Page 32 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

Nicole scooped some more scrambled eggs into her mouth.

"Would you like to see the rest of the palace? After you've finished eating, of course," he said glancing at her plate.

"That sounds nice," she replied.

Rashid lifted the silver try which contained the scrambled eggs. He held it out to her. "More eggs?" he asked. He quirked a brow at her and she knew he was teasing her again.

"I think I've had enough for the moment," Nicole replied laying her fork down on her plate. "How many rooms did you say this palace has?" she asked.

"I didn't," he replied.

"That's right. You said there were enough rooms." She squinted at him. "Enough for what?"

"Enough for a unmarried sheikh," he said.

His choice of words took her aback. Of course he wasn't married. Had he ever been? Just how much of their personal history would they share with each other?

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry," she said quickly. She sipped some of the mint tea and tried not to look at him for a few moments.

"You weren't prying, at all. I think it's only fair that you know a little bit about me. Especially since you're going to be here for a few days. I thought we'd get a chance to get to know each other."

Nicole nodded. "Of course," she said in a flat voice. She still didn't know how up close and personal she wanted to get with this man she had only known less than a full day. Yet, he'd done so much for her, that the last thing she wanted was to be rude or inconsiderate to him.

"There's not much to know about me," Nicole said brightly.

Rashid's brows furrowed. "I hardly think that's the case. I haven't met any American women before," he said.

"Really? I'm surprised at that," she said.

"Why?" he asked.

"I just assumed someone like you would mingle in high society. That you would know lots of people."

"I am not your typical Qazhar sheikh," he said.

"I can see that," she said and regretted her choice of words almost immediately. He didn't respond, merely sat back on his chair and examined her.

He grinned. "I'm curious to know all about you. Where you come from. Who your family is. Where you went to school."

"That's a lot," she said.

Rashid shrugged. "I think we have time." He lifted a brow. "Don't you?"

Nicole tilted her head. "I guess so. Thanks to Hakim."

Rashid grunted. "Let's not mention him at all over the next few days."

"It's a deal," she said and took another long sip of the tea.

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