“Were you thinking to hike your skirts up and sit astride the animal. I assure you no proper Jawharan woman would ever think of doing such a thing. They would rather walk than embarrass their husbands in such a fashion.”
“You’re starting to take this little ruse too far, don’t you think?” PJ softly asked him as the step stool was produced and she began her ascent.
“Not at all. Appearances are everything in an operation such as this. People will see what we want them to see, and right now I want all of these nomads to see a successful trader and his precious wife getting ready to head into the desert for a small journey.”
“Really? Don’t they find it odd that two people, supposedly well-off people, are heading off into the desert on their own?”
“No. They believe we are celebrating the anniversary of our binding ceremony by recreating the way our relationship began. With me carrying you off into the desert and having my wicked way with you.” Talib finished this statement by climbing astride the camel’s back and closing the gate with one hand, while with the other, he anchored her against his chest, pressing her hips and buttocks into his own and holding her there.
When she started to struggle, he whispered, “Halt! Be still and do not fight me or the image we are trying to create will be ruined.”
PJ fumed at how he was manipulating while at the same time she was trying to calm her pulse, which had quickened at feeling his body against her own. The man was lethal in more ways than one, and a shudder ran through her at the feelings his nearness was creating within her. Just the mention of him “having his wicked way with her” had sparked a maelstrom of images in her fertile mind; many of which mirrored her secret fantasies.
He was all hard male, warmth, and the spicy scent of his cologne was overloading her senses and making rational thought difficult. She had the strongest urge to turn her head and see if his skin tasted like he smelled. Fighting that urge, she stiffened her back and tried to put as much space between them as he would allow.
Talib was enjoying having her soft body pressed against him, and chuckled when she straightened her spine. Nodding at the man currently holding the camel in place, he laughed outright at the shriek of fright that came forth as the camel started to rise. “Easy, habiba. The camel will think you do not like him and take off running.”
PJ squelched her vocalization, and Talib could feel the tension rolling off her as the camel finished rising to its full height. The man handed the reins to Talib, wishing them both a safe journey before sauntering off.
Talib dismissed the driver and other escort, and started the camel walking away from the camp, heading in the direction of Sumari and their target. He could feel PJ taking slow deep breaths, and quietly allowed her time to get her fear under control.
They had several hours aboard the camel before they had even a slight hope of reaching their target. With the soft curves of PJ in front of him, her lovely scent filling his nostrils, and nothing else to occupy his mind or his hands – the next few hours held the promise of becoming very interesting.
Chapter 8
Khalil helped Shira from the plane, pleased to see that the palace guard was already in attendance and waiting to deliver them back to the palace. Shira had spent the entire flight worrying about her cousin, fretting over the health of both she and the baby, and cursing the men who had taken her.
“Come, your aunt and uncle are already at the palace awaiting our arrival.”
Shira hurried to the waiting vehicle, grateful when Kale pulled her into his arms after settling into the plush leather seat and proceeded to take her mind off the worries at hand. His kisses never ceased to amaze her, and before long, she was thoroughly entranced in their kiss, oblivious to her surroundings.
When the vehicle stopped several minutes later, it was with great difficulty that she surfaced from the sensual haze Kale had created in the vehicle. Sighing, she placed a hand upon his cheek, and leaned up to give him one more kiss.
Returning her kiss, Khalil promised, “We will finish this later. For now, come introduc
e me to your aunt and uncle and then we will get an update on the search for Erin.”
Shira nodded her head and let him help her from the vehicle. As they entered the palace, her aunt and uncle stepped from the small sitting room and Shira rushed into their arms, tears of joy and worry streaming down her face.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she cried as Patty stroked her hair and shushed her.
“Stop this now! Your tears aren’t doing Erin any good and you’re making your fiancé nervous.” Tom brushed a hand over Shira’s shoulder as he finished his statement with a brief glance at the large man who had entered the palace with his adopted daughter.
“Introduce us to your young man,” Patty said, pushing Shira away from her and handing her several tissues.
Shira gave her aunt and uncle a small smile and wiped her tears before turning and holding a hand out for Khalil to join her, “Aunt Patty. Uncle Tom. I’d like to introduce you to my fiancé, Prince Khalil Mehmed El-Jawhara.”
Khalil shook hands with her uncle first and then her aunt, bowing over her aunts hand as he softly stated, “It is a pleasure to meet the two people who are responsible for this lovely young woman. Thank you for taking such good care of her.”
Patty was impressed and awed by the tender way he looked at Shira. This was most definitely a man in love! “We’re so glad to meet you. And to see your beautiful country.”
“I understand the circumstances could be better, but I am sure my brother is doing everything within his power to bring Erin home safe and sound.”
Tom nodded his head, but before he could reply, Kamal came striding into the room. Khalil turned and gave his brother a brief hug before releasing Shira to receive the same.
“Do not worry, Shira. Talib and the Americans are on their way to get her back now.”
“They’ve located her?” Khalil asked.