Page 51 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Eva watched, feeling almost hypnotized by the sight of Riaz standing there at the top of the ledge. What did he think he was doing? Even as she asked herself that question, she knew the answer.

She knew she should turn away, even that she should call out to him and stop him from doing what he was so obviously intent on doing.

Eva felt her heart pounding even faster as she continued to gaze up at him. It was absolutely clear what he was doing.

Riaz was taking off his robe. Getting ready to come to her.

She knew with total certainty that he intended coming into the pool with her. The thought that she should leave the pool seized her mind.

But, the sight of Riaz easing off his robe was so compelling, almost mesmerizing, she was barely aware of the impulse to get out of the water as fast as she could.

With a slow, casual flourish Riaz opened his robe, revealing his body. She gasped as Riaz slid the robe away from his body and tossed it to the ground at his feet.

He was completely naked.

Eva dragged in a sharp breath and felt her mouth drop open, sensed her eyes widening. For a moment she drank in the sight of Riaz standing there.

His body was powerful, sculpted muscles glistening in the sunshine. She saw him draw in a deep breath, his chest broadening. He looked as if he was determined to tease her, to tempt her with the sight of him.

If that was his intention, then he was succeeding, she told herself. Eva felt her body warm suddenly.

The she saw Riaz ready himself, preparing to plunge headfirst into the pool. It was at that point Eva turned away, desperate for a final moment of clarity. She needed to make a decision.

This had all happened so quickly. He must have known he would be taking her by surprise, she thought to herself. Had he planned this all along? How had he known she would be here in the pool?

Right now, none of that mattered, because from behind her she heard the sound of a huge splash as Riaz plunged into the water. Eva felt a wave of water press against her body, and she struggled to keep her head from sinking beneath that wave.

Eva looked around, feeling almost panicked, trying desperately to figure out what she should do.

Even as she did so, temptation seized hold of her. A powerful impulse wrapped itself around her, holding her in the pool, treading water.

Waiting.

For what?

Eva looked to her left and saw the figure of Riaz beneath the crystal clear water. She saw him twist toward her, the length of his torso, his long arms forcing himself closer to her.

Impulsively she twisted away from him. He would be on her in a moment. If she was going to try to make it to the edge of the pool, this was her only chance.

Her last chance.

But, even as she toyed with that thought, she knew she had no intention of getting out of the water. She knew that the promise of what was to come was far too tempting. Ever since he'd kissed her, she'd been wondering what it would feel like to have even more of him, to feel him close to her.

And now she was about to find out.

For one last moment she treaded water, her arms moving slowly. She tried to calm her beating heart, but it was no use.

The next moment, she felt a surge of pressure at her back and then she felt his arms sweeping around her. She gasped and threw her head back, gazing up at the blue sky. She felt the heat of his naked body against her back. Then she was fully in his grasp and he was pressing his nakedness against her.

Eva drew in a sharp breath as she felt the firmness of him press against her. Then his lips were at her neck, kissing her cool flesh.

Eva groaned and reached a hand around, placing it on the solid muscle at his hip. She curled her fingers against his skin and she heard him gasp.

The feel of his naked body against her pushed away every thought of resistance, banished every flickering notion that this wasn't what she really wanted.

Of course it was. She knew that, especially when she felt his hand caress one of her breasts, cupping gently around it. His thumb teased her nipple beneath the thin fabric of her bra. Pleasure ignited all the way to her core.

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