Page 14 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

"Of course I don't fear you, Razim," she explained. "We just have to get through this and then we can move on with our lives."

His features darkened and he sighed heavily. But he remained seated at the other side of the table. "What if I don't want to move on?" he said sternly. "What if I want you to remain here. With me."

Paige leaned back against her chair. "It's too late to change what we've done, Razim," she told him. "You brought me here with a specific purpose in mind."

"How do you know what my purpose was?" he asked. "You assume that I wanted rid of you. That I wanted to end this marriage. Has it occurred to you that you might be wrong? That I might want you to remain as my wife?"

Nerves twisted in her middle. She should have expected this conversation to be difficult. She'd gotten a hint of his desire for her in the way he'd kissed her on the plane. But, a part of her wanted to believe that had simply been an impulsive act. A momentary weakness on his part. And on hers. But, she knew that wasn't true.

The kiss had been terrifying. What it promised had scared her and sent her running back to the safety of her room, behind a locked door. And now she knew she needed that safety even more.

Paige stood, pushing the chair back. The sound of the chair scraping against the marble floor was loud in the high-ceilinged room. "I can't do this, Razim," she stated. "I've decided I'm going to use the apartment in the city while I'm here. I can't stay here in the palace."

Razim raced around the table and seized Paige by the upper arms. "You can't leave. I won't allow it."

Paige peered steadily into Razim's dark eyes. She saw the fierce determination in his gaze. She felt the strength of his hands. His fingers curled around the soft flesh of her arms. She knew she should have told him to let her go, but some impulse, rooted deep inside her, resisted the demand to tell him to unhand her. It felt strangely satisfying to be held by him.

Razim's body pressed gently against hers. She felt the firmness of his desire against her torso. Her throat tightened. She should have known this wouldn't be easy. That he wouldn't let her leave without putting up resistance. After all, didn't he always get his way? Wasn't he the lord and master of the palace? And wasn't she his long lost wife back from exile?

Something shifted inside her. A treacherous sensation swept through her body. It had been triggered by his touch and by the way he was gazing into her eyes. There was fervent desire in that gaze and it made her heartbeat quicken.

It was then that he seized his opportunity. As if sensing her weakness, Razim dipped his head and claimed her lips. Sensation swept through her body and she groaned as he thrust his tongue into her mouth. She felt his arms enfold her, drawing her firmly against him, crushing her with desperate need. Her breasts pressed against his hard chest. His breathing was hard and quickening by the second.

She should have known better, she told herself. This was exactly what she needed to avoid.

His tempting body; his persuasivedesire.

His power. His dominating need.

But, just as those objections rose into her mind, her body was overwhelmed by the sheer pleasure Razim was capable of giving her. For a few brief, perfect moments she let herself sink into the ecstasy, letting it overtake her. This was how it felt to be claimed by the powerful sheikh who was still her husband.

Heat flared in her core and she felt her nipples harden with desire. She knew she was moments away from submitting. Knew she would not be able to resist him for much longer.

With a loud gasp, she tugged her head back. His eyes widened, startled at the suddenness of her refusal. She took a step back, freeing herself from his embrace.

She composed herself and tried to recover her breathing. It took a few moments, but eventually she managed to speak. "You see what I mean?" she snapped. "I have to go." Paige cleared her throat. "Please arrange for the limo to take me to the apartment in the city. I'll take some of my stuff from upstairs."

His mouth opened, objections on his mind. But then his shoulders sank and he nodded. "Of course. I'll tell the servants to do what you want. I can accompany you, if you want."

She shook her head firmly. "No. I want to go on my own."

Razim shook his head. "I can't allow you to go on your own."

"Why not?"

"It isn't appropriate that you leave the palace like that. So soon after arriving."

Paige frowned. "Worried what the servants will think?"

Razim narrowed his eyes. "They already know you haven't been here for a very long time. I'm sure they've drawn their own conclusions. Your absence has not gone unnoticed amongst Qazhar society."

"You're saying the great and the good have been gossiping about me while I've been in the US?"

"People have come to their own conclusions, Paige," Razim said. "It is inevitable they would do so."

"Well, never mind. They'll have plenty to talk about once the divorce is final," she said.

Razim gazed steadily at Paige. "Allow me to escort you to the apartment. Since you insist on refusing my hospitality here, at least grant me that privilege."

---