A shiver ran down her spine when he answered, “Don’t you know when you’ve pushed me too far, woman?”
“I’m afraid you will be pushed even farther before this night is through,” she whispered.
When Philip stood up, Christina swiftly grabbed for the scissors she had concealed beneath her skirt. But Philip saw her movement and guessed her game. Before she could get at the scissors, he had both her hands in his. He pulled Christina roughly to her feet, untied her skirt, and threw the scissors across the room.
“Could you really kill me, Tina?” he asked, his face hard. He’d underestimated this woman he had made his own.
“Yes, I could kill you!” she hissed. How humiliating to stand half-naked and helpless before him! “I hate you!”
He stiffened and tightened his grip on her. “I’ve heard you say that often enough. You’ve gone too far this time, Christina, and you deserve punishment.” Seemingly without emotion, he sat down and pulled her across his lap.
“Philip, no!” she screamed, but he brought his hand down with all his might across her bare buttocks. She screamed with pain, but he brought his huge hand down again, harder this time, leaving another bright red imprint.
“Please, Philip,” she cried. “I couldn’t kill you. You know that!” But he paid her no mind and hit her a third time.
“Philip, I swear I’ll never try it again!” she cried, the tears running down her cheeks. She was begging him, but she didn’t care anymore. “I swear it, Philip. Please stop!”
Philip turned her over gently, and cradled her in his arms. Christina felt like a child sobbing uncontrollably. Nobody, not even her parents, had ever spanked her before. But no matter how humiliating it had been, Philip was right, she had deserved it. She should have known Philip would call her bluff. She wouldn’t have stabbed him, she didn’t have the courage.
Finally Christina stopped crying and laid her head against Philip’s broad chest. She was still trembling when he carried her into the bedroom. She didn’t have the will to protest, whatever he planned to do next. He laid her on the bed and removed her blouse and the material she had wrapped around her leg to hold the scissors. He pulled the covers over her shivering body and smoothed the golden hair back from her face. Bending low, he kissed her tenderly on her forehead and left the room, but still she didn’t care.
Crossing the room in long strides, Philip went directly to his wine and drained the goblet, trying to wash away the events of the day. He lay down on the couch and contemplated the woman sleeping in his bed.
All evening he had thought how pleasant it would be to make her suffer for flirting with Rashid. He had wanted to make her beg and scream for mercy. But after she gave him a real reason to punish her, he felt ashamed. He felt sick inside for making her cry with pain. But damn it, she had put him in a blinding rage and deserved what she got! Of all the stupid pranks to pull—but now he was the one who was suffering, not her. He had never before hit a woman, and it sure as hell didn’t sit well with him. And she had been ready to stab him if he touched her! Damn, that woman was getting under his skin!
Philip wondered what sort of game that pup Rashid was playing now. Philip had asked him either to free the slaves or take them out of camp. But Rashid had refused him, only to turn around and set them free for Christina.
Philip knew Rashid was fascinated by Christina, and he couldn’t blame him for that. Christina was so beautiful any man would desire her. Perhaps he was trying to win her affections, where Philip had failed. He would have to keep an eye on Rashid. Christina was his own. And even though she hated him, he would let no one take her from him.
THE DAY WAS hot when Christina finally stirred beneath the covers. The room was empty, and she wondered if Philip had bothered to come to bed at all last night. She couldn’t blame him, for she had given him new reason to distrust her. He must hate her now, but perhaps that was better. He might even let her go.
Christina rubbed her hand gently across her buttocks, but there was no pain. It was her pride that was bruised. She wondered how Philip would act toward her today, for he had not said a word after spanking her. She hoped he would not punish her further.
Amine came to visit Christina before the midday meal and brought her oldest child with her. Little Syed was about two years old, and Christina laughed as he ran about the room looking for things to get into. But she was embarrassed in the other girl’s company, for Christina knew Amine must have heard her screams last night.
Amine smiled at her knowingly. “I would tell you something, Christina, for I know what is bothering you. There is no shame in what Sheik Abu did to you last night. It shows only that he really cares for you, otherwise he would not bother Nura was filled with jealousy last night, for she knows this, too.”
“The whole camp must have heard me,” Christina gasped. “I’ll never be able to show my face again.”
“Most of the camp was asleep. But still, it is nothing to be ashamed of.”
“I don’t exactly feel proud,” Christina said. “But I do know that I deserved punishment last night.”
Just then, Philip walked in, startling them both. He walked into the bedroom without a word. Christina hoped he hadn’t overheard their conversation.
“I will go now,” Amine said, picking up little Syed. “I am sure Sheik Abu wishes to be alone.”
“You don’t have to go yet, Amine,” Christina replied nervously.
“I will come again.”
“I’ve enjoyed our talk,” Christina said. She walked Amine to the entrance and squeezed her hand, whispering, “Thank you, Amine. I feel much better now.”
Amine returned her smile and scurried away. Christina thought how happy Amine seemed, even though she had been stolen from her family, too.
Christina sensed Philip’s presence behind her, but before she could turn around, he put his arms around her and pulled her forcefully against him. He cupped his hands over her breasts, and her knees became weak with his nearness. She fought against the weakness and pleasure that his touch gave her.
“Stop it, Philip. Let go of me this instant!” she demanded, trying desperately to pull his huge hands from her body. But Christina stopped struggling when he tightened his grip.
