"Shiek" - читать интересную книгу автора (Connie Mason)

"Come here, I said," Jamal repeated more harshly. "You can't wash properly without soap."

"I'm clean enough," Zara insisted. "I want my clothes back."

"In good time," Jamal said. He offered his hand to her.

Since no other choice was open to her, Zara approached Jamal warily. She halted just out of his reach. "What do you want?"

He glanced down at his massive erection and laughed. "Isn't it obvious?"

"I'm not your love slave. You have concubines to ease your lust. The silly girls are probably pining for your attention."

"So they are." He lunged for her, grabbing her by the hair and dragging her between his spread thighs, facing him. "Now behave while I bathe you."

He dipped his fingers into the jar of soap and, starting at her shoulders, spread jasmine-scented lather over her torso. His hands paused on her breasts, molding them against his palms, gently squeezing the nipples between his thumb and forefinger until they became swollen and distended. He searched her face as his hands explored her body, smiling smugly when she tilted her head back and groaned.

Zara was on fire. Her breasts felt heavy and engorged and her nipples were aroused. If Jamal didn't stop she would die. Then she felt his hands moving down to her stomach, rubbing around her navel, pressing places on her abdomen that added a new dimension to her torment.

Jamal was entranced. Zara's smooth, hairless body was perfection. Unlike his concubines, who sat around eating and preening all day, it was obvious Zara spent long hours in strenuous activity. Her stomach was flat, not an ounce of superfluous fat marred her torso, and her legs were taut and lightly muscled.

Jamal's hand cupped her silken mound, spreading soap over her loins, then dipped down between her thighs, and up again into her tender cleft. Zara cried out, struggling to escape his invasion of her body, but his strong legs held her like a vise.

He worked his fingers against her flesh, seeking and finding the tiny pearl of her femininity. Zara's body spasmed as fire licked along her nerve endings. She pushed against his chest to make him stop, but he merely laughed at her.

"Do you like that, Princess?" he whispered against her ear. "Spread your legs and let me pleasure you." He slid two fingers inside her and Zara's knees buckled.

"No, stop! Send me back to the stables but don't use me like this!"

Jamal went still. He seemed angry. "I'm not using you. I want to give you pleasure. We will pleasure one another."

"That's not at all what I want. Berber women are free to choose their own lovers. We are men's equals."

Schooled in the ways of Islam and the teachings of Allah, Jamal was surprised at the concept of women being men's equals. Even in his mother's country women were possessions. They could not own property or enter into contracts. They had to obey their husbands and submit to their wishes.

"You are a slave, and slaves have no rights," Jamal pointed out. "I can take you here, beside the pool, if I so desire."

"I will not submit easily."

Jamal stared at her. Her beauty was mesmerizing. Allah help him, for he did want her, but force did not appeal to him. Force had never been necessary in his dealings with women. I will have her willing and submissive, he vowed to himself, without the use of force. Seduction was a game Jamal played well. Zara was his possession, and he was determined to have her in his bed. He wanted her for his love slave, eager and submissive to his needs.

"I will strike a deal with you, sweet vixen. Here's my wager. Within four weeks you will invite me inside your body. If you do not, I will set you free."

Zara couldn't believe what she was hearing. Jamal had just offered to free her if he couldn't seduce her within four weeks. Allah was indeed kind to her. She would never willingly place herself in Jamal's bed. He was her enemy. Sayed was dead, and it was Jamal's fault.

"Is that all there is to the wager, my lord?" Zara asked suspiciously. She did not trust him.

"If you lose, if you take my manhood inside you," Jamal continued evenly, "you will reside in my harem and come to me when I want you."

Zara thought his proposition over carefully. Clearly Sheik Jamal had an inflated ego.