CHAPTER EIGHT
Eva clambered down the side of the waterfall and stepped cautiously along the pool's edge. She leaned against the trunk of a small tree and gazed at the inviting water. She stooped down and scooped some of it up into her hand, throwing it playfully over her face.
Cold.
Hardly able to wait, she peeled off her shirt and jeans. She decided to keep her bra and panties on. No sense in getting completely naked, she told herself. Although the temptation to do so hovered at the back of her mind.
She glanced back up to the top of the waterfall and could see no sign of Riaz. She knew he'd keep his promise. There had been an unmistakably earnest look in his eyes when he'd given her his word.
Almost naked now, she felt more exposed than she'd done for a long time. But, she knew she had to wash off the dirt of the last few days. And wash away the memory of what had happened earlier.
Eva dipped a toe into the water, savoring the sharp coolness. She took a few more steps and the water rose quickly to her thighs.
Eva gasped at the coldness. The water was crystal clear and she could see the flat, rock-strewn bottom. She threw caution to the wind and dived forward. The shock of the water, the icy coolness, almost made her breath halt as she eased her body beneath the surface for a few moments.
Then, her head was emerging and she was shaking the water from her head. She gasped with pleasure and heard the sound of her voice echo around the confines of the enclosed area.
She settled back, her face skyward, swimming slowly, kicking out, feeling suddenly like a child. It was so good to be free of the dry desert, to feel all the tension drain out of her body.
Eva drifted on the surface of the pool for a while, content simply to savor every sensation. Her mind drifted to thoughts of Riaz. Of what he'd done for her.
The sheikh had rescued Eva. From what kind of fate, she preferred not to think of, as she let her body float gently.
But he had saved her. It was really that simple. Now, it looked as if he regarded himself as some kind of protector to Eva.
How did that make her feel? She wasn't sure, but it was certainly a new experience. No-one had ever taken on that role for her. He'd made it absolutely clear that her safety was paramount. And he'd acted accordingly.
The way he'd conducted himself toward her all through the journey to the camp had been impeccable. He'd been the perfect gentleman. Completely honorable.
But, maybe that was all an act, she told herself.
Once or twice, as she'd held onto him during the horse-ride across the desert, when her hands had strayed toward his waist, she was sure she'd felt his body tighten in response.
Even through the fabric of his traditional desert robe, she'd sensed the steel of his body, the power and poise enclosed there. Once, she'd even pressed her hand against his stomach, feeling the firmness of his muscles. She was sure those muscles would be ridged and taut.
Part of her had enjoyed sensing those reactions. But they'd also given her a strong sign of something more significant.
That maybe Riaz was trying to hold back something. That perhaps all that tension betrayed a mask he was desperately trying to hold in place.
Was Riaz trying to resist revealing how he felt about her? In spite of his efforts at maintaining a firm reserve, Eva was sure the sheikh was beginning to harbor some kind of interest in her.
She'd seen it in his eyes; sensed it in the way he forced himself to pull away every time he accidentally dropped the mask for brief moments. Little moments that had been so revealing, she realized.
Eva felt the forceful current of the water pushing her away from the falls and downstream following the steady flow of the river. She planted her bare feet on the stones of the riverbed and stood upright. The water reached to her breasts, covering them. She still instinctively covered herself with her hands.
Eva glanced self-consciously up toward the ledge from where the water tumbled in a white torrent.
Checking again.
There was no sign of Riaz. It looked like he was determined to keep his word.
She swam a little while longer and then got out of the water, settling on a low, flat rock, letting her body dry in the stifling end-of-day heat.
Eva knew that the sight of an almost naked woman basking by the riverside would have provoked even the most disinterested male onlooker. Luckily there were none around. She didn't close her eyes, deciding it might not be wise to relax her guard too much.
After a short while, she felt dry enough to get dressed. Standing behind a tree, she slipped off her damp undergarments and slipped into her still dry shirt and jeans.
Then she walked back up the slope. When she got to the top she saw Riaz sitting by the side of the river a short distance away. He was idly throwing stones into the river and, for a moment, he seemed oblivious to Eva's presence.
She walked along the riverside. When he eventually noticed her, he stood quickly, a broad smile on his face.
"How was that?" he asked.
"Perfect," she replied. "Who needs an oasis when you've got something like that."
He nodded and then she saw his gaze flicker down to her breasts. She glanced down and saw that her skin hadn't been as dry as she'd thought. The peaks of her nipples were clearly visible through the fabric of her shirt. She could feel the harshness of the cloth against her softness.
She looked at him and saw the change of color on his face. There was visible appreciation in that look, she told herself. She saw him swallow.
Eva turned away, facing back toward the camp. She inhaled, scenting an aroma coming from that direction. "I think I can smell some food cooking."
Riaz nodded. "It's about that time."
They both started back toward the camp, walking side by side. Eva was conscious she was carrying her underwear in her hand and clutched it tight, anxious he wouldn't notice it. Even if he'd seen her nakedness beneath the shirt, it would do no good to make what she'd just done that obvious.
"I'm beginning to see the attraction of living out here in a place like this," she said. "It's quite a place you've got here."
He narrowed his eyes. "That's not exactly how it works," he teased. "It's not "my place" as you put it."
Eva peered at him. "So how would you describe it?"
Riaz shook his head. "Nothing out here belongs to anyone."
Eva squinted at him, seeking more. But, once again he seemed to clam up.
Eva gazed through the trees, across the river and out to the distant dunes. The light was beginning to become softer now that the evening was starting to settle. She felt a gentle, warm breeze caress her skin. The delicate murmur of the river's water merely added to the sense of peace.
Everything around her had taken on a subtle golden glow. That was exactly the sensation she was starting to sense inside her own body. It was such an incredible contrast to how she'd felt at the fort, not to mention hours before at the hands of Ahmed's men.
She sighed. "This feels like no place I've ever been."
It was true, she thought to herself. For some people this place would seem like nothing short of paradise. She knew some who would do anything to be here. And some of her girlfriends would be encouraging her to get as close as she could to the devastatingly handsome sheikh who was, right now, walking right alongside Eva.
When she glanced at Riaz, she saw the pleasure on his face. "It has a way of burrowing into your soul," he murmured. His gaze drifted out toward the horizon. His features took on a sudden harshness. "You never feel anything like this back in the city."
"Different strokes for different folks, I guess," she said brightly.
Riaz squinted at her. "It is not for everyone," he admitted. "Perhaps only those with a soul able to appreciate this would feel peace here."
"You like to talk about souls, don't you," she said trying to lighten the tone a bit. But she could see he was still earnest. He didn't react to what she'd said.
He fell into a silence that lasted until they reached the encampment.
In the camp, Eva saw a fire had been lit, and a spit set up across the low flames. A dozen men were gathered around the fire. The heady scent of burning wood and cooking meat filled the air.
As she and Riaz re-entered the camp, none of the men even looked in their direction. She wondered if he'd issued some kind of order. His statement that her privacy meant a great deal to him seemed to have been backed up by action.
Or maybe he just wanted her to himself, with absolutely no interference from his men.
The thought occurred to her that Riaz might be planning something for the coming evening.
Just as she was about to enter the tent, one of Riaz's men called to him. He turned and she saw a flash of irritation on his features. Had he intended coming into the tent with her? She paused, holding the tent flap in her hand and watched as Riaz spoke with the man.
Riaz frowned and nodded. The man raced off.
"Something come up?" Eva asked.
Riaz nodded and she could see he wasn't pleased about whatever the man had told him. "I have to attend to something."
"That's okay," Eva said. "I'm going to rest a while." She glanced over toward the fire. "At least until the food is ready. I assume I'm invited to dinner tonight," she added with a grin.
Riaz smiled and she knew she'd broken whatever mood he'd been in a moment ago. "Of course." He looked toward the horizon and the sinking sun. "Sundown okay for you?" he joked.
Eva smiled at him. "That sounds fine." She glanced down at her jeans and shirt. "I'm afraid I don't have an outfit to wear. You'll have to take me as you find me," she said, lifting a brow.
Riaz's brows furrowed, his gaze darkening suddenly. He leaned closer and when he spoke his quiet voice was thick and heavy. "I'll be happy to take you whatever you're wearing, Eva," he murmured.
She instantly felt her face color, felt the heat flushing her cheeks.
She stepped hurriedly into the tent. "Call me," she said quickly and dropped the tent entrance flap into place.
Standing in the quiet of the tent, alone again, all she could think of in that moment was the way Riaz had spoken to her and the hungry look on his features as she'd backed into the tent, seeking safety.