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But this world here, now, ti herself to—and she was giving herself to the ether She would not think of the world beyond, would not remember it Not now

Elation seared through her—a kind of reckless joy as she seized this moment, this tiht, but which she had taken all the saifts

The gift of this time with Nikos, the man who, out of all men that existed, had taken her to a place she had not believed could ever be for her

But it is—it is! It’s real for me—passion and desire It’s real and now I have it—here, with Nikos, in this timeless place

That was all she cared about, all she would let herself care about, feel and believe This time noith Nikos, alone in the desert

She could see the ca, as their four-by-four descended to the level dirt track again, taking her and Nikos to where a canopy had been set up over carpets laid on the sand

There they were offeredcloths to wipe their dusty hands and hot faces, before tucking into an array of spiced and fragranced dishes whose delicious aroma quickened her appetite

And not just for food

Her eyes slid to the man she ith and she felt that rush of amazement and wonder that caht her open gaze and s to her cheeks He said nothing, though, only let his long lashes sweep down as he urged her to try yet another dish

Around thes, re the in a procession fro station soed

Eventually, sated and replete, Diana felt her eyelids start to drift down

‘I’ asleep,’ she heard herself say as the heat and drowsiness of midday took their soporific toll

‘Then sleep,’ said Nikos

He esture for the servants to clear the last of the bowls and glasses, which they instantly did, then reached across to Diana, drawing her down on the cushions beside hi her head loll on his lap Idly he stroked her hair, plaited into a confining ponytail, but feathering in soft tendrils around her face Her beautiful, fine-boned face, flushed noith the sun, her hair bleached even paler

He felt desire stir in him, but held it at bay It would wait until they were private again