Page 27 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

He'd enjoyed that brief moment of contact. She could see the appreciation on his features, see the sudden brightness in his gaze. He'd probably also loved every moment she'd been holding onto him, too, she told herself. She'd enjoyed herself, she admitted quietly.

Eva smiled at him and took a few steps away.

"I'll check your horse," he said. She watched as he examined the horse's leg. He nodded. "I think she'll be fine," he announced. "One of my men is brilliant at fixing horse injuries. He comes from a long line of horse breeders. What he doesn't know about these animals isn't worth knowing."

Eva nodded. "That's good," she replied.

Eva gazed out across the broad vista of golden sand dunes. "How far did you say we had to go?"

Riaz peered at her. "I didn't say," he replied.

Eva gave him a look. "You didn't?"

Riaz shook his head. "Maybe it was in your dream," he teased, giving her a sly grin.

He had heard her moan! The heat of the sun became instantly more noticeable. She turned away from Riaz.

What did he think she'd been dreaming about? Judging by that expression on his face, she was certain he assumed he had been in her dream. Was it really that obvious?

Grateful not to be facing him directly, she gazed out into the distance. They were atop a high dune. She lifted a hand to her forehead, sheltering her eyes from the bright sun. The sky was a clear, brilliant blue and the sands seemed to shimmer in the heat. For some reason, the colors seemed brighter now, the detail of the scene before her more sharp than usual.

Eva realized she felt calmer now. Perhaps her nerves had settled during the ride with Riaz. Maybe it had been his calm assurance, the sheer confidence he exuded that had found its way into her, taking the edge off her nerves.

All she knew was that she was enjoying gazing out across this scene, a renewed calm flowing through her body.

Eva turned back to Riaz. He was at the pack on his horse's side and she saw him remove a bottle and something wrapped in cloth. Riaz opened the bottle and held it out to Eva. "Water. You need it," he stated.

Eva took the bottle and raised it to her lips, taking a long drink. She felt some of the water run down her chin, all the way to her neck. It felt cool and refreshing.

Eva glanced at Riaz and held out the bottle. There was an appreciative expression on his face, his gaze locked on the dampness of her skin. Eva shifted awkwardly. "Do you want this?" she asked.

She saw Riaz drag himself back to the moment. He took the bottle from her and drank a small amount. Maybe she'd drank too much, she told herself. Water was precious out here. But, then again, they'd be at his camp soon.

Riaz placed the bottle back in the pack and opened the cloth, revealing what looked like some kind of dried meat.

Riaz held it out to her. "Hungry?"

Eva squinted at the dark strips and scowled. She looked at him. "What is it?"

Riaz smiled. "Meat," he said simply.

"What kind?"

He tilted his head. "Surely you've had this before. I thought you told me you've spent time in the desert."

She frowned, glancing down at the meat. "Somehow, I've managed to avoid anything like that," she said pointing down at it.

Riaz lifted a small strip to his mouth and bit down on it, starting to chew, his eyes filling with sudden relish.

"I'll let you enjoy that on your own," Eva said turning away from him.

"You'd like it," he said.

Eva folded her arms around herself and gazed out across the desert. "You still haven't told me what you think about what happened back there," she said abruptly.

Riaz came alongside her. "I think we both know why Ahmed ordered his men to go after you."

Eva glanced at him sharply. "Go after me?"

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