for him to be aware of her every move and feel her beckoning warmth.
Yet he didn’t touch her.
He fought his instinctive reaction to reach out and hold her, comfort her. He had more sense than that.
Just sitting here was a test of his willpower, and his honour. His desire to pull her into his embrace wasn’t as altruistic as it should have been. Maybe bringing her here hadn’t been wise after all.
Instead of leaping flames the picture filling his brain was Maggie Lewis, standing in his en suite, wearing nothing but lace underwear and pride. She’d been brave, beautiful and hurting, unable to hide the raw anguish in her remarkable eyes.
But it wasn’t her eyes that had riveted his attention. Her lithe body was all elegant lines, pale skin that dipped and curved in exactly the right places. His hands had itched to reach out and take the weight of her high, proud breasts, to smooth over her narrow waist to the gentle curve of her hips. Hunger had surged in him so strongly that he’d been forced to leave the room, lest he do something unforgivable.
She’d looked so perfect, so pure, he could almost have believed her untouched.
Why was he imagining his hands, dark and hard, on her pristine flesh? He’d never fantasised about taking a virgin. His experience in that area was a lifetime ago.
His mind slammed shut on the old memory. There’d been women since Shahina. Beautiful, clever, accommodating women who gave him the satisfaction his body craved. But never had his mind or his emotions been engaged. That was exactly how he wanted it. Short, easy relationships built on physical pleasure were no threat to his heart. That was how he’d lived his life since the death of his wife and it was precisely how he intended to continue.
He frowned, recognising that tonight, with Maggie Lewis, something was different. Sexual need was there, a scorching spike in his bloodstream. But something else too, more complex than physical desire. A shadow, a hint of something more. Something that stirred his emotions, as well as his libido. Something he had no wish to feel.
He dragged in a deep breath, trying not to notice the way her clean, feminine scent stirred his senses.
‘Do you want to talk about it?’ So much for his determination not to get involved.
He couldn’t contain his curiosity about the intriguing woman so innocently sharing his couch.
He rubbed his jaw. He couldn’t remember sharing anything innocently with a woman since Shahina.
‘Did someone hurt you?’ He’d make it his business to find the man and bring him to account.
‘It was my fault,’ she muttered, eyes downcast.
A chill iced his veins. ‘Don’t say that.’
‘It’s true. I was the one with expectations.’
‘If some man forced himself on you after you’d changed your mind, it’s not your fault.’
In the fire-lit shadows huge eyes met his. Her hands clenched tight together.
‘No. You’ve got it all wrong.’ Her words ended on a hiccough of unsteady laughter. ‘No one forced himself on me.’ Her voice was stronger, her mouth firm. ‘I wasn’t assaulted, if that’s what you think.’
On a surge of movement she wriggled higher, squaring her slumped shoulders. Unfortunately the movement made the collar of the robe gape to reveal a sliver of pale, enticing flesh. Khalid moved restlessly and shifted his gaze. But despite the thick towelling he could easily visualise her pert breasts and smooth, silken skin.
He turned to the fire, trying to ignore the rapid thump of his pulse and the heat igniting in his loins.
‘You don’t need to worry. Untouched by the hand of man. That’s me.’ Her voice was bitter and hard.
‘Pardon?’ For a moment he was startled, remembering his fantasy of her as virginal, awaking to his caress. He realised how unlikely that was. She must be talking about tonight. He swung around, unable to resist temptation.
She looked different, more alive, more vibrant. A flush of colour tinted her cheeks and her eyes were bright.
His belly contracted hard as desire stabbed him. She’d got under his skin when she’d been pale and fragile. Now her features were animated, renewed energy evident in her taut body. She was far too alluring.
‘Nothing happened tonight.’ She lifted a dismissive hand. ‘Nothing momentous, that is.’ Her lips twisted in a tight grimace that belied her words.
Taking in the determined jut of her chin, he knew she lied. He gave her full marks for her valiant effort. But something had happened, even if it hadn’t been rape.
‘You said you’d had a shock.’
She shrugged, pursing her lips. ‘Have you ever made an error of judgement?’ she asked at last.
‘Of course. Everyone has.’
‘There’s a comfort.’ She paused. ‘Well, I just made a mistake. A huge one.’ She drew in a deep breath. Khalid fought to stop his gaze straying to the shadow of her cleavage. ‘Tonight I found out just how stupid I’d been.’
Her words were defiant, her profile proud, yet Khalid had seen her at rock-bottom just an hour ago. He knew she must still be hurting badly.
Over the past eight years countless women had tried to snare him with guile, seduction and emotional appeals. He’d remained unmoved. His heart had died with his wife and he had no intention of laying himself open to the raw pain of loss again. But his experience had taught him to distinguish female wiles at a glance. As a result he knew Maggie Lewis was the genuine article. No hidden agenda other than concealing her own weakness.
That stubborn pride was something he knew all about. Hadn’t his father accused him of being too proud when Khalid had refused to live in indolent luxury? When instead he’d forged a life of hard work that brought its own rewards?
‘At least you won’t make the same mistake again.’
Solemn eyes met his before a shadow of a smile curved the corners of her mouth.
‘Absolutely not! I’ll never be that gullible again. I’ve learned my lesson.’
Intrigued, Khalid watched her rueful expression morph into one of determination. But even that was attractive…too attractive.
Her intelligence and character intrigued him as much as her vulnerability and her unvarnished beauty. She wasn’t conventionally pretty, but there was something about the spare elegance of her features that drew the eye again and again. He wished she’d sat beside him at tonight’s tedious dinner. Instead he’d been sandwiched between a yawning bore and a flirtatious airhead.
‘He’s a fool, whoever he is.’
‘He?’ She arched her eyebrows.
‘The man tonight. The one who’s caused you such grief.’
‘How did you know there was a man?’ She looked genuinely
