Page 33 of At the Sheikh's Bidding
“It’s okay. We won’t go far. Just a little further, so we feel alone.”
“Okay,” she said. After all, didn’t she crave for a place where there were no walls? Nothing to hem her in, to keep her tied to one place, to one person, to one family? Somewhere where she could completely be herself?
Hand-in-hand, they walked away from the oasis without talking, silenced by the vastness of the desert. The night breeze was cold, and she shivered and drew her wrap closer around her. Somewhere in the darkness, an animal let out a cry which startled her, but she continued on.
They climbed the ridge up to the highest point of a dune and looked out. It was as if they were on a boat, sailing on a silver-colored sea. For the first time in weeks, she felt as if she could breathe again. Stars twinkled like diamonds in the sky, and music drifted across to them from the oasis.
“It’s breathtaking.”
“Yes,” he said, looking at her.
Then the breeze quickened, shifting sand around her ankles. She turned around to see some stars were now hidden. Clouds were moving fast over them.
“We should leave,” said Amare.
“I guess,” she said reluctantly.
They retraced their steps, Amare hurrying a little now. She paused by the vehicle.
“We’re not returning to the palace tonight, Janey.”
She frowned. “But this was just meant to be dinner. I have work to do. I can’t stay here doing nothing, no matter what you might believe.”
“We’re not going anywhere tonight.” He pointed to the sky behind her. She turned to see billowing black clouds completely engulfing the light of the moon.
“What’s happening? A storm?”
“It’s ahaboob. A dust storm. It should be over by morning. But tonight?” He shook his head. “We wouldn’t make it to the city. It’s too easy to get off track with the instruments unreliable and the sand obscuring our vision. No, tonight, we stay here.”
Her heart fell. How the hell was she meant to keep her defenses when he was effectively knocking them down, one by one, little by little, exposing her to her worst nightmares?
She sucked in a tight breath and turned to see the whirling clouds and sand. She could do it. One night. In the desert. Alone with Amare.
CHAPTER15
By the time they’d returned to the tent, everyone had retired, aware of the advancing storm. Staff were busying clearing things up and putting them away so they wouldn’t become victims to the increasing wind.
They just reached the pavilion in time. As Amare and Janey entered, someone confirmed that they were the last people to come in, and the door was bolted tight. Janey shivered again. She pitied anyone outside on a night like this. How quickly it could change from perfect to dangerous. She glanced at Amare, who was pulling at his tie as he spoke to the groom. The moment she’d first clapped eyes on him, she was struck by how perfect he seemed. He was exactly her type. Tall, dark and… perfect. It was only later, when he revealed his controlling nature, that she realized she’d got it partly wrong. He was tall, dark and dangerous. Trouble is, it didn’t stop the craving, clawing need she felt for him. In fact, it seemed to intensify it.
He turned around suddenly, as if aware of her eyes on his back. The groom waved at her and disappeared. They were alone again.
“There’s a room prepared for us in the tower. My cousin apologized that there’s only the one room, and it’s not the suite he’d normally give me.”
She lowered her eyes, not wanting him to see the quickening lust in her eyes. She shouldn’t want him, but she did. He mistook her silence and lifted her chin to look into her eyes.
“Janey?” He cocked his head to one side, and she opened her eyes to his and he nodded with a smile.
“You don’t mind sharing a bed with me then, I take it.”
She licked her lips as her eyes darted to his lips. “I don’t.”
His fingers slid around her neck, through her hair, rubbing the back of her neck. She closed her eyes momentarily at the thrill of his touch. It sent sensations snaking throughout her body.
He brushed her lips with his. “That’s good,” he breathed.
She parted her lips and looked up at him, wanting him to kiss her. His lips quirked slightly. “Hold that thought,” he said, before gripping her hand in his and tugging her toward an open door.
They walked along a covered walkway. Outside, the wind and sand and palm fronds battered the windows. From somewhere close by, came the sound of glass smashing and a light was extinguished, plunging the garden into darkness. But Amare didn’t seem perturbed. After going up a winding staircase, they arrived at a door.
