Pharaoh's Desire (29 page)

Kama still clutched his arm. She squeezed it tight as she sniffed back tears. “That, my friend, was no act.”

Amonmose gazed into the sea of faces assembled in the great room. It was filled to capacity with women of every shape, size, and age imaginable. They milled about, talking to each other and eating the variety of delicious food that was offered. Amonmose sat at the end of the room, lounging comfortably in a gilded chair adorned with his signature lions’ claws. Many women cast promising looks in his direction; some even gazed boldly.
 
Yet others pretended not to look at him at all.

“I bet I can tell you what you’re thinking,” he heard a soft voice purr.

Amonmose turned to find a stunning woman standing beside him. Her lips pressed together in a sexy pout. No other woman in the room had dared to approach him. He was impressed by her bravado. “I have serious doubts that anyone can predict my thoughts at this very moment,” he replied.

She fixed him with an intense stare. “I’m willing to wager that I can.”

He smiled, amused. . “What are the stakes?”

Her eyes swept the length of his body. “A night with me.”

“And if you win?”

“The same.”

He chuckled. “So, I have nothing to lose?”

“And neither do I.”

Amonmose stroked his goatee. “That sounds like an interesting proposition coming from a beautiful, albeit strange woman.”

Her expression changed, hovering between anger and shock. “Stranger? You do not remember our last encounter? We shared a passionate kiss and you spoke sweet words of tenderness.”

Amonmose stared at her. Surely, he would remember being intimate with someone as alluring as she. “How did I come to know you?” he asked.

“I am, Zahra, your grand vizier’s niece.” She politely explained, eyeing him. “Most men find me unforgettable.”

Amonmose grimaced.
Nadesh
. Now it all made sense. This was the redhead he spoke of. “You are indeed a woman of immeasurable beauty,” he told her. “And I am certain our paths have crossed before. But our encounter could not have been that impressive—because I do not recall any of it.”

Zahra rebounded with a seductive rebuttal of her own. “Just because you do not remember something, that doesn’t mean it never happened.”

He watched the exaggerated sway of her hips as she walked away. He would have to keep a wary eye on Zahra.

When Kama and Latmay arrived to the great room, they found it a flurry of activity. Crowds of women surrounded tables abundant with fruits, meat, and a variety of delicious dishes. Wine and beer flowed freely. Dancers with tambourines and zills twirled about, flaunting their flexible bodies. In the background, the sweet sounds of harps and flutes floated lazily through the air.

Kama’s eyes darted back and forth across the room. The animated chattering matched her frantic heartbeat. There were so many women here. Some were attractive. Some were not. She could feel their curious stares upon her, but she refused to make eye contact with any of them.

Latmay whispered in her ear. “There he is.”

She followed the doctor’s gaze. For the first time in nearly two months, she was able to look at the man she loved. Her breath caught in her throat. Time stood still as she stared at him, drinking in the sight of his powerful body and his handsome face. He was dressed regally in a short tunic crafted of the finest linen. A thick, gold necklace encrusted with turquoise, coral, and lapis lazuli graced his neck. At his wrists were equally stunning gold bracelets, adorned with gemstones and engraved with ornate designs. She’d never seen him look so ceremonial. His strong, slender fingers protectively gripped his royal flail. And he wore his intimidating crown, sending a clear message to everyone that he was indeed in charge.

His body was exactly as she remembered. Beautiful bronzed skin. Strong, taut muscles. Lean, chiseled physique. She shivered as she recalled all the intimate moments they’d shared. Even now, her skin was tingling, desperately itching for his tender touch.

At his side was a woman for which she harbored no love.
Zahra
. She was flaunting herself in front of him and coyly batting her long eyelashes. Kama clenched her fists. She wondered if the woman knew Amonmose had amnesia.

Latmay touched her arm. “Be at ease,” he said. “You must stick to the plan. An argument with Zahra will do us no good.”

Kama nodded. Latmay was right. She was glad to be hidden beneath her veil and robes. Her anonymity comforted her. “Take me to him,” she whispered.

Amonmose shifted restlessly. Like a preying hyena, Zahra had returned to lavish him with compliments and lustful promises. Her efforts were comical, but he was spending so much time with her that it was hard for him to focus on anyone else. Then, he noticed a familiar face approaching him.

He smiled in greeting. “Latmay, I am surprised to see you here.”

Latmay returned his smile and bowed slightly. “Your mandate required the presence of all women today, so I made haste in getting here.”

Amonmose frowned slightly. “I don’t understand.”

“A thousand pardons.” Latmay bowed again. “I am here to make certain this young lady is properly chaperoned.” He extended his arm with a flourish. “May I present my niece?”

Amonmose’s gaze settled on the veiled figure standing beside Latmay. She was draped from head to toe in loose-fitting, dark garments. A hood and veil concealed her face so all he could see were her dark, sparking eyes.

He smiled patiently. “I share a love of mystery perhaps even more so than the next man. But do you think your niece could indulge me by removing her veil?”

Without further hesitation, Latmay pulled off the veil and the oversized hood covering the woman’s head.

Amonmose’s breath vanished. She had skin as smooth and dark as the rich soil that prospered beside the Nile. Her kohl-lined, dark eyes twinkled like stars in the night sky. Long braids framed her exquisite face and cascaded down her shoulders. She removed her robe and he saw that she wore a finely spun, white sheath dress embroidered with gold threads. Gold bracelets adorned her arms, and at her neck was an amulet of the goddess Pakhet.

His heart kicked wildly. He knew what lay beneath her clothing. He’d seen the supple curves of her breasts, the pucker of her dark nipples, the rising swell of her firm backside, and the gentle slope of her thighs. He’d seen it all before. He knew where she liked to be kissed. He knew how to pleasure her. He’d made love to her many times in his dreams.
This was she!

Standing before him in the flesh, she was even more bewitching than in his dreams. She openly gazed back at him as if she knew him, as if she was familiar with him, comfortable—as if they shared a secret that no one else knew.

The woman bowed. “It is an honor to be in your presence, Pharaoh.”

He stood and silently approached her. When he spoke, it was for her ears only. “You are the most ravishing creature that I’ve ever laid eyes upon,” he whispered softly to her. “Tell me your name.”

“I am called Kama,” she answered.

Amonmose studied her, staring into the mysterious depths of her eyes. Something held him captive in her gaze, pulled him closer. Her look was almost pleading, as if begging him to do something. But what?

“Do I know you?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “In some ways, you know me better than I know myself.”

Amonmose knew she was telling the truth. On unsteady legs, he walked back to his chair and sat. From the corner of his eye, he saw Nadesh approaching.

Nadesh advanced toward Amonmose, barely containing his smile. Zahra sat on the other side of the Pharaoh. Perhaps she had finally made an impression on him.

“I have made my choice,” Amonmose told him.

Nadesh followed the Pharaoh’s gaze to the dark woman standing in front of him. Nadesh’s gate faltered.
Kama!
How had she managed to get free? And look more exquisite than the last time he saw her.

He masked his horror with a look of false concern. He took a seat next to Amonmose and leaned over, whispering in a conspiratorial tone. “Sire,” he spoke cautiously. “There are many women here worthy of your affections. This foreigner cannot possibly be your choice. Let me introduce you to my niece—”

“Silence!” Amonmose hissed. “You may dismiss all the other women—at once!”

Zahra flashed Kama a contemptuous look before slinking away.

The Pharaoh’s other advisors approached quickly and visibly held their tongues. Kama had to admire their tact. She forced herself not to laugh out loud at their eerie silence, instead, focusing on Amonmose and holding his intense gaze with her own.

Abruptly, Amonmose stood and turned to Latmay. “Thank you,” he said. “You have helped me find the precious gem I have been seeking for months. I am in your debt.”

Latmay nodded graciously, but remained silent. There was still one last piece of the plan to put in place.

Amonmose extended his hand to Kama. “Would you join me for a private dinner?”

When their palms connected, it was like a lightning strike. A powerful spark spiraled through Kama, heating her body from head to toe. For so long, she’d yearned for his touch. She missed him more than she’d thought humanly possible to miss anyone, including her own mother.

The moment Amonmose and Kama had left the great room, Latmay spoke. “Gentlemen, I can see that you are astounded as well as infuriated by Kama’s presence today. I’ll wager that this turn of events was not a part of your grand plan. When you imprisoned her, I’m sure you were only thinking of the Pharaoh’s best interest.” He smirked. “In the short time I have known her, I have found Kama to be a very intelligent and resourceful young woman. She also has a memory as long as the Nile.”

“What do you imply?” Nadesh sneered.

Latmay’s voice was low and soft, but there was no mistaking the underlying threat. “Kama has always been the Pharaoh’s choice. No matter how hard you try to control his attraction to her, there is no denying the chemistry between them. Even with amnesia, he still dreamt of her.

“She was brought to Thebes under protest. She did not ask to be captured, and she did not ask for your hatred of her. She was merely a victim. Yet, each one of you, in your greed and wickedness, sought to destroy her. You have far overstepped your bounds as council to the Pharaoh.
If
he were to learn of your deception, he would have all of your heads, for certain.”