Page 17 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

Nicole felt herself bristle. What was Rashid hiding from her now?

"Is there something I should know?"

Rashid glanced at her and tugged hard on the strap of the saddle. The horse shifted, sensing Rashid's emotion. "We can talk about it later," he insisted.

Nicole frowned and advanced toward Rashid. "I'd prefer to know what your plans are for me," she said. "After what I've been through, it's the least you can do."

Rashid peered at her. She could see in his eyes that he was weighing her up, trying to measure his response to her demand. "You've been through a great ordeal. I think you should take some time to rest before considering what to do next."

It was true that the last few hours had been a trial of her patience and stamina. She realized she felt exhausted. Her emotions had been tugged in all directions over the last few hours. Nicole felt drained. Since they'd stopped on this dune, she'd felt tiredness begin to settle in her muscles. Her mind was exhausted, her thoughts and emotions a confused mess that she found hard to deal with. But she still wanted some kind of answer from Rashid.

"You're inviting me to stay at your palace. As a guest? Is that what you're saying?" she asked.

Rashid's features softened. "I suppose you could put it that way." He moved toward her. "I would be honored if you would accept my hospitality."

Nicole narrowed her eyes at Rashid, trying to gauge the true meaning of what he was saying.

"You want me to accept your hospitality," she said in a flat voice.

Rashid looked puzzled. "Is there a problem with that?"

"No. I suppose not," Nicole replied. "It's just that the last time a sheikh said that to me it didn't turn out too well."

Rashid drew in a sharp breath and moved closer to Nicole. "I am not Hakim," he said, his voice deep and emphatic. His gaze darkened, fixed upon her with a sudden, burning intensity.

Nicole felt her mouth drop open slightly. "I guess I've already gathered that," she said hesitantly.

Rashid's eyes flickered, as if he'd realized that he'd gone too far with his response. "Hakim and I do not share the same ideas about many things. Especially women and marriage," Rashid stated. "But, I suppose you've already seen evidence of the difference between myself and Hakim."

"Of course, " she murmured, shocked by the strength of his response. It looked as if she'd touched a raw nerve. She wondered what the history was between the two men. Whatever it was, it clearly wasn't good.

She turned away from him and tried to understand what was going on. Hours before, she'd been in a real predicament, one of her own making. This virtual stranger had simply arrived out of the desert and rescued her.

It sounded crazy when she thought about it like that. But it was true.

Now he was asking her to spend some time in his palace?Did he have a wife? Or family? Did he live alone? Or was he like every sheikh she'd ever met? Did he live with a full complement of staff to attend to his every need?

Once again she had a sense that there was a hidden piece of this puzzle.

Why couldn't he just send Nicole safely on her way? Was there something more to all of this?

"When can I go back to Qazhar city?" she asked again.

Rashid's features tightened slightly. He turned away from Nicole and gazed out across the desert landscape. Nicole moved around him so that she was facing him.

"Can't you arrange for my transport back to the city?"

Rashid looked at her. "It is not quite as simple as that. We are in a very isolated part of the country. It is more complicated than you think."

"But, you're a sheikh, right?" Nicole said incredulously. "If you want to arrange transport for me, you can do that."

"In theory," he said slowly.

Nicole peered at him, concern triggered by his obviously evasive answer. "Why don't I like the sound of that?" she asked.

Rashid's gaze was serious now. "There are other things to consider."

"More important than getting me back to my family?"

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