The Sheikh's Surprise Mistress (Jatar Sheikh 5)

I let him lead me around the recliner to the back wall of cushioned bliss, and I sat next to him, my hand still in his, which felt oddly right. I licked my lips again and took a breath through my nose.

“I normally don’t sleep.” Oh shoot me now—that made no sense whatsoever.

“Is that so? You must be so tired, Just Julie,” he joked with a twinkle in his gorgeous golden eyes.

“No—um—yeah—not what I meant.” Just kill me—somebody please put me out of my misery.

“Ahhh. I see,” he said in such a way that I knew he hadn’t a clue what I was talking about. Then he added, “Your golden hair reminds me of sunlight. Your eyes are those of the bluest oceans. They reveal your depths—you intrigue me.”

Oh my God! Was this really happening? Was this god of a man coming onto me? And here I was without a spine, or legs or words. Where are my words? Somebody help! I’ve lost the ability to speak.

“Uh-huh.” What was that? Oh for peats sake, Jules—who replies with a, uh-huh, to that kind of compliment. Say something. NOW! “Um, Amir…” Awkward smile, Jules, come-on, get it together, you probably look like a bunny boiling psychopathic joker, change your expression.

“You’re so beautiful.” Oh shit. Did I just say that out loud? Oh, I did. I need to crawl away now. Maybe I should fly home tonight?

“Thank you,” he said with a tilt of his forehead as if he was told that all the time. Maybe he was?

“Um—thank you?” Why did you say it like it was a question, you idiot. God, Jules, really? Seriously? Oh look at that grin, that mouth, his lips. Why am I aching inside? What is wrong with me? Why do I keep asking myself what’s wrong with me? Why is it wrong to ask myself what’s wrong?

I stood so abruptly, he seemed shocked and he finally freed my hand. “Amir, I am so sorry. I really need to go back to my room. Now. Sorry.”

I fled the underground Koi viewing area and literally ran back to my room. I locked the door in my wake and leaned my back against the cool wood. I had no idea what just happened back there, and I had no explanation for why my body felt the way it does right then. Usually I have to get pretty drunk to get aroused to this point, and usually I have no trouble with my words, or my air—why was it so hard to breathe when he was touching me?

I replayed the scene in my head all night long and, true to my usual way, I didn’t sleep much. I hadn’t been lying when I said I didn’t sleep. I have terrible insomnia and on a normal night

I felt lucky if I managed four hours. Just the fact I fell asleep in the chair was a miracle. How had he found me down there? Maybe it had been a happy coincidence? Yeah, that had to be it. I tried my hardest to banish all thoughts of Amir and get to sleep.

CHAPTER FIVE

The next day we were flown out to the congregation of private islands that Omar not only commissioned to be built, but also where he built a beautiful resort facility. The entire wedding party was being treated to a week of fun activities mostly centered on this group of man-made islands. Again I gaped at the opulence and display of wealth. It was everywhere, and I was constantly in awe of the way Anna was now living.

I tried not to notice, but I did look around at the other guests as they slowly arrived, and so far no sightings of the handsome Amir. That’s okay, I really did need to keep my distance. I didn’t want to be a fling or affair for anyone. I wanted to hold out now and wait for Mr. Right. Until he appeared, I intended to focus on my career.

The next couple of days whirled by and then suddenly it was time for the official ceremony. I was Anna’s maid of honor and so far, I thought I’d failed miserably at my intended duties. She said I wasn’t expected to do a thing, and it was merely a title indicating I was as important as she was in all of this. As if! In any case, her personal woman, Yasmin, had been taking care of all the little details. I’d really not had to do a thing. And here we were, lined up and waiting for my best friend in the whole world to walk down the aisle and become a queen to a nation.

As I scanned the audience, I finally landed eyes on Amir. My breath again caught and my heart ratcheted up ten notches. My center also flooded with heat, and I was in awe of my body’s reactions to someone I didn’t know. Someone I would never see again and more than likely wouldn’t even talk to again. He must have felt me looking because he turned and our eyes locked. My cheeks burned as the blood rushed to my face, and he let a lazy half grin spread over his. My knees went rubbery and the flowers I was holding begin to vibrate.

I tore my gaze from his and scowled at the ground.

No, no, no! No, Julie! Do not give into this attraction. Do not! Focus on your future. I looked back up and he was still gazing at me with intent. He slowly blinked and I saw his breath catch as his huge man chest slowly rose and fell. Then his expression changed and he appeared confused. Maybe he was telling himself the same thing I was telling myself. Just NO! He rubbed at his sternum and gave his head a tiny shake before the music started and our attention was diverted.

The ceremony was beautiful and I could tell that Anna couldn’t be happier. Omar, too, for that matter. They both seemed infused with sunlight. They were glowing and smiling, as if they were gifted with divinity. I again felt the contrast and it made me ache to feel what they had. I’d never in my life considered this new budding desire I felt inside. It was akin to a need to surrender. If I put real words to it, I’d say I ached to belong to a man the way that Anna has described being owned by Omar. It was not as if she was his slave or even his property—it was more as if he cherished her as the most prized, unique, rare jewel on the entire planet. Just the way he looked at her was like a fairy tale.

I was happy for my best friend, but at the same time, I was sad. I saw a hole in my life that might never be filled, and like before, the contrast was stark. I decided to give in and drink and party. Omar’s brothers were my age and cute, and I found it easy to revert to my old partying ways.

I danced with abandon and drank way too much. Before I knew it, I realized I might be a bit too drunk. Amir had been watching and studying me like a hawk all night, but I was loosey-goosey and I didn’t care. I was beginning to have a difficult time standing or walking, and it was also really late. The crowd thinned and Omar’s brother Yasser was getting bolder and bolder, touching and holding me as we danced. He felt me up with a big hand on me, and I let him.

The music abruptly changed from fast and loud to softer and slow. Within that same moment I heard, “Yasser, I’m dancing with Julie now. Leave us.”

This momentarily sobered me and I watched as Yasser obeyed without a word and left the dance floor. I was still in shock as Amir expertly gathered me to his chest and began to lead me in a seductive slow dance. His strength radiated into me and he supported me entirely. He was an expert dancer, and as he led me, we spun in perfect timing, swaying hypnotically together. He said nothing, but I felt as if an avalanche of confessions spilled between us.

My body melted into him. I tried to fight this magnetic pull, but was powerless and a weak mortal against his god-like stature. I finally gave in entirely. When I did, he held me closer and his hand traveled to my lower back—his long fingers trailing seductively over the top of my bottom. I leaned my cheek against his collarbone and gave to him fully, soaking in his spicy scent and testosterone-driven strength. I slid my feet even closer to his, and I molded my body along his front. His hand on my back tightened as he pushed his groin into me.

His hard length pressed against me, and my pussy flooded with wetness. He was large, strong, and hard. His insistence to hold me tightly was just another layer of narcotic bliss, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he would feel like inside me. My head whirled as the alcohol swam thickly in my blood and these new Amir-induced endorphins continued to flow.

He whispered in my ear, “You will return with me to my penthouse.”

It wasn’t a question. My knees turned to liquid rubber and my stomach lurched. “Um—sure—Amir, sorry—I think I’m a bit too drunk.”