Free The Sheikh's Hesitant Bride (Qazhar Sheikhs series Book 7) by Cara Albany Page B

from the things we couldn't help laughing at," she said with a conspiratorial grin.
    "Ah, those," he said nodding slowly.
    "Other than that, I was pretty impressed with the whole thing," she admitted.
    "I'm glad."
    Zarif placed an arm along the length of the back of the sofa and watched her reaction. Her gaze followed the movement, but he was pleased that the gesture didn't cause her to react in a way that would hint at discouragement.
    They didn't say anything to each other for a few minutes, both content to gaze out at the city before them, taking in the beauty of the place. From time to time he glanced at Rachel. Her features maintained a satisfied, appreciative look, as she took in the sight bof the city lights. She was enjoying being here almost as much as he was, he told himself. The whole evening had gone better than he could ever have hoped.
    A peace settled upon Zarif, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a very long time while in the company of a woman. He felt no pressure to be something he wasn't; he sensed no urgent need to impress or dominate; there was no compulsion to put on an act just to show off. Rachel had not encouraged him to be anything other than himself.  
    It wasn't the first time in the last two weeks when he'd felt that she just accepted him for who he really was. And that was something new for Zarif. For years, Zarif had been surrounded by people who had demanded things of him, forcing him to play a role that, at times, he didn't feel entirely comfortable with.
    No.
    Right here, sitting by the side of this surprising, astonishing woman, Zarif felt something utterly new. A sense of complete acceptance of who he was. How was it that she was able to make him feel like this? What magic spell had she cast on him? Or was it simply that she was someone utterly unique, a woman unlike any he had ever met?
    Zarif drew in a deep breath and shifted around to face Rachel. He saw her eyes narrow slightly, and a hesitant smile crease the corner of her tempting mouth.
    Zarif leaned in closer, and he saw her gaze soften as if she had already decided that she wanted him to kiss her. And, when his head dipped, and he claimed her lips, he heard her gasp slightly, felt her breath against his mouth. He reached up and rested his fingers on her delicate jaw, savoring the softness of her skin. It felt like silk beneath his rough fingertips. Her lips tasted sweet, and her breath was suddenly quick. He felt his nerves ignite as the sensations of the kiss took hold of him.
    Zarif eased forward, feeling his body against hers, sensing Rachel's heat. His thighs pressed against hers, and he felt the way she reacted, her muscles tightening at his contact.
    His tongue probed the moistness of her mouth and once again he felt her shift against him, need increasing. His own desire had flamed into life, and he realized that this was the only place he wanted to be. Being with Rachel was the only place he had wanted to be these past two weeks. Day and night, he had tormented himself with frustrated need, and now she was pressed against him, and he knew that her desire matched his own with equal measure.
    Zarif ran his hand down her neck, tracing a path to her breasts. He felt her nipples, pebbled into hardness beneath the fabric. At his touch, she gasped, trying to utter his name, but failing.  
    His kiss became more urgent, even more insistent and she responded by snaking her fingers into his hair. She tugged at his hair with a sharp, almost shocking abruptness. Galvanic pleasure traced a line throughout his torso, and he felt himself harden, sensed pressure growing inside himself.
    Zarif cupped her breast, feeling the firmness of it, enjoying the shape of it. Her shape. And he realized he wanted to explore her shape even more. He knew he had wanted to discover her delights every day these past two weeks. He wondered if now was the time, if they had reached a point when they could open up to each other.
    Rachel pressed against him,