Page 37 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Rashid had to admit the garden was a mess. He and Nicole emerged from one of the side entrances and stopped to survey the scene in front of them.

What had once been carefully cut lawn had grown inches high; bushes that had been neat and tidy were now sprawling green masses; and rows of trees whose overhanging branches had been planted in neat lines to create shaded pathways, were now twisting, overgrown and dangerous looking.

Rashid knew why he'd let this happen. But he wasn't sure whether to tell Nicole. The conversation by the fountain had surprised him. Nicole was so open and friendly. She'd shared some parts of her life with him, which astonished Rashid given that they hardly knew each other.

Usually, it took a lot longer than this to break through the barriers of unfamiliarity with women. Perhaps, it was the forced proximity which had caused it. Knowing she had chosen to stay here with Rashid had perhaps encouraged Nicole to be so open with him.

It didn't really matter why she was being like that. Rashid only knew one thing. He was enjoying getting to know Nicole.

"Just as I thought," she said thrusting her fists against her hips and examining the garden. "It's a bit of a mess, don't you think?"

Rashid shrugged. "I don't know what to say. It used to be nice. Somehow I just never got round to keeping it up to the same standard."

Nicole took a few steps out onto the thick lawn, pushing the grass flat with her foot. "It wouldn't take much to get it back."

"It's like this most of the way round the palace," he said.

Nicole nodded. "Okay," she drawled. "Then there might be a problem."

There was a gravel path which led around the edge of the garden and alongside the palace walls. They started to walk slowly along the path.

"I still don't know why you let it get like this," she said gazing up at him.

At first, he didn't focus his attention on what she'd just said. He was too distracted by the way the sunlight made her hair shine, made her eyes seem brighter.

Since they'd emerged from the interior of the palace and into the sunshine, her mood had lifted considerably. He was grateful for that, because he knew he'd almost made a fool of himself by the fountain.

The way the water had trickled down her front had inexplicably captured his attention. He'd acted like a schoolboy, unable to control his sudden attraction.

Luckily, he'd managed to rein in his emotions. He hoped she hadn't noticed.

"Did you hear me?" she asked.

"Sorry, I was thinking of what you said about this," he said pointing toward the tall grass.

"So why did you let it get like this?"

"It's complicated."

"Every time a guy says that to me, I always get worried," she said quirking a brow at him.

Rashid smiled. She was teasing him again. This time he'd picked up on it faster than before. Nicole had a sharp wit and he had to admit it was something he hadn't come up against in most of the women he'd known. Too often, they'd been more interested in his wealth, his status. Nicole's attitude was refreshing.

"It's really to do with my parents."

Her brows lifted. "Why?"

Rashid sighed. He hadn't wanted to talk about his parents. Not so soon after meeting Nicole. But there was something about her candor, the genuine way she encouraged him to talk, that had taken him by surprise.

He'd wanted to tell someone about this for a long time; had felt the need to share this with someone. Maybe he could share it with Nicole.

"The garden was precious to my parents. They spent many long hours making sure it looked its best."

"So why didn't you continue that after they passed?"

Rashid frowned. "It has to do with the way they passed. And where," he said.

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