Free Pharaoh's Desire by Chanta Rand Page A

but the others traveled through the murky waters on foot. Kama went along, glad for the change of venue and the cooler temperature. She was the object of much interest to the noblewomen, who stared at her constantly. She couldn’t help but wonder if they were hostile or merely curious. Shu walked quietly behind her, shadowing her every step, and she felt oddly comforted by his presence.
    Baal was not far away, either, keeping a watchful eye on Amonmose, who was decidedly the best hunter of the group. She’d expected him to sit in his litter and watch from afar, the pampered ruler who was more at home in the luxurious confines of his palace than on the field.But she was wrong. She could make out the strong lines of his body as his white tunic softly hugged his back. His forearms peeped teasingly from the long sleeves of crisp linen. The hem of his tunic was short, so her gaze to roamed from the fine hairs on his muscular calves to the outline of his brawny thighs. With each step he took, his body shined like bronze under the sun’s bright rays.
    Unexpectedly, Amonmose turned and flashed her a wicked grin. So, he knew she’d been watching him. Their eyes locked, and Kama saw raw desire reflected in his. He brandished an iron sword with jade and onyx stones crafted into a clever design on the hilt. She’d wondered if all of the weapons in his chambers were just for show. Now she knew.
     
    Amonmose stared at Kama as she moved uncomfortably under his intense scrutiny. He preferred the cool canopy of the trees, but she stood basking in the sun’s warm glow. The light was at her back, illuminating her shapely form beneath her white dress. Glory to the gods, she was beautiful. His eyes moved from her heart-shaped face and full lips to her up-thrusting breasts, which strained softly against the thin material of her garment. His mind was alive with images of her lying naked. He wondered how it would feel to hold those breasts. To caress her thighs. To have her beneath him, writhing with pleasure. He’d been waiting for her to want him as much as he wanted her. It was more pleasurable that way. But she was as stubborn as a team of oxen, and he’d run out of patience. Her kisses had told him all he needed to know. The passionate fire within her had not been banked after all. She was ready for him, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
    Amonmose turned away, trying to drive all thoughts of her sweet, young body from his mind. He was off-focus, when he should be concentrating on the hunt. He took long, determined strides to put some distance between them. His loins might crave her madly, but his head cautioned against giving in to such primal feelings of desire. He was certain once he bedded Kama, the urges would subside and he could get back on task. Tonight, he would show her that he was master. By the time he was done with her, she would be begging him to take her to his bed.
    He smiled. He would take what was rightfully his, and then she would no longer have her mysterious hold on him. His problems would be solved, and he felt more confident already. Amonmose turned to speak with Baal, but before he could take another step, an enormous black snake dropped from a tree in front of him, blocking his path. He heard a shocked gasp from someone in the crowd. The creature spit and hissed, vehemently, its eyes glowing with deadly promise. Amonmose sucked in a breath. A king cobra . He watched, horrified as the hood on the snake’s neck expanded to the span of a man’s hand.   Cobras usually only attacked when provoked, but this one slithered and hissed dangerously forward.
    With jaws wide and fangs bared, the cobra lunged for Amonmose’s leg. He dodged to the side, swinging his sword low. The motion was swift and precise, and he severed the head of the cobra with one blow.
    Chaos erupted. A cheer rose from the hunting party. Several of the noblemen ran over to congratulate him. Others stood in disbelief. Nadesh began barking