Page 70 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Eva nodded. "If I stay for a few weeks or longer, then what?"

Riaz leaned closer. "I've already told you how I feel about you, Eva. If you stay, even for a few weeks or months, then only fate can decide what the outcome of that will be." Riaz smiled at her. "For my part, I already know how it will turn out." His gaze darkened. Certainty filled his features.

Riaz ran his fingers softly down the side of her face. Eva felt her heart quicken. She should have known he would say something like that. But, unlike before, listening to him say such a thing to her only filled her with a delicious anticipation. His touch promised so much.

Eva nodded. "I'll come back," she announced softly.

Riaz's eyes widened and he reached across, taking her face in his hands. He kissed her again, and once again she sank into the world of sensation that only his touch could ever take her to.

He leaned back and gazed into her eyes. "I promise that the coming weeks will be unlike anything you have ever experienced, Eva."

She believed him. Knew that his simple declaration was absolutely true.

A sudden thought took hold of her. "Ahmed!" she exclaimed.

"What about him?" Riaz asked.

"He'll be here soon."

Riaz shook his head. "Abdul is leading them away from here, even as we speak. They will be following his trail like the fools they are, thinking they are trailing something of value" he added with a grin.

Eva squinted at him. "Really?"

Riaz nodded. He reached across and took her hand. "You're coming with me," he announced.

Eva put up no fight, didn't even try to resist him as he started to turn her horse back in the direction of his encampment.

"But, what about Ahmed's obligation?" Eva asked.

Riaz shrugged. "There will be plenty of time for that," he stated. He gazed at her, hunger in his eyes. "I have much more important things to look forward to than dealing with him."

Eva felt her face flush with heat.

Riaz released her hand and she took the reins of her horse. They both started to ride back toward the east.

She was going back with Riaz. She tried to tell herself it would only be temporary, but she knew that wasn't true.

As they headed, side by side, into the desert, the sinking sun at their backs, Eva knew she faced a future filled with promise. The promise of Sheikh Riaz and everything a man like him could bring into her life.

One thing was for sure.

If the last two days were anything to go by, it was going to be amazing.

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