Read Online Her Desert Knight by Jennifer Lewis - Free Book Online
Authors: Jennifer Lewis
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sparkle in her eyes, a giveaway flush in her cheek. Even thinking about him produced a physical reaction. It was startling and disturbing.
She closed the door of her room behind her and glanced down at the wet cuffs of her jeans. She’d better hope Khalid didn’t mention anything to her father. And if he did she’d better have a good story. A glance in the mirror showed that her face was tanned from their afternoon in the sun. She unwound her headscarf and let her hair fall down her back. A memory assaulted her of Quasar’s fingers raking through the long strands, of his hand pressing against the base of her skull as they kissed, so deep and long that she could barely breathe.
Quasar.
Fear mingled with the excitement flooding her veins at the memory of him. What was she doing? She’d let him kiss her. Worse yet, she’d kissed him back. Her lips buzzed at the memory. She’d told him things that she’d never told anyone else: her shame at letting her ex-husband strip away her self-confidence; her fear that she was worthless, unemployable and a disappointment to everyone.
And he was nothing but encouraging. And interested. She had to admit that that alone did a lot to boost her confidence. She smiled at her reflection in the bathroom mirror before she turned on the shower. Her ex-husband had made her feel like no man would ever want anything to do with her. Quasar had already proved him wrong.
But what did he want from her? They’d already kissed and the chemistry was palpable.
Next stop was sex. With no promises.
She’d have to be completely insane to even consider it. Every time she saw him, he occupied more of her brain space, more room in her heart. Of course it was encouraging that her heart was actually beating again, especially when he was nearby, but she didn’t want it to get broken, and since she was still in a fragile state that might happen quite easily.
Quasar was a freewheeling, fun-loving guy who moved on when he got bored. Which could be next week.
The chilly water made her gasp. She needed to cool herself off. Quasar was a fun companion. An exhilarating break from routine. He was not her future, and she’d better remember that.
* * *
Sometimes when people asked too many questions it was easiest to stay silent.
Quasar’s brothers and their families were all sitting around one of the hotel’s private dining rooms, enjoying a lavish dinner. So far he’d managed to avoid revealing anything other than his excursion into the mountains. In the absence of further details they assumed he went alone with a sporting objective.
“Quasar all alone with the kestrels.” Elan broke off a piece of bread. “You’re giving me flashbacks to when you were a kid and you trained that bird to hunt for you. I think you’re channeling your inner Omani again.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” Quasar shot his brother a smile. “And the views from the mountainside are pretty impressive.”
“I am pleased that you’re enjoying what Oman has to offer.” Salim raised his glass. “You can help promote our country in America.”
“I don’t think you need any help. Isn’t the hotel at capacity?” Quasar helped himself to some more rice.
“I have plans for a new hotel just north of here.”
“On the beach? Or out in the desert like Saliyah?”
“Right on the shore, waves lapping at your toes. It’s a property I’ve been saving for the right application. Celia’s been dying to plan the landscape ever since I showed it to her.”
Celia leaned against her husband. It was obvious she loved working with him. “It’s going to be so lush. Not that you’d know it to look at the place now. I don’t think there’s a single plant growing there. Just some old torn fishing nets and driftwood.” She rubbed her hands together with pretend glee. “But I love a challenge.”
“Celia, I get that Salim keeps you busy creating oases in the desert, but don’t you sometimes want to take other jobs?”
She closed the door of her room behind her and glanced down at the wet cuffs of her jeans. She’d better hope Khalid didn’t mention anything to her father. And if he did she’d better have a good story. A glance in the mirror showed that her face was tanned from their afternoon in the sun. She unwound her headscarf and let her hair fall down her back. A memory assaulted her of Quasar’s fingers raking through the long strands, of his hand pressing against the base of her skull as they kissed, so deep and long that she could barely breathe.
Quasar.
Fear mingled with the excitement flooding her veins at the memory of him. What was she doing? She’d let him kiss her. Worse yet, she’d kissed him back. Her lips buzzed at the memory. She’d told him things that she’d never told anyone else: her shame at letting her ex-husband strip away her self-confidence; her fear that she was worthless, unemployable and a disappointment to everyone.
And he was nothing but encouraging. And interested. She had to admit that that alone did a lot to boost her confidence. She smiled at her reflection in the bathroom mirror before she turned on the shower. Her ex-husband had made her feel like no man would ever want anything to do with her. Quasar had already proved him wrong.
But what did he want from her? They’d already kissed and the chemistry was palpable.
Next stop was sex. With no promises.
She’d have to be completely insane to even consider it. Every time she saw him, he occupied more of her brain space, more room in her heart. Of course it was encouraging that her heart was actually beating again, especially when he was nearby, but she didn’t want it to get broken, and since she was still in a fragile state that might happen quite easily.
Quasar was a freewheeling, fun-loving guy who moved on when he got bored. Which could be next week.
The chilly water made her gasp. She needed to cool herself off. Quasar was a fun companion. An exhilarating break from routine. He was not her future, and she’d better remember that.
* * *
Sometimes when people asked too many questions it was easiest to stay silent.
Quasar’s brothers and their families were all sitting around one of the hotel’s private dining rooms, enjoying a lavish dinner. So far he’d managed to avoid revealing anything other than his excursion into the mountains. In the absence of further details they assumed he went alone with a sporting objective.
“Quasar all alone with the kestrels.” Elan broke off a piece of bread. “You’re giving me flashbacks to when you were a kid and you trained that bird to hunt for you. I think you’re channeling your inner Omani again.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” Quasar shot his brother a smile. “And the views from the mountainside are pretty impressive.”
“I am pleased that you’re enjoying what Oman has to offer.” Salim raised his glass. “You can help promote our country in America.”
“I don’t think you need any help. Isn’t the hotel at capacity?” Quasar helped himself to some more rice.
“I have plans for a new hotel just north of here.”
“On the beach? Or out in the desert like Saliyah?”
“Right on the shore, waves lapping at your toes. It’s a property I’ve been saving for the right application. Celia’s been dying to plan the landscape ever since I showed it to her.”
Celia leaned against her husband. It was obvious she loved working with him. “It’s going to be so lush. Not that you’d know it to look at the place now. I don’t think there’s a single plant growing there. Just some old torn fishing nets and driftwood.” She rubbed her hands together with pretend glee. “But I love a challenge.”
“Celia, I get that Salim keeps you busy creating oases in the desert, but don’t you sometimes want to take other jobs?”
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