high, hollowed cheekbones and a well-shaped mouth that held a hint of leashed sexuality. Leashed. Yes, everything about him fit that word. His tall, slim frame, garbed in casual blue jeans and a black sweatshirt, gave the impression of tremendous strength, rigidly restrained. His expression was a smooth, guarded mask of charm. Those striking blue-green eyes were cool and slightly cynical beneath slashing dark brows.

"I should be the one to apologize for intruding into your household, Sheikh El Kabbar," she said. "You've been very kind. I promise I won't abuse your hospitality any longer than I have to."

He shrugged. "Daniel wishes you to remain here. My home has many rooms and the servants have little to do. You are welcome to stay as long as Daniel enjoys your presence."

Well, that certainly put her firmly in her place, she thought wryly. It appeared that the sheikh's charming facade was just that. Beneath that mask was an almost brutal honesty and a touch of ruthless-ness. "It's not a question of my entertainment value, Sheikh El Kabbar," she said dryly. "When my health is improved, I'll leave with or without Daniel. I'm not a harem girl or khadim waiting on any man's pleasure. In case you haven't heard, Sedikhan has outlawed slavery in any form."

"But the laws of Sedikhan don't necessarily apply to my province," he said with a slight smile. "I believe you'll find that out shortly. I run my lands to suit myself." His gaze raked slowly over her. "You're a very lovely woman. I can see how Daniel would be intrigued by you. If you are generous with your body, he will treat you well. He is kind to his women." His lips twisted. "Far kinder than I. You would be wise to be less defiant and more accommodating. It is, after all, what a woman is most proficient at doing."

She shook her head incredulously. "I can't believe this. You're speaking as if women have no wills or minds of their own."

"Am I?" The slashing black brows lifted mockingly. "I have no desire to give that impression. I know women can have extraordinarily strong wills. As for their mental powers"—he lifted one shoulder in a half shrug—"they can be very cunning as well."

"Cunning?" Zilah echoed distastefully. "What a horribly denigrating word. I regard myself as intelligent, but I am nor cunning." She frowned. "Do you always speak to women so insultingly?"

"No, usually I'm quite flowery and utterly charming," he drawled outrageously. "I'm only honest with them when they might offer a threat to me or mine." Her eyes widened. "You think I'm some kind of a threat?"

"It's a possibility." His eyes were cool, shimmering ice floes. "As I said, Daniel is intrigued. It is not like Daniel to regard women in a serious light. He was very emotional yesterday when you were so ill. Emotion has a way of weakening a man's defenses. I will not have him hurt. Miss Dabala. You must ply your woman's wiles on someone else. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly," she said calmly. "I'm to fall meekly into Daniel's bed, but on no account am I to venture to think or regard myself as anything but a vassal." She lifted a brow. "Have I got it right?"

He nodded. "Perhaps you are more intelligent than cunning after all, Miss Dabala. You're quite correct."

"I just wanted to make sure I understood." She met his eyes and said clearly, "Go to hell, Sheikh El Kabbar."

There was a flicker of surprise in his face, followed by a touch of amusement. "I've found some women capable of sending men there, but not by suggestion alone. I'm afraid you're going to have to do better than that."

"I have no desire to try to influence your destiny in any way, Sheikh El Kabbar," she said wearily. "Or Daniel's either. All I want to do is to get well enough to go to Zalandan. The minute the doctor releases me, I won't bother you again."

"Ah, but the doctor is a very cautious man where certain patients are concerned. You may be with us for some time. That's why I thought we should have this chat." His smile was brilliant in his bronzed face. "Enjoy your stay with us, Miss Dabala. I promise that on the next occasion we meet I'll be as meticulously polite and diplomatic as anyone could wish."

"I'd rather you'd be rude but honest," she said bluntly. "I haven't any use for polite deception."

For an instant there was a trace of admiration in those guarded eyes. "I can see how you would appeal to Daniel. He has a great respect for honesty as well. That was why I was a bit alarmed when—" He broke off. His gaze narrowed thoughtfully on her face. Respect and admiration are far more dangerous than lust. I'll have to keep a close eye on you. Miss Dabala." His gaze once more traveled over her, lingering on her naked shoulders above the sheet. There was suddenly a fugitive twinkle in his eyes. "A task I'm going to take a good deal of aesthetic pleasure in performing." Before she could reply he had turned away and was strolling toward the door. "You have such superb skin that it's really a shame to cover even an inch of it, but Daniel's being very stuffy about not keeping you totally naked for the duration of your stay here. As your own clothing was blown up with :he plane, I've taken the liberty of ordering you a complete wardrobe from the stores in Marasef." He glanced back over his shoulder, his eyes gleaming

with mischief. "Don't worry, Daniel also insisted on paying for everything, so you're not beholden to me for a single handkerchief. What a pity. I enjoy having beautiful women in my debt. Good day, Miss Dabala." Zilah found herself staring at the closed door with a mixture of indignation and amusement. Philip El Kabbar was utterly impossible, obviously a complete male chauvinist and more arrogant than even a ruling sheikh had any right to be. She should be ready to roast him over open flames after that little conversation. Yet there had been a thread of warmth and humor beneath the mask of glittering hardness that for some inexplicable reason had kept her from feeling too much animosity.

There was a perfunctory knock on the door, and it swung open. Daniel entered, balancing a covered rattan tray in one hand and a large box in the other. He was dressed even more casually than El Kabbar had been, in cutoff jeans and an army-green tank top. However, nothing about Daniel's vitality was leashed. It was almost an explosive force as he strode into the room. "I ran into Philip in the hall," he said grimly as he kicked the door shut with his sandaled foot and strode toward the bed. "Was he decent to you?"

"Isn't he usually decent to his guests?" she asked evasively.

"Don't play word games with me, Zilah." He tossed the box he was carrying on the bed and settled the tray on her lap. "I want an answer from you." He sat down on the bed beside her and plucked the napkin from the covered tray to reveal eggs and fingers of buttered toast. "Eat your breakfast."

A little smile tugged at her lips. "Which do you want me to do first?"

"Both." He scowled. "Hell, I wanted to be here to run interference for you. I only stopped for a minute to pick up that box from the helicopter. I should have known Philip would do something to upset you."

"He didn't upset me," she said as she took a bite of toast. "I had no trouble holding my own with your friend, the sheikh. Though I think he was doing his best to intimidate me. He appears to have very little respect for the gentler sex."