Yasin glanced at the alcove, but Lily was not there. He turned to see Omar staring at the large bed. Yasin’s gaze darted there, too.

There was Lily, her body casually sprawled across the bed, her auburn hair cascading across the emerald satin pillowcase. Her eyes were closed and the satin sheet was carelessly draped over her, leaving one shapely leg exposed. She looked every bit like a woman who’d just been made love to.

Omar turned to Yasin. “You seem to have tired her out.”

“That’s why I ordered the food. To revive her strength.”

Omar laughed. “Very good.” He walked out the bedroom door again. “Enjoy your gift. Then, when you’re done with her—be it tonight or another day soon—let me know. I would like to sample her delights, too.”

Yasin frowned as he followed his brother to the entrance.

“Why do you think I will want to part with my gift?”

Omar laughed deep from his belly.

“Does one keep the empty bottle once the wine is consumed?” Omar slapped Yasin on the back. “Believe me, brother, you will tire of her. Then I will have my enjoyment, too. As will the others. Surely you would not deny me that.”

Yasin frowned. “I will not tire of her.”

Omar’s eyes glinted like granite. “We shall see.” Then he swept out the door.

Yasin walked back to the bedroom. He stared at her still form, his heart pounding at the possibilities.

Her eyelids fluttered open and she glanced around.

“Is he gone?” she whispered.

“Yes.” He smiled. “That was wise. Draping yourself in my bed to fool my brother.”

“You told him we’d... been together... so it’s what he would expect.”

He leaned against the doorjamb and crossed his arms, his smile broadening. “You look good in my bed.”

If only he could convince her to stay there.

At his words, panic flashed across her eyes and she jerked to a sitting position. His breath locked in his lungs as the green satin fell to her waist. Then he saw that she had the coverlet wrapped around her body.

He released his breath.

She glanced down at herself, realizing what he’d expected. Her cheeks turned a rosy red.

“Hafsa brought you food. You should eat it before it gets cold.”

“Of course. Thank you.” She tried to push her feet off the bed, but he could see she was getting tangled in the layers of cloth.

He smiled more broadly. “I could bring it to you. Then you could stay right there.”

“No, thank you.”

She tugged at the sheets until she freed her legs, then carefully hung onto the coverlet, but as she stood, he caught a glimpse of her long, creamy thighs before she could get to her feet and smooth the fabric into place.

“Do you have some clothing I could put on?” she asked as she walked toward the door.

“I’m afraid not. And I certainly won’t request that the servants bring something for you to wear. That will convince my brother that I’m tired of you.”

* * *

As Lily sat down at the table, she cringed inside. Terror had jolted through her when the brother had talked about her so casually, as if she were an object. And his insinuations...

Her stomach tightened.

“Would he really do those things he said?” she asked, staring at the covered plate in front of her. She was hungry, but with her stomach roiling the way it was, she was no longer sure she’d be able to eat.

“If you mean fucking you, then passing you around to the others to do the same, then yes. He would.”

She trembled and pursed her lips, wanting to crawl back into the bed in the alcove and curl into a ball.

Yasin, who had sat down beside her at the round table, rested his hand on hers. She wanted to pull it away, afraid of any man touching her right this second. But she didn’t. He was her only ally here and, although she didn’t know if she could trust him, she wasn’t about to alienate him.

“I don’t want to frighten you, Lily. I just want you to fully comprehend your situation.”

“Which is being totally under your control?”

“Which is both of us being aware of my brother’s way of doing things,” he corrected, “and working together to keep you safe.”

She glanced up and the somberness in his eyes unsettled her.

“What you just did—draping yourself in my bed to fool him—was a smart move. I want you to continue to keep your wits about you. And it is of utmost importance that you do exactly as I say, especially in front of others.”

“You’ve already told me that.”

He nodded. “I want to make sure it sinks in. Now eat.” He pulled the cover from her plate.

“I don’t know if I can.”

“Eat!”

Shocked by his commanding tone, her gaze flashed to his. His eyes glinted with an authority that chilled her.

She picked up the wrap and took a bite.

“Good.” He sat back in his chair with a smile and poured some wine into a glass. “Drink the wine, too.”

After she finished the food and two full glasses of wine, he rose.

“Come.”

She followed him to the bedroom, her stomach fluttering. Would he command her into his bed? Then simply order her to have sex with him?

But he said nothing as she walked to the smaller bed and lay down on it. He pulled off his linen jacket and laid it over the back of a chair, then his tie. When he began releasing the buttons of his shirt, she tried to turn her gaze away, but the sight of his muscular chest being revealed bit by bit was too much for her.

She had been so attracted to him in college. Smitten actually. He’d been charming and funny. He’d gotten to know her before he asked her out on their first date. Then he hadn’t tried to rush her into bed, settling for soft touches of his lips on her hand... his fingers entwined with hers... and delicate kisses that had built to more passionate embraces.

He slipped his shirt from his shoulders and she couldn’t help staring at his sculpted chest and taut abs.

But he’d always stopped himself, even when she’d been able to feel his arousal pressed tight against her belly. And she’d always been curious just how big he was because, from what she’d felt...

Her heart pounded as he unfastened his pants. Would she find out now?

The thought caused her chest to constrict... and heat to flood through her veins.

He dropped his pants and stepped out of them, standing now in only his boxers, which hugged a thick, rigid bulge. Every bit as big as she’d imagined.

His gaze locked on her and...

Oh, God, it grew bigger still.

Would he come over here and—

He turned and climbed into the big bed.

“Good night,” he said, then turned out the lights.

* * *

Fuck, his cock was so hard he’d never get to sleep now. Yasin stared into the darkness, all too aware of Lily naked only yards from him.

And in no position to turn down his advances if he chose to take her. The temptation was great... fuck his family genes... but he would not succumb.

He rolled onto his side. Why did these urges plague him? Thoughts of dragging her into his bed... of pushing her arms over her head and pinning her beneath him... then driving into her softness.

As much as he’d always tried to convince himself he would never take a woman against her will, the thought of her struggling beneath him turned him on so much, he was sure one stroke of his cock right now would plummet him over the edge.

Finally, he fell into a light, restless sleep. Until something calmed him. A dream of a soft, warm body snuggling close.

He faded into a deep slumber.

* * *

Sunlight caressed his eyelids and Yasin slowly became aware of his surroundings. Or more precisely, of the soft, female body ensconced in his arms. Her round ass was pressed tight against his groin and his cock responded in the most natural way.

He heard her small gasp and realized she was awake. He lay perfectly still as she wiggled a little, clearly trying to slip from his arms without waking him.

He couldn’t help himself. He pressed his lips to the back of her neck and nuzzled.

“Good morning,” he said, his voice deep and raspy from sleep.

She seemed to panic and tried to lurch from his arms, but he tightened his embrace. She squirmed against him, making his cock swell even more.