This chapter features bedroom scenes that are not required to understand the plot later in the book.  If you do not wish to read these types of scenes, please skip ahead to the next chapter.  

We stumble from elevator unable to fully disconnect from our embrace. Our kisses become more frantic as we approach Amir's hotel room. While Amir searches for his room key with one hand, he pins me against the door and trails kisses down my neck. I hear a click and Amir wraps his arms around me to prevent me from falling back through the open door. I feel overheated and out of breath, but I don't want to slow things down. We both know what's going to happen next. I need to move forward before I lose my nerve. I gently brush my lips against his and then turn and lead him into the room.  

Champagne and chocolate covered strawberries grace the bedside table and covers have been turned down for us. I wonder when Amir set this all up? Part of me wants to be mad that he expected the evening to move in this direction. I try to remind myself that it really doesn't matter. We are both getting what we want regardless of when it was planned.

Amir tosses his jacket on a chair as I lead him to the middle of the room and step into his embrace. He lightly runs his fingers down my arms causing me to involuntarily shiver. He lets out a shallow breath and in a gravelly voice asks, "would you like a glass of champagne?"

Reaching up, I gently run my hand across the light stubble forming on his face. Looking into his eyes, I can see that he wants this as much as I do.

"The only thing I want is you." Moving my hands up to his neck, I loosen his tie. Without any resistance from Amir, I remove the tie and toss it in the direction of the chair with his jacket.

Then, I begin unbuttoning his shirt as quickly as possible. With every button, I reveal a little more of his hard, muscular chest. Amir standing shirtless before me is a fantasy come to life. I need him now, but I take just a moment to enjoy my view. I run my hand over his warm chest stopping to let it linger over his beating heart. I can feel it racing and I know that I'm not the only one affected by the thought of what's coming next.

Bringing my hands down to his waistband, I begin to unbutton and unzip his tuxedo pants. As his zipper travels down, his excitement becomes apparent. Before I can pull off his pants, he gently turns me around. He gently sweeps my hair over one of my shoulders and whispers in my ear, "I think you're a little overdressed." He begins kissing my neck, slowly creating a trail of kisses ending at the edge of my shoulder. His movements agonizing slow and only heighten my desire.

Amir's fingers find the hook at the top of my dress and he tugs the zipper downward at an unbearably slow speed. It seems like he knows how much I want him and he's trying to delay my gratification. I'm sure he's trying to build longing until I'm begging for him to go faster. Two can play this game.

I hold my dress while his fingers work their way toward the end of the zipper. He slowly releases the zipper. Then, places one hand on my shoulder while running the knuckles of his other hand down my exposed spine. My skin is on fire with the trail of tingles from his touch.

Leveraging the opportunity, I take a step away from Amir and turn around. Meeting his eyes, I let my dress fall to the floor. I watch as he surveys my body only covered by black, strapless lace bra and a tiny pair of matching panties. His eyes seem to glaze over with longing and I know that the game of cat and mouse are coming to an end.

Amir's eyes explore every inch of my body. He extends his hand, lacing his fingers with mine and softly tugs me toward him. "God. You are so beautiful. The reality is better than any of my dreams."

Still in my heels, I step out of the pile of red sequined fabric at my feet. Taking a step forward, I find myself in his embrace. I use the proximity to begin tugging his pants down. He tilts up my chin and looks deeply into my eyes, "Why do you want to rush this? I've been waiting for this since the first day that I met you. I want to enjoy this and make this an evening that you'll never forget."

"I don't want to wait any longer. I need you. Now." It seems to be just the motivation that he needs. He quickly removes his pants, shoes, and socks. Then wearing just his black boxer briefs, he lifts me up and carries me to the bed.

His kisses are deep and needy. I feel him removing my shoes and unhooking my bra. I can't get enough of the feeling of his skin against mine. He kisses down my bare chest, his mouth lingering on my breasts. I hear him murmur, "you're so perfect, so beautiful." Finally, just our two small pieces of clothing separate us and I tug down his boxer briefs releasing his impressive, uncut length. My hand instinctively finds its target and begins stroking him. I can feel the extent of his hard, throbbing desire.

He teases down my panties and then makes a path down my body with his tongue. I moan with pleasure. My body is on fire and can't wait any longer. I've never had a guy make me feel this way so quickly. I run my hands through his hair and moan softly, "Please. I need you now. Do you have a condom?"

Amir quickly produces a foil packet and sheaths himself. He settles over me and lines himself up with my center. He slowly enters, filling me completely. Amir begins thrusting and waves of pleasure wash over me. He whispers in my ear. "You feel so tight around me. It's hard to take this slow."

I pull him toward me encouraging him to move faster and harder until my muscles are tightening and I feel myself teetering on the edge. I find myself closing my eyes as the feeling overtakes me. I begin to moan his name as I shudder.

With one hand, Amir brushes my hair out of my face. He rests his forehead against mine and whispers, "Open your eyes and look at me. I want to see your beautiful eyes."

I open my eyes and look into his deep, green eyes as I fall over the edge moaning in pleasure. Seeing the expression on his face is overwhelming. I see passion and desire. There is also a softness and other feelings that I can't identify.

He never breaks eye contact. A moment later, I feel his body stiffen and he finds his own release. Amir continues to thrust as he rides out his orgasm. Then, he holds me for just a moment, still hard and warm inside me. I find myself not wanting that connection to end. He holds me tightly and I feel safe in his arms. I know we can't stay this way forever. He gently kisses my lips and gets up to take care of the condom.

As I watch him retreat to the bathroom, I allow myself a few seconds to process everything. A flood of feelings for Amir begins to overwhelm me and I don't know how to deal with them. I don't want to get emotionally involved, so I try to push these thoughts aside. I remember that I only promised him tonight and I can work through what I'm feeling tomorrow.

Amir returns to the bed and seems to recognize my unrest. He gets into bed and gently pulls the covers over us. "Come here. I want to hold you. Then, I'll need you all over again." He adds in a whisper, "I don't think I'll ever get enough of you. You're so perfect."

Pulling me into his chest, he holds me tightly with one arm while using his other hand to gently stroke my hair. I look up at his face and see a look of reverence on his face.

"Trust me. I'm far from perfect."

Still holding me, Amir lays me back on a pillow and takes my hand. He gently begins kissing it while murmuring, "Perfect, creamy soft skin."

He trails kisses up my arm to my shoulder and onto my chest. He murmurs, "so perfect." He kisses each of my breasts and then continues his trail down my tummy to my belly button.

Brushing the landing strip of red hair, he smiles. "You're the first real redhead that I've ever known."

"I'm probably not the first real redhead you've ever known. Maybe, I'm the first natural redhead to join you in bed."

"Touche." He kisses the thin white horizontal scar that would normally be covered by my panties. He pauses brushing the scar with his fingertips. "How did you get this scar?"

I sigh, remembering our differences. "It's C-section scar. I was blessed with healthy babies, but neither came according to plan.  My body is far from perfect after having kids, but it's worth it."

"I think the fact that you're real makes you more beautiful and perfect. It makes me want you more." That statement starts the second round of bliss. This time, he takes it slow. It's as if he wants to prove to me that he appreciates every part of my body. I give him my body completely and he does exactly what's needed to make it hum and sing. He seems to be making it a mission to see how many times, he can make me fall over the brink and lose control.

Every movement is slow and loving. For a moment, I think about what it would be like to be truly loved by this man. When I feel like my body can't take anymore, I feel his body stiffen and we ride out our orgasms together.

When Amir returns to bed, he puts his arm around me pulling me into his chest. I can feel the beat of his heart and the slowing of his breathing. Amir kisses the top of my head and softly tells me. "You're an angel. You're my own sweet angel."

His words inspire happiness, but I also feel fear. As I lay on his chest listening to his slow breathing, I begin to feel panic surfacing in my own chest. This was supposed to be a way to get him out of my system and I feel more drawn to him than ever. I lay there for a few more moments as my chest tightens and I realize that I need to escape as soon as possible.

I can tell that Amir is asleep and I carefully slip out from under his arm and slide out of the bed. I begin quietly searching for my things and getting dressed. When I look back over at the bed, he's awake and shifting out of the covers.

"Where are you going? Are you running away from me again?"

"We both knew this was just for one night. I really should get going. I need to go home and take a nice, hot bath and go to bed." I say with a bit of regret.

He walks over and embraces me. "I can make you bubble bath here. Please stay."

"I have people coming over to do work on my house early tomorrow morning. I really need to leave."

Amirs voice becomes deeper and firmer, "You've been drinking and I don't want you driving home. It's dangerous and I don't want anything to happen to you."

"I haven't had a drink in hours. I promise that I'm fine."

"You look exhausted. Please let me run you a bath and put you to bed. Tomorrow, I'll feed you breakfast and walk you to your car. I promise that if you stay tonight, I won't try to stop you from leaving tomorrow."

"Ok. You win, but it will have to be a very early breakfast. I have to leave by seven am to get home in time."

A look of triumph crosses his face."Sunrise breakfast it is."  

He takes my hand and guides me into the bathroom, where he starts filling the tub with hot water and bubbles. Once the tub is filled, he gets in and guides my body down to sit between his legs with my back against his chest. He washes my body and rubs my sore muscles as we soak in the warm water. I try to turn and kiss him, but he just gives me a kiss on the temple.

"I know you're tired and I just want to take care of you. If you stayed, I agreed to bathe you and put you to bed. I want to keep that promise."

Amir begins to drain the tub and gets out of the bath. He returns a moment later with a fluffy hotel towel and dries my body. Then, he wraps me up and leads me into the bedroom where he pulls a soft t-shirt from his suitcase for me to wear.

While I get dressed, Amir dries his body and puts on a pair of boxer briefs. Then, he guides me back into bed and holds me in his arms.  I feel warm and relaxed and safe.  Snuggled under the covers with him, he places a final kiss on my forehead and whispers "Sweet dreams, my angel."