Page 35 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

Ahmed pursed his lips, clearly disappointed with Razim's response. "Put simply, a divorce was merely temporary."

"Temporary?" Razim demanded.

Ahmed nodded. "For twenty-four hours, or the duration of one sunset to the next."

"What was the purpose of that?" Razim asked.

"It was a test of the marriage. If the sheikh was able to claim his newly rejected wife in the marriage bed they first shared, and she proved amenable to his advances, even after the divorce, then the marriage would be deemed a gift from fate. It would be reestablished. Destined never to be broken again."

"You're saying the marriage would be permanent? For the rest of their lives?"

Ahmed nodded.

Razim shook his head. "And that is written in the scrolls?"

Ahmed nodded. "It is rarely invoked. But it is part of tradition. As such it would recognized today. If it were ever to occur," Ahmed said. He lifted a brow. "Which, of course, would be most unusual in this day and age."

Getting Ahmed's drift, Razim nodded. "Of course."

Razim walked slowly over to the open windows and gazed out at the garden. He'd never heard of such a thing as this ancient custom. But, if Ahmed claimed it was true, then it must be. Ahmed was a man of honor and certainly no liar.

Razim thought for a while, considering what this could mean for him and Paige.

It was simple really. Tradition, which he already held as one of his highest values, had just handed Razim another opportunity. He'd seen the way Paige had looked at him today. He'd heard the uncertainty and the pain in her voice.

Would she agree to such a thing?

And then he remembered one very important detail. The marriage bed he and Paige had shared was located out in the desert, in his private encampment. At the time, it had seemed like the ultimate romantic gesture. And Paige had been impressed. Razim had flown her by helicopter out to the desert oasis. There they had passed an incredible night, making love under the stars. And after that, they had spent hours staring up at the bejeweled night sky.

Of course, everything had fallen apart very quickly after that night. But, Razim had always treasured that memory. The most incredible night of his life.

In an instant he knew what he had to do. Knew that fate had handed him one final chance.

And if he succeeded, then Paige would be his forever.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

"Where is the plane?" Paige asked as the limo drew to a halt on Razim's private runway just outside the palace walls. She gazed out through the tinted windows. There was a helicopter parked where the jet should have been.

"There's been a change of plan," he said.

She turned and faced him. She saw him lean back into the corner of the seat. "What do you mean?"

"I have a proposal to make," he said.

Immediately, she felt tension, and wondered what he was going to suggest. A memory flashed into her mind. The last time she'd been in that helicopter. On their wedding day.

"What kind of proposal?"

He shifted nervously, and she could see he was struggling to find the words. "Remember when we went to my encampment in the desert?"

"How could I forget?" she replied.

"I was thinking we could go there," he said flatly.

"What!" she exclaimed. "No, Razim," she added emphatically.

His brows furrowed. "Why not?"

---