Page 60 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

It didn't take Nicole long to get ready to leave. Of course, she had no belongings, other than the clothes on her back and the things Raina had bought her. Nicole decided to leave those dresses behind. There were too many memories attached to those outfits. It would be hard enough once she'd returned to Qazhar city and her life in the embassy.

Rashid remained downstairs while Nicole washed and freshened up. She wondered why she was even bothering to pretty herself up. Maybe it was because it might be the last time she'd see Rashid. Perhaps she wanted his last memory of her to be her looking good.

Nicole had spoken with the pilot of the helicopter and discovered that it had been her mother who'd arranged for Nicole to be taken home.

Nicole made her way downstairs, carrying nothing with her, just as she'd done when Rashid had brought her to his palace.

She found him standing outside, in the garden, a short distance away from the helicopter. As she walked down the steps of the terrace and onto the gravel path, she looked at him standing there, watching her. His features, which had been so resolute, so cold up in the bedroom, were now revealing his obvious emotion at the prospect of her leaving.

His gaze was penetrating as she walked toward him. Nicole felt unsteady on her feet, emotion tumbling in her middle. All she could think was that soon she'd be in that helicopter and flying back to her family. She didn't dare think how it would feel to see Rashid watching her leaving.

Finally she was next to him. She paused, expecting him to say something. Maybe he'd changed his mind. Perhaps he'd decided she should stay, after all. He'd turn around and tell the helicopter pilot to take his machine back to the airport.

But he didn't. Instead, she saw him try to smile at her. He failed, and she could see the emotion in his eyes as he ran his gaze, once last time, down the length of her body. She felt a vague echo of the ecstasy she'd felt during the night. But, it was too painful to recall being with him. She knew that if she lingered over those thoughts, she'd crack, giving in to the emotion. She didn't want to do that.

"Are you sure about this?" she asked. Because it was all she could think to ask. She had to know if he was sticking with the decision he'd made earlier.

Rashid drew in a deep breath and tilted his head. "No," he said flatly. She was shocked by the finality of that word, and the way he'd said it.

"No?"

Rashid ran a hand through his hair and turned to look at the helicopter and the pilot standing patiently by the open doors. "Of course I don't want this, Nicole."

She felt hope flare inside her. "You don't? What can we do, then" she asked moving closer to him.

Rashid shook his head. "There's nothing to do. You have to go home to your family," he stated.

The hope sank as quickly as it had risen. "But, Rashid. Last night," she said.

Rashid took her arms. With him touching her again, feelings sparked once again. She drew in a breath and gazed up into his dark eyes and saw the torrent of emotion in his steady gaze.

"Nicole," he breathed. She loved the sound of her name on his lips. He'd said it to her just like that only hours before. But now that felt like an eternity ago.

"You have a family, Nicole," he said. "You know how precious that is," he added.

"I know, Rashid," she gasped. "But, what about us?"

She felt his fingers tighten around her arms. His nostrils flared and he seemed to be struggling to contain his emotions. His face paled and he seemed suddenly lost for words.

Rashid leaned closer. His face was inches away from her now, his back turned to the helicopter pilot. It was as if he didn't want the other man to see what he was about to do.

Nicole opened her mouth, intent on seeking one last answer, but he stopped her in the only way he knew how. He didn't want her to say anything. It seemed all he wanted right now was a hint of what they'd shared before. He grasped her gently by the shoulders and peered at her, a moment of unspoken communication passing between them.

Then, Rashid's lips settled down upon Nicole's mouth. Sensation ignited and she moaned quietly, softening against him, seeking the pleasure she knew his kiss would bring, desperate for one last taste, one last overwhelming feeling to take with her.

Rashid's kiss was tender this time, missing the hunger of the night before.

When it was over, and their lips had parted, she felt that much more than his kiss was over.

Nicole peered up into Rashid's burning gaze, searching for any hint that they could change their mind about this.

He looked at her with such adoration that she felt her heart warm, sensed the quickening of her pulse.

"Habibti," he said quietly.

Nicole frowned, wanting explanation.

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