CHAPTER 10

Ardeth watched Ali sleeping in his arms. She looked at peace and he was glad. He laid awake trying to figure out what to do about his feelings for her. He knew that he loved her. She had indeed stolen his heart, but what to do about it was what was plaguing him.

Ali stirring brought him back from his thoughts.

"Habibi?" he whispered not sure if she was awake or not.

Ali rose up from his chest and looked at him. He had never seen a more beautiful sight. Her auburn hair was falling in cascades around her shoulders. Her green eyes were bright as emeralds from some ancient artifact. Her covering had slipped of her shoulder and her white skin was as perfect as porcelain.

Ardeth reached out and touched her cheek. Ali moved her face across the palm of Ardeth's hand. The sensation sent chills through them both.

Neither said a word but they both knew what they wanted. Ali moved up in Ardeth's arms and their lips met in a slow, tender kiss. But that did not satisfy either for very long. Ardeth wanted to be able to touch her.

Ali was surprised to feel Ardeth pull away from her. When she opened her eyes she saw why. He was standing at the edge of the bed holding his hand out to her. As she took his hand he pulled her to him.

Ardeth ran his hands over the thin material that covered Ali's body. Ali grabbed at his shoulders for support.

For a moment he stopped and looked into her eyes. He wanted to make sure this was right. The passion and need glowing in them gave him his answer. Ardeth took the material and gathered it inch by inch in his hands. As he did he was touching each new exposed area of Ali's skin. He felt her dig harder into his shoulders. As he brought the material up past her breast he stopped. He leaned over and began to arouse her nipple with the tip of his tongue.

"Ardeth" Ali moaned as he left one hardened nipple to move to arouse the other.

Ali then felt him nudging at her arms. She eagerly lifted them so he could remove her covering.

"Gamiila" he growled as he pulled her now naked body to him. As he did she could feel his reaction to her. For a moment she felt fear, but it was quickly replaced by want. She needed him.

She pulled back enough to reach for the drawstring of his pants. She untied them and feverishly pushed at the waist of them. Finally she felt them slide from her hands. Suddenly she felt shy. But she also felt want.

Ardeth stepped out of the pants and reached for Ali. He picked her up and gently laid her onto the bed.

Lying down beside her, Ardeth leaned up on one arm. As he pushed a few stray strands of hair from her face he looked deep into her eyes "kalila?"

Ali understood. He was asking if she was sure. Sure that this was what she wanted.

She looked back into his caramel eyes. Seeing the passion and the caring in them she spoke "Love me please. Help me erase all the bad memories. Help me make new ones." As Ali finished speaking she reached up and entangled her hands into the dark waves of his hair. She pulled him to her and kissed him with more passion than she ever knew existed.

Ardeth slowly made his way from Ali's lips down her body. Again stopping to arouse her nipples. As he moved down her body, Ali felt her body reacting to each new touch.

Ali had never known anything like the wave of emotion and sensation she was feeling. Ardeth had worked his way down one side of her body and was now working his way back up the other side.

Ardeth could feel Ali responding to his touch. And it aroused him even more. He wanted her, he needed her. But he wanted to make sure that he showed her how love could be. He wanted to do just what she had asked. He wanted to help her erase all the bad things that had happened to her.

Ali moaned as Ardeth's tongue explored her most private areas. Finally she could stand no more. She felt as though she would explode if he did not love her soon.

"Ardeth, please" she begged as she grabbed at his ebony locks trying to pull him up her.

Caramel eyes met green ones. "Please, love me, now" she pleaded as she kissed him with a force that shocked them both.

Ardeth complied with her plea. Taking his time as not to hurt her. He watched her face intensely for any signs of pain. When she tightened her closed eyes and dug deeply into his shoulders he stopped "Habibi?"

Ali opened her eyes. Ardeth could see the unshed tears, but her words reassured him. "It's okay, Ardeth. Just give me a minute......to get use to you."

Ardeth nodded and gently leaned down and whispered in her ear "Take all the time you need, kalila we have all night"

He gently kissed Ali's closed eyelids, her nose, her forehead. He only wanted to make this right for her. After a few moments Ardeth felt Ali's hands moving across his back. Then he felt them pull him toward her. Slowly she began to move her hips.

Ardeth met her pace. He was rewarded with her again moaning his name. He kissed her fiercely as their pace quickened.

Ali felt as though she were riding a wave. She could not get enough of Ardeth. She arched her back to meet each of his thrust.

"Ardeth" Ali screamed as she felt herself being swept over the edge. She thrust upward as the wave overtook her body. Ardeth dug his hands into her hair as her climax pushed him over that edge too.

For several moments they lay there still entwined in each others arms. Ardeth did not want to let this moment go. He knew he was going to lose her and he wanted this to last as long as possible.

Eventually he did move to her side and gathered her drowsy form into his arms. "Goodnight, kalila. I will hold you while you sleep"