Page 60 of Warlord’s Empire

But she’d just spent the past few hours talking about him, explaining her love for him while the others listened avidly, Ayaan occasionally making gagging sounds when Saskia strayed too close to ‘sexy’ subjects. As she’d talked to them, her love for him became sharper, clearer. It was no longer a confusing mess in her head, but something that made sense. And now she wanted him more than ever.

Why was she hesitating? She knew what she wanted and nothing short of Leeza with a knife, blocking her from the door could stop her. She glanced at her sister who was snoring softly, her arm flung over Nikka’s legs.

Saskia made her way noiselessly to the door connecting her room to Radik’s. She tried the handle and discovered it was unlocked.

As she crept through, a masculine voice reached out to her. “I thought you women would not stop the party.” His tone was amused so she closed the door and moved toward him, finding him next to the open patio door.

“We kept you awake,” she said regretfully, hoping her words weren’t too slurred.

“No,” he said quickly. “I could have gone elsewhere if I’d wanted to sleep.” He took her arms gently and rubbed her skin, warming her. “I liked hearing you laugh. It’s why I stayed here, listening.”

She blushed and asked him shyly, “Could you hear what we said?”

“No, just the murmur of voices and the occasional bout of laughter.”

She pressed her hand to his chest. “Thank you.”

“Thank you?” he questioned. “I’ve done nothing to deserve your gratitude.”

“You have. You let them stay and you don’t seem angry that they came here. I know you respect your sister’s ability to take care of herself, so you have to know how deadly she and Leeza are as a team, and yet you allowed them into your home as honoured guests.”

His expression serious, he said, “For you I have done this. It goes against instinct to allow combatants who do not belong to me to be so near to what it mine, but for you, I will allow it.”

She went up on her toes to kiss his jaw, trailing her lips down his neck, her hands creeping inside his shirt. “I want you,” she breathed against him, revelling in the shiver that wracked his body.

He pressed his hand over hers stopping her exploration of his chest. “You’ve been drinking.” His voice was husky, his body heat ratcheting up, pulling her to him like a magnet.

“Why does it matter?” She might normally be embarrassed by her boldness, but the alcohol in her system ensured her courage.

He took firmer hold of her hand as it crept down his belly toward the waistband of his pants. “It matters, Saskia. I will always honour you.”

“But what if I’m asking you to dishonour me?”

A shadow passed over his face. “Not even you, who I will do almost anything for, can ask this of me.”

She made a face. “It’s just sex, Radik. It doesn’t have to be so complicated. If you don’t want it, just say so.”

Before she had time to blink, she found herself on her back on the bed, his heavy body pressing into hers. He pulled her hands over her head and stared down at her with such intensity it sent a shiver through her.

“I want you more than I have ever wanted anything. I want you more than the power I have amassed. I want you enough that I am willing to bring down dynasties to keep you with me. You are the air that I breathe, the water I sip to stay alive, the food my heart and soul crave to eat for all eternity. I want you with such a ferocity, it pains me.” He pressed his hard cock against her hip. “But I will not take what I have claimed until your head and heart are clear.” He brushed the hair off her forehead and leaned down to kiss her. “Please call me by given name. It’s much more pleasant coming from these lips.”

It took her a moment to find her voice. “You should have become a poet, Muhammed.”

He touched her lips as though to capture the sound of his name. “Mercenary work paid more.”

She smiled at him and he smiled back.

She had come to his room looking for sex, and while a part of her mourned that it wasn’t going to happen, she felt more secure in her relationship with Radik than ever before.

“Can I stay here tonight?” He hesitated, but she knew she had him. “Please, Muhammed.”

“Yes, you can stay, but all clothes must stay on. You have severely tested my self-control and I must rest if I am to face your cousin tomorrow.”

“Really?” she purred, sliding her hand up his chest. “How far do I need to push before you break?”

He took her hand, kissed her knuckles and rolled to lay beside her, placing her hand over his heart as she snuggled into his side. “I never break.”

“We’ll see about that,” she whispered, allowing the alcohol and the heat of his body to lull her. “You think you’re so big and strong… I’ll find out how to make you crack.”