Arabian Pearl by Emma Wildes

Author:Emma Wildes [Wildes, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Siren Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2011-03-18T21:16:57+00:00

Chapter 5

The desert wind blew hot across his face and the exhilarating rush of speed was incredible. Robert leaned low over the neck of his mount and urged the Barbary stallion to a faster pace, feeling the horse's mane whip against his throat and mouth.

It wasn't until they reached the outskirts of the sprawling city that he pulled up, grinning, controlling the prancing horse with a skilled hand. Ali pounded up a fraction later, his mount sending a spray of sand from under his hooves as he came to a fractious halt. Robert said, “I won."

A little breathless, but also laughing, Ali argued, “He won, my friend."

"He's magnificent. Look at him. He still wants to run, even as far as we have come. Does he never tire?” Feeling the bunched muscles underneath him and impatient energy as the horse danced sideways, Robert tightened the rein.

"Never.” Ali turned his horse toward the city gates, patting his mount on the shoulder in mock sympathy. “Well done, Hazan, you did fine, but no one can beat the black, even when his rider is a clumsy Infidel."

Robert chuckled. He had been practically born on a horse and knew he was a skilled rider, but the horsemanship of Ali's people was beyond compare. Urging the stallion into step beside his friend, he said, “Such speed ... it's exciting, almost primal, like—"

"Sex?” Ali supplied, grinning.

"Perhaps.” Robert laughed. “It is certainly a rush of physical sensation."

"Which would you rather have, my English friend, I am curious. The black—my finest horse—or the girl?"

"The girl."

Ali's fine brows shot up. “No hesitation, that is frightening for you."

"She is ... captivating."

"A captivating captive, what an odd notion. Perhaps you should guard against too much of an attachment to her, Robert. Women are for one thing only. Use her body but do not soften toward her otherwise."

It was a little too late, he was afraid. Curiously, Robert asked, “Have you never entertained the notion that some day you might encounter the woman who not only satisfies your needs but also charms you in other ways?"

Ali shook his head, rolling his eyes theatrically heavenward. “Allah, please protect my dear friend from this sentimental ideal he obviously harbors in his English blood. You must forgive him because he is from a race that writes sonnets to the color of a woman's hair, and composes music to please their ears."

One of the things Robert had always enjoyed when in Ali's company was his surprisingly dry wit. Amused, he lifted a brow. “I am serious. Never?"

Ali laughed. “Who knows? I am not my father, who orders that his women not speak to him when he takes his pleasure, but neither do I see myself with only one female for eternity. All I can say is if she exists, we have not yet met."

Robert wasn't sure he could say the same. He had now been at the palace for twelve days, his visit drawing to a close. During that time, he had spent his days with Ali,

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.