Page 39 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

Nicole peered at him. He saw her eyes narrow slightly as if she was assessing that comment.

She nodded. "I know what I like, if that's what you mean," she said hesitantly. "And I know how to get it."

Rashid hadn't wanted to cause offense. From her expression, he could tell she was trying to figure out what he'd meant by that last remark. "I just wanted to know if you've always liked causing mischief. When we're children, we all like to make trouble."

Nicole tilted her head. "I guess you'd have to ask my mother and my sisters."

Maybe it had been a bad choice of subject for conversation. Rashid thought it would be wise to get the subject back to her father.

"I've known plenty of oil men," he said with a grin. "Oil is big business in Qazhar. And that means money. Which, of course, means all the problems which come from having money."

Nicole glanced at the palace. "You seem to be doing okay," she said.

"Inherited wealth," he explained curtly, lifting a brow at her.

"It must be terrible," she said furrowing her brow. He could see she was mocking him slightly.

"What?"

Nicole shook her head. "Having all that money. It must be so difficult." She shook her head once more. Now he really knew she was teasing him.

"I survive quite well," he said sighing. Did she think he sounded like a spoiled Qazhar son?

"I can see you do," she added.

"Let's not talk about money." He turned to Nicole. "It is such a vulgar subject of conversation."

"Only if you've got too much of it," she bit back. For some reason she sounded suddenly irritated by his casual attitude to wealth.

The truth was, he'd never really spoken about his wealth with anyone. It was merely something which was useful when it came to asserting his authority when he was with the local tribal leaders. His habitually casual attitude to money had clearly touched a raw nerve with Nicole. He wondered why.

Rashid tilted his head. Nicole's impatience sometimes got the better of her. He could see why she could get herself into trouble if she was so easily provoked. There was a fiery side to her personality. Why didn't he think that was a bad thing? Normally he would have kept a woman like that at a distance. Somehow, Nicole was different.

"What are your plans for the rest of the day?" he asked. He realized the way he'd said that had made it sound as if she was already at home here. It would take her a few days to settle in. Maybe he needed to give her some space, as he'd originally intended doing. That was before he'd spent time with her this morning. He wanted more of this, he told himself. He'd forgotten how good it felt to talk with someone like this. He hadn't realized just how much he'd wanted something like this.

"I might rest a little," she announced after giving it some thought.

Rashid felt a flurry of disappointment. "Rest?"

Nicole nodded. She sighed. "It's getting hot."

"You think so?" he asked. "This is the cool time of the year."

"You're joking," she exclaimed, looking genuinely shocked. "Then, I'm in trouble."

"There are ways to keep cool in the palace."

Nicole lifted a brow. She looked suddenly suspicious. What did she think he was suggesting?

"The east facing rooms become cooler in the afternoon," he explained. "Once the sun makes its way into the western sky."

"I might try one of those rooms."

"I'd be happy to show you the best places," he said.

"I'm sure you would," she said. There was a slightly defensive tone to her voice now. The same tone which had been there when she'd noticed the way he'd been looking at her by the fountain.

Nicole stood and Rashid rose quickly. He saw her gaze flicker quickly downward at his torso. He felt the dampness of his sweat on his white shirt. He was so accustomed to being out here on his own, he'd forgotten that his shirt could become damp and cling to his body.

Nicole shifted awkwardly, wrenching her gaze rather too sharply away from him.

"I'll take you back inside," he said.

Nicole looked back at him. She looked mildly embarrassed now. "Thank you," she said softly.

Then they walked back to the palace.

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