The Sheikh's Impossible Girl - completed.

Chapter Sixteen

Promising to keep her father updated on his daughter's condition, Tarazi hung up and went back to join Ashley, leaning against the door frame, while she had prompted herself more up on the bed, pillows behind.

"You, my dear, are supposed to be resting."

"I am." She patted down the surrounding bedding, then tucked hair behind her ear, frowning as she looked down at the redness on her fingers. "I need to wash my hair."

"Not now. You need to let your wound heal first."

"But I'll get blood on the pillows, and bedding," she noted, looking over the items that were smudged with blood. Head wounds had a tenancy to bleed, even if not deep.

"That will be washed and replaced. Stop fussing, Ashley. As for your father, you no longer work for him, you work for me, so there will be no going home, understand?"

Shocked, her eyes flew up and then grinned. "Really? Do I get a pay rise?" she laughed.

"I will pay you your worth, Ashley Cosgrove."

Shaking her head, she moaned, slipping down into the pillows. "Okay, no head movement." Gingerly touching the spot where her head hit the table. "Why not just pay me what they do?"

"Depends if they are paying you the right amount. I doubt it." Pushing away from the door frame, crossed over and lifted the bedding. She eased further back down. "You need to rest and I will be just over there." He pointed at the chair.

True to his word, he didn't leave her side, watching over her, even allowing her to get up. Later, he gently washed her hair, his long fingers so gentle on her scalp, as he washed away the sticky blood, then tenderly dried her hair, followed by brushing as he sat behind her on the bed.

It wasn't every day she had her hair brushed, especially by a prince.

There was nothing like it. Between the long gentle strokes, he also fingered and combed through her hair with his fingers. All rather relaxing, easing back against him. "I could get used to this," she purred, dropping her head back, grinning up at him. "You have found a new livelihood, my prince."

"As to what?"

"A personal groomsman, sorry groom prince," she laughed as he frowned. "No?"

"As much as I enjoy doing this."

"You do?"

"I do. Quite relaxing. You have such thick, luscious hair. Love the colour. Is it natural?"

"Yes." He lifted strains of hair through his fingers, falling softly around her shoulders.

"I'm not surprised. Everything about you is original. How's the head?" she reached up and touched the area. Still sore to the touch and lumped.

"All good, as long as I don't touch it." His arm went around her shoulders and guided her back against him.

"Then don't," he advised. "I will not leave you alone, ever again, with the princess," he promised, kissing her cheek. Closing her eyes, she savoured his touch.

"It wasn't her fault. I did trip over the chair."

"You were startled because of the princess. I will not have it, Ashley."

"Let it be, Tarazi," she begged. "It was an accident, but I agree about keeping the princess away. That one has sharp claws." Her eyes flew open, jerked forwards, and turned to face him. "Sorry, I shouldn't have said that. After all, she is royalty, a friend of the family. Please forgive me."

His fingers gently stroked her jaw to her chin, following with his gaze. "You only speak the truth. However, you will leave her to me. I know how to keep her in line. Well, her brother does. We will keep it in the family. We have a way of dealing with such matters."