Gradually she could make out a shape in the distance. She squinted, wondering if she was hallucinating, but it got bigger and bigger until she could see that it was green and lush. Trees... A circle of tall palm trees... An oasis!
She’d been to oases before, for fashion shoots, but they had invariably been close to cities. Not like this, in the middle of an ocean of sand, with nothing as far as the eye could see except sky.
When they stopped she got out of the four-by-four, shading her eyes against the setting sun that was burnishing everything red and gold. She stepped forward to join Zafir, who was rounding the bonnet, and stumbled in the sand, her leg momentarily stuck in the soft surface. Before she could take another step Zafir had caught her and swung her up into his arms.
Kat hated how breathless it made her when Zafir lifted her into his arms, and she huffed against his shoulder. ‘I hate this aspect of my disability—that I can’t just walk where I used to and that I’m so portable.’
Zafir snorted inelegantly. ‘Disability? I’ve never met anyone more able in my life!’
Kat’s chest swelled, and she hated him at that moment for making it so hard to resist him or to stay cool towards him. She felt hot all over now, and it had nothing to do with the temperature of the desert and everything to do with that inner fire Zafir stoked so effortlessly.
The oasis was indeed ringed with palm trees, and when they stepped through the perimeter Kat gasped. Zafir let her stand, as the terrain here was more solid, and she looked around, drinking in the sight of the lush green idyll.
The oasis was carved out of a natural gorge that held a pool of crystal-clear water. There was a small waterfall down at the one end, sending up a spray of white foam. It was breathtaking.
There was one tent set apart from all the others, with a tented domed roof and lanterns outside, already lit. Zafir led her to this tent, and Kat’s heart was thumping unevenly.
He had brought her here to seduce her.
How could she resist him in this place of pure fantasy?
Maybe you don’t have to, whispered a wicked voice that she tried to quash.
When they got inside the tent a few more of Kat’s defences crumbled. The interior was lit only by candles, and it was a sumptuous decadent fantasy, straight out of an Arabian fairy tale. An X-rated fairy tale. Because what dominated the lush scene was an enormous bed, on top of which lay jewel-coloured cushions and satin bedding. Or maybe the bed was all she saw because she couldn’t stop thinking about sex with Zafir again.
One last time.
She somehow managed to tear her gaze from the bed and looked at Zafir. He stood near the entrance, watching her with that intent gaze.
Even though she suspected she already knew the answer she asked, ‘Where are you sleeping?’
Zafir even allowed his mouth to tip up minutely, as if she merely amused him. ‘In here—with you.’
He moved into the tent. Kat panicked even as her insides quivered with anticipation. If he touched her—which she yearned for as much as she feared—he’d surely guess how far she’d fallen for him all over again.
She put up a hand, seizing on anything to try and remind Zafir that she wasn’t worth pursuing. She blurted out the first thing she could think of. ‘You’ve accused me of having no ability to manage money and you’re right!’
Zafir shook his head. ‘Kat, we’re not here to discuss your credit rating.’
She ploughed on, determined to try and make him turn away in disgust. ‘The money you’ve given me upfront for this job? It’s gone. Already.’
She waited with bated breath, but Zafir just kept coming closer and said easily, ‘It’s none of my business what you do with your money, Kat. But as a matter of interest what did you spend it on?’
Kat was deflated. She wished she could brandish some gaudy bauble under Zafir’s nose, but of course she couldn’t—and she also couldn’t lie.
She avoided his eye. ‘I gave it to the rehabilitation centre where I went after my accident because they’re in trouble. And some to Julie, because she supported me.’
Zafir’s feet came into her line of vision. He put a finger under her chin, tipping her face up. There was an enigmatic look on his face.
‘I know, Kat.’
Her eyes widened with shock. ‘How did you know?’
‘Because whenever such a large sum of money is wired to another account the bank checks to make sure it’s a genuine transaction. My accountants had to verify it. If you’d told me your intentions I could have given it directly to them...’
Kat couldn’t escape his gaze and she shifted uncomfortably. ‘I hadn’t told you yet...about my leg.’
She pulled her chin free and stepped back a few paces, sensing the walls of the tent closing in around her—but not in a scary way. It was in a way that made her blood leap with illicit excitement. Still she resisted, though.