Chapter 1 – Desert Rose

The morning sunlight filters delicately through the silk drapes of my bedchambers. The soft light gently illuminates the handsome features of Hamoodi's face.

As if he could sense me watching him, he awakes. Our eyes meet and his sleepy gaze goes from clouded to intense in a matter of seconds.

He pulls me close and brushes his lips against mine for a searing kiss. The mere touch of his mouth on my skin still give me tingles.

It is a small reminder of the incredible night of passion that we had shared together last night.

Hamoodi: "You look beautiful this morning. It must be our Saudi Arabian atmosphere that really agrees with you."

Tiffany: "There is something in the air here. I don't know what it is, but I can breathe easier..."

Hamoodi tenderly caresses my cheek and I smile up at him. I am so happy that I am here in his powerful arms. I feel like nothing can get to me as long as he's holding me tight.

Also, I finally feel free. All the crazy stress I had been carrying around for the past few days had almost dissipated. And it was Hamoodi brought me that peace of mind.

But that peace of mind did come at a price...

In the few short hours before the FBI were due to make an arrest, I had to make a quick decision. In that short time, out of all the options set before me it was Hamoodi's offer that I kept coming back to.

So, I convinced myself that I was ready for marriage and made my way to the rooftop helipad.

But now that I was a safe distance away from Thelma Ridgemont, I've had some time to quietly reflect upon the choice I made.

I knew that I was falling for Hamoodi. There was something so magnetic about him. I felt like a moth drawn to flame whenever he was in the room.

Also, no one made me feel as loved and cherished as he did. Especially after last night, I had no doubts that I chose correctly.

But that didn't necessarily mean that we were ready to get married, did it?

Before I could ponder on this matter any further, I could hear my stomach rumble loudly.

Hamoodi chuckles softly at the embarrassing sound of my grumbling tummy.

Hamoodi: "What monster are you hiding under there?"

He asks in between laughs and then he starts to tickle my belly, as if tickling will make the rumbling stop.

Yes, of course. I need food, it's impossible to think about such things on an empty stomach.

Tiffany: "Hey! I haven't eaten anything since our plane ride yesterday. Where can we get some breakfast?"

Hamoodi: "Well, I suppose this is a chance for me to give you your first lesson in palace living. Over here, we all must pitch in and use both of our hands."

Tiffany: "That's actually pretty progressive of you-"

Before I can say anything more, he cuts me off.

Hamoodi: "Here, let me demonstrate."

There's a mischievous smile that is twitching at the corners of his lips as he sits up in bed. He holds up his hands and claps loudly twice.

After a few seconds I can hear bustling behind my bedroom door. Then several servants come in and begin setting up breakfast in the sitting area.

I laugh and elbow him in his ribs for teasing me.

Tiffany: "You really had me going there. I really thought I would be making breakfast. But I love this."

Hamoodi: "One of perks of being the Sheikh."

The smile he flashes me is devastating. If I wasn't so hungry, I would have pounced on him.

But I cannot ignore the wonderful smells of fresh baked pita bread and freshly brewed coffee wafting over to our bed space.

After the servants leave, I quickly wrap one the satin bed sheets around my bust and rush to the sitting room.

I tear off a piece of pita bread and dip it into a bubbling pot of shakshouka. The fresh bread and the savory flavours from the tomato mixture taste like a little bit of heaven.

Tiffany: "I could really get used to this. This food is amazing!"

Hamoodi takes the seat next to me after he finds himself a towel to wrap around his waist. He looks at the remnants of my breakfast with mild admiration.

Hamoodi: "I am surprised that there is any food left."

Tiffany: "It's your fault for taking too long. If you leave me in room full of delicious food, I am clearly going to eat it. You should know that by now."

I reply unapologetically as I spoon some more shakshouka into my mouth.

Hamoodi's rich laughter fills the room and I love the sound of it.

Hamoodi: "I love a woman who has big appetite."

Tiffany: "For food? Or for something else?"

I say my last statement a little suggestively as I raise an eyebrow and I can feel the sexual tension in the air crackle as our gazes meet.

Hamoodi clears his throat and leans into me.

Hamoodi: "For food, life, love and for... sex."

His voice is gravelly and causes my breath to catch. His gaze on me is intense.

Hamoodi: "I have had a feeling that ever since I laid my eyes on you, that you are a woman who definitely has hunger for all those things."

Tiffany: "You're certainly more astute than what I gave you credit for..."

I say softly as I can feel myself get pulled into the vortex that is Hamoodi's irresistible lips.

Our lips touch and it sets off a fire inside me.

I hop onto his lap and pull his head back by the ends of his soft hair, which allows me to deepen the kiss.

He grabs a hold of my hips and pulls me closer. I can feel him stiffen underneath me.

Tiffany: "Should we take this back to the bed?"

Hamoodi: "No... I'm so comfortable with you right here, right now, just as you are..."

With that last statement, he yanks off the bed sheet from my body. I gasp when the sudden rush of cool air touches my naked body.

I then hold onto his muscled shoulders as he guides himself inside me. We move together in perfect harmony, fueling the fires that blaze between us.

I close my eyes tight and throw my head back as I rhythmically rock against his hardness. I only focus on our pleasure.

The fullness of Hamoodi inside me is addicting and I can't stop myself from rocking back and forth, quickening the pace. Each movement causes tiny fissures of electricity to tremble down the length of my body as we get closer and closer.

Hamoodi: "Tiffany, please look at me..."

My eyes snap open as I obey and stare down into the deep hazel pools of Hamoodi's eyes. I love it. And Hamoodi is as sexy as hell.

I can see everything in his eyes. Everything I could ever want.

Lust, love, compassion, a bright future. It's connecting with his warm sensual gaze that finally tips me over the edge.

Tiffany: "OH GOD...yesss..."

I hiss as I feel my body buck and shudder violently as I reach my climax.

Hamoodi follows soon after with a loud grunt, spilling his seed inside me as I gasp for air.

I collapse into his strong arms, resting my head into the crook when his neck meets his shoulder. His head tilts towards mine.

We feel comfortable like this for the time being as we definitely need some time to catch our breath.

Hamoodi: "I hope this activity will permanently be part of our morning routine after we get married."

My stomach lurches nervously when I hear the word "married" but the look on his face is so sweet, that I ignore it.

Tiffany: "Always..."

I tell him with an obliging smile and then give him a kiss.

So what if I'm still a bit wary about getting married? That doesn't mean that I don't mind having such an activity added to my morning routine either.