Page 12 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

This was turning out to be a torment, he told himself. Having her this close, yet not being able to touch her, was proving to be almost unbearable.

Almost as if she was reading his mind, she halted and peered at him. "I suppose you've left me with no choice, Razim," she announced. She tilted her head and glared at him. "If I want this divorce, I'll have to do it on your terms."

Hearing her use the word "divorce" made something heavy sink in his middle.

Razim nodded steadily. "It is how it must be done," he said evenly.

She strode up to him and pushed her face up close. Her eyes shimmered, moist with emotion. "Let's get one thing straight, Razim. If I'm staying here, I want my old room to myself. No sharing." Her gaze hardened. "Is that clear?"

Razim drew in a deep breath. She was facing him down, drawing the battle lines. Just as she'd done so many times before. "Of course, Paige. I wouldn't have expected anything else."

She seemed surprised at his sudden agreement. But, he'd anticipated this moment. Her capitulation to his demands. And he'd prepared his response.

Razim met Paige's steady gaze. "You shall have your privacy during your entire stay here in the palace." He lifted a brow. "After all, it is your home, is it not?"

She snorted and turned away from him. The servant emerged from the front of the plane and opened the door. A blast of heat wafted into the air-conditioned coolness of the jet's interior.

As Paige busied herself, preparing to leave the jet, Razim reflected on what he'd achieved.

It was simple.

He'd brought his wife back to Qazhar and made it impossible for her to leave.

Now it was time to begin to persuade her that this was where she belonged. Forever.

CHAPTER FIVE

Paige threw herself down onto her bed. The familiar, huge double bed she'd slept in so many times before. She ran her gaze around the beautifully appointed bedroom, taking in the sight of the luxurious furnishings, the cabinets, the mirrors, the paintings. Through the open double doors she saw the sitting room of the massive suite which was her refuge in the palace. This place held so many memories, she found it hard to stop those recollections forcing their way into her mind.

Paige stretched an arm out across the bed, recalling the many nights she'd spent here with Razim. Before their relationship had become just a mutually convenient agreement. The early days of their relationship had been intense, thrilling, world-changing, she told herself.

Razim's passion for her had been unstoppable, and Paige had been more than happy to submit to Razim's fierce desire. It had felt exquisite to be the subject of his demanding attentions. And, for a while, everything had been perfect. But it had all changed once she'd agreed to give him what he wanted. What he needed so that he could claim his rightful place as head of this part of the Al Kharif family.

Paige thought about what Razim had told her in the jet. She closed her eyes and groaned, thinking about the coming days. It felt almost as if she had been taken prisoner. Again.

Wasn't that one of the reasons why she'd ran back to the US. To escape the sense of confinement? To get away from the lies? Because, she knew that pretending to be Razim's loving wife was a lie. One that both of them were happy to tell to anyone who wanted to know.

Paige stood and went to the huge, step-in closet. She saw all her old clothes in there, hanging just where she had left them three months ago. Dozens of dresses hung there. Racks of shoes lined one wall, and boxes were piled high, many unopened. She recalled the shopping trips into Qazhar city. No limit spending. At the time it had seemed like a dream come true. Razim had insisted she buy everything she would ever want. And she had.

Paige ran a hand along the clothes. It all seemed to belong to a different time. A different life. She hadn't even worn all of the outfits. There hadn't been time, she reflected. She hadn't lived in the palace long enough.

She went into the sitting room and gazed around the space, taking in the sight of the high ceilings, the expensive furnishings which she'd had imported from Europe. The rugs, the tables, the sofas, the chairs. She remembered arguing with Razim. He had wanted her to have traditional Qazhar furnishings, but she had wanted familiar things. Finally, he had relented, insisting that he would bring the best from Europe.

Anything to keep her happy, he had said. Razim had always been capable of sweet words. She had wondered if he had been sincere, making such remarks. There had been times when Razim had been so kind to her, so considerate, so loving, that she had played with the idea of remaining his wife. Of staying in Qazhar for good.

But, every time she'd toyed with that thought, Razim had done something which confirmed her in the view that she needed to get away from this crazy arranged marriage. Razim's nature was as turbulent as the shifting desert sands. One moment he could be the gentlest and most passionate man imaginable. The next, darkness could descend upon him, driving him to be demanding, insistent.

She sighed.

No. More than that. He was almost irresistible.

Living permanently with Razim, here in the sumptuous surroundings of the palace, was like riding an emotional rollercoaster. As far as Paige was concerned, their insane agreement had the potential to destroy them both.

Now, having seen how he'd behaved toward her on the plane, she felt confused. On the one hand he seemed genuinely concerned for her well-being. He'd been gentle and courteous too her. But he had also deceived her, and for that she was reluctant to forgive him.

Paige stepped out onto the terrace, feeling the heat of the late morning sun. She leaned against the marble balustrade and sighed. Had Razim been right? Was this her home? Could she ever have been happy here? She would never know, although tempting thoughts tugged at her mind. There had been times when she had fantasized about remaining here with Razim. About taking up her place as Razim's true wife. The rightful mistress of the palace. That was what he'd called her.

It was a fantasy which had pleased her at the time. But, that had been before the change in her relationship with Razim. That had all been before the arrangement. And it had been the agreement which had made Paige feel so very different. As if she was merely passing through.

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