Page 35 of The Sheikh's Desert Captive

"I went to school in England. So, I suppose my English is up to scratch," he said.

"England?"

Rashid nodded. "Private school."

"Of course," she said. "Why didn't I guess that already?"

Most of the sheikhs she'd met since coming to Qazhar had been to private schools in England or America. It definitely seemed like the norm for wealthy families to send their kids abroad for their education.

"And you?" he asked. "Where did you go to school?"

She told him about her High School years and her time in College. It didn't sound anywhere nearly as glamorous as his time in England.

"And your mother is the ambassador to Qazhar?" he asked.

"I told you that, didn't I?"

He nodded. "You did. That's an important position she holds. You just be very proud of her."

Nicole felt her cheeks flush with sudden emotion. "I am. We all are."

"Your sisters and you?"

"Belle's my little sister. Her and I are still living in the embassy. My big sister, Erin just got married." Nicole glanced at him. "To a sheikh."

Rashid nodded approvingly. "Good choice," he said and smiled at her.

Nicole knew he was teasing her. "I'm glad you think it's okay. Anyway, Erin moved out," Nicole continued. She tilted her head at Rashid. "Obviously. Her husband has a huge palace on the outskirts of the city."

Rashid nodded as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.

"What's it like living in the embassy?" he asked.

"It can be a bit boring at times. There's lots of official functions. Belle and I always have to be on our best behavior."

Rashid lifted a brow. "And that's a problem?"

"What?"

"Behaving yourself?" he added.

Nicole nodded and sighed. "You saw what I wound up doing to relieve the boredom."

"That's why you ended up coming out here? To relieve the boredom?" He seemed slightly amazed that she would have admitted that. But it was true.

"I know. It's crazy. I don't know what I was thinking about."

"Unfortunately, Hakim has a reputation for manipulating women. It may have been unavoidable."

Nicole snorted. "If I'd stopped and thought about it for just a few moments, maybe I wouldn't have come all the way up here."

Rashid turned slightly on the seat and faced her. His eyes narrowed and there was a sudden softness in them.

"Then we wouldn't have met," he said. "And that would have been a terrible shame. Don't you think?"

Nicole hesitated, momentarily captivated by that look in his eyes. "I suppose you're right," she said slowly. His gaze was steady and she thought there was real appreciation in those eyes, as if he was suddenly viewing her in a new light. Sharing a little about each others' past seemed to have prompted a reaction from him.

Nicole saw his body shift slightly, moving closer to her. She stood quickly and looked over toward the fountain. "I want to feel how cool that water is. It looks so tempting," she said far too hurriedly. If he'd said such a thing to her, she wouldn't have been convinced.

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