‘I’m an adult. I’m used to being alone.’ Independence had been bred into her early. Conveniently she ignored the fact that usually when she’d travelled in risky locations she’d been with Imran or another colleague.
‘A woman alone can be vulnerable to unscrupulous men.’ He paused, letting that sink in. ‘And you know about our lions?’
Jacqui stiffened, her eyes frantically scanning the darkness beyond the firelight. ‘No one mentioned lions.’
‘Jazeer was famous for them and there’s a tradition that, while lions live in the Jazeeri wilderness, our people will remain safe from external threat. Over the years their numbers dwindled to near extinction but in the last decade there’s been a programme to re-establish them in this national park.’
‘Not here?’ She shivered, remembering a pride of lions she’d seen in Africa devouring some poor antelope.
‘In an enclosure not too far away. Rangers have stopped poachers trying to kill them for so-called sport.’ He paused, his expression grim. ‘It’s dangerous for you here alone. Such men flout the law. I doubt they’d respect an unprotected woman.’
‘You came here to make sure I was safe?’ Jacqui’s jaw tilted. She wasn’t some chattel to be protected.
‘Partly that.’ He lifted one hand and raked it through his dark hair, leaving it rumpled. Jacqui remembered the feel of it through her fingers, like a soft, thick pelt inviting her touch. A twinge of heat flickered.
‘I had to know you were safe. And we have to talk.’
‘You’ve already said more than enough.’ She didn’t have the stomach for more. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could stop her hurt showing. Pride only stretched so far. ‘It’s late, Asim. I’m tired and fed up. You’ve seen for yourself that I’m fine. Why don’t you go back to your palace and leave me be?’
His arm dropped. ‘Because I was wrong.’
‘Pardon?’ Jacqui felt her eyes bulge.
‘I made a mistake.’ His eyes locked on hers, sending a sizzle through her blood. ‘I jumped to conclusions when I should have known better. I accused you of dishonesty, of manipulating my sister for your own ends, and I was wrong. Totally wrong.’
Silence engulfed them, but for the soft crackle of the low fire and a faint whisper across the sand. Jacqui held herself taut, disorientated and almost scared of what he might say next.
‘I behaved badly, Jacqueline, and I ask your forgiveness. I realise you were doing what you thought best for Samira.’
Jacqui leaned back, as if to sever the force field that drew her towards him. It was harder than it should have been, resisting the temptation to believe him.
‘How do you know? What did Samira tell you?’ Sourness filled her mouth. How easy for him to believe her now his sister had revealed the truth. Yet when Jacqui had needed his trust it hadn’t been forthcoming.
Asim shook his head. ‘It wasn’t Samira. I knew as soon as I returned to the celebrations and more fireworks exploded. Finally my brain kicked into gear. If you’d wanted to sell a scoop, you wouldn’t have picked anywhere so public. If you’d betrayed us you’d have done it quietly, not surrounded by my people and loud detonations. The whole scenario was wrong.’
He leaned forward and Jacqui thought she saw tenderness in his eyes. ‘I realised too late how strong you’d been, supporting Samira when she most needed it. How much you gave of yourself to help her. I should have been thanking you, not attacking you. An apology isn’t sufficient but, believe me, I’m sorry for what I said, what I believed.’
Jacqui read sincerity in his expression and heard the warmth in his voice, yet something held her back. He’d destroyed something inside her with his mistrust. She wasn’t ready to let him close again.
She’d never let anyone as close as Asim, not even Imran, and tonight’s devastating events proved how dangerous that was. She’d opened herself to a world of hurt. She should have known better. Her family had taught her she didn’t have what it took to inspire love but she’d thought at least Asim respected her. His rejection after slowly winning her trust and her regard had shattered her.
But, oh, it was tempting to accept his change of heart. Her weaker side wanted to forget his earlier contempt and pretend tonight hadn’t happened.
‘If only Samira had confided in me this wouldn’t have happened.’
But it had, Jacqui thought miserably. Nothing could erase it.
Was she being precious, too wary to accept his apology? But nothing had prepared her for the devastation his distrust had wrought.