her to contemplate her dismal future as a stable slave.
None of the stable slaves bothered Zara that night. Or the next. Or the night after that. Zara assumed they feared reprisal from Jamal and was grateful for that much at least. But stable work was backbreaking toil, and as each day passed, Zara had cause to regret her disrespect toward Jamal’s concubines. When would she learn to curb her sharp tongue? she wondered grumpily. Never, she supposed. Though she missed her soft bed in the harem, she was too proud to ask for it back.
Zara had claimed an empty stall for herself and forked fresh straw in it for her bed. It provided the only bit of privacy she had enjoyed since being assigned to the stables three days before. She had just eaten her supper, washed her hands and face, hung a lantern from a hook and was preparing to bed down for the night when she sensed someone staring at her over the low wall of the stall.
“Are you ready yet to admit defeat and act like a lady?” Jamal asked. His eyes glowed like polished ebony in the lamplight.
Zara glared disdainfully at Jamal. “Youssef’s daughter will never admit to defeat. As long as I do my work, you have nothing to complain about. Two weeks have already elapsed since we struck our bargain. Soon you will be forced to free me.”
Jamal spit out an oath. That cursed wager again! He’d never encountered a more provoking female. He didn’t want Zara sleeping on a bed of straw in the stables. He wanted her in his bed, in his arms, her body sated with his loving.
Jamal unlatched the gate and stepped into the stall. “Yield to me, vixen. I will swathe you in fine silks and brocades and give you jewels that match your green eyes.”
He pulled her against him so that she could feel the hard ridge of his need against her soft belly. “Can you not feel how much I want you?”
“I suggest that you visit your harem,” Zara countered. She hated the way her body betrayed her each time Jamal touched her, and she tried to pull away from him. He would not allow it.
“’Tis you I want, Zara. I have already tried toassuage my need for you with my concubines, but they failed to quench the fire inside me.” His arm curved around her waist. “Come, I will teach you delights beyond those you achieved with your bandit lover.” His piercing gaze held her suspended. “Have you ever had tiny silver balls slipped inside you? When you move, or even breathe, they hit against one another, creating an erotic clamor that will bring you sublime rapture beyond anything you have ever known.”
Zara shuddered, aroused by Jamal’s seductive words and the tone of his voice. They were more arousing than the most intimate of caresses. If she didn’t put a stop to it soon, she’d be begging him to show her all the delights of which he spoke.
“Save them for your concubines,” Zara countered freeing herself from his grasp. “I am extremely happy where I am. You can take those little silver balls and—”
“Enough! You are a willful vixen with the heart and soul of a Berber warrior. I will leave you for now, Zara, but mark my words, you
will
be mine, in every way possible for a man to have a woman. When I place those silver balls inside you, you will beg for release that only I can give you. Good night, sweet vixen. Pleasant dreams.” Her shocked expression amused him. He hoped her dreams tonight were erotic ones.
“Cur! Camel dung!” Zara flung at him. No man had ever spoken to her of such things. Were there really erotic toys such as silver balls? Just thinking about them moving against one another insideher made her feminine parts tingle and weep.
“Why? Why do you want me when there are willing women within your household?” Zara wanted to know.
Suddenly he grew serious, his expression grim. “I wish I knew. Perhaps Allah in his wisdom will reveal the answer to me one day.” He turned on his heel and left.
Sleep that night was a long time coming for Zara.
Jamal was
None of the stable slaves bothered Zara that night. Or the next. Or the night after that. Zara assumed they feared reprisal from Jamal and was grateful for that much at least. But stable work was backbreaking toil, and as each day passed, Zara had cause to regret her disrespect toward Jamal’s concubines. When would she learn to curb her sharp tongue? she wondered grumpily. Never, she supposed. Though she missed her soft bed in the harem, she was too proud to ask for it back.
Zara had claimed an empty stall for herself and forked fresh straw in it for her bed. It provided the only bit of privacy she had enjoyed since being assigned to the stables three days before. She had just eaten her supper, washed her hands and face, hung a lantern from a hook and was preparing to bed down for the night when she sensed someone staring at her over the low wall of the stall.
“Are you ready yet to admit defeat and act like a lady?” Jamal asked. His eyes glowed like polished ebony in the lamplight.
Zara glared disdainfully at Jamal. “Youssef’s daughter will never admit to defeat. As long as I do my work, you have nothing to complain about. Two weeks have already elapsed since we struck our bargain. Soon you will be forced to free me.”
Jamal spit out an oath. That cursed wager again! He’d never encountered a more provoking female. He didn’t want Zara sleeping on a bed of straw in the stables. He wanted her in his bed, in his arms, her body sated with his loving.
Jamal unlatched the gate and stepped into the stall. “Yield to me, vixen. I will swathe you in fine silks and brocades and give you jewels that match your green eyes.”
He pulled her against him so that she could feel the hard ridge of his need against her soft belly. “Can you not feel how much I want you?”
“I suggest that you visit your harem,” Zara countered. She hated the way her body betrayed her each time Jamal touched her, and she tried to pull away from him. He would not allow it.
“’Tis you I want, Zara. I have already tried toassuage my need for you with my concubines, but they failed to quench the fire inside me.” His arm curved around her waist. “Come, I will teach you delights beyond those you achieved with your bandit lover.” His piercing gaze held her suspended. “Have you ever had tiny silver balls slipped inside you? When you move, or even breathe, they hit against one another, creating an erotic clamor that will bring you sublime rapture beyond anything you have ever known.”
Zara shuddered, aroused by Jamal’s seductive words and the tone of his voice. They were more arousing than the most intimate of caresses. If she didn’t put a stop to it soon, she’d be begging him to show her all the delights of which he spoke.
“Save them for your concubines,” Zara countered freeing herself from his grasp. “I am extremely happy where I am. You can take those little silver balls and—”
“Enough! You are a willful vixen with the heart and soul of a Berber warrior. I will leave you for now, Zara, but mark my words, you
will
be mine, in every way possible for a man to have a woman. When I place those silver balls inside you, you will beg for release that only I can give you. Good night, sweet vixen. Pleasant dreams.” Her shocked expression amused him. He hoped her dreams tonight were erotic ones.
“Cur! Camel dung!” Zara flung at him. No man had ever spoken to her of such things. Were there really erotic toys such as silver balls? Just thinking about them moving against one another insideher made her feminine parts tingle and weep.
“Why? Why do you want me when there are willing women within your household?” Zara wanted to know.
Suddenly he grew serious, his expression grim. “I wish I knew. Perhaps Allah in his wisdom will reveal the answer to me one day.” He turned on his heel and left.
Sleep that night was a long time coming for Zara.
Jamal was
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