Page 4 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

She sighed heavily. "Okay. Lead the way," she said glancing toward the jet.

He looked suddenly triumphant. He extended an arm, perhaps hoping she would take hold of him. But she resisted that offer. His mouth turned down as he admitted temporary defeat.

She walked alongside him. This was what it was like to be with him, she reflected. Constant testing. Constant war.

He paused at the entrance to the jet. "After you, Paige," he said.

She met his gaze. Always the gentleman, she told herself. At least on the surface. Beneath the astonishing looks and the perfect manners lurked a dangerous animal. One which had driven her to intense heights of pleasure. But those days were gone, now, she told herself.

Forever.

She stepped into the jet, feeling sudden familiarity. She'd been inside it many times during their many trips abroad. She saw the eight leather seats and long sofa. At the far end of the narrow plane there was a door. It was closed but she knew what lay behind it. The small bedroom. Memories tumbled unbidden into her mind of what she'd done there with Razim. She was sure her cheeks had colored at those thoughts. Luckily he was standing behind her.

On the left, there was a long table set between two facingseats. On the table she saw papers spread out. Her heart leaped in her chest at the sight of the papers.

Then he was next to her. "Please, Paige. Take a seat."

She went to the table and glanced down. On the top of the front sheet she saw two words.

FINAL DIVORCE.

Her throat tightened.

She sat down on the seat and Razim took his place opposite her. "Would you like a drink?" he asked.

She shook her head impatiently. "No, Razim," she replied. "I'd just like to sign those papers and get going."

Razim leaned to one side, resting his arm on the side of the seat. He cleared his throat. She thought he looked nervous or uncertain, which was highly unusual for Razim. His gaze lowered to the papers on the table and then back up at her.

"There's something I have to tell you, Paige," he stated in an even voice.

She said nothing, merely matching his steady gaze.

"I'm afraid we won't be signing anything," he declared.

"What!" she ejaculated.

He lifted a reassuring hand. "At least not here. Not tonight."

"What on earth are you talking about?" she demanded. "I can see the papers right there in front of me," she said sharply. "Aren't they divorce papers?"

He nodded. "They are," he replied. "Prepared by a Qazhar court. They are fully legal. Just as I promised they would be."

"So what's the problem?" she asked. "Surely, all I need to do is sign on the dotted line, and that will be it."

Razim shook his head. "It's not that simple."

"What do you mean?"

Razim leaned forward and peered into her eyes. There was a steadiness to his gaze, hinting at determination. She'd seen that look many times. Absolute determination. And there was also the hint of something else.

Desire.

She sighed. That was a look she knew all too well.

Right now, it was the last thing she wanted to see written on his features. All she wanted was to get out of here. Get away from this man who could still send her emotions tumbling.

"Are you telling me the papers aren't legal?" she demanded.

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