Israel

by Celeste Granger

  “Dr. Davis,” Lachlan called out as they approached a small group of people under a tented area representing headquarters.

  Israel’s eyes scanned the group to see who would respond. There were several men in various states of activity. But then Israel saw someone turn in response to the call.

  “Yes, I’m Dr. Davis.”

  Her hat was tilted low on her face, obscuring most of it. Yet, the voice that passed through her full lips piqued Israel’s ears. And then she smiled. The break of her white teeth against the chocolate mocha of her obsidian skin caused Israel’s eyes to narrow as he focused in on her mouth.

  “Dr. Davis, I’m Lachlan Walker, guide, and this is,”

  “Israel Ali, Ali International,” he interjected, extending his hand to her. She accepted his gesture, first removing her glove and then folding her hand into his.

  “Nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Ali.”

  “Yours as well, Dr. Davis,” he crooned, still holding her hand. “I was hoping to have the opportunity to review the prior agreement our company had with your predecessor, Dr. Jacobs.”

  “Of course,” Dr. Davis answered. “If you would give me just a moment,” she replied. Israel still couldn’t see her eyes until she looked up, finding his and then slowly dropping her gaze to their still clasped hands. Israel’s eyes followed hers, and he realized where they landed.

  “Oh,” he uttered, not apologetically, though. She didn’t immediately pull away even after drawing their collective attention to their hands. She chuckled, and then Israel felt a light pull away. He relinquished but not without allowing his fingers to trail against hers as they separated.

  “Give me just one moment,” she suggested.

  Israel was okay with that. He was in no rush. That was another thing about this part of his work. Time clocks didn’t matter. The pace was slower. The work was equally intense but at a different level. Dr. Davis could take all the time she needed. He wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon unless she opted not to honor the prior arrangement.

  The other people under the tent awaited Dr. Davis’ attention. He had observations for what they were working on. Lachlan busied himself with watching the activity outside of the tent. He was particularly interested in the tools that were being used to disturb the ground. As he ambled off, Israel also turned his focus to a group working a grid not far from him.

  “Sorry for the wait,” Dr. Davis said, sauntering up to Israel and standing next to him.

  “No worries,” Israel replied, resisting the urge to incline himself fully in her direction.

  “Would you happen to have a copy of the prior arrangement? I have it, but all the paperwork is back in my tent. I could get it if need be,” Dr. Davis offered.

  “Not necessary,” Israel replied. “I have a copy right here.”

  Reaching into a canvas travel bag Israel had draped over his shoulder, he pulled out a bound copy of the agreement and then turned and handed it to Dr. Davis.

  “Thank you,” she emphasized, turning her attention to the hefty stack of paper.

  “The most important language is near the back,” Israel suggested, taking a step closer to the doctor.

  “Oh, okay,” she answered, flipping the pages, and trying to balance the weighty document in her slight hand. Lifting his hand to help, Israel eased his shoulder behind hers and peered over her shoulder as she continued to turn the pages. Although they were outdoors in a dusty area, Israel’s inhale that close to her filled his nostrils with a fresh, feminine scent. He exhaled and then inhaled her essence again.

  Easing his hat off his head, Israel leaned in.

  “Right there,” he pointed with his free hand, their bodies in very close proximity. In her profession, Dr. Davis was around men all the time. That was nothing new as women archaeologists were outnumbered by men five to one. Yet, this man standing close to her heightened her womanly proclivities. She became more aware of herself, her womanliness, and femininity the longer he was in proximity. She was grateful for the brim of her hat that kept him from seeing the unexpected simmer in her eyes of the draw of her lips as she felt his presence encroach upon her space. She felt her heart beating faster in her chest. She would have liked to attribute it to the desert heat, but she knew that wasn’t it at all.

  She followed the edge of his finger, dropping her eyes to the legal language articulated on the page. She had reviewed it once before, but seeing it again brought the agreement back to her remembrance. She had to be especially careful to ensure everyone on the site’s paperwork was in immaculate order. One infraction could shut the site down, and Dr. Davis did not want that to happen. Although she was always excited for every dig, Dr. Davis was especially excited about this one. She felt like they were on the cusp of great discovery, and she didn’t want anything or anyone to interrupt that. There had already been sufficient delays in getting the necessary permissions while under Dr. Jacob’s tutelage. Then, there was another delay when she came on board. Dr. Davis couldn’t afford any more delays. She didn’t want to have to revisit Pert authorities to secure additional time on the dig or anything else that might cause them to revisit whether the exaction should continue.

  “Well,” Dr. Davis began, “everything seems to be in order.”

  “Good to hear,” Israel entreated. Although Dr. Davis was closing down the document, Israel’s hand remained close to hers, and his body failed to shift positions. It was up to Dr. Davis to pivot on her heels, handing the full document back to him and bringing more of Mr. Ali into view. Israel accepted the bound papers from her and placed them into his bag.

  “Would it be safe to assume that you and your guide will be bunking here, or do you intend to return to the site daily?” Dr. Davis implored.

  “Your assumption is correct,” he drawled. “If there’s room,” he added, once again inclining himself to her.

  “We’re in a wide-open space, Mr. Ali,” Dr. Davis affirmed. “I’m sure there’s plenty of room.”

  “Touché,” he smiled. “And please, call me Israel.”

  “Okay, Israel,” she intoned. “Camp is set up just over that bunker. You and your guide are welcome to find space there.” She turned and moved away from him.

  “Thank you,” Israel replied. “And your name again?”

  Israel watched her spin on her heels and trod backward as she focused her attention in his direction.

  “Dr. Davis,” she smiled, sashaying away, resisting the urge to look back over her shoulder to see if Mr. Ali was watching. She didn’t have to. She felt his eyes on her.

  Chapter Three

  Israel watched as Dr. Davis walked away. The way she moved, even in mundane clothing, was poetry. Her natural elegance seeped through, and Israel found himself momentarily transfixed. There was a smirk on his face as he pulled in his lower lip and released it slowly. The doctor was feisty. Israel liked it.

  “Are you ready to pup the tent?” Lachlan asked as he meandered close to where Israel stood.

  “Yeah, man,” Israel agreed. “Let’s get this done.”

  He watched Dr. Davis until she was no longer in view. He would see her again. Israel would make sure of it.

  The camp was set up not far from the excavation site. Lachlan and Israel busied themselves with setting up Israel’s tent, making sure the stakes were firmly in the ground. His tent was pitched on the edge of those already existing – close enough to be a part of the community but far enough for privacy. As they worked, Israel wondered where Dr. Davis was set up. When they finished with Israel’s, he volunteered to help Lachlan with his.

  “You don’t have to, mate,” Lachlan replied, surprised by Mr. Ali’s generosity. He was here working for Mr. Ali. There was no expectation of reciprocity.

  “Why wouldn’t I,” Israel asked, reaching for the hammer Lachlan held in his hand.

  As the Australian sun began to set, casting long streaks of brilliant color across the unobstructed sky, the temperature at the dig dropped significantly. Ninety plu
s degrees when the sun was at his highest became sixty degrees when the sunset. Several of the campers sat around a communal fire set in the middle of the surrounding tents, eating, chatting, and enjoying each other’s company. The heat of the flames warmed the area nicely, and underneath a star-studded sky, the setting was quite beautiful. Standing outside his home for the next few weeks, Israel surveyed his surroundings. He breathed in deeply and exhaled slowly. It was peace, unencumbered peace. There was nothing like it.

  As he looked around, Israel’s eyes finally found Dr. Davis, sitting outside her tent alone. Even her silhouette was alluring, the slight rise of her nose, the outline of her lips. She wasn’t so far away that her features obscured because of distance. She wasn’t so close that she should feel his eyes on her. Israel watched her for a while, on and off, yet his eyes continued to trail back to her like a new discovery he needed to examine. But her eyes and her thoughts seemed far away. He looked where her attention seemed to be to see what caught her interest.

  Dr. Davis didn’t mean to stare, but she couldn’t pull her eyes away. There was a couple sitting out in front of their tent, and Dr. Davis found herself watching their exchange, unable to pull her eyes or her thoughts away. The man was attending to her, kissing her lovingly on the lips, nibbling her ears. He must have whispered a sweet nothing in her ear. She laughed and pulled him in closer with her full body. Her desire for him was more than physical. You could just tell. They exchanged a gaze that nearly stopped the world on its’ axis. Nothing else existed at the moment, but what the two of them shared. The couple transformed from the expanse of the Aussie desert to a space all their own. Cairo felt like she was transported with them into the cocoon of intimacy they created amidst a group of people. Nothing else mattered for the couple, and nothing else mattered for Cairo. She was swept up in the wanton moment; her heart racing, her loins crying out, her desire left thirsty. Their connection was mesmerizing, and Cairo found herself caught up in the exchange, as though his sweet sentiments were being shared with her. Just as the woman felt increased tension and pressure in her sweet spot, that same sensation rose hot between Cairo’s thighs.

  Dr. Davis had been thirsty for a while, a self-induced hiatus from seduction by the masculine. Although her celibacy was intentional and voluntary, it didn’t mean Cairo didn’t miss intimacy with a special someone. Her hands fell to her belly as she pulled her eyes away from the intriguing couple. She assuaged her stomach as she thought about the reason why she was electively alone. It made Cairo sad. Like so many other little girls who grow into their womanhood, she dreamed of being a wife and mother. Yet, the very physiological thing that marked her entrance into womanhood was also the same physical thing that prevented her from fulfilling her desires. Cairo shook her head, refusing to allow her thoughts to spiral into the dark place.

  She looked around at all the beauty that lay before her and decided focusing on that was much better. Besides, she hadn’t done poorly for herself. Dr. Cairo Davis was one of the youngest, and few Black archaeologists to be recognized by the Society for American Archaeology and the recipient of two major awards for excellence in cultural resource management and excellence in public education. Cairo was most proud of the public education award. Her initiative to take archaeology into urban schools and clubs focused on Black girls was her pride and joy. Cairo believed that more and more people of color, especially Black and Brown girls would be interested in archaeology if they were exposed to it, and the wonderful discoveries that were found. She’d been doing the work for several years without corporate backing. For Cairo, she wanted her work to be authentic and not tied to a public interest group or a corporation that didn’t recognize the value of contributions by Black people. She financed her work independently. That way, Cairo was assured the delivery was honest, transparent, and focused.

  The awards she recently received undoubtedly helped with securing the prestigious dig she now presided over. Cairo smiled and accepted that although she wasn’t a wife or a mother, she had done okay. As she took in the evening breeze, wrapping her arms around her exposed arms, Cairo felt as though she were being watched. It wasn’t an unsettling feeling like the gaze was unwelcomed, yet she did feel a prickling of her skin and a quickening beat of her heart.

  Cairo felt a smile dancing on the corners of her lips as she turned and found him watching. His shadowy presence didn’t detract from who he was. Even with lowlight from the campfire flickering, bringing Israel into full view and then cloaking him again in shadowed darkness, his presence was still felt. And it neared as he leisurely strolled in her direction. Cairo could tell Israel was moving even if her eyes were no longer focused in that direction. She felt an increase in the energy he carried encroaching on the space where her energy resided.

  “Dr. Davis,” Israel crooned as he stepped close to the entrance of her tent, where she sat cross-legged.

  “Mr. Ali,” she answered, trying to make sure her voice didn’t reflect the course of adrenaline that moved through her because he was so close.

  “Is it always this incredible at night,” Israel asked, looking out towards the campfire.

  “It is, except when it rains,” Cairo replied, looking in the same direction.

  “Has there been much rain since you took over,” Israel inquired.

  “One night,” she smiled. “The sound was glorious, but it wreaked havoc on the dig and tent living. That night most of us huddled under the big tents, and some even slept in their cars.” Cairo laughed as she recalled that night.

  Israel recalled seeing a few cars as he entered the area. But that thought didn’t hold Israel’s interest as he listened to the lilt of Dr. Davis’ laughter. His eyes found that the smile on her lips reached her beautiful eyes. Even as her laughter faded, it was still music to his ears. They were quiet for a little while, feeling no individual need to fill the quietness with mindless chatter. Israel noticed the doctor rubbing her arms as if to keep them warm.

  “Would you like to get closer to the fire?”

  Cairo’s eyes traveled the length of him until she was looking up into Israel’s handsome face. His demeanor was disarming, yet his eyes were entrancing. She could easily get caught up in the depths and layers of his intense gaze.

  “That would be nice,” she answered haltingly.

  Israel pivoted on his heels and reached down with both hands. Cairo folded her hands into his, and he smoothly lifted her to standing. They were face to face, closer than close. They inhaled the same air and breathed in the same space. Cairo could feel an escalation in the beat of her heart. Israel felt the same jolt of energy in his core. Flame-tinged light occupied the space between them, casting a heated glow illuminating their silhouettes. An irresistible smile tipped the corners of Israel’s mouth that immediately softened his handsome features as a small smile of enchantment touched her lips. Cairo’s eyes were inclined to his. There was a palpable sexualized tension that could easily cloud their collective judgment if they persisted in the space too long. Cairo rocked back on her heels, slightly distancing herself from Israel’s beguiling aura. He noticed but understood. Israel needed distance, too, before acting on his attraction to her that was instant and overwhelming.

  “You still haven’t told me your name,” Israel trilled, his eyes vacillating between the dark brownness of her eyes and the natural pout of her full lips. The dance of the campfire flame highlighted the golden flecks her orbs offered.

  Her lids slipped down over her eyes and then came up slowly to study his face. Israel’s mercurial black eyes blazed down into hers.

  She’d kept it from him long enough. But his persistence was cute.

  “Cairo,” she purred.

  They exchanged a subtle look of amusement, and Israel’s brow lifted a fraction. She flushed, turning ever so slightly away from his penetrating gaze. Israel eased the hold on her hands and stepped to the side, availing Cairo the opportunity to walk with him to the center of camp. As they drew nearer, the heat of the blazing f
lames offered warmth on an otherwise cold night. As they approached a large log, Israel placed a firm hand to her back, offering stability as she stepped over and then sat down. Israel made sure she was comfortably seated before taking up residence next to her.

  Cairo extended her hands so the heat from the flames could warm them.

  “Mmm,” she hummed as the chill in her fingers subsided. The vibration from her lips reached Israel’s ears, and he inclined himself to her.

  “What has the dig been like so far,” Israel asked. “Any notable discoveries?”

  “We’ve found a few specks of gold and lots of animal bones, not very old, though,” she replied. “Nothing substantial, yet,” Cairo added. “But, I’m more interested in what Ali International’s interest is here?”

  “Well,” Israel began, enjoying the not so subtle challenge in her voice. “Our overarching goal is to find a sustainable supply to support the Aboriginals fiscally and provide a ‘bargaining chip’ the original Australians can use to leverage additional resources with billion-dollar corporate backing.”

  “Interesting,” Cairo replied after a long moment of contemplating what Israel said. “Are those your ideas or a collective representation of what the company wants?” His answer would tell her so much more about who Israel was and what he personally stood for.

  “I direct company acquisitions and the reasons we acquire what we acquire,” Israel answered. “It was my pitch that my family agreed with.”

  His answer couldn’t have been better, and Cairo smiled resultantly.

  “Why,” she asked.

  “For me, that’s simple. Too many original people, on this continent and others, have been robbed of their birthright because of the greed of those in power and because of privilege. When a person finds themselves in a position to make a difference, it’s imperative that they do so. That’s our family motto. That’s our creed and the ideals we live by,” Israel answered. “Why have money if you can’t make it work for the right reasons?” He continued. “If money equals power, then that power needs to be used to empower those not in a position to do it for themselves. I, nor my family, would have it any other way.”