Hearts Afire Read online

  She snapped her fingers. “Oh, well. Can’t blame a girl for trying!”

  Zak hesitated, staring at her.

  She lifted her eyebrows, curiosity painting her expression. “What are you thinking about?” she asked.

  “We will dock in Morocco in the morning. I am going into Meknes to see my family. I want you to go with me. I want to introduce you to my mother.”

  Maitlyn’s expression went blank. Her gaze locked with his. “Your mother?”

  He nodded. “Yes. I think you should meet my family, Maitlyn.”

  Maitlyn pulled a hand to her heart and patted her chest. “I don’t know why that suddenly made me nervous,” she said, fanning her face.

  His eyes narrowed. “I think you do. So, tell me.”

  She leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath before she spoke. “What’s happening between us, Zak?”

  “What do you want to have happen?” He crossed his hands together atop the table.

  They continued to hold the stare they shared. Her voice dropped to a loud whisper.

  “The time we’ve spent together has been magical. It’s like a dream come true. But I haven’t forgotten that this cruise is going to come to an end, and you’re going to go your way and I’m going to go mine.”

  “Is that what you want, to go your own way?”

  “No,” Maitlyn said, conviction ringing in her tone. “I don’t want that. I don’t want that at all.”

  “So why does meeting my mother make you nervous?”

  “Because it’s your mother.”

  “Yes, it is. And I want my mother to know the woman I’m in love with. I want her to meet the woman who will be my wife and bear my children. We can come back to Morocco at any time for that to happen, but we’re here now, so there is no reason for us to put it off.”

  A tear rolled down Maitlyn’s cheek. “Do you really love me?”

  Zak chuckled. “Haven’t I told you?”

  “You were half-asleep, Zak. We’d just made love. I didn’t think—”

  He waved a finger at her. “I never say anything I don’t mean. Ever. You should know that by now, Maitlyn.”

  “I know, but all this is happening so fast, Zak. I know I have feelings for you and I...well...I don’t...” Her eyes flitted back and forth anxiously.

  “So you don’t love me?”

  “No...yes...I mean...I do...I don’t know.... I...” Tears suddenly filled her eyes as she looked at him.

  “It’s fine,” he said softly. “Clearly, you and I need to talk more. But for now—” Zak stood up and cast a quick glance down to his wristwatch “—I’m late. The next round will be starting soon. We can finish this later.” Zak pressed an easy kiss to her cheek, then pulled his suit jacked closed around his torso. He headed for the exit.

  As he reached the door, Maitlyn called after him, a sense of urgency in her tone. She hurried behind him, coming to a halt at his side.

  “Yes?”

  She pressed her palms against his chest, tilting her head to stare at him. “I do love you,” she said emphatically. “I love you, but I’m scared. I’ve never been so scared.”

  Zak nodded as he pressed his hand to the side of her face. “Trust me. Trust this! But more importantly, trust yourself.”

  She nodded her head. “I can’t wait to meet your mother,” she whispered.

  Zak nodded his head and smiled. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on her damp lashes, the tip of her nose and finally her full lips, savoring the sensation as they trembled beneath his own. His eyes were closed, his lips lingering, the kiss long, tender and expressive. When he finally drew back, there was a tear in his eye.

  * * *

  Zak’s game face was fully engaged, not an ounce of emotion emoted from him. Everyone within earshot whispered about him being so calm and collected, almost cold in his demeanor. Only Maitlyn knew otherwise; electricity spun with a vengeance between them. More than once he met her nervous stare, holding the gaze, and when he did, the intensity of his stare made her head spin and her body suddenly break out into a cold sweat from the heat.

  She did love him, Maitlyn realized. It seemed unfathomable to her to care so much about a man she’d known for only a few weeks. But with Zak, everything about the two of them together felt right. There was still so much she needed to discover about him and even more about herself that she wanted to share. Envisioning the sheer magnitude of the relationship that they could have together excited her. She could easily envision spending the rest of her life in Zak Sayed’s arms.

  * * *

  The four winning players moving on to the finals of the poker tournament each stood to thunderous applause. There was Lucille Talley, a professional poker player who hailed from France; Dr. Prentiss Manning, a psychologist from Chicago; Alexander Lloyd; and Zakaria. Zak had won his last hand with two deuces, in a nail-biting turn that had everyone sitting on the edge of their seats until that last card had been turned.

  He had observed a wide grin filling Maitlyn’s face as she clapped proudly. Uncomfortable with the attention, Zak eased himself away from the group, moving to the viewer’s box where she sat. He gestured for Lourdes, who was instantly at his elbow to take his order.

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Sayed?”

  “Lourdes, coffee, please.”

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Sayed. Black, sir?”

  Zak nodded, and Lourdes hurried away. She returned almost immediately with a fresh cup for him and a refill for Maitlyn. “Will that be all, sir?”

  “Yes, thank you,” Zak responded. He tossed Maitlyn a look. “Do you want anything, darling?”

  “I’m good, thank you,” Maitlyn answered.

  Lourdes extended her congratulations, then moved on to fill someone else’s order.

  “You had me scared,” Maitlyn said, the excitement still shimmering in her voice.

  Zak smiled. “Did you doubt me?”

  “You called his bid, raised it and you only had a pair of twos in your hand. I had all the confidence in the world in you,” she said facetiously.

  Zak laughed. “I told you to trust me. Why is that hard for you to do?”

  “It’s not hard. And I do trust you. But you still had me nervous, Zak Sayed!” Maitlyn said with a smile.

  He nodded as he took a sip of his brew, his eyes wandering around the space. The casino was still a wealth of activity, the party just getting into full swing. From the dance floor on the other side of the room, Izabella waved both of her hands in the air. Her smile was wide as she danced against her current suitor; the man appeared completely engaged. Zak pointed her out and him, and Maitlyn laughed.

  * * *

  About an hour later, as they both continued to watch the crowd, enjoying the atmosphere, Maitlyn caught sight of Alexander Lloyd. The man was huddled in a corner with his two sidekicks; the three men were once again in serious conversation. She was just about to point them out to Zak when Lloyd turned and looked directly at her. Their conversation stalled and suddenly all three were staring in her direction. She reached a hand out and touched Zak’s forearm just as Alexander muttered something under his breath and all three turned in opposite directions. Just like that Lloyd was gone. The moment felt a little surreal.

  Zak eyed her curiously. “What is it?” he asked.

  She shook her head as she forced a smile back to her face. “Tell me more about your family,” she said, shifting her focus.

  He smiled.

  “You’ll meet my parents. My mother, Dr. Grace Sayed, was born in south Sudan. She and her family took refuge in Australia to escape the civil wars. Her parents sent her to school in England, where she met my father, Hassan Sayed.”

  “Is your father a doctor, too?”

  Zak shook his head. “No. My father is an attorney and somew
hat of a legal rights activist.”

  “Wow! That’s interesting. I look forward to meeting them.”

  Zak smiled, leaning forward in his seat. “I should forewarn you that I haven’t seen my parents in quite some time.”

  “Oh? What happened?”

  “They didn’t support my relationship with Debra. She was Catholic. They are Muslim. They wanted me to marry a nice Muslim girl.”

  Maitlyn tossed up her hands. “So the first time you’ve seen them in a while, you bring another Catholic girl? You’re a glutton for punishment, aren’t you?”

  “I promise you it won’t be an issue.”

  “Maybe not for you, but your mother might not be so accommodating.”

  “My mother will love you.”

  Maitlyn rolled her eyes.

  Zak smiled. “It’s not as bad as it would be with my sister—trust me on that.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My sister left home after she refused to marry the man my parents had betrothed her to. It was quite a disgrace to the family name.”

  “Her marriage had been arranged?”

  “When she was three. The groom was five. By the time the two hit their teens, she couldn’t stand him.” Zak shrugged. “That was much worse than my non-Muslim fiancée!”

  Maitlyn laughed. “What have I gotten myself into?”

  “I am hoping,” he started as he leaned forward and kissed her lips, “that you are now on the journey of a lifetime.”

  She kissed him again. “I think it’s going to be a wonderful ride,” she said.

  “I have something for you,” Zak said.

  She grinned. “What?”

  He slipped a large hand into the breast pocket of his jacket and pulled out a flat velvet-covered box.

  Her eyes widened as Zak passed the gift to her. “I picked this up for you when we were shopping in Barcelona and thought it would be beautiful on you.”

  Her hand shook as she lifted the lid. Inside rested the most beautiful necklace Maitlyn had ever seen. The jeweled delight shimmered against the satin lining. The circular design was platinum, encrusted with diamond baguettes interspersed with round, brilliant-cut diamonds and ten large emeralds. It was jaw-dropping.

  “Zak, it’s beautiful,” Maitlyn exclaimed.

  He nodded. “It will be beautiful on you.”

  “Thank you! Oh, my God, thank you!” She moved to wrap her arms around his neck, still admiring the piece behind his back. “I don’t know how to thank you!”

  Zak laughed. “Enjoy it. That will be thanks enough,” he said.

  Maitlyn tightened her grip and kissed his cheek. Her lips finally moved to his mouth. “I love you.”

  Zak kissed her back. “I love you, too.”

  Chapter 12

  Zak couldn’t believe how quickly the cruise was flying by. They didn’t have much longer at sea and only a few more ports to visit. He and Maitlyn had been taking full advantage of all the activities offered by the cruise line and were having an incredible time together.

  If Maitlyn hadn’t been traveling with him he probably would not have participated in a third of the things that she had wanted to try. And Maitlyn wanted to try everything. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her boldness excited him. She was also highly competitive, and her zealousness was intriguing. They’d participated in a cooking class, learning the nuances of handmade pasta. Then there had been the rock climbing; Maitlyn had beat him to the top. They’d been challenged in a trivia competition, missing the title by one question, and had ice-skated and also learned to use a trapeze. There’d been line dancing, dancing at nightclubs and simply dancing just because music was playing somewhere close by. Only once had Maitlyn given in and agreed to rest by the pool and do absolutely nothing at all.

  Remembering the last time he’d been so happy gave Zak pause. He had never imagined feeling this good about anything and certainly not about a woman he’d only just come to know. But something about Maitlyn had gripped his heart from the first moment, had wormed its way deep beneath his skin and was refusing to let go. The woman was overwhelmingly intoxicating and had become the sweetest addiction. As he thought about her, he couldn’t help but wonder what might happen when their trip was done and it all came to an end. He knew what he wanted but didn’t know if he could make that happen. As Maitlyn strolled in his direction, he couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking about.

  * * *

  The touching started in the elevator. Zak’s lazy caresses blew like an easy breeze. He looked deep into her eyes but said nothing. If felt like an absolute eternity before either moved; the elevator door opened and closed again and again. He leaned forward and planted a firm kiss on her lips, his hands still teasing her flesh. Maitlyn instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, and, like a chain reaction, their mouths parted slightly and Zak slipped his tongue past her lips. At the same time his hands snaked beneath her blouse and his fingers caressed her belly. She moaned at his touch.

  Maitlyn pulled away from him, slipping out of the elevator into the corridor. She dragged him along behind her, and they giggled as they made their way back to Zak’s cabin. Behind the closed door, Zak reclaimed her mouth as he ripped her blouse from her body. Maitlyn gasped as the silk fabric fell to the floor. He cupped both of her breasts in the palms of his hands, kneading the full tissue as his fingertips teased one nipple and then the other, pinching the firm nubs until she was withered from the sensations.

  There was no making it to the bedroom. Zak grabbed her hand as they sunk down against the living room floor. He then bowed his head and took the nub of rock candy between his lips. Maitlyn felt her body convulse at his expert sucking and nibbling and barely noticed his hand stroking her legs beneath her skirt as he suckled her like a baby. But she did notice when his fingers pushed past her lace thong and the tips teased her center.

  Zak was on a path of exploration as his fingers teased her folds. She felt a finger slide slowly inside her and his thumb circling her clit. She felt him push her legs apart just seconds before he plunged his tongue against her.

  Nothing prepared her for the sensory overload; every single nerve in her body shuddered with joy. Her head was light, heat flooding every square inch of her skin. Her entire body felt like it was going to explode as she quivered beneath him. She gasped, moaning his name over and over again as she shook.

  Zak moved up against her body as he took her into his arms and rolled her half-naked to a rest against his chest. His extended length pressed against her opening; his pants opened wide beneath her. Sliding her body down, Maitlyn pulled at his pants and he lifted his hips as she rolled them off his body. They tangled at his feet and he kicked them off and spread his legs beneath her.

  She focused her attention on his hardness. He was thick and smooth and his length pulsed in her hand. Maitlyn leaned forward, and her tongue slowly circled its head. Zak gasped loudly, sucking oxygen in hard. She lifted her gaze to see his face, and his eyes were closed, joy and bliss painting his expression. Taking more of him into her mouth, her tongue swirled around as she stroked him slowly up and down. She sucked him hard and fast and when she felt him tighten, ready to explode, she stalled her ministrations. Zak sucked in air again, and his body shivered from the loss of her touch.

  Maitlyn reached back into the pocket of his slacks and pulled his wallet from inside, then grabbed a condom from the pocket where he kept them hidden. Tearing at the wrapper with her teeth, she pulled the prophylactic out and pulled it around his member. When he was completely sheathed, Zak held her by the waist and slowly rolled his hips up. Maitlyn felt his width begin to stretch her open. She stared into his eyes, her mouth parted, as he entered her opening, sliding himself easily into her.

  His strokes were short and slow at first, then longer and harder as she rode him more v
igorously. His hands alternated between her breasts and her ass, his fingers kneading and squeezing. Up and down, over and over again she slammed her body against his, their pelvic bones tight, one against the other. She felt her orgasm rising and she bit her lip as the rush of emotion swept over her again and again. Zak’s face was twisted, hinting at his own impending climax, and both screamed the other’s name at the same time.

  * * *

  Hours later Zak turned on the shower and waited for the water to warm. By the time it was heated, Maitlyn had made her way into the room and steam had begun to paint the tiled walls. She stepped into the hot spray, and Zak followed. He reached for the bottle of liquid soap and filled his palm, drawing his hands across her body until her skin was coated with lather. She returned the favor, and they stood caressing each other sensually.

  Standing behind her, Zak pressed himself against her buttocks as his hands danced across her breasts, her belly, roaming teasingly over her body. He kissed her shoulder, and then went lower, kissing down the length of her spine. When he reached her buttocks he planted sweet little kisses over each cheek.

  Maitlyn’s head waved from side to side, her breathing becoming heavier. Zak then gripped her hips and pulled her to him, dropping his face into her hair. She felt good in his arms, her curves against him like the missing piece to a puzzle that was his life. He gripped her tighter and moaned her name against the back of her neck. He pushed her forward, and she braced her arms against the wall as he entered her from behind. His loving was intense and urgent, the connection sweeter than anything he’d ever known. The crescendo was magnanimous and both of their orgasms erupted like a perfectly timed orchestra.

  * * *

  Maitlyn rolled against the mattress. As her eyes fluttered open and then closed, she thought about what might be ahead once the cruise ship ported. Zakaria had been confident about his family liking her, and his assurances eased the tension that curdled her stomach. She prayed that he was right. Her eyes were still closed as her hands reached out for Zak. She wasn’t surprised to find the bed beside her empty. Zak was like a magician the way he seemed to disappear in the early morning hours. She couldn’t help but wonder what was so important to him. She was discovering that Zak kept much of his business close to the vest; secrecy seemed to be a necessary evil for him to accomplish all he needed to do. But he’d promised her complete honesty, and she knew if she asked he would be straight with her. He had already forewarned her that she might not always like his answers, so Maitlyn had pretty much decided that she didn’t always need to know everything.