Free Sheik by Connie Mason

intimately than she knew it herself. It was humiliating.
    “Give me back my clothes so I can to return to the stables.”
    “You are unlike any woman I’ve ever known,” Jamal said sourly. Never had he met a more contrary female. Why wouldn’t she give herself to him? It wasn’t as if she were a shy virgin. She had enjoyed his loving, as far as it went. Did she still mourn her Berber lover? Not one to give up easily, Jamal renewed his vow to have Zara in his bed soon. He swore he would make it happen.
    Zara hugged herself and shivered as Jamal rummaged through a chest containing an assortment of clothing. He found what he was looking for, handing her a white shirt, pantaloons and
djellaba
that must have belonged to him. She donned them quickly, rolling up the sleeves of the shirt and tightening the sash around her slim waist to hold up the trousers. Then she slipped the
djellaba
over her head.
    “Come along,” Jamal said as he picked up the oil lamp and held it aloft.
    “Where are we going?”
    “I’m escorting you back to the stables. Your companions will be told in no uncertain terms that you’re not to be touched by them.”
    He grasped her arm and pulled her into the courtyard and out the gate. Zara dug in her heels. “I need a weapon. The pitchfork is too unwieldy to use effectively.”
    “You want me to give you a weapon?” Jamal asked with amusement. “I’m not stupid, Zara.”
    “What if I promise to use it only to protect myself? Do none of your slaves carry weapons?”
    It was a logical question. Many of his slaves carried weapons, but only those loyal to him. Some even served as men-at-arms. “Only those I trust.”
    She gave him a guileless smile. “I’m a helpless woman. What harm can I do?”
    Jamal gave a shout of laughter. “There’s no denying you’re a woman, sweet vixen, but helpless is not a word I would use to describe you. I told you I would speak with the slaves. After I finish with them, they will not dare to accost you.”
    Gripping her wrist firmly with one hand and the lamp with the other, he pulled her along with him to the stables. Once inside, he came upon one of the slaves sleeping in the straw and nudged him awake with his foot.
    Abdul came up in a crouch, ready to defend himself. When he saw Jamal, he blanched and fell to his knees. “What is it, master, what have I done?”
    “Rouse the others,” Jamal ordered.
    Within minutes all four slaves stood before him, glancing warily from Jamal to Zara. Ahmed, the stable master, stepped forward. “What have we done, master?”
    Jamal pushed Zara forward. “Listen well, for I will say this but one time. Zara is to work, eat and sleep in the stables; she is
not
here for your pleasure. Abuse her at your own risk, is that clear?”
    A look of silent communication passed among the slaves before Ahmed spoke for all of them. “We understand, master. Your new slave is safe with us.”
    Jamal nodded curtly, turned on his heel and strode from the stables. He should have gone directly to the harem to relieve his frustrations with his concubines, but he was no longer in the mood. For the first time in his memory he sought his bed without first easing himself with a woman, despite the fact that he needed one desperately. His sex ached and his lust was unappeased, but the woman he wanted was sleeping by choice on a bed of straw in the stables instead of reclining on a soft couch in the women’s quarters.
    Jamal had never met a woman quite like Zara. Her flesh was sweet and soft, her face lovelier than the moon and the stars, yet she insisted upon being treated as a man’s equal. He had tasted her passion tonight and it had but whetted his appetite for more. Since he had no intention of freeing her any time soon, he was determined to seduce her and enjoy every minute of it.
    Zara crawled into her bed of straw, still wary despite Jamal’s warning to the stable slaves. Quiet settled over the dark stables. It was very late, and she was