The Sheik Retold(78)

I rose on unsteady legs. "Nothing you say can put me off. You cannot shock or intimidate me, for I have already seen your worst. I watched you choke the life out of a man before my very eyes, but I have also experienced your compassion. I am not afraid of you."

He came to me then, cupping my face between hands that were now as gentle as his words had been cruel. He stared intently into my eyes. "I cannot change who or what I am for you, Diana. I do not want a mindless slave or a dog at my feet but, my word is, and always will be, law. Within this tent you may speak your mind…within reason…but outside of these walls, I can brook no disobedience, no disrespect."

I knew this implicit obedience would always be a trial for me, but he would accept nothing less. I understood he would require my absolute surrender to his wishes, his moods, and his temper. While part of me still balked against this, I remembered the utter bliss I had known when he'd shown me the kindness and love that he had not been able to confess. Now that he had, I longed so desperately to reclaim that happiness.

"I understand and I will do my best," I said. "Can you now comprehend that I don't want anything but you?"

He was the only man I could ever love. If he could love me as unreservedly and exclusively as I loved him, I was prepared to endure whatever he might put upon me. Nothing he could say could alter that resolution, and nothing could make me forsake my love. Yes, I loved him so passionately, so utterly, that I was willing to give up everything else.

He shut his eyes with a low exclamation. "I cannot fight this anymore." He raked a hand through his hair and emitted a soft but bitter laugh. “Merciful Allah! You have been a formidable foe, and I have wearied of the battle."

I gave him a slow, seductive smile. "I told you already that I am far happier to make love with you than war."

"Is that so?" His pupils flared big and black, and his verge stirred against me, proof that he was not immune to my lure of lust. He stooped, swept me up into his arms, and carried me to the bedchamber where he laid me down and came over me. His arms became like a vice as he rained kisses on my hair and whispered endearments and words of love I had never thought to hear from his lips.

"Mon amour, ma bien-aimee. Je t'aime, je t'adore."

"So you won't send me away, after all?"

"Never," he murmured fiercely against my trembling lips. "I have been mad all my life, I think—up till now. If you knew what it cost me the first time. My God! If you knew how I wanted you. But I'm as selfish and stubborn as I am black hearted. I will never let you go again."

I sought his gaze one more time. "Do you promise me there will be no others?"

"Never, ma mie. No others. Only you. Seulement toi. Tourjours toi." Passionate professions of devotion continued to pour out of him, melting my insides and bringing tears to my eyes. "Ne pleures pas, ma chasseresse, je t'en prie. Tu resteras pres de moi, toujours avec moi."

His lips brushed my temples, my cheeks, kissing and soothing until my shuddering and gasping sobs died away. His voice became almost humble. "I just pray God I can keep you happy—you will have a devil for a husband."

While I had experienced Ahmed's fierce passion, I had never known his love, the depths of which astounded me. He made love to me for hours—slow, languorous, and almost worshipful. He teased and tormented with long, lingering kisses, interspersed with murmured endearments and breathless panting, as he filled me over and over again—with his body and words of love.

That evening my joy was complete when we stood together looking out at a magnificent sky. The sun had almost set, going down in a ball of molten fire with the heavens on either side, a riot of gold, crimson, and palest green, shading off into vivid blue that grew blacker and blacker as the glory of the sunset died away. The scattered palm trees and the far-off hills stood out in strong relief. It was a country of marvelous beauty, and my heart was bursting in the knowledge that the man who commanded it all as far as the eye could see was all mine.





EPILOGUE


I awakened to the smell of Gaston's coffee and a sudden nausea churning in my stomach.

"It is late ma, belle. Do you wish to laze in bed all the day?" I opened my eyes to Ahmed's warm gaze as his soft lips brushed mine.

I caught his lower lip between my teeth and released it slowly. "Only if you will join me, my love." I gave him a sleepy, seductive smile.

He hesitated, as if considering the offer, and then slowly, reluctantly, shook his head. "You do not make it easy to refuse, my temptress, but I've important matters to arrange. We depart soon for Oran."

Since the night after he carried me back into his camp and the great confrontation that followed, Ahmed had utterly changed toward me. Gone was the black scowl, the cool reserve, and cruel mockery I had come to expect. His habitual scorn was replaced by a warmth I never could have imagined from him. His eyes and his smile radiated not only his desire, but a genuine affection I would not have believed him capable of had I not already glimpsed it when he was with Raoul. Ahmed seemed almost another man altogether, so kind and attentive had he become toward me—beyond anything that I could have imagined.

When alone together, Ahmed treated me very much as his equal. He took me into his confidence, bestowing his trust. The old taciturnity had gone as he spoke his thoughts to me, often drifting almost insensibly into plans and aspirations for the future. I was his intimate in every way, his confidante, the one with whom he shared his innermost thoughts.