Jessica was confused. She didn’t know what to pack. Conner said they were camping at the Sahara Desert. But he clearly said they would be taking things to the next level in the White Desert. Were they the same place? She’d googled the White Desert, and while the internet confirmed it was in the Sahara, she still didn’t know if it that’s where they would be. The desert itself was enormous. There could be a thousand places they were going.
She almost texted Conner and asked him, but he’d just say something smart like, “You’re a little eager.”
She finally decided to pack both her somewhat modest pajamas and her sexy ones. She’d figure it out when they got there.
A knocked sounded on the door, and she cursed. He was early.
She flung open the door. “Hey,” she said, a bit breathless.
“Hey,” he said and kissed her deeply. “You ready?”
“Almost.” She’d taken Thursday off work, so they had extra time. The car was picking them up at ten. It was quarter to nine.
“You’re early.”
He shrugged. “I wanted to see you. Is that a crime?”
She grinned. “It is when I’m packing. I’ll be back in a minute.”
She escaped back into the bedroom and continued searching through her drawers for the right shorts. She jumped when he wrapped his arms around her.
“You seem nervous.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He chuckled and sat on her bed next to her suitcase. Before she could flip the lid shut, he pulled out her lacy camisole.
“Isn’t this a little sexy for the desert?”
Jessica blushed and snatched it from him and threw it back in the suitcase. She wouldn’t look at him. “You said we were going to the desert, but you didn’t specifically say the White Desert, so I didn’t know if I should be prepared or not.”
He stood up and forced her to look at him. “You’re gorgeous, you know that, right?”
She nodded because she didn’t know the appropriate response.
“Good,” he said and kissed her. She forgot about what she was packing and leaned into him.
He pulled away and looked at his watch. “You should hurry. We don’t want to be late.”
He slipped out of the bedroom and left her to pack. It was only once he was gone that her mind cleared, and she realized he never answered her question. She still had no idea where they were going.
They arrived in the desert a few hours later. It was very clearly not the White Desert. In fact it was called the Black Desert. But they had fun anyway. Their driver let out a little air from his tires, and they raced up and down the dunes. She laughed a lot. They went sand boarding, and when night fell, they found themselves in the middle of a Bedouin camp eating a sheep that had been cooking for several hours on a bed of coal buried in sand.
But as they climbed into the tent that night, she felt let down. She thought for sure tonight would be the night. She supposed she could convince Conner, but this really wasn’t that romantic or private. There were people all around them.
Conner pulled her close to him.
“Did you have fun today?”
“I did. The desert is gorgeous.”
“Have you fallen in love with Egypt yet?”
“I’ve fallen in love with a lot of things. I wish I’d made changes in my life a long time ago.”
“I’m glad you waited. Otherwise you might not have landed in my arms at the right time.”
She sighed. “But I did. I guess that’s the only thing that really matters, right?”
“Are you okay? You seem a little, I don’t know. Disappointed?”
“I am.”
“Why?”
She was glad it was dark, and she couldn’t see his reaction. “Because we are in the Black Desert, not the white one.”
He chuckled. “Patience, love, soon.”
They talked for a while longer, and then Conner was shaking her awake.
“It’s still dark.”
“I know, but you’ll want to see this. Trust me.”
They climbed out of the tent and hiked up one of the dunes. “Sunrise time,” said Conner.
Jessica groaned. “Seriously man, haven’t you ever heard of sleeping in?”
He chuckled. “Only when I’m at home. On the road, I like to see the sunrise.”
He sat down, and she leaned into him, trying to keep her eyes open.
The sky lightened to purple and then pink. It was an amazing array of colors. When the sun finally broke the horizon, coating the orange sand in golden light, Conner leaned over and kissed her deeply. He wound his fingers into her hair and tugged her close.
“See, totally worth waking up a little early for, isn’t it?” he whispered against her lips.
She smiled and kissed him.
A few hours later they were zipping up and down dunes again. Eventually they found a road, and Jessica saw the landscape changing a bit. The dunes gave way to flat land and the Black Desert turned brown again. Conner pulled her up against his side. Jessica didn’t sleep very well the night before and found herself drifting off.
Conner woke her up later. “Look around.”
She blinked at the blinding scenery. There were enormous white rocks everywhere. It looked like they were in the middle of a Star Wars movie.
She turned to him and grinned. “Without sounding too eager, I have to ask. Is this the White Desert?”
“Indeed it is. We’ll be sleeping here tonight.”
Jessica tried to keep her smile subdued, but she couldn’t help herself. After about thirty minutes, the car stopped and let them out to explore the amazing rocks. They climbed on top of them, ate lunch in the shadow of another one, and climbed inside a few others. There was no one else out there. It felt as if they were the only two people on Earth. It was exhilarating.
That night, just after dark, they pulled up to their campsite. There was only one tent set up. From the outside, it looked a lot bigger than the one they stayed in the night before.
“You ready?” Conner asked.
Jessica snorted. “Did you really just ask me that?”
He grabbed her hand. “I promised I would never make you do anything you didn’t want to.”
He was nothing like Rick. Jessica still worried about the fact that this was a rebound relationship and those never lasted. She genuinely liked Conner and wished she’d met him about six months later.
Jessica kissed him. “Did you not remember my disappointment last night? I’m more than ready.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I do. Come on.”
The driver brought their bags into the tent while she and Conner stared at the stars.
“They go on forever.”
“That they do. Before I came out here, I had no idea this many stars actually existed.”
Jessica sighed. No man had treated her this way.
Conner led her to the tent. She went in first, and he followed. She’d been expecting a crude bed like last night, but this was completely different. Camel blankets covered the ground, and a large bed had been set up in the middle, draped with what looked like down comforters. When she looked up, she realized there was no roof. It was completely open to the stars.
“This is gorgeous.” She couldn’t imagine lying in that bed and looking up at those stars all night long. Falling asleep and waking up to that view.
“I wanted this to be perfect and amazing for you.”
“It is. I just didn’t think it was very practical to come up with something so elaborate in what is quite literally the middle of nowhere.”
She couldn’t help herself. She jumped right onto the bed. It was definitely more comfortable than the rocks they slept on the night before.
“You know, you might have gone too far. This bed is way too comfortable. I’m not sure I’ll be staying awake very long.”
Conner climbed in after her. “Oh, you underestimate me. You’re going to be awake for a very long time tonigh
t.”
That got her attention. She looked up at him with wide eyes, and he smiled. He pulled her close and kissed her long and deep. She wiggled away and lay flat on her back and looked up at the stars. They made her feel so insignificant.
Conner pushed her shirt up a few inches and traced circles on her stomach. She shivered.
“Jess, I gotta tell you something before we do anything.”
She flashed her eyes to his face. This didn’t sound good.
“What?”
“I know we haven’t been seeing each other for very long, but you’re the first woman in a long time that I’ve felt anything real for. I didn’t expect for this happen, but I think I’m in love with you.”
Jessica stared at him for a long few seconds. She hadn’t thought this far. Was she in love with him too?
“Conner, I’m not sure how I feel.”
“That’s okay. Remember, I’m pretty patient.”
“No, you deserve an explanation. When we started seeing one another, I just assumed you’d be my rebound guy. I didn’t expect us to get this far. Now I have to reevaluate my expectations. You forget that I’m a therapist. Rebound relationships never last.”
He kissed her neck. “But aren’t there exceptions to every rule? Let’s be an exception.”
She rolled onto her side so she was facing him. His hand slid from her stomach to her back, and he pulled her up against him.
“I’m just cautious,” she said in spite of the goosebumps his fingers brought up.
“I know.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “But I promise to always be honest with you, and we’ll go as slow as you want. Just because you think this is a rebound doesn’t mean it isn’t real.”
His lips grazed her cheek and her jaw.
“It’s scary trusting someone.”
“It is,” he agreed. “I can’t change that. I can, however, spend every day showing you that it was the right choice.”
He kissed her, and she lost herself in the kiss and his touch. She grew bold and slid her fingers up under his shirt across his back. His muscles tensed and relaxed as she smoothed her hands across his skin.
It was terrifying. There was really no choice for her though. She didn’t say it out loud. She wasn’t ready for that, but she’d fallen for him too.
“Tommy!” Conner threw down his iPad and sighed disgustedly.
“You bellowed?” Tommy popped in with his ever present pad and pencil.
“Is it too early for whiskey?” Conner sneered. Somehow Cahill Jr. and Trent’s presentation had received the go ahead from Old Man Cahill. They were taking over all of Conner’s drill jobs in Upper Egypt. Conner really hated those two.
“That is an ugly scowl.” Tommy shook his head and pursed his lips. “And yes, nine-thirty is too early for whiskey. Would you like another coffee?”
Conner got out half a good filthy curse word before Tommy held up his hand.
“If you’re going to be vulgar, I’m leaving.”
“Really?” Conner arched an eyebrow. “The things I’ve heard you say.”
“You are in a nasty mood. Must not have gone well in the desert. Shame. A trip like that. Would have worked with me.” Tommy sighed.
That did it. Conner laughed.
“Everything went just fine this weekend.” More than fine. Perfect actually. Jessica. He closed his eyes and thought about how absolutely, wonderfully tousled she had looked in the morning sunshine.
“You are such a mess.” Tommy sat in one of the chairs facing Conner’s desk with an exasperated look.
“What?”
“One minute you’re yelling and wanting to drink, and the next you’re practically glowing. I don’t know whether to get out the riot gear or be jealous of your latest piece.”
“Jessica is not my latest piece.” Conner frowned. Leave it to Tommy to make her sound cheap and temporary. “It’s more than that.”
“Everyone since Nour is a piece.” Tommy leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. “Unless, we can finally say you’re moving on.”
“Sometimes you overstep.” Conner picked his iPad back up. He’d much rather deal with Cahill Jr’s load of crap than listen to Tommy reorder his love life.
“Or I hit a little too close to home,” said Tommy quietly. “I hope so, boss. Nour is far from good for you.”
“What have you heard about the new wells in Upper Egypt?”
“Junior has got those on lock. His drill team is taking them. Your guys from Zigazag really need to step up and deliver. Junior is throwing a big birthday bash, and Cahill is expected to announce his retirement. If he names Junior as his replacement, you’re in trouble.” Tommy shook his head. “Apparently, he’s been playing the doting son. Sunday dinners. Golf on Friday. The whole lot.”
Years of partying and now Junior decides he wanted to be a respectable business man. He thought he could slide right in and push Conner to the side.
“Schedule a call with the Zigazag team. I need to let them know these next few jobs need to be spot on.” Conner had to try and put a pair of blue eyes out of his head. At least for a few hours, or he might be in the market for a new job.
“I think I could actually commit murder for a Dominos’ delivery right now.” Molly punched her ball of dough. “I hate making my own pizza.”
“This is the closest to Dominos as you’re going to get. Unless you want that crap they call Dominos here?” Marcy flittered around the kitchen in an apron. The perfect little Betty Crocker lookalike.
Pizza night with the Ms was an all-day affair. Well, really longer than that. They special ordered cheese, sausage, and pepperoni from Italy through the commissary. They made sauce days in advance so the flavors could all marry together. The dough they prepped the night before. Marcy had to have the perfect rise. It was really hilarious and ridiculous. Jessica wouldn’t have expected any less.
“You should see her when it comes time to have a cookout.” Molly nodded at Marcy. “It’s a wonder she doesn’t slaughter and grind her own meat for hamburgers and hot dogs.”
“Say what you will.” Marcy wagged her finger at Molly. “When you live this far from home, it’s the small details that matter. People rave about my cookouts.”
“That they do.” Melinda spread her dough on the baking stone, but she winked at Molly. “So, Jessica, how are things with the fella?”
Jessica groaned. Couldn’t they ask about work?
“Oh yes, what amazing adventure has he whisked you off on now?”
Jessica blushed from her toes to the top of her head.
“Must be juicy. Look at those cheeks.” Marcy giggled.
Jessica laughed. They’d never let her brush it off now.
“We were in the desert last weekend. It was fun.”
“All kinds of fun?” Marcy asked.
Molly gave up on her dough. She leaned on the counter and plopped her chin in her hands.
“Grown-up fun?” She grinned. “I miss the big romantic gestures of dating.”
Jessica looked to Melinda for help, but she shrugged with a twinkle in her eye.
“Yeah, it was grown-up fun.” Jessica focused on stretching her dough into a perfectly round circle. “I’m not used to the big romantic gestures. It’s a bit overwhelming.”
“So he did good?” Marcy spared her a smile.
“He did. It was perfect actually.”
Molly sighed. “I’m so jealous.”
“Are you falling for him?” Melinda asked. The other two Ms glanced at each other and then watched Jessica. Everything stood still for a heartbeat. Jessica knew the answer, but how nuts would she sound if she said yes?
“Well, that’s all the answer I need,” said Marcy after a few moments of heavy silence.
“It’s crazy, I know.” Jessica bit her lip.
“You can’t help how you feel.” Molly, of course, sweet Molly would say something so kind.
“Twitterpated,” said Melinda. “We’ve all been there. Just remembe
r to use your head, love. Don’t get too carried away. Be smart. You’ve been through a lot this last year. We’d hate to see you get your heart broken again. Keep your eyes open.”
“So much easier said than done,” said Marcy.
Jessica thought about Conner’s green eyes and his seductive smile. How tender his kiss was, how gentle his hands. So much easier said than done. Marcy didn’t even know the half of it.
Conner called and made sure the plane was ready. Jessica was meeting him at the airport. She couldn’t take two Thursdays off in a row, so the trip to Prague would be short. However, she did manage to get off two hours early. It didn’t make sense for Conner to drive all the way downtown to get her. He sent a car to pick her up and spent an extra couple of hours at work himself.
He got to the airport first. Jessica showed up ten minutes later. She greeted him with a long kiss.
“Nice to see you too,” he said when she finally pulled away.
“I don’t like being away from you. This week has been a bit torturous.”
“I told you that you could move in.”
She swatted his arm, but grinned. “It is way too early for that, and you know it.”
They’d decided to sleep at their own places during the week so it wasn’t difficult to get to work, but that meant they stayed up way too late. Neither was ready to leave when the night was over. This was all a part of new relationships, but Conner was ready to skip all of that and head straight for the part where they were together all the time. He told Jessica as much on Wednesday, and she went home early that night.
He followed her onto the airplane, and she settled into one of the seats. She was still a little wide-eyed looking around. He had hoped she would be getting used to the luxury by now, because that meant she was looking at him as more of a long-term commitment. It was easy to get comfortable with private jets and penthouse suites. He still flew commercial sometimes but always first class. He wasn’t sure he’d know what do with himself if he found himself cramped back in economy on a twelve-hour flight.
He grabbed a couple of Cokes from the galley and handed Jessica one as he sat down.
Pyramids and Promises (Omega Mu Alpha Brothers Book 2) Page 11
