Page 50 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

"What are we going to do?" she asked.

His brows furrowed. "You're not leaving?"

Nicole shook her head. "No. I gave you my word that I'd stay," she stated. "Whatever happened."

She could see he was trying to contain his delight at what she'd said. "Not even after tonight?" he asked.

Nicole shook her head and said nothing.

Rashid leaned closer, and she thought he might try to kiss her, perhaps overwhelmed with a sense of relief. Or perhaps he'd even misunderstood her intentions completely.

Nicole leaned away from him and placed a hand on his chest. The feel of his chest pressing against her hand made her heart quicken. The heat of his body was an urgent reminder of what she was denying to herself.

"I think we need to establish a few ground rules, Rashid," she said quickly. It would be best to get this over as fast as possible, she told herself.

He froze and peered at her. "Rules?"

Nicole nodded. "For both of our sakes."

"What rules?"

"We can't let that happen again," she announced. She saw Rashid's shoulders slump imperceptibly, but he continued to listen to her. "Maybe we should just keep our distance from each other. For a while."

"Distance?" he asked simply.

"Until we get through this," she said nodding.

"You make it sound like an endurance test," he observed.

"You did tell me this whole staying in the palace thing is some kind of trial, didn't you? At least between you and Hakim."

"But that was yesterday," he replied. "Before everything else." His gaze softened. "I know how I felt this evening," he stated evenly. "I know how you felt."

Once again he moved closer to her. His eyes were limpid, dark pools of visible desire, palpable need. There was determination in those eyes, purpose in the firm line of that jaw. His lips were full and moist and tempting. Nicole wanted him to kiss her the way he had earlier; felt a sudden need to reclaim the pleasure which had raced through her.

She felt her pulse quicken, resisted the temptation to lean closer to him, place her hand on his broad chest. This time she knew that if she did that, there might be no turning back.

Nicole leaned away from him. "I know, Rashid. I felt the same," she said, almost immediately regretting the hastiness of her confession.

"You did?" he snapped breathlessly. He was close to her now, and she could almost feel the heat of his body, he was that close.

Nicole smiled softly at him and reached out a hand, resting it on his shoulder. She nodded. "But, I think it would be best if we can keep things friendly between us. Just that," she said.

His brows furrowed. He seemed to consider that for a long time. "Friendly," he said eventually in a flat voice.

Nicole nodded. She knew she was hurting him as much as she was hurting herself. But there was nothing else she could do; nothing else they could do. The alternative would be too much to bear.

The choice was clear.

Separation.

Or submission to the passion which had emerged between them. And that was unthinkable at this moment. She was sure of that. Wasn't she?

"How are we going to do that?" he asked, looking genuinely confused.

"I'm sure we can work it out."

Their eyes met, an unspoken exchange passing between them.

Rashid nodded. "You're right," he said in an even voice. "We'll work it out."

He smiled at her and something seemed to have changed in him. Once again, he'd wrapped himself in the mantle of courtesy and politeness. She could tell he didn't like it, but he was willing to do what she asked.

"Goodnight, Nicole. I'll see you in the morning," he said and turned stiffly away from her. Nicole could sense how hard it had been for him to turn away from her.

Nicole felt her heart sink as she watched Rashid stride down the corridor.

How were they going to get through the next few days? Had she done the right thing in pushing him away? Because that was what she had just done, wasn't it? She had rejected this sheikh who had, hours before, ignited a burning desire in her. This man who had made her feel more alive than she'd ever felt before.

As Nicole closed the door behind her she couldn't help wondering if she'd done the right thing in refusing the sheikh who was so obviously infatuated with her.

---