Page 17 of Captive Bride

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 wasna??t a slavera??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 womena??until hea??d met Christina!

Shea??d angered him the night before by refusing to tell him why she was crying. He couldna??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? Hea??d have done the same thing.

He was positive she wouldna??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 Christinaa??s face when he told her he was going raiding. He hadna??t intended to tell her about that part of his life. He didna??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 wasna??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 therea??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 mana??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 hea??d find Christina in a gentler mood than shea??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 didna??t say a word as he went into the bedroom to dispose of the chest.

a??We can go bathe in just a minute, my pet,a?? he said cheerfully. He came back into the main room and removed a small bundle from the corner cabinet. a??Is something the matter, my sweet?a?? Philip inquired, hoping her silence didna??t mean she was still angry with him.

But she just turned away from him and shook her head. Well, he wouldna??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 weeka??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 Christinaa??s sullenness as they finished the evening meal. This attitude of hers couldna??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 Christinaa??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 Christinaa??s hand in his.

a??Come, Tina,a?? he murmured, and led her into the bedroom, surprised that she didna??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.

a??Philip, I must talk to you,a?? Christina said, searching his eyes with her dark, sapphire ones.

a??Later, my pet,a?? Philip replied huskily and silenced her words with his kiss. But, with an effort, she pushed him away.

a??Please, Philip! Therea??s something I must know.a??

He looked down at her and saw her trembling lips and deepening blue eyes.

a??What is it, Tina?a??

a??What do you intend to do with me?a??

a??Ia??m going to make love to you. Did you think otherwise?a?? He smiled beguilingly and toyed with the curls dangling over her breasts.

a??I mean in the futurea??when you no longer want me. What will you do with me then?a??

a??I havena??t really thought about it,a?? he lied, for there was nothing to think about. Hea??d never let her go.

a??Would you let me return to my brother?a?? she ventured timidly.

Philip knew now what was troubling Christina. Did she actually think he would do away with her? Of course she did, for she thought the worst of him.

a??When I tire of you, Tinaa??then, yes, you may go back to your brother.a??

a??Will you give me your word, Philip?a??

a??You have my word. I swear it,a??

He could see relief flood her features as she relaxed into the pillow. She smiled up at him invitingly.

a??Are all your fears forgotten now, my sweet?a?? he whispered, branding her throat with his fiery lips.

a??Most of them,a?? she breathed. She pulled his face to hers and accepted his passionate kiss willingly.

Philip wondered fleetingly what else could cause Christina to fear him. But she wasna??t fighting him right now, and it both puzzled and excited him. He didna??t ponder long, for he was not about to waste this moment on trivial questions.

As dawn crept over the horizon, Christina slowly awakened to the sweet song of a nightingale. A grimace crossed her pretty features when she remembered the night past and the lengths she had gone to.

She didna??t have to play the whore. She had already made Philip promise to return her to her brother. But she had struck a bargain with him, and she had given herself willingly to seal the pact. It was a small thing to doa??he would have taken her, anyway.

Christina smiled as she recalled how her caresses had driven Philip wild with desire. His fervid passions had carried them higher than ever before. And she had been caught in the same whirlpool of desire until the tide swept them both into a sea of mutual bliss.

Well, the evening was behind her now. She had given herself to Philip for a reason. But with her worst fears put to rest, Philip wouldna??t find her so willing in the future. Indeed, she would be more obstinate than ever.

Ita??s going to be a glorious day, Christina thought as she slipped from the bed and donned her new mauve velvet skirt and her green blouse. I should be disgusted with myself, but Ia??m not. I actually feel happy.

She went into the main room to put the last trims on her mauve blouse before Philip awoke, for she wouldna??t let him see her in clashing colors.

Awhile later, Philip called her name from the bedroom. She knew he thought her gone, and was about to answer when she heard him swear.

He came tearing through the curtains, still putting on his robe. But he stopped abruptly when he saw her, the rage on his face turning to surprise.

a??Why didna??t you answer me?a??

a??You didna??t give me a chance to.a?? Christina laughed heartily as she put down her scissors. a??Did you think Ia??d left you again?a??

a??I was merely concerned for your safety.a??

a??Well, you needna??t fear, Ia??m quite safe,a?? she replied. She feared shea??d burst into laughter again if she had to look at Philipa??s disgruntled expression, so she bent quickly over her sewing.

Philip turned and left the tent. Christina wondered about the concern hea??d shown for her. She didna??t know whether he was truly worried about her safety or whether he simply didna??t want to lose a plaything.

Christina went for a walk to the corral that afternoon. The sun was not too hot, for it was nearly winter. She would have to start making warmer clothing.

The horses were all inside the corral. She looked about, but couldna??t see Philip anywhere. Sensing someone behind her, Christina turned abruptly, thinking it was Philip, but was surprised to find Amine looking shyly at her.

a??I did not mean to frighten you,a?? Amine said timidly.

a??You didna??t frighten me. I thought you were Abu.a??

a??Ah, Sheik Abu guards you like a hawk. He is very much in love with you, I think.a??