Chapter Fourteen

THE day was hot when Christina finally stirred beneath the covers. The room was empty, and she wondered if Philip had bothered to come to bed at all last night. She couldn't blame him, for she had given him new reason to distrust her. He must hate her now, but perhaps that was better. He might even let her go.

Christina rubbed her hand gently across her buttocks, but there was no pain. It was her pride that was bruised. She wondered how Philip would act toward her today, for he had not said a word after spanking her. She hoped he would not punish her further.

Amine came to visit Christina before the midday meal and brought her oldest child with her. Little Syed was about two years old, and Christina laughed as he ran about the room looking for things to get into. But she was embarrassed in the other girl's company, for Christina knew Amine must have heard her screams last night

Amine smiled at her knowingly. "I would tell you something, Christina, for I know what is bothering you. There is no shame hi what Sheik Abu did to you last night It shows only that he really cares for you, otherwise he would not bother. Nura was filled with jealousy last night, for she knows this, too."

"The whole camp must have heard me," Christina gasped. "I'll never be able to show my face again."

"Most of the camp was asleep. But still, it is nothing to be ashamed of."

"I don't exactly feel proud," Christina said. "But I do know that I deserved punishment last night."

Just then, Philip walked in, startling them both. He walked into the bedroom without a word. Christina hoped he hadn't overheard their conversation.

"I will go now," Amine said, picking up little Syed. "I am sure Sheik Abu wishes to be alone."

"You don't have to go yet, Amine," Christina replied nervously.

"I will come again."

"I've enjoyed our talk," Christina said. She walked Amine to the entrance and squeezed her hand, whispering, "Thank you, Amine. I feel much better now."

Amine returned her smile and scurried away. Christina thought how happy Amine seemed, even though she had been stolen from her family, too.

Christina sensed Philip's presence behind her, but before she could turn around, he put his arms around her and pulled her forcefully against him. He cupped his hands over her breasts, and her knees became weak with his nearness. She fought against the weakness and pleasure that his touch gave her.

"Stop it, Philip. Let go of me this instant!" she demanded, trying desperately to pull his huge hands from her body. But Christina stopped struggling when he tightened his grip.

"You're hurting me," she gasped.

"That's not my intention, Tina," he whispered in her ear. Loosening his hold, he played with her nipples, gently rubbing them between his fingers. They rose tautly beneath the thin silk material of her blouse, demanding satisfaction.

But she couldn't let him continue. She had sworn never to give in again.

"Oh, please stop, Philip," she begged as he moved his smoldering lips down the side of her neck. A burning desire arose within her, making her tremble with its intensity, and suddenly she prayed that he wouldn't let her go.

"Why should I stop? You are mine, Tina, and I will caress you when and where I please."

She stiffened at his words. "I am not yours. I belong only to myself!" She pried his hands loose and turned to face him. She stood proudly staring up into his dark-green eyes, her own flashing defiantly.

"There you are wrong, Tina." He held her face between his hands so she couldn't turn away from his penetrating gaze. "I stole you. Therefore you belong to me and only me. You'd feel better about it if you had some affection for me."

"How can you talk of affection, Philip, when you are the cause of my troubles! You know I want to go home, but you keep me prisoner here."

"I want you here, and it's what I want that matters. Y only thought that you might be happier if you softened your heart toward me." He released her and started to leave the tent.

"And what of you, Philip?" she asked. "What are your feelings toward me? Do you love me?"

"Love you?" He turned around to face her, and laughed softly. "No, I don't love you. I have never loved a woman, except perhaps my mother. I desire you, and that is enough."

"But that isn't enough! You can quench your desire with any woman—why must it be me?"

"Because no other woman has ever pleased me as much as you have." His eyes roamed her body intimately. "I'm afraid you've spoiled me, Tina," he chuckled, and left the tent

* * *

The afternoon was hot and sticky. There had been no rain since Philip had returned to Egypt, and their water hole was slowly diminishing. But it had to rain soon; it always did this time of year.

Philip was breaking in a three-year-old horse when he saw Christina cross the camp and enter Yasir's tent. Grinning, he thought of that morning when he had visited with his father.

"That girl is kind and gentle, Abu," Yasir had scolded him. "And you ought to treat her right. It hurt my heart to hear her scream last night If I weren't so weak, I would have stopped you myself I"

Philip's head had been throbbing with a dull ache from the night's drinking, and he had felt irritated by his father's words. He was ready to tell him caustically about Christina's real character, but changed his mind. He could see his father was quite taken with Christina, and that pleased him. Christina would be like a breath of fresh air for Yasir. She could be charming when she tried.

An hour passed before Philip saw her again. He eyed her warily as she slowly approached him, a half-smile gracing her lips. He noticed that her eyes were a soft turquoise. Well, at least she's not angry with me, he thought, remembering the dark blue her eyes had been the last time he talked with her.

"Philip."

She spoke demurely, biting her lower lip, and rested her soft hands on the corral fence. She must want something, he guessed as he dismounted and walked toward her.

"What can I do for you, my sweet?" he asked.

"I was wondering, do you have any horses that haven't been trained yet?"

"Yes, but why do you ask?"

"I wish to ride," she said, looking down demurely.

Philip looked at her doubtfully. "You ask me to trust you on one of my horses after last night?"

"Oh, please, Philip. I can't stand idleness. I'm used to riding every day," she pleaded.

Philip searched her eyes. "How do I know you can handle a horse? I have only your word that you've ridden before."

"You insult me! I've ridden since I was a child, and my stallion at home is two hands taller than any horse you have here."

"Very well, Tina," he laughed, pointing to the horse he had been working. "Will this one do?"

"Oh, yes!" she said brightly. The beautiful Arabian was raven-black and reminded her of Dax, except he wasn't as large. He had a proudly arched neck, a deep chest, and long, slender legs. She couldn't believe he was hers to ride.

"It will take me only a minute to change!" she exclaimed, then ran to the tent.

"You will have to ride without a saddle," he called after her, for they didn't use them here.

"That's all right," she yelled over her shoulder. "I'll manage."

Christina dashed into the bedroom and took out the loose-fitting breeches that she'd just finished making. She was glad that she'd decided to make a robe instead of a dress first.

Throwing her skirt onto the bed, she quickly donned the black silk breeches. She wrapped a black strip of material securely about her head, concealing her golden hair. She slid into the flowing black velvet robe, tied the robe about her waist with a wide sash, then put the black velvet kufiyah on her head, binding it around with a heavy black cord.

When she thought of what Philip would think of her riding outfit, she laughed. But she didn't care, for she was gloriously happy.

Philip was surprised when he saw her come out of the tent. She looked like a young boy until she came closer and he could see her voluptuous curves enhanced by the soft velvet.

"I'm ready." She turned to the horse, nuzzled his nose, and whispered in his ear. "We're going to be fine friends, my black beauty, and I'll love you as if you were my own. Does he have a name?" she asked Philip as he lifted her onto the blanketed back of the horse and handed her the reins.

"No."

"I shall call you Raven," she said gleefully, leaning over so the horse could hear her. "And we'll ride the wind freely, like the raven."

Philip mounted Victory, and they slowly walked down the hillside. He marveled at how gentle Raven was with Christina, after the trouble he'd had breaking the horse.

Christina quickly became accustomed to the feel of riding bareback. She managed Raven beautifully as they rode down the winding path.

When they finally reached the bottom of the mountain, Christina urged Raven into a slow canter, then a speeding gallop, leaving Philip behind. She raced across the vast expanse of desert without destination, feeling like a free spirit flying in the wind. Her troubles fled from her as she dreamed she was back in Halstead riding across her estate, but then Philip caught up with her.

He pulled up on her reins. "If you insist on racing me, Tina, perhaps we should wager on who the victor will be."

"But I have nothing to wager," she replied. But she would dearly love to beat him at something for a change.