Sara blushed and looked down at her empty glass. She should have seen that coming. She knew, in the way women know these things, that he wanted her, and under different circumstances she could imagine succumbing to his charms, but she must not let herself do so now.
"Your glass is empty." Rashid observed. "Please, let me refill it," he said as he took it from her.
He poured the bubbly wine, but before handing the glass back, he took Sara's outstretched hand in his own and kissed her palm. While his head was bent over her hand, Sara felt the urge to stroke his dark hair. The feeling jarred her, and she snatched her hand away from his as if burned. When he raised his head, she glimpsed a tortured look in his eyes, but only for a second, then a cloud masked his feelings and she could read no more in them.
"The telling of the story of Ahmal's golden bird has distracted me from the purpose of my visit." His tone was matter of fact, almost businesslike.
"Oh, and what was that?" she asked, matching his tone, though she was still shaken from her earlier impulse.
"I will be going away for a few days, perhaps as long as a week, so I wanted to let you know I will not be joining you for dinner during that time. But, I have arranged for Yasmine to spend as much time with you as possible ... to keep you company while I am gone."
"To keep an eye on me, isn't that what you mean?" Sara shot at him, then asked quietly, "Where are you going?"
Rashid waved his hand. "That is not important."
"You're going to the States aren't you?" Her eyes pleaded, "Please take me home." she begged as she clutched at his arm.
Rashid's face darkened, and he shook her off. "This is your home for now." he responded gruffly.
"No!" she screamed. "This is not my home! And it never will be!"
"We shall see." he said under his breath as he stormed out of the room.
When the door closed behind him, Sara threw her glass and watched the shattered pieces fall to the floor. With a sob, she ran to her bedchamber and fell across the bed in tears.