“You should not—”
“Shh.” He spoke directly into her ear, his fingers lingering on the rigid muscles at the base of her spine. “Allow me to ease your tension.”
“I thought men were forbidden to enter the women’s quarters unless they were…”
He chuckled as she stumbled over the word. “Eunuchs?”
“Yes.”
“But I am not just a man,” he said, his innate arrogance threaded through his dark voice. “I am caliph. I go where I please. And it pleases me very much to be here with you.”
She shivered, knowing she should send him away. “I will not become your concubine.”
“Perhaps you should wait until you are asked to fill such a position, Emma.”
“But you…”
Baffled by his reprimand, Emma shifted so she could glance over her shoulder, her words faltering at the teasing smile that curved his lips.
Rajih was always handsome, but with his robes loosened to reveal a glimpse of his golden chest and his carved features softened, he was near irresistible.
“I am offered the finest beauties to be found throughout the world,” he reminded her, his slender fingers wielding their magic as they moved up her back. “Women with hair of fire or as dark and glossy as a raven’s wing. Women who have been trained in the fine arts of pleasing a man or those who have been sequestered since they were babes to ensure their purity.”
Despite the mocking shimmer in his eyes, Emma knew he was not boasting. He was a prince among his people, not to mention extraordinarily attractive, and she was quite certain any woman would consider it an honor to capture his attention. And, of course, in this part of the world, it would be very likely that the various sheiks and clan chiefs would offer the most beautiful of their women for his pleasure.
She smiled, astonishingly indifferent to her shameless lack of clothing and his brazen touch as she followed his lead.
“Some of them princesses, no doubt.”
“Certainly.”
“Hmm.” Her gaze swept around the shadowed alcove. “And yet your harems remain empty.”
Without giving her time to anticipate his intent, he bent down to brush his lips along the line of her shoulder.
“As you know, I have been away from my home for several weeks.”
Her hands clenched the pillows, her body reacting to his skillful touch despite her reluctant heart.
“And your females managed to escape during your absence? How unfortunate.”
He nibbled a path to her neck. “Do not fear, I have only to reveal my interest in seeking companionship to have the seraglio filled with graceful females, all eager to please their master.”
She made a sound of disgust even as her body threatened to melt beneath his warm caresses.
“Master?”
He nipped the lobe of her ear, the heady scents of incense and precious oils making it difficult to think clearly.
“But of course. At heart I am still a savage.”
“Then it is convenient I am not destined to be a member of your harem. No man shall ever be my master.”
The moment her brave words echoed through the still air, Emma knew she had made a mistake. Rajih sucked in a sharp breath, his hands sliding into her damp curls and arching her neck so his lips could create havoc along the line of her throat.
“You challenge me to prove you wrong, habiba,” he husked.
“I—” A burst of heat exploded in the pit of her stomach as he reached the sensitive spot at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. “Oh. That is not fair.”