But he had wanted her before. That night in the cave he had wanted her with an intensity of passion that had seemed incredible. Perhaps if she tried she could make him feel like that again. But how did a woman go about tempting a man? She would probably be laughable in the role of temptress. Perhaps she’d better be content with…
No! She was being as cowardly as Pandora had accused her. In only a few days Daniel would probably be taking her home to Zalandan. After that, who knew when she would see him again? A mistress had a much more potent draw than a mere friend. It was better to risk rejection than to sit meekly by with her hands folded, waiting for Daniel to leave her. Surely there was something she could do that would make her more desirable in his eyes. She turned away from the window to cross to the wing chair by the bed. She sat down and leaned her head back, her expression both intent and abstracted. Pandora was right. She had a good deal of thinking to do.
Zilah didn’t answer the door at the first knock. Daniel was about to knock again and then hesitated. It was after eleven. Perhaps she had given up on him and gone to bed.
Then the door swung open and Zilah was standing there. At least he hadn’t gotten her out of bed. She was wearing a white satin tailored robe and her feet were bare, but there was still a light burning on the bedside table, and her eyes were alert and wide awake as she gazed up at him.
“I know it’s late, but Clancy just called back. I was going to wait until morning, but I didn’t want to take the chance of your worrying about it all night.”
“Clancy?” she asked vaguely. Then she stepped back and away from the door. “Oh, yes, Hassan. It was very kind of you to stop by. Come in.”
He hesitated. Then he entered the room and closed the door. “They weren’t able to get any more information out of the others regarding Hassan’s whereabouts. Clancy thinks they really don’t know.” He smiled grimly. “They would have spilled their guts if they had.”
“That’s too bad.” Zilah nervously brushed a strand of hair away from her face. “Do you think he’s still around here?”
“If he is, he won’t get near you,” he said gently. “You don’t have to be frightened.”
“I’m not frightened.”
She was frightened. He had seen the slight trembling of her hand as she brushed a shining strand of hair away from her face and the quickened pulse in the hollow of her throat. He took an impulsive step forward, his hands reaching out to cup her shoulders. He could feel the warm silkiness of her skin beneath the thin robe and knew immediately that the impulse to comfort had been a mistake. He forced himself to keep his grasp light and impersonal. “He won’t hurt you. I won’t let him touch you. No one will touch you.”
Her head bent and her hair slid forward to shadow her face. “That’s what I’m afraid of,” she said shakily.
“What?” He frowned in puzzlement.
She moistened her lips nervously, her lashes veiling her eyes. “I want to be touched,” she said haltingly. “I want you to touch me, Daniel. And I’m scared to death you’re not going to do it.”
She heard him inhale sharply, but she didn’t look up. She was afraid she would lose her courage if she did. “Pandora said that you want me.” Her hands were suddenly working at the tie at her waist. “I don’t know if she’s right, but if you don’t, I’d like you to. Oh, God, that sounds awkward. I don’t know how to entice a man, dammit.” The tie suddenly gave way and she opened the robe and stepped closer, pressing her soft naked body against his now rigid one. “Does this help?”
He shuddered. Every muscle had turned to stone. “Zilah, don’t do this to me.” He closed his eyes. “I can’t take it.”
“Have I embarrassed you?” she asked miserably. “I knew Pandora was wrong, but I thought maybe I could make it work.”
“Damn Pandora!” he said through clenched teeth. “I told you I didn’t want any free handouts because you feel sorry for me. Of course I want you.” His hips arched suddenly, bringing her into intimate contact with his hard arousal. “I’ve been almost wild for you ever since that night in the cave. That doesn’t mean I can’t control it. You don’t have to be afraid of me, Zilah.”
She felt a brilliant burst of joy within her. He wanted her! It wasn’t everything, but it was a lot. Friendship and desire. She could build on that. “I’m not afraid,” she said softly. “You keep thinking I’m some sort of hysterical ninny. Open your eyes and look at me, Daniel.” He opened his eyes and met her clear, honest gaze. “Do I look afraid?” she asked softly. “Was I afraid in that cave?”
“I didn’t think so at the time,” he said hoarsely. “But later I thought maybe…I was rough with you. I lost control and went crazy.”
“So did I.” Her hand went up to touch his mouth. “It was like the end of the world.” Her fingers traced the hard bone of his cheek. “Or the beginning. I couldn’t decide which at the time.” She took a step backward, the robe hanging open to reveal silken shadowy mysteries. “Do you think we could find out now?”
“Honey, I want it to be so beautiful for you,” he whispered. His face was beautifully sensual. “I want to be so gentle and loving. Lately I’ve been lying awake at night thinking of how I would touch you. All the moves and ways I’d make it good for you.” His eyes were dark and glazed with heat. “But I’m hurting so much that I don’t know if I can do it.”
“Then let me make it good for you.” Zilah smiled lovingly. “Giving is even more beautiful than taking.”
He took a deep breath. “God, you’re sweet. How did I get so lucky? I’ll try.” His hands slid from her shoulders to her nape. “I’ll try my damnedest not to take more than I give.” He tilted her head up; his hands tangled in the thick length of her hair. His lips lowered slowly. Too slowly. She wanted his mouth with a wildness that shocked her. She arched into his body and pressed her lips to his with a little moan of need.
He froze. Then ice turned to flame as he groaned and took her lips with a passion that was close to savagery. He brushed and stroked back and forth against her mouth. He bit her lips and then soothed them with a warm, sensual tongue. He devoured her as if he were famished. Yet she heard him give a low groan of hunger deep in his throat, even as he feasted.
She was vaguely aware that his hands had returned to her shoulders and were pushing the white robe off her arms. It fell into a silken pool on the carpet and his hard, warm hands were moving down her spine in feverish exploration. “I’d watched you ride ahead of me on that gray mare,” he muttered. He cupped her buttocks, kneading their softness in his big hands. “And I’d think what a pretty bottom you had and how much I’d like to do this.”
“Did you?” She could barely get the words out. Her chest was so tight she couldn’t breathe. Her breasts were crushed against the crisp cotton of his blue shirt and she could feel his heat beneath it. “I didn’t realize that. I guess you thought I was pretty dumb.”
“Blind,” he murmured. “You had to be blind.” He buried his face in the side of her throat and nuzzled the smooth flesh gently. “I couldn’t even look at you without going into an erotic daydream.”
“What about?” She scarcely knew what she was saying. Her head was whirling. His hands were so big and powerful yet they were cupping and squeezing her with such gentleness.