The Desert Princes. Jackie Braun

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СКАЧАТЬ his way along the rocky approach to the mountains, he wondered what Casey was thinking. She had been quiet for a while now, and she was such a dreamer. He hoped she wouldn’t be too disappointed by what he had to show her. He was opening up part of his life to Casey, because the hunt for someone to work for him had become so much more, and he was hungry to find out everything there was to know about Casey Michaels.

      Urging his stallion Raad—the word meant thunder in A’Qabani—up the first incline, he noticed the great stallion’s ears prick up as he scented the place they both loved—the place they both considered home.

      For once Casey was lost for words.

      Raffa turned to her. ‘You’re not disappointed?’

      She looked at him as he brought the prancing stallion to a restless halt.

      ‘Disappointed? How could I be?’ They were at the foot of a sheer cliff, where an icy stream, its source hidden somewhere far above them, tumbled in a series of frothing waterfalls to a moonlit pool. This had to be one of the lesser known wonders of the world.

      Springing down from the saddle, Raffa reached up to help her dismount. ‘You’ll find the water surprisingly warm— though I should warn you the torrent coming down from the peaks is freezing cold.’

      ‘But the pool is heated by the sun?’

      ‘The relentless desert sun,’ Raffa agreed, holding her just above the ground so their faces were disturbingly level.

      ‘You can put me down now…please?’

      His eyes beneath the concealing howlis glinted dangerously. ‘Or I could throw you in.’

      ‘Please…please don’t.’ With humour…His eyes were glinting with humour, Casey saw with relief. ‘So you’ve brought me to another spa?’

      ‘Nature’s spa,’ Raffa agreed.

      She could have happily stayed in his arms for ever, but the horse was stamping impatiently and so she stepped away, while Raffa slipped the reins over his stallion’s head. Unfastening the girth, he removed the saddle. She took it from him and rested it carefully against the stubbly trunk of a palm tree while Raffa led the stallion round to let him cool down. When it was safe for him to drink, Raffa removed the bridle too and set him loose.

      Casey’s heart ached with longing. She wanted so much more than Raffa was prepared to give. She watched him stroke the stallion’s quivering flanks, knowing what she would do for that same soothing touch. Raffa was so good at everything— he had even made her forget her own lack of skill on horseback, to the point where she’d almost believed she could ride.

      Ride? She could fly with Raffa’s arms around her.

      But she mustn’t make too much out of this expedition. If anything had been going to happen between them it would have happened at the oasis. This was just an opportunity for Raffa to share the treasures of his country with her; treasures she would be expected to market to the world if she got the job…

      ‘Come on,’ he said, stretching out his hand to her.

      ‘Come where?’ She hung back, suddenly feeling shy and uncertain now the horse was happily drinking and Raffa’s attention was all on her.

      ‘I want you to see something. You have a little climb ahead of you.’

      ‘A little climb?’ Casey glanced anxiously at the sheer rock wall in front of her.

      ‘I can carry you, if you like.’

      Hearing the amusement in his voice, she assured him, ‘I’m quite capable of standing on my own two feet, thank you.’

      ‘There is a path, but it isn’t the one you’re taking,’ he said, catching up with her in a couple of strides.

      ‘Oh…’ She stared about.

      ‘It’s not obvious unless you know where to look.’

      ‘And you, of course, know where to look?’

      ‘I like to think so…’ Raffa’s dangerous black gaze held hers.

      ‘Then you’d better show me where to go.’

      But he didn’t move.

      She took a deep steadying breath. It wasn’t easy, containing all the emotion inside her, and as Raffa continued to stare down at her she felt as if this was a pivotal moment in her emotional journey—in her life. Raffa had given her the confidence to admit she wanted him, but did Raffa want her?

      A breeze ruffled the scrub around them, but when she whispered his name he remained silent. ‘Raffa, please,’ she repeated, ‘can I ask you something?’

      He knew the moment had arrived. Casey’s fantasy world had finally collided with the real world, and he wasn’t in the least surprised when all her pent-up frustrations poured out.

      ‘Raffa, what would you say if I asked you to make love to me?’

      ‘I would tell you that you’re a virgin and that you should be very sure.’ He could see Casey thinking. Was the fact that she was a virgin branded on her forehead?

      ‘How can you tell?’

      ‘Years of experience?’ he suggested with a faint smile.

      ‘Please don’t tease me, Raffa—not now.’

      He started to unwind his howlis. This was what he’d wanted since he had first set eyes on Casey, but was reality the last thing on her mind? He had enjoyed watching Casey grow in confidence, to the point where she trusted him even when she was naked, but was he just her fantasy? He decided to postpone his verdict for now.

      ‘Shall I lead the way?’ he suggested, glancing up the path.

      She nodded her head, desperately trying to hide her disappointment.

      Casey had a lot to learn—not least was that anticipation increased the pleasure of the final outcome. She had made him think that was no longer in doubt now.

      They were halfway up the first slope when they turned a corner and a natural platform in the rock was revealed. Broad and sheltered from the elements, as well as from the waterfall that fell by the side of it, it had been worn smooth by the pressure of many feet over the years.

      ‘I thought we’d set up camp here.’

      ‘For the night?’ Casey couldn’t help sounding worried.

      ‘You’re hungry, aren’t you?’

      ‘Hungry? Yes.’ Now she couldn’t help sounding relieved. She had just one more concern. ‘Where’s the bathroom?’

      ‘Choose your bush. And your warm bath’s down the slope, with a nice icy shower to follow.’

      ‘I think I’ll start by making a fire.’

      ‘You?’ Raffa was on his way down the slope to collect some more things and he stopped.

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