Flight to Romance

by Tracy Sinclair

  Fleeing into a waiting elevator, she had a last glimpse of Kalim surrounded by people, all trying to capture his attention. Everyone wanted to be with him—at least she wasn't alone in that. But what made her think she could possibly compete?

  There was only one other person in the elevator and Jennifer barely glanced at him as she gave her floor number to the operator.

  But as the doors slid shut, her fellow passenger said, "Excuse me, but you're American, aren't you?"

  Turning, she saw a tall, thin young man with light brown hair and a pleasant, open face. "Yes, I am," she admitted, "how did you guess?"

  He grinned at her. "It takes one to know one." He held out his hand. "My name is John Belmont and I'm very proud to make your acquaintance, ma'am."

  His eager, unsophisticated manner was disarming and, taking the proffered hand, she smiled at him. "You're from the South, aren't you?"

  The elevator made a series of stops and they moved to the back of the car. "That's right—Louisiana," he said in the soft drawl that had given him away. "I'm the assistant curator at the museum in New Orleans and, unlike you lucky tourists, I'm here working."

  Jennifer's mouth twisted wryly at the thought of herself as a carefree tourist. If he only knew! But the elevator had reached her floor and she merely said, "Well, it was nice meeting you, John. I get off here."

  After edging her way out, she saw that he was right behind her. "Is this your floor too?" she asked, surprised at the coincidence.

  "Not really," he admitted, "but I couldn't just let you disappear." At the look on her face he said, "Please don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to pick you up."

  "It looks remarkably like it," she commented coolly. "Even in Cairo some things are the same."

  "You're wrong about that. Nothing is the same here. I'm about a million miles from home and you're the first friendly face I've seen. Couldn't you please stay and talk to me for a minute? I'm so doggone lonesome I could howl at the moon."

  He did look rather desperate and Jennifer took pity on him and stopped walking down the hall. "But if you're working here, surely you've met some people?"

  "A few. But after work they go their way and I go mine. Mostly I just wander around hoping to hear some English spoken. I never knew there were so many other languages in the world!" Jennifer eyed him sympathetically and he blurted out, "Would you have dinner with me tonight?" Before she could refuse, he hurried on, "I can have the American Embassy vouch for me and I'll show you my driver's license and even my library card."

  Her lips twitched. "What would that prove except that you're an American who drives a car and knows how to read?"

  "What if I showed you a picture of my mother and my two sisters?" he asked hopefully.

  "That won't be necessary." Jennifer laughed. "To tell you the truth, you look very nice, and I think I might have accepted if I hadn't just finished a huge lunch."

  "But it's early yet. These people don't eat dinner until all hours." She could tell he considered that another black mark against the country. "If you're traveling with a friend—if that's what's bothering you—I'd be glad to take both of you," he persisted.

  Jennifer thought of Kalim. By no stretch of the imagination could he be considered a friend. Her soft mouth tightened as she recalled the way Ayesha had reclaimed her property. Any thought of Jennifer had been completely driven out of his mind, and after the brunette bombshell worked her wiles on him, they would be cruising down the Nile, watching the romantic pattern of moonbeams on the water. Kalim would have his arm around Ayesha's waist and his lips would look for that special place behind her ear…

  "I'd be happy to have dinner with you tonight," Jennifer told John abruptly.

  Although bewildered by this sudden switch, he took her up on it with alacrity. After arranging to meet in the lobby at nine o'clock, John got back on the elevator and Jennifer walked down the corridor to her room, a determined tilt to her chin. A short time later the telephone rang.

  "Why did you run away?" Kalim's impatient voice in her ear demanded.

  "I didn't think you noticed," she told him stiffly.

  There was smothered annoyance in his voice. "Of course I noticed. I am asking why you disappeared."

  "What difference does it make? You did your good deed for today."

  There was a short silence and then Kalim said ominously, "Come to my suite."

  "I'd rather not."

  His voice was silky, but this time there was no mistaking the steel. "I do not think you understand. I am not asking you—I am ordering you."

  "And if I refuse?" But it was sheer bravado, as her knees were shaking. She knew to her sorrow that Kalim in a rage was awesome.

  "I think you would regret that decision."

  "Oh, all right," Jennifer muttered, giving in unwillingly.

  As she walked down the hall every nerve was on red alert. Facing him a few minutes later, she knew her apprehension was justified. Where was the charming companion of this afternoon? Kalim lounged in an armchair like a king giving audience to a particularly troublesome peasant. His dark eyes surveyed her coolly.

  "I must confess you baffle me, Jennifer. I thought we had an enjoyable day."

  His phrasing grated on her raw nerves. Was that all it was to him—"an enjoyable day"? Well, what did she expect? But did that include the camel ride? Jennifer grew weak as she remembered his strong arms supporting her in the saddle and the way he had gently lifted her long hair and kissed that vulnerable spot on the nape of her neck. That was an inspired improvisation, an extra something thrown in to keep the poor little American waif happy—and it had worked. A tingle went down her spine even now as she relived the moment.

  Today had been the most wonderful day of her life, but if she needed any proof that it hadn't meant anything to him, it was provided by his attitude toward Ayesha. When he found out it was she who summoned him back, he wasn't annoyed, merely amused. Perhaps he was relieved that she had given him a graceful exit. Was it possible they had even prearranged it? Jennifer crossed her arms and gripped her elbows to keep in the hurt.

  "Did you or did you not have a good time today?" he asked, impatient in the face of her silence.

  Jennifer called up all her reserves. She would die sooner than let him know how devastated she was! "It was very nice," she managed to say in a cool little voice, "and I believe I thanked you for it."

  His face darkened with anger and he stood up abruptly, looming very large above her. "You know what you can do with your thanks!"

  "Would you like me to kneel down and touch my forehead to the floor or would a simple curtsy suffice?" she asked sarcastically.

  His fingers bit into her shoulders with such strength that Jennifer winced with pain, but she bit her lower lip, refusing to give him the satisfaction of crying out.

  "That acid tongue of yours will buy you more trouble one day than you anticipate," he told her through clenched teeth. "It is a good thing that you are a woman."

  "And if I were a man what would you do? Knock me down?" She flung out the challenge defiantly.

  He looked at her contemptuously. "Did I call you a woman? Let me amend that. You are more of a child than Ayesha."

  The comparison to her hated rival enraged Jennifer and she erupted, the words fairly tumbling out. "Even as a child I had more manners than your precious friend. In my country she would be considered downright rude!"

  His hands loosened their punishing grip and comprehension dawned, chasing away the anger. "So that's it," he murmured softly.

  Too late she realized that he thought she was jealous of Ayesha. The evidence was written plainly on his face and it infuriated her. "No, that's not it!" she raged impotently. "I'm well aware that you consider yourself irresistible to all women, but I wouldn't have you on a silver platter with an apple in your mouth!"

  A mocking smile twisted his finely chiseled lips and he regarded her through half-closed lids. "Are you sure?"

  His hands clasped her slender waist,
drawing her slowly closer, and Jennifer felt her panic rising. She knew from bitter experience how Kalim could arouse her senses and was determined not to let it happen again. If she responded in the slightest way her self-respect would be gone forever. It was a game to him and he was just playing with her.

  Sliding his hands tantalizingly across her back, he bent his dark head toward her while she struggled desperately. "No, Kalim, don't! I don't want you to."

  He held her easily and there was a mocking look on his face. "Kiss me and then I will know if you are telling the truth."

  His tone was sensuous, inviting her into his web, and in spite of everything she wanted to enter. How could his slightest touch set off such a fire in her blood? It took a tremendous will to resist those warm hands that seemed to burn right through to her bare body. It would be so easy to relax in his arms and let him teach her to love. Even as the traitorous thought entered her mind, Jennifer realized the danger and stiffened in his arms, but his strength easily overcame her pitiful efforts.

  Drawing her closer until she could feel the length of his body pressing against hers, he brushed his lips against her cheek. When she turned her head, his mouth found hers and she was lost. Kalim's sure hands caressed her body expertly while his mouth teased the corners of hers until her lips parted helplessly. As he outlined their delicate shape with his tongue, Jennifer felt a wild desire that started in her lower limbs and spread throughout her whole body. With a despairing moan she twisted her head aside but Kalim kissed her throat and when his warm mouth slid over her heated skin the flames leaped higher.

  Jennifer was lost and she knew it, but as she felt the last barrier being torn away, her glazed eyes focused on a glass of water on the table next to them. In desperation she seized it and poured it down the back of Kalim's neck.

  With a muttered oath, he released her, and Jennifer ran to the door. But before she could turn the knob, his voice rang out, stopping her in her tracks.

  "Jennifer!" The authoritative tone rooted her to the spot and she stood with her back to him, powerless to move. "Turn around." Unwillingly, she did as she was told. He walked slowly toward her and she remained motionless, staring at the carpet. "Look at me." Raising mutinous green eyes, she waited for the storm to break, but Kalim's face was impassive. "That was a very foolish thing you did and you shall pay for it. You know that, don't you?" The very absence of anger in his expressionless voice made him all the more dangerous and Jennifer started to tremble. "You are a little hellcat and I am going to enjoy taming you. Like all cats you will resist, but when I have finished, you will come to me at the snap of my fingers."

  There was a cruel smile on his dark face and Jennifer looked at him in a kind of horror. At that moment, she had no doubt that he meant to destroy her will—one way or another. The knowledge was terrifying. With a smothered cry, she tore her eyes away from him and ran from the room.

  Throwing herself face down on her bed a few moments later, Jennifer waited for her wildly racing heart to slow down. What had possessed her to do such a rash thing? Kalim was unpredictable at all times, but now she had made him an implacable enemy. What had happened was his own fault, of course, but that wouldn't help any. Did he actually have plans for retribution or was that only a threat to frighten her? If that were the case, he would be delighted to know how well he had succeeded!

  As the minutes ticked by, Jennifer's mind searched wildly for a way to escape from this cruel, despotic man, but the situation hadn't changed. Now more than ever he would hang on grimly to her passport, and without it she was in his power. Where did he keep it? She raised her head, eyes wide with speculation. Perhaps she could search his room! But even as the wild hope surfaced, it died a quick death. It could be anywhere, and if Kalim caught her—or worse yet, Habeeb… Jennifer shuddered at the thought.

  Pounding the pillow with small clenched fists, she gritted her teeth in frustration. Why hadn't she followed her instincts and refused to part with the precious thing? But it was foolish to indulge in futile regrets. Next time she would know better—assuming she got out of this present mess.

  Gradually the events of the chaotic day began to take their toll and her eyelashes drooped against her flushed cheeks. A great weariness claimed her mind and body, and after a while Jennifer slept.

  When she awoke the room was in darkness and for a moment her confused mind thought she was in her apartment in San Francisco. Then her memory came crowding back, reminding her, among other things, that she had a date with John Belmont. Suddenly the prospect was very appealing. What time was it? Glancing hurriedly at her watch, she saw that there was still plenty of time.

  With arms crossed behind her head, Jennifer thought about the man she had met so casually in the elevator. She would never have done a thing like that at home, but the circumstances were different here. Jennifer could understand his desperate need to be with a fellow American because at the moment she felt that way herself. It would be nice to be with a plain ordinary man for a change, someone she could understand. John didn't look like the reincarnation of one of the ancient pagan gods and his ingenuous eyes wouldn't have the power to see into her very soul. If he put his hand on her arm, it wouldn't set off a fire in her blood…

  Abruptly, Jennifer jumped off the bed and went into the bathroom to turn on the shower. Tonight was going to be fun and she wasn't going to let Kalim spoil it. Stepping into the tiled shower, she raised her face resolutely to the stinging spray.

  After blow drying her hair to a fluffy golden cloud, she selected a simple outfit that the saleslady had assured her would be suitable for any occasion. The outfit consisted of a slim white silk ottoman skirt and a black silk knit top, the wide scooped neckline and short sleeves of which were edged in the same white silk as the skirt. Looking in the mirror, Jennifer decided that she looked quite sophisticated and was annoyed with herself for experiencing a moment's regret that Kalim wouldn't see her in it. Hadn't she vowed not to think about him tonight?

  The lobby disclosed an incredible hub of boiling activity when the elevator doors opened on the ground floor. A tour must have just arrived because the beautiful mosaic floor was completely covered with mountains of expensive luggage and hundreds of chattering, excited people. The din mounted as they called back and forth to each other and milled around the big room. It was impossible for the clerks to take care of them all at once, but that didn't seem to bother the vacationers. They made plans and visited with each other as though they hadn't just traveled thousands of miles on the same plane.

  Jennifer despaired of ever finding John in the mob scene, but her fears were groundless. He was waiting by the elevator bank and his eyes lit up when he saw her. "You look fantastic."

  "Thank you," she said, smiling. "I wasn't sure we'd ever get together in this crowd. What's going on?"

  "Two big tours just came in. One from Australia and one from the United States."

  She grinned at him. "How lucky can you get! You were dying to hear English spoken and now you have an embarrassment of riches. Perhaps we should stay right here so you can make some contacts."

  "I already hit the jackpot, so let's get out of this madhouse." He turned her toward the entrance and they began to pick their way cautiously through the crowd.

  Halfway to the door, Jennifer turned to make a laughing comment and found herself looking straight into Kalim's narrowed black eyes. They were separated by scores of people, but she was held as if by a magnet. His expression was formidable and she hesitated, remembering the rules he had laid down. Always tell him where she was going and never go out alone at night. Well, she wasn't alone. But should she have told him about her date with John? Maybe she ought to introduce them and explain. The last thing she wanted to do was provoke Kalim further.

  As she paused irresolutely, Ayesha came up behind him. Standing on tiptoes, she put her hands kittenishly over Kalim's eyes. Jennifer felt raw anger course through her, and without waiting to see Kalim's happy look of surprise, she pushed her w
ay ruthlessly through the crowd.

  "The New Orleans Saints could sure use you," John drawled admiringly. "It would have taken me twice as long to get us through that mess."

  Jennifer smiled ruefully. "I guess I could have been penalized for unnecessary roughness, but I suddenly felt the urgent need for a breath of fresh air."

  They went to a restaurant called Charlie's American Grill. It had a long polished bar the length of the room and the dining area was furnished with leather booths. A refrigerated glass case near the entry displayed thick steaks with pats of butter on top carved in the shape of roses.

  John looked around the dimly lit room with satisfaction. "I discovered this place about a week ago. It's the only restaurant I know of here where you can get a decent steak. I figured you'd like it after all that crazy foreign food."

  They could very easily have been in a restaurant anywhere in the United States and Jennifer's smile was a little fixed as she remembered the charming luncheon at the Ahotep that afternoon. But that was all over and done with. Making a special effort, she said, "It looks very nice."

  He asked if steak and French fries sounded all right and she nodded, since the most exotic item on the menu was fried prawns. She did venture to ask him though if he had sampled any of the local cuisine.

  "Oh, I tried it when I first got here, but it didn't agree with me. And I think all that hocus-pocus with the tea is downright silly."

  Jennifer carefully straightened her fork and changed the subject. "Tell me about your work."

  John was transformed into a different person when he talked about the Museum. The critical, condescending attitude was replaced with genuine enthusiasm. Although it was obvious that he was too homesick to appreciate modern Egypt, he was clearly in love with her antiquities. And very knowledgeable about them, too.

  Jennifer told him of her visit to the Egyptian Museum. "I wish I had known you then. There were so many questions I'd like to have asked."

  "I'll give you a guided tour," he promised. "I'm sure you want to go back."