Page 54 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

"Work? Is that the way you look at it?" she exclaimed. Was she just a part of some project, some grand design he had, to bring what he thought of as progress to Qazhar? She felt a sinking sensation in her stomach. Again? Had she been fooled again by a sheikh?

Rashid leaned forward, his brows furrowed. He'd noticed her reaction, but there was nothing he could do to change the way she felt; nothing he could do to tame the sudden outrage which had welled up inside her.

"It was just that," he said reaching out a hand toward her. "Until you came into my life. Then everything changed," he added trying to curl his fingers over her hand. She moved her hand away from his and his eyes darkened.

"Really," she said sharply. "I saved you from your personal crusade? Is that it?"

Rashid shook his head. "No," he said sounding confused that she was reacting like this.

'That's what it sounds like, Rashid."

Rashid shook his head. "Nicole, please listen. Let me explain, " he started to say but he was interrupted by the sound of her chair scraping the marble floor as she stood up.

Nicole looked down at Rashid. "I don't want to hear any more, Rashid. I'm happy that you found me useful," she said. In spite of her indignation, another emotion filled her voice. Hurt.

Rashid stood and came around the table. "It wasn't like that."

Nicole scowled at him. "It certainly sounds like it, Rashid." Nicole groaned and ran a hand through her hair. She spun away from him determined not to look at his face. It was all so clear now. It had never been personal, never been about her. He was stuck in the past and she had just been someone he could use to deal with that past.

She felt his hand on her arm but she pushed it away and whirled around to face him. "Don't," she barked.

He frowned and drew in a deep breath. He advanced toward her. "Nicole. I won't allow you to do this," he growled, his voice suddenly commanding.

She felt an abrupt shock at the sudden change in his tone. He wouldn't allow her? Nicole glared at him. "What? You won't allow me? Who are you to say that to me?" she demanded.

Rashid moved closer. His features took on a dominating look, as if he refused to let misunderstanding ruin the moment. There was force in that look, and she was suddenly taken aback.

When he spoke, his voice was a low growl, filled with certainty, impossible to deny. "I'm the man who saved you. The man who has kept you safe," he murmured. He lifted a hand to her chin and rested the tips of his fingers against herskin. "I'm the man who wants you," he added.

Her whole body tingled as she heard those words, as she saw the heat in his gaze. Nicole drew in a deep breath, her gaze transfixed, every muscle in her body suddenly immovable. A moment of silent communication passed between them, and she felt the pull of emotions she'd been struggling with for days. She wanted to move away from him, needed to put some distance between them both, but she couldn't.

He spoke again, his voice quiet and firm. "You know what I'm saying, Nicole. You know the real reason why I told you this," he stated.

Nicole shook her head and frowned. "All I'm thinking is that you haven't gotten over your lost love, Rashid. And I'm some kind of pale shadow for you," she said.

Rashid'd nostrils flared and his brows darkened. "You think that's all you are? Someone to make up for the fact that I was let down in love when I was young?"

Rashid was inches away from her now. His presence was daunting and the emotion in his voice was something new, something she hadn't heard before.

"You're wrong, Nicole. The past is gone now, as far as I'm concerned. That's all history." He rested his other hand on her arm and she felt a tingle of sensation as he curled his fingers around her, taking gentle hold of her.

His gaze was a burning fire of hot intent and she couldn't take her eyes off him. Didn't want to take her eyes off him.

Nicole felt something shift inside her and she pushed back against it. His words at the table were still flaming inside her mind and she didn't want to give him such an easy victory.

Maybe she could make one last gesture; put up one final barrier that would keep him at bay.

"Please, Rashid. There's nothing else to say. I understand now," she said.

He gazed into her eyes and leaned his face closer. "I know you understand, Nicole. Because I know what's been happening here, these last few days." His gaze softened. "And I think you do, too," he added softly.

Emotion swirled inside her and she met his gaze with one last, desperate challenge. "What are you talking about?" she asked although she already knew the answer to that question.

Rashid said nothing. He merely paused a moment and then his head dipped and his lips crashed down upon hers and she felt her world tumble and spin.

---