The Sheikh's Wife by Jane Porter

Author:Jane Porter
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2001-07-28T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

“LAST night was a mistake.” Kahlil wouldn’t even look at her, his back turned to her, his shadow stretching long across the sunlit courtyard. “It can’t happen again, and it won’t. From now on you will sleep in the women’s quarters, even if I must chain you to the floor.”

Making love last night had only increased the tension between them. Anger crackled from him in invisible electric waves. “You don’t have to chain me to the floor. You have Ben. I’m not going anywhere.”

“As if I trust anything you say.”

Bryn ignored his contemptuous snort, keeping her own emotions carefully checked. It had been painful last night to be in Kahlil’s bed. Realizing too late that she hadn’t sufficiently hardened her heart had done nothing to assuage the aching emptiness in her heart. If this was love, she could live without it.

“You don’t trust me, but you’ll make love to me.”

“I’m sorry. I lost control. I’ll do my best to make sure it never happens again.”

If he was trying to hurt her, he was succeeding. Chaining her to him wasn’t punishment enough. He’d degrade her now. Humiliate her after sharing the most intimate act of all. Pain splintered within her, fresh realization at the depth of his hatred for her. “Well, I won’t apologize. What happened between us was lovely.”

“It was sex.”

Her cheeks burned, heat surging to her face. She wouldn’t back down. Refused to let him turn their lovemaking into something ugly and sordid. She’d been a willing partner last night. And so had he. “Then it was good sex, great sex.”

He cast her a dubious glance over his shoulders, lips twisting grimly. “You speak for me, or just yourself?”

A second surge of blood followed the first. Stand firm, she seethed. Don’t roll over and die. “Why not? You said we’re still married, so why shouldn’t we find comfort in each other’s arms?”

“I find no comfort in sleeping with you. Just release.”

She’d vowed not to cry, and she’d meant to keep her vow, but his harshness hurt, cutting deep. She ached at the change in him, the change in them. She couldn’t do this, she couldn’t stay frozen emotionally. Not when he was making her feel so much and reminding her of how things had been.

Years ago when they made love, he’d murmur endearments in his native tongue, Sweet flower of the garden; most beautiful night star; treasure of the desert. No longer. His hatred was palpable.

If she didn’t have Ben, she might have run from his anger, but she couldn’t run. She needed to win Kahlil’s trust, and custody of Ben. Ben needed his daddy, and she needed Kahlil, too.

Heartache gave way to action. Bryn stiffened, her shoulders squaring. She’d do what she had to do. She’d make her marriage work, by hell or high water.

By hell or high water, she repeated silently, fiercely.

No regrets. No turning back. “Tell me what you want from me. I shall do whatever you wish. I shall be exactly as you want me to be.

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