Page 21 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

"I asked the staff to prepare a room for you when we arrived."

Nicole nodded. "Of course you did," she replied.

She followed Rashid up the stairs and along a corridor until they came to an open door. Inside she saw the two staff were busy completing the preparations for her stay.

Nicole stepped inside the room. No. That didn't even come close to describing the opulence of the room. It was actually more like a suite, luxuriously furnished. Something she'd only ever seen in five star luxury hotels.

White walls and high ceilings created a sense of space and cleanliness which was in marked contrast to some of the decay she'd seen on display outside the palace.

Nicole gazed around the room. She saw the female servant through the double doors of what was obviously Nicole's bedroom. The woman was turning down the covers of one of the biggest beds Nicole had ever set eyes on. Nicole noticed that the woman seemed to be putting great effort into ensuring she didn't look directly at her and Rashid.

"I think you'll find everything you need here," Rashid said evenly. It was as if he was aware that there were others present, and he wanted to avoid any hint of familiarity with Nicole. She was a guest, and nothing more. That's what it felt like.

Abruptly Rashid bowed to Nicole. "If you don't mind I shall leave you to settle in for the night. If you need anything, Raina does speak some basic English." He gestured toward the servant woman.

Rashid looked at Nicole. "I shall see you in the morning," he said.

With that, Rashid turned quickly and left the room. The suddenness of his departure had taken Nicole by surprise. Rashid seemed to have been overtaken by a sudden awkwardness from the moment he'd walked into the palace with Nicole. She'd sensed it strongly from him. And it had just been confirmed by the brusqueness of that exit.

There was more to Sheikh Rashid than met the eye. Nicole was convinced of it.

Perhaps when the sun came up, she would find out more about the mysterious sheikh who had brought her to the temporary safety of his desert palace.

---