11ValeriaI hummed sleepily, snuggling closer to the warm heat that surrounded me. Strong hands traced the skin of my arms, going up and down to the crooks of my elbows. I shivered, tingles of heat following the path of his touch. I could feel his burning gaze on me as he traced my cheekbones. My lashes fluttered when his hand descended down to my slender neck. Lower. To the soft peak of my breasts. “Khalid…” I sighed, my voice sultry because of the sleep. I felt his breath fanning on my neck, our bodies touching each other, when his hand trailed across the neckline of my dress. “Mhmm,” he hummed, his voice hoarse and masculine. My toes curled hearing his rich voice. “Good morning, Valeria.”My name had never sounded so beautiful. So soft yet hot. His tongue wrapped around my name, striking a chord deep in my belly. Khalid’s hand traced the curve of my body in the soft fabric of the dress. I took a deep breath when his hand found the hem of my dress, trailing it up to reveal the s
12 KhalidI answered the phone and closed the doors of my room behind me.“How is my dear brother doing?” Zain, my elder brother and the Sultan of Azmia drawled in his deep voice. I rolled my eyes. Zain cockblocked me with Valeria just to ask me how I am doing? “What do you want, Zain? I was… I was doing something important.” Or I was about to, anyway. “Something important or someone?” I could hear the smirk in his voice. “Someone important,” I corrected him. “Now, tell me, why are you calling me? You know I am at the oasis.”“You have never brought anyone at the oasis before. Not even your own brother. Not even Zara.” He couldn’t hide the disbelief in his tone. I scratched the back of my neck. “I am painting.”“Are you painting that someone important? Or are you painting on her?” I planned to do that soon. “Zain, I do not want to talk about this with you right now. Why did you call? Is Nasrin okay? Jadati (grandmother)?” I heard him sigh through the phone. “Yes, everyone is
13ValeriaI tried not to tremble when I felt his tall, large body looming over me. I knew Khalid could see how aroused I was, naked in front of him, while he was fully clothed in a room filled with paints and brushes. I clenched and unclenched my fingers in a fist when a cool breeze whispered through the room, roving over my bare body, making my skin prickle. How will I be able to sit still for hours? I could feel the tension increasing in my body. My arms and shoulders feeling heavy, as if someone was physically pushing me down. I felt small. Almost afraid. Like the night—No. Khalid is with me. He is a good person. I am okay. I am safe. I am fine. The sound of charcoal moving across the canvas made me well aware of his burning gaze. He had already started sketching me. Khalid Al Latif was taking a nude sketch of me. Should I look at him? But I could only hear whispers of the charcoal, and it made my body tense with nervousness. I didn’t know what to do, where to look, my eyes h
14Valeria“I am thinking of stripping you naked and ravishing you in the desert.”I swallowed the lump in my throat after hearing Khalid’s words. He certainly had a way with them. Even though I had reached my peak a few moments ago, my body wanted him again. It was crazy how much he affected me. It was even crazier that I was about to ask him to strip me naked and ravish me in the desert.But my words died in my throat when I heard the rustling of water. We were close to the lake he wanted to take me to. Khalid helped me down the horse, and I felt embarrassed to look in his direction, remembering how he had told me to ride his hand or wait for his… argh, so so arrogant. Even though a small part of me enjoyed when he demanded me to do it.“Is it safe to swim here?” I asked, the scent of fresh water and cool air kissing my bare skin.Khalid pressed his hand on my lower back as he led me to the lake. “Very safe. Even the local kids come here to swim now and then. Why?” His hot lips pr
15KhalidI poured myself a glass of whiskey as she stood awkwardly near my bed. I watched her with half-lidded eyes, still angry yet concerned for her. “How are you feeling?” I said, stepping closer to her, the scent of fresh roses and something feminine surrounding her. Valeria looked in my direction, her fingers closed together in front of her. She was nervous. Hm, she should be. “Good!” she said, nodding. “I am good! How are you?” “I am quite furious but worried,” I replied truthfully, taking a sip of the alcohol. I sat down in the armchair near the nightstand, cool wind blowing from the balcony caressing my skin.“Why are you furious and worried?” “Come here and I will tell you.”She looked in my direction, her gaze narrowing. “That sounds like a trap.”I chuckled and swallowed the contents of the glass, leaving a burning sensation in my throat. I kept it on the table and looked at her, spreading my legs. “Come here, my sweet one,” I purred in a low voice, seeing the effec
16Khalid“Do you really want to know, Valeria?” She nodded, her soft face peering up at me as I moved back to remove my tee shirt. I had never told anyone about it. Not a single soul, but I wanted to let her know. Even though it meant becoming awfully vulnerable. I wanted to let Valeria know about the scars on my back. Taking a deep breath, I turned, showing her my back. “The reason I didn’t want to join you in the lake is because of my back. I… I never remove my shirt because of it.”“Okay,” she said, sitting up and waiting for me to continue. “Touch my back, Valeria,” I whispered, my voice hoarse. I clenched my jaw when I felt the soft pads of her fingers on my back. I tried not to recoil as her gentle hands moved around, freezing when they met the bumpy and scratchy skin. I tensed, feeling both of her hands on my back. Valeria gasped, “Khalid…”I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Who… why, what… who did this to you?” “My father,” I said, my shoulders feeling heavy. “Everyo
17ValeriaI loved how Khalid tasted; musky, salty, and masculine. The groan of his pleasure resonated through my body, making me wet. His cock was hard, but the skin was velvety soft as I moved my hand back and forth. I wanted to taste him again and hear him moan. Leaning down, I licked his length again, this time taking the tip in my mouth and gently sucking on it. “Valeria,” Khalid moaned, his hand weaving in my hair and holding it as I repeated my actions. I must be doing something right, making him moan like that. It was the sexiest sound I had ever heard. I wanted to hear it again and again. I parted my lips and bobbed my head back and forth over him, taking his aching cock inside my hot mouth as much as I could. Hollowing my cheeks, I sucked on him, loving the way he tightened his hold on my hair and guided me to do it slowly. His sharp inhales and groans made it pleasurable for both of us. I would do anything to hear him groan like that. KhalidThe tips of her copper hair
18Khalid(Khalid first person. Valeria third person)“Did you enjoy the food?” I asked, helping her wash her hands in the sink. The dress I had sent to her room felt like a second skin over her, dipping over her curves and making her look stunning in the ruby color. I had managed not to stare too long at her cleavage throughout the dinner and haul her over my lap, but slowly my patience was diminishing.“I loved it. Especially the spicy curry and the sweet dessert,” she beamed, her cheeks, nose and ears turning red because she had spicy food. I patted her palms dry with a hand towel. “I am glad you did. Would you like to come to the palace next week?” “The palace?”“My home. Nasrin, my sister-in-law is having a baby shower and we are holding a modest party—well, not modest actually. We are holding a celebration and my brother invited you to come along with me. If you want.”Why am I nervous?Maybe because she will get to meet my family?Zara had called earlier, interrupting us, to