Page 72 of Dark Island: Rescue

"I know." She held up the bag. "I thought it would be nice for us to eat dinner together. It's leftovers from the Pearl that I thought would be a shame to throw away."

The lie had been rehearsed, and it had come easily.

She'd asked Parisa to make a few of the dishes that Ruvon loved, mumbling something about it being their five-month anniversary.

"That's a wonderful idea." Ruvon stepped aside, his smile warm, welcoming, and appreciative. "Is that a new dress? You look beautiful."

Heat flooded Arezoo's cheeks. "Thank you, and yes, it is new."

She stepped past him into the house, hyperaware of how close they were in the doorway, how the subtle scent of him filled her senses. Her body responded with a flutter of anticipation.

Ruvon's place was tidy, a bit bare and in need of some feminine touches, but she appreciated that there was no mess. She'd only been here once, when Ruvon introduced her to his roommate, but before tonight, she'd thought it was improper for her to be spending time with him in his place.

"Let me help you with that." Ruvon took the bagfrom her hands, his fingers brushing against hers in a touch that sent electricity up her arm. Did he feel it too? The way her breath caught?

"I brought ghormeh sabzi," Arezoo said, following him to the small kitchen. "And tahdig. Your favorites."

"You're spoiling me." Ruvon set the containers on the counter and turned to face her. "Did I forget an anniversary? What's the occasion?"

She couldn't lie to him about it being their five-month anniversary because he could do the math in his head and realize that today didn't carry any significance. Well, other than her unexpected sexual awakening that had been triggered by a book sent to her by her unlikely Kra-ell best friend.

"Do I need an occasion to bring my fiancé dinner?"

"No, but..." He studied her face with that perceptiveness that both thrilled and unnerved her. "I mean, it's nice. I really like that you want to feed me. I'm just surprised, that's all."

Arezoo's heart rate kicked up a notch. "It makes me happy to treat you to something nice. You do it all the time for me." It was true, but it wasn't the whole truth.

"I'm moved." Ruvon's hand came up to cup her face, his thumb brushing across her cheekbone in a tender gesture.

"I thought we could spend time together. Just the two of us. Without my family around or other people interrupting." Arezoo gathered her courage. "I wanted to be alone with you for a change."

Something heated flickered in Ruvon's eyes—desire quickly banked but unmistakable. "We are alone. Myroommate is not here tonight. Are you okay with being here just with me?"

She stepped closer, eliminating what little space remained between them. "More than okay."

Ruvon's other hand settled on her waist, warm through the thin fabric of her dress. "Arezoo?—"

"Kiss me," she interrupted, the words tumbling out before she could second-guess them. "Now."

He didn't need to be asked twice.

His lips met hers with the gentleness she'd come to expect from him, connecting them in an intimacy that was beyond physical.

When Ruvon's tongue swept across her lower lip, Arezoo melted into him with a soft sound of pleasure. Her hands came up to grip his shoulders, feeling the solid muscle beneath the thin fabric of his shirt.

The kiss deepened, growing more heated. Ruvon's hand slid from her waist to the small of her back, pulling her flush against him. She could feel the hard planes of his body, the way his heart hammered in rhythm with her own.

She'd always loved his kisses, but now that her body had been primed with desire, it felt like fire was coursing through her veins, every nerve ending awakened.

When they finally broke apart, Ruvon's eyes were glowing with that inner light that indicated he was just as aroused as she was.

"Wow," Arezoo whispered, brushing her fingers over her tender lips. "That was, just…wow."

"Yeah." Ruvon's voice was rough. "Wow."

They stood there for a moment, foreheads touching, just breathing together.

"Dinner is getting cold," Ruvon said eventually, though he made no move to step away.