His Defiant Desert Queen(24)

                “That doesn’t make us married. I have to agree, I have to speak, I have to consent somehow...” Her voice trailed off. She stared at Mikael, bewildered. “Don’t I?”

                “No. You don’t have to speak at all. It’s done.”

                “Just like that?”

                “Just like that.” He rose and stalked toward her. “And like this,” he added, sweeping her into his arms and carrying her out of the house, into the night.

                Outside, the convoy of vehicles were gone. Villagers clustered near a kneeling camel.

                “Who is that for?” Jemma choked, struggling in Mikael’s arms.

                He tightened his grip. “Settle down,” he said shortly. “Or I’ll tie you to the camel.”

                “You wouldn’t!”

                “You don’t think so?” he challenged, stepping through the crowd to set her in the camel’s saddle.

                The leather saddle was wide and hard and Jemma struggled to climb back off but Mikael had taken a leather strip from a pouch on the camel and was swiftly tying her hands together at the wrist, and then binding her wrists to the saddle’s pommel.

                The crowd cheered as he tethered her in place.

                “Why are they cheering?” she asked, face burning, anger rolling through her as she strained to free herself.

                “They know I’ve taken you as my wife. They know you aren’t happy. They know you are ashamed. It pleases them.”

                “My shame pleases them?”

                “Your shame and struggles are part of your atonement. That pleases them.”

                “I don’t like your culture.”

                “And I do not like yours.” He scooted her forward in the saddle, and then took a seat behind her, his big body filling the space, pressing tightly against her. “Now lean back a little.”

                “No.”

                “You’ll be more comfortable.”

                “I can assure you, I would not be comfortable leaning against you.”

                “We are going to be traveling for several hours.”

                She shook her head, lips compressed as she fought tears. “I hate you,” she whispered.

                “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He gave a tug on the reigns and the camel lurched to its feet.

                The villagers cheered again and Mikael lifted a hand, and then they were off, heading for the gates and the desert beyond.





                                      CHAPTER FIVE

                THEY RODE FOR what felt like hours through an immense desert of undulating dunes beneath a three quarter moon. The moon’s bright light illuminated the desert, painting the dunes a ghostly white.

                Jemma tried to hold herself stiff and straight to avoid touching Sheikh Karim but it was impossible as time wore on, just as it was impossible to ignore his warmth stealing into her body.