Waking before the set alarm, Megan threw back the covers and sprung out of bed, crossed over as the curtains rolled back from a push of a button and was greeted with the rising sun. Another perfect day.

    Grinning, Megan spun around with a spring in her step and went to see to packing, then showered and changed just before breakfast arrived. She set up on the dining room table just the way Vivian liked it. 

     If one was staying in a hotel there was no need to eat without proper etiquette. Never on a tray always seated at a table with proper plates, every piece of cutlery in their proper place and a nice flower arrangement in the middle.

        Pleased, Megan stepped back as Vivian arrived to be seated she removed the silver dome revealing lightly fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, and grilled tomatoes with toast. She saw to pouring out freshly squeezed orange juice, followed by a cup of brewed tea before settling down to her continental breakfast to enjoy as they talked about their day's schedule.

        "Shall I start on your packing?" Megan asked. She was nearly finished, and Vivian did enjoy, savouring her tea to be waved on. She left the table.

        Megan saw to the packing, where there were many cases, and had to be packed in a certain way, and clothes in certain cases. One by one, the cases were packed, and placed near the door ready to be taken downstairs later.

      She finally finished placing all Vivian documents into a travel folder, and placed them on her bed, beside her handbag and jewellery case. Then went through all the drawers, making sure nothing was left behind, looking up as Vivian entered.

        "I need to be left alone," Vivian ordered to settle at the desk in the room. Megan turned to leave. "Rasheed will be here within the hour."

        Nodding, with a racing heart of anticipation, Megan left, closing the door quietly behind her. She saw the cleaning up of breakfast, placed it back on the provided tray, and then rang reception to be collected, leaving her to wander around the suite with nervous energy.

        She needed to be kept busy, so settled down and picked up magazines to flicker through, which didn't hold her attention, looking around for her book. She was sure she had left it here somewhere to come up empty-handed, so she went back to her room and checked drawers, and bedside tables to find nothing. She even checked her handbag and a large shoulder bag. Still no book. How very strange. She even went to see Vivian, who hadn't seen her book either.

    Tucking hair behind her ear, she just stood in the middle of the room confused by the disappearance of her book. Surely, not one of the hotel staff had removed it? Running a hand through her hair, she decided to let it go. It was just a book that she had picked up at the airport to read on the flight. Only to forget about it as the doorbell rang and she glanced at her watch, seeing it was nine. He was here. Taking a deep breath, running suddenly sweaty hands down her dress, she went to answer, heart pounding. 

        Opening the door, Megan broke out into a smile at the sight of the robed man in full traditional dress as dark eyes roamed over her three-quartered sleeved, brightly colour dress that fell loosely to her knees, then across to the pile of cases waiting beside the door. "Good morning Rasheed," she greeted warmly, opening the door further.

        "Miss Megan." He entered, waving behind him, at a league of men, who went about collecting the cases to place on a trolley out in the hallway. "Is that all?"

        "I think so. I will just check with the Duchess." She turned away and went to find out, a bit dazed by his formal attitude, shaking her head. She would just have to be more professional, it seemed. 'Darling, you really must learn not to carry your heart on your sleeve, it is very unbecoming,' her mother's words echoed in her ears.

        Knocking on Vivian's door, Megan waited until she was called in, and opened the door, finding Vivian still at the desk writing one of her many letters. "Rasheed is here Vivian and was wondering if there was any more that needed to be collected." Of course not, you idiot, since you packed everything yourself, she scolded herself.

        "My jewellery case," she waved at the open case on the bed, "and Rasheed is the only one allowed to see to that."

        "Okay." Closing the door, Megan went back, passing on Vivian's message. She turned around and head to her bedroom to grab her suitcase, a large shoulder bag and a handbag to place in a chair, saying she would see to it. Then went to check the rooms, taking her handbag with her and placing it over her shoulder, making sure nothing had been left behind.

        Which was ignored, it seemed, when she came back to see her bags gone and decided to let it pass to follow behind, all of them, last downstairs. She couldn't help noticing how a group of robed men kept glancing at Rasheed as they passed and tried to catch his attention, subtly, which he didn't see, seeing to their needs.   

        Megan shifted to Rasheed's side, drawing his attention. He raised a questioning brow. "I think those men back there know you and are trying to catch your attention."

        He glanced over his shoulder. "It seems you are correct, Miss Megan, if you excuse me, I will only be a jiffy as one might say."

        Colour flooded her cheeks. "Shall we wait outside?"

        "The foyer will do," he corrected, striding away. He joined the group of men, who greeted him warmly, kissing each cheek as they shook hands. Megan watched on curious. He did seem to deem a lot of respect, however, couldn't help wondering, what had she done wrong. He seemed so distant. Maybe the coffee incident had upset him more than he had let on, feeling guilty.

        "Megan!" Vivian commanded. She spun around and walked over to her. "What is going on?"

        "Just friends of Rasheed's, we are waiting in the foyer."

        "We will wait in the lounge," Vivian corrected, "I need a drink."

        "Of course, Duchess." Megan nodded, crossing over to one of the staff, leaving a message for Rasheed of their whereabouts.

      Once dealt with, Megan joined Vivian and headed to the Sahn Edda, the lobby lounge. A floor above them situated in the world's largest atrium, which was a treat to the eyes with the kaleidoscope of colours and surroundings of opulence, to be waited upon as they waited to be joined by Rasheed.

        Megan glanced across to see Rasheed in the distance talking to another, whose back was to them. She raised her hand to catch his attention to have the attention of a waiter. Panicking, she waved her hands to say no to place down her hands, cheeks burning with embarrassment, not knowing where to look. She had done it again. Vivian raised a curious brow. "Sorry, just trying to catch Rasheed's attention to where we were."

        "And everyone else it seems. I am sure he would have found us without the fancy hand dancing." 

        "I am sure I would have," a dry reply came, having them both looking up at the man who had joined them. Megan looked away, self-conscious, wondering when she was going to learn. "May I?" She peeked up and moved across, allowing Rasheed to join her on the sofa.

       Rasheed caught the waiter's attention with just a look and ordered drinks all around. "You must teach me your unusual hand dance," he whispered, bringing a smile to her lips. She leaned back on the sofa and eyed him sideways.

        "I caught your attention, so it must have worked," she noted, tucking hair behind her ear. Dark eyes twinkled at her.

        "My attention has been well and truly caught, Miss Megan," he stated, then turned his attention away as their coffee was served, and signed for the bill. As he had hers, unable to take her eyes off him. Perhaps in mixed company, he has to act differently. She was in a different culture, so far removed from her own.

        "Megan, I need you to see to my letters," came from Vivian, startling Megan. She rose and circle the table, going over to Vivian, who removed a large bundle of letters from her handbag and handed them over. "Just hand them in at reception, they will see that they are dispatched." 

       Taking the letters, she departed, briefly looking back, before she went to the reception desk to see them talking together, only to look away as dark eyes looked straight at her. She went to see in the posting of Vivian's letters, taking her time, and even purchased a few postcards to place in her handbag, eventually heading back more in control of herself, retaking her seat next to Rasheed.

        "We were about to send out reinforcements since you were gone so long," Rasheed noted as she reached out for her coffee, which had cooled down, so she could drink faster.

        "No need, just buying postcards to send home," she smiled. She turned to Vivian. "Was there anything else you needed done before we leave?"

        "No, now drink up, so we can move on," Vivian ordered to be done. They stood and departed, downstairs, through the continuous revolving doors into the morning heat and to waiting cars. A valet opened the door for Vivian. Rasheed and Megan circled the car to the other side, she faltered as the door was opened, looking up at Rasheed who was waiting.

        "Can I have a window seat?" she asked.

        "Of course." He slid in to have her behind as the door was closed by a valet.

        "Thank you, Rasheed," she said softly.

       "My pleasure." Nodding, Megan looked out the window as they were driven away, this time turning right, instead of left, heading away from the city, looking behind her, to the skyscrapers in the distance. She was going to miss Dubai, turning around to watch out the window once more.

        Leaving the city behind they soon were in the desert on a long straight road surrounded by open golden, orange desert. Excited Megan pushed a button, rolling down the window to wave madly at passing nomads as breathtaking heat washed passed her.

        "Now, Miss Megan, we are trying to keep the desert heat out of the car," Rasheed at her side noted lightly.

        "Oh, sorry," she rolled up the window to press her nose against watching the desert roll pass quickly as they sped along in a line of white Rolls-Royces. Only to have Megan reach behind her, clasping Rasheed's arm, as they approached and passed, an enormous billboard with a figure of a robed man looking very regal and official. "Who was that?"

        "The original ruling leader of Abu Dhabi, the president of the United Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Now his son does, Sheikh Khalifa."

        "I guess that explains the size," she noted, twitching her nose.

        "Do not sound so disapproving, Miss Megan."

       "Megan." She looked across to Vivian, who was frowning and lowered her eyes. Megan followed to find her hand on Rasheed's arm and removed it.

        "Sorry." Megan turned to look back across the desert. She had never seen anything like it before, so orange, and the sky above, so blue with light fluffy white clouds. She didn't want to miss a second of it.

        "You may look, Miss Megan, however, beware, as beautiful as the desert is, she is also deadly, and can sap the life out of one."

     Megan turned to find him mere inches away from her. "I know the desert is dangerous, Rasheed."

        "Yet, I see the yearning in your eyes, to be free, to roam. Riding across the desert, on a mighty steed, or upon a sure-footed beast of the desert."

        "Then why are we travelling in such a style?" She dared, feeling warm at his closeness, very aware of his male form, even trembled when his leg accidentally brushed hers as he leaned closer to point out the window.

        "Quickly, before it is too late."

        "What!" She spun around searching, seeing nothing out of the ordinary.

        "Too slow Miss Megan." He gently brushed thick masses back over her shoulder, trailing a finger down her jawline, drawing her gaze. "One must always be alert."

        She eyed him sideways since his eyes did gleam with mischief if she wasn't mistaken. "Was there anything there Rasheed?"

        "There is always something there if you look hard enough. There is much I could show you if we had the time." She leaned further back into her seat, putting some space between them eyeing him closely, not sure how to take that comment, and finding his closeness very consuming.

        "I'm sure there is Rasheed, but as you said, not today. So what do you think Vivian?" she asked, changing the subject, and taking the focus off her or trying to, very aware of being observed.

        "Once you have seen one desert, you have seen them all, my dear. Now, Rasheed, you must tell me what the schedule is."

        He nodded, turning towards Vivian and giving her all his attention much to Megan's relief. He had been too close, and the way his eyes watched her, was far too unnerving for her comfort, almost like he could see into her very soul.

        ".....I will sit down with Miss Megan..." She turned at the sound of her name running her eyes over his side profile. He was so damn sexy, resisting the urge to touch his thick, glossy hair that curled over the robe's collar. His colouring was so much darker than her own, a rich milk chocolate and so broad shoulder that the traditional robe couldn't hide. ".......and will go over the full schedule, over dinner tonight with your permission, of course, Mrs. Vivian."

        "I will let you know my decision when we reach Abu Dhabi and have rested, young man." What about me? Megan wanted to ask. Didn't she have a say in who she dined with? feeling all clammy, and nervous, at the thought of dining alone with their dashing guide. Her heart was pounding, suddenly feeling hot, pulling at her dress top, staring back out the window.

        "The heat getting to you again, Miss Megan," Rasheed enquired, making her blush. No, he was, and why did he have to notice everything?

        "I just get hot, looking," she corrected. How true, pointing out to the desert.

        "Are you sure it is only the desert that makes you feel hot, Miss Megan?"

        "Rasheed," she hissed, looking back to receive a raised brow, and knowing eyes. "I told you to call me Megan. I'm only the help like you," she noted annoyed, covering her embarrassment over being so obvious.

        "Ah, how wrong you are Megan Ryder. You are much more than just hired help. You have great wasta, and I am your humble servant here to serve you." There was nothing humble about him and was relieved when Vivian demanded his attention again and once more focused on the view. She slid down the seat, resting her head against the window frame for the rest of the journey, only straightening at the sight of the outskirts of their new destination, Abu Dhabi.

        As amazing as their last hotel was, nothing prepared Megan for their new one. The Shangri-La with its palatial size, neo-Moorish design, and systems of waterways weaving around the complex was picturesquely, positioned on the edge of the Creek that separates the island of Abu Dhabi from the mainland.

        To Vivian's delight, right next to the new Qaryat Al Beri souk, she had to investigate, taking a guide with her. Vivian had enough of being cooped up far too long leaving Megan to see to the unpacking and settling in. 

       Rasheed saw refreshments and other arrangements. Once finished, Megan stepped out on one of the terraces, looking upon their private pool of the four bedrooms, double-storey villa. It was like she had entered a new world and she had, looked up and smiled as Rasheed joined her.

        "Isn't this amazing? I have never seen anything like this before."

        "It would be such a shame to miss such enjoyment," he waved his hand towards the pool. "I am sure you are hot after the journey."

        Her eyes brightened as she looked at the alluring waters to dart back inside, needing no second bidding to quickly change into a navy blue one-piece and shrugged on a beach coat after Rasheed had left.

     She left the villa, through glass doors on the ground floor to the pool protected by a hut-tent-like roof. Megan approached the pool, dropped her coat to the floor, and stepped up to dive into the cool refreshing water that caressed her heated skin.

    She swam underwater slowly emerging to the surface to leisurely move through the water doing laps with long, steady strokes, somersaulting, twisting, and pushing away from the pool's wall coming up to breaststroke. She had missed this, since she loved to swim, to finally end up at the pool edge to lean against looking back on, towards the villa which was so open with full-length windows.

        Sighing, she placed her chin on cross arms, taking it all in. Only if this was her home, only if she lived like this every day, only if the man walking towards her carrying a towel belonged to her, sighed again as he crouched down in front of her.

        "It seems in your hurry, you had forgotten your towel, Miss Megan," he noted.

        "Thank you, Rasheed." Megan pushed away, dropping down into the water. She burst out of the water to brush her wet hair back and then edged towards the stairs, climbing out, putting such thoughts out of her mind. Though was surprised as Rasheed closed the distance, placing the towel around her, lifting one end to dry her face. He was so close, and she couldn't breathe as he smiled down at her, his eyes warm.

        "My pleasure, Miss Megan." He tapped her nose, then turned and walked away, leaving her shaking and wanting so much more. She quickly looked around for her beach coat to pick up, and go after him, only to cry out as her feet went from underneath her. She landed flat on her back, crying out in pain as she hit the ground.

      "Megan!" Rasheed spun around sharply, followed by a shocked cry from Vivian, who had just returned, as they both rushed to her aid.

        "Oh, my dear, are you alright," Vivian asked with concern as Rasheed run his hands over Megan, who trembled at his arousing touch, for broken bones.

        Mortified and in shock, Megan covered her face with her coat, unable to move as tears flowed. "Megan, look at me!" Rasheed ordered. She refused to remove her coat from her face to be eased away. Rasheed cursed at her ashen, tear-streaked, face. He brushed wet hair from her face. "Now don't move and answer me with words. I need you to keep perfectly still until we know no damage has been done. Are you hurt? Can you move?"

     Breathless she answered no followed by a weak yes. Carefully he ran his hands over her limbs and behind her head to hold and turn slightly. "Does that hurt?" Again another no. "Any tingling sensations?" Only mortified to have another soft no. She felt stupid. Once sure she only had knocked the wind out of her, Rasheed scooped her up easily into his arms and carried her inside, followed by a worried Vivian, upstairs to Megan's room. He laid her down on the bed as her teeth began to chatter. Rasheed wrapped the bedding around her, ignoring Vivian's protests about being wet. "She's in shock, Vivian," he growled to sit down and gather her against his form and rubbed her body with the bedding.

        "I know that I meant it's not good for Megan to be in wet bathers. I'll run a warm bath, which should take the chill off."

        Closing her eyes, Megan moaned burying her face into the bedding into his chest. "S.. sorry."

        "It is alright, Megan. However, you must be careful around wet, slippery, surfaces."

        "I know," she said, not shaking as much, but still felt so stupid. "I wasn't thinking." Your entire fault, she noted, silently. She snuggled in closer. He felt so good and warm and male.

        "You were lucky you didn't break anything," he rebuked gently. "Also lucky nothing happened to you last night. It was foolish of you to walk alone at night." Her eyes widened and eased back, searching his serious face and dark hardened eyes.

        "How could you possibly know about last night?" she asked, stunned. He pushed back the bedding, easing her wet hair free back over the covers.

        "I have my ways, Miss Megan." Oh, great back to that, twitching her small nose in annoyance. "I have also made it very clear to Mrs Vivian, you're not allowed out by yourself, ever. Do I make myself clear, Miss Megan?" Gasping, she pulled back further to gather the bedding around her while she moved further away, separating them.

        "Since I work for....."

        "You're under my care, Miss Megan, and will learn to obey my wishes."

        She eyed him closely. "Do you always get your own way, Rasheed?"

        A smile touched his lips. "Always, now it is time you had a bath, then get some rest," he noted, rising to his feet. He leaned closer, placing a kiss on her forehead. He looked across as Vivian emerged from the bathroom. "Your patient is better, and I have a few things that need my attention. Until later, Miss Megan, Mrs Vivian." He bowed slightly at both of them, turned and departed, leaving Megan to watch his departure.

       Slightly stunned by it all, only to be shooed into the bathroom by Vivian to strip, Megan lowered into the waiting warm bath that felt so good to her aching body.

      As ordered by Rasheed, she spent a quiet afternoon under Vivian's watchful eye, to finally get ready for her dinner. Rasheed sent a guide to lead her through the hotel, to a private room, where he was waiting for her. Pausing to take a deep breath to calm her nerves she waited for the door to be opened by the guide and entered.

     She wasn't sure she was ready for this, especially after that embarrassing incident at the poolside. He would never really be interested in someone like her and this was only a dinner to go over the schedule, not filling her foolish dreams of romance, then why was her stomach twisted up in knots and her hands so sweaty? She should turn around and run from here before it was too late. she had a feeling it already was.