Page 2 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

She scowled at him, sensing his sheer strength now that he was so close to her. "Really? Why don't I believe you?"

Hakim sighed and said nothing. His gaze was steady and even.

Nicole pulled herself away from him and groaned in frustration. Normally Nicole had good instincts about men. But, perhaps this time her instincts had led her astray.

Hakim was a sheikh. She understood what that meant. Ever since her sister Erin had married a sheikh a few weeks before, Nicole understood exactly what it meant to have a relationship with a sheikh. It could be exciting and frustrating all at the same time. With excitement usually winning the upper hand.

Sheikhs were dominant men, thrilling men to be with. And there was only so much of the daily grind of life in the American Embassy in Qazhar that Nicole could stand. She craved the thrill of something new, something completely unique.

So, when Hakim had suggested to Nicole that he could show her some of the more exciting, wild parts of his country, she had been enthusiastic. There had never been any hint of any problem, not even when they had left the car behind at an encampment many miles away, and ridden on horseback to the north of the country, close to the mountainous border. It hadn't even bothered her that he wouldn't tell her where they were going. Maybe it was going to be a surprise, she had kept on telling herself.

But, as they'd made their way into the depths of the desert, farther and farther after two nights stopping in isolated encampments, finally Nicole had demanded Hakim tell her where he was taking her.

When she had made her final demand that he take her home, Hakim had refused. And that was when Nicole had began to think there was more to this trip than she'd believed.

This camp seemed to be the final destination. They'd arrived earlier that afternoon on horseback. The first thing Nicole had noticed was the warmth of the welcome which Hakim had received from the tribesmen in the encampment.

And then she'd realized, despite not understanding the language, that there was much more to it than that.

Hakim wasn't just a welcome newcomer. He was the leader of this tribe. This was his territory. He was the owner of this entire domain.

It was then that she'd started to have a bad feeling about the whole situation. She had been tricked. That was the thought which kept running around her mind. Hakim had lied to her. But why would he have done that? Back in Qazhar city, Hakim had seemed so kind, so thoughtful, so trustworthy. But, then again, hadn't he refused her invitation to visit her at the embassy? At the time, she'd wondered why he would have done that. Now, maybe, she was beginning to understand. He'd wanted to keep his identity away from the scrutiny of any unwelcome security checks.

Nicole shook her head. She'd been too trusting; too eager to experience something new.

From outside the encampment, Nicole could hear the voices of many men. Once again, she wondered what was going on out there.

Hakim had been watching her silently. His gaze was emotionless now, a stark contrast to his tempting gaze days before.

Nicole folded her arms and peered at Hakim."Are you telling me that you are not going to take me home?" She moved closer and squinted at him. "Or are you saying you refuse take me home?" Nicole demanded.

The sound of that last question hung in the air between them.

The corner of Hakim's mouth creased with the hint of a cruel smile. "I knew the moment I met you that you had a sharp mind," he said. "An independent spirit."

Nicole snorted. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

Hakim shrugged. "You can take it anyway you like. You are here now. For the foreseeable future."

Not for the first time since she'd arrived Nicole felt a chill race up her spine. "You're making me feel frightened, Hakim," she stated trying desperately to control the emotion in her voice

Hakim shook his head and tried to look sympathetic but she could see that he didn't really mean it. "You have nothing to fear," Nicole he told her. "Once it is over you will understand. You will come to realize it is for the best."

Now she really felt fear. She pushed her face up in front of his. "What you talking about?"

Hakim's gaze met hers, a hint of defeat in his eyes. He shrugged. "I can see that I'm not going to be able to keep this from you much longer," he replied.

"Keep what from me?" she demanded.

Hakim turned away from Nicole and started to walk towards the entrance to the tent. Nicole raced after him and grabbed him by the arm. He whirled around and stared at her. He looked affronted that she had touched him like that. Nevertheless, she tightened her hold on him. "You're going to tell me why I'm here," she ordered.

"Or else, what?" Hakim asked dismissively.

As he spoke, he seemed to rise above her becoming larger and more intimidating. He was no longer the man who had been so charming in Qazhar city.

No longer did she see the tempting warmth in his eyes which she had found so compelling.

No longer did she feel the slightest attraction to this man.

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