Chapter 8
Something was wrong with Libby. Amir couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly had changed, but he knew it had to do with what he’d said about them visiting Kadrishan. She’d been upset, clearly, but she’d never said why. She’d simply turned off some part of her emotions. At least when it came to him. She smiled and laughed at the right times, but it never quite reached her eyes. She seemed to enjoy their time together and she was as open and giving in bed as she’d been since their first time together.
Only for the past couple mornings, including this one, he’d woken up alone. Every night she gave herself to him freely, spent hours exploring his body just as thoroughly as he explored hers, pleased hers. But she didn’t stay the night. She crept to the living room, the additional guest room and fell asleep there. And he wanted to know why, dammit.
Amir found her stretched out on a lounge chaise on the beach. A big rainbow umbrella protected her fair skin, which was covered in a soft green romper that hit her mid-thigh and oversized sunglasses covered her eyes when he approached. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” she said, flashing a smile he knew only went half way up her beautiful face.
“Did you sleep well?”
“I did.”
Okay. “What are your plans for the day?”
“Some of the local women I met at the market invited me to attend the kite festival with them and since you don’t need me, I agreed.”
Don’t need her? What a joke. “And what about me? Am I to roam the bungalow alone?”
“Not at all, you’re welcome to join us.”
Amir sighed. “Talk to me Libby.” He planned to get to the bottom of this today so they could move forward without any issues. She had agreed to this arrangement and it was only fair she see it through.
“What would you like to talk about?”
“You. What is the matter with you and don’t say nothing because you’ve been acting weird all week.”
“Have I not performed my duties as your fiancé, include ones not part of our arrangement?”
“No, of course not.” She’d been fantastic, charming and solicitous when it was required and deferential when it was not. “But you have been acting odd.”
“I’m doing the best I can Amir.”
“Why is it so damn hard all of a sudden? We were doing great, having fun and hot times in the bedroom and then suddenly you’re like a pod person.”
She nodded slowly. Carefully. Then she spoke. “In case you’ve forgotten Amir this is all new to me. I’m trying to enjoy my time with you without wanting or needing more and to do that I am protecting myself. Putting myself first. If you don’t like it, then I’ll gladly pack my bags and leave right now. Say the word.”
“Hell, I hadn’t even thought of that Libby. I’m sorry.”
“You had no reason to think of it Amir. It’s not your concern, it’s mine.” She stood and smoothed her romper, grabbing a large brimmed hat that shaded her shoulders. “If you want to join me for the festival I’m leaving in a few hours.”
“Where are you going now?”
He thought she might not answer him, but finally she lifted the glasses from her face, giving him a glimpse of blue eyes that he saw in his dreams. “I’m going on a tour of some of the temples in the area. Would you like to join me?”
Amir flashed a smile and shot out of the seat beside her. “Give me fifteen minutes to shower and dress and we can go.” He ran ahead and stopped, waiting for her at the bungalow entry. “Will you let me take you to lunch later?”
Flashing a smile he would bet money went all the way to her eyes she nodded. “I would like that very much.”
“Good,” he said and grabbed her face, smashing his mouth against hers, kissing her with so much passion he was pretty sure they might implode from the heat emanating off them. “I needed that.”
* * *
“So we’re just supposed to stand around and get a twitch in my neck looking up at gigantic kites?” He sounded so unbelievably grumpy that all Libby could do was laugh.
“These kites are art. People spent a great deal of time constructing them, painting them. It’s more about physics or mechanics to make sure the kite looks like what it's supposed to be. Look,” she pointed to a psychedelic colored octopus with tentacles that somehow looked like they were floating underwater. “Amazing, right?”
“It is but they are still just kites.”
“Oh, I see,” she said, putting as much judgment as she could into those three words.
“See what?”
With a careless shrug, she looked up at him. “I didn’t realize you were one of those guys who can only enjoy very expensive or lavish entertainment. I guess I pegged you wrong.”
“Because I don’t want to watch kites?”
“No, because you’re not even trying to enjoy yourself or the hard work they put into these kites. If you don’t want to be here, don’t.”
He looked at her stunned, but Libby refused to back down. The reason she’d held on to her virginity for as long as she had was because all the men she’d dated wanted to change her. Make her look more sophisticated, more elegant and upscale. They didn’t want to try the things that interested her, instead assuming she’d take up their likes and hobbies. Well, she wouldn’t do it for them and she certainly wouldn’t do it for a fake fiancé. “Why are you upset?”
“I’m not,” she lied. “But I came to do something different and have fun. If you can’t at least try then I’d prefer to be by myself.” That much was true at least.
“I’m sorry. I’ll try harder.”
“Don’t do me any favors Amir. Enjoy yourself or don’t.” She walked away, towards the older man with his salt and pepper hair slicked back, a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth as he prepared his kite for flight. “Very pretty,” she stumbled out in the native language she worried she was butchering.
He looked up and grinned widely. “Thank you pretty lady.”
“Did you make this yourself?”
He nodded. “With my grandson, but he is feeling poorly today.”
It made her think of Grandpa Nate and all the activities he indulged when she was a kid. “I can take his place and help if you’d like?” She accepted the strings he asked her to hold while he explained the process.
“Mind if join you?” Amir strolled up and stopped at her side, looking bewildered and resigned all at once.
“Oh sure,” the older man said. “Impressing a pretty girl requires that you steer this dragon.”
Libby laughed at the worried look that crossed Amir’s face at the old man’s words. “I have never flown a kite before,” he said stiffly.
“It’s easy, like riding a bicycle or driving a car.”
He still looked hesitant, so Libby stepped forward and offered her own steering skills. “I’ll do it, but you’ll tell me what to do right?”
“Of course pretty lady.”
“Call me Libby.”
“I am Doc.”
“Nice to meet you Doc, this grumpy Gus is Amir.”
It didn’t take long for Doc to explain how to get the kite in the air and keep it there. When she finally had the dragon slithering through the sky like a real dragon she squealed with excitement. “Hey Doc, I’m doing it!”
“Very good Libby.”
She was so excited walking carefully through the sand and maneuvering through the other kite fliers while also noticing the starburst kite flying beside her dragon that she didn’t notice the broken kite on the ground before toppling over it. “Oh damn!” She looked around at the dragon and all the kids that had flocked to it. “I didn’t break your kite did I Doc?”
“No Libby.” He gave her an indulgent smile that reminded her so much of Nate her heart squeezed.
“Can I do it one more time if I promise to be extra careful?” He nodded and she went to the kite, walking through his earlier instructions in her head.
“Let me help,” Amir said, standing directly behind her so close he practically cast a shadow.
So he stood behind her, helping her steer the kite this way and that while their audience of children grew, squealing and pointing at the colorful dragon. “You want to take over Amir?” She wondered if he’d done anything that normal little boys did.
“No, I prefer this spot,” he told her, brushing up against her back until she shivered.
“Of course you do,” she laughed, enjoying the movements, though feeling slightly distracted as his heat enveloped her and made her more aware of her arousal than she needed to be at the moment. “Stop, oh no!” Again she toppled over, this time taking Amir with her. “Sorry,” she said, rolling to her side and pushing up before casting another glance at Doc.
“You did well, but maybe you prefer to watch kites instead of fly them?”
She laughed and shook the older man’s hand. “I think you are right Doc. Thanks for the great experience!” Soon they set off again towards the stands and tents filled with things to eat, drink and clutter up one’s apartment.
“This is nice.” Amir’s voice was quiet, subdued and she wondered if he was still upset with how she’d spoken to him earlier.
“It is,” she told him as they took their fruity drinks and grabbed a seat in the sand away from the kites. “I’m glad you decided to tag along today.”
Amir’s deep laugh sounded and she turned to him with a question in her eyes. “Tag along? Don’t you mean intrude?”
“No. I like you Amir, probably more than I should. But that’s my problem, not yours. I’m glad to have someone to experience this with.” She hadn’t done much traveling in her life other than the few times she’d bounced around states before going to live with her grandfather. Living in Paris felt like she could travel somewhere new everyday, but no place she’d ever been was like Bali.
“I am not sure if that was a compliment.”
She laughed and stood, tossing her cup into a nearby bin. “Take it as a compliment then. That’s what I do.” She offered her hands to help him stand, but giving their height and weight difference she nearly fell backwards trying, and she would have if not for Amir’s strong arms banding around her waist and then his large hands splayed over her stomach and back to steady her. They stood so close she thought he might kiss her, and then he did. It was short. Too damn short but from everything she’d read about Bali, public affection was frowned upon.
“I suddenly feel very hungry,” he growled and she knew he didn’t mean hungry for food.
“Let’s go wash this sand away and then I’ll buy you lunch.” She laughed at the dark look on his face.
“I’m buying.”
“We’ll see, won’t we honey?” She blinked at the flash that had clearly come from a camera and looked around for the photographer.
“Don’t worry about it. Come on,” he said gruffly, holding her hand and pulling her through the crowd back towards the bungalow.
“I call shotgun on the shower,” she said and closed the door behind her, body humming with desire for the man she couldn’t seem to get a handle on. As the hot spray hit her body, she knew what she needed to do.
They had just a few weeks left together. Though he hadn’t said as much Libby knew that if she made it to Kadrishan that would be it for them even though she didn’t quite understand his plan. So it was time to enjoy him to the fullest. That kiss on the beach had been short and chaste and it had only made her hungry for more.
And she was determined to have it.
Fully showered and lathered up with enough coconut body oil to tease his nostrils, Libby pulled open the door and stood there naked, eyes fixed on Amir as he sat on the edge of the bed. “I heard you were feeling hungry.”
* * *
Amir would have swallowed his tongue whole if it hadn’t been attached. “Libby,” he groaned at the sight she made standing in the doorway, feminine curves on display. Dusky pink nipples hardened to stiff points, tantalizing freckles dotted her body, drawing his gaze down the curve of her waist to the flare of her hips until his gaze stopped at the small strip of pale red hair between her legs. Her legs moved forward and he let his gaze crawl up her body. “I need to shower first.” He stood but her palm hit him in the chest and pushed him down.
“No you don’t. I have a feeling I’ll like you nice and dirty.” Her words pulled another reaction from him, one that was hotter and darker than before. Something had changed and he had no idea what but with her body climbing up his he couldn’t even bring himself to care. “Your body is so…hot,” she laughed as she finished undressing him. “I wish I could find something more eloquent to say, but the sight of you naked makes it hard to think.”
“Hot will do,” he groaned each time her lush mouth landed on his body, stealing a little of his control with each kiss.
Libby was on a mission, kissing his collarbone as her mouth trailed over his chest and down to his abs. “Yep,” she said, smacking her lips. “I do like the taste of you.” Her kisses went lower, kissing his belly and pelvic bone, licking the vee that lead to his hot hard length.
He groaned when her small hand gripped him and his cock disappeared into her mouth. “Libby,” he growled at the exotic picture she made.
Looking up with guileless blue eyes. “I’ve never done this before so you’ll tell me if I’m doing it wrong?” He nodded because it was all he could do as she opened her mouth and took him in again. It took all the control he could muster while she tested the feel of him in her mouth, on her tongue. Sucking and licking, licking and sucking. And the moans she made not only vibrated his whole body but made him grow harder in her mouth. “You’re so hard but soft,” she said in awe, touching him in long lazy strokes. “I like that I know what you like because you pulse in my mouth.”
“Libby,” he groaned. Her words so innocently spoken yet so erotic affected him.
“And the sounds you make have my own body pulsing. Wet.” She took him in her mouth again, this time in a faster rhythm that took him deeper into her mouth.
“Libby.”
She looked up, lips pink and pouty from his cock. “Did I do it wrong? I should have given these more attention, right?” She rambled and bent lower, swiping her tongue along his sack in a slow lapping motion that broke the last of his control.
“Are you trying to kill me?” He grabbed her by the hair. “If you put those pretty lips on my cock again I’ll lose it. I need to be inside you. Now.”
Blue eyes went wide with shock and then arousal as he quickly switched their positions so his cock was nestled between her thighs. “Sounds good. Really good.”
Amir rubbed the tip of his cock against her moisture, drawing cries of pleasure from her that were music to his ears. She moaned low and deep in her throat, his name on her lips. Slipping one finger inside her heat, he could tell she was close and bent lower to taste her.
“Oh yes, Amir!” She came apart the minute he wrapped his lips around her clit, shaking fiercely as the orgasm shot through her.
As she came down, he lined up their bodies and pushed inside her in one long slow thrust. “Fuck,” he bit out as she pulsed around him, pulled him deeper inside her body.
“You feel so good. So big.”
He grinned. “You’re good for my ego Libby,” he told her and pulled back to thrust in again, picking up speed as her body flooded with moisture and clenched him in a vise. He couldn’t stand it, she felt so good. Too damn good and his hips moved faster and faster, her hips swirled in time so they came together so deep, so intense he felt his orgasm build in his toes.
“Amir, I’m-,”
“I know,” he cut her off and kissed her hard, his tongue mimicking the actions of his cock, filling her fully and deliciously while her orgasm started slow, deep. “Libby, honey.” He pulled back and flung her legs over his arms, palming the back of her thighs for a deeper penetration that shot straight through her making her pulse as her juices coated him, causing the most wicked friction. As she came apart, so wild and free, looking beautiful with flushed skin and hard nipples, he pulled one into his mouth, triggering another orgasm in her that tipped him over the edge.
“My goodness!” He stroked hard and fast as he fell over, finding his own pleasure in her body before collapsing on top of her. “That was mind-blowing. My mind is blown.”
He chuckled at her shocked words, her labored breathing as he pulled their bodies apart and rolled over, bringing her with him. “I think I died for a minute.”
Her husky laugh vibrated his body. “I guess the French had it right all this time. La petite mort. The little death.”
They both lay in stunned silence while their bodies returned to normal working order, though Amir was sure his body would never be the same after this encounter with her. Her innocence combined with her eagerness to explore and experiment, was refreshing. Who was he kidding, it was hotter than the deepest pits of hell and he wanted more.
Forever. Amir froze. Where in the hell had thought come from? He shook off the thought and pulled her close, feeling a rush of affection at the way she snuggled close, throwing an arm and leg over his body.
“I love this,” she whispered moments before she fell into a deep, sated sleep.