by Ann Heathman
As the group stood enjoying their cocktails before dinner, the conversation turned to current events, in particular, the recent beheading of an American journalist by a militant group in the Middle East.
“We need to wipe this scourge from the face of the earth,” a rather wimpy looking man in the group said.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“We should bomb them back into the stone age,” a second fat, balding man added. “The president said no boots on the ground, but I don’t see how we can fight these bastards without sending troops in. Send me in. I’d show these guys a thing or two.”
Arianna glanced over at Zach and saw him shoot Tony a quick look. Tony rolled his eyes and shook his head while Zach stood stoically. Drones, bombs, special operations. The conversation continued, and finally Zach pulled Arianna away. She could see all this talk made him uncomfortable, but she wasn’t sure why. It was obvious however; he didn’t wish to hear any more about the fighting in the Middle East.
THE GROUP dined and drank until late into the evening. As they slow danced, Zach seemed to hold Arianna closer and closer, his hands beginning to wander subtly up and down her body. She could tell his mind was on something other than dancing and that he was anxious to leave.
Bidding everyone goodnight, they left the party and headed home. Things started heating up almost as soon as they entered the car. As they sped down the highway, Zach reached over and brushed his knuckles teasingly across her breasts eliciting a soft moan. Lowering his hand, it came to rest on her inner thigh before moving slowly up under her dress.
“Take off your panties and hand them to me,” he ordered.
Oh, wow! Every synapse in her body snapped to attention. Her pulse quickened and excitement escalated. She slipped off her panties and handed them to him, providing full access to a now completely naked target. He moved his hand under her dress and began to tease and massage her.
It was hard to tell which was racing faster— her heart or the Porsche. By the time they arrived home, neither one of them could seem to climb the stairs fast enough. Once inside the privacy of Arianna’s room, Zach could contain himself no more. He pulled her close and buried her in a kiss, his hands running wildly up and down her body.
“God, you’re so beautiful,” he sighed, his breathing heavy. He pulled her dress up and down on her hips and cupped her bottom in his hands, pressing her tightly against his growing erection.
Stumbling to the bed, he slowly peeled the top of her knit dress down low off her shoulders, exposing most, but not all of her breasts. He kissed her throat and nibbled at her ear as he savored the beautiful scent emanating from her body. He ran his finger teasingly across the top of her partially exposed breasts, dipping in and out of the bodice. He reached under her dress and began massaging back and forth, causing her to moan softly. Finally pushing her dress up to her waist, he now had full access to her center of desire. Kissing his way down her belly, he began an unrelenting effort to pleasure her.
Too soon for Arianna’s liking however, he stopped… bringing on her usual expression of displeasure he always found so amusing. She alternated between pounding her fists into the bed and thrashing her feet up and down in an effort to protest the cessation of his love ministrations. Coupled with pleaful little moans, she did her best to get him to resume his full attention to her center of pleasure.
He pushed her dress all the way down in front and pulled her to a sitting position. Taking her hands, he placed them under her breasts. As she offered her breasts to him in this way, he suckled on first one, then the other nipple, before pushing the two together and nursing both of them at the same time.
She was hot and writhing with desire as he slipped her dress completely off. Shucking his own clothes, he straddled her, gently thrusting into her hot, wet vagina. Ever so slowly, he began to move in and out. She moaned softly and held him tightly as he began to quicken his pace.
Changing positions, he rolled to his back putting her on top. With her now in the driver’s seat, he could see she wanted nothing to do with this slow seduction. Impatient to reach that final release, she rode him vigorously.
Her breasts bouncing freely up and down, he grabbed her by the hips and buttocks and pressed her into him. She was stroking him so rapidly, he had to fight for control so as not to come and leave her high and dry.
Luckily for him, she could no longer contain herself, and a strong climax swept through her body causing her to pitch forward and collapse on his chest. He rolled back on top, and with skin slapping against skin, it was but a few strokes later that he climaxed and collapsed on top of her.
Drenched in sweat and gasping for air, he lay there holding her, both of them completely spent.
THEY COULD have laid there forever; content in each other’s embrace, but being too heavy to remain on top of her any longer, Zach got up and led her to the shower. Arianna kissed him and cuddled on his lap as the steamy water rained down upon them.
“One thing I was thinking, Zach,” she finally said.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“It’s about the bodyguard. Are you sure I need him everywhere I go? It’s really annoying. I mean he followed me everywhere, even into the lingerie department.”
Zach laughed. ”Maybe he’s into cross-dressing.”
“Be serious,” Arianna huffed, and thumped him on the chest. “I know what you said, but I felt perfectly safe in the middle of the store with all those people around.”
“The bodyguard stays, Arianna,” Zach said as he idly traced his finger down the V of her breasts.
“Well, did Lydia have bodyguards?”
Zach frowned. “No.”
“Why not?”
He paused for a moment, reluctant to get into this conversation.
“She and I didn’t have the kind of relationship you and I have. But we’re not going to dig into each other’s pasts are we, because if we are, I’d like to hear about the guy who burned you so badly you’ve been afraid to get involved ever since.”
She winced and looked away.
“That’s what I thought,” he said. “You don’t want to talk about it, but you don’t deny there is such a guy, do you?”
She pursed her lips and shook her head.
“Well, all in good time, I suspect we shall learn all we need to know about each other.”
“So I can go without bodyguards too, then?”
“Nice try, but absolutely not. The bodyguard is there for your protection, and you are to stay with him at all times. Is that clear?”
“I think he’s just spying on me.”
“Arianna?” he cautioned, irritated with how she was evading his question.
“Okay,” she said slowly, sensing impending doom if she didn’t agree.
“See that you do, then” he said, setting her off his lap and snapping off the shower.
Arianna fumbled for the phone on the nightstand. She looked at the clock. Six a.m. Who could be calling me at this hour?
“Arianna, hey! It’s Kevin. Did I wake you?”
“Mmmh,” she mumbled, half awake. Kevin Baxter had been on assignment with her in Afghanistan when she’d been kidnapped. They’d talked on the phone, but she hadn’t seen him since that whole saga had transpired.
She stifled a yawn. “What time zone are you in? It’s the crack of dawn where I’m at.”
“Where are you? Your mom said you were in Miami.”
“Well, I was, but now I’m in Costa Luna. Zach and I got back together.” She glanced at his side of the bed and noticed it was empty. I wonder where he’s gone so early.
“Nice! When do I get to meet this guy?”
“Well, soon, I hope. Why don’t you come for a visit? We have lots of catching up to do.”
“Hey, I’d love that. I have an idea for a new project for us to work on.”
“Awesome. I’m anxious to go back to work.”
“I still have all the film we shot in Afghanistan. I managed to get all
our cameras and film out of the country, but it was a frickin’ nightmare. I’ll have to tell you all about it.”
“Maybe we can get our documentary together after all. How about next weekend? Can you come down then?”
“I’ll check flights and let you know. I’ll try to get a flight on Friday. I’ll call you when I have details.”
Arianna hung up and debated whether she should get up or go back to sleep. It was still a bit early for her taste, but getting back to sleep seemed improbable. She went into the bathroom, grabbed a quick shower, and prepared to start her day. She was just toweling off when her phone rang. It was Zach.
“Hey, babe. Are you awake?” he asked.
“I just got out of the shower.”
“Good, then throw on some clothes and meet me out front. I have something I want to show you.”
This sounded interesting. She slipped into some jeans and a T-shirt, scrunched her still wet hair into place, and rushed down to meet Zach. She found him under the front portico, leaning against his Harley Davidson. God, he looked hot standing there in a pair of black jeans, a black leather jacket, and dark aviator sunglasses.
He smiled and greeted her with a kiss. “Mmmm, you smell nice,” he said holding her close. “Are you ready for a little adventure?”
“With you, anything. Where are we going?”
“Hop on. I’ll show you.”
Arianna pressed herself close to Zach, her arms wrapped around his taunt midriff as he skillfully maneuvered the bike along the coastal highway. She also felt the outline of a gun tucked into his waistband. She still didn’t fully understand his need to carry a weapon, but no need to ponder that question now. The sun glistened off the water. The wind was blowing through her hair, and she was with the man she loved. It was a perfect morning.
Turning off the highway, Zach guided the bike down a path which led to a deserted beach. They hopped off, and he grabbed a satchel strapped to the back of the bike.
“Follow me,” he said.
They proceeded down a path to the beach until they came upon an area that looked like it might be some kind of homemade target range. Zach stopped and retrieved a gun from the bag.
“This is yours,” he said, holding a pistol with the barrel pointing toward the sand. “It’s a Sig Sauer P938 nine millimeter. It can pack a real punch, but it’s not too much for a woman to handle. Also easy to conceal. Should fit right in your purse.”
Arianna stared at the gun and then, back at Zach. This was the first time she’d ever thought about owning a weapon.
“You ever fire a gun before?” he asked, checking the chamber for bullets.
She shook her head. “No. Never, but why do you think I need a gun?”
“I hope you don’t,” he said, looking through the sight, “but I think every woman should be prepared. It’s a dangerous world we live in.”
“Am I in some kind of danger? Bodyguards and now a gun?”
“No, but you look like you’ve just seen a ghost. Are you afraid to use this?”
She sighed. No, she wasn’t afraid. Actually she found this rather exciting. She knew he carried a gun. It was cool that now, she too, would have one, though she hoped she never needed to use it. She couldn’t imagine ever shooting anyone.
“If I learn how to shoot, does it mean I won’t need a body guard?” she asked, hoping she’d found an excuse to get rid of Raul.
Zach frowned and shot her a look that told her he was just on the verge of getting pissed off again over her bringing that subject up one more time.
Seeing his look of irritation, she quickly added, “Okay… sorry. Just kidding. I know. I know. The bodyguard stays.” Changing the subject, she asked, “So do I need a permit to carry this?”
“You do, but first I need to teach you all about guns and how to shoot one. There’s more to owning a weapon than just pulling the trigger.”
Yes, true. In fact there was a lot she needed to learn about this entire relationship she found herself in. Guns. Bodyguards. Encrypted phones. In a way it made him sexy as hell. She was in love with a dark and mysterious guy.
BACK HOME at breakfast, the conversation was quite lively. As it turned out, she was a pretty good shot and was happy to brag about her talent as a marksman. The whole adventure had been an exhilarating experience.
“Wow! That’s impressive,” Lisa said upon hearing of her adventure. “I want to learn how to shoot, too.”
“Yeah?” Tony asked. “Well, we can arrange that. I’ll get you a gun, and we’ll all go to the shooting range.”
Lisa gave him a big hug. “Awesome! I can’t wait.”
“Oh, Zach, I forgot to tell you,” Arianna said, refilling her plate at the breakfast bar. “Kevin Baxter called me this morning, and I invited him to come for a visit. He was my partner in Afghanistan. I don’t think you’ve ever met him.”
Zach shrugged. She still doesn’t know it was Tony and I who hitched a ride to town with her and Kevin in Afghanistan.
“When’s he coming?”
“Next weekend, and he says he has most of the film we shot during our trip. We might still be able to get the documentary together after all. You’re okay with him coming for a visit, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, sure. Can’t wait to meet him.”
He looked at Tony who stared back at him. This would be yet another test. Arianna had never recognized them as the two strangers who’d hitched a ride to town with them in Afghanistan. Their full beards, tunics and turbans, had provided a perfect disguise. He and Tony looked like native Afghans. The question was, would Kevin recognize them when he arrived here in Costa Luna? If he did, that would precipitate a conversation he hoped never to have. It wasn’t in either Arianna’s or Kevin’s best interest to know the identity of the people who had assassinated one of the region’s most prominent Taliban warlord. It would be bad for their health to know such a thing. He didn’t plan to ever tell her the truth about what went down.
ON THE day of Kevin’s arrival, Zach sent a car to pick him up at the airport and bring him back to the house. Arianna was waiting to greet him as the car pulled up under the portico.
“Kevin,” Arianna squealed. She could hardly contain her excitement as she rushed to greet him. “It’s so good to see you. God, I’ve missed you.”
Kevin picked her up and twirled her around. “You’re still as beautiful as ever.”
“Why, thank you, sir. Never tire of hearing that, but hey, Zach sends his apologies for not being here to greet you. He said he’ll see you later this afternoon. Come on. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.”
Arianna led him into the house and out toward the pool while a servant carried his bag to his room.
“Holy, shit!” Kevin said gawking around. “This is a fucking palace. You didn’t tell me your new boyfriend was filthy rich. What’s this guy do for a living anyway?”
Arianna paused. She remembered Zach’s words. You can never ask me about my job. Never discuss what you think it is I do with anyone else, either. You already know too much, and that’s not safe for you, or me.
“Uh, he’s an investor,” she said, then changed the subject. “He’s a great guy. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
They met Lisa and Camilla out on the veranda. “Kevin, this is Lisa, who took me in when I first arrived on this island. And this is Camilla, Zach’s sister.”
Everyone greeted each other and had a seat.
“What can I get you to drink?”
“A beer sounds good, thank you,” Kevin replied, still gawking around at the surroundings. “You must have thought you died and went to heaven when you arrived here.”
Arianna looked at Lisa and shook her head.
“Not really,” Lisa said. “We thought we’d been kidnapped, but I’m sure Arianna’s told you all about that.”
“Kind of. Yeah, the whole thing is a big mystery. Even now, I don’t think we know who kidnapped Arianna from Afghanistan. I still have a lot of questions about that w
hole ordeal.”
“All in good time, Kevin. We’ll talk more about it later. So you say you have most of the film we shot in Afghanistan? If so, we have everything we need to get this documentary together. Getting those two interviews with the Afghanistan women completed our mission. We have footage no one else has seen before. ”
Lisa and Camilla sat spellbound as Arianna relayed some of what she’d learned from the women regarding their life under Taliban rule.
“That’s unbelievable,” Lisa said. “I had no idea things were so bad. You definitely need to produce this documentary so people can understand just what it’s like for women living under the strict Taliban dictates. These women have almost no freedoms at all.”
“Wow!” Camilla said. “I’m so impressed, Arianna. That took a lot of courage for you to go over there to get this story. Weren’t you scared?”
Arianna sighed. “Not really, but maybe I should have been. As you’ve heard, someone kidnapped me and brought me to this island. Don’t know who and probably never will, but I survived, and that’s all that counts.”
Camilla leaned forward, enthralled with what Arianna was telling her. “Why’d they kidnap you?’
“It’s a big mystery. Zach said it was because I had information I wasn’t supposed to have, like maybe I’d seen something I shouldn’t have. I never knew for sure what it was. Still don’t, but thank God for your brother. He got me out of that mess.”
“Well, that’s curious,” Kevin chimed in, “because I saw what you saw and no one kidnapped me. It definitely is a mystery. Anyway, wait until you hear about the next project I have in mind.”
“I can’t wait to hear. I’m ready for another adventure.”
“Could be a bit dangerous.”
“No problem. I have a gun, and I’m learning to shoot. I’ll protect us.”
The girls giggled. It was a bit premature to think of Arianna as someone capable of coming to anyone’s defense.