Page 61 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Riaz frowned. "You weren't doing much a job of that when I rescued you."

Eva glared at him. "What do you want me to say? That I'm eternally in your gratitude?"

"No. But you must agree this is a foolish thing to do," Riaz replied shaking his head.

Indignation flared in Eva and she advanced toward him. "I'm no fool, Riaz." Her breathing was quick now as she felt her temper sharpen. "Except maybe when it come to falling for a man who thinks all of this is some kind of perfect life. When its really just an escape from the real world."

As she said the words, she immediately regretted uttering them. She saw the visible shock on his features. He gazed at her disbelievingly. She saw him measuring his response, trying to find the words to respond to her criticism of his chosen life.

"Do you mean that, Eva?" he asked, his voice incredulous.

The sense of regret hardened in her. She felt it like a lump in her chest. "That all of this is some kind of illusion?" Eva stared at him defiantly. "Yes. I do."

Riaz shook his head. "That's not what I was talking about. I know you've yet to be convinced of this way of life."

Eva felt puzzled by that response. Why wasn't he offended as she'd expected him to be. Instead, he seemed determined to clarify something else about what she'd said.

"I'm referring to the other thing you just said," Riaz continued.

He moved closer to her and raised one brow. He examined her closely and then spoke: "I'm talking about what you just admitted."

"What?"

The hint of a smile creased the corner of his mouth. There was that look of victory, she told herself. He continued: "You just admitted that you've fallen for me, as you so quaintly put it," he said.

His smile broadened and she leaned her head away from him.

He was right. She had said that. How had that slipped out? Did she even mean it? Sure, she'd debated with herself back there in the tent. But, she wasn't seriously admitting that there could ever be anything between them both, was she?

Even as that thought hovered in her mind, even as she weighed up her response, she knew the answer to that question. And the answer merely triggered another wave of panic. This time the panic was mingled with a sudden impulse. One that she knew was going to be impossible to resist.

"Am I right?" Riaz said, pressing for an answer.

Eva drew in a deep breath, feeling her jaw tighten, sensing the pressure building inside her.

She took a few steps away from Riaz, but he came to her, wrapping his fingers around her arm, stopping her from getting away from him.

And that was what she wanted right now, wasn't it? To get away from him. To get as far away from this place as she could.

Wasn't that what she wanted?

Certainty mingled with doubt, and she felt a terrible sensation sweep over her. This wasn't how it was supposed to be, she told herself. He'd done everything in his power to win her over, to show her just how much she meant to him. And now all she could do was think how she could get away from him.

Did he deserve that?

"Please, Riaz," she pleaded softly. "This isn't easy for me."

"Then stay, habibti," he murmured. She felt him begin to draw her nearer to him, but she straightened, stiffening her body, making it clear to him she didn't want that. Because she knew that if she gave in to her treacherous thoughts, she might never leave this place. And then what?

Eva shook her head sharply. "No. I'm going."

She pulled herself free of his grasp.

Riaz sighed heavily and looked downward, deliberating for a few long moments. Then he gazed urgently into her eyes. "If you are determined to go, at least allow me to accompany you."

She could see the hurt in his eyes, the sudden paleness of his features. Regret tugged again at her like an insistent force. "I can't, Riaz. I need to do this on my own," she replied shaking her head.

Eva wanted to go to him, touch his cheek, try to make him understand, but she knew that if she did that everything would unravel. She'd never make it out of here.

Eva glanced across toward where she saw a few horses inside the makeshift roped-off area. "Can I take one of those horses?" she asked.

Riaz glanced across at the animals and nodded. He looked crestfallen. "If that is what you want. I'll prepare one for you."

"Thank you, Riaz," she said quietly.

And then she started back toward the tent. The place where everything had changed.

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