Page 31 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

"I did. Have you been waiting for me?" she asked glancing at the table.

Rashid shrugged. "I'll tell the staff to serve breakfast. They have everything prepared."

"You didn't wait for me, did you?"

Rashid grinned. "We don't get a huge number of visitors. So, the staff are quite excited you're here."

"Really?" she asked. "I'd have thought with a place like this you hold lots of wild parties."

Rashid shook his head and looked vaguely puzzled by her remark. "In my youth, perhaps. But not recently."

Rashid left the room and Nicole spent a few moments taking in the sight of the huge sitting room. Fans circled slowly overhead, cooling the high-ceilinged room. The furnishings were expensive and typically Qazhar in style, with a hint of the exotic as well as an obvious indication of Rashid's good taste.

Nicole had seen how Hakim lived in Qazhar city, and it was nothing like this. Hakim liked to think of himself as a modern man when in Qazhar. It had all been an act, Nicole told herself.

Once he'd left the civilized world behind, Hakim had shown himself to be an ill-mannered brute with coarse tastes. The contrast between Hakim and Rashid could not have been more stark.

Nicole thought about how Rashid was acting with her this morning. She'd seen that hint of resignation again, she told herself. The same one she'd noticed yesterday. What was he trying to hide from her? Maybe she didn't have any right to intrude.

In any case, she was just a guest. He'd told her that plenty of times last night. He'd made it clear that the next few days might well pass quietly and without incident.

Why did that thought cause her heart to sink slightly? How could she possibly be disappointed that Rashid might not show an interest in her? Maybe the events of the day before had affected her more than she'd realized. Perhaps she was still tired and not thinking straight.

Rashid returned and they both took their places at the table. The staff brought various plates and Nicole filled her stomach with delicious fruits, yogurts, hummus and scrambled eggs. Freshly baked bread made Nicole's mouth water and everything was washed down with strong mint tea.

Nicole hadn't realized just how hungry she was. It was only when she was tucking into her plate of scrambled eggs that she noticed Rashid watching her with obvious approval.

"What?" Nicole asked, her mouth full of food.

Rashid smiled. "Nothing. I can see you were hungry," he said with a laugh.

Nicole shrugged. "Yesterday took a lot out of me, I suppose. If I eat like this for the next few days, I'm going to need to go on a diet when I get back to Qazhar city."

Rashid smiled and shook his head. "I can always find plenty of ways to keep you busy, if you want," he said.

"Like what?"

"You've seen the garden," he said.

"You want me to be your gardener?" she asked incredulously.

"Why not?" he replied although she could tell he was just joking with her.

Nicole frowned and held up a hand. "I don't have green fingers."

"Forget that, then," he said pretending to be disappointed. "We'll think of something to keep you amused," he added, his brow lifting slightly.

"I'd have thought you didn't have much difficulty finding ways to amuse a female guest in your home," she said provocatively.

His brows furrowed. "Why would you think that?"

Nicole tilted her head. "I dunno." She gazed around the room. "I think any woman would enjoy spending some time in a palace like this."

"Even under your circumstances?" he asked.

Nicole pointed her fork at him. "You're right. These are pretty unusual circumstances. But, that's all sorted now. Right?"

Rashid shrugged, but she could see he didn't look convinced by what she'd said. "I suppose it is. For the moment. Let's take it one day at a time."

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