He beat her by a full length and he wasn’t even breathing hard.
Hauling air into her struggling lungs, Bella saw his amused smile and silently plotted all sorts of retribution.
‘I offered you a start,’ he said mildly, reaching forward and removing some weed from her hair. ‘You should have taken it.’
Bella felt her vision darken and in the distance she heard him mutter something in a language she didn’t understand. Then he was scooping her up in his arms and placing her gently by the side of the pool.
‘Why did you push yourself so hard?’ His tone rough, he sprang from the pool, water streaming from his body, his hair slick to his head. ‘You are recovering from heat stroke. You should be taking it easy in the shade. You are the most aggravating, infuriating woman I’ve ever met.’
‘And I love you too.’ But Bella kept her head down for a moment, deeply humiliated that she was showing weakness yet again. Macho man was going to love this. ‘If you’re going to gloat, please go and do it from a distance. I just need a minute.’
‘What you need is a lesson in humility.’ He paused, his expression thoughtful as he studied her face. ‘You’re a surprisingly good swimmer.’
The dizziness cleared slightly. ‘I’m a good swimmer for a woman, isn’t that what you’re saying? Savour your victory while you can—I’ll beat you next time.’
‘There won’t be a next time.’ His bronzed shoulders gleamed strong and powerful under the bright sunlight. ‘Put some clothes on, Kate. And stop trying to provoke me. I won the race. You stay.’
Bella squeezed the water out of her hair. Every part of her body was tingling with awareness and it was impossible not to stare at his strong legs and board-flat stomach.
His gaze lingered on her bra, which was now little more than a transparent film.
Bella had a sudden urge to cover herself, which was ridiculous because she’d never been prudish or self-conscious about her body. She was used to being photographed from every angle, accustomed to being studied by men.
But this man was different.
Ignoring the sizzle of awareness low in her belly, she stood gracefully, instinctively exploiting the advantage she had over him. ‘Take me back to the city, Your Highness.’
She saw the sudden flare of anger in his eyes and then his hand closed around her wrist and he pulled her against him. ‘You play a very dangerous game.’ Pressed against his hard, damp body Bella felt an instant rush of chemistry. Exasperated by her response she twisted her wrist, but it was like being held in a vice.
‘Let me go. I’m not your type and you’re certainly not mine.’
His answer was to scoop her up in his arms and Bella gave a gasp of shock.
‘‘Where do you think you’re taking me? You can’t just throw me over your shoulder like a caveman,’ she muttered, conscious of his hands on her bare thighs and trying to ignore the tiny voice in her head that said she didn’t know another man who could lift her with such ease.
He didn’t pause in his stride. ‘We’re alone in the desert, habibiti. I can do anything I please. And I intend to.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean? You’re proving you’re the Sheikh? I’ve got news for you, Your Highness—I don’t do as I’m told.’
‘Then it’s time you learned.’ Tough and unyielding, he strode into the tent and deposited her on the floor as if touching her had burned him.
‘You can’t just—’
With a warning growl he clasped her face in his hands and brought his mouth down on hers with raw, untamed hunger. As their lips collided the chemistry exploded, the sudden eruption of passion so primitive that it was like being caught in white water. Bella was swept along, her senses churning and tumbling, unable to escape the flow of searing excitement that shot through her body.