Beneath Guarded Hearts - 68

Previously...

Asma

The thing was, 3bdulla told me that I was safe, that baba had already made certain ‘arrangements’ to make sure this never happened again. So what was left for sul6an to negotiate with 3alia and her father?

_________

3bdulla

She was fast asleep even though she was still on her nerves. I think her garrulous little brain couldn't handle taking in so much at once, especially when she was in shock. I think that, in these situations, my little smurf just runs away in her sleep like a little girl and forgets about the whole world. I sighed deeply. I just wished I was the one she would run to.

Asma

I had a short, dreamless nap, thank God. I wasn't in the mood for my muddled up dreams just yet. I felt a soft nudging as the car slowed down into a stop.

3bdulla: "Goomy Asooma, we're here."

I opened my eyes and looked at him. Was that worry that hung on his face? I smiled. I leaned forward and gave him a light kiss on his cheek.

Me: "3bady, I'm fine."

I grabbed my bag and stepped out of the car. I was exhausted. I just wanted a very hot shower and my warm bed with his arms around me. I don't know why, but I felt safe in his embrace. It sometimes scared me. What would I do if I lost him? I hated being dependent on others simply because no one ever truly stayed in life. People would come and go. But 3bady? I honestly couldn't help but completely surrender myself to him. I gave him my soul; I was his and only his. The thought was strangely pleasing, that I belonged to him and he to me. It was indescribable. And love? Well, love was a vague, simple word that couldn’t compare to what I was feeling. I couldn’t phrase it, couldn’t describe it; I could only feel it. But I wondered sometimes… did he really feel the same way about me?

***

Sul6an: "You've ruined my life, Asma. I did all of this for you, w 3shan sho?"

I stared at him with chilled bones.

Me: "I never asked you to do anything for me."

Sul6an: "La? I think you know that I had to do it as your brother."

Me: "You're not really my brother. You're only my half brother. You're not obligated to do anything for me."

He widened his eyes at me in anger. In bafflement.

Sul6an: "If that's the way you feel, then I'm not your brother anymore."

Me: "Laaaa2!"

I woke up gasping for air, my heart racing. I shifted under the cocoon of my duvet and searched for 3bdulla, but I found his side of the bed empty. I opened my moist eyes slowly and half sat on the bed, a confused expression on my face. My hair was a mess, draping over my shoulders in curls that were still a little damp from my shower.

Me: "3bdulla?"

I squeaked out his name into the quiet darkness. I felt a shift of movement and in mere seconds, I found a body right next to me and I was back in his arms.

3bdulla: "Balach 7beebty?"

Me: "Mmm mashay.. just a bad dream."

He was silent for a long time as he held me.

Me: "Inteh laish wa3y?"

3bdulla: "Couldn't sleep."

Me: "Laish?"

He hesitated.

3bdulla: "Just a bad dream."

I looked into his eyes, and even in the darkness, I felt shivers. My senses were awakened as he soothed me, and my nightmare was long forgotten.

Me: "Maybe I can help…"

I moved slowly as he waited for me patiently without a word. I curled my fingers into the thick layers of his hair, and I leaned towards him. Our faces were so close that the tips of our noses almost touched. He looked right into me. I could read the guarded desire in his eyes. I lowered my face and kissed his neck. I didn’t know why, but tonight, I wanted to delight him in every way possible. I was very bold, and I had no idea where it came from. I continued to kiss him as I moved up his neck. When I reached the hard lines of his jaw, I broke away long enough to steal a peak at him. His eyes were shut and his chest rose and fell gently. I started to kiss him again, teasing the edge of his lips until he was too tempted to resist. He finally surrendered, parting my lips as he conquered them with complete control. I felt an immediate change in the way he touched me. My lips curved into a smile of triumph beneath his dominating lips. He wasn't just soothing me anymore.

To be continued...