The Sheikh's Impossible Girl - completed.

Chapter Eleven

Swearing under his breath, Tarazi barefooted, dived into the pool fully dressed. Breaking the surface, he brought Ashley with him; she clung to him, coughing as he treaded backwards until his feet touched the pool's tiled bottom.

He had known something was wrong before they came back to the villa. Ashley had disappeared into her bedroom and hadn't come back out again, didn't even join him for dinner, so sent up the warmed-up leftovers. After she sent a message, she was tired and wasn't that hungry.

Yasser also noticed, even commented on, one who saw everything. And she wasn't herself. Edgy. This had been the last thing he had expected. Leaving the office, he sauntered past the main living room, where he saw someone bobbing up and down in the water.

She hadn't even turned around when he left the villa.

"Why is it every time I turn my back, you are doing something you shouldn't be," he growled, patting her back as she held him weakly. The coughing subsided.

"You scared the hell out of me," she hissed in his ear. "You're supposed to be asleep." She pointed out.

Tarazi released an exasperating breath. "Where you're supposed to be, not swimming at midnight."

Slowly she eased back, eyes widened as they roamed over his white dripping wet shirt that clung to his torso and was transparent. He might as well be bare. She swallowed hard, blinking spiky wet lashes at him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to dive in, dressed. I couldn't sleep and the day was warm."

She had to be kidding him. "A full air-conditioned villa," he noted dryly.

"Yet, so balmy outside. I was in no danger until you scared me to death."

His hold around her tightened. "I did not!" 

As if he would. If she had been in her room, they wouldn't be in this predicament.

"Maybe not on purpose."

Definitely not. "How does it always come back to me?" he challenged as water dripped from his face that she reached up and wiped away, leaving behind a burning sensation, branding him. Her mouth pushed off towards the side.

"So, no midnight swims allowed?" Peering up at him under her lashes, hitting hard in the gut.

"And make me feel guilty all in one go." How did she do that when it wasn't his fault?

"Why, it's not your fault I couldn't sleep."

His eyes narrowed. "Why not? After today I thought you would be out like a light. What happened this time?" He cradled her wet hair-plastered face in his hand, her eyes lowered, chewing on her bottom lip.

"I can't find your necklace!" she blurted out, eyes back up, wavering. 

That would explain her strange mood, ever since the jewellery shop. Damn, he wished he hadn't taken her there, yet she never asked for anything, expects nothing.

"Probably with your credit card," he stated dryly.

"It can't be that's in my clutch purse." Her brows furrowed down. "I'm sure I put it in the case, even with all the repacking." She looked at him searchingly. "Surely, I would've seen it on the bed when I removed the cases? I'm so sorry I never meant this to happen."

"Of course, you didn't. However, can we discuss this out of the pool? I hadn't planned to go swimming." She nodded. Keeping a tight hold on her, they worked their way to the steps, exiting the pool via them. Water ran off from his dark pants, clinging to his lean hips, firm thighs, and long legs streaming back into the pool.

He wasn't into midnight swims dressed.

Tarazi was seeing life would never be normal again.

Ashley's gaze swept up over him. "Not bad for a wet fish."