Page 20 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

Razim growled like a wild animal. His nostrils flared and he advanced on Abdul.

Abdul started to back off toward the open lift doors. He paused one last time at the doors. "Shame works both ways, Sheikh Al Kharif," Abdul snapped. "And I shall reclaim my honor."

"Honor?" Razim called out. "You have never had any. And neither had your family. Not for a hundred generations."

This time it was Abdul's features which were transformed with rage. His eyes widened, filled with fury. Then, he seemed to think twice about acting. He waved a dismissive hand at Razim and Paige and then disappeared into the lift. The doors closed and he was gone.

Razim turned to Paige and swept her into his arms. In spite of all her reservations and all her doubts, Paige was happy to settle into his embrace. It felt good to be held by Razim. She laid her head against his chest, feeling his furious heartbeat, sensing the strength of his body. He held her for a few long moments and then they made their way into the apartment.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Razim held Paige for a few minutes. He felt her soft, rhythmic breathing against his chest, and delighted in the warmth of her body as it rested against him. He held her curves in his embrace. The scent of her hair filled his senses. He savored every moment of holding her.

Razim thought about what had happened out there in the corridor.

Abdul's treachery.

Adrenaline still coursed through his body, and he knew it would take a long while for him to completely calm down.

When he had emerged from the lift and seen what was going on, seen Abdul towering over Paige, something primitive had taken hold of him. Raw emotion had seized him, and he had felt a sudden, blinding rage. It had taken every ounce of his strength to restrain the urge to take Abdul down.

The look on Paige's face had sickened Razim to his stomach. Eyes wide and pale skinned, there had been fear written on Paige's features. That had merely stoked up Razim's rage to a fever pitch.

So, he had acted to protect her. Because protecting Paige was his duty. His obligation. She was his wife.

Razim knew that, physically, Abdul was no match for him. Abdul's usual way of winning had nothing to do with brute force. His type got their way by devious means, Razim told himself. Never through face to face conflict. Abdul had waited a few hours, probably sure that Razim would be back at the palace. But Abdul had miscalculated.

Choosing to remain had been the right choice. Razim almost shuddered to think what would have happened if he'd gone back to the palace. Not for the first time, defying Paige's demands had been the wisest choice.

Paige lifted her head and looked up at him. "How did you know he was here?" she asked.

Razim gazed into Paige's eyes. She was beginning to regain her composure. He caressed her hair with the back of his fingers. He gazed at her pretty features. Color had come back to her cheeks and her eyes contained a hint of her familiar fire.

"I waited downstairs," he explained.

"All this time?"

Razim nodded. "I wasn't going to leave you all on your own. Not for a moment."

She squinted at him. "But I thought you'd gone back to the palace."

He frowned. "And leave you here with the likes of Abdul?" He shook his head. "I don't think so."

"You still haven't told me how you knew he was up on the top floor."

"I was waiting in the limo. I instructed the concierge to tell me if the lift went up to the top floor. I knew you wouldn't leave. So, if anyone went up to see you, it would probably only be one person. Abdul."

"Really?" she asked.

He nodded. "I just wanted to make sure you were safe." He leaned closer to her and kissed her on the forehead. She didn't do anything to dissuade him. In fact, he felt her rest her head against his lips just a few moments longer than he would have expected.

"I said you'd be better at the palace, didn't I?" he said. "You're not going to be safe here."

He felt her body stiffen, but she still let him hold her. "I'll be fine," she said. Her words were still defiant, but he could tell by their tone that doubt was starting to creep into her mind.

"Don't forget, you're my wife, Paige," Razim stated firmly.

He thought she would react to that comment with some kind of snappy reply, but she didn't this time. Instead, she just smiled weakly.

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