Daniel was silent.
“Even more curious,” Philip said. “It’s not like you to waste opportunities. You wouldn’t want to tell me why you’ve developed this superhuman restraint at this stage in your life?”
“No, I don’t think I would,” Daniel said quietly. “I don’t think it’s something that you would understand.”
Philip drained his glass. “You’re probably right.” He set the glass down on the desk. “But I do understand the little dragon I put in charge of your chaste princess, and it’s not in character for her to be overly protective of anyone.”
“Except you,” Daniel suggested softly.
Philip inclined his head mockingly. “Except me,” he conceded. He turned to go. “You’ll get your guard, but I think I’ll just go see why Pandora is suddenly behaving with such zealous propriety.” He paused at the door. “Would you care to come with me?”
Daniel shook his head. “Clancy is interrogating the prisoners now. He’s going to phone me back if they’re able to pry Hassan’s hiding place out of them. Tell Zilah I’ll come and let her know the details as soon as I get the call. She’d better have dinner without me.”
“I’m sure if anyone can extract the information, he can.” Philip drawled. “A very thorough man, your Clancy Donahue.”
“He’d better be damn thorough,” Daniel said wearily as he sat down in the oversized chair facing the desk. “I want this over and done with.”
“You’re on edge,” Philip said. “I understand celibacy has a way of doing that to a man.” He smiled faintly. “Personally, I haven’t been so foolish as to indulge in that idiocy since I was fourteen, so I wouldn’t know.”
“Philip.” Daniel leaned his head back against the high back of the chair and tried to relax the tense muscles of his shoulders. “Go to hell.”
Philip laughed. “That’s the second time in the last ten days I’ve been designated to the fire and brimstone. Do you suppose I’m not as charming as I’ve been led to believe?” He held up his hand. “Don’t answer that. It’s much more comfortable to be left with my illusions.”
Daniel’s hand tightened on the arm of his chair as the door closed behind the other man. Then he consciously forced himself to relax. He shouldn’t have been so short with Philip. If Philip hadn’t possessed a puckish sense of humor beneath that mocking arrogance, he might have taken offense. And despite his feelings regarding Zilah’s presence here, Philip had acted the true friend. He had offered hospitality as well as the protective cloak of power that surrounded every guest of Sheikh El Kabbar.
Daniel suddenly grinned as he remembered Philip’s last remark. It was probably Zilah who had been the first to consign Philip to the fiery depths. He wouldn’t put it past her. There was strength and spirit in her that ran like a powerful underground river beneath that beautiful serene surface. He only wished he could concentrate on those lovely spiritual qualities without being distracted by the tempting surface. Like Philip, he wasn’t accustomed to celibacy, and his willpower had been stretched to the limit in the last ten days. He felt like someone had kicked him in the stomach every time she brushed casually against him. He was sure he hadn’t slept more than a few hours a night during the entire time. His nerves were so frayed and raw that it was a wonder he had been able to exercise any control at all.
However, he had succeeded in maintaining that avuncular façade, judging from Zilah’s touching declaration this morning. He was her best friend. He had to hold on to that. He had gained her trust; he mustn’t blow everything because he was so hot for her he was ready to explode. It might take months, even years, before she was ready to give herself because it was what she wanted, not because of that unselfish generosity that seemed ingrained in her. He could wait. At least, he hoped he could. This afternoon when she had appeared at the pool in that French-cut swim suit, he hadn’t been sure. He’d been so aroused he’d had to spend the entire session in the pool to keep from scaring the hell out of her.
He finished his drink and leaned forward to set his glass on the desk. Of course he could wait. All he had to do was avoid swimming pools, and bathtubs, and the sight of Zilah on a horse or walking across the room. It would be a real piece of cake.
He settled back in the chair and stretched his legs out before him. It was just as well that he had to wait here for Clancy’s call. He was in no shape to play the platonic friend tonight. He had to gather his reserves and repair his defenses before he faced Zilah again for any extended period. Hell, at this rate he might even have to take up yoga and contemplate his navel or something, he thought. Maybe it would take his mind off other portions of his anatomy.
8
Zilah’s eyes widened in surprise as she opened the door.
“May I come in?” Philip El Kabbar asked politely. “You’ll notice my manners have improved. I even knocked. I think that deserves a reward.”
“Yes, of course.” Zilah tightened the belt of her white satin robe and stepped back. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“According to Daniel, your security has been so tight that you shouldn’t have been expecting anyone.” Philip’s turquoise-colored eyes were fixed on her face. “Where is the little tigress?”
“Tigress?” Zilah asked faintly. Oh, dear heavens, he knew! She should have known Pandora would never be able to pull it off.
The shiekh frowned. “Pandora,” he said impatiently. “I understand she’s been guarding you like a tiger with her only cub. Where is she?”
“Oh, Pandora.” Zilah felt weak with relief. “She’s in the bathroom. I think she’s rinsing out a few things. I’ll go and get her.”
“Rinsing out a few things?” Philip’s lips twisted skeptically. “Pandora? That’s a rather tame occupation for her. Have you worked some magic to turn her into a docile lady’s maid? I think I’ll be very displeased if you have. That’s not why I sent her to you.”
“I know,” Zilah said quietly. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but we get along very well. She’s a charming child and I like her very much.”
“Then it’s obviously time I sent her away,” Philip said as he closed the door and leaned against it. He was dressed in dark trousers and shirt that outlined his lean, tough body and was as maddeningly attractive as he was outrageous. “Her stay here was supposed to be a punishment. Clearly it hasn’t turned out that way.”
“What do you have in mind?” Zilah asked stormily. “Perhaps you could throw her into the dungeon instead.”
“Yes, I could. There is one, you know. Thank you for the suggestion,” Philip drawled. “I’ll consider it.”
“You’re utterly impossible. Do you realize that? You’re a complete anachronism.”
He smiled. “But I have the power to get away with it. In the end, that’s the bottom line. Haven’t you found that to be true?” His smile vanished. “And I don’t appreciate your taking it upon yourself to defend her from my very righteous wrath. Pandora is my property. She’ll tell you that herself.”
“Only because she mistakenly thinks the sun rises and sets with you. She’s lived for the past several years in an environment entirely under your control. What do you think her reaction will be when she goes out into the world and finds out all men aren’t self-indulgent barbarians?”
Something flickered in his face. Anger? Pain? It was difficult to tell, for it was gone so quickly. “It’s hard to anticipate Pandora’s reactions. She seldom thinks and acts like other women.” He paused. “Yet. She’s still in the embryo stage.” He straightened. “Now, if you’ve quite finished trying to puncture my arrogance, I’ll go fetch your poor victimized little friend.” He started across the room.
Zilah instinctively ran to stand before the bathroom door. “No. I’ll get her. You stay right here.”