Read Online Diamond in the Desert by Susan Stephens - Free Book Online Page B

drunk who had prompted her mother to warn all her daughters that men kept you down. Her girls were going to be warriors who went out into the world and made their own way. Britt had grown up with the determination that no man would ever rule her engraved on her heart. And Emir was a forceful man...
    His touch on her arm made her flinch, but then she realised he was pointing to the deer watching them. The animals were considering flight, and she wondered if it was Emir’s inner stillness holding them. Their brown eyes were wide in gentle faces, and though Emir had moved closer to her he kept space between them, which made her feel relaxed. He had that sort of calming aura—which didn’t mean she wasn’t intensely aware of him. It was a special moment as they watched the deer watching them. It was as if humans and animals had come together briefly.
    ‘What an amazing encounter,’ she breathed as the deer turned and picked their way unhurriedly back through the maze of trees into the depth of the forest.
    ‘Now I’m certain you’d love the desert,’ Emir said, turning to smile at her. ‘Many think it’s just a barren space—’
    ‘But we know better?’
    He huffed a laugh, holding her gaze in a way that said he was glad she had understood.
    ‘Maybe one day I’ll make it to the desert,’ she said, trying not to care too much.
    ‘I’ll make sure of it,’ Emir said quietly. ‘If this deal goes through I’ll make sure you visit Kareshi.’
    ‘I’d love to,’ she exclaimed impulsively.
    How much longer are you going to wear your heart on your sleeve? Britt wondered as Emir flashed her an amused glance and raised a brow. But she could see that a whole world of possibility was opening up, both for her and for Skavanga, and she couldn’t pretend that the thought of visiting an emerging country where the vigorous young ruler had already done so much for his people didn’t excited her.
    ‘I want you to see what the money from the diamonds can accomplish,’ Emir remarked.
    Yes, there were benefits for both their countries. ‘I will,’ she said, more in hope than expectation. ‘I think you miss Kareshi,’ she added in an attempt to shift the spotlight onto him.
    ‘I love my country. I love my people. I love my life in Kareshi. I love my horses—they’re a real passion for me. I breed pure Arabs, though sometimes I strengthen the line of my breeding stock with Criolla ponies from the Argentine pampas.’
    ‘You play polo?’
    ‘Of course, and many polo players are my friends. You will have heard of the Acosta brothers, I’m sure.’
    She had heard of the Acosta brothers. Who hadn’t? ‘I learned to ride at the local stable,’ she admitted. ‘Just old nags compared to the type of horses you’re talking about, but I loved it all the same. I love the sense of freedom, and still ride whenever I get the chance.’
    ‘Something we have in common,’ he said.
    Something else, she thought, inhaling steadily. Friendships were founded on sharing a passion for life, and there was no doubt that they were opening up to each other. So much for her mother’s warning. And, yes, it was dangerous to reveal too much of yourself, but if you didn’t, how could you ever get close to anyone?
    She had to face facts. Once he had collected the information he needed, Emir would go home—and inviting her to Kareshi was probably just talk. Making her excuses, she stood up to go. Emir stood too.
    ‘No birching?’ he asked wryly.
    She gave him a crooked smile. ‘I’m warm enough, thanks to you.’
    ‘That’s right,’ he called after her as she walked away. ‘You probably deserve a good birching—probably even want it. But you’re not getting it from me—’
    Britt shook her head in wry acceptance, but Emir didn’t turn around as she huffed a laugh. He didn’t need to. There was a new sort of ease between them—an understanding, almost.
    He caught her at the door of the hut, and, lifting a switch from the rack,