The Sheikh's Impossible Girl - completed.

Chapter Ten

The company's not bad either. Drinking him in, toes curling under her seat. He was so delightful and easy to listen to, his charming nature and compelling ways washing over like gentle waters.

Elbow on the table, chin cupped in her hand, Ashley removed more flatbread and swiped across the plate as Tarazi finished his coffee. She eyed off the last piece of bread. Tarazi glanced at his watch. "Will an hour be enough time to be ready to leave?"

"An hour? Do you think I'm some sort of prima-donna? Give me a time, I will be there, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed."

"I didn't realise I had a furry animal as my guest."

Laughing with delight, she wiggled her brows. "Depends on which one."

"By the looks of things, a vixen."

"First a mermaid, now a vixen. How wonderful! A furry mermaid." Feeling fuzzy inside.

The slow, sexy smile curled his full, enticing lips, and did strange things to her equilibrium. "Let's see if my furry mermaid can be ready. Let's say ten."

Jumping to her feet, Ashley's leg hit the table that she grabbed, steadying. "That's pushing it. Shower, change, let's say twenty."

He tapped his watch. "I was talking time."

Brows going down, she reached for his hand and turned the watch towards her. Nine thirty, releasing his hand. How quickly time had flown. "Plenty of time if I go now." Circling the table, she threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. "Thank you for a most wonderful swim and breakfast. I can't wait to see what the day brings." Spinning around, she raced off with a spring in her step, leaving her prince behind.

Leaning back into the seat, elbow over the back, Tarazi was at a loss for words. He had met no one like Ashley Cosgrove before. She didn't have to let go. Already a free spirit. It was her family that had held her back, something he understood. Not so much for her. She didn't have the restriction he had to be true to herself.

Even being tied down to his family more lately, he had always been true to himself, allowed to spread his wings within the royal family, which was nothing like the British one. However, there were still boundaries. Some he will never cross.

Marriage was a difficult one, caught between the approval of the family, yet could choose his bride. No one had ever interested him. Not like he had done that deliberately, also didn't play around, always respectful. A couple of ladies had caught his attention, only to be disappointed by their agenda. All they saw was the title, which they had hidden purposely.

Yet always had a way of showing their true nature.

Perhaps his family was correct. He should marry for the benefit of his country, by marrying a princess from another country, bringing closure to what they expected of him. Then he met Ashley Cosgrove. A vision of beauty so different from anyone he had met before, also intelligent, yet so desperate to prove herself. He saw himself in her. 

Although, not as spontaneous.

He was more controlled but loved her nature.

She hugged him and kissed his cheek because of her nature. To be so unrestrained. His head called for control and couldn't stray from that. Around her, he felt truly free.

Ten on the dot, she was there before him at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in a golden caftan, covered from head to toe, with embroidery edging. Not too heavy, hair down, cascading over her shoulders. Handbag over her shoulder. A true beauty to behold, his breath catching inside a suddenly tight chest, devouring her with his eyes.

Crossing the room, changed into robes and headdress part of his culture, he offered his arm that was taking, smiling up at him. She was sunshine, beaming and a joy to be around, filling his soul, rippling throughout him.