Free Wrapped in Pleasure by Brenda Jackson Page B

that?”
    “Ares. It’s a very volatile form of French kissing.”
    Delaney stared up at him, unable to say a word. When she had entered the room earlier that evening she had thought she had everything under control. In the end he had brought out his secret weapon. But he had warned her from the very beginning that he didn’t play fair.
    “Is that the way you kiss your mistress?” she whispered, suddenly wanting to know, although she knew how she would feel when he gave her the answer.
    His eyes darkened and a surprised look came into his face. “No, I’ve never kissed Najeen that way. Other than the womanwho taught me the technique when I was twenty-one, I’ve never used it on anyone.”
    Delaney blinked. Now she was the one surprised. Not only had he given her the name of his mistress, but had admitted to sharing something with her he had not shared with any other woman. For some reason she felt pleased.
    “You climaxed while I was kissing you.”
    Delaney’s mouth opened in silent astonishment, not believing he had said that. A part of her started to deny such a thing but knew he was experienced enough to know she would be lying through her teeth. She searched her brain for a response. What could a woman say after a man made a statement such as that?
    Before she could gather her wits he added, “You’re wet.”
    She swallowed; the soreness of her mouth almost made the task difficult. She knew what he meant and wondered how he knew? Had he checked? She was sitting in his lap, draped over him in a position that was downright scandalous. Had he slipped his hand inside her clothes and fingered her the way he had done the last time? Evidently the question showed on her face. He responded.
    “No, I didn’t touch you there, although I was tempted to. Your scent gave you away. It was more potent and overpowering, which is usually the case after a woman has a climax.”
    Delaney stared at him, not believing the conversation they were having. At least, he was talking. She was merely listening, being educated and suddenly, thanks to him, was becoming aware of the intensity of her femininity.
    He smiled again and as before her stomach clenched. He stood with her in his arms. “I think you’ve had enough excitement for one night. It’s time for you to go to bed.”
    He began walking down the hall and she was surprised when he carried her into her bedroom instead of the one hewas using. He gently placed her in the middle of the bed, then straightened and looked down at her.
    “I want you, Delaney, but I refuse to take advantage of you at a weak moment. I will not have accomplished anything if you wake up in my arms in the morning regretting sleeping with me.”
    He sighed deeply before continuing. “As much as I want to bury myself inside of you, it’s important to me that you come to me of your own free will, accepting things the way I have laid them out for you. All I can and will ever offer you is pleasure. What you got tonight was just a fraction of the pleasure I can give you. But it has to be with the understanding that my life is in Tahran, and once I leave here you can’t be a part of it. I have obligations that I must fulfill and responsibilities I must take on.”
    He leaned down and cupped her cheek, his dark gaze intense. “All you can and ever will be to me is a beautiful memory that I will keep locked inside forever. Our two cultures make anything else impossible. Do you understand what I’m saying?” he asked quietly in a husky voice filled with regret.
    Slowly Delaney nodded her head as she gazed up at him. “Yes, I understand.”
    Without saying anything else Jamal dropped his hand from her face, turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
    Delaney buried her head in the bedcovers as she fought back the tears that burned her eyes.

Chapter 7
    D elaney slowly opened her eyes to the brilliance of the sun that was shining through her bedroom window. Refusing to move just yet, she