Page 63 of Kismet

Chapter 17

The words sucked the air out of Allegra’s lungs as she stared at Charles in dazed bewilderment. He was taking her back to England. But she didn’t want to go, and certainly not with Charles. Her gaze flew to Shaheen’s impassive features.

He was sending her away.

Frozen in place, her mouth went dry with fear. Dear God, he couldn’t do this. Not after last night. Her stomach roiled with nausea as she breathed in the thick, exotic musk incense that layered the air in the tent. It was a scent that spoke of secrets, mystery, and danger. There were still secrets between them, but the only danger now was facing a life without him. Last night had convinced her there was more between them than sex. She was bound to him now, and she refused to simply walk away. She studied Shaheen for a long moment, but his gaze told her nothing. While she couldn’t tell what he was thinking, it was easy to see the tension in his stiff posture. Still looking at Shaheen, she touched Charles on the arm.

“Charles, I’d like a moment alone with Shaheen.”

“But, Allegra—”

“Now, Charles.” She turned her head toward the man who had once been a lover, but was now a friend. “Please.”

As if remembering other times when she’d been equally set on having her way, he nodded sharply. Charles left the tent without another word, followed by Hakim. Relief jolted through her as the two men left her alone with Shaheen. Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she tried to center her thoughts in hopes of making sense of everything. She sensed his gaze on her, and her eyes flew open. He watched her in silence, his expression little more than that of a disinterested bystander. Uncertainty swelled her throat shut as she tried in vain to swallow the knot lodged there.

The man facing her bore no resemblance to the man who’d held her in his arms last night and taken her to heights she’d never dreamed possible. This was a stranger staring back her. A cold reflection of the man she thought she was coming to know. Gathering her courage, she licked her dry lips and tried not to tremble in the face of his bleak presence.

“Why are you sending me away?” she asked in a hoarse voice.

“Because I have no further use of you.”

The harsh cruelty in his voice made her head snap backward as if he’d hit her. Suddenly it was difficult to breathe, and the indifference on his features made her grow cold. He couldn’t mean that. Not after last night. Heat slowly returned to her limbs, and she straightened to her full height.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Believe what you will, ma belle. But it is the truth.”

With a shrug, he turned away from her and moved to a waist-high table that contained several maps. His beautiful hands brushed across the surface of a diagram as if he was studying it intently, but she knew better. Although his expression hadn’t changed, his profile revealed a twitch of tension in his cheek. Something was wrong. He was hiding something from her. Beneath his cruelty she was certain there had been something else. Regret? Pain? Her heart skipped a beat. Nassar. He’d been preparing for a confrontation with Nassar, and as Sheikh, it was his duty to protect his tribe. Protect what was his. She breathed in a sharp breath of hope.

Protect her.

Was that why he’d sent for Charles? Was that the real reason for this cold, callous manner of his? Was he trying to make her believe he didn’t care so she’d simply leave and return to England with Charles? It was the only possible explanation. He was worried Nassar’s men might take her again if the camp was attacked. Well, she wouldn’t have it. She refused to be shipped off like some coveted prize jewel. She was the jahīm anasi, and she would stay with him. It was her destiny.

“I won’t go,” she said stubbornly.

Despite the calm way he straightened upright, she could see the lethal power in him. Anger hardened his dark eyes, and his expression was one of contempt.

“Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough, Allegra,” he growled. “There’s nothing for you here.”

“You’re here. That’s all that matters to me.”

With more confidence than she really felt, she stepped forward and tugged his head down to kiss him. His body gave way slightly, welcoming hers into his. It was a sign he might concede and her heart soared with hope. A second later, strong hands bit into her upper arms as he shoved her away from him.

“You seem to be under the mistaken impression that I want you to remain.”

“You wanted me last night,” she said angrily.

Last night he’d cried out her name in the midst of their lovemaking. A passion he’d demanded. The same passion she’d withheld from other men, but had yielded to him willingly. He was the only man she’d ever given herself to openly and honestly, asking nothing in return. And the idea that he no longer wanted her was unthinkable. She would never have revealed her heart to him if she’d not been certain it was safe to do so.

“I don’t deny your attractions, ma chérie.” He stretched out his hand to brush his fingers over her breast in a contemptuous gesture. “But don’t mistake desire for affection.”

“Don’t you dare stand there and try to tell me last night meant nothing to you,” she snapped.

“But it didn’t mean anything, ma belle.”

He turned away from her and returned to reviewing the map on the table. She flinched. It wasn’t true. Last night had meant something to them both. She believed that with all her heart. With determination, she pushed his rejection aside. He was lying. Fingernails digging into her palm, she shook her head. She didn’t know how she knew that, but she was certain of it. Maybe it was the tension holding him rigid. Or the way his body had almost betrayed him when she kissed him. He could deny it all he wanted, but last night had meant something to him. She released a noise of disgusted anger and tugged on his arm to make him face her.

“Please credit me with some intelligence, Shaheen. I’ve been with too many men not to know when a man harbors feelings for me.”