Page 8 of The Sheikh's Desert Princess

Eva wandered around the fort making notes and takingphotos whenever she felt it was safe to do so.

A huge fire had been built in the centre of the open compound. Wood had been brought from somewhere, piled high, ready to be lit.

She saw tribesman going in and out of the tents and she saw preparations for what looked like some kind of celebration during the coming evening.

And what about that coming evening, she asked herself.

As the sun was starting to sink toward the horizon, Eva sat, perched on the highest remaining solid wall and gazed out across the desert. The expanse of sand and dune was awe-inspiring. These past two years she had spent a lot of time in places like this. She wondered if Riaz really understood that. Or did he just think she was some kind of ignorant outsider?

Apparently not.

The way he'd spoken to her, it seemed as if he thought she was some kind of demure little woman who had magically appeared out of the desert and needed his protection.

She knew that wasn't the case. She needed no-one's protection, especially someone like Riaz. There was only one thing she wanted from him, and that was more information.

However, it was clear from her initial encounter with him that he wouldn't give her what she wanted without a struggle. That didn't faze her, not one but. She knew how to get what she wanted from a man.

Eva had already seen that Riaz already seemed to harbor some kind of reluctant, instinctive attraction to her. She was used to that. During her time in this region, plenty of men had tried to win her over, tried to contain her free spirit, but Eva knew how important her career was, knew that there was no man who could tie her down.

Every once in a while though, someone would appear in her life. Someone she would convince herself was special. The one.

But, it would always end the same. She'd enjoy a brief flirtation and then come to the usual realization that relationships were not for her. Not for now, anyway.

So why was it that Riaz had affected her so much? It was undeniable that the man was handsome. He was a powerful looking figure, probably a few years older than her, but with an undeniable charisma.

Eva could imagine the effect that charisma would have on both men and women. It had a power of its own to compel obedience and even inspire love. She wondered how many women's hearts had been broken by this man.

That was an easy question to answer, she told herself. There would have been plenty of women who had fallen for those dark looks, been affected by that penetrating gaze.

Up here on this partially ruined rampart, Eva felt safe for the while. Safe to speculate on the Sheikh who had made such a strong impression upon her.

She wondered what he thought of her. Eva was sure she had seen hints of the effects that she'd had upon him. Riaz had tried hard to disguise his immediate reaction to her defiance. But she was certain that there was some part of him which had secretly enjoyed the back and forth between them.

Because that was all it was. Playful teasing, with a hint of attraction.

Eva felt the cool breeze from the desert brush against her skin. The scents of the busy encampment in the middle of the fort drifted in the cooling early evening air.

She could understand why people would want to live out here. There was an undeniable mystique about this place. So why had Riaz turned his back on civilisation? Why had he decided to deny himself all the pleasures of wealth all the trappings of influence that his family, the Al Shirah family enjoyed back in the city?

That was the mystery she had come here to solve.

And of course, if she did end up with a story worth telling it would do her career no harm. Was that selfish of her? She didn't think so. Riaz would understand. Riaz didn't look naive. On the contrary, there was a knowingness about him which was impossible to ignore.

He was a man who would not be easily fooled, and Eva had no intention of behaving towards him with anything less than perfect integrity. Perfect professional integrity of course.

Eva gaze down at the compound and saw that the fire had been lit. Men gathered around the tall stack of burning wooden blocks. Sparks flew up into the darkening sky. Excited voices rose up from the men who started to congregate in a circle around the fire.

She saw the men squatting down in groups, huddling and conversing, and she saw food been brought from inside the dozen or so tents lined up against the wall. Each tribe seemed to look after its own to the exclusion of others, Eva noticed.

Eva saw some tall figures go to their respective groups of men. The men addressed the groups of tribesmen with obvious authority, receiving deference and respect.

Eva was beginning to get a sense of the excitements these men felt being here like this. She had heard about this gathering and knew its significance, what it meant to the respective tribes. She been told that it was an opportunity for tribal leaders to trade, exchange important information, maintain trusting relationships, and to deal with any outstanding conflicts or problems between tribes.

Eva started to gingerly climb down the makeshift broken steps to the ground. The evening was beginning to settle and she knew it was time to eat. Riaz had promised an evening meal. She could feel her stomach was empty. The small amount of rations that she had in her pack would merely ensure a hungry night.

She went to her horse, packed away her small notebook, but held onto her camera. She didn't quite trust that it would remain there if she left it while in Riaz's tent.

Then, looking over toward Riaz's tent, she saw him emerge and gaze over towards her. She started to make her way towards him. He was dressed as he had been dressed before when she met him, in full traditional desert garb.

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