This story is rated R for sexual content
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Chapter 1
He stood and walked over to the desk in the corner of the main living area. He pulled out a drawer and reached in to remove some snapshots. When he sat back down next to Jo, he handed her one.
“This is a picture of my wife, Lina, just before she died, and our two sons, when they were 10 and 15. Saleh is 28 now and Rafiq is 23. Saleh finished law school last year, but took a few months to travel around a bit. Rafiq is going to graduate from a school for business.”
Jo looked at the two young boys and the beautiful woman in the picture. ‘It must have been very hard on them, Khalid. They were so young.”
“It was. They were very close to her. My mother helped me raise them, as I was so involved with the tribe’s newly acquired business interests at that time. You know, I was never going to marry again, Johara. I was never going to be hurt like that again. But you stole my heart and now I am yours.” Khalid Bay leaned over and kissed his bride tenderly, affirming his love for her.
“Mmmm, so I ruined your plans, eh, my husband? What’s the other picture of? ” Jo smiled at him, reaching for the other photo in his hand and gasped. “Oh my, they grew up well, didn’t they? Definitely have those Bay genes.” She was looking at a picture of Khalid and his two sons standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. Both boys had their father’s dark hair, but one had a very short cut and was clean-shaven. The other could have been his father’s twin, with his neatly trimmed beard, tattoos and long hair. “Which is which, Khalid?”
“Saleh has the long hair. Rafiq is something of an enigma to the family. He has never been interested in the family history, preferring the modern business world. When he was small he only learned to ride and fight because I insisted on it. He gave it up as soon as he got to the university. I don’t think he has been on a horse since. He also refused to be tattooed when he reached fifteen, the age of maturity in the tribe. He said it was stupid and people would stare at him when he went to the States to school. As you can see, he looks like all the other young men in business school nowadays. Saleh, on the other hand, is very traditional. He embraced the Medjai ways from the time he was a toddler and it is he who will take my place someday.”
Jo looked at the picture, wondering what they would think of her. At 48, she had never been married or had children, and she had no idea what to say to Khalid’s sons or how to act around them now that she was their stepmother.
“And to answer your other question, they are on their way home right now, Johara. My mother got an email from Saleh this morning. He is bringing Sahar, a special lady, home with him and he will pick Rafiq up in Cairo on his way through there. I know you will love them, Johara, and they will love you. They have been after me to find someone, so they’d better be happy for me, because you have made me very happy, my jewel.” He took her hand in his and kissed it.
“Thanks, Khalid, I think that makes me feel better. Should we have a welcome home party for them?”
“That’s a wonderful idea. I’ll ask my mother to help you.” He stood and returned the photos to the drawer he had gotten them from. “Now that we’ve had lunch, I have to go to the city to see Rashid. He asked that you come along, if it’s convenient for you.”
“Okay, just let me shower and change first. I got all dirty and sweaty during my lessons this morning. I’m getting pretty good at this riding and fighting stuff, you’d better watch it.” Jo got up, shooed Snoopy outside and turned to go upstairs. As she passed him, Khalid grabbed her hand and pulled her close.
“Need help washing your back?” he asked, leering at her and bending her back over his arm to nuzzle her neck. She chuckled, her hands snaking up around his neck.
“Sure, big fella, but didn’t you want to get to Cairo today sometime?”
“Ah, you’re right, my jewel,” he said, straightening up and releasing her reluctantly. “But let’s talk about this again later. I’ll get the Hummer ready.” He headed for the door, then retraced his steps to give Jo a quick kiss. She watched him go, still finding it hard to believe she was married to him. He was everything she’d ever dreamt about: handsome, kind, honest, loving. She must have done something really right in a former life to have this much good karma working for her.
She showered quickly and changed into an outfit suitable for visiting the museum where Khalid’s cousin worked. She joined her husband in the Hummer and they drove off to Cairo. This Hummer and some other SUV’s were one of the changes Khalid had made in the last few months. The entire village had also gotten electricity, thanks to solar powered generators. He tried to keep the more modern innovations in the background, however, in an attempt to conserve the ancient look of the village.
“What do you have to see Rashid about, habibi?” Jo leaned close to Khalid’s ear, so he could hear her over the road noise.
“What?” He leaned closer.
“I said what do you want to see Rashid about?”
“What?”
“I…said….,” Then Jo saw Khalid’s mouth twitching. “Oh, for Pete’s sake, if you want me to blow in your ear, just say so.” He grinned at her.
“Kalila, blow in my ear.” She grinned back.
“Of course, my husband, I hear and obey.” She leaned her generous bosom on his arm, her hand squeezing his upper thigh. Her warm breath tickled his ear and she nipped at his earlobe. He groaned and the jeep slowed perceptively. “Keep driving, lover, or we’ll never reach Cairo.” Jo’s hand wandered down between his legs, where she could feel his arousal. “Hmmm, what’s this?” She stroked his hard staff through the fabric of his jeans and licked her lips. Her tongue dipped into his ear and he slammed on the brakes.
“Johara, do not start anything you are not prepare to finish.” He grabbed her by the back of the neck and pulled her to him for a deep, passionate kiss. She kept rubbing him, her other hand tangled in his long hair. She giggled and broke the kiss.
“Khalid, hon, you started this. Wanna make out for a while here in the middle of the desert?” He chuckled, his face buried in her neck.
“You are right, Johara, I did start it. And now is not the best time, but if you don’t stop what you’re doing, it may be the place. “ He grabbed her busy hand and brought it to his mouth, kissing her palm and placing it on his cheek. She stroked his soft beard and sighed.
“You feel so good, but you’re right, now is not the time or place. Let’s go.” Khalid restarted the Hummer and they finished the journey to Cairo.
Rashid was expecting them at the museum and seemed very anxious about something. “Khalid, there is bad news. LeClair is out of jail. He told one of his cell mates he was coming after Johara.”
Jo turned white and sat down on the nearest chair. Khalid moved behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. Renee LeClair, the man who had kidnapped her to get her grandfather’s map of the location of Hamunaptra, was free again. “Is he still here in Cairo, Rashid?” she asked. “Or did they deport him?”
Rashid shook his head, frowning. “No, he is here. And Claudia is still with him, I’m afraid.” He looked at Khalid, seeing the anger in his face. “She was seen at the Ramses yesterday. You must careful, Johara.”
“I will stay with her until this is settled. I’ll call Paris and tell them I can’t leave Egypt for a while. We’ll stay in the desert, away from the city. When they go looking for her, it will be here in the city or at the village. They will not find her.” Khalid’s fingers tightened as he thought of what Jo had been through at the hands of LeClair and his men.
“Easy, habibi, I’ll be fine.” Jo’s hands came up to cover Khalid’s and he relaxed, soothing her shoulders where he had squeezed too hard. “With you by my side, ya habibi, and the fight training I’ve been doing, he can’t hurt me.” She looked up at him, her gold eyes serious. “I will be all right, Khalid.”
“I know, kalila, you are a strong woman. But these people do not fight fair.” He gazed down at her and his eyes darkened almost to black. “I will not let them take you again. I will kill them first.”
“I will send for more men, Khalid, and we will ride into the desert with you.” Rashid clapped his hand on Khalid’s shoulder and left the room.
Jo stood and went into her husband’s arms, as much to reassure him as herself. He held her close, his warm embrace shutting out the rest of the world for a few precious moments. Jo rested her head on Khalid’s chest, his strong, steady heartbeat soothing her fears. They stood quietly, each thinking of their last encounter with LeClair and Claudia and all that followed.
Rashid coughed before he entered the room, and Khalid lightened his hold, keeping one arm around Jo’s shoulders. “The men will meet us in the village, and we’ll go on from there. Have you decided where we’ll be camping?”
“Yes, I know the perfect place. And it is a special place for our tribe that Johara has never seen.” He, Jo and Rashid left the museum and headed back to the village. Jo had picked up some Arabic in the months they'd been married, but Khalid and Rashid were talking so fast and furious on the way home, she just sat back and didn’t even try to make any sense out of the conversation. Soon, her head was on Khalid’s shoulder and she was fast asleep.
“Johara, wake up. What is it? You were crying in your sleep?” Jo could feel the tears on her face and looked up at Khalid’s concerned face.
“It was the nightmare, habibi, I haven’t had it since LeClair was arrested. The news of his freedom probably triggered it. I’m fine.” She sat up straight. “Are we home?”
“We just pulled in when you started whimpering, kalila. Are you sure you are all right?” He turned on the dome light and looked closely at her. She nodded.
“I’m fine, really. Can we sleep at home tonight, or do we leave right away?” Jo got out of the Hummer and walked towards the house. Snoopy came loping up, ready to go in for the night. “Khalid, there are lights on all over the house.”
Khalid opened the door and entered slowly. Then his face lit up and a joyous grin split his dark countenance. “Saleh, Rafiq!” he cried, rushing to embrace the two tall young men who had come out into the hall.
“Abu!” The three men hugged, kissing each on both cheeks in greeting. Jo stood back against the door, holding the dog back, her eyes filled with tears of joy, her heart filled with trepidation at what her husband’s sons would think of her.
Khalid pulled free of his sons and reached for her hand, pulling her into the family circle. “Rafiq, Saleh, this is my wife, Johara. Johara, my sons.” Jo smiled nervously and extended her hand.
Saleh took it first, grinned at his father and said, “Well done, Abu, she is beautiful, and those eyes, amazing! Welcome, Zawwaaj al abb (Stepmother).” He bent over her hand and kissed it, seemingly loathe to give it up to his brother.
Rafiq looked directly at Jo, his blue eyes cold. He, too, kissed her hand, then muttered, “Welcome to the family, Johara. My grandparents tell me you have made my father very happy.”
“Thank you, Saleh and Rafiq, for the welcomes. I know it’s hard to accept a new person in your father’s life. Please forgive me if I do anything to offend you, but this is all new to me, too.”
Khalid looked at Rafiq. What was going on? He was normally a fairly easygoing young man, like his brother. Perhaps he was having trouble at school that he hadn’t told anyone about. A talk was in order later, Khalid decided. “Saleh, where is Sahar? Is she not with you?” he looked into the main room, thinking the young woman had not come out yet.
“She is staying with Grandmother and Grandfather. We dropped her off there before we came home. You will meet her in the morning, Abu.” Khalid shook his head at his son.
“Something has come up, Saleh. We will be leaving the village in the morning. An artifact dealer that Johara and I ran afoul of a few months ago has been released from prison and has threatened Johara’s life. We will be staying in the desert for a while until he has been “persuaded” to give up his quest. You will accompany us.”
“Sounds like an adventure, Abu, count me in. I’ll go tell Sahar what is happening and come home to pack.” Saleh hurried out the door and his brother turned on Khalid..
“Do I have to go? I met someone in Cairo. I wanted to go back to see her there.” Rafiq threw himself onto the bottom stair, glaring at his father. “This guy’s not after me, he’s after your woman. Can’t I do what I want for a change?”
“Rafiq, what has gotten into you? Where did you learn to talk to your father that way?” Khalid looked down at Rafiq, livid at the disrespect he had shown to Jo and his father. “Perhaps if you had asked me in a respectful way, I might have agreed, but now you will go along. Call your girlfriend and tell her you’ll be unavailable until further notice. Come, Johara.” Khalid’s face was dark with fury as he went up the stairs. Jo looked at Rafiq, not knowing what to say. He glared at her and walked down the hall into the kitchen. She sighed and followed Khalid up the stairs.
When she entered their bedroom, he was throwing clothes onto the bed, not bothering to fold anything. He saw her in the doorway and stopped. “What is wrong with him? First, he looks at you like you were an enemy and then he talks to me with such disrespect. I went to school in the States, too, but I didn’t come home acting like that. And he didn’t learn that behavior here.” He started tossing clothing again and Jo walked to him and took his arm.
“Khalid, stop. This is not helping. Come here and sit down.” She led him to the couch at the foot of the bed. He sat and put his head in his hands. Jo settled beside him, trying to think of something to say. Parent and child disputes were way out of her league, her only experience having been as the child. “You are disappointed, I know that, but perhaps if we were not going through the LeClair thing, you could think more clearly about this. If this is a new behavior, there must be a reason for it. I know enough about you and your family to know how these boys were raised. Can’t you try talking to Rafiq calmly? Yelling and throwing your weight around will not help anything. You can be kind of intimidating when you are angry, my dear.” Khalid jumped up and turned, glowering at her.
“And what makes you such an expert all of a sudden? Raise a lot of children you didn’t tell me about? I know how to handle my sons.” The last sentence was almost a shout and Jo flinched, feeling as though he had struck her. She stood, moved to her clothes chest and proceeded to pack her clothes, then moved into the bathroom to get her toiletries. She was determined not to say another word to Khalid. Not only would it not do any good, she was unwilling to put herself in the line of fire again. She finished and picked up her bag and started to leave the room. She turned to look at her husband.
“One thing, Khalid.“ She walked up to him and pulled him around to face her. “If you ever, and I mean ever, talk to me that way again, I will be on the first plane to the States. I have done nothing to you to warrant such treatment. And do not ever worry about me offering any advice on raising your sons. You seem to know everything about that subject. I have learned my lesson.” She spun on her heel and walked out, leaving him to stare after her.
He found her in the kitchen, so deep in conversation with Rafiq that they did not see him. Jo had her hand on his son’s and was speaking quietly to him. Rafiq looked so miserable that Khalid had to go to him.
“Rafiq, ya ibney, I am sorry for shouting at you. If you feel so strongly about this girl, please go to see her.” He looked at Jo, but her head was turned away from him. His heart sank. InshaAllah, (God Willing) he could heal this rift between them. “We must sometimes follow our heart, not our head.”
Still, she would not look up, but sat still as death, her hands now in her lap. His son looked up at him, then at Jo. “No, Abu, you were right to expect me to go along.” His voice was a bit surly, but he sounded sincere. “I had no right to speak to you that way and I apologize. I was not taught to act that way in this house. I will make that call and then go upstairs to pack.” He got up and Khalid hugged him, then let him go. He walked around to the front of Jo’s chair.
“Johara, my heart, I am so sorry I spoke that way to you. You are my wife, not someone to take my anger out on.” Nothing. He reached down and took her hands in his. “Kalila, please, look at me. Why don’t you tell me to go to hell, at least?”
That did it, she finally raised her head, her eyes bright with unshed tears. She stood and looked him in the eye, as she had done the night of the kidnapping. Her gold eyes snapped and her face was flushed with emotion.
“Khalid, I love you, but I will not be treated like someone with no opinion or value. We both knew it would not be easy for me to fit into your life here, but if you are not going help me to be accepted by supporting me, I will not stay. I would have understood one of the other men feeling that I was interfering, but not you.” She turned and went upstairs, once again leaving him standing alone. Jo stood in the middle of the bedroom, tears streaming down her face. She hated it when she got mad; she always ended up crying. She felt Khalid’s arms come around her, and she turned into him and sobbed on his chest.
“Why is it your tears can rip at my heart so, kalila? I would give my life to have my words back. Please, forgive me, Johara, or I shall not want to live.” He raised her tear-stained face and gently wiped her cheeks with his thumbs. Her lip was trembling as she looked at him, and her arms crept up around his neck to bring him closer.
“Please just don’t act as if I am not capable of a logical thought about a subject I have no hands-on experience with. I only wanted to help with Rafiq. Sometimes someone on the outside sees more clearly.” Khalid groaned and buried his face in her neck. His voice was muffled as he answered. “I know, ya habibti, and you did help. I should have listened, but I was so upset and confused by Rafiq’s actions I couldn’t see what I was doing to you.”
He raised his head and gazed into her gold eyes, dark with emotion, and sighed. “Do you think we’ll ever be totally sure of one another, Johara, or will we always be like this, so volatile a mixture?” His head lowered and he took her mouth, gently at first then more deeply. Jo opened her mouth to him, the emotions of the past hour heightening her senses. One of her hands made its way down his broad chest to his waist, where it pulled his T-shirt out of his jeans. Her other hand joined it and they drew the shirt off over his head and returned to bury themselves in the soft hair on his chest. She tore her mouth from his and lowered her head. Her tongue darted out and licked one of his nipples, causing him to gasp in response. Jo’s hand moved down to the front of his jeans, feeling the evidence of his desire for her. She ran her hand up and down, raised her head and smiled into his brown eyes, seeing her own need mirrored. Her fingers made short work of the snap and zipper on his pants and she slid a hand in to grasp his hard length.
Khalid was trying to unfasten Jo’s blouse, but his fingers were not working very well. He finally growled something in Arabic and grasped it and tore it open, the buttons flying off in all directions. He cupped her breasts and lifted one to his mouth, where he suckled it through the lace of her bra. Her hand tightened on him briefly and then she pulled away to remove the rest of her clothes. He sat on the bed and got his socks and shoes off, before she was once again reaching for his jeans. She pulled him up and knelt to remove the offending pieces of clothing. She reached out to take him in her hand, stroking his hard shaft, cupping the soft sac beneath gently in her hand.
“Johara…” His voice was strained as his hands buried themselves in her hair. She ran her tongue up and down, stopping at the velvety tip for a longer taste, then finally taking him in her mouth deeply. Her hands gripped his muscular thighs as she moved her mouth up and down the length of him. His fingers tightened and he pulled her up to him. His teeth grazed her neck, nipping at the soft flesh under her ear. Her head fell back, giving him access to her full breasts. He reached down to take a peaked tip into his mouth, drawing it deep in his mouth. He sat down on the bed and slid a knee between hers, lowering her gently until he could feel her against him. She pulled his head up for a long, hot, wet kiss as she moved on his thigh, moaning into his mouth.
“Easy kalila let me help.” Khalid’s hand moved across her belly and plucked at the curls that hid his objective. She leaned away from him and his fingers stroked into her wet heat, finding the sensitive nubbin, causing her to push into his hand. He stroked her, feeling the tension build in her as she reached for him.
“Imshi! Khalid, I want you in me, now!” Jo reached down to find him, hot, hard and ready, and guided him into her. As he thrust into her, she buried her face in his shoulder, shuddering with need. Khalid stroked deeply, holding her hips and the steady friction finally triggered her release. Jo cried out, and as he felt the waves of her orgasm in the muscles sheathing him, Khalid followed. He lay back, hugging her to him, soothing her trembling body with long, slow stokes of his strong hands.
“Allah, Jo, if we keep having fights, I may not live long.” She chuckled and moved to roll off of him, but he stopped her.
“No, I love the feel of you on me. Stay a while, habibti.” They lay quiet for a while, and then Jo moved off to the side and Khalid pulled her in close to him. They fell asleep in each other’s arms, not caring that they were laying on the clothes Khalid had strewn over the bed.
A tickling sensation on her neck woke Johara Bay from a sound sleep. A pair of bearded lips were making their way to her mouth.
“Omar?” she asked sleepily. A deep voice growled in her ear.
“Omar, is it? Show me where he is, I’ll slice him and dice him!” The lips finally reached hers and gave her a long, satisfying kiss.
“Mmmm, you smell delicious, lover, wanna join me?” She inhaled his freshly showered scent appreciatively and turned to put her arms around her husband’s neck. The sheet slid to her waist, revealing her full breasts. Khalid slid one hand down to stroke her, and then reluctantly pulled the sheet back up.
“Sorry, my jewel, we have to go now. Get up and get showered, I’ll lay out your clothes. We have a long way to go today.” Jo dug her way out of the pile of clothes and bedding and stumbled into the bathroom. A quick shower cleared her head and she went back into the bedroom. She looked for her robes, but only saw Khalid’s black ones lying on the bed. He had his back to her, stuffing clothes into his bag.
She grabbed her underclothes and put them on, still looking for her other clothes. “I thought you were going to get my robes out for me, Khalid? Where are they?” He pointed to the black robes on the bed.
“There, my Medjai warrior, I want you to look the same as the rest of the riders.”
Jo giggled, thinking how not like a Medjai she looked. “But, sweetie, I don’t have any tattoos. Or a scimitar.” She drew on the clothes, admiring herself in the mirror and then donned the headdress and scarves. Khalid came up behind her and draped ammo belts over each shoulder and across her chest. The belt around her waist also held a scabbard for a scimitar, but it was empty. Khalid turned her around to face him, retrieved a bundle from the couch and unwrapped it. Jo gasped when she saw what he held out to her.
“Oh, is that mine?” She grasped the scimitar, backing away from him as she tested its balance in her hand. It was lighter than the ones she had been practicing with, seeming to float through the air as she swung it. “It’s beautiful, habibi, thank you.” She sheathed it and ran to Khalid to give him a quick kiss.
“Now, Johara, you are a Medjai, a warrior for God. Yallah! Imshi! We ride!” He strode out of the room, Jo following him, her head still spinning with the thought of what he had called her. A Medjai! Her! She called Snoopy and they followed Khalid out the front door.
They joined the rest of the riders near the edge of the village and prepared to set out. Saleh was there, a beautiful young woman by his side. Her golden brown hair flowed down her back, shining in the morning sun. Khalid and Jo made their way over to him, eager to meet her.
“Abu, Zawwaaj al abb, this is Sahar, my lady, Sahar, my father Khalid Bay and my stepmother, Johara. Sahar is from Pakistan; we met in London when I rescued her from a purse-snatcher while we were in the same line to board the flight to Cairo. We’ve been together ever since.” Jo and Khalid looked at each other and smiled. He was definitely his father’s son.
“Sahar, my son did not tell me how beautiful you are. Of course, words could not do you justice, my dear.” Khalid took her hand in his and raised it to his lips for a kiss. He gazed into her lovely green eyes and knew she was his son’s soul mate. There was a goodness about her that shone through for all to see. He released her hand and Jo stepped up to her and hugged her, kissing her cheeks.
Sahar was relieved that Saleh’s family accepted her so readily. She had heard that the desert tribes were wary of outsiders. These Medjai were not what she had expected, even though Saleh had assured her she would be welcome.
“Sahar, you are truly welcome. I hope you stay a while. Are you riding out with us?” Jo moved back and looked at Sahar and Saleh. They looked at Khalid and he nodded.
“Yes, my son, she is welcome to come. Do you need suitable clothes, Sahar? One of the women will lend you some. I would prefer it if you would dress in the black robes, so as not to stand out from the rest. All right?”
Sahar’s eyes lit up. She would be able to stay with Saleh! “Yes, Mr. Bay, that would be wonderful. I don’t have anything along for riding anyway. If I could borrow some clothes, I could change and be back in a few moments. I do have to be back in Cairo in two weeks, as my flight leaves for home then.”
“We should be back by then, if not, Saleh can bring you back. Do you need to call anyone to tell them of your change of plans?” She nodded.
“My parents will need to know, although I’m not sure what I’ll tell them.”
“Tell them you are staying with a crazy American woman and her husband that you met in Cairo.” Jo said. “And that they are taking you to see a real archaeological dig. Would that be all right?”
Sahar laughed, thinking what her father would say, but she knew if she called now her mother would answer and she would tell Sahar’s father the news. That way it wouldn’t be so bad. “That will work, I think. I’ll call now while I get packed.”
Khalid called something in Arabic to one of the women, and she and Sahar hurried into one of the houses. They returned in a few moments with Sahar dressed in the Medjai robes, wearing a headdress and carrying more clothing in a bundle under her arm. Everyone had gotten ready to ride while they waited, and now Jo led a beautiful black horse up to her.
“Sahar, this is Bahie, the horse Khalid gave me when I first came to the village. Saleh said you haven’t ridden in a while, so I think she will be perfect for you. She is gentle and steady, but has speed if you need it.” Jo motioned to her stepson to help Sahar up on the horse. Saleh moved to her side, smiling and gave her a quick kiss. “Ready, my warrior princess? Up you go.” Sahar grinned as she settled into the saddle, wondering what on earth could happen to her next. When she left on her vacation from home, she never thought she would meet a handsome Bedouin warrior who would whisk her off to the desert of Egypt. They had talked the entire flight from London, learning about each other. When they landed in Cairo, Saleh had asked her to go home with him to meet his family. And, here she was, on a horse, dressed in Bedouin clothing and ready to go out into the desert to a mysterious destination.
Khalid looked at his people, spun his horse around and cried, “Yallah! Imshi,” before Damis broke into a gallop. Jo and Saleh followed more slowly, staying with Sahar until she settled into the rhythm of the long ride. Their conversation was lively, filled with laughter, and the time went quickly.
They rode for hours, reaching an oasis around lunchtime, where they stopped to rest the horses. Jo watched as Saleh helped Sahar dismount and remembered her first ride with Khalid. It seemed ages ago, although it was less than a year. Khalid had been gone frequently on business trips, spending more and more time away from their home. She looked over to where he was sitting with some of his men. She called her dog to her, walked over and found the food, and grabbing a handful of dates, walked to the edge of the oasis. She took off her headdress, feeling the hot desert wind blowing through her short curls. She turned her face into the breeze, breathing deeply. She loved the desert and it’s many faces. So harsh on one hand, but so beautiful. Anyone who didn’t see it often thought of it as a monochrome landscape, boring and monotonous. But there was infinite diversity in its plants and animals. The colors were many and varied, also, depending on the terrain and time of day. She was leaning against the side of a large palm when she sensed someone behind her. She knew it was Khalid; she could feel his intense gaze on the back of her neck. When his arms came around her, she leaned back into him, loving the feel of his strong body against hers.
”Kalila,” he said softly, kissing the top of her head, “we are leaving now. Are you coming along? Or will you stay here and stare at the desert forever?”
She turned in his arms, and he was rewarded with one of her brilliant smiles. Allah, she was beautiful, his wife. “Well, habibi, I could stay here, but then I would not be with you. Will you ride with me for a while, my husband?” They made their way to the other side of the oasis, Jo donning her headdress as they walked.
“It will be my pleasure.” Khalid helped her onto her horse and mounted Damis. The company rode out, rested and ready for the next leg of the journey. “How are you getting along with Marah? Have you ridden her much before?”
Jo shrugged and stroked the white horse’s neck, wondering what he was up to. “Once or twice. Why?” She looked at Khalid out of the corner of her eye, seeing his hands tense on the reins.
“Your riding is improving every day, kalila, soon you may win one of our races together.” Khalid glanced at his wife and then laughed. “But, not today!” He dug his heels into Damis’ sides, and the huge black stallion leaped forward into a gallop.
“Hey, no fair! You didn’t warn me! Come on, Marah, let’s show those two jerks what we can do.” Jo dug in also, and her smaller mare quickly moved up on the other horse, Snoopy running along to keep up. As they pulled even with Khalid and Damis, Jo issued a challenge. “To that oasis,” she waved ahead, “and the loser has to do anything the winner wants for a whole week. Wanna bet on that, smart guy?” Khalid’s face was a sight to see, he was so amazed to see her running even with him. He managed to nod an agreement, and Jo laughed with exhilaration.
“Okay, let’s do it!” She nudged Marah again with her heels and the smaller horse seemed to fly over the sand. Khalid swore eloquently in Arabic and urged Damis on, to no avail. They reached the oasis to find Jo sitting down by the water, the dog investigating the trees and her horse standing quietly by her.
“So, how long were you waiting to trap me in that con game, my dear?” Khalid dismounted and strode over to her, his face grim.
Jo laid her face on her raised knees, trying not to let him see her grin. “Can’t take it when a woman beats ya, huh? And here I thought you were so forward thinking.” She lost her battle with herself and started to laugh out loud. She looked up at her husband and laughed even harder. “Oh, habibi, I’m sorry, but you should see the look on your face. If I were an enemy, I would be shaking in my shoes.”
As Khalid looked down at her shining eyes and flushed face, and his mouth started twitching. He grinned at her and shook his head. He reached down to her and pulled her into his arms. “Ah, my jewel, you do know how to push my buttons. I am proud of you. You are an excellent rider. I hope your defensive fight training is coming along as well.” He kissed her and hugged her close to him.
“It is, but I still don’t see why I had to learn to use a scimitar. I don’t plan on being in a fight any time soon. Although, it’s really challenging to ride just using leg pressure and leaving my hands free for shooting and sword work. And my muscles are really toning up. Feel.” She guided his hand down to her bottom and on to her upper thigh. He squeezed appreciatively and smiled.
“Just make sure you don’t become one of those skinny, hard bodied women, kalila. I love your softness, too.” He kissed her again, this time plunging his tongue into her ready mouth, his hand moving around to cup her full breast. She gasped and he chuckled. He reached for the buttons on her shirt and released them, then slid his hand in to close on her breast again. The nipple was a hard pebble in his palm, as he squeezed gently. He moved his mouth down as he bent her over his arm to get better access to her soft flesh. He drew her into his mouth, sucking at the sensitive tip. Her hands came up and tangled in his hair, drawing him closer.
“Now, Johara?” His hands moved to her bottom, pulling her lower body tightly in to him to feel his arousal.
“Wait a minute, lover,” Jo pushed him away reluctantly. “Aren’t we a little old for the sand-in-places-we-didn’t-know-we-had-places thing? Besides, I hear the others coming.”
“You are right, kalila,” Khalid sighed and helped her button up. “But, we shall continue this later.”
“Maybe. After all, you have to do exactly what I tell you to for a week. You lost the race! Hey!” She jumped as he slapped her rear. “Careful, I’m armed, ya know.” Khalid helped her onto Marah, and after mounting his horse, pointed Damis’ head toward a line of cliffs in the distance.
The others caught up with them as they were leaving the oasis. As Saleh and Sahar rode together, he told her of his life’s work in the desert. “The Medjai are a sort of police force of the desert. We were the royal bodyguards of Seti 1st, sworn to protect him. When he was murdered by his priest and his mistress, whom the priest loved, we became the protectors of his legacy. I have wanted to be my father from the time I could understand what it was he did. I learned the lore of the Medjai at his knee; I helped with the horses and learned to ride almost before I could walk. My life is dedicated to the work of the Medjai and I have sworn to protect the secrets of the desert. I went to law school to better serve my people and their mission.” He smiled at Sahar. “But now, I am also dedicated to you, habibti, and our future. I think I am falling in love, Sahar, and I want to know if you feel the same. I know we have only known each other a short time, but I feel as if we were destined to meet and be together.” He moved his horse closer and grabbed Bahie’s reins to stop her. “Come, ride with me.” Saleh reached for her and swung her off her horse and into his arms. She sat sideways in front of him, her arms around his waist. One of his arms held her securely against his strong chest; the other stroked her soft cheek.
Sahar gazed up into his warm brown eyes, trying to read the truth of his feelings for her. “Saleh, I feel the same, but please do not rush me. I have never been truly in love before and I need to be sure.” She shyly reached a hand up to stroke his soft beard, and he turned his head to lay a gentle kiss in her palm. She shivered, and closed her eyes, feeling a shock of desire run through her.
“Kalila, look at me.” Saleh’s fingers lifted her chin and she opened her eyes. His mouth descended on hers, a gentle kiss that promised more. He lifted his head and smiled at her, then pressed her head against him, over his heart. She sighed and relaxed into his embrace, her arms tightening around him.
“Jaan, you are a good man. Please be patient with me.” She felt his chest rumble with laughter.
“Ah, Sahar, how could I not do anything you ask of me? But first you must tell me, what is it you just called me?”
“Jaan. It means “life” in Urdu, my native language. It is a term of endearment, like habibi or hayat in Arabic.” She leaned back to look up at him. “Do you mind?”
He gave her a quick, hard kiss and grinned. “It is perfect, al hayati. I’m honored.” She sighed in contentment and laid her head on his chest again, feeling his strong, steady heartbeat.