Page 47 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Yesterday, he would have rebelled at the notion that she would walk away from him with material like that. That she'd just open up his life to public scrutiny. Even to the attention of his own family members from whom he'd shielded so much of his chosen life.

Before yesterday he would have rejected such an idea impulsively. Immediately and without any chance of persuading him otherwise.

But, right now, for some reason none of that mattered anymore.

He trusted Eva. Knew that she wouldn't abuse his generosity. And, the thought that he might claim her attention in another way, that he might be able to persuade her to something much more important, merely reassured him even more.

Riaz nodded. "That would be fine, Eva. I have no objections to you taking photos. Feel free to take what you want."

She seemed surprised at his agreeing like that. But he could also see she was visibly pleased that he'd granted her the freedom she so obviously wanted.

He was looking forward the race now. Maybe she'd see a different side of him. And he wondered what effect that would have on her. How it would affect the closeness he knew was developing between them.

After last night anything was possible, as far as Riaz was concerned.

He was suddenly impatient for Eva to see what it meant to live out here. Eager for her to experience the raw, primitive excitement of desert life.

Hope flickered in him. He thought of what it had felt like to hold her, to kiss her, to touch her.

Resolve hardened and he gritted his teeth. Maybe it would mean that what had started with a kiss would lead to a passionate and inevitable conclusion.

If Riaz had anything to do with it, that was exactly how the day was going to end.

---