CHAPTER TEN
Eva moved quickly, weaving her way through the trees, eager to put some distance between herself and Riaz. Her heart was pounding and the roaring sound in her ears competed with the sound of the flowing river.
How could she have been so foolish? She'd seen the way he'd been looking at her all throughout the meal around the campfire. Glances that hinted at a growing interest. Maybe even something more than that.
There had been increasing desire in those looks and she'd been an idiot to pretend that interest didn't exist.
Because that kiss had confirmed what she'd suspected since she'd woken in his tent back at the fort.
It wasn't just protection he was interested in providing to her. He wanted so much more.
But could she even contemplate giving in to the temptation? Because, he was undeniably tempting. Any woman would be affected by those dark looks, that dominant embrace. He'd kissed her with such ravenous need. He must have been holding onto that need all through the ride across the desert. Disguising it from her.
Eva thought about the firmness of his body crushing against hers. Her throat tightened at the memory, burned into her senses. She'd never forget that kiss, even if nothing else would come of it.
But one thing was for sure.
Now she knew he wasn't fooling.
Eva hoped he wouldn't come after her. She needed time to sort out in her mind what had just happened. Needed to think. It was all happening so fast.
She emerged from amongst the trees and entered the camp. A few men were busy clearing up, but most had drifted off to other parts of the encampment.
Suddenly the tent Riaz had given her seemed like the safest place on earth. There would be quiet in there. Time to decide what she should do next.
As she made her way toward the tent she heard the thudding of hooves. She paused and turned, looking in the direction of the camp's edge.
A dark horse emerged from the darkness carrying a white-robed rider. They came racing into the camp. She recognized the man as the one Riaz had spoken to hours before. The man's expression was grim as he drew his horse to a halt, tying the reins to a post in the sand.
He leapt down and peered urgently around. He must be searching for Riaz, she told herself. Then she saw Riaz emerge from the trees.
Riaz glanced at Eva and for a moment she was sure he was about to come to her. That would be an awkward conversation, she thought. The impulse to get to the tent seized her, but she stood her ground, curious to find out what was going on with the newly arrived rider.
Riaz went to the man and they exchanged words for a few minutes. Eva felt a professional urge take hold of her. The two men seemed almost angry about something as they spoke. She wondered if Riaz would be annoyed if he turned and realized she was watching him like this.
Then she saw Riaz nod and lay a firm hand on the man's shoulder, as if confirming he was satisfied with what the man had told him. The rider strode off quickly and then Riaz and Eva were alone again.
Riaz glanced at her and she could tell he was about to come to her. She considered going to the tent, but she was intrigued enough to want to find out more.
Riaz walked over to her. As he came toward her, she couldn't help thinking about how it had felt to be in his arms, how his lips had felt, how every nerve in her body had ignited as he'd swept her into his arms. Eva felt her throat tighten slightly as she watched him coming toward her.
Then he halted in front of her, his brows furrowed, his gaze patient and thoughtful.
"What was that about?" Eva asked.
Riaz sighed, sounding exasperated. "Always questions with you, Eva," he replied. "Why all the questions?"
She tilted her head. "Seemed like you were upset about something."
He frowned and shook his head. She saw a flash of impatience in his eyes. He glanced in the direction of the river. "About what happened over there," he started to say, but she cut him off.
"Let's not talk about that, Riaz," she interrupted.
His brows furrowed and she saw a sudden flash of frustration on his features.
Eva started to move away from him but he reached out, taking hold of her arm. She felt the strength of his fingers through the fabric of her shirt. That wasn't all she felt. A treacherous tingle had raced up her arm as he'd touched her. The sensation spread throughout her body.
She glanced down at his hand and then into his eyes. A moment passed between them, a moment of unspoken communication, and then he released her arm.
"Maybe I should go," she stated.
Riaz glanced toward his tent. "It isn't that late," he replied.
Eva narrowed her eyes. "That's not what I meant. Maybe I should be getting back to the village where I left my car."
For a moment, she saw the surprise on his face. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, he took hold of himself and his features became impassive. He peered at her steadily. "So soon?" he asked.
Eva nodded. "I think might be for the best," she replied. "Maybe you can give me a horse tomorrow and I can be on my way."
Riaz released her arm and took a step back. He was suddenly lost in thought. He paced slowly for a few moments and then turned to her. "That might not be quite as simple as you think."
"Why not?"
He frowned. "Even if you were to be able to start back, I don't think I can let you go."
Eva felt indignation flash inside her. "You're not going to let me go. Am I some kind of prisoner here?" she snapped.
Riaz shook his head. "Of course not. You are as free as you were before you agreed to come here with me."
Eva dragged in a deep calming breath. He was right, of course, she told herself. She had consented to him bringing her to this encampment. Not only because of the danger she'd found herself in, not only to keep her safe, but also for some selfish motives of her own.
The desire to understand Riaz was still strong. Even stronger now that she'd seen, up close, just what kind of life he enjoyed.
"Are you telling me you won't give me a horse to use?" she asked sharply.
"It has nothing to do with providing you with a horse," he replied. He moved closer to Eva, his gaze darker now, his jaw tight.
"Don't tell me," she said acidly. "You think I'll come to harm on my own out there," she said pointing into the desert darkness.
Riaz shook his head. "I've no doubt you are entirely capable of looking after yourself," he said. "More than capable, in fact."
Eva saw the hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth and felt a surge of annoyance. Who did he think he was? Was she some kind of plaything? Someone to be teased?
"Really?" she retorted. "Why do I think you aren't being straight with me?" she demanded.
His brows furrowed. "I would have thought you'd be used to the subjects of your work being evasive." He took a step closer and she suddenly felt his towering presence. "Isn't that all I am to you? An object of curiosity? Isn't that why you really came here?"
Eva felt her mouth open. She gazed up at him. Was that what he really thought of her? That she'd come here just to dig for a story? That she'd even been willing to exploit any excuse to witness Riaz in his natural habitat?
"You know what happened, Riaz," she objected. "You saw for yourself."
He shrugged. "I have no doubt the danger you were in was entirely real. In fact, that is the reason why I cannot allow you to leave," he said. "Not immediately, anyway," he added.
Eva squinted at him. "What do you mean?"
"The man you saw me talking to has just arrived back from visiting Ahmed's camp."
"Ahmed!" she exclaimed.
Riaz nodded. "I sent my man there this afternoon."
"Why?"
Riaz sighed. "It has to do with what happened today." Riaz's eyes narrowed. "What Ahmed tried to do to you," Riaz added slowly.
Eva felt anxiety curl in her belly. "Why did you send him to Ahmed's camp?"
Riaz straightened. "Because something must be done about what Ahmed did."
"Like what?"
Riaz frowned. "Ahmed committed a grave mistake when he insulted you the way he did."
Eva squinted at Riaz. "He didn't insult me." She tilted her head. "Granted, what he did was outrageous. Even barbaric. But I don't feel insulted."
Riaz took a few paces, shaking his head firmly. "Sending his men to interfere with your journey was bad enough. But, it was clear to me that the men had been sent to do something much worse. That is unacceptable."
Eva advanced toward Riaz. He peered at her, and she could just how outraged he was. "I think we should just forget about it. Once I'm gone, that'll be the end of it."
Riaz shook his head. His gaze darkened. "That is where you are wrong, Eva. It cannot be forgotten. Not until he has done what he must do to remedy the situation."
Eva frowned. "What do you mean?"
Riaz sighed heavily. "We have sacred traditions which all tribal leaders are bound by. One of them is that if a tribal leader interferes with another tribal leader's woman, he must apologize."
Eva felt shocked. What was he talking about? She wasn't Riaz's woman, any more than he was her man. What did he mean? Was Riaz already thinking of Eva as his property? She pushed that thought away.
"Apology? What kind of apology?" she asked.
Riaz leaned closer. "He must show obeisance to you, face to face. And in my presence."
"What!" Eva could hardly believe what she was listening to. "Is this some kind of a joke?"
Riaz shook his head. "I assure you, this is no laughing matter."
Eva took a few steps away from Riaz. Was this another of the barbaric remnants of the desert past? What had she been dragged into?
"When you say obeisance, what exactly do you mean?" she asked.
"He must come to this camp and demonstrate to you, and to me, that he meant no insult. He must prostrate himself before you and beg your forgiveness."
The breath almost stopped in Eva's lungs. The idea of a tribal leader agreeing to do such a thing was unthinkable.
"How can you hold him to that?" she asked.
"It isn't my doing," Riaz replied. "Word has already circulated about what happened."
Eva stared at Riaz. "You told the men?"
"I had to. We cannot allow such things to happen without those who carry them out understanding they are not above our laws."
Eva squinted at him. "Laws? They sound barbaric to me."
Riaz's features tightened and his jaw was a hard, determined line. She could see that there was no way out of this.
She moved toward Riaz who stood stock still gazing down at her. "I don't want this, Riaz. Can't you see that all I want is to go home?"
He lifted his chin and peered at her. "Is that what you truly want, Eva?"
She sighed and she lowered her head, eager for him not to see the confusion in her eyes. Eva could understand that there was more going on here than just her desire to remove herself from an awkward situation.
And what exactly was that uncomfortable situation?
Was it just about refusing to go along with this primitive custom? Or was it more to do with how Riaz was beginning to loom large in her mind, how he was triggering treacherous sensations in her body?
The fact was, she hadn't been the same since he'd walked up to her at the fort. Even then, he'd tried to protect her, tried to warn her. And she had ignored those warnings.
She thought about how Riaz had kissed her. How that kiss had affected her. There was no denying the truth of her reaction. How her body had responded to his touch. That was the least of her problems, she realized.
Could she really just walk away and leave this situation unresolved?
"What will happen if I go?" she asked. "If Ahmed isn't forced to do this thing you're talking about?"
Riaz sighed. Was that disappointment she'd just seen in his eyes?
"It might encourage Ahmed to believe he is above our laws." Riaz paused. "He might even think he has won some kind of a victory over me personally." Riaz glanced over her shoulder "And over my tribe. Some of the men might see it as shameful, even dishonorable that Ahmed escaped unpunished."
Eva scrutinized Riaz. There was more than disappointment in those eyes, she told herself. Riaz looked genuinely concerned about something. What was he hinting at? Her instincts told her there was more to this than he was willing to tell her.
"And if that happens, then what?" she asked tentatively.
Riaz shrugged. "Then it will be known that Ahmed defeated me in this matter."
"Defeated you? How?"
Riaz lowered his head and looked suddenly thoughtful. "Reputation is everything out here, Eva. I've told you that before. It isn't like back in the city, where people can do what they like with no consequences."
"What's that got to do with Ahmed apologizing publicly?"
Riaz's eyes narrowed. "If I am known to have failed to have held him to account, my standing amongst the tribal elders will be diminished." Riaz gazed at her evenly. "I would have to reconsider my decision to remain here."
Eva stared at Riaz "Are you telling me you'd have to give up all of this?"
Riaz nodded slowly. "Of course I could remain, but it would be on very different terms than those I've enjoyed up until now."
Eva took a few steps away from Riaz. "How can they do that to you?"
"It is how the strong become strong," he explained. "And how the weak assume a lower position amongst the tribes. In any case, I'm a newcomer here. Some leaders might be happy to see me leave."
Eva shook her head in disbelief. "All of that because of what he did? Surely he's the one who should suffer, not you."
Riaz shrugged. "As I have tried to explain. The way we live is different. The rules we follow must seem strange to you."
Eva snorted. "That's an understatement."
Eva thought for a few moments. It was simple really. If she left, Riaz stood to lose almost everything he'd worked so hard to achieve. Everything he valued so much. Could she do that him?
"When is Ahmed due to come here?" she asked.
For a moment he seemed surprised at what she'd said. "Within a day or two," he replied. "Possibly longer. It depends on him."
Eva nodded. If her staying here for that time meant Riaz would gain something important, wasn't that the least she could do? Especially after he'd helped her so much.
Hardly believing what she was about to say, she spoke. "I'll stay until he comes," she stated bluntly.
Riaz's brows rose. "You will?" he responded. "Are you certain?" She could tell he was trying to contain his emotion. His eyes were suddenly brighter, his voice no longer a steady, flat murmur.
Eva nodded. "I'd like to see Ahmed get what he deserves."
She didn't even think about what it would mean to remain here in this camp with Riaz in such close proximity. There wasn't any point thinking about how much of a challenge that was going to be.
Riaz smiled, obviously her last comment. But, before he'd had a chance to say anything else, Eva turned to the tent. "I'm going to retire for the night," she declared.
She saw him almost bite his tongue, and she wondered what he'd been about to say. But, all he said was: "I hope you sleep well."
She smiled at him. "Goodnight, Riaz."
He bowed slightly, and that simple gesture inexplicably touched her in some way she couldn't understand. "Goodnight, Eva," he said.
Then she walked toward the tent, opened the entrance and went inside.