‘I’m not sure I gave you a chance,’ he murmured.
‘I’m sure I won’t get pregnant,’ she said, trying to right this situation. ‘I had my period only a few days ago. I’m nowhere near the middle of my cycle.’
He nodded, but he didn’t look entirely convinced. ‘That’s something, I guess.’
‘And you pulled out,’ she said, remembering the seed she had washed off her stomach as soon as she’d returned to the women’s quarters. ‘I’m sure the chances are very slim. But maybe I could take emergency contraception?’
He shook his head. ‘Such options are illegal in Narabia. It would cause an uproar if the people believed you were trying to prevent a pregnancy.’
Cat could well imagine; having discovered the power of the Sheikh after studying the ancient scrolls, she knew the Sheikh was treated like a living god.
‘I’m afraid the Sheikh’s seed is considered sacred,’ he murmured, the wry smile disconcerting but also comforting. Apparently, he didn’t blame her for this disastrous turn of events—even if she was not going to be able to stop blaming herself. ‘Stopping it finding fertile ground would be considered a capital offence.’ He continued, ‘Do you wish to return to the UK?’
She shook her head, the impulse instant and unequivocal. ‘No, I think... The chances are so slim... I really don’t think it’s necessary.’
He nodded. ‘Good. Then we are agreed.’
That he was happy for her to stay, despite everything, seemed huge. But as he walked back to his desk and took his intoxicating scent with him, regret pulsed low in her abdomen.
She stifled the ludicrous reaction. Hadn’t her foolish pheromones got her in enough trouble already?
‘We shall continue with the project as normal,’ he added, sitting back down behind his desk. ‘If you fled the country now, there would be questions about why, and then keeping the truth of what happened last night under wraps would be even harder.’
She nodded, the rush of joy ridiculous in the circumstances, but there nonetheless. She’d been convinced she would be returning home today. And while the reasons why she would have to stay were hardly ideal, she was still glad she didn’t have to leave Narabia.
The memory of Zane’s lips on the yearning spot between her thighs, the sound of lace ripping, had the febrile heat flushing through her system.
She squirmed and squeezed her thighs together, but could do nothing to stop the flood of warmth.
‘Catherine? What’s your answer?’
She looked up to find Zane watching her, with the same intensity with which he had watched her last night.
‘I’m sorry. Did you say something?’ she said, realising he must have been talking and she hadn’t been listening.
His gaze narrowed, searing her skin. The warmth glowed between her clenched thighs like molten lava, doing nothing to make this situation any less mortifying.
‘I am taking a trip to visit the Kholadi chief, Kasim, tomorrow. Would you like to accompany me? They are Narabia’s only remaining nomadic tribespeople and such a trip will help re-establish your reasons for being in this country.’
Her sex pulsed hard, at the thought of accompanying him...anywhere. ‘Yes, that would...’ She cleared her throat, her voice distressingly husky. Like that of a lover. Which of course she was not. Or not any more. ‘That would be very useful.’ She stood. ‘Thank you, for being so reasonable about all this.’
‘Catherine, wait...’
She turned from the door, unnerved as he crossed the room.
‘You mustn’t blame yourself for something I was a great deal more responsible for than you,’ he said.
He was being generous. Far too generous, really. She shouldn’t have lied to him about her inexperience. But even though she knew that, her frantic heartbeat slowed at the understanding in his eyes.
‘Are we clear on that?’ he prompted.
She nodded, too emotional to speak.
‘Good.’ He touched his thumb to a lock of hair.
‘I will have the necessary garments sent to y
ou for tomorrow’s trip.’ He tucked the errant tendril back behind her ear, and then thrust his hand into the pocket of his trousers. The shimmer of sensation ran down her neck and tightened her nipples. ‘It will be a hot journey and you’ll have to wear the full veil while we travel.’