The Desert Falcon

Chapter 16, Unbridled Desires

"You left come morning," Sheikh Rashid stated, as he strode over to me in the courtyard.

A dark, impending anger swirled around him, along with a hint of irritation, as he towered over my own form.  He stood imposingly, his shadow befalling our party, the broadness of his muscular physique and honed muscles, inciting the instinctual feminine awareness of the man he was, capable of great violence when angered.  The accusation that poured from his lips only served to put me on guard.  The deep baritone of his voice alerted me to the danger he posed to me, steeped in sensuality and it frayed my nerves that he would look upon me like his possession.  Mortification soon made it's way in my being, which I fought to stay hidden in the face of my attendants. 

I turned lazily, my gaze falling upon him, as all of my defenses were quickly erected in place, for Allah knew I needed it.  As to be expected, I had grown accustomed to the nerves that usually befell me at the sight of the dark, savage Sheikh.  I honed in my composure, hoping to outwardly portray a coolness, but Sheikh Rashid had a way of inspiring a fear in most people when displeased or angered.

It was early afternoon and I had all but woken from my slumber an hour ago, unwilling to acknowledge the reason for my exhaustion, my body sore from our union earlier.  It was a cruel awareness that we had lain together, and even startling awareness that I had given in to my body's demands to be ravaged so.

Not a moment too soon did I discover the folly in my thinking. I could not so easily dismiss the thought of our night, (and morning), from my mind when the very reason stood before me, magnificently attired to show off the breadth of his shoulders and his very musculature intent on intruding upon my thoughts this afternoon. The distracting sight only inspired the familiar response of my body as my pulse raced in my throat.

I was only mildly alarmed and curious as to the reason for his approach.  For a man of his build it was remarkable how silently he moved when he wanted to. It was a testament to the conqueror beneath his seemingly false civil veneer.

Sheikh Rashid's gaze narrowed as he stood before me, looking ruthless.  I was nearly entranced by the uncompromising stamp of his square jaw, a warning of the tone of our argument to ensue.  The potent combination of the darkness, mingling with the faint vibration of his anger, was a stark contrast to the tranquility of our surroundings.  We stood in the courtyards, surrounded by the lush beauty of the scenery, the fountain nearby spouting water, as it gently poured into the basin below.

I tilted my head up to gaze upon him, struck by the very masculine arrogance that ensconced him. I had but three options.  I could run, certainly, but it was but a foolish thing to do.  I could acquiesce to whatever it was he disagreed with, in hopes of alleviating whatever transgressions I had committed that inspired this particular afternoon encounter, because, of course, he was a man used to unfailing obedience, or I could hold my ground and defend myself to what I expected would be an argument stemming from some act of disobedience to his commands. 

Undoubtedly, I was more inclined to do the last, eager to unleash my frustration and anger, but the second option would allow me to cease being in his presence, particularly if there was not much for him to admonish me on.

Of course, I desired the last.

I had but a moment to recognize that he expected a response for my disappearance that morning, but I could not seem to scour past the nerves that stretched taut at his presence. Confusion wrapped around me, for I did not realize that it displeased him so that come morning I had disappeared. The confusion entrenched itself deep within my anger. 

"I did not see the point in staying if you plan on sending me away, so I preemptively acted," I answered, falsely attempting to mediate my tone with a deferential one.  "Perhaps you mistake my leaving in the morning as disobedience rather than my eagerness and complete subjugation to do your bidding.  Let me assure you that that was not my intention at all.  I was more than eager to please you in this regard.  In fact, I have ruminated upon the hundreds of ways to best excute such a task, all in the pursuit of assuring you are most pleased by it," I finished with a sarcastic lilt.