CHAPTER 7

"Ardeth are you okay?" Ali said wondering why he had such a pained look on his face.

"Yes, habibi I am fine. You just take my breath away". Ardeth took another step to where their bodies where actually touching. He watched for a reaction from Ali. He did not want to scare her. He searched her eyes for fear, but instead found want. He could see it smoldering in her eyes.

Slowly he lowered his head and claimed her lips in a soft, tentative kiss. He was quite sure she would pull away. But she did not. Instead her lips responded to his butterfly kiss.

As if of their own mind Ardeth's arms went around Ali's waist and pulled her to him. Ali rested her hands on his broad chest. Ardeth slowly deepened the kiss and waited for Ali's response. Her response was putting her arms around his neck and gently pulling him closer. Ardeth could feel himself losing control. He wanted to touch her entire body. But he knew she was not ready for such intimacy. Slowly he pulled away from their kiss.

Ali's eyes shot open "What's wrong?"

"Nothing kalila."

"Something happened. What did I do wrong?"

Ardeth pulled Ali to him "You did nothing wrong. I could feel myself losing control. I did not want to push myself on you. You have been through so much. I want to give you time"

Ali pulled back from their hug so that she could look into his face. She was trying to hold back the tears but could not. As they trickled down her face she spoke "Thank you"

"There is no need to thank me. I have found out over the past 2 days that I feel connected to you. I want to protect you, kalila. I do not know how to explain it, but.....I feel the strongest need to just make you happy." As Ardeth finished he took his thumb and brushed away her tears.

Ali did not know what to say. After all the abuse and torture of the last 6 months. To be cared for and protected. "I feel connected to you too" was all she finally got out. Then Ali surprised them both by standing up on her tippy-toes and softly kissing Ardeth.

After she had lowered herself back down and after Ardeth straightened his reeling head he smiled and said "I think it is time for us to take our evening meal. Do you wish to take it here or out in the commons with the rest of the village?"

"Oh, I don't know. Will I be accepted out there? I don't want to interrupt your village's normal routine."

"You will be accepted for you are with me" Ardeth said in a defiant tone.

Ali could not help but giggle.

"What is for funny, habibi?"

"I'm sorry Ardeth, I'm not use to your cave-man, chest-beating attitude. I am the leader and what I say goes."

"Are you making fun of me?"

"A little"

"Hmmp" he said as he reached for her waist again. As his hands touched her sides he began to tickle her.

Ali could not help but start to wiggle and laugh. She was extremely ticklish. "Ardeth, no. That's not funny" she said as she tried to escape his tormenting hands.

"But habibi, I wanted to give you something to truly laugh at" he said with a Cheshire cat grin on his face.

Finally he stopped. In the commotion of Ali trying to break free from his tickling she had knocked her turban from her head. Auburn waves cascaded down past her shoulders.

Ardeth reached out and touched it. "Gamiila" he murmured as he ran his hand through Ali's auburn locks. "You remind me of a porcelain figurine that I once saw in a shop in Cairo. You are truly striking, habibi"

Ali felt herself blushing from head to toe. Thankfully Ardeth spoke again, because she knew she would not have been able to.

"Let me help you with your turban and then we will go partake of the evening meal." Ardeth had already picked it up and was arranging it on Ali's head again before she even realized what was happening.

He stopped as he went to draw the veil across her face and softly whispered "I can not resist". He slowly stole a tender kiss from her, then replaced her veil.

As Ardeth took her hand and led her toward the common he whispered under his breath "Allah, what has this woman done to me?"

After the evening meal Ardeth took Ali around showing her different parts of the village. As they were walking Ali asked "Ardeth, where will I be staying?"

Ardeth had thought about this question since they had left Hamunaptra. "I think it would be best kalila if you stayed with me"

Ali stopped. "Stay with you?"she said in a nervous tone.

Ardeth stopped and turned to look at her "Yes, will that be a problem?" He was concerned. Why had his suggestion caused her to act to upset.

"Well, what will your village think? I mean...well....you know what I mean"

"Yes I do, habibi and to use my 'cave-man' attitude again, it does not matter. I want to protect you and make you feel safe again. The best way I know how to do that is to be near you. Do you object with being that close to me?" he added teasingly.

"No, of course not" Ali stammered.

"Well then, it is settled."

Nothing else was mentioned as they toured the rest of the village. As they walked back toward Ardeth's home he casually stated "You will sleep in the bed and I will sleep on the pallet in the living area of my home"

Again Ali stopped "No, that's not fair. I will sleep on the pallet."

Ardeth turned toward Ali and a very fake authoritative tone stated "No I am the Med-Jai leader and I say you will sleep in the bed."

Ali could not help but laugh. Finally she said "And what if I say no, anyway?"

"Then" Ardeth stated as he stepped closer to her "I will have to make you submit by tickling you". As he finished his hands were on Ali's sides, although he had not started to tickle her yet.

"Well I guess if you put it that way I have to agree, don't I?"

"Yes that would be wise, my habibi" Ardeth said as he laughed.

They were still laughing when they walked into his house.