Free Kissa Under the Mistletoe by Courtney Sheets Page A

pleasure. He winked at them and scurried off, leaving the family to ponder what their host and Kissa had in store for them.
    It seemed almost immediately after Ahmed disappeared plates of food were placed on the table much to the intrigue of his family. Everything looked and smelled amazing.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. I bring you a special treat this evening. From Egypt, by way of America, I present to you a woman who commands the desert sands with a flick of her shimmering veil. A woman who makes men melt with a mere shake of her hips. A beautiful Egyptian rose to rival Cleopatra herself. Please welcome, a Jewel of the Nile, the beautiful Kissa!” Ahmed’s voice boomed over a heavy drumbeat pounding out.
    Emerging from behind a golden screen near the bandstand, Kissa appeared twirling a large silken veil in around her. Clad in a long flowing skirt of burgundy silk and a bra top showcasing all her amazing curves, she slid bare feet across the wooden floor in front of the band. Her hair flowed loose around her body in waves. The restaurant went wild at her entrance.
    Kissa moved from table to table, executing impressive dance moves. Lucas was in awe. He knew she danced, but he’d never seen her like this before. She shimmied, hip rolled, and veil danced. The music moved her. She let go with hedonistic abandon and embraced the sexual side of her nature.
    Coming to stop in front of their table, she tossed her veil to Lucas, a wicked smile on those delicious lips. He couldn’t help returning the gesture as he continued to watch her dance. She looked him dead in the eye, and Lucas knew in that moment, she danced only for him. Her gift to him. To entice him. As if he needed something like this to make him want her—and want her he did. Even more now than ever before. This beautiful, graceful creature seducing a roomful of men, making the women long to be her, was his and only his.
    With a slow wink to him, she undulated her stomach muscles and leaned backward until she knelt on the dance floor and the back of her head touched the wood planks in an elaborate back bend. She rose gracefully, brushing her body with her hands.
    The room erupted in thunderous applause. Kissa flushed a bit as she smiled to the diners. She blew a kiss of thanks to the band. All the while she remained standing near the table. Turning her attention back to him, she gave him a gorgeous grin.
    Lucas was on his feet before he could stop himself. He swept her into his arms and planted a solid kiss on her lips. She laughed against his mouth, her palms resting on his chest.
    The restaurant broke out in applause once more. Kissa pulled away a bit, this time her blush going full force. Apparently, dancing seductively for strangers didn’t embarrass her but being soundly kissed in the middle of a dance floor did. Lucas let her move away from him only a fraction of an inch, shackling her wrist in one hand.
    He fished the box from his coat pocket with his free hand before sinking to one knee. The whole restaurant seemed to go quiet. His family turned their chairs, each straining in different directions to catch a better glimpse of the dance floor. His mother was beaming like a loon.
    Kissa stared down at him with wide eyes, her mouth hanging open in shock. She tugged at her wrist, but Lucas couldn’t help but notice she didn’t put much effort into it.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Kissa Nazir, you are my best friend and the love of my life,” he said looking up into her beautiful face, enjoying the play of emotions.
    “Get up you idiot. People are staring.” She tugged her hand again.
    “Hush your mouth, chicken, and let me finish. I want them to hear me.”
    She bit her bottom lip but didn’t say a word. Those quicksilver eyes of hers never left the box in his outstretched hand.
    “No fancy words other than I love you. Kissa, my angel and my heart, would you do me the honor of being my wife? We’ve wasted so many years