“You,” she said. “And this.”
He stepped back, his eyes growing cold. “I guess I misread the signals.”
“Yes, you did. You thought that just because you rescued me from the desert, I would suddenly become the dutiful wife? Well, you’re wrong! I’m still a captive in this godforsaken place! And if I got my chance to escape from this hellhole again, then you damned well believe me, I will.” She minced the words between her teeth.
He glared at her. “I suppose I’ll leave you be then. I won’t bother you again.”
He turned around to walk out the door.
“How could you?” she whispered. But they were loud enough to catch his ears, stopping him in his tracks. “How could you just leave without telling me?”
He didn’t answer as he turned back to her with curiosity.
“Do you know how afraid I was? I didn’t know what to do. I depended on you and you just left me. Here. Alone. Without letting me know.” Her tears began to flood her eyes and slowly trickled down her cheeks.
“I wanted to tell you… I just didn’t know how,” he whispered back, stepping closer to her.
“You could have told me. Like the way you’re doing now.”
“I’ve never had to tell someone where I was going. I’ve never had anyone wait for me to come back home. It doesn’t come easy to me.”
“I felt like you didn’t care. That I held no meaning… value… to you.”
“That’s not true,” he said, reaching out for her face.
“Then what is true?” She raised her eyes, catching his.
He was trapped, mesmerized by her. He moved into her. What is true? That with each passing day, I’m falling madly in love with you? That it’s difficult to think I could live a life without you in it?”
“That you missed me so much, you spent the last two days with your mistress?” she said curtly.
He stepped back, stunned by her accusation.
“What are you saying?” he uttered slowly.
“Why did you go to Kabul?”
“There are some things I can’t talk about. And Kabul is one of them.”
“Why? Is it because you think I will be offended by your affair? Well, let me assure you, if I were your real wife, I probably would be. But I am not your wife.”
His eyes darkened with rage. “You are my wife.” He grit between his teeth. “And as for the mistress, I have none. Never had and never will. But I don’t think you are in any state of believing me now.”
“You’re a liar!” she swore at him. “The women have told me that it’s common for men here to have four wives.”
“Yes, it is. But that has never been my thing,” he said, taking a threatening step towards her.
She stepped back, her pulse racing as he inched further towards her.
“I know you need permission to take another wife.” She licked her lips as he slowly breached the gap between them. With the wall behind her, there was no where she could really go anymore. She picked up her chin defiantly. “You have it. Now get out and don’t come back here.”
“I’m glad to know you have my best interests at heart. But that’s not why I am here.” He braced his hands against the wall, trapping her between his arms.
“Why… why are you here?” She breathed hoarsely. She sounded ridiculous, her emotions caught between her hunger and her passion.
“You really want to know? I don’t think you’re ready to find out,” he whispered against her face.
She closed her eyes, unable to bear his nearness any more. “For godsakes, tell me the truth for once.”
She felt the moistness of his lips against hers, caressing them; tantalizing them to open up for him.
A doze of euphoria raced through her nerves and she involuntary opened her mouth to pull in a sharp breath. He took his opportunity, pushing his tongue into her. She gasped as he plundered the secrets of her mouth. She trembled, unable to stop the wetness growing in her core. She squeezed the lapels of his shirt, lifting herself up to him. His hands moved down to her buttocks, helping her up. She groaned, winding her arms around his neck. She felt him growing hard against her and she opened her mouth wider, letting him play and tease her tongue.
“Adam,” she let out with a soft moan.
He pulled back hesitantly, his desire for her glazing his eyes.
“That’s the truth,” he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers. “I can’t explain how much I want to be with you. It’s up to you to choose to believe me.”
He released her, stepping back from her.
“Adam, don’t go,” she begged.
“I want you, Nora. I really do. And I mean all of you. But I want to know that you trust me. And even if the world condemns me, I want to know you will stand by me.”
“I… can’t, Adam,” she stammered. “Not yet.”
He nodded. “Then you’re not ready for us.” He grew closer. “The first time I make love to you, it will be my right as your husband. Nora… I want your… your…” He hesitated, biting his trembling lips.
He clasped her hand, threading his fingers through hers, and she glanced up at him with curiosity. What is he doing?
He lifted their clasped hands and settled it on her right breast. He wanted her heart? Tears welled in her eyes. Was he saying he loved her?
He kissed her hand and then turned and walked away, leaving her in an utter daze. What had he done? She could have handled having sex with him. But to love him?
Her staggering legs gave way and she slid down to the floor. She had been denying her feelings for him, hiding behind a thousand excuses to not fall for him. How could she avoid her attraction for him now that she knew he felt the same for her?
He marched out of the room and towards the garage. He needed to get busy with something; anything that would keep his mind off Nora.
He had but uttered that he loved her. He had fallen fast and hard. And he knew if she didn’t feel the same way about him, he would be hurt. But he had to tell her. The torture of her not knowing about his feelings for her ate at him. He needed a sound mind to plan for what was coming. And should he not be successful at pulling off a stunt as warning Hazrat Zawahiri, he’d forever regret not telling her.
He stared at the four wheel drive he had been working on for the past week. There was still a little more to do with it. He opened the tail gate and began to lighten the vehicle of the junk inside. Mentally he noted that he needed to stock it with an emergency jump-starter kit and a better spare wheel.
She was always on his mind. He might never return after the Zawahiri mission. He needed to be sure she would be safe. With him not around, he could never trust her to be as protected as she was now.
For some reason, he recalled the first night when he had met her. His body tensed as flashes of Mateen slamming her against the wall with his hand between her legs flooded his mind. He grew hard and cold. Instincts told him Mateen was capable of returning to finish what he had started.
He needed to make sure she would be safe. He had already made arrangements to see that she would be able to escape without being harmed. But in case that didn’t work out he needed to make sure this one did.
“Adam!” Basel called out.
He lifted his eyebrow as the man paced quickly towards him.
“What’s going on, Basel?”
“I checked up Jahandar’s information. I just got word that Hazrat Zawahiri is indeed in Kandahar. He’s staying at his mistress’s house. If you need to get him, this would be the best time.”
Adam perked his lips in deep thought. “What about his bodyguards?”
“About an entourage of six men posted outside his house.”
“They would be heavily armed.”
“Yeah, they would be. And I don’t think we’d be able to sneak past them either. The house is barred like a fortress.”
“Hazrat was well-prepared for an attack. He’s built himself a great defense.”
“He knows a lot of
people want him dead.”
“I just want him shaking in his boots. Saeed Zawahiri might even leave us be if we don’t kill his son. I don’t need the trouble right now. We have enough to deal with as it is.”
“Do you want me to gather men and draw up a plan?” Basel frowned. “How about an attack tonight?”
“No,” Adam said, shaking his head. “Let’s do it tomorrow. He would be on the alert the first night. He might settle a bit by tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right. I’ll gather some men so we can go over the plan with them.”
“Just two more,” Adam said quietly. “You and I and two more.”
“But we would be overmatched.”
“Then pick our best. The more people know about this mission the more likely someone’s going to snitch on us. We should act before anyone gets a wind of what we’re up to.”
Amy dialed Travis Mulholland’s number with abated breath. Jake sat across her, watching her carefully.
“Travis Mulholland,” the man said at the other end. “Can I help you?”
“Mr Mulholland, this is Amy Jacobsen. I’m calling about case number-”
“Yes, I remember Miss Jacobsen. You’re calling about Nora Jennings.”
“You have a good memory for someone who works on a lot of cases.”
There was a pause before he replied, “It’s hard to forget you, Miss Jacobsen.”
Amy flushed. The man was openly flirting with her!
“What’s going on?” Jake whispered.
Amy shook her head, covering her brow tiredly.
“Mr Mulholland,” she began.
“Perhaps, it would be better if we started speaking with each other on a first name basis.”
“Well, then… Travis.” She swallowed nervously. “I found something that may prove I have a vested interest in Nora’s life. It’s her will. And she has nominated me as her beneficiary.”
“Well…,” he said. “That does change some things.”
“I want to know where Nora is.”
“Amy, you need to post a certified copy of her will to us.” He cited an address.
“Will you tell me where Nora is then?” she asked as she jotted down the address.
“Amy, let’s wait for her will first. I will then talk to my supervisor and we will proceed from there.”
“That’s not good enough. Each day you’re delaying looking for her puts her at more risk.”
“We’re not a search party, Amy. We can though make some queries about her travels. But like I’ve said before, Nora traveled to Kashmir despite our travel warnings. In such case, we cannot take the responsibility to find her.”
“If you won’t do it, then who will?!” she seethed.
“I know it’s not the answer you’re looking for, Amy. But we have procedures… guidelines.”
She nodded with frustration. “Fine, I understand.”
She ended the call and glanced up sadly at Jake. He walked up to her and took her in his arms.
“One step at a time, Amy. But we will find her. I promise you, we will.”
She wished she could talk to Amy. She would know what she was supposed to do.
Nora paced the length of her bedroom impatiently. He didn’t return to their room last night and this should have been a good thing. She didn’t want complications brewing with her captor. She wanted to return home, free from any attachments.
So, why was she absolutely worried about him? She peeked through the curtains, hoping she would catch a glimpse of him. She couldn’t see him and her heart sank.
She must be losing her mind. Adam Afridi was the last man she should ever fall in love with. It wasn’t like she was his real wife; no matter how many times Adam asserted that she was. And she didn’t want to live in Afghanistan forever. This was not her home.
She let out a frustrating grunt. Why was she even considering this? “I’m a captive and I want to go home,” she said. But her chanting did nothing to curb that anxiety growing in the pit of her stomach. And when he rapped on her door and called out her name, she had to stop herself from throwing it open and leaping into his arms.
“He’s back,” she let out with relief. “He’s back.”
HAPTER 15
He stepped into the room, unsure of what he was supposed to do. He had revealed his love for her yesterday and somehow, instead of easing the tension between them, it had elevated the already existing awkwardness. Had he been too rash?
It was done, he decided as he moved closer to her. Not too close, Adam, he told himself. He still needed space to maintain some respectable control. Otherwise, he was more than likely to pull her into his arms and kiss her again. To devour her mouth; those luscious lips… to have her writhe and moan beneath him, to touch her flesh… to caress it, to taste it.
His cock throbbed uncomfortably in his pants and he turned slightly in the fear she might notice how hard he was getting on just seeing her.
“I need a bath,” he muttered. “I’ll try to be out of your way as soon as I can.”
He moved past her and towards the bathroom.
“Adam,” she said quickly. “You don’t have to rush. It is after all your room.”
He stopped. “And not yours?”
“I don’t belong here, Adam. I… I want to go home,” she stuttered.
“I suppose I’ve received your response. It wasn’t the one I was hoping for though.” A pain stabbed in his chest. She didn’t love him. But how could she? She barely knew him after all. And it wasn’t like she had freely walked into his life. She was coerced into a marriage with him, something she would always resent. She hated him. She would always hate him for what he had done to her.
“Adam, please…”
“No need to explain. I won’t bother you anymore.”
He marched hastily over to the bathroom. A bath might probably ease his hurting pride a bit. He closed the door behind him and stared down at the bucket of water. He had imprisoned her in primitive conditions. How could he possibly expect her to reciprocate his feelings? Did he expect her to see past her crude circumstances and fall in love with him? Was he expecting a miracle? Because those never happened.
She heard the water splash over his body and her own body trembled from the pleasurable torture of the image those sounds created of him. Who was she kidding? She wanted him badly. She groaned as she threw herself into her bed. She pulled a pillow over her head, trying to drown out the sounds of his bathing.
The sounds finally stopped and she straightened up quickly, impatiently waiting for him to emerge.
He stepped out, his towel wrapped tightly around his lower waist. Her eyes roamed deliciously over his torso and down to his pelvis. Beads of water clung to his wet skin and all she wanted to do right now was to lick them up with the tip of her tongue. A shiver ran up her as she imagined tasting his flesh, moving her mouth silkily over his skin.
He walked up to the closet and pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt. She turned away, blushing slightly as he dressed himself in clear view of her. His towel dropped to the floor and she glanced up slyly, catching a glimpse of his buttocks.
He raised his eyes, catching her watching him. She reddened, moving to the end of the room.
“You know, you could use the bathroom to change,” she pretended to grumble.
“I didn’t think it mattered because you weren’t interested in me,” he said as he zipped up his jeans.
“I’m not. But regardless, it is uncomfortable.”
“It’s more uncomfortable dressing in a wet bathroom.” He sighed as he combed his wet hair with his fingers. “Nora, I… yesterday…,” he stammered.
“Yesterday, I thought over and over about what you said… about us.” She licked her lips nervously. “Adam, can’t you see? I… I want to love you. But I can’t possibly think about that when all the time I’m worried about is never seeing my friends and family again. Let me go. Please.”
“I can’t do that.”
/> “Why not?!” she demanded, her anger growing inside her again.
He looked at her with equal ire in his eyes. “You think you will love me if I let you go home? You know very well I don’t stand a chance if I do that. You will never look at me again. You’d probably cringe every time you’d think of me.”
“That’s not true. Adam, I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You’ve protected me and I acknowledge that. But I have never understood why a good man like you is doing in a place such as this. Nor do I understand why you need to keep me imprisoned here.”
“You are not imprisoned. You have the freedom to roam the grounds of the property as you wish.”
“Just not go home,” she said tiredly.
“There are reasons, Nora. And I promise to tell you why one day. But for now, all I’m asking you to do is to trust me.”
“Believe me, I’m trying very hard.” She shook her head sorrowfully. “But you’re making this so difficult for me.”
He cupped her face tenderly. “I’m sorry. I never wanted you to suffer. But I’m bound. You’re my wife and it’s my duty to make sure you’re protected.”
She shook his hands off her angrily. “Will you quit saying that?! I am not your wife.”
“Perhaps, you don’t see me as your husband. But I cannot ignore the fact we married according to proper Afghan laws.”
“And yet you will ignore the fact that I did not give my consent to this marriage. Why do you only choose to recognize what you want to believe? Don’t I matter at all?”
“Of course you do. But Nora, like I said, I can’t explain it to you yet.”
“And I’m supposed to trust and wait for you until then. Be the perfect, obedient and submissive Afghan wife. But I am neither Afghan nor wife. Let me go home, Adam. I’m begging you!”
“I cannot.” He lowered his head. “Nora, I…”
But she slapped him sharply across his face. “You’re a liar!” she minced angrily. “You don’t love me! If you did, you wouldn’t do this to me. You would give me my freedom. I can’t believe I even considered loving you. I hate you!”
Captive- Veiled Desires Page 14