He laughed softly down deep in his chest. ‘Feast your eyes,’ he invited.
She would. This was the Emir of Qalala, and the Emir of Qalala had kissed her. She had no idea if he would ever do so again, but she would remember that kiss for the rest of her life. He was one hot guy, so why not enjoy this as Tadj suggested? It wasn’t every day that fantasy turned into the best type of reality. She liked him more and more. He was courteous and fun to be with, and as hot as hell.
‘Drink?’ he suggested.
‘Sparkling water, please.’ Must keep a level head, she warned herself, and something told her that wouldn’t be easy tonight.
‘Sparkling water, mademoiselle?’ a steward invited, handing Lucy a crystal glass.
‘Are you hungry?’ Tadj enquired when the steward had left them.
‘Shouldn’t we go and meet our host?’ she asked, wishing her body wouldn’t respond quite so willingly to the amused heat in Tadj’s eyes.
‘No hurry. The other guests will keep him busy for a while.’
‘I’m okay with water for now, thank you.’ How could she eat while her senses were being subjected to an overload of testosterone? Tadj made her long for all things forbidden, and she had to remind herself that she was nothing more than a dockside novelty for him.
Several wine fountains had been installed on board the Sapphire, and it was here that couples seemed to be congregating. She couldn’t stop staring at them—arms entwined, bodies touching, laughing intimately into each other’s faces.
‘Would you like me to fill your glass?’ Tadj prompted with a curving smile as he glanced at the glittering stream.
For a moment she was lost for words, and then came to with a jolt. ‘No, thank you. I’m steering clear of the hard stuff tonight, and only drinking water.’
He laughed. ‘Sensible.’
‘Always,’ she confirmed.
They stared at each other for a few potent moments, during which time Tadj looked like a mythical hero, while she tried to stop her cheeks flaming red. But if there was a cure for blushing, she hadn’t found it yet, something to do with her pale Celtic skin that showed every emotion whether she wanted it to or not.
‘Why did you invite me tonight?’
‘Fireworks,’ he said.
She blinked and then realised what he meant as plumes of light began to explode all around the ship. ‘I really want to know,’ she pressed.
This was dangerous. She was always so cool where men were concerned, and with good reason, having the experience of her stepfather behind her, but with Tadj cool was becoming increasingly impossible.
‘Look!’
His touch on her arm made her jump, and it took her a moment to follow his stare to the circus performers in glittering green costumes, swinging high over their heads. She gasped, and not just because of the risks the acrobats were taking, but because Tadj had swung an arm possessively around her shoulders, which was a risk right here.
‘And down there,’ he said as she was about to wriggle free.
And breathe, Lucy instructed herself firmly, making herself relax as Tadj turned her to see the fire-eaters and jugglers performing.
‘We’ve got a lot more to see,’ he said as he moved and took her with him across the deck.
He wasn’t joking. The next place they stopped had been transformed into a souk, complete with flower stalls and food outlets, as well as flashy gifts of every type. The attendants behind the stalls were exotically and colourfully robed, and played a good part as they shouted their wares to the passing guests. No money changed hands, and there was quite a crowd competing for the hats, shawls, beads and ornaments, with which to adorn their designer clothes.
‘This isn’t a party, it’s a theatrical production,’ Lucy commented as she glanced up at Tadj.
‘One man’s ludicrous is another man’s normal,’ he remarked. ‘And you look sensational, by the way,’ he added as they walked on. ‘No need for strings of beads, or even a hat to hide your face.’
‘Watch it, mister,’ she said, smiling as she faked a punch, and Tadj ducked. ‘Actually, you don’t look bad yourself, now I take a proper look...’ Massive understatement. Tadj looked sensational in nothing more than a pair of well-cut jeans and an open-neck shirt, with a casual jacket left open to reveal his powerful chest. He could have worn a boiler suit, and still looked fabulous. Better still naked, she thought.
And here she was in borrowed clothes, carrying the flag for her friends. Tipping up her chin, she met his teasing stare head-on, and was rewarded by the warmth in Tadj’s eyes. Make that heat, she thought as her body responded with enthusiasm.
‘Champagne?’ Tadj proposed as he selected two crystal flutes from a tray a passing waiter was carrying.
‘No, thanks. I’m a cheap drunk, so I’ll stick to water, if you don’t mind. And even if you do,’ she added good-humouredly. Tonight was going better than expected—far better than she’d dared to hope.
‘To us,’ he said as they raised their glasses.
‘To a wonderful evening,’ Lucy replied, calling on her natural caution. She might be having the time of her life—might have kissed the hottest man at the party, but she had no intention of completely losing her head.
Tadj achieved the impossible, by finding them a quiet and sheltered spot on the Sapphire’s crowded deck. Taking her glass out of her hand, he put it down next to his. Was he going to kiss her again? Every part of her body tingled at the thought. She could feel him in every fibre of her being, as if he were the virtuoso who had temporarily laid aside his violin. Her strings were certainly twanging at the memory of his touch, Lucy thought, carefully concealing her amusement at a body running riot while the sensible head supposedly guiding it was temporarily unavailable.
‘It’s so beautiful here,’ she said, looking around. The floral decorations were incredible, though the blossom was in a more restrained colour palette than the rest of the Sapphire, as if this area had been designed for lovers. It was like standing in the middle of a fragrant ocean of palest pink and white. Drawing on the heady scent, she closed her eyes, only for the unwelcome thought that she should be leaving soon to pop into her head. ‘Tadj, I...’
‘Tadj what?’ he murmured.
He’d dipped his head to stare into her eyes, and their mouths were almost touching.
‘Don’t,’ she begged.
‘Why not?’ he teased.
Her lips were tingling. His warm, clean, spicy scent was drugging her senses. She wanted another kiss and was in no hurry to move. Sighing raggedly as he began to tease her lips with his, she wondered if anything that felt this good could be bad for her. The touch of Tadj’s hands on her arms was so light and yet so dangerous. She didn’t want to break away. She wanted more of his skilful touches. He was so gentle, and yet so firm in a way she had never experienced before. He promised more pleasure than she could imagine.
‘Something amusing you?’ he asked, frowning as he stared down.
True, her mood had changed and no wonder. ‘This is a film set,’ she said, as a cloud of pink smoke drifted up from a lower deck, threatening to envelop them in its scented embrace.
‘Where you are, anything’s possible,’ Tadj said dryly as he wafted it away. ‘Look down there, and you’ll see an oasis complete with sandy beach and palm trees.’
‘And all for the amusement of the Sheikh’s guests,’ Lucy commented with a wry smile. ‘And what about up here?’ she queried softly, holding Tadj’s burning stare.
He