One Hot Desert Night(12)

He considered several answers to the query, yet what he desired to do,  and what he should do, were in direct contrast with each other. "We will  climb the precipice to your right."

She turned to survey the rock surface before presenting him with a less-than-pleased look. "It's definitely steep."

"Only from here. Once we begin our ascent, you will see it is not so difficult."

"If you say so," she said as she made a sweeping gesture toward the side  of the mountain. "You go first, and I'll be right behind you."

Not at all what he had planned, yet he would refrain from arguing with  her for the time being. "I will be happy to help you if the need  arises."                       
       
           



       

"I appreciate your concern, but I have hiked quite a bit in my lifetime."

"Then perhaps it is time to test your skill."

She presented a smile that brightened her emerald eyes. "I'm always up for a challenge."

He happened to be up for several challenges, though one he did not  particularly favor-resisting her feminine wiles. Yet he must resist so  to prove he still retained some honor in light of his oftentimes  dishonorable-though necessary-profession.

As the sky began to turn a pale blue, Rayad realized they would have to  hurry to enjoy the advent of dawn. "Perhaps it would be best if you go  first," he told her as he walked to the base of the rock wall. "I will  remain close behind you."

She moved beside him and scowled. "To check out my butt, no doubt."

He had not considered anything but her safety, yet since she had  mentioned it... "I wish to remain behind you in the event you stumble."

"And if I do, that means I'll fall back on you, and we could both plummet to our deaths."

"The peak is not as high as you might believe. If we fell, we might-"

"End up in a full body cast?"

"Suffer a few scrapes and bruises and possibly a broken bone."

"Or neck." She lifted her shoulders in a shrug. "But if you're willing to break my fall and be my cushion, who am I to argue?"

She smiled at him over one shoulder before she began to ascend the rock,  carefully choosing her footholds, as if she had done this before.  Perhaps she had, and that came as no true surprise to Rayad.

She fascinated him. She made him feel emotions he had long since learned  to bury. She made him feel as if he were a whole man again. Many years  had passed since he had experienced such strong, unwelcome emotions.

Surprisingly, she reached the top of the cliff with expediency, and once  there, she turned and favored him with a smile. "You're as slow as a  snail."

The insult sent him up to join her in a matter of seconds. "You clearly  are a skilled climber," he said as he came face-to-face with her.

"I've done my share in some pretty rough regions, and apparently, so have you."

If she only knew where he had been, and what he had been forced to do at  times, she would probably scurry back down the mountain and run to the  palace. "I have, yet it is not often I have been graced with such a  beautiful companion."

Her smile returned, soft and overtly sensuous. "And I've never known anyone who so easily threw out the compliments."

"Do not doubt my sincerity, Sunny, for as I have said before, I know true beauty."

With that in mind, he clasped her shoulders and turned her to face the  east. The first fingers of light had begun to reveal themselves above  the mountain range, giving the sky an orange cast. "This is why we are  here. To pay homage to your namesake."

He remained close to her side to witness her reaction firsthand to that  which he had so often taken for granted. Without speaking or moving, she  stared at the sun as it rose in the distance. A warm breeze ruffled her  blond hair, yet she seemed oblivious to her surroundings, and him.  Though he should not be concerned by her inattention, for some reason he  was.

"It's breathtaking," she finally said. "Seeing the dawn of a new day  gives you hope that the world isn't such a terrible place after all."

Yet his world could be a terrible place on a constant basis. "I find this scene gives me a sense of peace, as well."

She sighed. "Sometimes peace is hard to come by so you look for it wherever you can find it."

He knew that to be all too true. "You will have peace again, Sunny. You are a survivor."

"Actually, you're right, and like I told you last night, I'm going to be  fine." The slight break in her voice belied her conviction.

"You are not yet fine, but you will be as soon as your soul is on the mend."

She turned her gaze to his, a hint of frustration calling out from her  green eyes. "Really, it's okay. As far as I'm concerned, my breakup with  the ex-boyfriend was long overdue."

"I am referring to your abduction."

Rayad could tell by the way her body stiffened that she relied on denial  to dampen the memories. "I try not to think about it too much for the  sake of my sanity."

Sensing she needed comfort, he laid his palm against her lower back,  relieved when she did not recoil at his touch. "There are certain  experiences in life that haunt us for many years. Circumstances that  will lessen in impact, yet never be entirely forgotten. Fortunately, the  passage of time does aid in gaining perspective."                       
       
           



       

"What events are haunting you, Rayad?"

Because his attempt at counsel had led to his transparency, he would  only supply a half-truth. "I am serving in the military. Oftentimes that  regretfully entails witnessing revolting acts imposed by men on other  men. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to provide details." Nor would  he reveal his own personal tragedy.

"I understand." After a brief span of silence, she asked, "Is that the baby-making mountain over there?"

That brought about his smile. "Mabrứuk. And yes, if you believe in the  legend, it has the power to render women fertile within a hundred-mile  radius."

"I'm not saying I believe in the legend, but would you mind keeping your  distance? Just in case." She followed the comment with a coy smile.

He did not care to keep his distance or acknowledge that he gave the  folklore credence. "I do not believe that Mabrứuk's powers would enable  me to impregnate you with only a touch of my hand."

"I suppose that would be miraculous."

"And it would take away the pleasure of the process of procreating."

Her cheeks flushed slightly as she lowered her eyes. "True. But the process doesn't have to be only about procreating, does it?"

"No, it does not." Should they continue this conversation, he might  attempt to begin the process. Yet when it came to Sunny, vigilance  should be paramount.

When she failed to speak, he felt an apology was in order. "I am sorry if I have upset you with my talk of procreation."

"Not at all," she said. "In fact, for the first time in a long time, I'm  starting to feel like myself again. That kiss last night didn't hurt."

He tipped her chin up, forcing her to look at him. "If you believe  nothing else about me, believe this. I would never intentionally do  anything to make you uncomfortable."

"I know that, otherwise I wouldn't be with you. But there is something you can do for me."

"Whatever you wish."

"Kiss me good morning."

He struggled with what he wanted and what she needed. What he must do to  win her trust so that he might guide her through the crisis. Yet  refusing a beautiful woman's request for a kiss was foreign to him.  Still, he vowed to proceed carefully from this point forward, and chose  to press a chaste kiss against her lips.

She did not look at all pleased. "Very sweet. Not what I had in mind, but nice."

He cupped her cheek in his palm. "Had I kissed you the way I wish to  kiss you, we might spend all day on this mountaintop. And though that  might be pleasurable, we need to continue our adventure before the  storms arrive."

Sunny turned her face to the skies. "I don't see even one cloud."

"The deluge is coming," he said. "But you will see no rain where I am  taking you." A destination where he had never taken another woman  since... He pushed away the bitter realities to focus on his companion.

"Can you give me just a little hint about where you're taking me aside from your land?"

"You will soon see for yourself. I will tell you it is unlike any place you have ever been before."

"I've been quite a few places."

"Trust me on this point."

"That remains to be seen."

Though she had said it with a touch of amusement, Rayad realized he  would have to earn her confidence. And should anyone discover where he  was taking her, he could be stripped of his duties and his honor, or  worse.