Page 14 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

While she waited, Eva considered the possibility of going back out and facing what had been creeping up on her out there. But she realized on reflection that that would open up a whole new can of worms. Maybe she could stay here for a while, she told herself.

She wondered how many of the men had seen her entering the sheikh's tent. Perhaps tongues would be wagging even as she stood here. Should she even care about that? She dismissed the thought and then watched as Riaz reemerged from the sleeping alcove.

"I've asked for some tea to be brought," he said.

"You didn't need to do that," Eva replied.

"It'll warm you up," Riaz insisted coming toward her.

He had slipped on a loose-fitting robe, but she could still see that powerful chest and the dark mass of hair. She felt her throat tighten inexplicably. She shouldn't be here. She knew it was foolish. Even unprofessional.

Then a thought occurred to her. Maybe something useful would come out of all of this, she told herself, feeling immediately guilty about being so mercenary. Perhaps he might be more willing to talk with her.

"Come sit here," he ordered softly, taking her by the shoulders. He led her to the sofa and sat her down, taking his place next to her.

A few moments later the man who Eva presumed Riaz had just spoken with came into the tent carrying a tray of tea and two small cups. He placed it on the table and left quickly.

Eva noticed that the man had completely averted his eyes from Riaz, as if trying to avoid even the slightest hint of intrusion.

Riaz handed her the cup of hot tea which she guessed must've been brewing for a very long time. The tea was bitter, but it immediately sharpened her senses.

After she finished the tea, she settled back on the sofa. Feeling better now, she was still tempted to take her camera and go back outside, putting all of this down to a moment's madness. But Riaz obviously had other ideas.

"As I said earlier," Riaz started to say. "Maybe being out there isn't the best idea. You're welcome to stay here for the rest of the night," he said.

Eva shook her head. "I don't think that's such a good idea," she said.

"Why not?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

She searched her mind for an answer, something sharp and dismissive, but she had to give him the only one she could really think of at this moment. "It's kind of unprofessional," she said immediately sensing how lame that sounded.

He didn't seem to care because he simply repeated his offer. "I think since you took the trouble to come here, I don't think I can allow you to go back outside," he said.

Had he just smiled at her when he'd said that? Now who was playing with who, she asked herself.

"You can't allow me?" she asked emphasizing the crucial word. Who was he to allow her to do anything?

Riaz leaned closer to her and once again she felt an involuntary quiver of anticipation. "I mean my sense of honor won't allow me to let you to sleep on the ground in a dark corner of the fort," he said.

He knew exactly where she had been sleeping? Had he been checking on her? Who had been outside? She knew it couldn't have been any of Riaz's own men. She already knew, even from their brief acquaintance, that he wasn't capable of that. She just knew he wasn't that kind of man.

Eva paused for a few moments considering his offer. She glanced around the inside of the tent. As far as she could see, there was only one bed in this tent. Surely he wasn't asking her to share that bed?

"If I do stay until the morning, where exactly do I sleep?"

Riaz glanced toward the alcove. "You can have that," he said.

She glanced in the direction of the alcove and weighed up his offer for a moment.

Eva nodded. "Okay," she agreed.

She waited to see what he would say about where he was going to sleep. As if reading her mind, he patted the sofa. "I will sleep here," he said.

Eva smiled softly at him and stood, holding the blanket around her shoulders. Riaz rose alongside her. "Just give me a moment," he said, quickly moving way toward the alcove.

Eva stood for a few moments listening to him making noises, obviously preparing things for her. Moments later, he was back by her side with a blanket of his own wrapped around his arm. She started to head toward the alcove then paused and turned back to him. "About tomorrow?" she asked.

Riaz's eyes widened. "What about it?"

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