She felt him start to enter her slowly. But he stopped and looked into her eyes.
“I want you, Tina. You are mine, and I want to make love to you. Do you want me to stop now? Do you want me to let you go?” He was smiling down at her, knowing that he had won. “Tell me, Tina, tell me not to stop.”
She hated him, but he couldn’t leave her now. She circled her arms around his neck. “Don’t stop,” she whispered breathlessly.
She felt a searing pain as he pushed deep into her. His lips muffled her scream as she raked her nails down his back.
“I’m sorry, Tina, that had to happen. It will never hurt again—I promise.” He started to move slowly inside her.
He was right. It didn’t hurt anymore. Her pleasure rose as Philip quickened his pace. Christina abandoned herself to him completely as she met each thrust. He took her higher and higher until her eyes flew open and she became one with him.
Philip showed her pleasure that she never knew existed. But now that she lay exhausted beneath him, she hated him all the more. She cursed herself for her newfound weakness. She said she would never give in to him, but she had, and she could not forgive herself.
Christina opened her eyes to find Philip staring at her, an unreadable expression on his face.
“I will never give you up, Tina. You will always be mine,” he murmured softly. Then he rolled off her, but pulled her to him until her head rested on his shoulder. “And I give you warning. If you ever try to run away from me again, I will find you and whip the hide off your lovely back. I give you my word.”
Christina remained silent. Soon she could hear his deep, even breathing and knew that Philip was asleep. She edged herself away from him and slipped off the bed.
Picking up Philip’s robe, Christina put it on and left the tent. The fire in the middle of the camp burned brightly and cast dancing shadows that mocked her everywhere she looked, but she could see no one about. She walked carefully in the direction Philip had taken her that morning until she came to the little clearing. She dropped his robe and walked into the warm water.
She had made it this far without being seen. She thought briefly of stealing one of the horses in the corral and escaping while Philip slept. But her luck was no longer with her, and she was sure someone would hear her leave. She wasn’t anxious to learn if Philip would keep his word and whip her. So Christina put the thought from her mind and let the warm water take the smell of him from her body.
THE SUN WAS just clearing the mountains, taking away the sharp chill of the night past, when Philip awoke from a pleasant sleep. He looked to see if his captive still lay beside him. He frowned when he saw Christina lying on the far side of the bed and wearing his robe. He would have to speak to her, for he would allow no clothes between them in bed.
Remembering his victory of the night before, Philip smiled and played with the loose ends of Christina’s braid. He noticed the deep red stain of blood on the sheet and felt the scratches on his back.
What a woman he had found! She had abandoned herself completely to him last night after admitting defeat. She had matched his own wild passion. Perhaps he should make her his wife to make sure she would never leave him. But she had refused him once, and there was no way he could force her to marry him.
Getting out of bed, Philip opened the chest that contained his clothes and donned a pair of light-tan trousers and a white, long-sleeved tunic. He left the tent and, seeing Amine by the fire, asked her to bring in the morning meal. Philip checked on his horse, Victory, and on two recently captured horses in the corral. He enjoyed working with horses, and breaking in the new ones would give him something to do besides raiding the passing caravans.
Philip remembered the incredulous look on the fat old merchant’s face during yesterday’s raid when he had asked if there were any books in the caravan. Philip had taken only the things he wanted for Christina, and had ordered his men to take only foodstuffs and other necessities.
Philip had no need of the riches that could be accumulated by raiding caravans, for he had all the wealth he could ever need in England. His mother left him a very rich estate, and a title as well.
His half-brother Rashid took everything when he raided, and didn’t care very much if anyone died in the process. Rashid was a hard and bitter man. Philip was glad he had not been in camp since his return.
Giving Victory a last rub on his velvety gray nose, Philip went back to the tent. He found Christina sitting on the couch eating breakfast. She had removed his robe and had on the skirt and blouse she had worn yesterday. As he approached, she shot him a look of hatred that would have frozen any other man.
“I was hoping that your disposition might have improved after last night, but I can see it hasn’t,” Philip remarked casually.
“And I was hoping that you’d have the decency not to mention last night. But you throw it in my face, like the cad you are! I promise I’ll never let it happen again!”
Philip grinned wickedly as he calmly sat down beside her. “Don’t make promises you won’t be able to keep, Tina.”
Christina swung viciously at his leering face, but he swiftly grabbed her wrist.
“This is hardly the time for a quarrel, my sweet. I suggest you put your energy to a better use and finish your meal. Afterward, I’ll take you to bathe.”
“No, thank you. I bathed last night,” she said haughtily.
Philip’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Christina winced when he seized her shoulders and turned her to face him.
“So that’s why you were wearing my robe this morning!” he stormed, shaking her violently. “You little idiot! Do you think we’re the only tribe in these hills? There are at least a dozen others, and we share our water and our bathing hole with Yamaid Alhabbal. His tribe doesn’t speak English as mine does. Do you know where you’d be this morning, had one of his tribesmen discovered you? You’d be at a slave auction—bringing a healthy price. After Yamaid Alhabbal and all his men had sampled your charms, that is.”
Philip pushed her away and stood before her, his eyes cold and unrelenting. “Never will you leave this camp unescorted again. Do you hear me?”
“Yes,” she whispered meekly.
Seeing how frightened she looked, Philip calmed down. “I’m sorry, Tina. It’s just that if you were sold, I probably wouldn’t be able to find you. The fat old buzzard who could pay the most for you would hide you away for fear of losing you. I wouldn’t want that to happen any more than you would.”
“I’ll be sure to heed your warning and be more careful in the future,” Christina replied, smoothing imaginary wrinkles from her skirt. “If you’ll excuse me now, I have some sewing that needs to be done.”
She picked up a bolt of material and disappeared into the bedroom. Philip shook his head. She certainly could compose herself quickly, he thought: frightened dismay to cool disdain.
After he had eaten his fill, Philip sauntered over to the bedroom and pulled back the heavy curtains. “By the way, my sweet, don’t waste your time making nightdresses to sleep in, for you’ll have no use for them here.”
Philip ducked as a pillow came flying at him. He laughed deeply as he turned and left the tent. He would start breaking the wild horses today: they might prove more tamable than Christina!
That evening after dinner, Philip reclined on the couch lazily watching Christina. She sat across from him sewing on a piece of light-green material and ignoring him completely. Her neglect irritated him, but he decided not to give her the satisfaction of knowing it.
Closing his eyes, Philip let his mind wander. He’d spent the latter part of the afternoon with his father telling Yasir about Paul and his new wife. Although his father hadn’t seen Paul for many years, he was still close to his heart. Philip hoped Paul would come at least once to visit his father. The old man didn’t have much time left. People died before their time in this land.
When Yasir had decided to move his tribe into the foothills, Philip had been delighted. He had
never liked the nomadic desert life, constantly roaming from one oasis to the next. The tribe had lived in the hills for eight years now. Philip might not have stayed so long with his father if they had not moved permanently to these hills. The climate was considerably cooler. There was enough water even for regular bathing. And their camp was situated so they could hold off an attack if necessary.
Philip didn’t know if he would stay in Egypt after his father died. But now that he had Christina, he’d probably decide to stay. He couldn’t take her back to England, because she’d be able to escape him there.
Stretching languidly, Philip opened his eyes to find Christina dozing on the couch. He arose and quietly walked around the table to stand above her. His eyes caressed her unbraided hair; its glowing mass covered the pillow and rippled to the floor behind her. She was curled in a ball like a little girl dreaming innocently. She hardly seemed the sensuous woman of the night before.
Philip bent to scoop Christina into his arms. But she jumped up and scurried to the other end of the tent. She turned to see if he were pursuing her.
“So—you were only feigning sleep.” He straightened, giving her an amused glance. “It’s rather late for games, my pet.”
“I can assure you, I do not play games,” she retorted stiffly, pushing back the hair that had fallen all around her.
“I was only going to carry you to bed. But now that you’re awake—I can think of better things to do,” Philip teased as he slowly came toward her.
“No!” she snapped, backing away from him. “And I won’t sleep in that bed with you. It’s indecent! I’d rather sleep on the floor!”
He chuckled softly as he cornered Christina at the end of the tent.
“You wouldn’t like sleeping on the floor, Tina. It can get very cold here at night, and you’d better have the warmth of my body next to you. Winter is coming soon!”
“Better to suffer with the cold than with your advances,” she replied tartly. She tried to run past him.
“You didn’t feel that way last night, Tina,” he said. He caught her in his arms and threw her roughly over his shoulder.
She struggled fiercely as Philip swiftly crossed the tent and tossed her onto the bed.
“I think it’s time I taught you a lesson, Tina. You’re a very passionate woman, even though you refuse to admit it!”
Christina fought him furiously while he tried to remove her clothing. Amid her kicking and useless struggles, she spat curses at him that he had never dreamed a lady would know. He finally managed to pull her blouse over her head, and the skirt followed easily. He quickly dropped his own clothing to the floor and pinned her to the bed with his body.
“Your language certainly doesn’t befit a lady, my sweet,” he laughed. “You must tell me sometime how you acquired such an outlandish vocabulary.”
Christina made one last effort to push him from her, then changed her tactics and lay perfectly still beneath him.
Opening her mouth with his, Philip kissed her intensely, but felt no response from her. So—she was playing at a new game, he mused. But she wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.
Moving to her side, Philip brought his lips down to her full breasts, sucking and teasing each one in turn. He moved his hand down over her belly until it rested between her legs. Gently his fingers moved back and forth across her soft flesh until she moaned with passion.
“Oh, Philip,” she breathed. “Take me.”
Philip mounted her. Her arms encircled his neck, and she met his kisses eagerly. He entered her slowly, then rode her fast and hard until their passions exploded, sending them soaring into ecstasy.
THE DAWN CAME slowly for Christina. She had slept fitfully through the night, awakening fully with the tent still in darkness. Now, as the daylight slowly illuminated the bedroom, Christina stared boldly at the man who had robbed her of her will last night.
Christina had fought desperately to quell the urgings sweeping through her body as Philip caressed her, but she couldn’t resist his touch. She had surrendered to him completely. She had begged him to take her.
What has he turned me into? Christina thought angrily. I was like a bitch in heat the way I wanted him.
She let her eyes roam over the length of his naked body. He was perfectly formed: lean, muscular, and powerful. She studied his face: so rugged and hand some when he was awake; boyish and charming when he slept. His black hair curled softly at the nape of his neck, disheveled by the night’s sleep. Philip looked like the Prince Charming she had childishly dreamed of, but his character was that of the devil!
Suddenly Christina was startled by a deep voice.
“Abu,” the man said. “I only just learned of your return. Wake up!”
A tall man of slight build that Christina had never seen before entered the bedroom, but he broke off when he saw her.
The man looked at Philip, who was just coming awake, and back at Christina. A wide grin slowly spread across his dark features as Christina jerked the covers over her, ashamed at being seen in bed with Philip.
“A thousand pardons, brother. I did not know you had married,” he said innocently. “When did the happy event take place?”
Philip sat up on the side of the bed and glowered at the man.
“There has been no wedding, as I am sure you already know. Now if your curiosity has been adequately appeased, will you kindly leave my bedroom?”
“As you wish, Abu. I will wait and have the morning meal with you,” he replied. He grinned as he swung around and left the room.
Cautiously Christina came out from under the covers and turned to Philip.
“Who was that man?” she demanded angrily. “How dare he enter your bedroom like that? Am I to have no privacy here?”
Philip stood up and stretched lazily. He donned his tunic and trousers and sat down on the bed to pull on his boots.
“Will you answer me, damn it?” she flung at him.
Philip turned around to face Christina and chuckled at her anger.
“This won’t happen again, my pet. That was my half-brother, Rashid, and this was just one of the games he plays to annoy me. My bedroom is the one place you may be assured of privacy—except from me. Now get dressed,” he said, picking up her clothes and handing them to her. “He’s waiting to meet you.”
As he walked from the room, Philip didn’t see the tongue Christina childishly stuck out at him. Brother indeed, she thought while she dressed hurriedly. How many more surprises am I expected to endure? Now I have his brother to contend with—another barbarian, no doubt.
She brushed the tangles from her hair and tied it back with a piece of lace she’d cut from some Philip had given her. Christina wished she had a mirror but was not about to ask Philip for one.
Both brothers were seated on the couch eating the morning meal when Christina opened the curtains. They’re so uncivilized that they can’t even stand up when a lady enters the room, Christina thought. She crossed the tent to stand before them.
“I am Rashid Alhamar,” Philip’s brother said, his eyes roving over her body from head to foot. “And you must be Christina Wakefield.”
She nodded, picked up a piece of bread, and sat down on the opposite couch.
Except for his height, Rashid didn’t look anything like Philip. He was much darker in complexion, with black hair and brown eyes. His face was boyish, almost effeminate, with smooth, soft skin, where Philip’s was rugged and heavily bearded. Philip was broad and muscular, but Rashid was actually skinny.
“Your brother has posted a very large reward for your safe return, Christina,” said Rashid. “I have heard that he and his men search for you among all the caravans and desert tribes.”
“And pray tell, do you wish to collect that reward, Mr. Alhamar?” Christina inquired icily.
The question brought a scowl from Philip.
“There will be no more talk of a reward,” Philip said to Rashid, his voice heavy with malice. “I will tell you once only. Chri
stina is here to stay because I wish it. As head of this tribe, no one will question me about her. She is my woman and shall be treated as such. And you are never to enter my bedroom again.”
Rashid laughed. “Nura said you were being overly protective of this one. I can see she was right. Nura is jealous of your new woman, you know. She always hoped to become your wife herself.”
“Ah, women,” Philip shrugged. “I never gave Nura any reason to hope for marriage.”
“But she is just like all the other young women of the tribe. They all want your attentions.” Christina thought she heard envy in his voice.
“Enough talk of women,” Philip replied sourly. “Where have you been, Rashid? And why weren’t you here when I returned to camp?”
“I was in El Balyana, where I heard of a large caravan stopping. It was there that I learned of Christina’s disappearance. The caravan was two days late in arriving or I would have been here to welcome you back.”
Taking a small sack from the inside of his robe, Rashid opened it and poured the contents on the table.
“This is the reason I waited so long. I knew where they would be hidden, so it was quite easy to steal them.”
Christina’s eyes opened wide as she saw the magnificent jewels roll onto the table. There were huge diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, and other precious stones that she didn’t recognize. But the most beautiful stone was a huge ruby shining with many blood-red facets. The ruby alone was truly worth a king’s ransom.
“Of course, since you are head of the tribe, they are yours,” Rashid said reluctantly.
“What would I do with a sack full of jewels?” Philip laughed. “I have no need for wealth here, nor do I wish it. You may keep the jewels, since you went to the trouble of stealing them.”
“I hoped you would feel that way, Abu.” Rashid scooped the jewels back into the sack and hid them in his robe.
“I just hope you use the gems wisely,” Philip said. “Have you been to see our father yet?”