“I think it’s time I taught you a lesson, Tina. You’re a very passionate woman, even though you refuse to admit it!”
Christina fought him furiously while he tried to remove her clothing. Amid her kicking and useless struggles, she spat curses at him that he had never dreamed a lady would know. He finally managed to pull her blouse over her head, and the skirt followed easily. He quickly dropped his own clothing to the floor and pinned her to the bed with his body.
“Your language certainly doesn’t befit a lady, my sweet,” he laughed. “You must tell me sometime how you acquired such an outlandish vocabulary.”
Christina made one last effort to push him from her, then changed her tactics and lay perfectly still beneath him.
Opening her mouth with his, Philip kissed her intensely, but felt no response from her. So—she was playing at a new game, he mused. But she wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.
Moving to her side, Philip brought his lips down to her full breasts, sucking and teasing each one in turn. He moved his hand down over her belly until it rested between her legs. Gently his fingers moved back and forth across her soft flesh until she moaned with passion.
“Oh, Philip,” she breathed. “Take me.”
Philip mounted her. Her arms encircled his neck, and she met his kisses eagerly. He entered her slowly, then rode her fast and hard until their passions exploded, sending them soaring into ecstasy.
THE DAWN CAME slowly for Christina. She had slept fitfully through the night, awakening fully with the tent still in darkness. Now, as the daylight slowly illuminated the bedroom, Christina stared boldly at the man who had robbed her of her will last night.
Christina had fought desperately to quell the urgings sweeping through her body as Philip caressed her, but she couldn’t resist his touch. She had surrendered to him completely. She had begged him to take her.
What has he turned me into? Christina thought angrily. I was like a bitch in heat the way I wanted him.
She let her eyes roam over the length of his naked body. He was perfectly formed: lean, muscular, and powerful. She studied his face: so rugged and hand some when he was awake; boyish and charming when he slept. His black hair curled softly at the nape of his neck, disheveled by the night’s sleep. Philip looked like the Prince Charming she had childishly dreamed of, but his character was that of the devil!
Suddenly Christina was startled by a deep voice.
“Abu,” the man said. “I only just learned of your return. Wake up!”
A tall man of slight build that Christina had never seen before entered the bedroom, but he broke off when he saw her.
The man looked at Philip, who was just coming awake, and back at Christina. A wide grin slowly spread across his dark features as Christina jerked the covers over her, ashamed at being seen in bed with Philip.
“A thousand pardons, brother. I did not know you had married,” he said innocently. “When did the happy event take place?”
Philip sat up on the side of the bed and glowered at the man.
“There has been no wedding, as I am sure you already know. Now if your curiosity has been adequately appeased, will you kindly leave my bedroom?”
“As you wish, Abu. I will wait and have the morning meal with you,” he replied. He grinned as he swung around and left the room.
Cautiously Christina came out from under the covers and turned to Philip.
“Who was that man?” she demanded angrily. “How dare he enter your bedroom like that? Am I to have no privacy here?”
Philip stood up and stretched lazily. He donned his tunic and trousers and sat down on the bed to pull on his boots.
“Will you answer me, damn it?” she flung at him.
Philip turned around to face Christina and chuckled at her anger.
“This won’t happen again, my pet. That was my half-brother, Rashid, and this was just one of the games he plays to annoy me. My bedroom is the one place you may be assured of privacy—except from me. Now get dressed,” he said, picking up her clothes and handing them to her. “He’s waiting to meet you.”
As he walked from the room, Philip didn’t see the tongue Christina childishly stuck out at him. Brother indeed, she thought while she dressed hurriedly. How many more surprises am I expected to endure? Now I have his brother to contend with—another barbarian, no doubt.
She brushed the tangles from her hair and tied it back with a piece of lace she’d cut from some Philip had given her. Christina wished she had a mirror but was not about to ask Philip for one.
Both brothers were seated on the couch eating the morning meal when Christina opened the curtains. They’re so uncivilized that they can’t even stand up when a lady enters the room, Christina thought. She crossed the tent to stand before them.
“I am Rashid Alhamar,” Philip’s brother said, his eyes roving over her body from head to foot. “And you must be Christina Wakefield.”
