“Do you really think so little of me dad? Do you really mistrust my judgment to that extent?”
“Well, I can only go on what I’ve seen, and so far you are not acting like a responsible adult. You’re acting like a freaking dog in heat! And all over some Arab? Anna, wake up and smell the coffee. If you go back to him, you will die a horrible death. They are beheading people with pocket knives over there.”
I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I was so angry I wasn’t even sure I could talk. I shook my head as I attempted to find center. “You know what dad? I guess this dog in heat will have to follow her man then, because I love Omar and I plan on living in Dubai as soon as he comes to get me. And now, I plan on taking mom with me. You realize that your bigotry will leave you alone and miserable? You will lose everything and everyone in your life.”
I went to stand and then sat back down, “Besides, I’ve been studying Arab law and regulations, and also learning the language, and I think I might be able to actually make a difference over there. I think I might be a powerful adjunct to Omar’s leadership. Yeah, there is reverse prejudice against Americans, but who better than to dispel that crap than an American, and a woman at that? You treat me as if I were a child and you give me no respect as to the adult I’ve become. It sickens me the way you treat mom too. You really should be ashamed of yourself. Your heart is cold and dead and I can’t imagine anyone feeling half for you what I feel for Omar.”
I went to leave and he grabbed my hand on the way by. When I looked down at him, there were tears in his eyes.
“Anna, I do love you. It’s why I am so strong on this point. Your mother would die without you and you know full well she doesn’t want to live in Dubai, locked in a penthouse for fear of being abducted and tortured. You are both fair game over there. It’s not like you blend in!”
I sighed and knelt so I could look right in his eyes, “Dad, I know you mean well. I even understand why you feel the way you do. But all that said, it still doesn’t change the fact I adore Omar and he does me. I can only hope that someday you fall this inextricably in love with another. I don’t think you will ever understand why I am choosing him until you feel this,” I pressed my hand over my heart, “This is all that matters dad. Only this. I wish you could feel it.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I went back to school and stayed with Julie over the Christmas break. She didn’t have much family and this year she was working straight through. My mom went back to visit her only sister and I didn’t feel like that much travel. Julie and I planned a big Christmas Eve dinner for us and a few friends from school. I hadn’t talked to Omar for a few days and I was missing him. I tried him over and over, but he never responded to either calls or texts.
We had our little holiday party and I tried to interact and converse as if I were okay. I was anything but. I feared he’d been killed on one of their excursions and even though I knew he took many precautions to stay safe, I also knew he was on a vendetta and when he was angry and focused, nothing would stop him. He was like a charging bull and it would take a hailstorm of bullets to slow him down.
Much to my displeasure, Julie invited John to the party. He immediately sought me out and I apologized for avoiding him. I made an excuse of school work and being busy, which he seemed to understand. He and I again fell into an easy conversation though, and by the end of the night, I found it was just him and me on the couch, wine glasses in hand. I was again much drunker than I should have been, and he was now stroking my hair and siding ever closer.
“So, did I tell you I was engaged?”
“No, you didn’t.” He said this with a grim expression. “Where is this so called fiancé of yours then? And for that matter, why did you go on a date with me at all? I don’t think, soon to be married people dated.”
“Well, he lives in a different country.”
“Oh, so it’s that kind of thing? You know, I’m into just having fun. If that’s all you’re looking for?” He slid close enough that I felt the heat radiating off his chest.
“No, not really looking at all. You’ve been the one to come on to me.” I stated flatly.
He reached down and cupped my breast as his eyes wandered to my cleavage. He licked his lips and muttered, “Anna, you are so luscious. I dream about you all the time.”
I was pretty foggy from the wine so I didn’t immediately respond to him and even though I had no intention of doing anything with him, my eyes sagged close as he cupped and lifted my breast. It had been months since anyone had touched me and my body was aching for attention. He took my silence and the fact I didn’t protest his touch, as me saying yes, and he pushed in to kiss me.
He was a big guy, and I guess he thought my struggles were reciprocal passion. I pushed harder and he insisted. He bit his lip and I finally pulled back. “No John. I really can’t. I just can’t. He will kill you for touching me.”
John didn’t miss a beat, “He won’t know if you don’t tell him. Just you and me. Come on, enjoy yourself, have some fun. I won’t tell if you don’t. Your body wants this, can’t deny it.”
“No John, it doesn’t want you. I don’t want you! Sorry, but no.”
I sank back onto my hip, as far away from him as I could get. He sighed and stood up to leave.
“You’re nothing but a tease, Anna.”
I was now past being offended and I stood too. “Leave John. The door is right there. ”
He stormed out and I refilled my wine glass before reclining on the couch, alone. I tried Omar yet again, and yet again there was no response. I decided this episode was definitely something I’d never mention to Omar. He didn’t need to know that this experience only made me miss him all that much more. Him and his magnificent body and the way he commanded mine in ways no other ever could. Of that simple fact, I was now certain. I filed this incident away as a learning experience in what not to do, and as the comparison I needed to cement my thoughts about giving myself to Omar exclusively for the rest of my life.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Two more weeks passed before Omar called me. I’d given up and thought him long dead. His voice was weary and I occasionally heard familiar beeps that reminded me of my hospital stay.
“Are you in the hospital?” I asked.
“I am home.”
“But you’re hurt?”
“I will heal, it is nothing.” He said in as bland of a tone as I’d ever heard from him.
I insisted he tell me what happened, but he refused. Again stating he would be okay, he was just tired and needed to rest. The conversation only lasted a few minutes and then I heard Yasmin’s familiar voice.
“Mistress, he is resting. The pain meds put him to sleep.”
I plead with her to tell me what happened, but she said she’d been ordered to not divulge. I was beyond frustrated and considered flying to Dubai to be near him. I felt he needed me. Yasmin again insisted I stay where I was and he was going to be okay. By the time we hung up, I was so worried I was crying. But I knew they were right and I was helpless from this distance.
I’d spent New Year’s alone, again. It seemed that from when I met Omar to the present, we’d managed to separate during the two seasons of holidays. I was lonely and depressed and found it difficult to focus at all. Julie helped me with a few distractions and shopping trips. She was all about retail therapy and I told her she needed to come back to Dubai with me at some point and I would take her shopping like she’d never even imagined.
I was thankful for her in my life, but apart from school and her, I felt pretty alone. My dad hadn’t talked to me once since Thanksgiving and my mom had stayed with her sister through the new year, so I’d not really talked to her much either. After the disastrous episode at Christmas with John, I’d sworn off even masturbating.
At this point, I was feeling every bit the dog in heat when it came to my thoughts about Omar. I continued to think about Omar and his impressive body and how much I wanted to feel him inside me again. I
was literally trapped though, unable to do anything until I completed the next two months of school. The second I did that, I was free to do as I pleased and I really hoped that Omar had completed his mission in the process of incurring whatever injuries he was now recovering from.
I drank too much wine on a regular basis in an attempt at drowning my misery and loneliness and I continued with my studies. I was learning Arabic as well, something I hoped to surprise Omar with when I saw him again. I felt I was doing pretty well but it was a difficult language and I wasn’t one of the people that had an aptitude for languages, so I was struggling just a bit. I was however not giving up and I often caught myself wondering if perhaps my dad hadn’t been right and Omar was finished with me.
His lack of communication had increased over the past few months and now that he was apparently on the injured and healing list, I wondered how long before our next communication. I was unwilling to face the fact that he might never come for me; that we might indeed be over. So, I sunk even farther down into my self-imposed pit and I marked days on the calendar toward my day of freedom.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Graduation day was finally before me, and I was ready. I’d completed all the last required credits and although I was no longer an A+ student, I was set to graduate in the top ten percent of my class. I’d even had a few other job offers from very prestigious firms in the US. My mom and dad were coming to the graduation ceremony along with most of my relatives and friends from high school. Dad had rented a hall and we were having a bit of a party.
Aside from the lingering tensions between me and Omar, I was kind of excited. He and I had talked only a handful of times over the last eight weeks and now he seemed so distant I wasn’t sure I even knew him. I felt he was struggling with something, but he refused to talk to me about it. Needless to say, the chasm between us had widened and I was now uncertain about a future with him.
I looked out over the crowd from my seat on the podium and I found my mother’s face first. She was happy, but also had a hanky in her hand and occasionally dabbed at random tears. My dad was working the crowd, shaking hands and no doubt making deals. I scanned around and saw a few familiar faces of friends and acquaintances. When I noticed a man with a cane, limping towards the lawn of spectators, I didn’t immediately recognize him.
In true train wreck fashion, I did a rubber necking double take when I saw the limo from which the man with the cane had departed, and then I squinted against the blazing spring sun so I could get a better view of the tall Arab man dressed in a beautiful grey suit. I stood on shaking knees and almost fell down when I realized it was Omar.
I darted off the podium and tripped at the bottom of the stairs. I fell in a heap and I heard the crowd react. I didn’t miss a beat though, running and almost tripping again as I flew past the gawking spectators. I heard my dad, “Anna, what the …?” And then when he must have also spotted Omar, “Oh no.”
Inside my head I kind of laughed at his defeated tone. I was crying and laughing out loud too as I rushed to Omar. I stalled and stopped just a few feet from him. He looked tired and worn and as if the last six months had taken its toll. He’d aged ten years and he looked weary. I looked down at his cane and then back up into his tear filled eyes.
“Goddess. I’ve missed you.” He said as he choked back sobs.
I gave up and full on wailed as I flung my arms around his neck. Mumbling against his skin,
“Omar, Omar, I love you so much. I can’t believe you’re here.”
He dropped his cane and wrapped his arms around my waist and picked me up, squeezing me against his chest. Armand made himself known in the next instant as he leaned in close and stabilized the two of us. I could feel Omar shaking from the strain of lifting me and I quickly pushed away. I reached over and touched Armand on the hand, “Armand, I’m so happy to see you.”
“Mistress, same.” He replied with a curt nod.
I was unsure what to say to Omar, so I asked Armand, “Is your arm healed?”
He nodded, “It is increasingly better each day.”
Another man settled Omar with his cane again and then they all stepped back and it was just me and him. “Anna, you are hydration to my parched heart.” He said as he devoured me with his eyes.
I breathed and continued to weep, “Omar, I love you more than I ever imagined. When can I be with you again?”
“Ahhh, my young bride; that is why I am here. It is time. Will you marry me again? This time a proper ceremony? It pains me to go another day without you.”
I didn’t hesitate, “Of course Omar, yes, when, now? I don’t have to stay here. I’ve graduated. This is all just for show. Let’s go now.” My tone had changed to more frantic and I’d completely forgotten about my people who’d gathered to see me.
He offered me a small chuckle and shake of his head, “No my love. I will enjoy seeing you receive your diploma. Then will you accompany me to my suite?”
I blushed at his tone and the look in his eye. He reached across and trailed a finger down my cheek and the look he gave me was almost worshipful. “Yes, of course. Of course. Um, come and sit. I don’t know how long this will take.”
Once he and his men were settled near the back, which bothered me, but he’d insisted. I re-took my place on the platform. The ceremony lasted much too long, much, much too long and I fear I stared directly at Omar the entire time. I should have at least made eye contact with either mom or dad, but I didn’t; actually felt physically unable to take my eyes from Omar’s, who in turn held the contact the entire time.
When the ceremony was over, I rushed down towards him, but was interrupted by my parents.
“Mom, dad, you’re either with me or against me. What is it? Don’t waste our time. Dad, if you keep up the petty insults thing, you can forget ever seeing me again.”
My dad wrapped his arm around my mom’s shoulders and he said, “We are with you darling. Lead the way.”
“Okay,” I said with a finger pointing in my dad’s face, “One snarky comment from you and that is it!”
“Okay Miss Harvard law graduate. Whatever you say.”
When we turned as a group and walked to Omar, my dad reached out a hand and jovially said, “Khalid, and we meet again. What’s with the cane?”
Omar returned the hand shake.
“I broke my leg, Richard. Seems as if I am not quite as invincible as I previously thought. Although, they say once I fully heal, I will be stronger than before. I’m now bionic.”
I blinked at him and then down at his pants covered leg. This was the first I’d heard what actually happened and I bit my lip in a moment of frustration. I let it go though and figured there was time to find out the whole story once he and I were alone. I went on tip toe, and in Arabic I said, “Omar Khalid, you are my master. I belong to you. I seek to only please you in all things. I am yours for eternity.”
He seemed speechless and in shock as he snaked a hand around my waist and pulled me to him. He was an affectionate man, but normally not in public, so this display meant more to me than any gift. I dashed a look at my dad and he was shaking his head, but he didn’t say anything. My mom was crying again.
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
Omar insisted we still attend the planned reception. I went with him in his limo and told my parents I’d meet them there soon. I really only wanted to be with Omar and suddenly all the other people and the party seemed inconsequential.
“You are a sight for sore eyes,” Omar said as we settled in the car.
“Why have you been so distant?” I immediately asked.
His upper lip twitched and I saw the agony in his eyes, “I was not a whole being my love, I had nothing to offer another soul. I was mending and healing and hiding. I was unwilling to inflict myself on another, and especially you. I simply wished to not burden you with my state of depression after the injury.”
I sighed, “I guess I understand. But Omar, you and I are supposed to be each other’s person. We
are supposed to be the one other we can talk to about anything. Even if we are not at our best, or even if we are depressed. Especially if we are injured. I could have come home and nursed you like you did for me.”
His expression softened, “Yes my love, this is all true. It is not how I chose to handle the situation, and if I caused you undo worry? For that I am sorry.”
He touched my thigh and his eyes found mine.
“I can tell from your reception however that you had not moved on, not given up on me. You have no idea what it meant to me to be greeted as such by you. To see you running towards me in that way made all the past months vanish.”
I gave him a sardonic chuckle, “Ever the poet Omar.”
“I only speak the truth my love. As I healed, I was given liberties to dwell in peace and solitude. I spent many hours simply thinking and dreaming of you and us and when we could once again be reunited. I’ve made some choices and I wish to discuss much with you as soon as possible.”
“Of course. Why don’t we make an appearance and I can say hi to everyone, and then let’s leave. You have no idea how much I ache to be in your arms again.”
His entire face lit up and he spread his arms wide, beckoning me to him. I leaned in and he wrapped me up into a tight embrace. He stroked my back and kissed my forehead. “Me too my love. You are my every thought.” His chest rumbled with inward amusement.
“Even if I try and banish you from my mind, I’ve found it impossible.”
I nodded against his warm chest and continued to wallow in bliss at being so near him again. His scent filled my head and my body did as it always did whenever I was near him. “Me too Omar.” We were silent for a short while and then a thought burst into my head.
“Why would you want to banish me from your thoughts?”
His tone was serious, “Immediately after the injury I wasn’t certain if I would ever walk again. I was not prepared to take you into my life as half a man, or a man in a wheelchair. And so, I considered a different life, a life apart from you.”
The Sheikh's Virgin Mistress 3 (Jatar Sheikh Series Book 3) Page 7
