The Sultan's Harem Bride by Annie West Page B

unfamiliar and utterly breath-taking. She’d been so dazed she hadn’t noticed him strip his trousers. Heavy muscle and the tickle of masculine hair created a friction that was unbearably wonderful.
    ‘Please, Asim.’ But he ignored her urgency. Slowly he lowered his head and licked her breast and she gasped, her legs flopping open to cradle him.
    ‘So lovely,’ he murmured as his gaze collided with hers. ‘I haven’t been able to get them out of my mind since that first night. So pert and ripe.’ He lowered his head again and tugged gently at her breast, sucking her nipple till Jacqui’s head thrust back and her body bowed up into his.
    ‘And so sensitive.’ His deep voice was smug. Through slitted eyes she saw dark satisfaction on his taut features.
    She swallowed hard, a knot in her throat as she realised she’d never felt so close to beautiful in her whole life as she did now.
    He cupped one breast and her breath hissed in ecstasy. ‘They’re beautiful. Like ripe, fresh fruit. I love that you don’t need to wear a bra.’ He paused, his brows bunching. ‘Except in front of other men. But when you’re with me you can go braless.’
    There it was again, that domineering tone of a man used to giving orders and getting exactly what he wanted. But Jacqui was too stunned to care.
    Since puberty she’d been conscious of her lack of curves. She’d never had to fight men off, like some female colleagues, yet here was Asim...
    He dipped his head to suckle her breast and fire zapped her. She arched almost off the bed at the feel of his mouth on her. Was it like this every time? She tunnelled her hands in his thick hair, holding him close, and felt something under her ribs melt.
    When you’re with me.
He made it sound like they’d be together a lot.
    He’s being kind
, whispered a familiar voice. The cutting voice of her stepmother and the girls at school. But how could she heed it as she watched Asim and felt the magic he wrought? The glory of it drowned everything else. Heat drenched her.
    ‘Asim.’ She didn’t recognise that rusty voice. ‘I want you.’ She’d never wanted anything so much in her life.
    She dragged his head up, making him growl low in his throat as he released her nipple. Their gazes clashed and the febrile shimmer in his might have scared her if she hadn’t already left caution far behind. ‘I need you.’
    His fierce expression didn’t ease and Jacqui feared he intended to keep teasing her.
    On a surge of desperation she shoved his shoulders, pushing him onto his back, rolling with him till she straddled his hips. The strength beneath her reminded her that she only managed it because he let her, a quizzical gleam in his eyes.
    ‘You like to be on top?’ His voice rasped gravel across each sensitive spot. She gasped as her over-stimulated senses threatened to explode just at the sight and sound of him and the furnace of heat that was his erection, hard and amazing between her legs.
    She gulped as need and trepidation vied for supremacy. She couldn’t bear it if he pulled back now. ‘I just can’t wait.’
    Jacqui reached down to find him already sheathed and her pulse raced even harder. He was heavy and thick in her unsteady hand. She fumbled and almost sobbed in desperation, hating her inexperience.
    Asim brushed her fingers away. Seconds later firm hands cradled her hips, guiding her as he thrust up in a long, slow surge of power that halted when she gasped. Jacqui couldn’t help it—the feeling of impossible fullness stole her breath.
    ‘Jacqui?’ Asim’s voice was husky with disbelief. ‘Is this your first time?’
    She clutched his shoulders, panic rising. She’d come this far, further than she’d ever been with any man, and she wanted it all, with Asim. All these years wondering and now...
    ‘Sorry to disappoint.’ She snagged another breath, feeling the tension in her body begin to ease. ‘It’s just been a while.’ If she told him she was a virgin he might