Page 29 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

Rashid nodded. "That is the essence of it."

"And you?" Nicole asked quietly.

Rashid frowned. "What about me?"

"What are you in all of this?"

"I don't know what you mean," he said.

Nicole lifted a brow. "Are you saying I only have to remain in the palace for seven days? And nothing more?"

Rashid's features were an impassive, blank mask. "Nothing more," he said evenly.

Nicole gazed at Rashid for a few moments, trying to read his response for any sign of hidden intentions. He'd called her beautiful, almost casually, perhaps accidentally, she now realized. She'd seen the way he'd looked at her when she turned up at his bedroom door.

Did he have things on his mind other than being a gracious host? Maybe the next thing he wanted to say was that he would give her his word she'd be safe in his palace. She hoped he wouldn't say that. It would just make things very awkward.

Something occurred to her as she sat deliberating. "If I stay it will also get you off the hook with your local tribes," Nicole said. "You'll have kept your side of a very old bargain, I suppose."

"It will make things simpler for me." He smiled. "And give me the added benefit of a victory over Hakim."

Nicole thought for a moment. "I like the sound of that," she said.

Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad thing, after all. She looked across at Rashid. Ever since she'd met him mere hours before, she'd felt strangely at ease with him. It was almost as if their shared adventure had created some kind of elemental, instant bond between them.

Of course, it didn't hurt that Rashid was drop-dead gorgeous, Nicole told herself. The fact that he was behaving like a perfect gentleman merely emphasized what a brute Hakim was. She'd been wrong about Hakim. Was she wrong about Rashid?

"I understand why this is important to you," Nicole said.

Rashid nodded. "If you wish me to arrange for transport back to the city, I can do so," he offered. "I will deal with the consequences of breaking the agreement with Hakim. But at least you will be safely back home."

Did he really mean that? Would he send her home even though he knew it would have serious consequences of him here, where he was obviously a man of high standing with the local tribes.

Nicole thought for a moment and sighed. Maybe she didn't have to leave. Not right away.

"My family aren't expecting me back for a few days at least," Nicole said.

She saw his eyes brighten. He knew she was thinking about agreeing to his proposition.

"I'll stay, Sheikh Rashid," she told him.

He smiled and was about to say something but she cut him off.

"On one condition."

His expression changed. "Name it."

Nicole tugged at the robes. "That you get me some proper clothes to wear."

Rashid grinned. "Of course. It will be my pleasure to arrange that."

Rashid stood and paced for a few moments, then turned to Nicole. "I will ensure all the arrangements for your stay are as satisfactory as possible. You are already comfortable in your room. If you wish, I can be your guide within the palace over the next few days. Show you around. Perhaps we can share some meals. I can show you what life is really like out here."

Nicole could see he was pleased with her decision. "That sounds very nice, Sheikh Rashid."

"Please, Nicole. Call me Rashid."

Nicole nodded. "Rashid," she said.

She wondered just what she had agreed to. It was going to be a long seven days. And an even longer seven nights.

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