A Sheik's Spell Read Online Free Page A

thirteen, when her father deserted them, never again to be at the mercy of anyone. She told herself she would not be at the mercy of Na’im Raoul Rahman. She knew it would be so easy to take comfort from a few kind words, from his touch. There was something about him that stirred all of her senses to their peak. The smell of his hair as she sat behind him, the feel of his broad back against her cheek, and the way her thighs had molded against his as they rode in the desert.
    “Fm not going to let him get the best of me,” she whispered aloud into the cool night air. ‘ ‘No way.”
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
    As Felicia approached the campsite, she was surprised to see Na’im quietly conversing with another man. Both men looked up as she entered the circle of light created by the glowing fire.
    Felicia made quite a captivating picture with her wet tendrils and Na’im’s galabia clinging to her body in places where her skin was still damp.
    The water had worked in soothing her body and lifting her spirits. As she had slipped the soft material of the galabia over her naked flesh, she thought of Na’im. He had seen her like this before. He had even dressed her. Just the thought of Na’im’s muscular body being so close to her under those circumstances sent exciting messages to the core of her femininity.
    Felicia knew she could have used more discretion in dressing, but that wasn’t what she wanted to do. Maybe now I’ll get his attention, since he wants to be so aloof and nonchalant. I’ll just have to see how much he can take, she thought.
    But Na’im’s handsome face remained as impassive as stone as he gazed upon her beyond the campfire. It was his
    companion who showed surprise and pleasure as he took in her womanly curves, clearly outlined by the fire's glare.
    Felicia’s feet felt as if they were rooted to the ground. She was paralyzed by the thought of what she must look like to this total stranger. It didn’t take long before the man made it known just what he thought of her.
    Felicia’s almond eyes widened in total disbelief and outrage as she watched him pull a pouch out of the folds of his garment She could hear the coins jingle as he threw it up enticingly in front of Na’im.
    Felicia didn’t know much Arabic, but there was little doubt in her mind as to what the man was saying to Na’im, sounding as if he were bargaining for wares at one of the village bazaars.
    It infuriated her to think that this person felt he had the right to try and buy her. If he or Na’im thought for just one moment she was going to go along with this, they had another thought coming.
    It was Na’im’s voice that brought her out of her state of disbelief. He calmly, but with authority, told her to go inside the tent. For a moment Felicia thought of resisting him; then she looked at the stranger and changed her mind.
    It wasn’t long before Na’im followed her. “Why did you just stand there, showing yourself in front of us?” he asked heatedly.
    Felicia felt her face become warm with embarrass ment and anger. “Well, how was I to know there was someone else in the camp? You could have come and told me!”
    “Keep your voice down, you have already caused me enough shame.”
    "Shame? How have I shamed you? I am the one who should feel ashamed,’ ’ she threw back at him, but in a more hushed tone.
    “I told him that you are one of several wives, and a favorite at that...so now you will act accordingly.”
    “You told him what?!”
    “You heard what I said. What else was there to say with you standing there where we could see straight through your clothes? Even if you did not know he was here, you could have had more respect for yourself and dressed like a decent woman around a man you hardly know! And I am referring to me. Is that so much to expect from you?”
    “Well aren’t you something. Here’s a man who says he saved my life, but who acts as if I have some kind of plague. And now he’s trying