CHAPTER NINE
Two hours later, Riaz sat with his men around the campfire waiting for Eva. The sun had set and the only light came from torches which had been placed at intervals around the camp. The sky was filled with stars and there was a full moon.
His men were talking animatedly, their spirits high. They were all waiting for their guest to emerge from Riaz's tent. And Eva seemed determined to keep them all waiting.
He wasn't at all surprised at that. He knew she was awake since he'd gone to the tent a short while ago and found her getting herself prepared after her brief sleep.
She'd stood at the entrance, her body language making it clear she didn't want him coming into the tent. He'd respected her wish, even though he'd wanted to go inside just to make sure she was settling in comfortably.
But, one look into her determined eyes had warned him off trying to insist.
That had been fifteen minutes ago, and he wondered just what was keeping her.
Riaz thought back to their arrival at the camp. He was pleased she seemed impressed by what she'd seen. That was important to him, because he now realized the last thing he wanted was for her to leave the camp in the morning. Even if her own horse was lame and wouldn't be completely fit for the desert crossing for a few days, he knew she could demand he give her another horse, and that he'd find it hard to refuse her request.
But he didn't want her to leave.
Not after the time they'd spent together after the run-in with Ahmed's men. Not after the way he'd found himself reacting to her closeness on the desert journey to this camp; not after the way he'd felt while he'd been showing her around.
Especially not after the way he'd felt waiting for her while she bathed in the river's pool. That wait had been excruciating and it had taken all his strength to resist the temptation to check that she was okay while she bathed only a short distance away from him.
But he'd given her his word. Keeping that promise had made every moment a sweet torture. He'd waited by the riverside, throwing stones into the water, feeling like a child denied a pleasure he believed he every right to enjoy.
At one point he'd reminded himself that Eva suffered a fall and that she might still be suffering the effects of it. For that one reason he'd allowed himself to edge toward the waterfall, still out of sight of Eva.
Riaz had stood back from the edge, listening for sounds of Eva bathing. He'd smiled when he'd heard the splash of her entering the water. When he'd heard her scream out, for a moment he'd contemplated making his way down to ensure she wasn't in trouble. But then he'd heard her delighted laughter and he'd held back, remaining completely out of sight.
Once he'd reassured himself she was okay, he'd made his way back to the river's edge and resumed tossing the stones idly into the water.
She'd made him wait then, just as she was doing right now, he told himself. But he could wait for Eva. The waiting only increased the anticipation, as far as he was concerned.
Anticipation for what? He knew the answer to that question. Desire flared in his middle, just as it had done so many times today.
He gazed around the hungry faces of his men, trying to make sure his features didn't betray the thoughts about Eva drifting through his mind.
One of his men stood, looking over toward Riaz's tent. Riaz turned and saw Eva emerging from the tent. He stood and went across to her, meeting her midway between the tent and the campfire.
"Finally," he said with a grin.
"Getting hungry?" she asked smiling right back at him.
Riaz looked over toward his men. "Not just me."
"Oh," Eva said looking genuinely shocked for a moment. "I thought you'd all start without me." She peered at the men. "I didn't realize they were all waiting for me."
"It isn't the first time they've gone hungry," he joked.
Eva lifted a hand and swept it across her blonde hair, smoothing it. She'd tied her hair back. Doing so only highlighted the delicate oval shape of her face, merely emphasized her high cheekbones, the width of her forehead.
Riaz felt himself approve. In the soft light of the torches, he saw that her skin had taken some of the day's sun. It gave her features an attractive lustre, enhanced by the brightness in her blue eyes.
The rest she'd taken had helped her expression become more relaxed. Less like the tense, slightly nervous woman he'd first encountered at the fort.
She looked like a different woman now, he told himself.
But it had been worth the wait.
Riaz extended a hand, making it clear he wanted to lead her to the campfire. He meant the gesture to be polite, even formal.
Eva glanced down at his hand and hesitated. Was she considering how it would look if she took the sheikh's hand? Was she worried what the men would assume?
Just as Riaz started to lower his hand, Eva took it quickly, holding it around chest height in the space between them. She'd understood what he wanted, he told himself. It wasn't intended to be a gesture of familiarity, more like one of respect. One of politeness and honor.
They walked together to the campfire. Most of his men glanced toward him and Eva. Their expressions were impassive.
Riaz led Eva to a low seat alongside his place. She sat down and smiled at the circle of faces. Riaz swept his white robe to the side and sat down, cross-legged on the low, flat seat.
Over the next hour, food was shared and consumed ravenously by most of the men. There was much laughter and Riaz was pleased to see Eva joining in, sharing as much as she could with her lack of knowledge of the language.
Riaz found himself enjoying every moment of her presence alongside him. He'd known he would. She had a rare ability to find ways to connect with strangers. He guessed that came with her experience, with all the places she'd worked as a journalist in the region. Maybe this wasn't such an unusual occurrence for her after all, he thought.
Nevertheless, Riaz was sure he hadn't enjoyed a meal as much as this for a very long time.
Finally, the men started to drift away. Some of them busied themselves clearing away the remnants of the meal.
Then, Riaz was alone with Eva. Exactly what he'd waited for all evening. He knew what he wanted. The impatience he'd felt at sharing her presence with the men began to fade as he and Eva walked from the camp down to the river's edge.
The moon was high and silvery light made the river seem different from the day. Through the trees the distant dunes shimmered in the ghostly glow. He knew the transformation which could overtake this place at night. It would assume a fresh identity, something magical.
Eva leaned against a twisted tree trunk. "Those seem like good men," she said.
Riaz rested his shoulder against the tree. He was so close to Eva he could inhale her soft scent. "They are the best I could ever hope for. I am blessed by their loyalty."
Eva thought for moment and then turned her face to him. "One thing puzzles me. Don't they all have families. Wives and children."
He'd expected her to ask him that. He nodded. "Most of them come from a small village up to the north. You might say that village is my real ancestral home. It's where much of my forebears were based for many generations."
He saw her brow lift, interest suddenly seizing her. For a moment he regretted opening up to her like that. In explaining where his men had come from, he could see he'd triggered more questions in her mind.
Her eyes narrowed. "So, they all left their wives and children to be here with you?" she asked.
Riaz shook his head. "It isn't quite that simple. They haven't left them behind at all. The men spend periods of time with me here, and then they are back with their families. It's like a changing squad of men who believe in what I'm trying to do."
"And what exactly is that?" Eva asked.
Riaz looked steadily at her. "You already know the answer to that, Eva," he replied.
She nodded. "Of course," she said. "Reclaiming something you believe has been lost." She peered at him. "Isn't that too much like living in the past?"
Riaz shook his head. "Not the way I see it."
She looked at him as if she expected him to continue, but he fell silent for a period.
He drew in a deep breath and leaned closer to Eva. He noticed she didn't immediately respond by moving away from him.
Right now, he didn't want to talk about all that, he told himself. At this moment all he wanted was to be as close as possible to her. Anything that got in the way of that happening would be pushed firmly aside.
Their eyes met, exchanging a moment of understanding. He was sure she understood why he'd cut that conversation short. And it had had nothing to do with trying to prevent her prying into his way of life. It had everything to do with making the most of this special moment.
She broke the silence, clearing her throat, as if she felt suddenly awkward. Perhaps she understood why he hadn't repeated his usual speech about his reasons for choosing this life.
Riaz heard the sounds of the men back in the camp. Laughter drifted down to the riverside. They'd be getting ready to retire soon, he told himself.
Eva surprised Riaz by moving away from the tree and steeping toward the river's edge. He saw her wrapping her arms around herself as she halted. He went to her, standing close. Had she interpreted his refusal to talk as an indication that there was something else on his mind?
If that was so, then she was completely right. Not only was his mind churning, tormenting him with thoughts about Eva, but he could feel his pulse racing, his heart pounding.
What had come over him?
He'd become possessed by a force determined to drive him into taking what he knew, deep down, to be a risky action. One that could unleash something both he and Eva might instantly regret.
Riaz straightened, dragging in a deep, calming breath, trying desperately to seize hold of the emotions churning through him.
He saw Eva glance at him, her eyes narrowing slightly He was sure she could sense the tension in him. It must be so obvious, he told himself.
Was it just that he hadn't been with a woman in such a long time, that Eva's presence had triggered base desires that threatened to make a fool of him?
No. He thrust that thought firmly aside.
This woman was unlike any he'd ever been with, and he'd been with enough to realize that mere pleasure could be temporary, that infatuation could disappear as quickly as it had taken hold.
Was that all he was feeling? A simple infatuation? An instant attraction soon to be discarded?
One look at Eva, and the response he instantly felt, told him how much of a lie that thought had been. He would have to be cautious with this woman, he told himself. There was so much at stake.
Perhaps he'd made a mistake bringing her to the camp. Even when he'd suggested bringing her to this place, he'd known it was a risky thing to do. It broke every rule he'd set himself since coming here a year ago.
Eva bent down and lifted a stone, hurling it into the water. It splashed noisily.
Riaz gazed at her. She looked beautiful standing there, silhouetted against the silvery waters and distant desert darkness. He ran his gaze down the length of her body, taking in the sight of her long torso, her broad hips, her long legs. There was so much promise there, he told himself. So much temptation.
Riaz swallowed, feeling the flame of his need warm even more. His heart was quicker now and he felt a sharpness in his breathing.
He thought he'd turned his back on all of these kinds of pleasures. Maybe he'd been wrong. Perhaps she was about to prove that his self-control wasn't as strong as he believed it to be.
Then he saw Eva take a step forward, but her foot caught on a rock and she stumbled. Riaz shot forward, grasping her arm, preventing her from falling into the water. He pulled her firmly toward him.
Then she straightened and turned to him and he knew the moment had come. The moment he'd been trying to deny, but one which couldn't be denied any longer.
Riaz slid his hands to Eva's waist and drew her close to him. She didn't resist, didn't try to pull away. They were facing each other, their bodies inches apart. Heat flickered in him as he gazed into her eyes. There was a slight hesitation there. He could see that.
And then something changed in her expression.
From that he took the only confirmation he needed.
For a brief moment he hesitated, but when he saw her gaze soften, saw her mouth open slightly, he knew the time had come.
Riaz's lips crashed down upon Eva's tempting mouth. Sensation ignited in him and he heard her gasp. Her body crushed against his and her hand went up to the side of his head, fingers snaking into his hair.
Riaz slid a hand up the length of her back, drawing her firmly against him. She gasped again as he pressed his need against the softness of her body.
Her breathing quickened instantly and her movements became urgent. Riaz's tongue probed Eva's mouth seeking pleasure and permission. That only intensified her desire, caused his own to flame even more.
Riaz probed with his tongue and she responded, her lips impatiently seeking pleasure. She tasted sweet and he savored the softness of her moist lips. Truly, he'd forgotten this pleasure.
He pressed his body harder against her, feeling relief sweep through him that finally he'd acted, that at last he was tasting the pleasures of her. The relief was instantly overtaken by a harsh need, as his body reacted to the feel of her flesh against his.
Eva's hands went to his shoulders, fingers curling around his muscles there, digging in, driving him on. Encouraging him.
Riaz's arms encircled Eva, enveloping her in his embrace. This felt so incredibly right, he told himself. All hesitation had vanished with this kiss, this embrace. Her body seemed to ease into him, seeking more.
Had he misjudged her so badly? He hadn't been sure if the feelings which had stirred within him had existed in Eva. He'd doubted she felt as he did because he hadn't read the signals. Or maybe those signals hadn't been there in the first place.
But now he knew.
She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
He continued to kiss her, shocked at the urgency of his own need as well as her own obvious acceptance of him. The feel of her breasts pressing against him was exquisite. He inhaled her aroma, fresh and intoxicating.
His senses were being driven wild by this woman. It was as if something had been loosened within him, something he'd locked away in a cage. Need strengthened even more. He felt his desire harden.
Eva seemed to react to that sudden change in him. Almost as if she could already read him like a book, he felt her tense, sensed her movements become hesitant.
Suddenly, as quickly as their kiss had begun, he felt her head move away from him. She looked up at him, her gaze still heavy with desire. Her breathing was still quick, and he saw her cheeks were flushed.
Then a brightness flickered into life in those eyes and the corner of her mouth creased into the hint of a smile. He felt her pull away from him slightly. Part of him wanted to rebel, was tempted to claim her lips again, but he could see that a change had taken hold of her.
Eva swallowed and drew in a deep breath, taking one tiny step backward. But that step was enough to tell him that the moment had passed. Disappointment flared in him but he took control of himself, eager not to allow that to spoil the moment.
Eva lifted a hand to her hair. Some locks had become loose and she tucked them behind her ear. Then she turned away.
She paced for a few, agonizingly long moments. He realized he needed to know what she was thinking. Had he acted too rashly? It didn't matter, because the force which had driven him to kiss her like that had been unstoppable.
Then she turned and smiled. "Thank you for the lovely evening, Riaz. I think I best get back to the tent."
He paused a moment, tempted to object, but he saw there was no real point in doing so. Was that it? She was just going to walk away without saying anything?
His first impulse was to object, to try to explain what he'd just done. Why he'd done it.
But then he saw just how much she'd been affected by their shared moment of unleashed passion.
"Of course," he said simply. His heart was still pounding but he could already feel the desire beginning to fade.
Then Eva smiled at him one last time and started back in the direction of the camp.