Page 49 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Eva saw Riaz lean forward, straining every sinew. Beside her the crowd of men were roaring and cheering. Eva was mesmerized as she took photo after photo.

Then, with a sudden rush, Riaz pulled ahead of his men and raced past the final line. Every one of his men yelled enthusiastically as their sheikh leader hurled past them, victorious.

Eva snapped even more images of the jubilant celebrations and followed the men as they gathered around Riaz.

He had drawn his mount to a halt and was leading it back toward his celebrating men. Eva saw a wide grin on Riaz's face as he celebrated with his men.

He leapt down off his horse, accepting the congratulations, standing tall as he received numerous slaps on the back.

Then he was walking toward Eva. His eyes were bright and his face sweat-covered. But she could see that his entire being had been lit up by the experience. He looked like a different man. She could see the vitality in his eyes, the flushed color of his cheeks. He was still breathing heavily when he halted in front of Eva.

"What did you think?" he asked.

Eva smiled at him. "Very impressive," she said without the slightest hint of irony.

His brows rose. "Really!" he exclaimed. He sounded genuinely pleased. She found his obvious pleasure strangely satisfying. For once her opinion, genuine as it was, had seemed to mean something to him.

Eva nodded. "I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it." She lifted her camera. "I got some nice images."

He looked at the camera, and she was sure she saw a flicker of uncertainty in his gaze.

Riaz led her away from the men and back in the directionof the tents. She walked alongside him. His breathing was still strong and she couldn't help noticing the breadth of his chest as his shoulders rose and fell with each intake.

They reached the tents and she was aware that there were no other men around. Everyone was still behind them. She glanced back and saw the men tending to the horses. The poles were being pulled out of the sand.

"Is that it?" she asked. "Is is all over."

He laughed quietly. "I don't think anyone has any energy left after that." He peered at her. "Unless you'd like to try it yourself."

Eva shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea. In any case, I can ride a horse, but not like that," she said gesturing back to the scene of the race.

He halted in front of her and she stopped, facing him.

"About those photos, Eva," he said.

Eva felt worry twist in her middle. She guessed what was coming next.

"Could you keep them to yourself for now?"

Eva peered at him. "Why? They're amazing."

Riaz nodded. "I can imagine they are. But, I want to keep this private." He glanced over her shoulder. "For the men, as much as for me," he explained.

"Don't they want their identities made public?" she asked.

Riaz frowned and shook his head. "Some of them said to me they don't feel comfortable having their image used. Especially in the outside world."

"Are they superstitious?"

"No. Not at all. I guess it's more to do with respecting who they are. What they're doing for me by being here in the first place," he said. His eyes narrowed. "Do you understand?"

Eva thought for a few moments. She could see how much it meant to Riaz and she could imagine just how important it would be to the men. The last thing she wanted was to cause offense. She felt so much closer to this life now. Eva was beginning to understand it more.

After considering it, she nodded. "Okay. I'll delete the pictures."

"You don't need to do that," he said. "Just give me your word."

"My word?"

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