Page 21 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

CHAPTER FIVE

A half hour later, as Riaz led the column of men across the desert, he reflected on his last encounter with the amazingly attractive American woman.

There was only one way to describe their encounter.

Astonishing.

He drew in a deep, calming breath as he gripped the reins of his horse. He suppressed a gratified smile and gazed out toward the distant horizon.

She had made a powerful impression on him, greater any other woman had ever done.

It was that simple.

And, the way she had spoken to him just before leaving had convinced him that his assessment of her had been right. The way she'd refused his help. The manner of her defiance.

Once again, Riaz couldn't help smiling to himself.

Eva was a strong willed, free spirit. It had taken courage to come all the way out here. She demonstrated a fierce determination in everything she did and said.

He liked that.

No. It was much more than mere like.

He felt an inexplicable and perplexing attraction to those qualities in Eva. She had stirred something up inside Riaz. He'd worked hard to disguise the effect she'd had on him during their brief time together, and he wasn't sure how successful he'd been. He guessed she was perceptive enough to tell, even see through the mask he'd held up in front of her.

The same mask he'd used with every woman in recent years.

Despite himself, in spite of everything he had ever told himself about keeping woman a distance, he had to admit that he found Miss Eva Braddon almost irresistible.

During the night, when she had been sleeping in his tent, it had taken every ounce of his self-control to deny himself the pleasure of visiting her in his bed.

That realization had shocked him. He'd felt as if something primal, something beyond his control had seized hold of him.

But his honor had stood in the way of his simmering passion and he had just about maintained his self-control.

But it had been difficult. So very difficult.

All through the night, tempting images of her beautiful face and her enticing body had tormented him as he had slept on the sofa.

And when he had seen her emerging from the sleeping alcove in the morning, her hair dishevelled, her eyes filled with sleep, but looking so irresistibly attractive, it had taken every ounce of strength to maintain a calm, impassive demeanor.

That hadn't been easy. He was sure that she had noticed his interest in her. He thought about the attractive, knowing expression in her eyes every time he looked at her, every time he said anything to her.

He felt a connection. It was as simple as that. A surprising and shocking connection.

Now he had no idea what he should do about it. What action was necessary. He was used to acting on his instincts, and every one of those instincts told him he needed to act.

By now Eva would be well on her way back to the settlement in the west where she had left her car. Maybe he'd never see again.

He doubted that. She'd found him once, and he was sure that if she really wanted to, she would find him again. Once she had returned to Qazhar and had a chance to reflect on what happened in the last twenty-four hours, he was sure that she would find some way to get in contact with him.

That would inevitably bring its own complications.

Was that really such a bad thing? Of course not, he reflected. Maybe those complications would bring their own pleasures. Their own delights.

He'd been in the desert almost a year. It had beena long time since he'd enjoyed the company of a beautiful woman. And Eva was certainly beautiful.

Riaz realized he would have no objections if Eva wanted to come and visit him again, only this time there would be none of the distractions of the tribal gathering to deal with. Next time it would be just Riaz and Eva.

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