Girl in the Bedouin Tent by Annie West

Author:Annie West
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781408926079
Publisher: HarlequinUKLtd
Published: 2011-08-04T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

GRAVEL bit into his bare feet as he stalked across the dawn-lit compound but Amir barely registered the pain.

Instead it was the recollection of Cassie’s fear that gripped him. The glazed horror in her eyes when he’d broken their kiss had shocked him.

How had he got it so wrong?

Yes, she’d been barely awake when he’d tried to make her move.

Yes, he’d been aroused, and all too ready to let his body do the thinking as he’d lain, tormented, beneath her sumptuously feminine body.

Yes, he’d known he shouldn’t, but he’d been unable to resist kissing her, deepening the kiss as she’d responded.

He’d read her plea as an invitation to pleasure, believing she felt the same simmering desire that had short-circuited his brain. He’d deluded himself into thinking she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

How had he not heard instantly the desperation in her voice? How had he misinterpreted what must have been a plea for escape as a throaty-voiced request for seduction?

Bitter recriminations filled his head and guilt slashed a jagged slice through his belly.

He reached an outcrop of bare rock on the edge of camp and stood, watching the fingers of dawn light spread down from the mountain towards Tarakhar.

If only they were there now. Cassie would be cared for and comfortable as she recuperated from her ordeals. She wouldn’t have to share accommodation with a man who, despite his vaunted control, had almost taken far more than he should have.

Amir was sick to his stomach at the thought of what he’d almost done.

He recalled Cassie’s desperation that first night. The fear in her voice as she’d related how she’d expected to be assaulted at any moment. How he’d reassured her she was safe with him.

A bitter laugh escaped him.

Safe?

The horror in her wide eyes moments ago told its own tale.

Two more days till their scheduled departure. Two days during which she’d fear he’d make a move on her. Two days in which he wouldn’t sleep for fear of waking again to a situation he couldn’t control.

He couldn’t do it.

He swung round and strode back across the camp. With a supreme effort he might just be able to finalise the work he’d come here to do in one day. Then they’d only have one night to get through. Surely one more night was possible?

Cassie lay in the massive bed, unable to sleep. She hadn’t seen Amir since dawn.

Now she heard laughter and music on the night air. There must be a feast in the main tent tonight. As guest of honour Amir would attend.

Why did it hurt so much that he’d avoided her all day?

She was frantic to explain he wasn’t to blame. To wipe away the guilt she’d read on his face as he’d looked at her with shock pinching his features.

The soft brush of his lips had been an invitation to pleasure, not a demand. It had been her plea for more that had galvanised him into action, as she’d thought she wanted.

Cassie pummelled the pillow.

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