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“And simple, uncomplicated relationships?”
He frowned. “I would hardly call what we share uncomplicated.”
“So whatareyou saying? That we’re in a relationship?”
He nodded. “We’ve had sex, spent the night together, and enjoyed one another’s company during the day. I’d like to think that counts as a relationship.”
She blinked. “And when I get back to the city?”
“We’ll deal with that when we have to.” He pushed onto his knees and leaned across the now empty spread, capturing her lips with his. When he pulled back, his eyes shone and his voice was stark. “Let’s just enjoy getting to know one another.”
As though to emphasize his point, he stacked the dishes and placed them outside the doorway of their tent. Then he laid her on his sleeping mat. “I want to get to knoweverypart of you,” he said huskily.
She grinned up at him. “Well in that case…I’m all yours.”
Chapter Eight
Once the scout caught sight of the backend of the nomad tribe disappearing into the distance toward what was another well-known oasis, everything seemed to settle into a routine for Holly and Hamid.
Early mornings became their quiet time, where they would leave the tent and lay low at the edge of the oasis for predator or prey to visit. Only once she’d taken countless photos did they return to the tent for breakfast and then inevitably make love for hours. A leisurely lunch served under the shade of a date palm saw them invariably talk for hours, and she was fascinated to discover they shared similar beliefs.
By day four though, she was beginning to get restless. As though aware time was marching on without her while she was in this desert bubble with Hamid. That the other part of her was content for the first time in years didn’t bear thinking about.
They’d just finished lunch when Hamid announced, “I’m taking you someplace today where I know you will want to use your camera.”
She brushed a desert ant off their picnic rug. “Really?”
He nodded, a smile quirking his lips. “It’s a half-hour ride by camel. If you’re no longer sore and bruised we can leave shortly.”
Excitement filled her. “I’d love that. And no, I’m not sore.” She winked. “Not from riding camels.”
Hamid’s gaze turned speculative. “My size does take some getting used to.”
If it’d been any other man saying those same words she would have laughed at his immodesty, except Hamid was genuinely concerned for her and was clearly aware he was bigger than the average man. “I’m fine, really. I’m not the virgin your men seem to prize above all else.”
He canted his head to the side. “That’s a broad generalization. Not all men of my country value sexual innocence in their women. I’d be the biggest hypocrite of them all considering the number of experienced women back home I regularly—”
He looked away, his face as strained as his voice. “Sorry. I said too much.”
His apology stretched her emotions tighter. “No, you saidjustenough.”
“Holly, please don’t make an issue out of this.”
An issue?Like she was at fault here? She glowered. “You know what? I don’t have an issue with you having other lovers. What Idohave an issue with is that you deliberately hid them—hid the truth—from me.”
“I might have omitted a few things,” he conceded. “But I never once lied to you.”
“There’s a difference?”
He gazed at her like a scientist might examine a new species of bug under a microscope. “Let’s just forget I ever said anything.”
“Let’s not!” She put her hands on her hips. “So wheredoyou entertain your other lovers?”
He dragged a hand over his face and exhaled raggedly. “I have a…residence far away from here.”
She swallowed hard as acid burned the pit of her stomach. “So the desertisn’tyour home?”
“The desert is the home of my heart.”
