing.” Her cheeks turned pink, and he fought a smile. “Privacy matters to me.”
His confident, spunky Zoey was afraid of someone seeing her enter his room? It wasn’t as if his family and bodyguards didn’t know what was going on. But he wouldn’t tell her that.
Malik had ordered him to take the night off. They all would, because they wanted to spend some quiet time with their women before the craziness of the anniversary party started.
“I don’t like that smirky smile playing around your lips,” she said running her fingers over his chest. He had on only a pair of black cotton pants.
“I hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but nothing in the palace is ever private.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean they know about … ?” She waved her hand toward his ropes.
“That? No. But you being in my room, yes.” He rubbed her nose with his. “Let’s eat, then we can have some fun.” He led her over to the table and held her chair out for her; once she was seated, he took the lid off her plate.
“Lamb stew.”
“One of your favorites.” He took his seat and watched her tear off a piece of bread and dip it into the stew. He loved how she enjoyed her food.
They talked about the upcoming parties and the parade as they ate. Khalid found he really enjoyed talking things over with Zoey. She had a quick mind, and sometimes saw things he didn’t.
“Is there something on your mind?” he asked, after putting the empty dishes back on the small cart. While she’d been talkative over dinner, something told him she was holding something back.
“A little something.” Her fingers drew circles on the tabletop, something she did when she was nervous.
“What is it?” He kept his voice soft.
“I ... ” She blew out a breath. “Khalid, are we in a relationship?”
He was surprised by her question. It was obvious to him. “Yes, is there a reason you don’t want to be?” His gut clenched. Was she just in this for the sex?
“Yes and no.” She lifted her head, and the confusion in her silver eyes tugged at him. “I feel something for you, it’s more than lust, but you know once my job is done here, I’ll be leaving.”
“Is that what you’re worried about? What will happen when you leave?”
“A little bit.” She reached across the small table and touched his cheek. “You’re a caring man, and I don’t want to hurt you.”
He started to say she couldn’t hurt him, but the words never formed. He was already attached to her. Khalid didn’t want to frighten her. “Why don’t we cross that road when we get to it?”
She nodded. “It’s more than sex for me. I just wanted you to know that.”
His heart swelled. They were close to being on the same page, but he wouldn’t push her. Not right now. “It’s more than that for me as well.” He stood and drew her from her chair and led her to the middle of the sitting room. He’d set up a chair and his equipment. “Tonight I’d like to do something different and special.”
“Yes, Sir.”
His cock pulsed at her words. She fell right into the D/s role naturally. He undid the tie on her robe and slipped it from her shoulders. He’d turned down the air conditioning in his room earlier so she wouldn’t be cold. Tossing her robe over the sofa, he picked up the piece of rope he’d worked on earlier.
“What is that?” she asked when he turned around with it in his hands.
“Something special for you.” He knelt. “Lift your right foot, then your left.” He placed the rope around her ankles, then began to maneuver it up over her calves and thighs. “You see, I made you rope underwear.”
The fit was good around her waist. He checked her legs, and it was good there as well. She shifted from one foot to the other, and a shiver went through her. “Ah, is it supposed to ... rub me down there?”
Khalid stood and smiled. “It can be part of the stimulation, but tonight I have something else in mind.” He turned, picked up one of his toys, and knelt down. “Spread your legs, sweetheart.”
He was pleased when she did as he asked with no hesitation. He valued her trust in him. He took the small bullet, inserted it in the small pocket he had made, and then stood.
Zoey shifted from one foot to the other some more. Her skin was flushed, so that was a good sign. “Tonight you’re going to sit on the chair, and I’m going to tie you to it.”
“Agreeable, Sir.”
He nodded, then guided her to the chair. Once she was seated, her spread her legs. “I’m going to tie your legs and then your arms.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Khalid picked up the rope he needed. His mind centered itself on his task. He sat on the floor and positioned her right foot slightly to the side of the chair. Taking the folded rope, he loosely wrapped it around the inside and outside of her ankle, then pulled the rope over the other end, did it again, and then created a knot. He did the same with her left ankle.
He looped the rope around the back of the chair on both sides and stood. With a gentle touch, he grasped her right arm and positioned it. He made sure her shoulders were centered and level with the top of the chair. He wrapped the loose ends of the rope around her wrist and carefully tightened it, but made sure it didn’t cut off her circulation. Then he did her left arm.
Once finished, he checked the tightness of the rope before tying the rest off so her arms were pulled slightly behind her. Khalid strode around Zoey, checking his work. Her breathing was a little rapid, but her skin had a nice tone to it.
“How are you feeling?”
“Vulnerable, Sir.”
He was pleased with her honesty. The way he had her tied, her body was open to whatever he wanted. “If anything starts to go numb or tingle, let me know right away.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Khalid bent down until he could see into those beautiful eyes of hers. “Do you trust me, sweetheart?”
She smiled. “I wouldn’t let you tie me up if I didn’t, Sir.”
“Cheeky.” He brushed a kiss over her lips as he straightened and went over to the sofa. He picked up what he wanted and moved behind her. “I made this little item while waiting for you.” He dangled the rope blindfold in front of her.
She inhaled. “That is beautiful, Sir.”
“It’s a prosperity knot, basically pulling the rope around and through.” He settled the blindfold over her eyes. She sucked in a breath. Khalid carefully tied it, making sure not to catch her hair in the knot. “Okay?”
“Yes, Sir.” Her voice was a little shaky.
He smoothed his hands over her shoulders and down her arms until he reached her hands. He put his finger inside her hand. “Squeeze.” She did. Good, no issues with the tie. She relaxed her hand, and he slid his finger out and picked up the small remote on the table.
He flipped on the first button. Zoey jumped and let out a small cry as the toy against her clit came to life.
“Do you like my toy?”
Zoey pursed her lips together, and he let out a chuckle. He set the remote aside as the bullet buzzed against her clit, then smoothed his palms over her collarbone until he could cup her breasts.
“Pretty breasts with nice rosy nipples.” He flicked them with his thumbs as Zoey tried to wiggle in her bonds. He pinched her nipples, and she let out a cry. “Nice and hard now.”
Zoey fought not to voice her opinion of what Khalid was doing to her, because damn it, he was arousing her beyond endurance. The bullet vibrating against her clit was bad enough, but now he was playing with her breasts.
Hell, already while he‘d been tying her up, her body had heated excitement flowing through her veins. Being restrained and at his mercy flipped a switch in her. In a way it surprised her. She’d never been this compliant with a man, but Khalid was different.
He was all about protection. His family, her, his security officers. Over the past few weeks she’d seen him in action. Even when they’d played a few nights ago, like tonight, he checked in with her and made sure she was comfortable.
Well, as comfortable as she could be with her body being so aroused. She tried to shift her hips to put more pressure on her clit, but she couldn’t.
“Oh, do you want more?” His words were soft against her ear. The vibrations on the toy went up.
A shudder went through her body. Her breathing hiccupped. “Sir?”
“Yes, love.” The endearment had her heart skipping a beat. His lips covered her right breast, and any thoughts flew out of her mind. Her head fell back as he licked and bit her nipple. So many sensations.
Without her sight she couldn’t see what he was doing. Hearing wasn’t doing her much good either, since he moved like a panther. Smell? She inhaled. Her muscles relaxed further as she inhaled sandalwood and citrus, Khalid’s unique scent. She couldn’t touch him, as she was tied up. But damn, she wanted to press her nose to his skin and drown in his scent.
“Did you have a question, love?”
She shook her head as her nipple tightened more in the cool air of the room. But she wasn’t cold. Then she realized he was blowing on her nipple. She was so overheated his breath felt cool.
A tingling started in her toes, and she wasn’t sure if it was because her feet were going to sleep or her impending climax. But she had promised to tell him.
“Sir, my toes are tingling.”
Instantly, his hands were on her feet, rubbing them. “They’re not cold to the touch. Can you wiggle your toes?”
Zoey tried, but when she did, the tingling shot up her leg, making her jump. Khalid swore, and the sounds of him moving swiftly reached her ears. The next thing she knew, the bullet was turned off, the rope around her hands was pulled loose, and then the one around her feet was loose too.
His hands began flexing her left foot and then her right in gentle motions. The tingling stopped. “Better?”
“Yes, Sir. I’m sorry.” Tears gathered behind her eyelids and leaked out around the rope blindfold.
“Sweetheart.” The blindfold was removed, and he pulled her into his arms. “Shhhh, are you hurt?”
Zoey shook her head.
“Then what is causing the tears?”
“I didn’t want you to stop.” She was lifted, carried into his bedroom, and placed on his bed.
“Zoey, sweetie. Open your eyes and look at me.”
While his voice was soft and coaxing, there was an order behind the words. Zoey could do nothing but obey. She blinked a few times to bring her eyes back into focus, to see a concerned Khalid leaning over her.
“Never ever worry about asking me to stop.” He brushed the tears off her cheeks with his fingers. “Your wellbeing is of upmost importance.”
“But,” she began.
“No buts.” He traced his fingers over her lips. “You did exactly as I asked you to do. No more tears.”
“But I ruined it.” He didn’t understand. She’d made him stop, ruined his enjoyment of seeing her tied up.
“Zoey.” Khalid let out a sigh and pressed against her. “Does that feel like you ruined anything?”
His hard cock pressed against her outside thigh. “Oh.”
“Oh is right.” He kissed her cheek. “I’m going to go turn out the lights. I’ll be right back.”
She nodded and watched him leave, enjoying the way the pants molded to his tight ass. She didn’t ruin it for him. Good. She shifted on the sheets and realized she still wore the rope panties and the bullet was still in place. It came to life as she finished the thought, and her hands went to her mound.
“Do not touch it.” Khalid’s order had her turning her head toward the door. He stood there watching her.
“You’re teasing me again,” she said. Not that she minded, but damn it, the toy wasn’t doing much but putting her on edge.
“Yes. Mine to tease. Mine to play with. Mine to love.” He said the words with each step he took toward the bed. Her heart pounded. His words spun in her brain, but she only focused on one: ‘mine.’ It hit her. She was his. Once by the side, he set the small remote on the table, and stripped off his pants.
His hard cock sprang free, and Zoey licked her lips. Would he let her? “I want to suck you.”
He stiffened, then relaxed. Had she surprised him by the request? Maybe, but she wanted to taste him. She couldn’t wait to feel him between her lips. She wasn’t going to give him a chance to say no.
Zoey slipped off the bed, grabbed a pillow, and then pushed him until he was seated at the edge of the mattress. She put the pillow on the floor, pushed his legs apart, and knelt.
She gripped the base of his cock. The head was already glistening with his desire. She leaned down and gave it a lick.
“Sweetheart.” He said the word with a groan as she enveloped him in her mouth.
He was hot and hard. She licked and sucked, enjoying the feel of him not only in her mouth, but in her hand as well. When the bullet against her clit sped up, she yelped around his cock.
Two could play that game. She let her fingers slide from his base to his balls, rolling them gently between her fingers, before slipping down and finding that sweet spot on a man.
“Fuck,” he roared, almost coming off the bed. The bullet stopped vibrating, and his cock was pulled from her mouth. She started to ask him what was going on when she was lifted, thrown onto the mattress.
The rope panties were pulled off of her, the bullet was removed, and he was poised over her. His cock brushed her entrance. “I can’t wait,” he said, as he slammed into her.
Zoey accepted him with open arms. She’d gotten to him. Broken his control. Part of her was amazed she could do that, while another wondered just how far she could push him. Her hand caressed his ass and moved lower.
“Don’t even think it,” he growled against her lips. “Bad girls get a spanking.”
“Maybe I want one.” Oh, she was really poking the sleeping cat now.
His eyes narrowed. “Later.” His lips captured hers as he pumped into her.
Zoey closed her eyes and let his brand of loving carry her away.
The next morning, Khalid looked down at a sleeping Zoey, and his heart swelled. He was falling in love with this woman. Somehow, she’d wormed her way past all his defenses. Not that it bothered him. Zoey fit in with his life.
She didn’t make demands on his time, and when they were together, it was explosive. As much as he didn’t like her going out and taking pictures and talking with the people, in case Kalif got wind of it, he let her go. He loved her even more because she understood and did her best to fall in with his protection.
Her respect for the people of Bashir was evident, but she also had a way of getting the people to talk. Habib had told him about it when they met to discuss keeping Zoey safe. Knowing how she felt about her overprotective parents, Khalid tried hard not to cross that invisible line.
Because of Zoey’s work and her discussions with the people, they’d found out Kalif was trying to recruit more men, mainly by threatening the villages. But the villagers so far had stood up to him, and he’d retreated.
The villagers were also reporting when these things happened, if not to Zoey and Habib, then to security. This gave them precious intel on Kalif, and Kalif’s circle seemed to be getting smaller and smaller.
Zoey shifted, and Khalid glanced down at her to see her lashes raise and her beautiful silver eyes appear.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with silver eyes.”
“It’s rare, but it happens when the pigmentation doesn’t form right.”
“They’re beautiful, just like you.” He brushed a kiss over her lips, but pulled back when she would have deepened it. “I need to get dressed and go with Ryan to the first event venue. We want to be sure everything is as we were told.”
“I understand.”
Khalid rolled out of bed. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t shower together.”
Zoey laughed, climbed out of bed, and ran for the shower. He followed her with a big grin on his face.
“Lord, I’m nervous.” It was Tuesday evening and the first event she and Khalid were attending as a couple.
“You’ll be fine,” Sara said, helping her into the dress from Ramala.
Zoey looked at herself in the mirror. The aquamarine dress had threads of gold running through it, and if Zoey turned just right, it sparkled in the light.
“Thank you for helping me.” Zoey turned to Sara. “I’ve never really had girlfriends, and all of you welcomed me into the fold without question.”
Sara laughed. “Of course we did, we all know how it is to date royalty.”
Zoey nodded. She wasn’t going to argue with Sara. Everyone wanted to believe she and Khalid were a couple. In a way, they were, but she also knew that as soon as the anniversary celebrations were over, she’d need to move on to her next job.
Her shoulders dropped and a heaviness settled in her chest. She didn’t want to leave Bashir. Hell, she didn’t want to leave Khalid, but part of her feared she’d grow bored with all the restrictions.
Sara adjusted the back of the dress. “Perfect, just slip on your shoes, and you’re ready to go.”
Zoey slipped on the flat shoes, and there was a knock on the door. Sara walked over and opened the door. Zoey turned, and she had to fight not to gape at Khalid. He was dressed in black pants, tucked into high-polished black boots.
He wore a white tunic with red and gold running through it. A sash made up of red and gold finished the outfit, and he looked deliciously handsome. A sword in a scabbard hung at his side.
