CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE — A SERIALIZED NOVEL
Pride and Audacity — Part 13
A stranger — a secret agreement — a changed destiny
“He was the last man on earth she wanted, but she was the only woman on earth he’d have…From the skyscrapers of New York City to the ancient sands of Ahalamin, two untamed hearts war for supremacy…”
Rashid awakened to the subtle bell tone signaling the aircraft’s descent. He nudged Califar’s leg with his own and indicated their pending arrival.
“Are there any final arrangements you wish to make for today?” asked Califar.
“I think it would be better if you went ahead of us to the camp,” replied Rashid. “Make sure the security measures are in order and, if any of our invited guests have arrived early, offer my apologies. I’m sure when they hear the news of my marriage they will forgive my delay.” A rueful smile curled his lips. “They will assume I am reluctant to tear myself away from my adoring bride.”
Califar nodded. “Would you like for me to take a tray of food to the princess?”
“No, I’ll take some in later.” Rashid pondered how he was going to accomplish the next critical part of the journey. Getting his wife off the jet and into a waiting helicopter without gagging her might prove to be a formidable problem. Another would be getting her out of the helicopter and into his tent at the oasis. Delaying the inevitable would not make things simpler.
He strode purposefully toward his compartment and stepped through the doorway. Victoria sat in the middle of the bed dressed in one of the caftans he’d chosen with her in mind. A vision of feminine perfection who dropped her eyes in a perfect imitation of shy innocence and curved her lips in a demure smile.
Never could there have been a more resourceful or determined woman. He would be the fool she took him for if he believed her performance, even though he was intrigued. Why not see how far she intended this act to go. He relaxed his stance and shut the door. Moving to the edge of the bed, he waited for her to raise her eyes to his. When she did, he returned her smile with one of his own — raw, untamed, and hungry.
Golden eyelashes fluttered over blue eyes solely focused on him in surprised wonderment. Her reaction sent a wave of desire burning through his belly and soothed some of the prior day’s humiliation.
“I…uh…hope you’ve got coffee in your hand and you intend to share,” she asked in a sweet, enticing tone.
Her voice seduced with its shy inquiry. Just what she intended, he was sure. He placed the coffee tray on the side table and handed her a cup.
“I’m pleased to see you looking rested. Sleep seems to have improved your, shall we say, eruptive nature.” He chuckled at the momentary flash of temper in her expressive eyes.
“Yes, well, these are extreme circumstances for me. I do have a small problem with my life being taken over without my permission. However, I apologize for the damage I seem to have done to this room and, of course, I hope I didn’t bruise your leg too badly either.”
Rashid decided she needed one of two things — to be kissed breathless or spanked. Since there was no time to do either, he would have to leave those options for another time. Judging by her behavior so far, it would not be long before she gave him another opportunity.
Victoria folded her legs under her and relaxed in one of the planes’ over-sized lounge chairs. Though her circumstances hadn’t changed, the lounge area felt less like a prison than the smaller sleeping compartment.
The date cake she’d just eaten had been delicious, but the slice of sweet citrus fruit she still savored bordered on addicting. The unfamiliar variety smelled heavenly and its nectar tingled playfully on her tongue. She indulged herself with two more pieces while studying the man standing across the lounge.
A white, ankle-length, shirt-like robe covered his wide shoulders. Through long side slits, she glimpsed black trousers that disappeared into black boots fitted tightly to his calf. The top four buttons of his robe had not yet been fastened and the open front gave him the appearance of a pirate.
Victoria scolded herself. A desert prince was bad enough — but a desert pirate…? If she weren’t careful, she would be writing romance novels soon.
Why not? She was living the perfect plot. All she had to do was rewrite the pirate’s chosen ending, twist the story-line to suit her own idea of happy-ever-after, and she’d have a best seller.
As cover art, he’d certainly sell books. Black hair, still damp from the shower, glistened with silver-blue highlights. She remembered the feel of its coarse thickness as she’d tangled her fingers in it in an attempt to free her lips from his…
Her lips itched a little. She ran her tongue over their chapped, sensitive surface. She wondered if the unfamiliar fruit she’d just eaten could cause such a reaction. Who was she kidding? Her lips were sore because of Rashid’s fevered assault on them the night before. The very mouth, which at this moment, was tilted upward in a mocking smile.
A slice of fruit caught in her throat, sending her into a spasm of racking coughs. He’d been watching her — watching him. Smug satisfaction defined his expression. Mortified, she launched into conversation.
“Well…ah…what comes next? I suppose you’re going to impress me with your royal residence. You do have a palace, do you not?”
“Is not every man’s home his palace?” replied Rashid. “You will soon be able to judge our home for yourself. Now, however, there are other matters which need explanation before we depart.”
“Like what, exactly?” She embellished her question with a bored yawn, which he ignored.
“The first is the matter of what is acceptable attire in our country.”
He fastened the buttons on his tunic and reached to picked up a red and white scarf material and secured it over his head with a black circular band. Clothes really did change a person. He’d appeared almost companionable before donning the headpiece. Not any longer.
He picked up a soft white bundle of cloth and held it toward her. “You must be covered when in public areas or in the presence of men other than your immediate family. This robe is appropriately sized for you and the smaller cloth is a simple head covering.”
She disliked the whole female dress code on general principle, but as a woman, her dislike was definitely personal. How many times had she seen video clips, movies, and news coverage portraying the women under these same robes as subjugated and demoralized? Was this despicable man suggesting she submit to the same humiliation? Judging by his expression, he wasn’t just suggesting, he was insisting.
Well, she may not be able to avoid the distasteful prospect at present, but, as before, she could make sure he didn’t enjoy his little victory.
“What…no veil, no shackles, no chains?” She uttered the flippant words with a scoffing snort.
To her surprise, the retort had no effect. Rashid continued to recite directives in slow measured sentences as if he were dealing with an instruction-challenged woman.
“To answer your question, no, the women of Ahalamin do not wear veils. However, you will need to take care you do not expose any skin except your face and hands. In addition, your hair needs to be covered. You may show a small amount of hairline, but only a little is permitted.”
“How very generous you are. And what if I don’t want to be suffocated in all this material?”
“Your wishes, in this case, are irrelevant. This is now your home and you will follow our customs in such matters.”
“As you command, my Lord.” She mimicked the response she’d heard Califar use. She could wear anything until finding a way to get out of this backward country. She took the robe from his hand and arranged it over her caftan. Soft, supple fabric settled perfectly over her clothes, not at all the suffocating experience she’d endured the night before. The head covering was a different matter.
“The cloth is simple to secure. I will assist you.” Rashid took the scarf and, with an economy of movement, secured the ends in place. “With a little practice, you will soon master the technique.”
“I don’t foresee being here long enough to bother with practicing. Now, what other unpleasant surprises do you have for me?”
He studied her a moment as if considering how best to say what was on his mind. She hadn’t asked the question with serious intent. But it seemed obvious the man did have more rules to impose.
“When in the company of other men, you do not speak unless invited to do so, and you are never to touch a man, even in a casual sense.”
Victoria gave Rashid a smug smile. “Thank goodness! At last, one I can agree with, assuming the restriction includes you?”
With a patient sigh, he continued. “You must never address me in public unless I speak to you first. In private, you may speak as you wish.” Lifting one eyebrow, he shot her a warning look. “As long as you speak with respect.”
“This is ridiculous! Are these rules just for me, or, are all women second-rate citizens in your country?” She sputtered, bristling with indignation.
“These are the ways of our people. Change takes time and cannot be rushed. Our women enjoy more freedom and opportunity than they did twenty years ago. Some day they may even be up to your standards. Until then, you will respect their way of life by honoring their traditions.”
“They’re not my people; it’s not my way of life and certainly not my standard of conduct!”
He took another long breath. Many more of those and he’d hyperventilate. His expression indicated he was considering whether to kill her now or wait for a public execution. In the end, he ignored her objections, as usual. She shot him a cold look which he returned with a sardonic look of his own.
“In public, you will be expected to walk discreetly behind me, never at my side.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” she smirked.
“Two male attendants will accompany you whenever you are away from the palace. Your safety is their responsibility. Do not initiate a conversation with them unless necessary. If they give you a command, obey without question.”
Victoria threw her hand up. “Stop right there. Isn’t this asking a lot? I don’t know these men from Adam.”
“I chose these men myself. In my absence, they are your protectors. Consider them an extension of myself, your life may depend on this.” His voice was emotionless, chilling.
She hadn’t given the need for security a thought, until now. Not only had Rashid kidnapped her, but he’d also put her life in jeopardy as well. Surely, there was some law to cover his criminal behavior, one which would keep him in solitary confinement for the rest of his life. She would investigate the possibility when she made good her escape. Meanwhile, false capitulation was her best strategy.
“What if I want to go shopping or take a little sightseeing trip?”
“You will never, and I do mean never, go out without your escort. As for travel, married women seldom travel without their husbands. You cannot cross the border or procure a travel visa unless I accompany you, or you have my written consent.”
Outrage, for both herself and the other women in this forsaken place, boiled her blood. The whole country was nothing but a penal colony for women. With her movements restricted and monitored, her escape options were dwindling one by one. Her only chance of succeeding was to convince Rashid to trust her. Maybe then, she could slip through a crack in his archaic system.
“Do you understand everything I’ve said?” he asked, studying her face closely.
Her power of understanding wasn’t in question, but her ability to keep a civil tongue was. She masked her disdain in a flippant gesture, giving him an exaggerated curtsy. “Since I have no other option, I will do as you ask.”
Anger sparked in his dark eyes. “Then I suggest you drop the sarcasm. Another thing, Victoria, if we are in public and I speak to you, keep your eyes lowered. This is a rule which applies to any man who invites you to speak. In Ahalamin, for you to meet the eyes of a man as you are accustomed is considered to be an act of disrespect.”
“Rashid, I do believe you need to give me an illustrated manual. I don’t think a mere female, such as I, can remember all these rules.” She expected him to level one of his arrogant smirks in her direction. Instead, shock kept her silent when he clasped her left hand in his.
“Since we both know you are a very intelligent woman, I do not anticipate a problem.”
With his free hand, he reached into his pocket and brought out a set of rings which he slipped on her finger. They slid snugly in place as if going home. A large, yellow diamond adorned her ring finger accompanied by a platinum band crafted with delicate filigree.
“It is not our custom to exchange marriage rings. Nevertheless, I wish to honor you by sanctioning one of the important traditions of your culture.”
Her smaller hand appeared childlike as it lay in the warmth of his. Like the diamond on her finger, he complicated everything with his multi-faceted personality. Stunned by his unexpected gesture, she barely managed to tip her head in a nod.
Rashid smiled and turned her hand, palm upward. “If the ring pleases you, then I am rewarded.”
“I didn’t say anything about being pleased.” She tried pulling her hand from his. Insistent fingers closed around her wrist with a thumb pressed tightly against her racing pulse.
“Then, the pleasure is mine to savor, as I believe the rings signify you are a taken woman. Is this not so?”
“As long as they stay on my finger, you would be correct.” Let him think about that.
He lowered his head toward her hand, but not before winking at her with a mocking glint in his eye. The wet heat in her palm couldn’t be from his lips. He’d moistened her palm with his tongue before placing a kiss there. When he raised his head again, his tantalizing smile dripped with an unspoken promise, the strength of which reached out to tilt the axis of her world.
To be continued…