Page 13 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

Paige curled her fingers around the edge of the balustrade, feeling the coldness of the stone against her skin. Well, this time she really was passing through, she told herself. This time she really was just a visitor, here to get what she needed, before quickly and decisively moving on.

There was a knock at her door. Paige went into the sitting room and opened the suite's door. One of the servants, a young woman named Riyah, was standing in the corridor.

"The sheikh has asked that you join him downstairs," Riyah said calmly. "In the dining room."

"Has he?" Paige snapped. When she saw Riyah frown slightly, Paige immediately regretted the harshness of her tone. "Tell him I'll be down soon," she told the young woman.

Paige closed the door and asked herself why Razim would want to speak to her. Paige had told him, in no uncertain terms, that she didn't want to spend any time in Razim's company. And now he thought he could just snap his fingers and call on her? Who did he think he was? Hadn't she made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with him until he'd arranged the signing of the divorce papers?

She would have to go and establish the boundaries for her stay.

But Razim wasn't a man who took orders.This was how he was, she told herself as she closed the door to her suite behind her. Razim was a feral force of nature, utterly determined to have his way in all things.

As she made her way down the stairs, Paige recalled the many times when Razim had imposed his will upon her. He could be demanding in so many ways. Not only in ordinary, everyday matters. But especially in the bedroom.

In spite of herself, Paige couldn't help savoring some of the memories of their lovemaking. Razim was ferocious in bed. He was an expert and knew every possible way to drive Paige mad with ecstasy.

And that was why it was so dangerous for her to be here.

If she gave him even the slightest chance, she knew she would be lost. She knew her resolve would weaken. Razim was capable of making Paige change her mind, just with his touch, and that made her feel anxious. It made her desperate to get away before he had a chance to awaken the dormant fires which she had kept under control these past few months. The palace, no matter how beautiful it looked, was a dangerous trap.

A thought flickered into her mind. There was one place where she might be safe. A place which would guarantee that Razim would not be able to exploit the weaknesses she harbored like a guilt secret. It would hurt him, when she suggested it. But it would make things so much simpler.

Instantly encouraged by that possible solution, she entered the dining room. She found him sitting at the long table. He looked up as she entered the room. He gestured to the various dishes which had been laid out on the table. "I thought you might be hungry after the flight. We didn't have a chance to share breakfast," he explained.

"It's almost midday," she retorted.

He stood and went around to one of the chairs. He pulled it out from beneath the table. "Call it brunch," he said.

She sat down and felt him carefully push the seat underneath her rear. She glanced up at him and saw the appreciation in the way he was looking down at her. Razim was dressed in a plain white shirt, open at the collar. He wore tight-fitting dark blue pants. She had to admit he looked sexy.

He took his place on the other side of the table. A servant came carrying a large silver pot and poured out black coffee into the cup next to Paige's large empty plate.

Paige helped herself to some figs and yogurt, some toast and eggs and the coffee. She ate in silence for a while, acutely aware that Razim was watching her.

"Your room is just as you left it," Razim said.

"I noticed," she said nodding.

"Everything you need is here," he added.

Paige sipped her coffee and placed the cup gently down on the saucer. "About that, Razim," she said. "I've been thinking. I can't stay here."

"What!" Razim exclaimed.

Paige gazed steadily at Razim, seeing the consternation on his features. She shook her head. "There are too many memories here. Too much has happened for me to be able to stay here. I'm just a visitor," she said.

Razim leaned forward. "You are my wife. And this is your home."

"I won't be your wife for much longer, Razim," she said. "We both know I can't stay here overnight."

"Why?"

Paige's shoulders tightened and she stared at Razim. "It's difficult for me to explain."

Razim frowned. "Do you fear me?" he demanded.

For a moment she was taken aback by the directness of that question. It almost implied that she had to keep away from him. That he had given her cause to be nervous about being under the same roof as him. But, she knew that wasn't the reason. It was more to do with the fact that she didn't trust herself. That she needed to keep all of this as simple as possible.

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