Page 42 of The Sheikh's Willing Captive

He lowered his head slightly, as if trying to control himself, and gazed at her. His eyes were filled with brooding emotion. "You," he said simply. His voice was a low growl.

Her breath caught in her throat. For a long moment, she didn't know what to say. Their eyes met, light dancing across their features. The fire crackled and she drew her gaze away from Razim.

She sensed him moving closer. When she looked at him again, she saw a resolute expression on his face. What was he about to tell her? Was he going to beg her to stay? And, if he did so, what would she say? Hadn't the damage already been done? There was no way they could repair the mess they had created. She was sure of that.

"Paige," he said softly.

She peered into his eyes. "What, Razim?"

"There's something I have to tell you," he murmured. "Something very important. About us."

She sighed heavily. "Haven't we said enough, Razim?"

"This is different," he replied and shook his head. "You have to listen to me."

Paige lifted her head and looked up into the dark sky. Why did he have to spoil this wonderful moment? When she looked at him again, she saw the same determined expression. Just like so many other times, she recognized that expression. He had something really important to tell her. He wasn't playing a game. Not this time.

Paige swallowed, feeling suddenly apprehensive. "Is there something I should know?"

He seemed momentarily relieved by that question. "There is. And it has to do with why I brought you here."

She narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?"

Razim glanced toward the fire. For the first time since he'd sat down he looked genuinely worried. A hard knot of tension twisted in her middle.

"I have to tell you something. The truth." He sighed. "Because I won't lie to you. Or deceive you. Not again. I've already done enough of that to last a lifetime."

His features darkened and he sighed.

"You're worrying me, Razim," she exclaimed. And she meant it. Whatever it was had to be serious, if this was what it was doing to him.

"What have you lied to me about, this time?" she asked nervously.

He gazed at her. "I brought you here for a reason. And I didn't tell you when we were back at the palace."

"What reason?" Tension made her voice crack.

"It's about the marriage," he said.

"You mean the divorce," she retorted.

He shook his head. "No. I'm going to tell you something which you might not like. Or understand. But you have to know that I brought you here because I love you, Paige," he said.

Emotion tightened her throat and she could feel her eyes begin to moisten. "Razim! We can't use that word any longer."

"Even if it is true?"

She gasped. "We spoke about all of this back at the palace, Razim. There's no use saying such things any more."

His brows furrowed. "Are you saying you don't love me, Paige? That you have never loved me?"

Once again, she gasped. She was seized with the impulse to stand and race back to the safety of the tent, but she forced herself to remain seated. "I'm not saying any such thing, Razim."

"Then you still have affections for me?" he asked breathlessly.

"Of course I do," she replied. "We'll always be the best of friends."

As she uttered the words she saw his features darken.