The Sheikh Bear by Ashley Hunter

almost asked what was wrong until she felt something hot slap and spread over her belly and chest.
    Elle lay there gasping, fighting to catch her breath even as she tried to glance down and find out what had happened.
    Eventually, she straightened up against him, felt Malik droop his forehead against her shoulder and his sweat soaked hair clung to her skin.
    When she glanced down, she saw long lines of white come over her belly.
    “You…pulled it out?” She asked.
    “Didn’t… bring a condom.” He replied, just as out of breath as she was.
    “Idiot,” she scolded, but was smiling when he glanced at her.
    “I’m on the pill.”
    Malik returned her smile with one of his own, “One can never be too careful.”
    “Well, now,” she paused to swallow back some air. “I’m all sticky.”
    “Don’t complain,” Malik retorted.
    Elle rolled her eyes before lifting her hands up toward his face. He met her kiss half-way, their lips making echoes of the slaps that had occurred between their bodies just moments prior.
    “That was… amazing.” He muttered against her lips.
    “Hmm…” Elle hummed, relishing the warmth between them despite the slight discomfort of the lack of air.
    It was almost stifling, but she was pulsing and throbbing with so much ecstasy, it was hard to care. Eventually, caring had to come after their bodies recovered.
    When Malik pulled away, Elle was forced to think of what they had just done, and what it meant for them in the future.
    “Malik…” She spoke and she was pushing herself up to sit against the seat. She winced when she felt the damp between her legs shift weirdly as she moved.
    Malik was already pulling out a packet of towlettes from the passenger door, offering it to her without a word. He seemed to be realizing what they had done as well.
    Elle kept silent until she had cleaned herself up from the remains of Malik’s come, tossing the soiled tissues into a compartment he had pointed out to her quietly.
    It was getting dark and the wind continued to thrash hard against the car. She wasn’t worried though, this was the sort of vehicle that could handle a little storm. What did worry her was Malik’s abrupt silence.
    “Can we talk for a second?” She asked after a moment.
    “Depends on what you want to say,” he replied.
    Elle frowned, the endorphins rushing through her system made her feel light and flighty, but she knew that if they didn’t deal with this now… it would only get worse.
    Huh… not running and hiding now are we, little owl?
    “Did you mean what you said?” She asked cautiously, as if she wasn’t sure she wanted to do this.
    “…Out there?”
    Then he turned and looked at her, really looked at her and despite having watched each other come apart in throes of passion, Elle felt more exposed under his stare than she had before.
    “That I liked you?”
    The words made her feel that same embarrassment from before, and she nearly looked away shyly. Elle stamped down the urge instead, meeting his gaze head on.
    She nodded, but couldn’t help but fidget and grip to the edge of her leather seat.
    Malik moved then, breaching the space between them to cradle her cheeks in his hands. He hardly touched her, but there was intent in his hold and passion hidden within the darkness of his eyes.
    “Of all the times I had lied to you…” he trailed off, jaw clenching for a moment.
    “And I am sorry for that… for lying to you, tricking you. I have this idiotic tendency to act before I think. But if I can be honest with you, Elle, it’s that when I told you I liked you I wasn’t lying. I honestly liked you the moment you waltzed in and talked back to me, even though you had no idea who I was, you stood your ground. So, yes, Elle. I meant it.”
    A small smile leaked passed her lips and she saw him smile back, that same charming smile he had given her when they had been connected and writhing together.
    It had just happened between them, but Elle felt her body