To get dressed.
His tone was implacable. You agreed to stay put.
Thats before you started talking to Harrison.
So what?
Im supposed to lie there naked in your bed with my fiancé on the phone?
Hes not your fiancé.
We have an understanding. Well, they sort of had an understanding. She presumed they had an understanding.
If there wasnt an understanding, why had Harrison invited her to Dubai in the first place?
We agreed you were free, said Alex.
We hung our consciences on a technicality.
Yes, we did. And we cant put your virginity back, and Im still quitting my job in the morning. The only thing we have to decide, Brittany, is whether we spend one last night together or alone.
Alone, she asserted.
He was silent.
Then his warm lips touched the crook of her neck.
You sure? he whispered, all trace of frustration gone from his tone. His hand splayed against her stomach.
Yes. She nodded.
He nibbled his way up her neck, drawing her earlobe into his mouth.
Despite herself, she felt her body respond to his gentle touch.
Really sure? he rumbled in her ear.
Really sure, she responded, but it came out on a sigh.
He smoothed her hair back from her temple and placed a kiss there. Because it wont change a thing.
I know, she agreed. They couldnt undo the day. And she couldnt undo her feelings. Alex had been a magical lover-funny, patient and gentle. She never would have imagined it of him.
But the day was over. She had a life to go back to, and that life included her family, traditions, responsibilities and Harrison.
Im not asking you to make love again, Alex told her, releasing her and gently turning her to face him. He placed his hands on her shoulders, and there was something vulnerably earnest in his expression. I only want you to sleep in my arms.
Emotion tightened her chest, and she fought it with all her might.
He gets you forever, Alex whispered. Give me this one night.
Brittanys heart all but melted.
She gave in and nodded.
Then she nodded harder, wanting it every bit as much as he did.
He scooped her into his arms and crossed to the bed.
He laid her down, then climbed in beside her, sliding her, spoon style, against the warmth of his body.
They lay there quietly for a few minutes. She forced herself to stay in the moment. There was no yesterday, no tomorrow, just now and Alex, the hum of the ceiling fan and the softness of the bed that cocooned them in a fantasy.
Finish your story? she asked him.
The lawn mower, he said, picking up where hed left off. In my dads garage. If we wanted to win the go-kart race, my older brother, Jacob, and I needed four wheels and an internal combustion engine.
You turned your fathers lawn mower into a go-kart?
Not exactly.
Brittany breathed a little sigh of relief. The worst shed done as a child was steal the foil-and-chocolate decorations from the Christmas tree.
We built a wood and scrap-metal frame, bolted on the wheels and connected a belt drive to the lawn mower engine. I thought it was fine, but Jacob insisted we needed more torque if we were going to beat those Brubaker boys.
Whats torque?
Power. So we disassembled the rototiller. Man, that did the trick. That puppy was fast.
Werent you scared of your parents?
He rested his chin against the top of her head. We had it all planned. Dad mowed the lawns on Sunday. Wed race Saturday morning, reassemble everything that afternoon, and nobodyd be any the wiser.
Did it work?
Alex chuckled. Does it sound to you like it would work?
How would I know? Forget about torque, Ive never seen a rototiller.
It didnt work, said Alex.
Even though it was years in the past, Brittany felt her stomach tense with nervous anticipation.
The good news is, we won the trophy. Got that baby up to fifteen miles an hour.
She couldnt help but grin at the pride that was evident in his voice all these years later. And the bad news?
By ten oclock on Saturday night, we realized wed misplaced a few of the lawn mower and rototiller parts. My mom realized we werent in bed. And my dad realized he needed to teach us a lesson.
Brittany cringed. Ouch.
Ouch is right. But it was still worth it. We were boys. We accepted spankings as the cost of having fun. Besides, the go-kart was nothing compared to our next project.
Im afraid to ask.
We decided to try parachuting off the roof.
Did your parents by any chance insist that you join the navy?
They thought it would improve my moral fiber.
And did it?
Not really, but it was a whole lot of fun.
Fun? Brittany had seen enough movies to know the military wasnt fun.
Basic training was a piece of cake. There wasnt anything a drill sergeant could do or say that my dad and older brother hadnt been doing my entire life. And, after we got through basic, they let us blow things up, run obstacle courses and learn to use high-tech equipment. I thought Id died and gone to adventure camp.
Brittany found herself smiling. I am so glad Im not having your children.
He went silent, and she immediately cringed.
Then she flipped onto her back to look up at him. That was thoughtless. Im sorry.
He brushed a lock of hair from her face, his expression teasing rather than hurt. I have a feeling youd balance me out, Miss Pure-As-The-Driven-Snow.
Not anymore, she reminded him, the memory suddenly blooming in her brain.
No, he agreed, his smile disappearing. Not anymore.
She was overcome with the desire to kiss him.
He obviously saw it in her eyes, because he leaned down, and his lips softly met her own, sweet, tender, so full of life and excitement.
Just here and now, she told herself. That was all theyd ever have.
Chapter Fourteen
This is our last night together, said Harrison as he pushed the bedroom door shut.
An hour had gone by since theyd separated, and Julias heart gave a little hitch at the sight of him.
Its also our wedding night, he continued, starting across the floor to where she was curled up in an armchair.
He came to a halt directly in front of her. What do you suppose the odds are Im staying out of your bed?
Julia had finished reporting in to Melanie, so she set the cordless phone down on the end table.
Slim? she offered, as his gaze swept the simple gauzy, white dress shed slipped on after her bath.
Nil, he responded, his attention returning to her face.
Nil, she agreed with a nod.
They might as well make the inevitable decision up front. Real life might start again tomorrow, but tonight was theirs if they wanted it.
He reached for her hands and drew them up to the light, turning them over to inspect the palms. If they did this right, my initials are somewhere in here. Tradition says that Im not allowed to make love with you until I find them in the pattern.
What if Rania and her mother did it wrong?
His twinkling gaze met hers. Then its going to be a very, very long night.
She wiggled her feet out to where he could see them. Theres more down there.
Not a problem. Im a patient man.
She couldnt resist. That really hasnt been my experience so far.
Are you tossing out a dare? he asked, with a teasing touch of incredulity.
She gave a little shrug. Why not?
His smile broadened, and he turned her hands to inspect the backs.
Is it like a bridal shower? she asked, remembering the surreal experience. Rania and Habeeba talked at me the entire time. They had to know I didnt understand a word.
Harrisons expression turned grim. Thats really unfortunate.
Julia became worried. That they talked?
That you didnt understand it. Arabs are very sensual people, Julia. Rania and Habeeba were imparting the wisdom of the ages. All the secret, erotic arts are passed down from generation to generation at the henna ceremony.
Julia opened her mouth in mock dismay. And I missed it?
Worse than that. Im missing it. He gave a long-suffering sigh. Why couldnt you have learned Arabic instead of French?
She withdrew her hands and folded her arms over her chest. Excuse me? Are you suggesting my erotic arts could stand improvement?
Theres nothing wrong with a little variety, he deadpanned.
Are you trying to ruin the evening?
Id be happy to give you a few pointers. The groom gets an earful at an Arab wedding, too, you know.
Really? Julia shimmied to her feet and gave him a saucy grin, pointing to her chest and putting a lilt in her voice. On how to please me?
He chuckled low. You are one lucky woman.
I think Ill be the judge of that. She slid her palms up his chest, tipping her head and coming up on her toes for his kiss. Go ahead, give me your best shot.
You sound like youre planning to grade me in the morning.
You bet I am.
Okay, he agreed. But instead of kissing her, as shed expected, he tapped his index finger against her nose. You wait here.
Where are you going?
To get the ropes and feathers.
She felt her eyes go wide.
Oh, baby, he drawled.
He was joking.
He had to be joking.
But an unexpected excitement mixed with the trepidation in her belly.
She coughed out a laugh to cover it. I have to wonder what the hell those people are doing out in the desert.
Theyre definitely not smiling because of the dust and the camels.
You are not tying me up. She truly didnt think shed like that.
Dont be a spoilsport.
Given my recent near-kidnapping experience, I have bondage issues.
He pretended to contemplate the problem. What about the feathers?
Dont be a spoilsport.
Given my recent near-kidnapping experience, I have bondage issues.
He pretended to contemplate the problem. What about the feathers?
She thought about that. Feathers didnt sound awful. In fact, they sounded kind ofinteresting.
The blindfold? he pressed.
Maybe we should stick to you finding your initials.
We can start there, he agreed, drawing her back into his arms. Then well negotiate the rest.
He leaned down and kissed her mouth.
She reflexively parted her lips, tipping her head, fitting perfectly to the heat and suction of his mouth. Memories swamped her senses, and she felt as though she belonged in his arms.
He flipped open a button on her dress, then another, and another.
One of the rules of henna, he whispered between sensual kisses, is that you have to be naked while I find my initials.
Now youre just making things up.