I have a friend here. He may have a cottage we can use.
Julia breathed a sigh of relief. Lead me to him.
While she pawed at her door handle, Harrison rounded the front of the Jeep to help. He held out a hand while she straightened her reluctant legs. They were decidedly weak as she rolled to her feet.
Then the world began to buzz and spin.
Uh-oh, Harrisons voice was hollow and distant, and she felt his arms close around her.
She woke up on her back, in a cool room, with a fan turning lazily above her. As she blinked her way back to reality, bright fabrics came into focus against stark, white walls. Woven baskets and hammered silver dotted the tables in the room, while bentwood, rattan chairs were interspersed with vividly colored rugs.
Welcome back, came Harrisons soft voice, and she turned her head toward the sound.
He smiled down at her. His dark eyes were uncharacteristically warm and kind. She guessed swooning was what a girl had to do to bring out his softer side. Had she known, she could have swooned days ago.
His fingertips touched the cool cloth on her forehead.
Thirsty? he asked.
I guess I passed out.
That you did.
He slipped an arm beneath her shoulders, propping her up while handing her a glass of water.
She took a few sips of the tepid liquid. Is there air-conditioning in here?
They use it sparingly. He took the glass from her hand and let her lie down again. The settlement has a generator.
It feels like heaven.
He sat back in his chair. Im glad you approve. We may be here for a while.
Reality crept back into her consciousness. Are we safe?
As safe as I can make us.
She nodded, feeling suddenly emotional and maudlin. Thank you, she croaked.
No problem.
She wheezed out a weak laugh. Right. I cant imagine Ive been any trouble at all.
He paused. You are exciting. Ill give you that.
She willed her strength back, reminding herself they were still in precarious circumstances.
Exciting is one way to put it. She pushed herself into a sitting position.
He reflexively reached for her, but then backed off when it was clear she wasnt going to keel over.
She took another drink of water.
Gazing down, she realized she was wearing some kind of loose cotton tunic and skirt instead of the evening gown. She blinked at the maroon-and-yellow fabric, layered over the full-length brown skirt. Had Harrison undressed her?
Yes, he answered her unspoken question.
She wasnt sure how strongly she objected to him undressing her, or even if she objected at all. But she wasnt going to let him know that.
Well, I sure hope you didnt look, she said.
I thought about closing my eyes, he responded mildly. But then I realized Id have to feel my way around.
So you ogled me while I was unconscious? She drank some more water, feeling stronger by the second.
He gave her an enigmatic smile, neither confirming nor denying the accusation.
Is that what they teach you at Oxford?
You were wearing underwear. And you were dying of heat prostration.
Julia reflexively scrambled to remember if her bra and panties matched. Stupid thing to worry about under the circumstances, but she couldnt help herself.
And she really couldnt remember. It had been too long since shed dressed yesterday, and it was dark when she switched clothes with Brittany.
So she was either wearing a stylish little white set with royal-blue piping, or shed gone with the comfortable, canary cotton panties with the beige sport bra. She wriggled a little to see if she could tell the difference.
Using a clay pitcher on the table, Harrison refilled her water glass. Youd rather Id let you die?
Id rather youd found a nice, matronly woman to take off my clothes.
She took another drink, unable to stop herself from wondering if, aside from the underwear, Harrison had liked what he saw. Between her busy job and her gym membership in Lexington, she was in pretty good shape. At least she had that going for her. And she had a decent tan. Was he the kind of guy who cared about tan lines?
Were hiding, remember? he pointed out. The fewer people who see us, the better.
He made a good point. She forced herself to set aside thoughts of Harrison and her near-naked body, taking in the room around her, reminding herself she was only temporarily safe. What is this place?
Its a guest cottage. It belongs to Ahmed Hassanat. Hes Nuris brother.
Julias stomach contracted at the mere mention of the dour man. Maybe she wasnt so safe after all. I think hes the one who called the police.
Nuri?
She nodded.
Thats ridiculous.
He hates me.
He doesnt even know you.
He glares at me so hard, I think hes willing me back to jail.
Harrison grinned.
Its not funny.
I doubt Nuri thinks about you one way or the other.
You didnt see the expression on his face.
Hes a product of a Middle Eastern upbringing forty years ago. Hes incredibly chauvinistic.
So he hates me because Im a woman?
He doesnt hate you. He thinks youre, well, you know.
Inferior?
Not too bright and rather childlike.
Julia could feel her blood pressure going up. She took another swig of water, knowing shed need her strength.
Him, not me, Harrison hastily added. I think thats why his relationship is so strained with Leila.
I thought Leila grew up in England.
She went to school there-Nuris second wife was British, Harrison explained. When she fell ill, she made Nuri promise to send Leila to school in the West. She died, and Nuri honored her wishes. But he hasnt a clue what to do with Leila now.
There went Julias blood pressure again. Shes not his property.
He doesnt dare marry her off to an Arab man, said Harrison. It would be a disaster.
What does Leila want?
Harrison paused. I doubt hes asked her.
Have you ever asked her?
Oh, of course. Because theres no way that could go bad.
The girl deserves a chance to live her life. Julia liked Leila.
Yes, she does. But this is the UAE. Nuris her father. And were currently guests in his brothers house.
Julia started to argue further, but then she clamped her jaw. Unfortunately, she was going to have to pick her battles today.
Clever girl, Harrison said approvingly.
What do we do now?
She remembered Harrison saying theyd doubled back. Did he mean they were on their way back to Cadair? Would it be safe for her in Dubai that quickly?
Well spend the night here, said Harrison. Maybe a couple more days.
And after that? She didnt mean to sound demanding, but she needed to get back to the U.S. The sooner, the better.
I havent figured that part out yet.
She opened her mouth to pose another question, but then she took in his wrinkled shirt, his sweaty brow and his red-rimmed eyes. An unexpected emotion tightened her chest.
You should be back with Brittany, she told him. She was sorry hed been dragged into this. Although, she had to admit, she wasnt sorry hed ignored her request to take her back last night.
He blew out a breath. I cant disagree with you on that point.
She steeled herself once more to try to do the right thing. Is there somewherethat you could
Was she brave enough to offer? Was she principled enough to suggest he walk away and leave her?
Part of her wanted to be principled, but another part of her was scared to death.
Im not leaving you, he said.
Thank God. You should.
He cracked a very small smile. Do you actually think I could live with myself if I left you to corrupt policemen and unruly mobs?
Dont forget about the snakes.
And, of course, the snakes.
She resisted the urge to reach for him. He had no reason to help her, and yet here he was.
Her throat thickened. Youre a very nice man, you know.
Dont sound so surprised.
She fought to toss off her emotions. Well, your staff did have me thrown in jail. And you did try to kill me.
There is that, he agreed, but laughter lit a glow behind his eyes.
You wouldnt really have strangled me, would you?
He shook his head. Not a chance. I was as angry with myself as I was at you. I thought Id let you dupe me. I thought Id fallen for your soft voice and your smooth skin, and let my-
He cleared his throat.
She thought again about how hed driven like a maniac through the hot desert sun, carried her from the Jeep, changed her clothes and brought her water. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude invaded her and along with it, emotions she was powerless to stop.
He was a very good man, and she had no business feeling the way she felt about him.
Were both fools, she said in a quiet voice.
This time, the glow behind his eyes wasnt laughter.
Yeah. He nodded. There is that.
Harrison was definitely a fool.
He was sitting here staring at a woman with bare feet, disheveled hair, the plainest of cotton clothing and a half-sunburned face. And all he could think was that she was so beautiful, he wanted to drag her into his arms, kiss those tender lips and make soft, sweet love to her until she forgot everything else in the world.
Leave her?
Not a chance.
He was going to get her to safety or die trying.
He liked to think it was chivalry, but he was beginning to worry it could be something else.
Okay, he was positive that it was at least one other thing-desire. And right now, she was staring at him with those round, crystal-blue eyes. And he knew that she knew. Hell, shed have to be both blind and amnesiac not to know he wanted her.
Their kiss had been incredible.
Even now, he remembered her smooth skin, her delectable lips, the fresh scent of her hair. His memories moved him subconsciously forward. He breathed her in, while his fingertips feathered her knees, and the warmth of her skin filtered through the rough, cotton dress.
He was going to kiss her again.
He was going to do it now, simply because he had to.
Shed obviously guessed his intentions, because her body tilted toward him in response.
Youre engaged, she breathed, a pained expression flitting across her face.
Not yet. He hadnt even bought a ring, never mind popped the question.
Her head tilted, and her lips softened. But you will be.
His hand crept around to the back of her head. Lets survive this little adventure before-
Are we in that much danger?
He hesitated.
He didnt want to lie. But he knew those men in the desert werent the police, and theyd looked extremely dangerous.