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

"I understand you are to serve Jamal tonight. Since he brought you home, we have been sorely neglected." Her fiery gaze slid over Zara's face and body. "You are not half as beautiful as I. Even Leila and Amar are lovelier than you. Have you bewitched Jamal?"

"I am no witch, and I do not serve Sheik Jamal in bed," Zara declared hotly. "I am not a love slave. You are more than welcome to him."

"I am not stupid. Our master wants you. And what Jamal wants, Jamal gets. Why were you sent to work in the stables?"

"'Tis a long story, one that will bore you. 'Tis not my aim to challenge you for Jamal's affections."

"Are you ready, Zara?" Hakim had sidled into the room, hoping to rescue Zara from Saha's vicious tongue.

"I am ready, Hakim," Zara said, rising quickly. "Please excuse me, Saha. Unlike you, I have duties to perform."

"I hope those duties will not be performed on your back," Saha muttered to herself.

"Hurry, Zara," Hakim said as they passed through the harem door into a long hallway. "Fasten your veil; it isn't seemly for the guards to look upon your face."

"Nay, Berber women do not hide behind veils."

Hakim looked uncomfortable but said nothing more. It wasn't his place. He took her directly to Jamal's chamber and opened the door. "Go, the sheik is waiting for you."

"Come in, Zara," Jamal said curtly.

Zara looked past the doorway into the room. She saw Jamal seated upon a cushion before a low table. An old man was seated nearby, preparing mint tea with great ceremony over a brazier. Hammet stood by the door with his arms folded over his ample chest.

"'Tis my wish that you serve my meal tonight, Zara," Jamal said imperiously. "Hammet will take you to the kitchen."

"Yes, master," Zara said. Her sarcasm brought an involuntary smile to his face. "Shall I make my obeisance?"

"That would be refreshing." His eyebrows shot upward in surprise when Zara bowed low with negligent grace, sending him a searing look that singed the air around him.

"You may rise," Jamal said. His gaze slid over her slender form, settling on her breasts. "Your choice of costume pleases me."

"I had no choice in the matter."

"Why are you unveiled?"

"I hide my face from no one, man or woman."

"You will in the future," Jamal said as he summoned Hammet with a wave of his hand. "Take the slave to the kitchens, Hammet."

Zara was more than happy to escape Jamal's daunting presence. She returned a short time later bearing a tray laden with an array of tempting dishes. Jamal was alone. The old man brewing the tea had packed up his paraphernalia and left.

"You may go, Hammet," Jamal said, waving the eunuch away. "Zara will see to my needs tonight."

Zara set the tray on a side table and began placing separate dishes before Jamal. When she finished she stood back and waited to be dismissed.

"You may pour my tea," Jamal said, motioning toward the silver teapot resting upon the brazier. Zara bit her lip to keep from flinging out a scathing insult. What she really wanted to do was drown Jamal's smug smile in hot tea.

Jamal watched her every move, admiring the way her hips swayed beneath the transparent pantaloons. If he stared hard enough he could see her plump pink mound through the silken material. Beneath his caftan he felt his erection engorge with blood and thicken.