Page 17
“Amira?”
Zane glanced at her hand, the fingers stained red.
He looked up at her, understanding replacing his momentary confusion. “That only happens once.”
His words shook her into action. She sprang back, body shivering.
Amira barely registered the tears on her face. Like some stupid cliché, she allowed him to hold, to soothe, as her quiet sobs punctuated the darkness. She was sore, empty, her body reminding her of what had just occurred. She closed her eyes against the sight.
She wanted the romance. To be swept away by her lust, flying through her arousal. But the sharp stinging pain was evidence of what she had done.
She didn’t regret it for a minute. She just hadn’t expected this. The after. Or her reaction. Tiny goosebumps travelled across her arms and chest, like invisible reminders of who she was, and who she was with…
She had sex. With Zane. She was no longer a virgin; she would never die an old maid. But she hadn’t expected the tidal wave of emotions and was embarrassed by the force of it. By his conciliatory reaction.
These feelings had no place in her fantasies. No place here between them.
Because he was her fantasy, or at least had been for so long. A man whose world was so far removed from her own, he had offered her a taste of it. Which is where it would stay.
Damn him. Damn her stupid mind. This was supposed to be light. Fun. Without any emotions or interfering thoughts. But she looked down at her fingers, the smudges marking her hands.
“Amira, talk to me. Are you okay?”
She nodded, unable to open her mouth. What would she say?
“I would have taken my time, if I had known.” He tilted her chin to face him. “I’m not blaming you. I’m honored to be your first and hate to think I’ve hurt you. For that I’m sorry.”
“I was afraid you would be able to tell or something.” She sounded so childish, so naïve. She shifted, wanting to shake free of it.
“I should have figured it out, but I’m on the larger side of normal.” He raised his eyebrows, eyes shining. “If you know what I mean?”
Amira sniffed. “Objective too.”
“I’m honest to a fault…”
He held her close, kissing her shoulder blade, the column of her throat. His thumbs, wide and smooth, drew circles on the sides of her body. Despite her pain, despite her mortification, her nipples hardened.
“It’s a perfectly normal reaction. This is your first time. I’m your first.”
She studied him now and saw the satisfied male pride. It didn’t make her want to slap him. She had grown up with men knowing their worth. Or inflating it. In his eyes she saw respect.
“I’m honored you chose me.”
“There you go repeating yourself, Zane.”
The rumble in his chest warmed her own. “Only with you. I think I’m a little in shock too.”
And she knew he understood. Her body, cold and jittery, warmed to his touch, his words.
Because he was right. She did choose him. Her body had chosen him long before her mind had made the decision. But thinking about something and experiencing it was not one and the same thing. His reaction to her eased the tumult and shame. It reminded her of why they were there, why she chose him.
He traced her lips, her nose, her jaw. “I have twin shower heads and heated bath towels waiting. Give yourself some time to relax. I’ll pour more champagne, if you would like to stay for a drink?”
She shook her head. She didn’t want space, didn’t want to be alone. She wanted him. “Join me?”
The heat in his eyes was more than just sympathy.
Zane stood, lifting her to the bathroom, and placing her down in the shower as if she were a precious jewel. He washed away any traces of their sex, and her virginity. And inch by inch, her need bloomed until she directed the shower head down between her thighs. Her appetite had no limits.
