Page 62 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

This incredible American woman had entered his life and turned his world upside down. He knew that now. Had known it last night when they had shared their intense union. He could still recall the feel of her body. The memory triggered powerful emotions in him. Just as her body and her soul had transformed every part of him hours before.

Rashid halted and gazed out across the garden. It all seemed so empty now. He peered at the palace. Even this refuge seemed more like a prison than ever before.

Was that the reality of his life? Had he made himself a prisoner here, all these years? Had he simply been fooling himself that he was on some kind of noble crusade to right the wrongs of his past?

Had it all been that simple?

Now, Nicole had burst into his life and shown him his folly.

He sighed heavily. Life here would never be the same without Nicole, he told himself.

The palace suddenly seemed like an empty shell, a vacant, barren hiding place.

Perhaps he had been wrong all along. And it had taken this incredible woman to show him the error of his choices.

Rashid gazed again toward the horizon. The helicopter had disappeared over the horizon.

He gritted his teeth, feeling tension in every muscle of his body. Was he going to accept this? Was this the kind of life he really wanted?

He'd been given a taste of something, and he wasn't about to give that up. Not so easily.

Rashid started back toward the empty palace and his mind started to consider the most important choice he would ever make.

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