Page 60 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

As it had done on the bed, that thought made her feel a sudden panic.

Eva was aware he was watching her, waiting for her reply. But what was she supposed to say?

Eva shook her head. "I don't know what to think, Riaz, What I can say?"

Riaz took her arms, holding them gently. His gaze was intent, filled with purpose. "Say what is in your heart, Eva. What you said to me back there."

That took her by surprise. Of course she'd whispered words to him during their love-making. Words she'd meant in the moment.

But, out here, in the broad light of day, those words seemed as if they'd been uttered in a dream. And like the words of a dream they had no basis in reality. They couldn't be true, could they?

And what about what he'd murmured to Eva. She thought about the way he'd called her "habibti".

His beloved.

She was well aware of the significance of that word. In his own culture it was the word used to indicate commitment, a declaration of true affection.

Panic welled up inside her again, uncontrollable and insistent this time.

"You talk about saying what's in my heart, Riaz. What about yours?"

Riaz's brows furrowed. "But you already know that, Eva," he stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Eva peered at him. "But, that's the thing, Riaz. I don't. And even if I did, how can I believe you?" She groaned and ran her gaze around the camp. "This is your world. Not mine. I'm just an intruder here."

Riaz shook his head. "You're not intruding, Eva. Far from it." He squeezed her arm gently. "I've seen how you've been watching everything that goes on here." He leaned closer, his gaze penetrating and resolute. "I've seen how you look at me."

Eva froze, gazing into his eyes, unable to shift her head. "I'm a journalist, Riaz. Have you forgotten that?"

Riaz shook his head and grinned. "The way you look at me has nothing to do with being a mere observer, Eva. I know that." He peered at her, his expression intense. "And I believe you know that, too."

Eva gazed at him, unsure how to respond for a few moments. How could he say that? Was he more perceptive than she'd given him credit for? Or was it that her own judgment had been so clouded by being in such close proximity to him?

"I think you're seeing things that aren't there, Riaz," she announced defensively.

He didn't react with outrage or indignation to her claim. Instead, he merely shook his head and she could the absolute conviction on his features.

There would be no shaking his opinion. She could see that. He'd made his mind up about her, and nothing she could say would change what he believed.

"In any case, I can't stay here much longer," she said moving away from him, forcing him to release his soft grip on her arms.

When she looked at him she saw a sudden change in his expression. She had gotten through to him with that last statement. She could see that.

"What are you talking about?" he asked sharply.

Eva glanced up at the sun, still high in the sky. "I think if I head off now, I should be able to make it to where I left my car."

Riaz's features twisted in disbelief. "Leave?"

Eva nodded. "I figure as long as I head south-west, I should reach the road before sundown. From there it'll be easy to get to the village."

"You are joking, aren't you," he stated.

He moved toward her, but she dug her heels into the sand and stared at him defiantly. "I'm not joking. I've covered distances like that before."

"But, it isn't safe," he snapped.

Eva tilted her head. "I can look after myself, Riaz. Have you forgotten that already?"

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