The Lioness Read online

  He had to ask it. He got up like it didn’t really matter but he was going to hold his breath after he asked. “If you weren’t confined to your bed, would you like listening to poetry?”

  “You know I would. I’m not fancy. I don’t go out and party a lot or go bar hopping. I’m really a quiet homebody.”

  He smiled. Just the answer he wanted and he knew she was speaking the truth. “I’ll be right back.”

  Chapter 3

  They actually had a nice time. Ty liked the crew from BBC and it was good to see Rose having such a good time. Her mind was off what had happened earlier and that’s just what he wanted. Now she was laid out on her bed and he sat next to her with his back up against the wall.

  “Where shall I start?” he looked over at her as she was trying to get into a comfortable position. She hadn’t said a peep the last twenty minutes, she looked tired and looked like the medicine was wearing off that was supposed to stay in effect for a while longer.

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have me leave you?”

  “No, I don’t want to be alone. I’m going to have to take some of that medicine sooner or later to take the edge off the pain.”

  “Why not now, then I’ll read to you.” He reached for the bottle and fumbled with a couple of the pills. Just a couple paracettamol with codeine. “Here take with the rest of your tea.” He watched as she took the pills and made a face. “Go on, it won’t kill you.”

  “I just hate taking medicine. They always get stuck right here.” She pointed to her throat. She popped them in her mouth. Ty watched as she took a sip of her tea. The light from the candles shone off her hair, making it shine. Then she licked off the drop of tea on her bottom lip. He watched as she swallowed and then she licked her lip again.

  Rose glanced up and saw Ty watching her. She felt warm from the tea but also from the fact that he cared enough to stay with her. He had become a good friend and it made her feel good. Before she had just thought he was one of the handsomest men ever to hit their profession but he went deep, real deep. He liked quiet. He liked to read at night or play a board game. He liked to read poetry out loud and liked to go on picnics. Afghans loved picnics. They had already been on a couple with Noori and Hasina. She really had so much fun, learning more about the culture but she had learned about Ty at the same time. She and Hasina had watched as Ty and Noori played chess. The two so engrossed with the game, or so she thought. She thought he had forgotten her till he looked up at her and then his eyes caressed her in a way impossible for him to do in public. She had felt the heat, felt the need, the burning need from his eyes. She remembered that look and those eyes as she looked at him now. He was looking at her with the same intensity as her music played in the background low.

  “What’s the name of the song?” he asked as he kept his eyes on her, holding his breath.

  She leaned over and took the book from his hand. “’Truly, Madly, Deeply’ by Savage Garden. As soon as it goes off you can read.” She laid her head back and listened to the words. Felt the words, till she felt his touch and looking up she saw how close he had gotten. She held her breath and watched as his chocolate eyes looked down at her, hooded, they swept her face and then he leaned in and kissed her so softly. Really like a butterfly kiss, if she was any further along on the pain med she would say she had imagined it. She let his lips brush hers, tasting her ever so lightly, like when a butterfly comes to a flower. She felt fragile, like he didn’t dare do more. She wanted to reach up and touch him but he kept himself back. She watched as he kissed her again, a little more, then sat back up.

  She touched her lips and then smiled, a bit trembly. She was glad she was laying down. She would have been really dizzy after a kiss like that. Light as it was, it was hot and she felt it to her bones.

  Ty picked up the book again and tried to concentrate on the words in front of him. Her presence, her heat from the kiss, the vibes he got from her body as he had kissed her was so intense. He was having a hard time concentrating, trying to get his breathing and heartbeat back to normal. He opened the book to a page and found the one he was on. One of the ones that would either extinguish the heat or ignite.

  I cease not from desire till my desire

  Is satisfied or let my mouth attain

  My love’s red mouth, or let my soul expire,

  Sighed from those lips that sought her lips in vain,

  Others may find another love as fair

  Upon her threshold I have laid my head,

  The dust shall cover me, still lying there,

  When from my body life and love have fled.

  He looked up and saw her watching him intently. She was lying on her side, all signs of weariness gone. She looked relaxed, probably in part to the medicine, but she smiled at him. The sweetest smile he had ever seen.

  Rose loved his voice, loved the poem he was reading. He had lent some of his copies of Hafez to her and she had fallen in love with the Persian poet and his work. He had different translations from Wilborforce, Bell and Ladinsky. This reading was from Gertrude Bell. His voice had mesmerized her, sending chills up and down her spine. “Are you going to read some more?” she asked, her voice just above a whisper.

  “I can if you want?”

  “I do, really.”

  He picked up where he left off, lost in her scent, the soap she had used earlier. She was so close. He had moved closer without realizing it. His leg was brushing her, her robe showing a lot more leg than would be legal here. God, they were beautiful. She was beautiful in the firelight. He found his spot and tried to sound like he had a brain rather than the way he felt. He felt like his brain had reverted back to his teen days. His hormones were moaning for release. This wasn’t the time or place. He had been keeping a distance on purpose, now was especially important, though with the music and now the poetry, he was having a hard time. He scratched his leg and touched her leg on accident. Her skin so soft, just like satin, warm satin. He looked at the page and it blurred. He concentrated again and his vision cleared. He cleared his throat and started reading again.

  My soul is on my lips ready to fly,

  But grief beats in my heart and will not cease,

  Because not once, not once before I die,

  Will her sweet lips give all my longing peace?

  My breath is narrowed down to one long sigh

  For a red mouth that burns my thoughts like fire;

  When will that mouth draw near and make a reply

  To one whose life is straightened with desire?

  He looked up and saw her face, her lips in the form of an Oh and then she reached up, took the book, put it down and then, taking his hand, pulled him down. “That mouth is about to draw near.” She smiled into his eyes and leaned in and kissed him but not so soft like he had, but with a force that made him groan. Then he brought his hand up and tightened the hold she had on him, caressing the back of her head, kissing her back, letting his lips sweep hers.

  He had her down in a heartbeat, laying her down with him at her side. He stretched out to his full length and she pulled herself in, without too much difficulty. She looked up into his eyes and smiled. “I guess the reading didn’t put me to sleep, like you hoped.”

  His voice didn’t sound like his, sounded like it was from someone else, anyone else. He was laying here next to Rose and she was straining to get closer, in former Taliban controlled Afghanistan. There were many reasons why they shouldn’t be like this.

  “God what was I thinking of Rose? You need rest. We can’t do this, here. What if?”

  Rose looked at him and smiled. She had the same fears, but it came down to nothing, absolutely nothing. He probably realized his folly in reading that poem but she was glad, she was so glad. He was reading from the heart, his heart, and it spoke to her heart.

  She saw his fear, it wasn’t so much for the rules of their host country. They were in their rented room, their own space. All that was needed was the door to be locked. It was probably pas
t the time Hasina would check on her. She was probably sweetly sleeping so she’d be up in time to heat bath water at five-thirty am. He was scared for her, thought he had to treat her with kid gloves. He thought she was delicate. That was obvious with the kiss he gave her a few minutes ago. Also he worried about them and if they became a couple, how would they hide their friendship going to the next level? This wasn’t about her being Catholic and he growing up Baptist. It was about them, their friendship that they had, what was blossoming between them and she wasn’t one to run from a challenge. She was going to grab it by the front of the shirt and take it on full throttle.

  “Maybe I should go and leave you, I mean let you sleep.” Ty tried to move but Rose’s leg, her very bare leg was draped over his jean covered one and as he talked she tightened her hold even more, pulling him in.

  She looked up to him, tried not to smile too much, knowing she was probably looking like the cat that swallowed the canary but she felt like that and she knew she was scaring him. He wasn’t sure of this. He had kissed her initially on both occasions but now, things seemed to be moving in the direction that he wanted but was scared to go.

  “The only place I want you to go is to lock the door and then I want you to come back here.” She patted the spot between them. “I want you here Ty, not across the room in a chair, waiting for me to go to sleep or in your room. I’m not going to sleep anytime soon and if you go to your room I’m following you.”

  He saw her smile and it looked like something out of a story of Leprechauns. She looked full of mischief and he was sunk, she had him.

  He touched her chin. “We shouldn’t... for many reasons....”

  “Why, don’t you like me, don’t you find me attractive? Or is it because I’m a Catholic girl? She felt hurt but she knew the real reason and she knew if she brought it out then it would be dealt with and then that would be it. She wasn’t one to skirt issues.

  Ty came in closer, bending and kissing her face, her cheeks, wet with tears, her nose, her chin, then looking at her eyes, seeing them round, wondering. He kissed her lips. God he shouldn’t, but why? He was attracted to her, they liked each other. She wasn’t like Tiffany. No, she was far from it. She was the sweetest most giving woman he had ever met. It didn’t matter what church she had been brought up in. If she didn’t care then he didn’t care. His Mom was cool about it. She so much as said bring her home so she could meet her. He had said “Come on Mom, we’re just friends right now.” She had laughed and replied she could hear how much he liked her.

  “The problem has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with our religious backgrounds. I don’t have a problem with that and neither does my mother. I see you, me and us here. I’m afraid.” He saw her lips tremble. She was probably in pain, he should get her to bed, without him. “My parents won’t care, they would be cool if I told them I had a very good friend.” Boy she hurt but she wanted Ty. Wanted him more than she ever wanted anyone. Let’s stop thinking of others, let’s think about ourselves. What do we want? I know what I want. I want you Ty, more than anything. I don’t want to lose your friendship, but I want more. We can be discreet while we’re here. I promise I won’t be noisy. Well I’ll try not to.”

  He laughed out loud at that. He knew he was sunk, she was saying just what he wanted to say but couldn’t. He pulled her close. “We need to lock the door. Make it look like we’re in bed for the night. I need to get something, or a couple of something’s.” He smiled at her then he kissed her lips, softly like before, just skimming them.

  “Take some more meds to cut the pain.”

  “How did you know I was in pain?

  “I can see. I know signs of pain. I’ll be right back. Cover up while I’m gone.” He kissed her quick and got up. He saw her grab for the blanket and cover like he said. He opened up the door and ran right in to Hasina.

  “How is Rose?”

  Ty closed the door. “”She’s taking some meds. She’s having a hard time getting to sleep so I’m getting some more things to read until she gets to sleep.”

  “Hasina looked at Ty, trying to see if he was tired. “Would you like me to sit with her so you can get some sleep?”

  “No Hasina, you go to bed. You get up early enough. Go get your rest. I can sleep sitting up. I’ll be there if she needs anything.”

  “Ok, this is good of you to watch over her. You are just like her brother, taking care of her.”

  “Yeah, well we’re far from home and she would do the same for me I’m sure. Besides I called her here to work. It’s the least I can do.” Looking at Hasina and seeing she was very tired. She must have suffered a lot, seeing it was the same way her daughter had died.

  “If she needs anything I’ll call you.”

  “Thank you Ty. You are good, just like Noori.”

  “Is Noori still here?”

  “No, he went home two hours ago.”

  “Ok, well you go get some sleep. I’m going to get another book and maybe with some dry reading she will fall asleep.”

  “Ok, you do that.” She turned and started down the hall. Turning she saw Ty at his door. “Thank you Ty.”

  “You’re welcome Hasina. Sleep well.”

  Ty went into his room picked up a book and then went to his bag. Fumbling to the bottom, it had been that long and he had to search but he found the few he had. Foil crinkled in his hand. He squeezed them and felt good. Tonight was going to be a good ending to a bad day.

  Chapter 4

  Ty opened up the door and stood in the doorway and saw Rose hadn’t moved much. She did look good though, rested, not pinched and tired like she had earlier in the day. Her hair was falling around her shoulders.

  He came in, closed and then locked the door. “I brought a book and these, if you haven’t changed your mind.” He walked the rest of the way to her bed and sank down on the mattress, letting the condoms fall on the floor.

  “I’d never change my mind. I couldn’t, I’ve wanted you for so long.” Rose reached up and brought his face down within kissing range and caught his lips. Opening to hers and she felt like she was drowning, drowning fast and she didn’t care. She pressed up to him, “Come down here Ty, lay with me. It hurts reaching up.”

  “Nuts what was I thinking? You should be resting not doing gymnastics.”

  She pulled him and felt him yield. “I want gymnastics, just not the reaching kind.’

  Ty pulled away and took off his boots and then undid his jeans. Looking back at her he saw her eyes and saw she was holding her breath. “Are you sure?”

  “I was never more sure. I want this, you, me, us together.”

  He turned back and shucked off his jeans and then stood and took off his shirt. Getting onto Rose’s bed, he was mindful of the pain she would feel if he moved the wrong way. He lay carefully next to her and looked at her, seeing her eyes were big. Her breathing was fast, her heartbeat must be as fast as his, like a train running away. He placed his hand on her chest, above her heart and felt the intake of her breath. She licked her lips and looked at him and then took her hand and covered his. “Am I ok for you?”

  “More than ok, you’re fine, beautiful.” He let his hand go down till it came to her breast and a perky nipple greeted his fingers as he traced her skin. He felt her suck in her breath. “Does this hurt?”

  “No, lord no. It’s wonderful. Did you ever have the feeling you were drowning in emotions, sensations? The first time sensations when everything is so new.” She reached up and placed her hand on his and stayed with his as he touched her, exploring. She let her head go back as she moaned. Moaned as his hand did circles around the nipple, as it got harder. She stretched and groaned and then fell back on the mattress. Her sigh was felt to his bones. He was so gone.

  “Oh, you’re so beautiful.” He pushed back her robe and bent and took that nipple in his mouth, taking, drawing in, sucking hard. She came up moaning, grabbing his head. Her moans, and whimpers were fuel for him. He and her, no time, nothing to interfere. Th
eir bodies dictating, telling them what was needed. Telling them, directing them. He brought his hand under her and brought her up gently. She brought her hands up and wrapped them around his neck, holding on as he let his lips kiss patterns over her breast and her belly. She was so soft and womanly but so firm. Her breast just right, a perfect handful. He let her down gently on the bed and took a hold of one and kissed it, took his tongue and licked at it, teasing her, looking through his lashes to see the reaction. Her eyes were closed and a sweet smile was on her face, joy radiated from her, telling him she was feeling good. He went south and let his tongue lick in under her panties as she moaned a loud. “Oh God Ty that’s so good.”

  He looked up, she was smiling down at him. “But I haven’t even started.”

  “Well it won’t take long.” She let her hands caress his head as he looked at her. She let her fingers trace his face. He turned and bent into her thigh and took a lick at her panties, sending her up, moaning louder. “Baby, if you keep making noises like that, Hasina’s gonna hear you clear across the house and think you’re in pain. I don’t want to try and think of an excuse in my condition.” He took his hand and took Rose’s and placed it on his ever growing boner. He stretched as her cool hand took a hold of him. She gently stroked him and let her fingers encircle him. He let out a moan and then felt her finger come to his lips.

  “We both better be quiet.”

  “Well I know one way to stay quiet.” He pushed her back and went in and licked her panties again, moving the crotch aside and licked her tip. “Oh, you’re sweet Rose.” He parted her legs and licked in deep and felt her moan and tremble all the way through him.

  “Don’t hold back Rose, let it go, let it go hard.” She was looking at him with big eyes, her eyes boring through him.

  “Don’t stop, not once, don’t stop, please.”

  “I’ve got you baby, just relax.” He got up on his knees and took a hold of her panties and had them off. Then going down on her, she spread her legs for him, letting him in, drawing him in like bees to nectar. He took long, slow strokes with his tongue. Letting the movements of her body show him what to do. Fueled by her whimpers and moans, he saw her bloom, she swelled and got pinker with each lick. She was close, her movements jerky, her head going back and forth. “Oh Ty it’s so close, I can almost grab it.”