Leaving the United Arabs Emirates they cross into his country and landed just over the borderline to waiting land-cruisers where they were driven to a desert oasis resort and spend the night. Megan was told to pack for a four-day trip only minimal clothing which mainly consisted of her tailed tunics and harem pants at Rasheed's suggestion. Keeping Vivian down to a minimum was a harder task. Once that was seen to, the rest were shipped off to the Palace, to wait for their arrival.

        Having no idea what Rasheed had planned for their next journey Megan practically bounced out of bed the next morning, throwing open her curtains to another perfect day surrounded by orange sands and dunes. How could he possibly top the helicopter ride?  Dare she hope?

        Beaming, she spun on her toes to head to the bathroom, having a shower, and then changed into the blue satin tunic and matching harem pants of the finest silk that felt so soft against her skin turning to the mirror to gasp in awe. It was so beautiful to run her hands over the tunic that hugged her lines, finding it hard to believe this was her, running her eyes over the mirror reflection.

Yep, there was all her hair tumbling over her shoulders, turning away, grabbing her hairbrush to tackle her hair as she went to answer a knock at the door. Her smile widened at the sight of Rasheed fully robed and head-dress in place flicked around his neck loosely looking so sheikh-like.

        "Ready to leave Megan?" he greeted, walking in further. "We have much to organise and will eat on the way."

        "Oh, Vivian will just love that," she noted following, zipping up her open bag and grabbing, she turned around, ready to leave.

        "Vivian has already eaten."

        "You see, to everything, don't you Rasheed?" She looked up at him in awe. He was a man so organised and so in control. Nothing like her, not at all.

        "I try my best, Miss Megan," he noted, reaching for her bag to take from her hold their hands touching sending a warm tingle through her.

        "Well, you do a wonderful job Rasheed, and I hope you are appreciated for all your hard work," she noted, tucking hair behind her ear, looking around for her hat, and leant across the bed to grab it.

        "I think so," he said, drawing her attention. Standing very close to her, he raised a hand to caress her face, drawing her even closer as his head lowered, dark eyes caressing over her. "You do appreciate me, do you not Megan Ryder?"

        Her breath caught, placing a hand on his robed chest. "I do Rasheed, very much so."

        Smiling, he ran a hand through her hair. "As I do you and you look very striking this morning. A true Arabian Princess."

        "What!" she laughed. "With my hair, you have to be joking." Shaking his head, Rasheed moved away, dropping his hand. Megan cursed herself as she stepped back, her hand falling away. She had done it again to plonk her hat on and looked around for her handbag to go and take hold of.

        "Megan you won't have any place to put that, put it in here." He placed down her bag to unzip and opened it for her to drop her bag in, though Rasheed reached in to remove another book, another romance with another Sheikh. "When were you going to read this, may I ask?"

        She snatched the book to shove back in. "In the car, if you are going to be rude about my books," she said slightly embarrassed.

        "Planning on finding a Prince, Megan?" His dark eyes watching her.

        "Nope, too high maintenance for my liking. Anyway, what prince would put up with my behaviour, you barely tolerate me sometimes. Come on, we can't keep the Duchess waiting." She took hold of the bag and headed towards the door.

        "That is not true Megan Ryder." He stopped her in her tracks and looked back curiously. Whatever did he mean? Rasheed joined her to reclaim the bag and walked out the door. "I tolerate a lot from you," he noted dryly.

        "Lovely, and here I thought we were friends," she complained following him.

        "That is what friends do."

        Miffed, she twitched her nose. "Put up with me?" 

        "Something like that," he noted, amused.

        "Rasheed!" She took hold of his arm. "That isn't nice," she rebuked to have him look down. He smiled, eyes twinkling. "You're teasing me again," she sighed. "I don't appreciate that Rasheed."

        "Oh, how you wound me to the heart, Megan Ryder."

        "Only if that was true Rasheed." She smiled back, releasing his arm as they come upon Vivian, waiting in one of the dining rooms, drinking tea. "Am I really eating in the car?" she asked as they approached the table. "Morning Vivian isn't it a glorious day," she beamed, taking a seat which Rasheed held out for her. He waved over a waiter, who came and placed a plate in front of her. "I see I am not," she noted, reaching for her knife and fork since she was hungry to dig into the cooked breakfast. "Aren't you eating Rasheed?" she asked since he only sipped coffee after it was served.

        "He had breakfast with me, we decided to let you sleep in, didn't we, Rasheed?"

        "Something like that, Vivian." He waved one of the men over to hand over Megan's bag. "Have the cars waiting we are leaving in ten," he instructed.

        "Where are we going now?" Megan asked, reaching for her coffee to sip from.

        "To the Palace, where I am sure we can find you your very own prince." Megan choked on her coffee as Vivian arched a brow.

        "I didn't realise you were looking for one, my dear."

        "I'm not, just Rasheed being funny. Alright, no more romances in the desert, happy?" She raised a brow at Rasheed.

        "It is not my place to tell you what to read," he noted, lowing his eyes

        "No," she agreed, "just give me a hard time, hmm?" He just smiled, finishing off his coffee and rose to his feet. "I will be back in five, so please be ready." Vivian watched his departure with interest.

        "You seem awfully friendly with Rasheed; care to tell me what is going on with you two?" Vivian challenged her to have Megan blush.

        "Nothing, Rasheed just likes to tease me, we are just friends. I think I keep him amused."

        "More than that, my dear," Vivian noted, running her eyes over Megan, who looked so striking in her clothes and surrounded by masses of coppery hair. "You look very pretty this morning Megan, it must be something in the air, I believe."

        "More like Rasheed choice of clothes," Megan corrected smiling, "he does have superb taste and spoiled me with his generosity."

        "I just hope the price is not too high." Megan frowned at her strange words to feel guilty again since it must have cost him a small fortune.

        "Was I wrong to accept his gift, Vivian?" Vivian shook her head to stand as Rasheed joined them again. He frowned at Megan's worried expression.

        "What is going on here? What is wrong Megan?" Rasheed demanded to know.

        "Must I remind you young man; Megan is my concern, not yours." Dark eyes shot towards Vivian to have Megan on her feet, reaching for Rasheed's arm.

        "Rasheed, please, there is nothing wrong, and Vivian is correct, I do work for her and you're here for Vivian."

        "Leave us Megan and now," he hissed. Megan looked to Vivian, who nodded, so went to the far end of the restaurant, watching on apprehensively. She chewed her bottom lip as they sat down and talked, heads close together, wondering what she was going to do if there is a fallout, and over her.

        "Miss Megan?" Startled, she spun around to find Ali since she hadn't heard him approach her. "Is everything alright?"

        "I hope so Ali. I think I have stirred up some trouble." Ali looked across towards the table and smiled.

        "Believe me miss those two always fallout," he noted. "It will blow over. Come, I will take you to the cars."

        Megan shook her head. "I think it is better if I stay here for Vivian. I never wanted this." Though was relieved when they both raised and headed towards her both talking to each other softly, holding her breath until Vivian smiled at her.

        "Since that has been settled, we shall now leave," Rasheed ordered, taking the lead, to be followed out to waiting land cruisers and be driven away and across dunes which Megan did enjoy, not so Vivian, who clutched at her hand tightly.

        "Is it much longer?" Megan asked Rasheed, who was seated up front.

        "Nearly there Miss Megan," he answered without looking at her. She sat back and patted Vivian's hand reassuringly. Then they were there, out of nowhere, a tent appeared with a herd of camels to send Megan's heart pounding.

He hadn't! She couldn't believe he had organised this, to frown, unless it was the only way they could get to the Palace. What did she care? She was going on a great adventure, riding camels across the desert, and couldn't wait to get out of the car, which she leapt out of as they parked, and charged after Rasheed as he headed towards the tent.

        Seeing the glee in Megan's face Rasheed shook his head. Megan stepped back to contain her joy and excitement which wasn't easy since she was bursting. She wandered off to lose herself behind the cars to hug herself, trying to hold back a squeal of happiness, wanting to hug him, but couldn't, took a deep breath, running hands through her hair and went back to Rasheed's side. This had been the best adventure she had ever been on, exotic hotels, helicopter rides, now crossing the desert on camels what more could a girl want?

        "Have it out of your system?" She nodded all aglow, and he had waited for her. "I doubt it," he noted. "Come, we have a lot to do before we can leave."

        Thoughtfully, she glanced behind her to Vivian, who was watching from the sidelines, as she kept to his pace. "What does Vivian think about all this?" she asked.

        "Thrilled." He waved his men across as they arrived at the erected tent, to give instructions to be done. "There is nothing you can do Megan so go and stay with Vivian."

        "She doesn't look thrilled, Rasheed," she noted. "Horrified would be more an apt description."

        Rasheed glanced down at her concerned look. "Vivian is fine with this Megan, a bit apprehensive, perhaps, however, will survive, and with your help. We can make this a remarkable journey for her." Megan looked up searching to see if he was sincere.

        "I will do everything in my power to make that happen, Rasheed," she promised because he believed in her.

        "Good girl, I knew I could rely on you. You have no concerns, Miss Megan?" Now he was teasing her.

        "Shaking in my boots sire," she teased back to have him frown. "I'm over the moon, Rasheed, as you know." She patted his arm with affection, then went to join Vivian, Rasheed watching her every step thoughtfully to be joined by Ali.

        "Anything wrong?"

        "I hope not my friend. I need you to keep Vivian and Megan under your surveillance. You will have to be my ears and eyes," wondering why she had called him that.

        "As you wish Rasheed."

        "Without them noticing since Miss Megan sees everything."

        "They will not even know I am there," Ali promised.

        Rasheed shook his head. "No," he corrected, "I want you at their beck and call. Miss Megan has already accepted you into her life," Ali was about to protest, "I see all, my friend, do not forget that. Do not fret, I want Miss Megan's acceptance because she would trust you. I am putting her life in your hands, Ali, so do not disappoint me," he warned gently. He departed to see everything was ready for their trip into the desert. 

        As promised Megan made sure Vivian saw this trip as an adventure to be enjoyed and saw to all her comforts with Ali's help who she found marvellous and told him so. "My pleasure, Miss Megan. I'm here to see to you, and your Mistress' needs."

        "Ali, you are so sweet, and I won't forget your kindness," she leaned in to kiss his cheek to his horror, eyes darting around for Rasheed, who was walking towards them, eyes narrowing. "Rasheed!" Megan raced to him. "Are we ready to leave?" she asked, slipping an arm through his. "I can't believe you organised all this," she just beamed with happiness, "even Vivian is looking forward towards it, all Ali's doing," she praised.

        "That might be Megan; however, kissing his cheek is not acceptable behaviour."

        "I was saying thank you for being so helpful," she pointed out, lowering her eyes at the shaking of his head. "It won't happen again," she promised. Rasheed stopped and turn her around to face him, receiving large wary eyes.

        "This is not Australia Megan, and we do live in a more reserved culture, so one does not go around kissing strangers, understand?" She nodded. "Good, now grab your bag. We are leaving."

        "Am I allowed to kiss you?" She dared since she really would like to.

        "Megan," he growled to have her chuckle.

        "A girl can try Rasheed," she smiled, then turned to leave only to have her wrist caught and guided back to him, lowering his head-dressed head.

        "I wonder if my Megan would be so brave if we were alone?" he whispered to make her blush, though stepped closer, almost touching.

        "Sorry Rasheed, you are correct, and please ignore me. I'll try to put a lid on it as Mum would say. It's just all this is so amazing," she raised her eyes to his. "You're amazing Rasheed, and I just want to hug you for all this."

        "Are you going to be like this through the entire trip, Megan?"

        "Probably." 

        Rasheed straightened and released his hold. "We will have to talk about a few more ground rules later, Miss Megan."  She moaned.

        "Point taken, Mr Rasheed," with a toss of her hair, she walked away and joined Vivian to tell her they were ready to leave, bringing a smile to his lips. Ali warily joined his side. Rasheed raised a hand; he didn't want to hear it.

        "Collect their belongings and equipment. I would see to Miss Megan, personally." She couldn't be trusted around others. Not that she meant any harm; it was just her too-trusting nature and could be taken in the wrong way. She needed protection against herself.

        "As you wish," Ali moved on to do as he was ordered while Rasheed went and joined the women and escorted them to the waiting camels, a whole herd of them, and being loaded down.

        "Oh, aren't they gorgeous," Megan went to the camels and patted them before anyone could stop her to be drawn to one who seemed to call to her, tilting his head, to have her go over and rub his neck as he turned to her, to look up as Rasheed joined her. "Can I ride this one?"  

        "Megan these animals can be temperamental, spit at you, and need to be watched at all times, so you cannot just throw yourself at them."

        "Oh, no, not old stroppy here," she hugged her camel since she couldn't hug the man at her side. Rasheed just watched amazed since the animal seemed to like the attention.

        "As you wish," he called Ali over with his hand, "this is Miss Megan's camel make sure everything she needs is attached, as for you," he took hold of her hand and lead away towards the side where he produce a headscarf to place over her head and wrapped around her neck. "This will help to keep the sun from your skin and you must wear your hat at all times."

        "Rasheed, I'm very sun-wise, and I don't need to be mothered. I'm not a child."

        "Ah," he cradled her face in his hands, "that is where you are wrong little one, you are still a child in so many ways, and I would not have you any other way," he added as her lips parted to deny. "There is such wonder in you, such delight, and I do envy you for that." She looked at him in wonder, how could he, when he was so magnificent?  "Come, we need to move out."

        He signalled they were leaving as he walked Megan to her camel and lifted her onto the beast and gave her her hat, which Ali brought across, then they went to their camels. Rasheed took the lead, though Megan couldn't help a squeal of delight as she was dipped forward as the camel raised on its hind legs followed by its front to rise then moved forward.

Perched so high, holding the saddle, reins hung loose in her grip, Megan found the rolling movement of the beast rather soothing as they crossed the desert in a line. Vivian perched in front of her, holding a parasol overhead from the harsh beating sun.

        In a very short time, Megan felt confident enough to urge Stroppy out of line and pass the others raising many eyebrows to join Rasheed, who looked very much at home. Confident, and very at ease. "Now, Miss Megan, may I enquire what you are doing."

        She flashed him a smile. "Visiting. Is it really going to take four days to arrive?" He nodded, bringing a bigger smile. "I could do this forever."

        "Wait and see how you feel after a day's riding, Miss Megan."

        She flashed him a look of annoyance. "Are you going to call...."

        "Yes," something she would just have to get used to, she guessed.

        "So this is your homeland?"

        "Yes."

        She beamed at him. "I'm impressed, Rasheed." He nodded as they lead the pack across the desert sand, the sun beating down and surrounded by dunes. "How come this place is not as well known as the other countries? Do you have oil like the others or other exports?" Megan asked, curious.

        "We might be small in size but just as wealthy and prefer to stay the way we are. We do not need towering cities."

        "Oh, there is a city?" She dared to be looked at with displeasure.

        "Of course, we have a city," he noted.

        "What about roads?"

        Shaking his head, he looked ahead. "Of course, we are not barbaric, Megan Ryder," to bring a chuckle of delight. He eyed her sideways. "I see your sense of humour is returning, Miss Megan," he smiled at her wince. "We will not be heading for the city which is on the Arabian Gulf side. Where we are heading is situated in the heart of the desert," her whole face lit up, "so your prince cannot escape your clutches."

        "Rasheed!" She moaned. "Give me a sexy guide any day," she mumbled under her breath.

        He looked across. "What was that, Miss Megan?"

        "Nothing, stop teasing me, Rasheed."

        "Then stop reading such fantastical rubbish."

        She sighed, sometimes that is all a girl had. "It is only fiction Rasheed, and I know it isn't real or will happen," especially to someone like her. "Do they also do falconry here?" she asked, changing the subject.

        Releasing a long breath, Rasheed crossed his hands on the saddle, and turn towards her. "Megan," he demanded to get her full attention since she wouldn't look at him. "Look around you, Megan, would you find this in a book, breathe it in, taste the air, absorb the sights, and do you want to go up against the strong silent type? No man could ever live up to those books you read," Oh yes, they could, she was looking at one, "and if you behave yourself I will take you on a falconry hunt." She gasped, shocked.

        "I thought only men were allowed to attend one of those?"

        He shrugged, looking ahead again. "If you do not want to go, just say so."

        "I like to thank you Rasheed, and you come pretty damn close," she added.

        "To what, Miss Megan?"

        "Perfection, except when you call me that," she stated miffed, bringing a smile to his lips.

        "Sorry, Miss Megan," he glanced across to see her twitching her nose again. "Relax, enjoy, we have a full day riding ahead of us." They did, having a rest stop, when they come across a small waterhole to stretch their legs, then moved on to their first waiting destination.

Rasheed sent men ahead as they approached to set up camp, he explained to Megan when the men rode ahead. Just before sunset, they arrived to dismount at a larger oasis all tents pitched where they were shown to theirs, which was filled with rugs, pillows, and separated hanging curtains for sleeping quarters. Blowing Megan's mind away, wondering how with all this travel on the camels. Campfires were set up out front, and food was cooked.

        After seeing Vivian, who called it a night, falling instantly asleep after taking a sleeping pill to see her out for the night, Megan wandered out to join Rasheed, who was seated in front of a campfire drinking coffee and looking out into the distance. "May I?"

        "Of course." She settled down at his side.

        She looked all around her taking in the oasis, tents, and surrounding desert. They were alone, with no nearby town to look up at the star-studded night sky. "How come one doesn't see any stars in Dubai?"

        "The city lights drown out their light."

        "Oh," that was so sad because this was magnificent. "Rasheed?" She looked up to meet his eyes. "How is all this possible?"

        "This is our life Megan Ryder, this is who we are." He reached out to run a hand over her hair, then guide her against him to place a kiss on her forehead; she closed her eyes to savour. "Go to sleep Megan, we have another full day's ride tomorrow." She nodded, she was tired after the wonderful day, however, she wasn't sore, to rise to her feet, and left to verve off to say goodnight to her camel that greeted her by rubbing his head against her shoulder.

        "Rest well my baby," she rubbed his head with her hand.

        "Here," she spun around to find Rasheed, who handed her an apple, and showed her how to hold the apple flat palmed, to feed her camel which he did enjoy, then Rasheed led her back to her tent. "Now off to bed for you."

        "Thank you Rasheed, and see you tomorrow," she smiled as he held the flap open for her to enter and drop behind her, which set the pattern for the next following days.