Page 24 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

Rashid saw Hakim gaze past him. "You really think she'll accept this?" Hakim asked with more than a hint of sarcasm.

"She'll understand," Rashid said. "Especially if it means she doesn't have to look at your face ever again," he added in an acid voice. He met Hakim's penetrating gaze.

Hakim took a step toward Rashid, but Rashid merely gazed indifferently at Hakim.

Hakim halted. "You think you're so clever, Sheikh Rashid, don't you."

Rashid shook his head. "You said yourself, back at the camp. Tradition is all that matters." Rashid shrugged and grinned. "You might say I'm just making the most of the small print," he said tilting his head at Hakim.

"Are you planning on making the most of the next seven nights?" Hakim asked sarcastically. "That's what this is really all about, isn't it?"

Rashid shook his head slowly. "I told you, Hakim. I'm nothing like you. I never have been. Nicole will be perfectly safe while she stays in my palace for the next seven nights."

Rashid leaned closer to Hakim. "My word is my bond. When I make a vow, I mean to keep it."

Hakim's eyes narrowed. He smiled lustfully and ran a hand across the dark stubble on his chin. "She is beautiful, this American woman. Is she not?" Hakim sneered lifting a brow.

Rashid struggled to hide the rush of indignation that made his cheeks flush with heat. He drew in a deep breath and calmed himself. "Nicole will be treated with the honor which seems so alien to you, Hakim," Rashid declared.

"Honor, eh? Is that what you call it, Rashid?"

"There's nothing more to say," Rashid announced turningaway from Hakim. Rashid went back inside and closed the gates. "The agreement has been made. I expect you to honor your side of the agreement."

"I'll be waiting," Hakim said walking back to his horse. He got up onto his mount and seized the reins. "You know the rules," Hakim said.

Rashid nodded. "If Nicole remains with me for seven days, then you forfeit your claim to her as your bride."

Hakim shook his head. "She's a feisty one, that American," he said. "I think, once she finds out about the real reason you brought her here, she won't be eager to stay."

Rashid glared at Hakim. "Be on your way."

"I'll be watching these gates. If I see her leave, I'll know you've failed to persuade her to stay. Then, she'll be mine, and there'll be nothing you can do about it."

With that, Hakim turned his horse around and started back toward the distant dunes.

Rashid watched Hakim for a few moments and then made his way back to the palace.

Once up in his room, Rashid flopped down on the sofa.Rashid thought about the conversation which had just taken place. What had he done?

It was really very simple.

He had agreed that the beautiful American woman would be his captive for seven nights. A willing captive. But, a captive nevertheless.

That was bad enough.

But, he knew what the unspoken part of that agreement included.

Not only had Rashid agreed that he would persuade Nicole to stay with him willingly. He'd also agreed that during the next seven nights, Rashid would have do everything in his power to make Nicole fall for him.

He would have to win her over using every means at his disposal.

Not only that.

Rashid would have to persuade Nicole that the place where she really belonged, before the seven nights were up, was in his bed.

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