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Her eyebrows arched Was that a joke? Was that flat tone and deadpan expression his idea of a joke? “I don’t trust the water,” she retorted, pushing the cup away “And yes, I am thirsty, and I will drink But it must be bottled water”

“Bottled water?”

She ignored his incredulous tone He didn’t understand the difficulties she’d had these past four weeks She’d never had a cast iron stomach but it’d become particularly finicky lately ever since she picked up parasites from local water just outside Atiq The parasites had her practically sleeping in the bathrooain “Yes, bottled water You sell it in the stores”

A save her a ferocious look, one that revealed the depth of his irritation and aggravation “And you see stores near by?”

“No, but there were stores back in El Saroush”

“Are you suggesting I send someone back for bottled water?”

“I’ you send someone back with me”

He sighed heavily and pressed two fingers to his temple “You have the most tedious refrain”

Her lips coht not realize it, but she was just as irritated and frustrated as he was “I’ve only just begun”

“I should just cut out your tongue”

“You wouldn’t want to do that,” she flashed “My new husband ht not like it”

“That’s true,” he answered “He ht miss it, and it could lower your bride price So, keep your tongue and drink your tea Or I shall pour it down your throat”

The cup was pushed toward her face again and this time Tally took it “If I drink the tea, you’ll leave?”

His dark gaze met hers and held The corner of his ment of the battle between them “Yes”