Page 4 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

He was the reason she was here. She'd researched him as much as was possible. Dug into the details of his life. His privileged life, now so very different. But he was such a reclusive figure that there were virtually no real images of him. At least no recent ones.

She'd come all the way in search of something unique, something utterly exotic. A powerful man who wanted to reclaim a way of life which had all but vanished. It seemed like she'd found him.

Eva shifted awkwardly. "I'm sorry I didn't realize who you were," she said, knowing that didn't sound too convincing.

The Sheikh shrugged. "Why would you know who I am?"

He sounded suddenly suspicious. Should she tell him he was the reason she was here? How would he react to that?

He also seemed puzzled. As if he did not realize just what a figure of fascination he was to so many people. It was her job to discover his secrets; what had driven him out to this place; the reason why he had made this choice.

"Didn't you know?" she asked. "People are fascinated by your story."

He frowned. "My story? I didn't know I had a story."

Eva gasped. "Of course you do. What you're doing is amazing."

Riaz Al Shirah moved closer to her. Now he was mere inches away from her, she could sense the power of his body, the pent-up energy inside that large frame, inside every one of his muscles. She caught his scent, an instantly enticing mixture of maleness.

Eva forced her attention back to the moment. She saw Riaz's gaze take in her features. What was he thinking? Why had even come to speak with her?

She realized he might be trying to warn her off, even send her away. But she had no intention of leaving. None.

Especially not know that she had met the reason she'd come here in the first place.

"I told you, this place is not safe, Miss Braddon," he said evenly.

"Eva," she corrected, eager to break down any remaining barrier between them.

Riaz's sighed slightly. "Eva, you cannot stay here," he said impatiently. Her name sounded soft on his lips.

"Can't stay? Who says I can't?" she snapped.

"I do," Riaz said, the words containing a bluntness which took her by surprise.

She squinted at him. "You can't stop me from staying."

Riaz leaned his head to one side. "I can. And I will," he said emphatically.

"Haven't you heard of the freedom of the press?" she asked.

His brows furrowed. "Haven't you heard of respecting traditions?"

Eva stiffened. "You want me to leave because if I stay here I'll be somehow offending your sense of honor?" She tried not to sound too incredulous.

Riaz shrugged. "Not just my sense of honor,"" he gazed around. "There are others here, who may not be quite as tolerant as I am."

Eva thought he was being pretty intolerant and pretty arrogant congratulating himself like that, she told herself. Maybe what they had said about this man was true.

Maybe he was proud and arrogant.

And dangerous.

Eva folded her arms and glared at him. "Is that a threat?"

Riaz shook his head. "No threat. Merely advice. Let's say, I am not the only person here who has taken note of your presence."

Eva tensed. "It is a threat," she blurted out. She twisted her booted foot impatiently into the sand covered ground. "I don't think you've got the right to tell me what to do," she said defiantly. Eva saw his gaze darken, a dangerous look suddenly in those dark pools.

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