Page 58 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Was this what people talked about when they described instant attraction?

Something fated? Something destined?

Eva felt a brief surge of unease at that thought. She'd always prided herself on her sense of self-control in every part of her life. Eva had always striven hard to master every aspect of her life. And that had included relationships.

Especially relationships.

But now this had happened.

Somehow, Riaz had overwhelmed all that with the sheer power of his presence.

What had he really done to her, apart from making love to her in the most astonishing way imaginable?

Had he sought to master Eva in some fundamental way?

And succeeded?

Out here, in this wild place, she was sure that anything could happen. Even that. All the rules she'd followed during her life had been swept away in one glorious and bewildering encounter with the most amazing man she'd ever met.

All her thinking had made her feel more awake, more alert to him and the passing of time. She wondered if the camp was still empty. Maybe the men would be returning soon.

She sat up and moved to the end of the low bed. Even with her back to him, Eva was aware Riaz was watching her as she dressed. He obviously enjoyed that simple act of taking in the sight of her putting on her clothes. Almost as much, it seemed, as he'd enjoyed seeing them being taken off a few hours before.

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

Eva turned to him. He was lying back, completely naked. Momentarily she was shocked by the casual way he lounged there, his amazing physique on full display.

He seemed to notice the slight change in her expression, because she saw a satisfied smile curl at the corner of his mouth.

Dragging her sense back into one piece, she smiled at him. "Thought I'd get some fresh air."

He slid forward on the bed and started kissing her at the back her neck, his hand caressing her shoulder. "Wouldn't you prefer to stay here?" he asked.

Eva felt sensation being triggered, sensed something familiar awakening within her. But she drew in a deep breath and stood.

When she turned and looked down at him, she saw a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

"I'm going outside."

She went into the main part of the tent and pushed her feet into her boots. He appeared from the alcove, dressed again in a white robe, but still barefoot.

The change in his appearance was startling for a moment. He had regained the same visible sense of pride she'd become so familiar these past few days. He carried himself erect, a slightly defiant turn in his bearing.

"I take it you're coming with me," she observed.

"Of course," he replied. He seemed puzzled by her need to get out of the tent. But, right now, she felt the warm air as particularly stifling. Even when she sucked in a deep breath, her lungs felt tight.

Had those thoughts back there, on the bed, made her feel this claustrophobia? Because that was what she was feeling, right now. Confined.

She needed to get out into the open. Needed to see the clear blue sky. Needed to try and make sense of what had just happened. What was going to happen.

Eva strode to the tent opening and stepped outside. She heard him following her.

She took a few steps and halted, gazing up at the sky. The sun was past its peak and heading toward the western horizon. She guessed there was at least a few hours until sundown. She dragged in a breath, filling her lungs. At least there was oxygen out here, she told herself.

Riaz came and stood at her side. She didn't look at him, and he didn't say anything to her, as if sensing the tension she was feeling. Because she was feeling tense, wasn't she? All those thoughts had merely dragged up some serious doubts from somewhere deep within her.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

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