The Desert Princes. Jackie Braun

      ‘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.

      ‘Why not me?’ She might be useless at the game of love, but she could start a fire, and she pulled a firestone out of her pocket to prove it.

      Raffa laughed—a flash of strong white teeth to relieve the tension she was almost as good at building as a fire. ‘I had forgotten your firestone,’ he admitted.

      She watched him all the way down as far as she could. Raffa moved with the agility of a mountain lion—the same lion that was the symbol of dauntless courage, bravery and valour. When he was out of sight she cupped her hands to nurture the tiny flame she’d managed to kindle from the available tinder. She was usually better than this at setting a fire, but while her mind was on the job in hand her heart was still with Raffa.

      This was a complete and utter indulgence. He couldn’t remember how long it had been since he had taken a break like this in his favourite part of the desert. Years ago, when he’d been on breaks from the army, he had come here all the time, and it refreshed him and made sense of things…

      Made sense of things except for Casey, he amended; the desert had failed him where she was concerned. He stared back up the cliff face, to where a plume of smoke signified success. He smiled. She was never short of a surprise, and he enjoyed her company, but life was never that simple. The only thing he could be sure of was that she’d got the job. The details might be a little hazy right now, but Casey wouldn’t be leaving A’Qaban any time soon.

      He returned with rugs, food and drink and other supplies, to find Casey on her hands and knees, blowing determinedly at the one branch that had refused to light. ‘Are you sure you don’t need any help there?’ He came to hunker down beside her, resisting the temptation to touch her.

      ‘Well, now you come to mention it.’ She turned to look at him. ‘I could use some help with my hand.’

      ‘Your hand?’

      ‘Yes. It seems to be shaking…’

      They came together like a force of nature. It was impossible to know who moved first. Her nipples rose, her breath quickened, and she was instantly and completely aroused as Raffa claimed her mouth with a fierce and possessive hunger.

      The tension between them could never have held. The instant Raffa’s hand covered Casey’s she gladly threw away every semblance of self-control. But there was more. Pleasure hit so fast she gave a wail of astonishment as she tumbled headlong into a violent climax. Raffa held her safe in his arms as she moaned, ‘Oh, no. Oh, no…’ But the pleasure waves just kept on coming. He kissed her brow, her eyelids and her mouth, until finally she quietened into an embarrassed silence and pulled away from him.

      Burying her head in her hands, she wished herself a million miles away.

      ‘Casey?’ Raffa murmured gently. Cupping her face in his hands, he stared into her eyes. ‘This isn’t right for you.’

      ‘Who decides that?’ she demanded in a small voice. ‘You?’

      He remained silent. This was his fault. He had allowed things to move too fast. He had wanted to share this special place with Casey, but he had underestimated her feelings for him. He shouldn’t have allowed his desire for her to show; she was too young, too innocent. ‘I should never have brought you here—’

      ‘Yes, you should,’ she argued passionately. ‘I should know the country I’m supposed to be selling to the world.’

      ‘Casey, Casey…’ Taking hold of her wrists, he drew her hands away from her face with the utmost care. ‘I think we both know this has gone far beyond an interview for a job, and however much I might want to, I can never give you all the things you deserve.’

      ‘I don’t want anything from you,’ she protested.

      She never would want anything from him in the material sense, he knew that; but there were other things Casey deserved. ‘You’d want my time, wouldn’t you?’

      The look in her eyes stabbed into his heart. ‘Well, I can’t give you time,’ he said cruelly, to save her before she got into this any deeper. ‘A’Qaban takes up all my time and you deserve better than that. If I make love to you things will change.’

      ‘Why must they change?’

      Only innocence could prompt that question, but as he reached for her she turned away. ‘Casey, I’m already married—to duty and to my country.’

      ‘Who mentioned marriage?’ she flared, turning back to him.

      He remained silent. He might not have known Casey for more than a few days, but he knew her well enough to understand something of her hopes and dreams. An affair was not what she wanted, and it would break her eventually. ‘Forgive me?’ he whispered.

      ‘Forgive you?’ She frowned in bewilderment.

      ‘Please…’ Taking her hands in his, he raised them