Flight to Romance

by Tracy Sinclair

  His arms tightened and she could feel his hard chest against the curve of her breast. When he spoke, his mouth was so close that his warm breath tickled her ear. "I would like to provide all your firsts." She stiffened instinctively, but he drew her back with a low chuckle. "No, no, do not draw away from me, little one. We are having a truce, remember?"

  "You're the one who broke it," she protested.

  "Then I will stop. Nothing shall mar this day," he promised.

  Relaxing in his arms, Jennifer felt a warmth steal over her that had nothing to do with the strong sunlight. Looking up at him, she saw a wry smile on his lips and she smiled back.

  "You're being so kind to me, Kalim. I don't know how to thank you. I know it can't be any fun for you doing all these tourist things."

  "No, you are wrong. It is a long time since I have had so much… fun." One hand moved to her shoulder and slid caressingly up her neck. His long fingers traced the curve of her ear and Jennifer felt a sudden quickening of her pulses.

  "Kalim, you promised!"

  "So I did." He lifted her long hair and kissed the nape of her neck, his mouth warm and sensuous against her bare skin. A thrill quivered down her spine, but before she could protest, his arm dropped to her waist, holding her lightly. "And today I am your slave." His voice was very quiet as he added, "But tomorrow you may be mine."

  Were the words teasing or threatening? Jennifer's sleeping distrust suddenly awoke. But they were riding by the Sphinx now and Kalim ordered the camel driver to halt. Confronted by the enigmatic man-headed lion, all other thoughts fled from her mind. With its face to the rising sun the great statue wore a serene look, as though it had solved all the mysteries of the universe.

  "It is strange, is it not, that until nineteen twenty-six this same Sphinx was buried up to its neck in sand," Kalim told her.

  "But that seems like such a short time ago!"

  "Not even the flicker of an eyelash in its long history," he agreed.

  "Is it as old as the Pyramids?"

  "It dates back to the reign of Chephren, builder of the second pyramid," he said, indicating the smaller of the two structures.

  "I suppose the weather was responsible for ruining the nose," Jennifer commented. "Was it sand storms through all these thousands of years?"

  "That was the theory at one time. It was replaced by a more colorful explanation. A legend that refuses to die insists that the nose was destroyed by Napoleon's soldiers, who used it for target practice. Actually, it was done for religious reasons. As the dynasties rose and fell, Egypt was invaded by many people. At the time of the Arabs it was considered sacrilegious to represent the human face, so a Sufi named Saim-el-Dahr remedied the matter by disfiguring the nose."

  "But surely it wasn't meant to be a man," she objected. "Isn't it supposed to be a rather fanciful statue of a lion?"

  "Only partially. The head was carved in the likeness of the king, Chephren. The presence of a pleated headdress, a rampant cobra, and an Osiris beard completed the living image that fused king, lion, and man."

  She looked at him in amazement. "How do you know all of this?"

  "I could instruct you in much more than that," he said laughingly, dropping a light kiss on her temple. But when Jennifer made a face at him, he answered her question matter-of-factly. "In my part of the world, ancient history is very real and we study it from an early age. Count your blessings." He gave her an impish grin. "I could have bored you with a mountain of memorized facts and figures."

  Before she could comment, their driver resumed the tour and the great beast was once more lumbering across the sand. It moved with a peculiar swaying motion, and for some time Jennifer had been aware of a feeling that was almost like seasickness.

  "Kalim," she said hesitantly, "I've enjoyed the ride, but do you think we could get off now?"

  He threw back his head and laughed in an uninhibited way. "I was wondering how long it would take. Camel riding is an acquired taste, but you did very well for your first time."

  A word to the dragoman stopped the animal and Kalim jumped down agilely, holding up his arms to Jennifer. His strong hands spanned her waist and she put her arms around his neck to be lowered to the ground. As she slid along his length, Jennifer was aware of the hard flatness of his body and the fact that he was deliberately holding her close.

  The magnetism between them was instantly ignited and the noise of the surrounding people disappeared. Over Kalim's shoulder she could see the brooding Pyramids and the timeless Sphinx, watching them with an indecipherable smile on its ruined face. The sun burned in a cloudless blue sky and Jennifer was transported four thousand years backward into time. Did Chephren bring his queen here to view his masterpiece? And did he hold her in his arms while her heart swelled with love for his wondrous accomplishment?

  Kalim's soft voice brought her back to the present. "As much as I am enjoying this, I think it is time for your next first."

  For a moment she stared at him in a daze, reluctant to return to reality. Then, realizing that she still had her arms around his neck, she blushed furiously and moved away. "What… I mean, where are we going?"

  "Allow me to surprise you," he said with a smile.

  He guided her to the waiting car and she sank gratefully against the soft seat, the welcome air conditioning cooling her flushed cheeks.

  On the road back to Cairo Kalim kept up a steady flow of conversation and Jennifer was grateful, realizing that he was trying to spare her any embarrassment she might have felt over that illusive moment in Giza. What a strange, complex man he was. How could he be so autocratic one moment and so gentle and understanding the next? Would she ever understand him?

  They were entering the outskirts of Cairo, and after a short time the car pulled over to the curb. A green and white canopy extended from an ornately carved lintel to the edge of the sidewalk, but since the lettering on the window was in Arabic, Jennifer had no idea where they were.

  "What is this place?" she asked.

  "It is called Ahotep. We will have lunch here. We have had food for the soul, now we shall have nourishment for the body."

  She had been too absorbed to think about eating, but as she followed Kalim into the restaurant Jennifer realized that she was hungry.

  The doorway was curtained with the long strands of beads so commonplace in Cairo and he held them aside for her to enter a large, dimly lit room. It was cool after the glare outside and big ceiling fans made a soothing sound as they circled lazily overhead. Upholstered couches lined the walls and in front of each was a low wooden table exquisitely inlaid in mother-of-pearl. Thick squashy cushions sat on the floor and there were a few groups occupying them, but Kalim led her to one of the sofas.

  "I hope you do not mind eating with your fingers." She looked to see if he were joking, but his twinkling eyes gave her no clue.

  Before she could question him, a handsome Egyptian youth wearing a brown galabia patterned in orange approached their table. He carried a large basin under one arm and a graceful etched brass pitcher in his hand.

  The basin was deposited in the middle of the table and Kalim said, "Stretch out your hands—no, no, palms up."

  Totally mystified, Jennifer did as she was told. Kalim stretched his hands next to hers and to her astonishment the waiter poured steaming, scented water over them.

  "Voila! Now that we have washed our hands like good little children, we can have our lunch," Kalim said, laughing at the look on her face as the waiter handed them each a thick towel.

  No menus were presented and they weren't asked for their order. The first course just appeared. It looked like a stew made of tomatoes and celery and some delicious-smelling spices, but there was no silverware. Jennifer wondered if it would be polite to mention the fact or just wait until Kalim noticed it for himself, but before she had made up her mind, the waiter reappeared with a huge cone-shaped straw basket filled with chunks of coarse white bread.

  When she refused politely, Kalim said, "It is
best that you take some."

  Watching in surprise, she soon understood his advice as he dipped the bread in his plate and maneuvered a piece of tomato onto it with a well-manicured forefinger.

  "Do not look so startled, my little Yankee—it is done in the very best society."

  Well, when in Rome, Jennifer thought, and dug in with a will. The food was delicious and she was very hungry.

  The rest of the meal was equally bizarre. There was soup, which posed no problem since it could be drunk directly from the cup. Then a large brass tray appeared with delicate little birds that Kalim told her were pigeons. Accompanying them was a concoction made of broad noodles and bits of chicken, among other things, all dusted over with cinnamon and sugar and looking something like a round coffee cake. By this time Jennifer thought nothing of reaching over to break off a piece with her fingers and even offered to do the same for Kalim.

  Finally she leaned back against the cushions and said, "It was divine, but I can't eat another bite. In fact, I don't think I'll be able to eat for days!"

  "I am happy that you have enjoyed our food." His eyes were enigmatic as they contemplated her. "Perhaps I shall make a convert of you yet."

  She smiled up at him gratefully. "If every day could be as wonderful as this one has been, perhaps you could."

  He took her hand and his thumb made a slow circle on the soft skin of her inner wrist. "And if I could make that promise?" he asked softly. Jennifer felt a warning thrill invade her and she pulled her hand away. Kalim let it go without a struggle, making her feel slightly foolish about her instinctive gesture. "Now we shall have our tea," he said easily.

  He clapped his hands together and a young boy approached carrying a tray with two tall glasses, the bottom of each encased in a little straw jacket. Then their waiter appeared bearing a beautifully engraved brass teapot with a long spout like a watering can. To Jennifer's complete amazement, he held the pot high above his head and poured the fragrant tea into the waiting glasses without spilling a drop. Kalim burst into laughter at the look on her face.

  "How on earth does he do that?" she asked.

  "It takes a great deal of practice, and much spilled tea, before one becomes an expert."

  "I can certainly believe that!"

  The tea was strong, hot, and minty, a pleasant end to a sumptuous meal. Jennifer leaned back with a satisfied sigh. "When I get back home this will all seem like a dream and I'll bet there will be times when even I don't believe it."

  "Do you miss your home very much?"

  "I haven't been gone long enough," she said with a laugh.

  "But suppose you were," he insisted. "What then? Could you live happily outside your own country?"

  "I can't envision any possibility of that."

  "What if circumstances arose that made it necessary?"

  She looked at him warily. "Are you by any chance offering me a permanent job?"

  "No, the question was merely hypothetical," he said. "I was trying to understand your people better. I have lived many places and have known many cultures, but Americans are foreign to me. They do not seem to leave their own country except as tourists."

  She gave him a gamin grin. "Well, you can't complain on that score. We've inundated the world in recent years."

  "But only as visitors who go back home as predictably as lemmings."

  "Isn't that natural?" she asked.

  "Not necessarily. I, for instance, was born in Egypt, educated in England, and spent my holidays in Europe. I can be comfortable living in many places. Could you?" He looked at her sharply.

  "I don't know," she said slowly. "I've traveled so little that I'd probably jump at any chance, but if I couldn't go home…" She considered the question gravely. "I guess there would have to be a very compelling reason for keeping me there."

  He looked at her contemplatively, but before he could comment the young boy who had brought the tea glasses approached. "Your pardon, sir, but are you Mr. Kalim Al Kahira?" At Kalim's nod he said, "A message for you, sir, from your hotel. You are wanted there."

  A shadow of annoyance darkened Kalim's face momentarily and then he shrugged. "It is sad, but pleasure must give way to business."

  Jennifer looked at her watch and was scandalized!

  "We've been gone almost all day," she gasped. "I shouldn't have kept you so long."

  "You did not keep me." His warm hand covered hers, lying on the table. "It was my idea, remember? And as I recall, I had to convince you. Perhaps next time you will not give me so much trouble."

  His reference to the tangled relations between them embarrassed her, but she put it out of her mind. It had been a wonderful day and Kalim had been so kind to her.

  "I can't thank you enough for today," she said simply. "You have so many friends in Cairo, besides your business here, and I appreciate your giving me so much time."

  "Perhaps I was trying to cement relations between our two countries," he said lightly.

  "If that was your purpose, you certainly succeeded," she replied. "I'm in love with your city."

  "This is not, strictly speaking, my city. I have factories here, but my home is in Luxor."

  "Well, I'm sure I should fall in love with that also," she assured him. Although the words were an automatic polite response, Jennifer suddenly realized they were true. "This part of the world is different from anything I've ever known. It's like living in a storybook with an adventure around every corner. I wish I could see every bit of it."

  His eyes were opaque as he studied her face. "Perhaps you shall. On our next excursion I shall take you to El Faiyum. It is a beautiful oasis in the desert. And we shall visit the ruins of the Crocodilopolis. Would you like that?"

  "It sounds fascinating." Her eyes shone. "I know it has something to do with crocodiles, but what?"

  "It is where the water god Sebek was worshipped. The lake by the temple was once filled with sacred crocodiles wearing jeweled bands around their legs and necks. They were fed sacrificial offerings and came promptly when the priests called to them by name."

  Jennifer shivered. "I'm not going to ask what those offerings were."

  "You are wise," he said. "Everything in life does not benefit by being reduced to words."

  Their waiter stood at Kalim's elbow with the check and Jennifer sighed, wishing the day didn't have to end. But Kalim had someone waiting to see him. Something suddenly occurred to her. "How did they know to reach you here?"

  "This is one of my, how do you say—haunts. Whoever is looking for me probably left messages throughout the city."

  "I do hope you didn't miss anything important," Jennifer said worriedly.

  He took her hand and raised it to his lips. "I did not miss anything today," he said quietly.

  Jennifer knew that his polite remark was just an example of continental manners, the kind of thing an experienced man said to his date as a matter of course. That included kissing her hand. He wouldn't expect her to be naive enough to think it meant anything. But as she preceded him out of the restaurant, her heart was singing.

  Chapter Six

  They had scarcely entered the lobby of the hotel before Ayesha detached herself from a group and came sauntering over. Jennifer wondered bitterly what kind of radar enabled her to keep turning up like a bad penny. This time she was due for a disappointment though, since Kalim had business waiting. That was some consolation.

  Ayesha's dark eyes held an ominous glitter as they rested on Jennifer, but her expression changed when she faced Kalim. "It is about time you returned," she said, pouting. "I left messages everywhere."

  "That was you?" For a moment, a frown drew Kalim's eyebrows together. "What is wrong?"

  Ayesha looked up seductively from under her long eyelashes. "I missed you. You have been gone an eternity."

  Kalim looked at her incredulously. "You missed me and that is why you sent a message that I was wanted at the hotel?"

  "It is true, is it not?" Ayesha hugged his arm to her side, curling
herself so sinuously around him that Jennifer half expected to hear her purr. The long red nails smoothing his lapel were indeed reminiscent of claws.

  Kalim's laugh rang out in the lobby. "What shall I do with you, Ayesha?" he asked, shaking his head helplessly. "As I have told you many times, you are a spoiled child, but one of these days you will get your comeuppance. What will happen, I wonder, when you find you cannot get your own way?"

  "That day will never come," she told him confidently.

  They were joined by the friends Ayesha had been chatting with and Jennifer automatically stepped out of the charmed circle, knowing she didn't belong there.

  "René has chartered a boat and we are going to cruise down the Nile, perhaps all the way to Beni Suef," Ayesha told him. "That is why I was so impatient for you to return. We wish to start soon."

  Kalim's smile cushioned his refusal. "Not this evening, chérie. I have work to do."

  "Work? That is just nonsense!"

  "Perhaps to you," he conceded, "but we cannot all frolic in the sunshine."

  "There will be moonlight tonight," she offered seductively.

  Kalim merely laughed and shook his head, but Ayesha continued to wheedle. When she finally realized that he might actually mean it, her voice took on an acid edge.

  "If you had not been wasting your time all day…" But the words trailed off at the ominous look on his face.

  Other voices chimed in urging him to reconsider and Jennifer turned away. It was midnight for Cinderella and her party was over. Kalim had forgotten her existence as he always did when his own world formed a protective layer around him.

  Walking slowly toward the elevator, she pondered over this contradictory man. There were so many demands on his time—why had he given her this wonderful day? Was it guilt over his treatment last night—or the night before? Or was it pity? Did he know that just being with him affected her like a strong cocktail? Jennifer's cheeks burned at the thought that her emotions were as naked as her body had been. Maybe he was just being kind to her like an older man to a teenager with a crush. The idea was odious and her fingernails bit into her clenched palms.