AN UNWISE DECISION

Laurel dropped her suitcases in the room Bart had set up for her when she came to live with him.  She was relieved to get them out of her hands because the bloody things weighed a ton.  Three weeks ago, she and Bart had gone to Paris to examine an artifact unearthed in the countryside.  Her father hadn't actually needed her to tag along, but he asked her to go anyway.  Actually, his motivation was far more complicated than he would admit.  For a couple of weeks, he watched her pine for the Medjai chieftain.  If he said anything about her going to see him, she would have a fit, declaring that she didn't care.  Of course she cared, it was written all over her.  She was too stubborn to admit it.  What Laurel didn't know was that Bart had been in contact with Bahir and Fadilah Bay. 

Ardeth's parents both reported that he was basically tight-lipped, not expressing his wants or needs.  He didn't want to push his way into Laurel's life because she didn't want him; she had stated it plainly.  Basically, their children were too stubborn, neither willing to make the first move.  Yet, there was a time when Ardeth was tempted to see Laurel as he and his men rode close to the professor's bêt [house].  However, when the notion struck him, he swept the thought away.  There was so much he wanted to say to her, to show her.  The last time they saw each other, neither could express what was truly going on inside them.  She still hurt from the words he had spoken to her in the oasis.  He was afraid to approach her because he felt badly for causing her so much pain.  He loved her; he loved her so much that it gnawed at his heart, making it ache.  He had no doubt that she loved him in the same way, but she couldn't forgive him, and he didn't blame her for that.  Still, he longed to give her the kiss he wanted her to have the moment he realized she was alive.  He wanted to touch her hair and hold her in his arms.  The last few days they were together before she was taken were the most intense he had experienced in his life.  So much had happened so fast.  His feelings ran so deeply that he couldn't drive thoughts of her out of his mind no matter how hard he tried.  If only she would consent to see him again.

Laurel stood back and glanced at the bizarre totem her father had brought back from France.  He claimed it was sculpted in the shape of some ancient Egyptian god, but to her, it looked like a blob of melted wax.  She couldn't make out any discernible shapes.  When he tried to point it out to her, she still didn't see it.  The only thing that drew her attention was an odd marking on what she assumed was the bottom of the figure.  She had seen the symbol somewhere before, hadn't she?  She took it from her father's hands, surprising him, and looked at it for a very long time.  When she realized what it was, she lowered her head and sighed.  Ardeth.  It was a symbol identical to the markings on Ardeth's shoulders.  Ardeth Ardeth Ardeth.  Everywhere she turned it was Ardeth.  She simply could not get away from the man.  In the beginning, her father had pressed her to see him, but now, he had backed off.  However, he was still around every bloody corner, in every bloody room.  Now, she was glancing down at a totem of some type with a marking that was on his person.  She began to wonder if some magical force was drilling him into her brain until she went incurably insane.  Without saying anything, she gave the totem back to her father, vaguely pointing at the marking.  Of course, he was thrilled.  Once again, he had found something close, possibly near and dear, to his Medjai friends.  Have fun on your next endeavor, Father.

"I'll ride out with this tomorrow and give it to Bahir.  He's the keeper of such things."  He glanced at Laurel.  She wasn't exactly paying attention to him or his words.  She was staring off in space.  "Laurel, would you like to accompany me?"

His question brought her around immediately.  "Father, you are joking, correct?  You know how I feel about going there."

He nodded.  "Yes, I know, but I'm not joking.  You won't have to worry about Chieftain Bay.  Bahir told me that two days after we left the village, the tribe rode out and will be gone for six weeks.  I can assure you that you won't see him.  The trip will do you a world of good and the elder Bays would like to see you again."  I told only a little lie, he thought vaguely.

"Okay," she said with a nod, "I'll go."

Within the embrace of his family and friends, Ardeth often stayed with his parents, but tonight, he was in no mood to do so.  He had ridden out a few miles and made camp.  It was hard to think amongst his parents.  They loved him and wanted to see him happy, but at times, they had the tendency to irritate him.  Besides that, his heart felt heavier than ever.  His father told him that Ustâd and Laurel had left the country going toward an unknown destination.  In his heart, Ardeth knew they would not return, although his father hadn't said as much. Perhaps, it was better this way.  It wouldn't lessen the pain by far; at least he wouldn't have the knowledge that she was in the same country nearly right on top of him, but emotionally a million miles away.  He found that the nighttime was far worse for him than any time of the day.  They had slept side by side after he'd made love to her, but for some time after she had gone to sleep, he had remained awake, holding her, ready to forget every obligation he had taken on from the first day he had drawn breath.  It was the night that brought back every memory full force.  Ardeth sighed and ran his hands over his face.  There would be no sleep for him tonight.  He was exhausted, but he knew the moment that he closed his eyes, he'd only see her face.

It was late afternoon when Laurel and Bart entered the fringes of the village.  The moment her horse set hoof on the land, Laurel's body tensed up automatically.  Regardless of what her father said, she expected [wanted] Ardeth to be here somewhere.  Her father was sneaky and had done everything in his power to throw her into Ardeth's arms, and she had fought him every step of the way.  Before they had the chance to dismount, they were greeted by Bahir Bay who was genuinely happy to see the ustâd and his daughter.  Laurel sat back and listened politely to the conversation the two men exchanged in Arabic.  She felt like an outsider.  She knew nothing about the language, had only picked up a few basic words.  Laurel dismounted and stationed her horse with her father's.  She didn't immediately follow the men inside.  She didn't think she could do it.  It was as if she could sense Ardeth's presence inside, as if she could feel him.  Laurel smiled and waved toward one of the female villagers she had seen a couple of times.  The woman returned her smile and wave.  She tried to recall what her name was.  Waqi.  Oh yes.  Waqi.  Laurel turned away and placed the palms of her hands just above the back of her hips.  She glanced around and marveled at how different things looked in the daytime.  What or who are you looking for, Laurel?  It was a question she needed to answer and do so honestly.  Her father had promised Ardeth wouldn't be here and he wasn't.  She had thought he was misleading her so he could attempt another 'reunion.'  Apparently, he wasn't.  Now that she was here, now that she knew he wasn't, her heart ached in utter disappointment.  What was all that codswallop you told him a few weeks ago, Laurel?  Didn't you say you didn't want him?  She had said those things, but she had also told him she loved him right to his face.  He had told her, had predicted that she wouldn't want anyone else, and it was true.  Every word that had come out of his mouth was true.  She would go to her father and tell him that she was going back.  She couldn't stay here a moment longer. 

Ardeth rode in and saw the figure of a woman.  It was one he recognized immediately, but he assumed he was hallucinating.  The mannish pants were replaced with dark form fitting riding britches and a matching button-down shirt.  Her long hair was gathered into a thick ponytail tied at the nape of her neck.  He knew who he was looking at, knew what his eyes saw, but he couldn't believe it.  He had seen Ustâd a few times before they left the country, but he had never seen her.  Why would she suddenly come back now?  He didn't want to be so arrogant to assume that she had come to her senses and wanted him.  He wanted badly to rush over and take her into his arms.  He fought the urge with everything he had in him and continued to make a slow progression toward her.  The closer he drew, the more defined her features became.  This was no hallucination.  An incredibly sweet pain erupted in his chest as his heart swelled with his love for her.  If she would only speak to him for a few minutes, he thought he might be satisfied for the rest of his life.  Laurel turned as she heard a horse approaching.  She wanted to deny what her eyes saw.  Perhaps this stranger was another warrior, but she knew it could be no one other than Ardeth.  Although he was covered relatively well from the harsh sun and biting sand, she immediately recognized his eyes.  Gazing down at her, he removed his ghutrah.  For several moments, it seemed as if time stood still.  He was so completely surprised to see her that he didn't know how to feel.  Laurel gazed up at him and felt her breathing suddenly picking up as her heart thumped sickly in her chest.  Obviously, her father had lied to her after all.  Chieftain Bay won't be there indeed.  Ardeth inhaled a deep breath, making ready to utter her name, but she moved suddenly, cutting off his words.  With the ease of an experienced rider, she was up in the saddle and gone before he knew it.  With a determined snarl, he rode after her.  She had left him once, but she wouldn't do it again.  He wasn't sure how long he chased after her.  It could have been minutes or hours, but he didn't care.  One way or another, he would catch her. 

Laurel knew that Ardeth was behind her, chasing her, and there was no way he would give up.  Yet, she didn't want to stop.  Running was better than facing him.  Facing him would only hurt, would only let her know that he was completely unobtainable to her.  She wasn't ready for that realization.  Although she had been through a tremendous struggle, at heart, she was still a scared little girl.  Before long, he and his much swifter horse caught up with her.  Deftly with one arm [mimicking a move he had made weeks ago], he reached out and took hold of her, pulling her toward him.  Before she could scream, he had her safely seated against him, the other horse slowing the moment he realized his rider was gone.  She closed her eyes tightly, fighting so hard to keep from looking at him.  If she saw his eyes, it would be over.  Ardeth reined in his horse and brought him to a halt.  His arm was securely wrapped around her waist and his touch burned her as if it his arm were made of molten iron.  Mustering every bit of strength she had, she clamped her hand down on his to pry his arm away from her waist.  It didn't work.  His other came around her and he held her even tighter.

"I will release you if you promise not to run," he told her, his voice falling in her ear.  "Do you promise?"

God.  It was as if they had ridden back to the beginning.  "Fine.  Let me go."

He released her and she jumped down to get her body away from his.  She couldn't handle it.  Ardeth dismounted and approached as closely as he dared.  For now, her back was facing him.  She appeared to be collecting herself and he would give her the chance to do that.  He had his own collecting to do.  The thoughts and feelings that attacked him when he first discovered that she was alive came rushing through him again.  He had wanted to kiss her and hold her, but she had denied him.  They were alone and there was nothing here to distract them.  He will not go away, Laurel.  Face the music.  Turn around and look at him.  It's what you have wanted for two weeks now.  Taking a deep breath and then releasing it, she turned around.  As she gazed at him, she remembered all the thoughts that ran through her mind after she saw him fall to the ground.  What she would have given then to have him alive, and he was.  What did she do?  She tossed him and her feelings aside. 

"When I…when I thought you were dead," Laurel began, "I had never felt so devastated.  I thought you were gone forever and nothing mattered to me.  I didn't care if I lived or died.  I forgot everything else and focused on that feeling inside me.  But the hurt…the…"  She couldn't say it, couldn't wrench it out of her mouth.  "I'm sorry."

"I understand, I know," he said.

She shook her head and was horrified when she felt tears trickling out of her eyes.  She hadn't been aware that she was crying.  "No, Ardeth, you don't.  Don't you think I wanted to hold you one last time?  That I wanted to kiss you?  I couldn't…couldn't do it because I know what you have to do."

"I remember what I said, but I was wrong, and I failed you.  I heard them taking you away, and then I heard you screaming my name, but I could not move.  What I had to do was find you and bring you back.  What I had to do then is the same thing I have to do now.  I have to love you.  You have to let me love you."

"No.  I know what you said and it's your purpose in life, your duty, and I can't interfere with that."

Within seconds, he had bridged the gap between them.  He took hold of her arm and gazed down at her.  "You must understand something.  It is much too late.  You have interfered, you interfered the moment I saw you for the first time.  It is and was the type of interference I longed for, but could never touch because I did not have it until I found you."

Give in, give in, give in.  The thought assaulted her a hundred times in rapid succession, but she didn't have to make a move.  His lips captured hers, softly at first, but then brutally once she began to respond.  Once his tongue entered her mouth, it was over for her.  Every single ounce of emotion that she had withheld began to pour out.  She didn't know whether to laugh, cry, or scream angrily at him.  She didn't know if she should feel joy or pain.  Her hands blindly uncovered his head so she could get her fingers into his hair.  His own hands settled at her waist and he drew her up against him, almost crushing her.  Once the kiss was broken, Ardeth expected her to move away, but she didn't.  She gazed up at him and his heart swelled bigger than before.  He answered a question her eyes asked without a word or a movement.  Her hands went for the ties holding his robes closed together.  Once undone, she opened the garment and slid it off his body.  He was so beautiful.  Her lips trailed over his chest and down to his ribs.  She noticed the still healing bullet wound.  It was enough to make her cry again.  He closed his eyes for a brief moment when her lips grazed over it.  She made a trail back up to his throat and her lips met his again.  She sighed within their kiss as he began to unbutton her shirt.  When it was open, he didn't hesitate to break away from her lips so he could bring his to the hollow of her throat.  She thrust her hands into his hair again when he placed nibbling bites to that area alone.  He didn't move his lips any further down, not yet.  He stopped and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before he moved away a few inches.  He took her hand and drew her down to where his robe was discarded.  He lowered her down on it and he didn't hesitate to continue his assault on her throat.  This time, his mouth moved lower.  He slid his hand through the opening of her shirt but didn't touch her breast.  He rested it just inches below it.  She could feel her nipples hardening already.  He swirled his tongue around her nipple, drawing it into his mouth, suckling for half a second before releasing it, and then he repeated the process in rapid succession.  By that time, she was almost crying with the desire of having his touch again.  He bestowed the same attention to her other nipple, tasting them both until she thought she would lose her mind before he stopped.  He kissed her again and heard a sigh leaving him as her fingers trailed down below his waist.  Her touch, although outside his pants, hardened him almost instantly.  He shifted his body just the slightest to move her hand.  He came up to his knees and tugged at her boots, tossing each one aside.  His fingers went to work on her pants and he slowly peeled away the fabric, taking her undergarments with him as he did.  Save for her shirt, she was naked before him and he placed gentle kisses along her abdomen.  He took hold of a thigh and placed very gentle kisses inside it. 

He stopped suddenly and drew away.  She watched as he began to remove his boots.  When the last one was discarded, he was about to discard his pants, but she moved suddenly, taking hold of his hand.  Leaning over him, she opened them and slid her hand inside.  Her delicate hand fell upon him and her fingers moved over him gently.  He grabbed her wrist and she looked up at him innocently.  Together, they worked him out of his pants and when he was freed of his clothing barriers, he pushed her back down, and leaned over her.  He kissed her again only to draw away when he felt her hand once again encircling him.  Groaning aloud, he reveled in her touch for the briefest of moments, temporarily giving in to his tortured ecstasy.  He didn't tolerate it for long, but before he had to reach down for her, she moved her hand, sliding it up his abdomen, and settling it on his side.  His hand made another journey along her body.  He allowed his fingers to lightly tweak each nipple before placing his palm flat between her breasts.  A sound came out of her throat when it traveled downward, ending up between her thighs.  He began his own torturous caress, making small circles outside her.  Every few seconds, he drew his middle finger up vertically, not quite allowing it to enter her.  It took only a few of those touches to make her pant and squirm against his stroking hand.  He settled his eyes on hers, wanting to see her, to see what she looked like at that most critical moment.  He wouldn't stop or let up until he did.  As his touches increased in tempo, her own internal switches came on, literally forcing her to open for him without much prodding.  When his middle finger made contact with the flesh inside, he kept it there, moving it slowly, allowing it to enter her one or two times.  The pad of his finger made abrupt contact with the swollen little nub, the essence of her sex.  All it took was that one direct touch to send her over.  He watched as her eyes turned completely green and they seemed to glaze over as her body was carried through the shuddering waves of an intense climax.  It was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.

He withdrew his finger and moved his hand away.  His lips took hers again and she felt his body moving over hers.  The crushing sensation wasn't so frightening this time, and when she felt him hard and throbbing against her, she parted her thighs without his directing her to do so.  He entered her deeply, his abdomen touching hers, his lips only a breath away from hers.  He leaned up just the slightest and began moving within her.  She had written about the first time he made love to her and she had been completely overwhelmed by sensation, the feel of him thrusting in and out of her, their bodies moving fluidly in the most intimate dance known to man.  Tonight, the same sensation had overtaken her, but it was heightened to an even greater degree.  His body was truly connected to hers.  They were no longer working as two separate souls.  They were one entity reaching out and touching the grandest miracle of all, true love.

When he met his release inside her, his face was drawn into a grimace of intense ecstasy.  He bit down on his bottom lip and rode the waves of his own climax.  He didn't feel the tight clamp of her legs about his waist or the fingernails of one hand digging into his shoulder blade.  He was completely oblivious for several glorious moments.  The first outside stimuli that drew his attention was the sound of crying.  He opened his eyes and gazed down at her.  There were tears shining in her eyes and her breathing was still more like panting.  With each breath she exhaled, a sound left her, a shaky 'oh.'  Keeping the majority of his weight balanced on one arm, he leaned down and kissed her.  During the kiss, she continued to cry and let out the shaky 'ohs' each time he drew his lips away from hers.                               

"I love you," he said against her lips.  "I will love no other."

"Nor will I," she whispered through her tears.

He kissed her again before whispering, "Stay with me, Laurel.  Stay with me for the rest of my life."

She tightened her hold about his body and buried her face into the hollow between his throat and shoulder.  She said nothing.  He shifted his body just the slightest and they each turned to their sides.  She immediately buried her face in his chest.  Ardeth continued to whisper 'stay with me' until he was dragged into sleep.  Laurel listened to his breathing and when she realized he was out, she drew away from him.  Someone or something was looking out for her that night, because he didn't move while she dressed or when she spread a blanket over him or when she led her horse away to make her escape.

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To be continued…