Josie’s whole body was shaking. With an intake of breath, she pulled away. “Anyone would have—”
“You’re wrong.” He cut her off. “And that is what’s different about you. You’re not just brave. Not just strong. You don’t even know your own power. You are—” he kissed the back of her hand, causing a flash of heat across her body as he whispered “—an elemental force.”
Her body felt as if it was on fire. A breeze blew through the desert night, cooling her skin. Her heart pounded in her chest. She looked up at him.
The wind caught at his black hair, blowing it against his tanned skin, against his high cheekbones that looked chiseled out of marble in the silver moonlight and flickering glow of the lanterns.
“Now do you understand? Now do you believe?” he said softly. “I want you, Josie. Only you.”
He reached out to stroke her cheek, and the sensuality of that simple touch caused her whole body to shake. Against her will, her gaze dropped to his mouth. Could she…? Did she dare to…?
Kasimir’s hand dropped.
“But I will be true to my word. And I am almost glad you bound me by it.” He gave her a small, wistful smile. “Because we both know that you are far too good for a heartless man like me.”
Searching his gaze, she swallowed. “Kasimir—”
His expression shuttered. “You are tired.” Rising to his feet, he held out his hand. “I will take you back to the tent.”
But Josie didn’t feel tired. Every sense and nerve in her body was aware of the stars, the night, the desert. From a distance, she could hear the call of night birds. She breathed in the exotic scent of spice on the soft warm wind. She’d never felt so alive before. So awake.
Because of him.
Kasimir’s handsome face was frosted by moonlight, giving his black hair and high cheekbones a hard edge of silver. He looked like a prince—or a pirate—from a far-off time. Euphoria sang through her body, through her blood. Like an elemental force.
As if in a trance, Josie reached for his hand. Without a word, he led her down the sand dune towards the encampment. She was distracted by the feel of his hand against hers, by the closeness of his powerful body. Her feet were somehow as sure-footed as his as they walked lightly over the sand, down past the flickering torches blazing through the night, illuminating their path.
Kasimir led her into his private tent. They faced each other, and as they stood beside the enormous four-poster bed, which suddenly seemed to dominate the luxurious tent, Josie’s knees felt weak. Her lips felt dry, her heart was pounding.
He looked down at her with smoldering eyes, as if only a hair’s breadth kept him from pushing her back against the bed and covering her body with his own. As if some part of him were waiting—praying for her to say the magic words: Kasimir, I release you from your promise.
Josie clenched her hands into fists at her sides. And, in a supreme act of will, stepped back from him.
“Well,” she choked out. “Good night.”
He tilted his head, frowning. “Good night?”
“Yes,” she stammered. “I mean, thank you for our wedding night. I mean, our wedding feast. It was delicious. I’ll never forget how you tasted—I mean, how the tajine tasted.” Oh, for heaven’s sake. Squaring her shoulders, she cried out, “But good night!”
“Ah.” His sensual mouth curved at the edges. He took a step towards her. Josie almost lifted her arms to push him away. That was surely the reason she yearned to put her hands against his chest, to touch the powerful plane of his muscles through his djellaba and see if they could possibly be as hard as they looked. “Josie,” he murmured, “I don’t think you understand.” He leaned his head down towards her with a gleam in his eye. “This is my private tent.”
She licked her lips. “And you’re giving it to me as your guest? No.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly accept. I’m not kicking you out of your bed.”
“Thank you.” His eyebrow lifted as he said evenly, “And I’m not going to allow you to run away.”
“What?” She jumped, flushed with guilt. “What makes you think I’m planning to run away?”
He put his hand over his heart in an old-fashioned gesture, even as his eyes burned through her. “If you run out into the desert alone, you will die in the sand.”
She swallowed nervously. “I would never…”
“Then give me your word.” In the dim light of the tent, lit by only a single lantern, his gaze seemed to see straight through her soul. He put his hand on her cheek.
“My word?” she echoed softly.
“As I gave you mine. Not just a promise. But your sacred word of honor—” his eyes met hers “—that you won’t try to leave.”
She sucked in her breath, knowing what a word of honor meant—to both of them. Her cheeks were burning as she licked her lips. “What would be the point? Do you really think I’m that much of an idiot to—”