Zara
This place is magical. I’m convinced of it.
How else to explain the fact that I’m kissing Myles in an ancient palace, that he has his arms wrapped around me as though he never wants to let me go?
Did I brush my hand against his on purpose? Or because I couldn’t stop myself? It doesn’t matter. All that matters is he took it. I know that we’re going back to London tomorrow, and I’ll resign and probably never see him again but for now, in this moment, he’s mine.
And I plan to make the most of it, no matter how it hurts me later.
The kiss is sweet at first, a press of lips, his heart beating against mine. Then it deepens, intensifying, and desire builds in me. Our tongues tangle, heat rising.
I become aware of children shouting, and more voices nearby. Myles seems to come to the same awareness, lifting his head. I realise where we are, coming back to myself. A family with several children is nearby, and the tour group is still looking around. None of them seem aware of Myles and me, of what’s happening between us. To them I suppose it looked like a kiss. To me it shook my entire world.
We stare at each other, then Myles brushes my lips with his once more. “Will you have dinner with me tonight? In my suite?” he murmurs, his gaze intent on mine.
I know what this means. He does too, I can tell by the hardness pressing into my stomach.
I know. I was going to close myself off, avoid being hurt by him. Was going to be business Zara, right until the end. But it will hurt more if I don’t let this happen. If I’m never going to see him again, at least I’ll have this.
“Yes,” I say, kissing him softly. “I will.”
* * *
Back at the hotel I move as though in a dream. The whole day has felt like that, from the moment I saw Myles at breakfast, watching me read my book.
We’d wandered through the rest of the palace hand in hand, pausing to kiss in corners, our hands exploring, a tease of what was to come. Then, as we made our slow way back to the hotel, he’d tried to buy me everything I’d stopped to look at, even when I protested. I’d come away with a silver necklace, a delicate chain with tiny dangling stars that hung between my breasts. I’d been unable to resist it, though I’d drawn the line at everything else.
Now, as I shower and dress, excitement flutters in the base of my stomach. I’m going to wear the dress he gave me, and not much else. Everything is still dreamlike, as though I’m moving through honey, as though something else is guiding me. Business Zara is gone. I am just Zara, now. And tonight, I belong to Myles, if he wants me.
I know. But the line in my mind is gone now. Crossed, erased as though it never existed. I want him too much not to at least see where this goes. Shivers run through me as I make my way up shadowed stairs lit by silver lanterns. I remember his hands on me, how they felt. My nipples harden under my dress, pushing against the silk. I feel as though I’m flying.
I reach the gate leading to his suite and pause. Across the courtyard the restaurant and bar are busy, people sitting at tables or lounging on sofas, drinks in hand. I feel completely apart from them, as though this night is mine and his alone. I can’t ever tell him how I feel, but at least I’ll have this.
I knock on the door.
Myles
Despite my linen shirt and the cool night air, I’m sweating.
Everything is perfect. I’ve arranged the dinner with strict instructions that, once it’s delivered and set up, the suite arranged to my specifications, I’m not to be disturbed. I hope I have reason to do this.
It could just be dinner, after all.
I can’t pressure Zara, despite how she’d responded to me in the medina, kissing me in the palace as though we were teenagers sneaking in corners. It was more than I could have hoped for.
But I still don’t know what will happen when she comes here tonight.
I hope she comes, in more ways than one.
I rub the back of my neck, glancing again at the terrace gate. Where is she? I know I’m about to cross a line, but I want her too much not to do this. I’m going to have to tell her, though, that she can’t work for me anymore. I hope she’s all right with it, once I explain the reasons why.
There’s a knock at the gate.
I want to run to it. But I walk instead and undo the latch. And as soon as I see her, I know. My heart opens, relief flowing through me.
She’s wearing the silk dress I gave her, tied at the waist. Her hair is loose in long shining waves, her feet bare. And, if I’m not mistaken, she’s not wearing much, if anything, under the dress.
I can feel myself getting hard already.
