Chapter 15

Jasim

What’s stopping me, she’s asked? At this moment very little, I’m holding onto my control by a thread. One more push and she’ll have me over the edge. My cock’s pulsating, my balls throbbing with need. The woman I want is right here in front of me, begging me for what I’d give anything to be able to grant her. I can’t even look at her now, my limit has been reached.

“You’re eleven years younger than me.”

“Age doesn’t matter.”

I swear under my breath. Is she going to come back with an answer for everything? “You’re a virgin.”

“What’s that got to do with it? There’s got to be a first time…”

“And your first time should mean something.”

“Who says it won’t?”

Now I swing back around, my hands fluttering to emphasise my point, “I’m not the man for a happily ever after. I don’t even do relationships, Janna. If I took you it might just be the once.”

She shrugs, “So?”

“So?” My hands rip of my headdress, my robes, worn as a mark of respect to the people of the desert, are annoying me now. Putting them on today seemed to heat the blood in my veins, to remind me of my history and my heritage. And the centuries in which men of my kind stole women to rape and pillage, to keep as our own. Right now, I’m feeling less like a civilised ambassador for my country, and more akin to an untamed warrior of the east. “So,” I force myself back to the present, “You should save yourself for someone who wants to give you the world. Who’ll worship at your feet.”

“I never took you for a romantic.”

She’s not listening. I need to make it plain. “You know fuck all about me.” Once again, I advance on her, my hands taking hers and holding them over her head. My body presses up close against her, at this moment I don’t care that the evidence of my attraction is pushing against her stomach, leaving her in no doubt the spark she feels is mutual.

“I’ve a sister your age,” I start, but then, remembering Nijad’s revelations, conclude perhaps defending her innocence on that comparison no longer holds merit. “You’re too young for me, Janna. And your innocence chills me.” There, I’ve admitted it.

She shrugs, “I’ll go find someone to fuck, and then after I’ve got that out of the way, and I’m no longer a virgin, then you’ll want me?” There’s a sneer on her face, so I know she’s just thrown that out there to wind me up.

But it hits the mark, a primitive rage makes me growl, “You won’t be doing that.”

“You’re saying I can’t have sex with you, but neither can I have it with anyone else? That doesn’t seem fair.” She pouts, and sucks her bottom lip into her mouth, biting down on it.

Allah give me strength. Just that sight makes me grind my hard cock against her. “I’m an owner of a BDSM club, sweetheart. Do you even know what that is?”

She tests the strength of the hold I have on her, but can’t pull away from my grip, “Of course I bloody know.”

“You’ve watched that film, or read that book.” Everyone has, and a fuck lot of good that did for my lifestyle. Equating play with abuse.

“And others. It intrigued me, I read more.”

And just what did she think?

I press harder against her, “It’s not a pastime for me, sweetheart, it’s the way I live my life. I’m a Dom.”

“And I’m submissive.”

She knows? Oh, fuck me. She’s handing herself to me on a plate.

It’s getting harder and harder to refuse. How the fuck do I make her understand? “If I’m the one to take your virginity, I’m going to hurt you.”

As much as she can when I’ve got her so trapped, she gives another shrug, “It might not. Sometimes it’s painful, I know, but…”

“Oh, I can make it hurt.” It’s my turn to sneer.

Her gaze falters, and she looks away before looking back, “I don’t think you’d hurt me.”

“You don’t know who or what I am. You can’t even imagine in your wildest dreams.” I tell her exactly what I am. “I’m a sexual sadist.” I pause to let that sink in before adding, “Nijad’s got a dungeon here, I installed it for him myself. I could take you there now, have you under my whip, do all manner of things to you that I would enjoy.” The tone of my voice suggests she probably wouldn’t. Though, it’s highly unlikely I’d be able to carry out my threat, it would break the Dom inside me. I only play with those who like the bite of pain, not those who are innocent and have no idea what they’re letting themselves in for. Abruptly releasing her hands, I step away, moving across to the windows and looking out. After giving her a moment to let my words sink in, and the necessary time to compose herself after my revelation, I speak again. “I’ll get someone to show you to your room.”

But she’s full of surprises, “How do you know I wouldn’t like those things you want to do to me?”

“Believe me, I know.”

“You have no idea.” I hear her footsteps on the tiled floor, “If you showed me, I might enjoy it.”

“And if I want to spank you? To clamp your nipples? To take you in the arse?” I’m being crude on purpose, she’s got to know what she’s asking for. “To have you under my whip? To put my mark on you?”

She’s so close now, I can feel her breath on my neck, “Your words are turning me on, Jasim. I want to try all of that.”

By Allah! This can’t be happening. How much can a man take? It would be out of the realm of all possibility to hope she’d enjoy the same proclivities as me. She doesn’t know what she’s speaking of, what she’s suggesting she’d let me do. I didn’t think my cock could get any harder, but it grows engorged with more blood at the thought of her fair skin being marked by my hand. Could it be possible? Or is she just intrigued by a sheikh, seduced by my robes, agreeing to anything just to get into my bed?

“I’m not for the likes of you, Janna.” If she only knew how difficult she is making it for me to turn her away. “Leave, now. Please.” Leave before I lose what little sanity I’m hanging onto.

I hear a rustling sound behind me, and hope it’s her walking to the door. Carefully schooling my features so I don’t betray how much the thought of taking her the way I want to take her excites me, I turn back around.

Oh fuck. She’s taken off her tunic and trousers, and is standing in her underwear, her arms held out to her sides. Once she sees me looking, she tilts her head to one side, a small seductive smile on her lips, “Take me, Jasim.”

“Get dressed,” I growl.

Her mouth drops open, a red flush spreads from her face down her body.

“Clothes on, now.” I can’t form proper sentences, the sight of her, open and vulnerable has demolished all my restraint. I’m lost.

She waits for a few seconds, but I don’t speak again. Awkwardly, she reaches down and collects her clothes, modestly turning her back to me while she puts them on. Once she’s covered her nakedness, I let out a sigh of relief.

Her hands flutter when she once again faces me, and her voice sounds so small it cuts me to the quick, “If you can get someone…” she angrily swipes at a tear that’s fallen down her cheek.

“Come here.”

“What?”

“Come. Here.” She takes a step toward me. And then another. Once she’s within reach I thrust my hand into her luscious hair, today left loose and hanging down her back, tangling it around my fingers, using it to tug her into me. With my other hand I grasp her waist, pulling her tight into my body. And then I let myself go.

My mouth crashes down on hers, weeks of pent up frustration making it impossible for me to be gentle. When she doesn’t let me in immediately, I bite down on her lip, taking advantage when she gasps and opens, allowing me entry. My tongue invades her, making my cock jerk in envy, and as I get my first taste, I need to make a determined effort not to thrust my hips against her, else I’ll come in my pants like a teenager. She lets me lead, following where I take her, our teeth gnashing together and I just can’t get enough. We might only be touching with our mouths, but this is some of the most erotic foreplay that I’ve ever experienced. Her unique taste enthrals me.

I control her completely, and she allows me to take charge, instinctively giving me what I need. My nostrils flare as I inhale her scent, her little sighs are the most arousing sounds I’ve ever heard.

Desperate to touch her, my fingers bunch the material at her waist, moving it up and out of the way until I’m touching the bare skin of her back. I can’t resist sliding my hand downwards, into her underwear, feeling the smooth surface of the orbs of her arse. Fuck, she’s absolutely perfect.

She moans, and I need to pull away and take a breath, the sound vibrates through me and will trigger a release if I don’t get put some space between us. Reluctantly, I let go of her hair, remove my hand from her pants, and then smooth both my palms down the side of her face.

Her eyes are closed, her face is flushed, her breathing, like mine, coming in pants. Her mouth is still open, lips reddened from my abuse. And it’s then, I know, I haven’t the strength to run anymore.

“One last chance, Janna. I don’t do relationships. I play, I fuck. I leave. I can offer you one night. And that’s all.”

“I’m not looking for a happily ever after. I just want you. To know what it’s like.” She’s got an answer for everything. And she’s saying the words I want to hear.

I’ve told her. I’ve warned her. “Then you’re going to get what you’re after. There’ll be no going back.”

Her eyes open, and there’s a catch in her voice. “Are you going to get it out of the way, now?”

“It?” My brow creases.

“My virginity,” she puffs out her breathless explanation.

“Fuck no, I’m not Christian Grey.” And it’s her turn to look puzzled, so I expand, “The gift of your virginity is the greatest you can bestow on a man, and I’m not going to take it lightly. The time is not now, and the place is not here. No, I’m not going to get it out of the way.”

“Are you turning me down?” Now she sounds younger, the confident woman being replaced by the girl.

I brush back some hair which has fallen over her face, smoothing it behind her ear. “No. I’m done turning you down. For better or worse, and whatever regrets might come later, you’ve caught me.” I force myself to think with the right head. “Janna, I’m going to give you some space. Time we both need. An opportunity for you to really consider what you’re agreeing to here.” I take a deep breath, “I’m a sexual sadist, Janna. That’s who I am. Underneath the trappings of civility, I’m a monster.” My hand reaches out and touches the soft skin around her eyes, “I’ll want your tears, and your fears. I’ll push you to your limits and then beyond.”

Instead of disgust, trust is beaming out at me.

“Go Janna, think on it. And we’ll take it from there. Come back with any questions you might have.” It’s killing me to turn her away, but I’d be wrong to push her now. My dick is not in agreement, wanting just to sink into her soft depths. I might be cockblocking him, but I’ll take what I can. Leaning forward, I brush my mouth against her soft lips, a gentle caress.

Now her eyes narrow. “Isn’t this just you pushing me away again?”

I shake my head. “No pushing, no more running. I’ll be here,” I promise her. “But this is a grown-up thing your stepping into, Janna. I want you to go into it with your eyes open. Once you give your body to me, there’ll be no turning back.”

“Will I have a safeword?”

So at least she knows as much as that. Again, I smooth my hands down her face, “As your Dom I’ll push your limits, I’ll read your body’s reactions. But Janna,” I pause, not knowing if she’ll understand, “if you can’t take what I want to give you, we’ll both be disappointed. I’m not saying you should never safeword out, it would be wrong to do that…”

“But I shouldn’t do it too early.” She does understand. At least on some level. “But I won’t know unless I try.”

And there’s much truth in that.

I put my hand on the small of her back, and electricity snaps through me, going straight to my dick. If I don’t get her out of here soon, I’ll be ravishing her on the nearest flat surface, despite my best intentions.

“Sweetheart. You need to leave, now. I’m not trying to get rid of you, I truly have another meeting.” Ryan will be waiting for me in Nijad’s office, which he’s kindly letting me use.

“But we are going to finish this?”

“Finish?” I raise my eyebrows, “Sweetheart, I’m intent on planning where to start.” I give her a little push toward the door. “Trust me.”

Her eyes gaze up into mine, and must see the sincerity there. She’s won. I’m going nowhere now I’ve admitted defeat. After a moment, she gives a little nod, and then walks, albeit reluctantly, to the door.

The air is tinged with her arousal, and the faltering of her steps shows it’s every bit as hard for her to leave, as it is for me to see her walk away.

The moment she’s gone, I adjust myself in my robes, grateful that the traditional clothing hides a multitude of sins. And, in this case, my extremely sinful thoughts. A niggling doubt at the back of my mind reminds me I intend to corrupt her, this innocent woman who’s never even known a man’s touch before. And soon my desire to get down and very dirty with her is going to be fulfilled. I’ve lost all compulsion to push her away. A better man might do so, but I’ve never pretended to be one.

Having brought myself under control, well, as far as a sheikh with thoughts of defiling an innocent can, I proceed to the office allocated to me.

The Desert Palace has a different feel to the Palace of Amahad, Nijad’s modernisations mean staff who meet me along the way greet me with a simple ‘Yawm jayid’, wishing me a good day, instead of bowing themselves almost in half as I approach. The atmosphere is light, helped by the brightness within the palace, sunlight streaming in through the windows. While I find the atmosphere in the palace in Al Qur’ah oppressive, here it feels like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

Or is it an easing of mind that I, at last, have decided no longer to fight with myself. To give into temptation.

Trying to put Janna and my developing plans for her out of my mind, on reaching the office I open the door and step inside, not surprised to see my allocated close protection officer already waiting for me.

“Ryan,” stepping forward I shake his hand, and pull him in for a brief hug. “It’s good to see you.”

“And you, Jasim.”

I indicate a seat to him by the table where refreshment has already been set up, and then sit myself opposite, taking a second to admire the colourful gardens outside the window. Getting flowers to bloom in the desert is a major endeavour, and even now I see gardeners constantly working. But here the gardens are treasured by the residents of Z̧almā, and are open to all, and not just restricted for the pleasure of the Sheikh of the Southern Desert, that position currently held by my brother, Nijad.

I fill my cup with thick and sweet coffee, and offer the pot to Ryan who shakes his head.

“Sorry, Jasim, I’ve never developed a taste for it.”

“I know what you mean, I’ve been living in the West for too long. I do enjoy it, but the longer I’m here, I remember my fondness for latte.” I pick up the cup, take a sip, grimace, then get down to business. “So, what’s your opinion? You’ve been to the oil field?”

Ryan nods and sits forward, his hands clasped between his knees, “There have been no terrorist attacks since Amir al-Fahri’s last attempt, and security has been stepped up. The tribes are eager to protect their investment, so there are warriors from the tribes bolstering military presence.”

“And the pipeline?” Ryan’s initially spoken about the operation to drill for oil in the desert, but that’s only the start of it. Once we extract the liquid gold, we’ve got to transport it to the coast. And that means several hundred miles of pipe to be laid under the sands.

“That’s more difficult. As each section is finished, it needs to be maintained and protected. They’re doing what they can with men patrolling the length, and remote monitoring of course, but of course, it will always be a weakness.”

“What’s your proposal?” I take another sip, it doesn’t taste much better than the first.

His hands loosen, and he sits back, “You’ve worked remotely, haven’t you, Jasim? Have you an interest in seeing the operation on the ground?”

Kadar had called me back so I could make myself visible, show the tribespeople while I might live in London, I’ve got their best interests at heart. And to convince our investors of the considerable amount of oil we’ll be able to extract from below the sand. Now I’m here, I discover I’m eager to see what I’ve only read about from afar. I’ve no hesitation in answering him, “Yes, I want to see the oilfield, and perhaps visit the latest section of the pipeline.”

As my bodyguard, Ryan’s one aim is keeping me safe. He nods slowly, “From what I’ve seen while I’ve been here, I don’t think there’s any risk in you letting yourself be seen. But I’ll take every precaution, of course. I’m working with Nijad’s security, and with Hunter. The team from Grade A are thick on the ground.” Grade A have provided specialists to help protect the oil fields, monitoring possible threats and liaising with the locals.

“I want to get up close and talk to the workers.” I fix my eyes on him.

He shrugs, “Of course. I’ll work out a schedule for you.”

I can leave that to him. “And, the other matter?” The thing I’ve been thinking about since my meeting with Janna.

He cracks a rare smile, “Yeah, since your phone call last night, I’ve managed to put something together. You still want it done fast?”

I’d wanted it completed quickly to get Janna out of my hair. Now, my reasons might have changed, but it’s even more imperative there’s no delay. “Yes, as soon as possible.”

“I’ve spoken to Rais, he’s up for it. His tribe are intrigued, and ready to play their part. Sheikh Fadi’s based close to the palace and wants in as well.”

“Can they do it?”

Another shrug, “Child’s play, apparently. A few of them are up to take lead, but I think Rais might want to play that part himself. He sees himself in the starring role.”

I suppress a growl; no fucking way is Rais getting near my woman.

When Ryan leaves me alone, my eyes alight on something. The package Nijad had strangely thrown into the helicopter had been brought in and placed on my desk. Curious as to what he’d sent with me, I tear it open.

Had I opened it earlier I would have been furious. Now though I throw back my head and laugh.