Free The Sheikh and the Servant by Sonja Spencer

dropped off to sleep, but not before he shifted slightly closer.
    #
     
    Hours later, Noori woke as something tickled his nose. He squinted his eyes to find a mass of dark hair in his face as Shahin slept on his shoulder. Shahin. Noori smiled gently, remembering the admission the night before. From things he’d learned from Numair and Karam, Noori realized it was a monumental step forward for the man who lay sleeping so peacefully in his arms.
    Taking advantage of the liberties he’d otherwise never be allowed, Noori lifted his hand and feathered his fingers through the soft, dark locks of hair. He bent his head, pressing a kiss into the fragrant strands, smiling again when Shahin began to stir. Noori slid his hand down the back of Shahin’s head, splaying his hand on the sleep-warmed neck.
    “’Tis morning,” Noori whispered playfully. “Will you wake, my lord?”
    Not quite waking, Shahin frowned enough to form a line between his brows, resolutely pulling his “pillow” closer. Being pulled closer warmed Noori more than anything ever had. Before in his life, he had always been pushed away after… afterward. This time, consciously or not, he was being kept. He enjoyed the feeling. He closed his eyes once more and let himself drift in pleasant thoughts of what might have happened if he had been a friend, a free man, instead of a servant.
    Shahin dozed a bit longer before waking fully, and he shifted his cheek against Noori’s chest, yawning. Noori was pulled pleasantly from his repose by the soft hair of Shahin’s beard and mustache brushing his chest and a hot breath over his nipple. He squirmed somewhat, a chuckle rumbling from his chest.
    Shahin made a soft inquisitive grunt, though he didn’t make any move to let Noori go. The hand that had been cupped possessively about Shahin’s nape slid down to rest on a shoulder, fingers kneading gently. “’Tis not yet morning. I lied earlier. ’Tis the midpoint of night, and we should remain here until the dawn of time,” Noori whispered whimsically.
    Shahin sighed against Noori’s chest, rubbing his cheek against the skin again affectionately. “I agree,” he murmured sleepily, a soft mumble.
    Noori didn’t speak again, instead humming a soft lullaby as his fingers caressed more than massaged. Letting himself laze as he would not during the day, Shahin awoke slowly, finally blinking his eyes open to the growing dawn light. He did not move away; instead he kept his face pillowed near Noori’s shoulder, his arm curled over Noori’s belly, and listened to the soft melody.
    Noori smiled at the closeness he felt at the moment. He had long since ceased being a virgin, but the moment itself held a virginal quality. He felt innocent and hopeful once more.
    After long minutes, the sheikh sighed softly and rolled to his back, stretching his full length. Noori missed his warmth immediately and rolled to rest against the stretched-out body on the pallet beside him. He smiled up at his lord. “My apologies, my lord. I seem to be quiet amenable to staying in bed.”
    Shahin surprisingly grunted in agreement, but then his stomach growled—quite loudly—and he just chuckled, glancing up at Noori sheepishly.
    Noori pushed out of bed, wrapping a robe around himself and heading to the tent flap to ask Rami to have breakfast sent. Upon returning he lit a lamp, glancing over to see Shahin lounging on the pallet. “What clothing do you require for the day, my lord?”
    “Robes only. I plan to visit with Sadiq,” Shahin answered from where he was propped on one arm, watching.
    Noori gathered the necessary items of clothing before laying them across a chair. Just then, Rami called through the tent flap, and Noori moved to bring breakfast in. Noticing that Shahin still rested on the pallet, Noori brought the tray of food to the bed. He sat carefully and then balanced the tray on his lap. “Breakfast in bed, my lord?”
    Shahin simply raised an eyebrow expectantly until Noori