Читать книгу Modern Romance December Books 5-8 - Дженнифер Хейворд - Страница 24

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

‘YOU NEED THIS...we both do...’

‘Witch,’ he groaned as Lucy took control.

‘Just to warn you, I’m no man’s mistress,’ she said as he laced his fingers through her hair to keep her close. ‘I’m doing this because I want to.’

‘Don’t I know it,’ he grated out.

Lucy’s husky tone betrayed her arousal, but this was on her terms, and the challenge she gave him never failed to arouse.

She carried out her threat with surprising skill, but when he remarked on this, she said, ‘I think I should know what you like by now.’

With a bellow of agony, he lifted her and dispensed with her clothes. Settling her onto him, he proved her right about them both needing this. Working furiously towards the inevitable conclusion, they brought each other to the edge efficiently, and within a few firm strokes they were plunged into pleasure so extreme it left them sated, and yet hungry for more.

‘Not tonight,’ Lucy said matter-of-factly. Sweeping up her clothes, she added, ‘I’ll give you my decision about the job tomorrow, after I’ve visited the sapphire mines, which will obviously impact on my decision to stay—so you’ll get that too.’

‘That’s a lot of giving,’ he commented as they locked eyes. ‘Give yourself first,’ he advised. ‘You’ll enjoy it, and it will help you sleep.’

She looked at him as if she couldn’t quite believe he could match her for detachment. Whatever it took, he thought as they stared at each other.

Breath rushed from her lungs as he swung her into his arms, and she yelped when he dropped her on the bed. ‘You’re a very bad man,’ she remarked with an expression that teased and tormented him.

‘That I am,’ he agreed. To pretend otherwise would mean a sleepless night for both of them, and what was the point in that?

Tadj was the most amazing lover. He made every part of her body sing, and he was right about her not being able to resist him. Why should she, when all she had to do was close her eyes and concentrate on pleasure? His steady breathing countering her hectic gasps made her all the more excited, and the crashing release that followed rocked her body and soul. She couldn’t chart the moment when extreme pleasure turned to exhaustion, and finally sleep, but when she woke in Tadj’s arms in the morning, it was the happiest moment of her life.

‘I love you,’ she whispered, safe in the knowledge that he was still fast asleep.

He grunted faintly, but didn’t stir, which was a relief, because laying her heart bare put her entirely at Tadj’s mercy. Tuned to her every mood, he wasn’t long in waking. She was lying on her side with her back to him, which meant that Tadj only had to make the smallest adjustment to his position to take her from behind. Arching her back, she raised her hips to make herself even more available for pleasure. Lazy lovemaking like this was the perfect way to start a day. Clutching a pillow, she concentrated on sensations, and nothing else.

‘Better?’ Tadj soothed when she tumbled noisily off the cliff edge. Moving convulsively to claim the last pulse of pleasure, she was incapable of speech. ‘Is that what you needed?’ he crooned huskily, with a smile of very masculine triumph in his tone.

She could only groan with contentment when he started again. ‘See what happens when you’re a very good girl,’ he murmured.

‘I can’t be good all the time,’ she warned.

‘I noticed,’ he said, seeming pleased.

‘And I’m no pushover,’ she insisted groggily, with a small contented smile.

‘Of course not,’ Tadj confirmed.

‘Did I detect a faint mocking note in your voice?’ she challenged, turning her head to spear a stare into his eyes.

‘Did I detect some residual need here?’ he countered, teasing her in the way she loved.

To hell with it! Thrusting her hips, she claimed him.

* * *

What a wonderful day, Lucy thought, feeling elated as she pulled on her jeans and top after bathing in the lagoon. Her body was still tingling from Tadj’s expert lovemaking. She wanted more. She would always want more, where Tadj was concerned, though she was excited to see what came next when they visited the sapphire mines.

First, there was a short journey by helicopter, which Tadj piloted once again, and when they landed, he announced, ‘We’ll take the SUV from here.’

His excitement was infectious. Gone was the stern and aloof Emir, and in his place at last was the guy she’d met in a café. ‘Are you up for it?’ he asked, nuzzling her neck.

‘For everything,’ she said, sharing a scorching look.

He was so hot, how was she ever going to concentrate? Lucy wondered as they climbed into the vehicle. Tadj’s profile was all the more appealing for being so stern. He made her want his arms around her. With forearms like steel girders, deeply tanned and dusted with just the right amount of jet-black hair, there was no surprise there. Tadj was a stunning sight, in bed or out of it—but more complex than she had ever imagined.

‘Some seams of sapphire are found in rock and call for conventional mining methods,’ he explained in the low, husky tone that made her body thrill with pleasure. He glanced across, the heat in his gaze suggesting Tadj knew that Lucy’s focus wasn’t solely on the precious gems. ‘Others turn up in streams, or even in the silt of a wadi, and need nothing more than a sieve to fish them out. What?’ he asked.

‘You,’ Lucy admitted. ‘I like you better up here in the mountains. You’re a different man.’

‘Than the one who was in bed with you a couple of hours ago?’ His mocking frown teased every part of her as he leaned across to drop a kiss on her neck. ‘I’m the same man with different interests,’ he said, straightening up again.

What did the future hold? she wondered. It was all too easy to think that Tadj, in his banged-up jeans and a simple black top, really was the fun guy she’d met in a café, and it was tough remembering he was the Emir of Qalala, with a different life from hers.

The trip to the mine brightened things up again. It went much better than Lucy had hoped. She was fascinated by the work underground, where the air was warm and still, and on the ground where the mountain breezes whipped at her clothes as she watched the sapphires go through their initial sorting. Tadj had an enthusiastic team in place, and the very latest in equipment, and she couldn’t help but want to be part of it, to the point where she was already working on some ideas for the exhibition.

‘I think we could improve things here at your heritage centre,’ she told Tadj frankly, when he invited comments from the team. ‘You have some of the world’s most spectacular jewels on display in what appears to me to be an uninviting warehouse. Visitors should be taken on a journey—a pictorial tour of all the various mining methods, where they can see examples of rough stones before they’re cut, and then the polished jewels, both before and after they’re set.’

As murmurs of agreement rose from his team, he knew he’d made the right choice in Lucy. Whether that was enough to persuade her to stay in Qalala was the big question, and remained to be seen.

‘There needs to be a lush floor covering that creates a hushed atmosphere of wonder and awe,’ she went on. ‘And, of course, discreet lighting—and music to set the mood.’

‘I can see your enthusiasm is infectious,’ he told her as they left to smiling goodbyes, leaving his team to discuss the latest ideas.

His staff had arranged a picnic by the wadi where he and Lucy could spend time alone. It had rained recently, so the dried-up riverbed now provided a perfect swimming pool, where they could freshen up and cool down after a busy morning touring the mine. As the blistering heat of late afternoon slipped into the cooler lilac light of dusk they settled down to enjoy the feast his chefs had prepared, which was both simple and delicious, made even more so by freshly squeezed juice that his attendants had thoughtfully left cool in bottles they’d tethered in the stream.

Rolling onto his back, he stared up at the bowl of sky overhead, as it turned from a clear, cloudless blue to gold and crimson, as the day moved slowly into night. A chill breeze blew up as the lavender dusk, threaded through with smoky grey, lost its colour completely as the sun disappeared behind the mountains.

‘This is even more beautiful than anything I’ve seen so far,’ Lucy enthused softly at his side. ‘You live in the most ravishing country. I’m not sure you deserve it,’ she added, turning onto her stomach to stare at him with a cheeky sideways frown.

He laughed as he drew her into his arms. He was a man as well as an emir, but when he kissed Lucy Gillingham he felt like the king of the world. Seeing everything through Lucy’s eyes had given him the greatest pleasure imaginable today. And she was right in that Qalala was beautiful. He found it even more so with Lucy at his side. ‘So, you’ll stay?’ he whispered, feeling confident he knew her answer.

‘For a fixed contract,’ she agreed. ‘I think that would be sensible, don’t you?’

What he thought wasn’t printable. Pulling back, he stared at her. That certainly wasn’t the answer he’d expected. ‘The jewellery you’ve seen must tour the world in the New Year, which means that time is at a premium.’

‘It can’t be organised exclusively to your timetable. I have a baby to consider.’

Anger and frustration propelled him up. Why was it that nothing was ever certain with Lucy?

‘I have college to finish,’ she reminded him as she clambered to her feet. ‘I need my qualifications before I have the baby.’

‘I have forgotten nothing,’ he assured her coolly. ‘And, as you have just so eloquently pointed out, the clock is ticking.’

‘I’m going home for Christmas,’ she informed him.

‘Home?’ he queried.

‘Yes. Back to the laundry.’

‘And if that doesn’t suit me?’

‘Look,’ she said, obviously trying to be reasonable. ‘I don’t want to appear ungrateful for the wonderful offer you’ve made me here, or spoil what has been a memorable and very special day. I’m longing to work with your team. In fact, I feel quite passionately about it, as if it were meant to be.’

‘But you’re not passionate about staying with me?’

‘I didn’t say that. And it isn’t true. It’s just that some things are sacrosanct to me, and standing on my own feet is one of those things.’

‘Even now when you’ve seen all this?’ he said, spreading his arms wide to encompass everything he could offer. It wasn’t just a job. He wanted Lucy to stay with him. And, yes, as his mistress to begin with, but things could always change. Like any other country, Qalala needed time to adjust, and in the meantime Lucy would have every privilege he could provide.

‘Let me stop you there,’ she said when he began to explain. ‘I understand that a man like you can probably do anything he pleases, but that first you have to make sure your people are safe and Qalala’s boundaries are strong. I accept that those boundaries can be extended to Qalala’s advantage through marriage—which is exactly why I must plough my own furrow.’

‘I care for you more than you know,’ he said fiercely.

‘Then, let me go,’ Lucy said, her eyes welling with tears.

‘I can’t,’ he admitted grimly. ‘I want you and I want our child, here in Qalala.’

‘But when it comes to your duty, you can’t. Tadj, there is no easy way.’

‘No quick way, certainly,’ he agreed.

He could offer Lucy nothing at this precise moment, and he would not raise her hopes with empty promises. ‘Whatever you decide,’ he rapped out.

Now it came to losing her, reality had struck home forcibly, so that each word he uttered to ease her journey home was like a dagger in his heart.

‘You will both be well provided for,’ he added in a clipped tone to hide how that made him feel.

Lucy actually flinched as if he’d hit her. ‘You’re buying me off,’ she said.

‘I will do my duty by you,’ he confirmed stiffly.

‘If you can’t see how that hurts me, I think we’re both right; I must go. There’s nothing left to say,’ she added. ‘But no money. I’ve never been interested in your material wealth. It’s you I care about,’ she admitted. ‘And you care about Qalala, which is how it should be. We’re both bound by promises we’ve made: you to your country, and me to myself. I don’t want half a life like my mother endured, always hoping things will be better. I want to seize life and work hard to provide for my baby. Qalala wouldn’t want half your attention, and neither do I. But I do worry about you.’

‘You worry about me?’ he queried sceptically.

‘Yes. If you can’t find a way to combine your personal hopes and dreams with what’s best for Qalala, I worry that you’ll never be happy. And I don’t want to make things worse for you, by pulling you this way and that. Nor do I want our baby to grow up with parents at war. It’s better that we live apart, and can be happy when we’re with our child, than we live together and make each other miserable.’

He took a long time to answer, and then he said coolly, ‘That decision is up to you. I would never keep you here against your will.’

‘No,’ Lucy argued gently, ‘that’s up to both of us. Because I know you can’t change, I’m going to keep to my timetable, and go home as I said I would. I had imagined that when we’d toured the mine, we’d talk and plan for our baby, but you’re not ready to do that yet, and maybe you never will be.’

‘The sapphire mines bring prosperity to my people, and I won’t apologise for focusing on them, because you need to understand what a vital part they play in Qalala’s future. You could help with that. You say you want to understand this part of your child’s heritage, so stay, and try to accept that my duty to Qalala and its people will always come before my own selfish personal desires.’

‘But if you’re not happy, how can your people be happy?’ Lucy argued with her usual sound common sense. ‘And where does our child fit into your master plan? A child changes everything.’

‘Do you think I don’t know that?’

‘Changes everything for both of us, I mean,’ she said.

He wasn’t used to being lectured and he turned away. ‘I suppose you expect me to take you home?’ he declared when he was calmer.

‘Back to King’s Dock?’ Lucy queried. ‘I’m pretty sure I can find my own way back. I’m equally sure that my going home will be better for both of us. I’ll send you my proposal for the exhibition as soon as I’ve got something to show you. And then, if you’re agreeable, I’ll take part in meetings online with the team. I don’t see a problem handling things that way going forward.’

She was alone in that.

‘And when it comes to putting my plans into practice,’ she added, ‘I’ll happily travel anywhere necessary to make sure the team doesn’t encounter any snags along the way.’

‘With your baby strapped to your back?’ he queried tensely.

‘If I have to.’

‘This is our child you’re talking about. The child whose upbringing I will take full part in.’

Apprehension flashed across Lucy’s face, but she rallied fast to add, ‘Then, we’d better make time to talk. As you said, the clock is ticking.’

‘I’m sure you’ve got it all worked out,’ he commented bitterly.

‘Don’t be angry,’ she begged. ‘I want you to know how much I appreciate this opportunity—’

‘Stop! Stop right now,’ he insisted. He was done with the emotional battering. ‘Make this project part of your final assessment at college.’

‘I will,’ she said, latching onto his cool tone with what he thought might even be relief.

They really wrung it out of each other, he thought as they stared unblinking into each other’s eyes. The bond between them was as tight as ever, and would remain so when their child was born, but when it came to the most basic human feelings they were both hopeless communicators.

‘I’ll miss you,’ Lucy said in a wry, offhand way, but her eyes were sad.

‘You don’t have to go home right away.’

‘I do,’ she insisted. ‘I’ve got your brief for the exhibition safe in my head, and we’ll keep in touch. We can talk online and make arrangements when my due date is closer.’

To discuss the future of their child via a screen over the internet reminded him of a child sitting on a suitcase, split between countries and two sets of people, one with generous hearts, who had wanted him to join them out of love they weren’t afraid to show, while the others’ social lives were more important. His worst nightmare was to be that type of parent. ‘I’ll be in touch regularly,’ he said.

‘Better that we get on with our lives,’ Lucy told him.

Raising barriers so neither of them could see the future was as much his fault as hers, he supposed. His loathing for her stepfather and the damage that man had done to Lucy quadrupled as she turned away to hide her tears. Once hurt, never mended, he thought as they faced up to the long journey home.