by Lauren Wood
I want him to touch me like that.
The trip is my excuse…my escape…to do him hard and relentlessly.
He has me thinking dirty thoughts. I want him to unearth my deep dark secret.
***
Chapter One
Juliet
“I can’t believe that I’m doing this. I don’t know what compelled me to take this leap of faith. I don’t want to go out on a limb and say that it had anything to do with what I heard while eavesdropping on a conversation between a couple of lost friends. They were very convincing.” I looked out the window of the plane and I knew coming along on this dig was the right thing.
“I know I’m a stranger, but you are allowing your heart to make you do things that you would never normally do. Be careful and some risks are better left to the imagination. This land can be quite inhospitable to outsiders.” Her name was Amelia and she was local to Cairo.
“I know I’m taking a lot for granted, but I won’t know how he feels until I give him a reason to see me. A romance out here in the middle of nowhere is exactly the adventure I’m looking for.” I could literally feel the heat through my clothes.
“I think it goes without saying that caution is something you should live by. I am only here as a courtesy to Professor Jenkins. We’ve known to each other by correspondence only. I came to the states to see him. It wasn’t what I was expecting. You might be the ray of light to make him live again.” Her dark complexion was a perfect contrast to my pale skin.
“I probably shouldn’t have come here thinking that I’m going to be sleeping in his bed. I just thought that if it worked for Rita and June then maybe the same thing could be said for me. This two-month expedition will give me plenty of time to reveal my feelings. I hope that I can trust on your discretion.” I was fascinated by ancient cultures and the main reason for being here wasn’t just to capture his heart.
“It’s really none of my business, but I appreciate that you found it necessary to confide in me. I’ve had my fair share of disastrous relationships. Juliet, I don’t want you to think that he’s going to be your Romeo. Besides, that relationship was doomed to fail because of their family obligations. You need to write your own story by starting with the first chapter.” She was a wealth of information and I was glad that I was able to bend her ear on the flight.
“I don’t think I would have even broached the topic without thinking I had a chance. Those girls were the kick in the pants I needed. I haven’t ventured outside my own hometown. I’m still pinching myself at the very idea of being here in a strange land.” The heat did not help to quell the desire for Professor Jenkins. I could see his head over the rows of those students who had come on this grand adventure.
“I’m going to do you the courtesy of giving you the benefit of my advice. I have been touched by your story of unrequited love. I feel that I can help you navigate the pitfalls of getting together with an older man. You are still a babe in the woods and you still have a lot of living to do. I can help you make sense out of what a man says. There’s always an underlying meaning behind their words. Knowledge is half the battle.” I felt lucky to have her along for the ride. Amelia was a little older and wiser with a lot of experience that I could learn from.
“I told my parents about this trip and they were stunned to learn that I was even thinking about it. They want me to be a doctor like the rest of the family. I don’t want to disappoint them, but I have to follow my own passion. This is my life and I’d rather follow my own path than to do something that will always feel like work. I want the opportunities to uncover priceless artifacts and treasure that has been lost for too long.” The courage to finally stand up to my parents was bittersweet. They did support me, but I could tell they would rather that I follow in their footsteps.
“We’ve all had that conversation with our parents and it never goes well. It could be about an ill-advised romance or a profession that they will never understand. It really doesn’t matter. Their love is unconditional and they don’t have to understand everything we do.”
“You have no idea how much it has meant to me to talk to you. Getting this off my chest has made it easier for me to breathe.” I touched the cool pane of the glass and there was this haze in the air outside.
“I take it that you didn’t have anyone to confide in. I take it as a personal honor to give you my shoulder to lean on. I never had any sisters or brothers. We are different in so many ways, but maybe that is what makes us good friends. I hope that I haven’t made the wrong assumption. I can show you Cairo like you’ve never seen it before without all the tourist traps.” She took my hand and it was a comfort to know that she had gone through this in one form or another.
“These last few hours getting to know you made me see you as a sister I never had. I don’t know how it’s possible, but it feels like I’ve known you all of my life.” The doors were open and those closest to the exit were making their way off the plane.
“I don’t want you to do anything foolish about this crush you have on the professor. Take it one day at a time and I will be there with you every step of the way.” She was quite the dish and it wasn’t lost on me the way the other young men were looking in her direction.
“I don’t think I have to tell you, but you have several admirers.” She tossed her hair and giggled like a schoolgirl. The way her body moved had all of her curves called into question.
“They are little boys and what you require is someone with an experienced hand. If I were into girls, I would gladly show you that you’re missing out on half the population. Keep your options open. Your fascination with a professor might be short lived. Egyptians are fantastic lovers and I know this from personal experience. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” I felt like I was given something priceless. She didn’t have to say anything, but she allowed herself to open up to me.
“I haven’t even considered somebody else. Darryl… I mean Professor Jenkins has always been something of a mystery. I want to peel back the layers and see what I can find. Good or bad, at least, I will find out and be able to finally put this to rest.” I saw his mane of salt and pepper hair and I had this desperate need to run my hands through it.
“I don’t want you to get carried away over something that may not happen. I’m sure you’ve seen him in the company of other women. I believe they are his way of making people believe that he is over the divorce. We are only friends and we tried to be something more. I just didn’t feel that way about him.” Amelia was a classic beauty with hardly any makeup. I was the exact opposite in so many ways.
“Your story is amazing. Escaping prosecution and then clearing your name with his help is a story begging to be told. I have to ask the reason why you haven’t cashed in on your fame and notoriety. I’m sure there have been several publications vying to put you on the New York’s bestseller list.” It was a story of betrayal as old as time itself.
“I would rather put it behind me than to dwell on something painful. I don’t need the money and I don’t live beyond my means. I don’t need much and a minimalist lifestyle is how I define myself. I don’t need a man to do that for me and neither did you.” It would appear I had ruffled her feathers and the battle for equality started with a woman standing on their own 2 feet.
“I don’t think either one is exclusive from the other. I want to be a woman that young girls can look up to as a role model. There’s no reason why we can’t have it all.” She seemed impressed by my comment, but living by it was another thing altogether.
I needed somebody to breathe me back to life with their lips pressed on me in a passionate embrace.
I stood up, feeling flush from the way that he was looking at me with those dimples causing me to wonder if I had the power to resist him. I didn’t want to be just another notch on his belt or scratch on his bedpost.
I was going under and I was going to count on Amelia to pull me back. She was my lifeline.
Chapter two
Darryl
I couldn’t get her out of my mind and it was lucky that she was with Amelia during the flight. It was disgusting to even think of her in a romantic way. It didn’t stop me from fantasizing and wondering how the bed would light on fire with our bodies twisting and writhing in ecstasy.
“I will give you a penny for your thoughts.” Amelia was sitting beside me and there was no doubt the reason why I had found myself enamored with her. I had played my luck by announcing my intentions and was shot down after an awkward kiss.
“There’s not much to tell. The site has not been disturbed. My friend has kept it that way and requires my expertise. I don’t know what we’re going to find, but it is a good teaching lesson. I was quite stunned that I was able to get the green light to go. Funding has been terribly hard to get in most departments.” I knew the only reason why they gave me the thumbs up was that there was a possibility of the university getting notoriety for the find.
It would be a shot in the arm and an increase in those looking to pay for tuition.
“That’s not what I was talking about. Do you really think I’m blind? You have to get over me by getting underneath someone. I don’t begrudge you your happiness. I want only the best for you and I will do what I can to help you accomplish that.” I felt like she was trying to tell me something without saying anything at all.
“You may as well spill it and you know that I’m just going to get out of you eventually anyway. I’m not sure I require your services in the romance department. I never had any problem in the past.” I was oblivious to those girls looking at me as more than their teacher.
“It’s not my place to say anything, but don’t expect me to stand back and do nothing. You really do know nothing about women. The signs are right there and you refuse to see them.” She had my undivided attention and I was waiting for her to reveal what was tantamount to gossip.
The safari vest was snug over my well-defined pectorals. I found the only way to get over any kind of loss was to throw myself into a workout program.
When things got too much to handle, I would pick up a weight and watch the progress happen before my eyes. I mistakenly thought this kind of transformation would give Amelia ideas.
“You surprise me and you’ve never been one to show discretion. I could force you by tickling the truth out of you, but I’m not going to resort to those extreme measures.” I had walked past Juliet on the way to the bathroom and I could smell her perfume which was quite intoxicating.
“I think that I might be turning over a new leaf. I’m better off on the sidelines meddling in my own way. I don’t consider myself a matchmaker by any means. If it doesn’t work then there’s no harm done. Just keep your eyes open.” I never had any problems with the ladies, but they were the ones that had to make the first move.
My ex-wife was the one to get down on her knees. She probably thought that I was never going to and she was probably right. She proved my suspicions about matrimony correct when she served me with divorce papers. She told me that she had found somebody with goals to accomplish.
“It feels like you’re having fun at my expense and I don’t like it. I would say the kiss we shared was magical, but we both know I would be lying. There were no fireworks and I was quite startled to learn we were better off as friends.” I kept thinking about the site and then I flashed on the image of Juliet leaning over in her seat on the plane.
“Every girl deserves her secrets, but don’t be surprised when you learn something quite astounding. I’ve said more than enough. We should go to the hotel and get a fresh start in the morning. Invite some of your favorite students to dinner.” The look in her eyes told me she was up to something, but I had no idea how to confirm my suspicions.
“I couldn’t eat anything on the plane and none of it was edible in my opinion. I wonder if that makes me an airplane snob. I’m usually accustomed to the finer things like first class and caviar with lobster. I had to degrade myself by staying with the little people.” My parents were jet setting across the globe before I was even out of diapers.
“I wouldn’t show them the silver spoon in your mouth unless you want to choke on it.” The architecture of the area was steeped in tradition and something to see up close and personal.
“I don’t know how you can stand the heat.” I was lucky that my deodorant was standing up to the test of the elements.
“I’ve lived with it all of my life, but I do admit that you look pretty damn good in those shorts.” My legs were pale and I was hoping the blazing sun would help to give me some color.
“It’s not nice to make fun.” I could’ve easily made arrangements for a private aircraft. I had a sizable fortune which I had barely dipped into. I was trying to avoid my Father’s disappointment by fending for myself.
“I find it cute to see you uncomfortable. You’ve always been quite confident and this is the first time I’ve seen you like a fish out of water. Don’t worry, I’m not going to let them eat you up and spit you out.” Amelia was a blind date on the Internet and I thought that we had a lot in common.
She was the one who flew out to see me to find out if the chemistry was anything like the verbal sparring matches we had on different topics.
“I want you to be there at dinner. Introduce us to some of the local cuisines and don’t be shy about making us try new things.” She mumbled something under her breath and she was shaking her head like she was holding onto something which I had to know.
“I’m sure I can come up with some interesting dishes which are not on the tourist menus. I hope you’re not squeamish. Egypt is a place of many mysteries and delights. You just have to know where to look for them.” There was a restaurant inside the hotel, but we were going to have to share hotel rooms. I could make a couple of suggestions, but I didn’t wanna put anybody in an untenable situation.
“Do your best, but do remember that I am accustomed to traipsing across the globe. My parents were never one to sit idly by and do nothing. They were always pushing the envelope. They were ambassadors and it afforded us hot and cold running servants. They introduced me to many delicacies including fried cockroaches. You haven’t lived until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes.” We got to the hotel and it had this quaint quality with old world charm.
The streets were busy with people peddling their wares and kids with their hands out looking for whatever they could find. There was no air conditioning in the taxi and I could only hope the rooms did not have the same problem.
“Dar… Professor Jenkins… I see that you weathered the trip in good spirits.” Juliet’s scent was delightful and standing close to her had a profound side effect on my anatomy.
“I’m glad you came with us and I’m looking forward to seeing things through your impressionable eyes. I have to say that I was a little surprised. You did say that you couldn’t go and you never gave me a clear explanation for the reason why. No matter, you’re here now and we may as well enjoy ourselves. Tomorrow is going to be a big day with many hours slaving in the hot sun.” She was adorable and her green eyes shone with the brilliance of an Emerald jewel.
“I didn’t come here for a vacation. I knew what I was getting into when I signed up.” She sounded rather defensive and I was worried about getting on her wrong side.
“I will show you the ropes, but tonight is about celebrating the culture all around us. Amelia has promised us a feast of Egyptian delicacies. Check into your room and then meet us down in the restaurant in exactly 20-minutes.” I was a dedicated professor with tenure. These kids were in for some culture shock.
I could see in her eyes that she was quite taken with her surroundings.
“I’m not shy about trying new things.” I couldn’t understand why Juliet was blushing when she said that.
Chapter three
Juliet
I didn’t know what I was going to wear for dinner, but I knew that I wanted to knock his socks off. The long conversation I had on the plane with Amelia made me realize it was b
etter to play things casually.
I certainly didn’t mean to be defensive, but the frustration of wanting him was causing me some sleepless nights.
The dress that I finally decided on was blood red, but it left a little bit to the imagination. I applied my makeup and made myself look as sophisticated as possible. I didn’t want to do too much in case it would raise the suspicion of the other students. It would mean something else had we been having dinner alone. I looked more like a 50’s pin up model.
“I don’t know what’s taking you so long, Juliet. It’s just dinner with our professor and our guide Amelia. It’s not like a blind date. I don’t know if you have noticed, but the others in his class had been talking about it.” I was afraid of what Camilla was going to say and I thought that my feelings were hidden from those in his class.
“I can’t believe everybody noticed,” I blurted out without thinking.
“He tries to hide it and his confidence is a lot more because of it.” I was feeling like the walls were closing in on me. She was standing at the door impatiently bouncing from one high heel to the other.
“I’m not sure what you’re referring to.” I was trying to be subtle and not say something I was going to regret.
“Every girl has taken an interest in the way that he has sculpted his body. Don’t get me wrong, he was pretty damn fine looking before, but now he has taken it to a different level. I don’t mind saying there’s a part of me that wouldn’t mind testing out the waters. I’ve heard several girls exclaim the same thing while in the bathroom gossiping about one thing or another.” Camilla had a French accent and it would seem to be drawing the boys to her yard.
I breathed a sigh of relief and let out my breath after holding it for way too long. They had no idea of my secret crush and the way that I pined for him from afar.
“You would have to be blind to not be able to see the progress he has been making. I don’t think that we should let them wait any longer. We are already going to be making a fashionably late entrance.” I felt like the dress was choking me, but the material had a lot of give.
