THE SUN WAS still above the horizon when they reached the foot of the mountains. They rode hard now, for the caravan was many miles away. Philip hoped this wasn’t a slaver’s caravan, for they usually carried little food.
Damn that woman and her curiosity! How could she so easily make him lose control? He had always prided himself on his cool reactions toward women—until he’d met Christina!
She’d angered him the night before by refusing to tell him why she was crying. He couldn’t understand it. She had never cried before after making love.
Would he ever understand her? Christina continued to fight him each night, but he knew she enjoyed his lovemaking. Why did she fight what was so pleasurable?
When she came to the corral this morning, he knew her feigned interest was only an excuse to leave the tent. But could he blame her? He’d have done the same thing. He was positive she wouldn’t try to escape again, she feared him too much. Perhaps he could trust her enough to give her the freedom of the camp.
Philip recalled the look of horror on Christina’s face when he told her he was going raiding. He hadn’t intended to tell her about that part of his life. He didn’t enjoy it himself, and he knew it would appall her. But he was so angered by her inquisitiveness that he wanted to shock her.
He wasn’t used to so many questions about his life, especially from a woman. Ah, but what a woman! Philip thoroughly enjoyed having her around. He found pleasure in just gazing at her uncommon beauty. He looked forward to entering his tent knowing she would be there—willing or not. Before, his tent had been a lonely place that he avoided as much as possible.
As they approached the caravan, which had camped at an oasis for the night, Philip saw five camels, their packs piled on the ground, and six men gathered around a small fire. Philip and his men galloped up to surround the camp, brandishing their guns, and Syed fired off two shots to see if the caravan intended to fight or surrender its goods.
Slowly, one by one, the caravan guards threw down their rifles. Philip dismounted and walked forward cautiously flanked by his men, but the six guards put up no resistance. They would rather stay alive than fight and die for another man’s property.
Syed guarded the prisoners while the rest of them opened and ransacked the packs. They soon made themselves comfortable for the night, and broke open some wine and dried meat for supper.
The next morning, they loaded the foodstuffs and other goods they wanted on one of the camels, sent the rest of the caravan on its way, and set off for the mountains. They rode into camp about midafternoon amid the cheers of the rest of the tribe. They led the horses into the corral, unloaded the camel, and sent it off into the hills to graze. Philip left the men to divide the spoils among themselves, and carried one large chest to his tent.
He hoped he’d find Christina in a gentler mood than she’d been in the afternoon before. He found her sitting demurely on the couch with her towel and new clothes lying across her lap. She didn’t say a word as he went into the bedroom to dispose of the chest.
“We can go bathe in just a minute, my pet,” he said cheerfully. He came back into the main room and removed a small bundle from the corner cabinet. “Is something the matter, my sweet?” Philip inquired, hoping her silence didn’t mean she was still angry with him.
But she just turned away from him and shook her head. Well, he wouldn’t press her to answer him. Without another word, Philip pulled her to her feet and took her up the hillside to bathe.
Christina had not yet lost her shyness at disrobing in his presence. She turned her back to Philip and slowly removed her blouse and skirt. He controlled his desire with great effort as he watched her wade into the water.
But turning his attentions to the bundle he had brought with him, Philip unwrapped a finely honed razor and proceeded to shave his week’s growth of beard.
After he was satisfied with the results, he took a new bar of soap from the bundle and joined Christina in the water.
It was dark when they finally returned to camp. The newly kindled fire illuminated the tent brightly, making dancing shadows in the corners.
Philip pondered Christina’s sullenness as they finished the evening meal. This attitude of hers couldn’t continue, for he was aching to take her to bed. But she would succumb to his advances after her usual resistance, he knew.
Reclining on the couch behind her, Philip played with the loose curls dangling at the nape of Christina’s neck. He leaned forward and grazed the soft flesh behind her ear with his lips, and watched the gooseflesh run down her arms.
Downing the rest of his wine, Philip stood up and took Christina’s hand in his.
“Come, Tina,” he murmured, and led her into the bedroom, surprised that she didn’t resist him.
While taking off his clothes, he watched Christina move to the opposite side of the bed and unbind her hair. It fell gloriously about her body. He was astonished as she slowly, seductively removed her garments. She sat naked on the bed, as if inviting him to join her. But as he came to her, she put up her hands to stop him.
“Philip, I must talk to you,” Christina said, searching his eyes with her dark, sapphire ones.
“Later, my pet,” Philip replied huskily and silenced her words with his kiss. But, with an effort, she pushed him away.
“Please, Philip! There’s something I must know.”
He looked down at her and saw her trembling lips and deepening blue eyes.
“What is it, Tina?”
“What do you intend to do with me?”
“I’m going to make love to you. Did you think otherwise?” He smiled beguilingly and toyed with the curls dangling over her breasts.
