Page 59 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

"I'm not the one who asked for the helicopter," he retorted, immediately regretting the sharpness of the remark.

Her gaze flared with anger. "I didn't ask them to send this, if that's what you're thinking," she shouted.

"Now that it's here, perhaps it's best that you make use of it," he said.

That wasn't what he wanted to tell her. He wanted to send that helicopter away; tell them he would arrange for Nicole's return. But he knew that might only make things worse for them all.

Nicole stood quietly for a long few moments, apparently stunned by his last comment. She seemed completely lost for words.

Rashid got himself dressed, putting on his clothes from the previous evening. "I'll go down and let them know you'll be with them soon," he said.

Nicole stood looking at Rashid. She seemed almost lost standing there, clutching the dress to the front of her body. He could see the disbelief in her eyes.

The impulse to go to her swelled up within him; the need to take her in his arms, demand that she stay. Forever.

But he restrained it with all the force he could summon. He'd never held himself in check like this ever before, and for a moment he was sure he was going to weaken. Anything to hold onto her. Anything that would keep her here with him.

But, he'd made his choice. And, as he started to walk out the room, he had to make sure he didn't turn and see Nicole watching him as he left to arrange for her departure from his life.

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