Page 47 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

But that was how it always was with Razim. He possessed some strange ability to overcome every one of her mind's objections. In the palace garden last night, he'd done exactly the same thing.

Broken down her barriers. Shattered her resistance.

He'd almost done the same thing out there, she told herself. She'd come perilously close to submitting to the temptations. But, somehow, she'd managed to hold onto her sanity.

But only just.

So, now what was she supposed to do? Sleep here with Razim lying next door on one of the couches? Or would he sleep outside, under the stars, in the cold night? Somehow, in a curious way, she'd believed him when he'd said he wouldn't come anywhere near her during the hours before dawn. In spite of what she'd said to him out there, in spite of the fury she still felt at what she saw as his outrageous deception, she'd known him long enough to be sure that, when it came to keeping a promise, he could, in fact, be trusted.

She understood how much he wanted her. And the lengths he was prepared to go to in order to keep her in his life. Now that her anger was beginning to fade, she asked herself a question. Did she want the same? Her feelings were telling her one thing, even though her mind was trying to convince her to leave as quickly as possible.

Confusing feelings swirled around inside her. Nerves clutched at her middle. Uncertainty and apprehension hovered at the back of her mind.

She glanced at the time on her cell phone. It was almost midnight. She had maybe five hours to get through.

And then what?

She would be free. She would be able to go home and put Qazhar and all its customs well and truly behind her. And she'd be able to begin to forget the sheikh who had once been her husband.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Paige awoke, opened her eyes and immediately felt tension take hold of her. She sat up, peering into the darkness of the sleeping area. Searching for any hint of the dawn's light in the corners of the tent's fabric, she slid out of bed.

Paige drew her gown across her body, tightening the silk strap around her waist. It was one of the gowns from the trunk. Even though she knew its transparency allowed her body to be seen beneath the gossamer thin fabric, she'd been tempted by its softness and comfort. It had helped her sleep. But for how long?

She checked the time on her cell phone. It was just after five o'clock. Razim hadn't told her what time the sun rose at this time of year. She felt the smoothness of the carpet beneath her bare feet as she padded toward the flap closed over the entrance to the sleeping area. She tugged it to one side and peered out into the main body of the tent.

Razim wasn't there.

On the table, a small candle was burning inside a curved glass bowl made of glass. It cast a warm glow around the room.

Paige wondered where Razim could be. She stepped out into the open space of the tent and glanced toward the entrance. She assumed he must be out there. Perhaps he'd slept by the fire.

Her curiosity drew her to the tent's entrance flap. She drew it slowly aside and gazed out. It was very dark, but shecould just make out a figure, lying on a rug by the side of the fire.

Razim.

Paige eased her way outside, feeling the sand between her toes as she stepped carefully toward Razim. The only light was cast by the soft glow from a few dying embers on the fire. Paige glanced up at the sky and out toward the horizon. There was still no sign of the dawn. It must be too early, she told herself. But, surely, it couldn't be long until the sunrise. And then it would all be over, she told herself.

Even as she played with that thought, butterflies tumbled in her middle. Over the last few hours, she'd dreamed about Razim. Images and sensations of his body, his touch, his caresses, that had seemed unbelievably real. She had woken up more than once to find those sensations had left her shaken.

Uncertain.

Tempted.

Perhaps it was just as well they would be leaving soon, she told herself. Then she would be able to forget. Because that was what she wanted. Wasn't it?

A cool breeze enfolded her body, making her skin chill slightly. She walked, gingerly, toward Razim. He lay with his back to her, and she could see the steady rise and fall of his chest.

She took a few final steps, until she was almost standing over him. She gazed down at his sleeping figure. She ran her gaze along the length of his body, taking in the sight of his powerful torso and his broad shoulders beneath the white shirt. His long legs were tucked in slightly, granting her a perfect view of his firmly muscled rear. She felt her throat tighten with treacherous desire. Her heart quickened as she realized he could awaken any moment and catch her taking this final, forbidden pleasure.

This was what she was throwing away, she told herself. The most powerful, dominant man she had ever known. And yet, there was so much more to Razim than simply a desert sheikh who could be demanding and insistent.

He was also incredibly loyal. A man who took his honor seriously. She'd seen that so many times before over the past year. Having thought about his earlier words to her, she had no doubt that, given the chance, he would have done whatever he needed to claim her again.

But, that was about to be consigned to the past, she told herself.

Paige glanced toward the horizon, searching for the slightest hint of the dawn. But there was none.

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