A WHISPER OF ETERNIT

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scent of her perfume lingered in his nostrils. The memory of her voice whispered in his ear. Her smile warmed his heart. He closed his eyes and images from the past flooded his mind.

He saw a scantily cladTracy dancing in front of a tent full of men, holding them spellbound as she moved in sinuous grace, her long golden hair falling like a veil of silk past her waist. Her hips moved in slow, sensual allure, the hint of a smile promising to fulfill the fantasy of every man in the place. Only she wasn'tTracy then—she was Kiya , the enchantress.

He stood near the back of the tent, his hands fisted at his sides, his jaw clenched. The scent of unbridled lust filled the evening air.

He took a step forward, anger surging through him when one of the men tried to grab hold of her arm. With a laugh, Kiya twirled out of the man's reach, her diaphanous skirts swirling around her ankles, flying up to offer a glimpse of her long, shapely legs. The jeweled bracelets on her wrists winked in the candlelight.

Men tossed gold coins at her feet when the music ended. She quickly scooped up the money and with a last seductive smile, ran out of the tent.

Dominic followed her outside. Keeping to the shadows, he ghosted after her as she made her way toward her lodgings.

Though his feet made no sound as he moved over the sand, she paused and glanced over her shoulder. "Who's there?"

"A friend," he replied.

Lifting her skirt, she drew a wicked-looking knife from a sheath strapped high on her thigh. "What kind of friend hides in the darkness?"

"One who would like to know you better. " "Then show yourself."

He walked slowly toward her, stopping an arm's length away. "Why are you following me?" she demanded.

"I merely wanted to make sure you arrived at your destination safely."
"Oh? And why is that?"

"I would not wish to see any harm befall one so lovely, so talented."

She studied his face as if judging his sincerity, then nodded. "You were watching me tonight. " "I have watched you every night. "

"And followed me home!" she exclaimed.