Page 38 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

He'd become possessed by a force determined to drive him into taking what he knew, deep down, to be a risky action. One that could unleash something both he and Eva might instantly regret.

Riaz straightened, dragging in a deep, calming breath, trying desperately to seize hold of the emotions churning through him.

He saw Eva glance at him, her eyes narrowing slightly He was sure she could sense the tension in him. It must be so obvious, he told himself.

Was it just that he hadn't been with a woman in such a long time, that Eva's presence had triggered base desires that threatened to make a fool of him?

No. He thrust that thought firmly aside.

This woman was unlike any he'd ever been with, and he'd been with enough to realize that mere pleasure could be temporary, that infatuation could disappear as quickly as it had taken hold.

Was that all he was feeling? A simple infatuation? An instant attraction soon to be discarded?

One look at Eva, and the response he instantly felt, told him how much of a lie that thought had been. He would have to be cautious with this woman, he told himself. There was so much at stake.

Perhaps he'd made a mistake bringing her to the camp. Even when he'd suggested bringing her to this place, he'd known it was a risky thing to do. It broke every rule he'd set himself since coming here a year ago.

Eva bent down and lifted a stone, hurling it into the water. It splashed noisily.

Riaz gazed at her. She looked beautiful standing there, silhouetted against the silvery waters and distant desert darkness. He ran his gaze down the length of her body, taking in the sight of her long torso, her broad hips, her long legs. There was so much promise there, he told himself. So much temptation.

Riaz swallowed, feeling the flame of his need warm even more. His heart was quicker now and he felt a sharpness in his breathing.

He thought he'd turned his back on all of these kinds of pleasures. Maybe he'd been wrong. Perhaps she was about to prove that his self-control wasn't as strong as he believed it to be.

Then he saw Eva take a step forward, but her foot caught on a rock and she stumbled. Riaz shot forward, grasping her arm, preventing her from falling into the water. He pulled her firmly toward him.

Then she straightened and turned to him and he knew the moment had come. The moment he'd been trying to deny, but one which couldn't be denied any longer.

Riaz slid his hands to Eva's waist and drew her close to him. She didn't resist, didn't try to pull away. They were facing each other, their bodies inches apart. Heat flickered in him as he gazed into her eyes. There was a slight hesitation there. He could see that.

And then something changed in her expression.

From that he took the only confirmation he needed.

For a brief moment he hesitated, but when he saw her gaze soften, saw her mouth open slightly, he knew the time had come.

Riaz's lips crashed down upon Eva's tempting mouth. Sensation ignited in him and he heard her gasp. Her body crushed against his and her hand went up to the side of his head, fingers snaking into his hair.

Riaz slid a hand up the length of her back, drawing her firmly against him. She gasped again as he pressed his need against the softness of her body.

Her breathing quickened instantly and her movements became urgent. Riaz's tongue probed Eva's mouth seeking pleasure and permission. That only intensified her desire, caused his own to flame even more.

Riaz probed with his tongue and she responded, her lips impatiently seeking pleasure. She tasted sweet and he savored the softness of her moist lips. Truly, he'd forgotten this pleasure.

He pressed his body harder against her, feeling relief sweep through him that finally he'd acted, that at last he was tasting the pleasures of her. The relief was instantly overtaken by a harsh need, as his body reacted to the feel of her flesh against his.

Eva's hands went to his shoulders, fingers curling around his muscles there, digging in, driving him on. Encouraging him.

Riaz's arms encircled Eva, enveloping her in his embrace. This felt so incredibly right, he told himself. All hesitation had vanished with this kiss, this embrace. Her body seemed to ease into him, seeking more.

Had he misjudged her so badly? He hadn't been sure if the feelings which had stirred within him had existed in Eva. He'd doubted she felt as he did because he hadn't read the signals. Or maybe those signals hadn't been there in the first place.

But now he knew.

She wanted him as much as he wanted her.

He continued to kiss her, shocked at the urgency of his own need as well as her own obvious acceptance of him. The feel of her breasts pressing against him was exquisite. He inhaled her aroma, fresh and intoxicating.

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