Page 75 of Dark Island: Rescue

But this wasn't about his needs. This was about Arezoo and what she needed.

He walked her backward slowly until her legs hit the edge of the couch. When she sat down, looking up at him with those big chocolate-colored eyes, Ruvon had to close his own for a moment and fight for control.

"You're so beautiful," he said, his voice rougher than he intended. "So perfect."

Arezoo's cheeks flushed pink. "I'm nervous."

Ruvon knelt in front of her, bringing them to eye level. "I'm nervous too."

"You hide it well." Her hands came up to cup his face, and he leaned into her touch like a cat seeking affection. "You always seem so in control."

If only she knew how tenuous that control was. How every cell in his body was screaming at him to take what shewas offering.

"I'm in control because I must be," he admitted. "You deserve someone who can be gentle with you. Patient."

"What if I don't want you to be so very patient?" There was a challenge in her voice, a boldness that she only occasionally displayed.

Ruvon smiled despite the throbbing need that had taken up residence in his body. "Too bad. You're getting me patient whether you want me that way or not."

He kissed her again, slower this time, savoring the taste of her. His hands remained on her waist, keeping them anchored there even though they itched to roam, to explore, to map every curve and hollow of her body.

When Arezoo started working on the buttons of his shirt, he stopped her, earning himself a glare.

"Not here," he said. "My roommate is not home, but he might get back anytime now, and I don't want him to catch us.

She laughed nervously. "You're saying that as if we are a couple of thieves, stealing something forbidden. We are both adults, Ruvon. We are not doing anything wrong." She shook her head. "Not here, anyway. Back home, that's a different story. My father would have killed me for this, and I don't mean figuratively."

Ruvon shivered. He knew that was the reality for women in some parts of the world, but he'd left all that barbarism and cruelty behind when he'd fled with Kalugal.

He didn't want reminders of his former life, but this was Arezoo, so he would listen.

"You are safe here, and no one is going to judge you,but I still want privacy for us. Would you be comfortable in my bedroom?"

Her eyes widened, and there was fear in them that could slay him, but it lasted only for a split second before it was replaced by determination. "I'm comfortable anywhere with you."

She stood up, and when he also pushed to his feet, she took his hand. "Lead the way." When he hesitated, she smiled. "Is your room messy?"

He shook his head. "I was a soldier for so long that I'm physically incapable of leaving my bed unmade."

Arezoo laughed. "And you said that the Brotherhood was all bad."

He flinched. "It was, and I'd rather not talk about it while I'm taking you to my bedroom."

Some topics were too painful to revisit, especially at times like this.

She smiled apologetically. “Okay."

When they walked into his bedroom and he closed the door behind them, Arezoo immediately went back to unbuttoning his shirt. He helped her, shrugging out of the garment and tossing it aside.

There was heat in her eyes when she looked at his bare chest. Then her hands were on his skin, and he couldn't suppress the groan that escaped him.

"Is this okay?" she asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

"It's perfect." He caught her hands, bringing them to his lips to kiss her fingertips.

It would be so hard to resist her innocent advances, but he knew the difference between whatshe thought she should want and what she actually wanted. He didn't want her to regret anything later.

She cast a glance at the bed, and he saw the trepidation in her eyes. "Let's sit on the couch." He led her to the seating area of his bedroom. "The bed is for after we are married, and it should be a brand new one. I want our first time to be on a virgin mattress."