Emerald St. Clair's POV

I woke up with a slight fever with a very painful cervix. I barely managed to move in the bed without groaning with pain.

"Are you okay?"

I opened my eyes and glared at the man standing near the bed with a worried expression. "Of course, I'm not okay!" I snapped at him angrily. "This is all your fault, you bastard. If you didn't fuck me five times last night like some sort of wild animal, I would not feel such pain this morning."

I saw him wince at my crude words. He massaged his nape warily. "Sorry. But you didn't stop me so..."

I glared at him. Right now, I was not in the mood for pleasantries because all I wanted to do was to cut his probably nine to ten inches of manhood off and flush them down the toilet.

That thing would rip a poor woman apart. It should not be used for sexual intercourse ever again.

He sat on the bed, placing the back of his hand on my forehead. "You're still feverish. Are you sure you don't want me to call for a doctor to check on you?"

I glared at him once again. "No. What will the doctor say when he learns that I caught a fever after having sex with you?"

"Maybe that's not the case," the corner of his mouth tilted upward. "Maybe you caught a cold because of the weather last night."

I scoffed at him. "I don't think so."

"Does it still hurt?" He pointedly looks at my legs.

My eyes narrowed in his direction. "What do you think?"

"Let me see."

I blinked at him. "You can't be serious."

"I am."

It was one thing that he was feasting his eyes on my nakedness in the dark, but it was an entirely different matter when he was about to look at my most private part in broad daylight.

"There's no way in hell that I will let you examine me."

He flashed me an evil smile that made my temperature rise even more. "There's no need to be shy about it, habibti. I saw and ate everything last night."

I slapped his arms hard. "I don't want to hear anything from your unfiltered mouth this early in the morning. Get out. Leave me alone."

"Let me see first," he bargained. "I promise I will not do anything. I will just look at it to assess if you need a doctor or not."

I stared at him for a long moment. After some internal debate, I finally removed the cover and carefully widened my legs.

Every movement was excruciatingly painful. I bit my bottom lip, thinking I would not have sex ever again. I watched him pull down my underwear. There was something about the way he was doing it that made my treacherous body get excited.

You are doomed, Emerald.

"Fuck," he exclaimed, looking at my womanhood carefully. "It's swollen."

"Geez. Thanks for the info," I told him with false enthusiasm. "What do you think you're doing?" I protested as he removed my undies altogether.

"Don't worry," he said reassuringly. "I will not do anything to you. Rest," he commanded, putting the covers back on the lower half of my body. He kissed my forehead affectionately. "I will just call a doctor to fully examine you."

"There's no way I will let a male doctor examine me down there," I informed him as he was about to reach the door.

Al-Farsi turned his head over his shoulder and stared at me with a slight smile on his face. "As if I will let that happen. I am the only man who has the right to see that jewel."

My cheeks flamed at his words. Once I was left alone in the room. I tried to doze off to forget the pain between my legs.

I cursed myself for giving in to the temptation Khalil Al-Farsi had offered last night. I groaned, pulling the covers above my head as I remembered the way he made love to me.

After I lost my virginity in this bed, he took me a second time on the cold tile of the shower. Next, we were back in the bed, taking and he took me from behind while I was kneeling. After that, we raided the kitchen for a midnight snack. One moment I knew we were eating food and then the next thing I knew he was eating me while I lay on the kitchen countertops. Finally, he made love to me in the living room as the fire ignited in the fireplace of our bodies...

"...Emerald, habibti?" I opened my eyes to see Khalil back in the room with a middle-aged woman in tow.

I didn't know how long my eyes were shut, but I was sure that it wasn't that long.

"This is Dr. Davis, a family friend. She's a gynecologist."

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in his direction. How convenient for him to have a family friend who happens to be a gynecologist. Maybe ripping his sexual partners is a common thing for him.

"I don't think I like the way your judgy little eyes are looking at me."

"I am not doing anything."

His upper lip curved with a smirk. "I beg to disagree. I know every inch of you, Emerald St. Clair."

A discreet cough forced us to acknowledge the presence of the doctor. "Maybe I should check on her so I can give her a prescription for the pain."

"Of course," Al-Farsi answered breezily.

Dr. Davis and I were looking expectantly at him. When he didn't move an inch, I gestured to the door with my head.

"Oh..." he finally comprehended after a moment. "I should go."

I gave him a big fake smile before he left the room reluctantly. Once I was alone with the doctor, she examined my swollen feminine parts.

"You have an acute laceration in your hymen," Dr. Davis announced matter-of-factly. "This usually occurs after having sex for the first time, especially when your partner is gifted in that department. Fever is also common in this case."

I could feel that my cheeks were burning up and it was not because of my fever but of the thought that this doctor might think that I was thoroughly used by Khalil Al-Farsi last night.

Well, duh. Were you not? A voice inside my head asked.

I saw her jot down something on the piece of paper. "I suggest no sex for at least a week or two to let your hymen fully heal. Also, avoid walking around. Stay in bed as much as possible so your wounds heal quickly."

Dr. Davis gave me the prescription, which has medicine that will ease the pain. After she left, Al-Farsi went back to the room with a worried expression.

"What did she say?"

I gave him a prescription. "I need those meds and no sex for at least two weeks, according to Dr. Davis."

He pouted at me as he took the piece of paper from me. "That long?"

I gave him a sweet saccharine smile. "Doctor's order. Besides, you don't have the right to object since this is all your fault." I threw an acidic look in his direction. "It's your fault that I nearly became invalid because of your member."

He affectionately brushed my hair with his knuckle. "Haven't I told you that I will take good care of you from now on?"

My eyes narrowed. "How on earth will you do that when you're the reason I am bedridden."

"I'm sorry, love." His voice was filled with remorse. "I should have restrained myself. But you're making me crazy with need. My hunger for you is insatiable."

I should have felt anger because I was suffering like this, but his admission melted away my annoyance instantly.

Careful, Emerald. You are once again playing with fire. Remember, you were once burned because of this guy. Good sex does not necessarily mean that there's something deeper between the two of you.

I was in deep trouble as far as this man was concerned. Admit it or not, he was the only man I let crawl his way inside my heart before. But it proved to be a fatal mistake on my part.

Men can't be trusted. They will tell you sweet things and do not mean anything to them. I should protect my heart against this man at all costs.

"...Emerald?" I was dragged back to the present when I heard the worried voice of Al-Farsi. "Are you alright?"

I gave a slight forced smile. "Yes. I'm fine."

"What are you thinking?"

"I want to take a shower," I informed him, which was partly true.

He kissed the back of my hand, his cobalt eyes filled with an unknown emotion. "Wait here."

I watched him disappear to the bathroom while I was left staring at the ceiling. Moments later, he was back. I could hear running water from the bathroom.

"Let me help you up." He carefully helped me up from the bed. Every movement was so damn painful. I could barely feel my legs.

"Don't tell me you're going to help me bathe also?" I raised an eyebrow in his direction.

"Of course," he answered. When I looked at him with a scandalized expression, he added immediately, "I will just help but to the bathtub and nothing more."

Before I had the chance to react, he scooped me in his arms carefully and helped me to the bathroom as promised. "I can walk, you know."

He smiled down at me. "I know. But it's easier this way, don't you think? Besides, I told you that I would take care of you. Leave it to me, habibti, hmm?"

I didn't bother to answer when my heart started beating erratically once again, thanks to this man.

Once we were inside the bathroom, I muttered softly, unable to meet his gaze. "I have to pee."

Al-Farsi then walked me to the toilet and helped me carefully sit there. Since I didn't have underwear on, it was easy to do my business. But how on earth did he expect me to do that while he was standing in front of me? Does he think I will pee while he is here?

"Well?" I asked him expectantly.

"What if you slip?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "I will not. Now get the hell out of here and leave me alone."

He was reluctant to leave me alone, but he did so before my bladder burst. Once I was alone in the bathroom as I tried to urinate. I yelped because of the pain.

"What's wrong?" Instantly, he was back on my side, kneeling in front of me.

I threw him my darkest look. I smacked his shoulder. "This is all your fault. Everything is so painful? I can't even pee. I will kill you after this."

He winced, looking away from me while muttering, "Sorry."

"I knew having sex for the first time would be slightly painful, but not like this. I mean, how can I go back to New York barely walking?" I glared at him insolently. "This is all your fault. If you were not stupidly big and long, I would not suffer like this."

The corner of his mouth twitched with a smile.

I glowered at him. "I am not complimenting you, bastard. Stop smiling like an idiot."

"I know. Here," he replied, taking a handful of toilet paper in his hand before giving it to me. He tried his best to stop the smile from slipping from his lips, but he was failing miserably.

Once I was done. He helped me walk near the bathtub. Every walk was excruciatingly painful. I don't understand why women like having sex after experiencing such discomfort in their lives.

"Lift your arms." I was snapped back to the present time.

"What did you say?"

He smiled kindly at me. "I said, lift your arms. I will help you undress."

"There is no need. I might be invalid on the lower half of my body but not on the upper part. I can do this alone."

"Don't be stubborn, Emerald." There was a firm tone in his voice. He was back to being the autocratic king that I hate. "Remember the last time you were left alone in the bathtub? I will not let that happen again."

There's no point in arguing with him about everything because he likes to argue back. So, I let him undress me. There was something about the way he stripped my clothes that made me think that perhaps he was slowly seducing me.

My eyes narrowed in his direction when I saw the way his eyes flared up at the sight of my nakedness. I automatically covered my breasts from his view.

He gave me a predatory smile. "There's no point in covering yourself, my love. It's not like I did not see every inch of your body last night. I believe no part of your body was left unloved last night."

My cheeks burned, remembering the things he did to me last night. Damn, his skillful mouth. I recalled how I cried his name throughout the night. "Shut up!"

"Don't worry," he said reassuringly. "I will not make love to you. I can wait two weeks for you to completely heal. Hell, I waited for eight long years to finally have you. I'm sure two weeks will pass like a blink of an eye."

"What makes you think that I will have sex with you again?"

He smiled at me sympathetically. "I know you're still sore, but--"

"I have a laceration," I told him harshly. "I was ripped apart by your member last night. It feels like I was run over by a harvester last night!"

He smoldered.

I glared.

"Get out!" I pointed my index finger at the door. "Leave me alone."

I thought he was not going to listen, but I was surprised when he succumbed and left, but not before stealing a kiss. This devil managed to put his tongue inside my mouth during that briefly unexpected attack. The kiss ended before I had the chance to react.

Disappointed, Em?

"You go first," he said annoyingly. He was about to leave the bathroom when he looked over his shoulder with a devilish grin on his face. "I might join you later. I will instruct someone to buy your meds."

I grabbed my discarded clothes on the floor to throw at him. Too late, he had already closed the door behind him.

I carefully slid on the water and groaned. I need this. The warm water soothes my aching body. I shut my eyes and tried to relax my body in the water.

I don't know how many minutes had passed, but when I opened my eyes again, I saw Khalil--naked--standing next to the huge tub, presenting me with my mobile phone while it persistently rang.

"Holy shit!" I exclaimed, covering my eyes with my hands. "God! Why are you naked?!"

"Your granddad is calling." He said casually, ignoring my question.

"Get out!" I demanded.

"Your granddad is calling," he said again, forcing me to take the phone.

I scowled at him, but when I saw his erection inches away from my face. I remembered how this thing ripped me apart last night. I looked away instantly. "Put on some clothes, will you?"

"I told you, didn't I?" the damn bastard said. "I will join you in your bath. We need to save water and help Mother Nature."

I was about to argue with him about the nonsense he was spouting, but the continuous call from Granddad gave me pause. "Don't you dare make a sound, or I will murder you."

He nodded like an obedient child. I was still skeptical about it, but I needed to answer this phone call. Daniel must be worried since I didn't come home last night. I was abducted by this man who is respected by everyone.

"Hello, granddad?" I tried to sound bright while speaking to my grandfather.

"Scoot over," Al-Farsi whispered seductively in my ear.

I frowned at him. My eyebrows creased together. Before I had the chance to protest, he invited himself inside the tub and settled himself behind me.

"Scoot over," he demanded again. I had no choice but to do just that or suffer the consequence of pressing my back into his body.

The water splashed slightly due to our combined weight.

"...lass?"

I heard the concerned voice of Daniel. "Yes, granddad?"

"Are you okay?" My grandfather inquired on the other line. "Where are you? Is that water I am hearing?"

"Uh...yes."

I turned my head slightly to give this man a deadly warning not to make a sound, but my move proved to be fatally wrong because now our lips were only inches apart. He was grinning at me while running his fingertips on my exposed shoulder.

I put my index finger across his lips. His eyes gleamed as he playfully bit my finger with his teeth. He sensually licked the tip of my finger with his tongue, mimicking the movement of how he teased my bud last night.

My traitorous body reacted. I could feel the heat spread in my body...

"Lass?" The sharp tone in Daniel's voice put me on alert mode. It would not take a genius to know how sharp the mind of Daniel St. Clair is. "Where exactly are you?"

"Uhm..." God, my brain was not functioning at all. I snatched away my finger and focused my attention on Daniel. "...I'm--in the pool right now."

Khalil laughed softly and whispered something in my ear low enough so the person on the other line would not hear. "Well, what a small pool we have."

I completely ignored him and answered Granddad's query, "Yes."

"In this weather?" Daniel asked indecorously.

I bit my bottom lip. "It's an indoor pool."

"Where exactly are you?" Granddad demanded. "Ryker said he dropped you off here at the mansion last night, but you never came inside.

I was kidnapped!

"I am in Aspen, Colorado. Khalil brought me last night here for a weekend trip."

"So, you are with him right now?" My eyes narrowed when I thought I heard Daniel chuckle, but he hid it away with a series of coughs.

"Yes, but not the way you think, gran," I said a little defensively. I tried to ignore the wandering hands of Al-Farsi on my naked body while talking to my grandfather.

"Your granddad is not thinking anything, lass."

"I just--Uhm...ah, I just want to make it clear." I barely managed to formulate a reply when a pair of large hands kneaded my breast. I closed my eyes to fight the effect he was having on my body. I can't let myself make a sound while talking to my grandfather.

"All right," Daniel said after a moment. "Ryker was here moments ago. He wants to see you, but clearly, you are busy with your beau. So, I won't disturb you any longer. See you soon, lass. I hope you can bring souvenirs from your trip to me."

"G-goodbye, granddad." After I disconnected the phone call, I let out a moan. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Helping you relax," he answered while kissing my neck.

"No sex, remember?"

"It doesn't always need to have penetration, love. I will teach you how fun it can be," he said as he continued to massage my breasts. I couldn't help myself but lean on his hard body while I practically sat on his lap, and his erection was poking my bottom.

I closed my eyes and yielded to the temptation he was offering.