Page 30 of Kismet

“Do you wish to be free?”

The seductive note in Shaheen’s voice tugged at her senses with a relentless enticement. With a gentle tug, he pulled her against him, while his hand blazed a trail of fire down between her breasts. Flushed with heat, her body ached with a familiar vibration, but there was something more to it. Something new and far more intense. Reluctantly, she met his penetrating gaze. The desire flaring in the dark depths of his eyes was a tantalizing invitation. In that brief moment before he lowered his head toward her, she lost her ability to refuse his unspoken proposition.

The moment his mouth captured hers, a whirlwind of sensation consumed her. He smelled of cedar and citrus mingled with the bite of something else she couldn’t identify. A gasp escaped her as he nipped at her lips with his teeth, demanding access to the inner warmth of her mouth. She obliged him willingly, her tongue mating with his in a demand of her own. The soft wool of his gambaz rubbed across her nipples. Her breasts swelled as the material intensified the hard and achy sensation of her sensitive skin. Never afraid to ask for what she wanted, she caught his hand and forced him to cup her. A deep groan rumbled in his chest as his thumb roughed over her nipple. Then with a suddenness that startled her, he released her. He muttered something beneath his breath and bent to pick up the pink gambaz lying next to her feet.

The garment made a loud crack as he snapped out its folds. His manner abrupt, he thrust it at her in a gesture that commanded her to dress. Snatching it out of his hand, she threw the large calf-length shirt over her head, adjusting it as she shot a quick glance in his direction. He was watching her with a scowl on his face and another emotion she couldn’t decipher. Not so much desire as indecision. It made him more approachable.

“Why didn’t you just demand that Nassar release me?” she asked with a catch in her voice. The degradation and helplessness of that moment welled up inside her, forcing her to look away. “Why did you . . . buy me like that?”

Silence hung between them for a long moment. She peeked at Shaheen from out of the corner of her eye. His expression was grim with regret and it sent a jolt through her. As if aware that she was watching him, the emotion vanished from his features and he turned to face her.

“It was necessary. Nassar and I are old enemies.” He folded his arms across his chest. “If he’d realized you were the reason for my being in his camp, he would never have released you without a fight.”

“Why didn’t you explain this when we were leaving?”

“Would you have listened?” Warm mahogany eyes mocked her with more than a hint of amusement. The look sent a frisson skating over her skin.

“No, but you can hardly blame me for thinking the worst.”

“My only priority from the moment I left Marrakech was your safety and that of my men.”

His words made it sound as if he’d deliberately set out to rescue her. The top of her hand tingled, and she rubbed at her mark on her skin. In that instant, she remembered the moment in the souq when the henna artist had painted her hand. She’d said a man called Shaheen was her destiny. A frown furrowed her forehead. Was it possible the old woman had foreseen this man rescuing her?

“How did you find me?” Her abrupt change of subject clearly surprised him, but he simply shrugged.

“Laila’s father and I are old friends. When she was unable to reach her father, she came to me for help, explaining that Nassar’s men had taken you.”

“She’s all right?” She took a step toward him. “And Millie? They’re safe?”

“They’re both safe and well,” he said in a gentle tone.

“Thank God,” she whispered as she briefly closed her eyes in relief. Her friends were safe. Perhaps she had misjudged him.

“Then you didn’t just happen to stumble across me at Nassar’s camp. You knew I was there.”

He folded his arms across his chest and a nonchalant expression crossed his strong features. “I had enough information to track Nassar’s movements, but I wasn’t really sure until he had you brought to his tent.”

He’d come after her. The realization made her heart skip a beat. And for the first time she realized he wouldn’t have left Nassar’s camp without her. Somehow, the knowledge eased the humiliation of being bought like an animal. The raw pain of how he’d secured her freedom still cut deep, but she owed her life to him. And she’d be lying if she said she wasn’t grateful. That he’d found her at all amazed her.

“Then I am in your debt,” she said with quiet sincerity.

“I’m glad to see we can finally agree on something.” The irony in Shaheen’s voice sent tension slipping through her body.

The emotion in his gaze was unreadable. Allegra was quite skilled at reading men, but this man revealed nothing to her. If she couldn’t anticipate his thoughts, he was in the position of power, not her. It was how he managed to throw her off balance so often, and Allegra desperately needed to feel as though she were in control of what happened to her. She was certain that wouldn’t happen until she returned to Marrakech and then home to England.

“Then we leave for Marrakech tomorrow?”

“No.” The simple refusal was straight to the point and unyielding.

“I don’t understand. You said I was free to go.”

“No.” Still frowning, Shaheen shook his head. “I said I bought your freedom.”

“But you can’t just keep me here,” she gasped. Appalled, she stared up into his unreadable features.

“And who will stop me, ma chérie?” he said tersely.

“How long do you intend to hold me prisoner?” she asked as she glared at him with dislike.