The Treasure by Iris Johansen Page A

pleasure.
    “Yes.” She slowly moved into the chamber. “Tomorrow.”
    He smiled. “After all, it’s only pleasure. What harm can—My God.”
    Her gaze followed his to the divan. “What is it?”
    “Nasim.”
    A slender whip with leather thongs lay on the soft cushions.
    Kadar walked slowly toward the divan.
    “Why is it here?” she whispered.
    He didn’t answer. He reached down and picked up the whip.
    “Kadar.”
    “Get out of here,” he said through clenched teeth.
    “Why? What do you mean?”
    He whirled toward the tapestry. “By God,
no
, Nasim.”
    He hurled the whip at the tapestry.
    The next moment he had grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the door. “Out.”
    The door slammed behind them and he half-pulled, half-pushed her down the curving staircase. He was cursing softly, venomously.
    “What’s happening?”
    He paid no attention to her.
    She stopped at the foot of the steps. “I’ll not go another step. Tell me.”
    He drew a deep breath, struggling for control. “We weren’t proving amusing enough to Nasim. He wanted me to use the whip on you.”
    “He wanted to punish me?”
    “He didn’t—It’s a form of coupling.”
    “What?”
    “Sometimes pain increases the intensity.”
    She stared at him, shocked. “For you?”
    “I’ve never liked it. Even with a woman who did.”
    “I cannot believe anyone would like it. As a child I felt the whip often and—”
    “I know. Just believe me. Some women do like it.” He pushed her toward the door to her chamber. “Lock the door. I’m going to talk to Nasim.”
    She remembered the rage with which he had hurled the whip. “He’ll be angry with you.”
    “Yes.” He gave her a nudge. “Go on.”
    An angry Nasim would be formidable, and Kadar would bear the brunt of his displeasure. “I’ll let you do it.”
    “What?”
    She tried to smile. “It won’t be the first time I’ve been beaten. It is nothing. I’ve enjoyed everything else you’ve done to me; perhaps this will not be so—”
    “No.” He took a step closer and cupped her face in his hands. He looked down at her with a tenderness that took her breath away. He kissed her forehead. “Absolutely not.” He dusted a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Never.”
    Before she could respond, he turned and walked away.
             
    “You treated me with disrespect,” Nasim snapped as soon as Kadar walked into the hall. “I should have your throat cut from ear to ear.”
    “But then you’d have no one to accomplish your task.”
    “I wanted to see how she’d respond to the whip.”
    “And I had no desire to use it on her.”
    “I
want
it.”
    “No.” He held Nasim’s gaze. “I’ve done everything else you’ve asked. I won’t do this.”
    For a moment Kadar thought Nasim would persevere, but then Nasim shifted his glance and shrugged. “It is of no importance. I just thought it would be amusing. You’ve done everything else to her.”
    “I don’t find it amusing.”
    “But you find her amusing,” Nasim said. “She is . . . remarkable. You lied when you said she was of no interest.”
    “Every woman is of interest in the tower room.”
    “Hashish? I think not.” He smiled. “Do you think you’ve gotten her with child?”
    “How should I know? It’s been only a fortnight, and she tells me it’s not time for her flux.” Kadar changed the subject. “And no word from your messenger Fadil?”
    “Not yet.”
    “Will he come by sea?”
    “Yes.” He arched a brow. “You’re so eager to start your journey?”
    “A man grows bored without a challenge.”
    “Particularly you, Kadar. You always needed to find new ways to negotiate old paths. However, this challenge may prove too much for you.”
    “But it will be worth it.” He smiled. “A treasure beyond price.”
    Nasim frowned. “My treasure. Don’t forget.
My
treasure.”
    “I’m sure you’ll find a way to remind me.” He turned to leave. “In the meantime, I’ll not return to