Page 8 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

Paige lay back down and tried to get back to sleep. From time to time, the plane lurched as it hit some turbulence. They were probably still somewhere over the Atlantic. For a moment she could hardly believe she had agreed to do this. Going back to Qazhar with Razim was a risky move. And she knew it. Razim could be persuasive. He had the ability to change a person's mind with a few words or just a simple look. There were dangers in going there with him. Not least the risk that she would succumb to the temptations of the incredibly handsome sheikh.

No. That wasn't right. The sheikh who was still her husband.

If only she knew what was in those divorce papers, she might be better prepared for what awaited her in Qazhar. An idea floated into her mind and she slid out of the bed. She drew the dressing gown around her body. It was one of the ones he'd brought. In fact, it had been one he'd purchased for her as a special gift. It was made of the sleekest silk and almost transparent. She recalled how his desire had been ignited when she had first worn it.

Paige unlocked the door and opened it. She peered out into the jet's interior. She saw Razim, asleep, on the seat in front of the table upon which the papers still lay.

Paige padded out, her bare feet steady on the soft carpet. She clutched the dressing gown closed around her firm breasts as she made her way carefully toward where Razim was sitting. His breathing was heavy and rhythmic.His head lay against the chair and his hands rested in his lap.

He had unbuttoned the front of his white shirt. In spite of herself, Paige felt a stirring of desire as she looked at the hint of his broad, darkly-haired chest. His chest rose and fell with each breath. She paused and gazed down at him. His even features looked calm and content. She'd seen him like that many times when they'd shared a bed. Emotion stirred inside her. For a moment, she considered going back to the bedroom. This had been a crazy idea, she told herself. Surely there was nothing in the papers that she couldn't wait to know.

Paige glanced at the papers and started to bend down, reaching out. She lifted the thick wad of papers and stood straight, holding onto her breath.

She glanced down at Razim. He still wasn't aware she was standing right next to him.

Then, with her thumb, she softly rifled the papers. In the soft light of the cabin, she squinted her eyes. What she saw drew an involuntary gasp from her.

The papers were blank!

The sound of her gasp woke Razim. His eyes widened and he stood, before Paige could even take a step back.

"Paige!" he exclaimed.

His gaze settled on her body and she saw the instant effect. Sheer desire ignited on his features as he appeared to drink in the sight of her naked body beneath the translucent fabric of the gown. He gasped and then glared at the papers she held in her hand. He reached out and it was at that moment she finally found the strength to take a step back away from him.

Paige held up the papers and bunched them in her fist. "These are blank sheets, Razim," she ejaculated. "What's the meaning of this?"

He reached out, obviously intending to take them from her, but she held them down at her side and glared at him.

"It's not what you think," Razim said.

"You had no intention of getting me to sign anything back in New York. Did you? This was all about getting me to go with you to Qazhar."

"Paige. Let me explain," he pleaded.

She shook her head. "No. Why should I? You got me on this plane under false pretenses."

"You came of your own free will," he retorted. "I didn't kidnap you, if that's what you're suggesting."

The plane lurched slightly again, but Paige managed to steady herself against the side of the seat. She threw the papers at Razim. The blank sheets tumbled onto the floor at his feet.

"You haven't changed a bit, have you, Razim? Still trying to control me. Trying to get me to do your will."

Razim started toward her, but the look she gave him made him freeze on the spot.

The sense of betrayal caused emotion to swell inside her, but she fought back the tears. There was no way she was going to let him watch her crumble.

Not like that. Not here.

"I should ask you to turn this plane around and take me home," she declared.

"Home?" Razim replied. "There is only one place which is your true home. Qazhar."

"No, Razim," she said. "It's all over. Don't you get it."

His brows furrowed and he gazed at her with such an intensity that, even though she tried to control herself, she still felt something shift, treacherously inside her. His gaze darkened and when he spoke his voice was low and filled with certainty. "It's not over, Paige. Not until I say so," he growled.

As he advanced toward her, she saw his nostrils flare with primitive need. Then his gaze flickered down the entire length of her body. His eyes blazed with a feral desire. The mere sight of her, almost naked like this, had transformed him.

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