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

"You are wise, Nafisa. I would ask your counsel."

Nafisa's brow puckered. "In what way?"

"I... I don't know what to do tonight. What will Jamal expect of me?"

Nafisa stared at Zara, disbelief etched upon her wrinkled features. "You don't know what to do? I don't understand, child."

Since they were alone, Zara spoke freely. "I am still a virgin. I know what men and women do together, but how can I please Jamal if I do not know how to go about it?"

Stunned, Nafisa stared at Zara. "You have never taken a man inside your body?"

"Nay."

"Does Jamal know?"

Zara shook her head. "He thinks Sayed was my lover. Sayed was my betrothed," she explained. "He was slain the day I was taken captive by Jamal. I never bothered to correct Jamal."

"Perhaps I should prepare an aphrodisiac for you," Nafisa suggested. "Though you profess to be willing, you seem somewhat reluctant."

"Nay, I need no drug. Just tell me how to act."

Nafisa chuckled. "You don't need me to tell you how to act. Jamal is an expert in the art of arousing a woman, and you will undoubtedly respond. He will introduce you to erotic pleasures that might shock you, but he will do nothing to harm you. Remember that and all will be well."

Zara mulled over Nafisa's words as she rested in her chamber later that afternoon. There was no question in her mind that Jamal was an expert at arousing a woman, for she'd had more than one sample of what his talented hands and mouth could do. He had kissed her and touched her intimately, and his erotic descriptions of the things he would do to her had left her breathless and wanting.

Should she tell Jamal she was a virgin? she wondered. She decided to wait until later to make a decision.

A knock on the door brought her thoughts to a halt. Moments later Hammet entered. He held a goblet in one hand and something sheer and lovely draped over his arm.

"Nafisa prepared sweet almond milk for you. She said it will help calm you. These are the clothes you're to wear tonight," he said, placing a silken garment on the bed. "Sheik Jamal requested that you share his meal tonight. The milk will stave off hunger until you sup."

Zara accepted the milk and took a sip. "It's delicious," she said, "thank you."

Hammet waited until she finished every drop, then took the empty glass and departed.

Zara turned her attention to the clothing she'd been given to wear. She gasped in dismay when she discovered the "clothing" consisted of a single sheer veil made of contrasting shades of iridescent blue silk. Feeling much like a lamb going to the slaughter, Zara draped herself in the veil and sat down to await Jamal's summons.

By the time Hammet returned, she was shaking like a leaf from nervousness. It didn't help any when the eunuch presented her with a gift from Jamal. The huge emerald that slid from the small velvet pouch into her palm was perfect in every respect. It hung from a slim gold chain, which Zara placed over her head. The emerald felt cold and intrusive between her breasts, and Zara wanted to tear it off and fling it away. The golden chain reminded her of her captivity, and that she was about to become the kind of woman she despised, a submissive love slave. No fetters or chains could have been more demeaning than Jamal's gift. Swallowing her pride, she followed Hammet to Jamal's chambers.

Zara stood still as a statue after Hammet pushed her inside and closed the door behind her. Her eyes darted about, trying to look anywhere but at the sleeping couch resting upon a raised dais. The cloying scent of incense wrapped itself around her, drawing her into Jamal's world of erotic fantasy.

"I've waited a long time for this night, Princess," Jamal said, rising to greet her. His hungry gaze slid over her slender, ill-concealed figure, then back to her face. "Are you wearing my gift?"

She nodded awkwardly.

He closed the distance between them, pulling the emerald from between her breasts. "It's warm from your skin. I chose it because it matches your eyes." His gaze drifted downward. "The veil becomes you. Later I will remove it so that I may feast upon every inch of your sweet flesh."

"I'll try to please you, Jamal. If you wish to please me, you will get this over quickly so that I may return to my room."