CHAPTER TWELVE
ROSANNALAY,PANTINGand flushed, across Salim’s heaving chest. Their lovemaking had been vigorous and satisfying and something else too. But she refused to analyse why it had felt different. Meaningful. Profound.
No, she wasn’t going there!
She’d promised herself not to weave fantasies about Salim. She couldn’t afford to begin now.
No matter how tempting.
What did it matter that today in the stables, and later when he’d taken her to a village where they’d been warmly welcomed, she’d felt special? Because Salim had shared so much with her. Because he’d drawn her into his world on yet another, personal, level.
He’d let her glimpse a slice of his private life that she could tell he treasured. She hugged that to herself like the precious gift it was.
Salim had taken her first to the palace caretaker’s home where he’d introduced her to Murad’s family and pleased the old man by accepting the beautiful black hound as a gift, before purchasing the other pup at a very handsome price.
Then the two men had led her to Murad’s village. She’d drunk sweetened tea and eaten almond and honey sweets. She’d exchanged halting pleasantries with the locals and been rewarded with wide smiles. The women had proudly shown her their weaving and the roses they cultivated to sell for their fragrant essence. She’d had fun with the children too. They’d invited her to join in a local version of hopscotch, teaching her to count the numbers in their language and crowing with approval at her success.
Rosanna had left with a smile on her face and a warm glow inside.
‘The people here are so friendly,’ she murmured against Salim’s chest. ‘I had a wonderful time today.’
‘They love visitors,’ he murmured, wrapping his arm around her back. ‘Guests are always welcome.’
Rosanna thought about the small but scrupulously clean homes she’d seen. The rough but magnificent terrain that didn’t yield easily to the plough yet supported the scattered villages. The sense of community.
‘They seem very happy.’
He stroked her hair over her shoulder and she stretched into his touch. He made her feel like purring.
‘Dhalkuris are hardy and resilient, and we love our country.’ He paused. ‘They appreciated that you spoke their language. When did you learn?’
‘You make it sound like I’m fluent. I only know greetings and a couple of other words.’ Yet Salim’s acknowledgement felt like high praise. She’d worked to perfect her few phrases. ‘I had free time in the evenings.’
Maybe those lonely nights were part of the reason she’d so fixated on Salim.
‘Your assistant, Taqi, helped. I asked him to correct my pronunciation. He’s a stickler but it paid off when the villagers understood me.’
She felt proud. Before coming to Dhalkur she’d never conversed in another language outside a classroom and it felt amazing when she actually communicated. Maybe she’d continue learning when she left here. But instead of pleasing her, the idea flattened her smile. She didn’t want to think of leaving.
Just as she didn’t like the trill of Salim’s phone. She knew that ringtone, knew it meant a call he wouldn’t ignore.
Sure enough, Salim excused himself and slid out from beneath her, rolling to the far side of the bed and rising to sit with his back to her as he reached for the phone.
Rosanna lay, drinking in the sight of his powerful frame, his rumpled dark hair and wide, straight shoulders. For now at least he was hers and—
Something about his stillness caught her attention. The way he suddenly sat straighter, raking his hand through his hair in a gesture of impatience or frustration.
Slowly he lowered the phone and put it on the bedside table. He didn’t turn immediately but sat as if staring at the view beyond the window. Except the sun had gone and the panorama was in darkness.
A chill crept along Rosanna’s bones and her happiness froze into a hard lump, heavy inside her.
‘Salim?’
Her voice sounded surprisingly normal. Not as if it emerged from a throat constricting with fear.
Then he swivelled around, his eyes meeting hers, and every unvoiced fear was realised.
Her heart crashed against her ribs as shock ran through her. ‘It’s bad news, isn’t it?’