Page 57 of Kismet

“And you don’t listen, which is why Halah is gloating like a child pulling a prank.” The good-natured teasing pulled a smile to his lips, and Laila scrambled to her feet. “I have chores to do, so I’ll come visit later, Allegra.”

With a wave of her hand, the young Bedouin woman left the tent. The moment Laila left them alone, the air crackled with heat. Shaheen leaned into her until there was a mere thread of space between them, and she trembled at the way her skin tingled as his gaze slid over her.

“Wearing my mark suits you, ma belle,” he murmured.

A strong hand cupped her cheek, while his thumb slid sensuously across her lower lip. It was a teasing caress, and she could see the wicked amusement in his gaze as she inhaled a sharp breath. Determined to prove that two could play at this game, she parted her lips and drew his thumb into his mouth. Sucking on him, she delighted in the warm, salty taste of his skin. Her gaze never left his face as she swirled her tongue around his thumb. Desire flared in his eyes as he drew in a swift breath of pleasure at her hot caress. Slowly, she eased his thumb out of her mouth and offered him her most sultry smile.

“Did that please you?” She smiled as he gave her a sharp nod. “Then perhaps I could please you in a similar fashion elsewhere.”

The suggestive statement drew a ragged breath from him and he jerked her against him. Staring down into her eyes, he shook his head as if trying to clear it.

“In a few hours, ma belle, I’m going to make you pay for that.”

“Why wait, when I’m willing to pay now,” she teased as she caught his hand and returned it to her mouth, her tongue flicking out to swirl around his forefinger.

“Sweet Jesus,” he groaned as he tugged his hand free and pressed her hips into his hard, thick erection. “Do you have any idea how badly I want your mouth on me right now?”

“Yes.” She laughed softly. “I think I do.”

Another groan rumbled in his throat as he rested his forehead against hers. “I promise you ma chérie, tonight I intend to extract full payment for this blatant attempt at manipulation.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” she said in a husky voice and pulled his head down so she could brush her lips over his. “But until then, remember that I’ve marked you as well.”

The low growl of desire rumbling in his chest made her smile with satisfaction. A movement out the corner of her eye forced her to shift her gaze, and she saw Hakim standing just outside the tent, his face red with anger. Realizing someone was behind him, Shaheen turned around and waited for the younger man to speak.

“Coman has returned, and he has a prisoner,” Hakim said in an icy tone.

“Very well, I’ll be there in a moment.”

“I’ll wait for you.” The young man’s voice was a whip cracking between the two of them.

Narrowing his gaze, he studied Hakim for a long moment before he gave him a sharp nod and turned back to Allegra. One hand stroking her cheek, he bent his head toward her.

“Until tonight, ma chérie,” he whispered as his mouth brushed against her earlobe.

Not waiting for her reply, he left the tent, Hakim keeping pace beside him. The silence between them bordered on the brink of freezing, but he knew nothing he said would make him look any less guilty in Hakim’s eyes. Working their way through the camp, they headed in the direction of Khalid’s tent, which was serving as the tribe’s command post.

“You lied.” Hakim’s snarl broke the tense silence. “You wanted the anasi for yourself.”

Coming to a halt, he faced the young man he’d guarded since childhood and shook his head, keeping a strong grip on his temper. “I did not lie to you. That is your pride talking.”

The young man turned away with a grunt of anger. “I saw her first. She should be mine.”

“Fuck, you sound like your uncle,” he exploded with fury. “Is this what I’ve taught you? That a human being is nothing more than a piece of property one owns? If so, then I’ve failed miserably in my duty to you and your father.”

Wheeling away from Hakim, his furious stride carried him toward the command post. God, he was a hypocrite. He was every bit as guilty as the boy for treating Allegra as property. He’d wanted her from the moment he set eyes on her. Even if he’d fought that need every step of the way, he was no less guilty of claiming her when she wanted nothing to do with him. A strong hand grabbed his arm and dragged him to a halt.

“I am not like my uncle.” Hakim shook his head in umbrage before his expression changed to one of respect. “You are more my uncle than Nassar ever was or could be.”

Studying the young man before him, he heaved a sigh. “Then start acting like the man I know you can be because your father needs you now, more than ever.”

“It sounds simple when you say it.” Hakim scowled with frustration. “I will never be the man my father or you are.”

“Perhaps not, but you will be the man we’ve taught you to be. That is all either of us have ever asked of you.”

“And what of the anasi?” Hakim’s voice clarified that there was still bad blood between them where Allegra was concerned.

“I never lied to you about Allegra. She rejected you simply because you are too young for her. She is a rare woman in that she has principles, Hakim. Most women in her profession would have broken your heart and made you bitter.”