Page 40 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

CHAPTER TEN

Eva moved quickly, weaving her way through the trees, eager to put some distance between herself and Riaz. Her heart was pounding and the roaring sound in her ears competed with the sound of the flowing river.

How could she have been so foolish? She'd seen the way he'd been looking at her all throughout the meal around the campfire. Glances that hinted at a growing interest. Maybe even something more than that.

There had been increasing desire in those looks and she'd been an idiot to pretend that interest didn't exist.

Because that kiss had confirmed what she'd suspected since she'd woken in his tent back at the fort.

It wasn't just protection he was interested in providing to her. He wanted so much more.

But could she even contemplate giving in to the temptation? Because, he was undeniably tempting. Any woman would be affected by those dark looks, that dominant embrace. He'd kissed her with such ravenous need. He must have been holding onto that need all through the ride across the desert. Disguising it from her.

Eva thought about the firmness of his body crushing against hers. Her throat tightened at the memory, burned into her senses. She'd never forget that kiss, even if nothing else would come of it.

But one thing was for sure.

Now she knew he wasn't fooling.

Eva hoped he wouldn't come after her. She needed time to sort out in her mind what had just happened. Needed to think. It was all happening so fast.

She emerged from amongst the trees and entered the camp. A few men were busy clearing up, but most had drifted off to other parts of the encampment.

Suddenly the tent Riaz had given her seemed like the safest place on earth. There would be quiet in there. Time to decide what she should do next.

As she made her way toward the tent she heard the thudding of hooves. She paused and turned, looking in the direction of the camp's edge.

A dark horse emerged from the darkness carrying a white-robed rider. They came racing into the camp. She recognized the man as the one Riaz had spoken to hours before. The man's expression was grim as he drew his horse to a halt, tying the reins to a post in the sand.

He leapt down and peered urgently around. He must be searching for Riaz, she told herself. Then she saw Riaz emerge from the trees.

Riaz glanced at Eva and for a moment she was sure he was about to come to her. That would be an awkward conversation, she thought. The impulse to get to the tent seized her, but she stood her ground, curious to find out what was going on with the newly arrived rider.

Riaz went to the man and they exchanged words for a few minutes. Eva felt a professional urge take hold of her. The two men seemed almost angry about something as they spoke. She wondered if Riaz would be annoyed if he turned and realized she was watching him like this.

Then she saw Riaz nod and lay a firm hand on the man's shoulder, as if confirming he was satisfied with what the man had told him. The rider strode off quickly and thenRiaz and Eva were alone again.

Riaz glanced at her and she could tell he was about to come to her. She considered going to the tent, but she was intrigued enough to want to find out more.

Riaz walked over to her. As he came toward her, she couldn't help thinking about how it had felt to be in his arms, how his lips had felt, how every nerve in her body had ignited as he'd swept her into his arms. Eva felt her throat tighten slightly as she watched him coming toward her.

Then he halted in front of her, his brows furrowed, his gaze patient and thoughtful.

"What was that about?" Eva asked.

Riaz sighed, sounding exasperated. "Always questions with you, Eva," he replied. "Why all the questions?"

She tilted her head. "Seemed like you were upset about something."

He frowned and shook his head. She saw a flash of impatience in his eyes. He glanced in the direction of the river. "About what happened over there," he started to say, but she cut him off.

"Let's not talk about that, Riaz," she interrupted.

His brows furrowed and she saw a sudden flash of frustration on his features.

Eva started to move away from him but he reached out, taking hold of her arm. She felt the strength of his fingers through the fabric of her shirt. That wasn't all she felt. A treacherous tingle had raced up her arm as he'd touched her.The sensation spread throughout her body.

She glanced down at his hand and then into his eyes. A moment passed between them, a moment of unspoken communication, and then he released her arm.

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