less dignity. She thought that 'kindness' was the greatest value for a ruler? Common—that was the only word for her. She would never understand why Imaran had to be on the throne.
He watched as Libby began to get used to the dance's movement and shook her hips with something like style. The man next to Rasyn turned to his companion. "I think the green eyed one would dance better in bed."
Before he gave it a thought, Rasyn found himself striding into the circle and catching Libby's wrist in his hand. She gazed up at him, a puzzled look in her eye.
"Come." He tugged her away, through the crowd that parted for them.
He felt dozens of male eyes, darkened with desire, followed the sway of her backside in the hip scarf as she returned to him.
Despite his annoyance, a fierce, protective desire threatened to overwhelm him. He wanted to kiss her pomegranate-stained lips, to show the world she belonged to him. But he couldn't. In Abbas, that would be so shocking that he'd likely get arrested for indecency.
As they walked away, he rested his palm against the heat of Libby's lower back, shooting a killing look over his shoulder in case anyone should be watching too closely.
A tiny, dark alleyway caught his eye. He pulled her into it.
"Why did you allow that? You must not humiliate yourself that way."
She wrenched her wrist from him. "You're the only one humiliated. Why is it embarrassing to have fun in public?"
"Those people saw parts of you that should remain secret."
She made a show of looking down at her clothes. "I'm covered from head to foot, so I know you're not talking about my body. Do you mean my feelings?"
A perfect version of himself smirked at him from over her shoulder. Even in the darkest alley, he couldn't escape those damned posters. "Do you think Sheikh Rasyn ibn Bakr ibn Rahman al Jabar is permitted to express himself freely?"
"He should be," she said. "You should be. I guess you aren't, not when you have to disguise yourself just to go to the market."
Rasyn felt his anger drain away, replaced by awareness that the alley had barely enough space for the two of them, forcing him to press himself against her, her softness melting into his hard body.
The thrill of risk zinging up his spine, he lowered his mouth to hers. Visions of her gyrating hips had him grinding his own into her. The air, fragrant with dust and spices, wasn't as exotic as Libby's own soap-scented skin. She responded wildly, as if the dance had peaked her own desire, welcoming his tongue with her own. He teased and tasted her, stoking the fire between them until he thought he would lose control and risk making love to her there, with the rest of the world only steps away.
Reluctantly, he broke the kiss, stroking his hands down her soft cheeks. This was his chance.
"Libby, would you like to see the desert tomorrow? I want to show you how the stars shine far from the city lights." His voice was so raspy with lust that he barely recognized it.
She paused, her whole body going tense. He knew what was going through her mind. She'd said no before. There was no way she should give in to him now.
She smoothed his robe across his chest, swiping at some imaginary dust. Despite the warmth of the day, he felt the heat of her fingers through the fabric as if they were on his bare skin instead. After a moment, she sighed and gave him a smile tinged by irony, as if she recognized she was doing the wrong thing. "I'd like that."
Relief washed over him. It fit his plans perfectly.
Chapter Eight
The trip to the desert didn't happen the following day. A servant woke them early, with the news that Rasyn should come to his uncle right away.
He was gone all day.
Libby spent it wandering the palace and relaxing in the gardens. Rasyn returned without his usual glowing smile, and unwilling to talk. The concern that he wore like a cloak made her think that the King of Abbas was sicker than anyone let on.
After they’d made love, a long, slow dance of give and take, Libby had been aware that he had lain awake for hours. She didn’t bring up going back to New York. It seemed too selfish.
When she awoke in the morning, her bed was empty. She found Rasyn and his cousin at the breakfast table. Even