Chapter 24
Crawford stood for a moment alone in the darkness. He could hear Elizabeth, quietly crying from within. He looked up into the night’s sky and reflected on Ahmed’s words. Regardless of his intentions, he realized, now, that he had made a grave mistake. He remembered the words he had spoken to her in the tent just a few nights ago:
"I share with no one. My word is my bond. I have made a promise to you, Elizabeth. Don’t insult me again by doubting my integrity. You’re mine and I am yours. That is the way it will be. Do you understand?"
His stomach churned. "Coward!" he mumbled aloud. He waited a moment, hoping that the scolding would somehow inspire him. That he would suddenly know just what to do, or say. After coming up empty he turned towards the tent, took a deep breath, and cautiously stepped through the entrance.
Elizabeth’s back was to him. She had disrobed and was curled up under the blankets of their sleeping pallet. He could tell the she was still crying by the slight shaking of her shoulders.
Crawford undressed quietly, lifted the edge of the blanket, and crawled between the covers. He moved closer to her, but was careful not to touch her. He leaned up supporting his head with his hand, cleared his throat, and said, "I’m sorry. I’m terribly sorry. What I did was wrong. It’s not the first bad call I’ve made in my life and it bloody well won’t be the last. But, Elizabeth, if you won’t forgive me, if you won’t let me explain, it will definitely have been the worst."
He paused then, waiting for some response. When she neither turned over to face him or push him away he continued.
"I was trying to create something close to a real battle situation, a situation where you would feel the need to defend yourself to the fullest. We’re going to war, luv. I don’t want you to die. I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you. I went with what I thought would evoke the greatest emotional response. It’s one of the things I’m good at, reading people, homing in on their fears and weaknesses and using it. I needed to know what you were capable of."
He paused again, unsure as to how to continue.
"I trusted you," she said quietly, still not turning to face him.
"I know, I’m sorry," he said.
She turned to face him then, her eyes red and swollen, "If you could do it all over again you’d make the same choice wouldn’t you, to deceive me I mean?"
"Yes," he said, honestly. "More than anything in this world, I want to get you home alive, pet," he said as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
Elizabeth nodded then said, "And you’d even betray me, sacrifice my trust in you to accomplish that."
"Yes," he whispered. "I love you."
"I love you too," said Elizabeth. "And that’s why what you did hurts so much. You, William Crawford, have the capacity to break my heart," said Elizabeth as she brought her hand up to the side of his face and gently cupped it in the palm of her hand.
"I’ll try not to," he said as he reached up and pressed her hand more firmly to his face. "But if it comes down to a choice, me or you, I’m going to choose you."
"What if I’d rather die with you than live without you?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"I’ll choose you," he responded. "I’ll always choose you."
"Make love to me, Will?" asked Elizabeth softly.
Crawford leaned over and kissed her tenderly, "Are you sure?"
"Yes," she replied, "unless you don’t want me."
"How could I not want you?" he asked as he looked down on her with wonder in his eyes and love in his heart. "It’s just, what you said, earlier bothered me. I don’t want you to ever feel like a whore. You are precious to me, Elizabeth. I feel horrible. I don’t deserve you."
"Shh," said Elizabeth as she sat up, allowing the thin sheet to pool at her waist. She then slid the sheet down the length of his body, leaving him fully exposed to the night air. She maneuvered between his legs and then leaned up to kiss his chest. Her silky hair brushed his chest as she moved lower, finally taking one dusky nipple in her mouth and flicking it with her tongue.
Crawford felt as if he were about to suffocate. His conflicting feelings of pleasure and guilt were coming close to overwhelming him. He didn’t know how to respond. A part of him wanted nothing more than to get lost in her touch, the feel of her breath on his skin, the smell of her hair, the taste of her mouth. But there was another part of him that felt ashamed, ashamed to take from her so freely. To take so eagerly what he clearly hadn’t earned. "How can you forgive me?" he asked, his voice constricted from emotion.
She paused, looked up at him, smiled sweetly and said, "As you were talking earlier, I remembered something that my father told me once. He said, ’to forgive is an act of compassion. It’s, it’s not done because people deserve it. It’s done because they need it.’ I don’t want to go off tomorrow being angry at one another. I need your strength and your love to get through this. I need you, Will. I thought-"
Elizabeth paused, as she struggled for words. Crawford leaned up, his elbows supporting him. His intense blue eyes searched hers while he patiently waited for an answer. "I thought you might feel the same way. That you might need me tonight as much as I need you."
"I do," said Crawford.
"I don’t want to deny either of us that. As angry and hurt as I am, I still love you. I still want you," she said as she resumed her trail of kisses down his stomach. "Let me show you how much."
She moved so that she was poised, sitting between his knees, his cock in front of her. He was still relatively soft, but his cock twitched as she reached out and wrapped her hand around the base. She leaned over him and rubbed her cheek, lovingly along his shaft and across the glans. She closed her eyes, wanting to concentrate completely on the feel of him. A drop of pre-cum leaked from the head, she felt it first on her cheek, then quickly moved to lap it up with her tongue.
"You don’t have to do this," said Crawford with awe.
"I want to do this," Elizabeth responded, as she looked him in the eyes. She tilted his cock slightly away from her so that she had a clear view of the underside of the glans, and then after collecting some extra saliva in her mouth, she stuck out her tongue and eagerly licked up the length of his shaft. She heard his sharp intake of breath and watched as he leaned his head back. "I- I may need some direction here," she said. "Does that feel good?"
"God, yes!" gasped Crawford. "Are you kidding?"
Elizabeth smiled, feeling encouraged. Emboldened she parted her lips and slid his rapidly hardening cock inside her mouth. "That’s it, luv. Use your hand to help control the depth. Think of it as an extension of your mouth. Spit is good, the more the better."
Elizabeth began to move her hand and mouth up and down as if they were one. On the upstroke she twisted her hand in a corkscrew motion occasionally brushing it across the head.
Instinctively she exhaled on the down stroke, relaxing her throat muscles, allowing her to take him in even deeper. "Mmmm," she moaned, creating a slight vibration deep in her throat. Crawford reached down and tangled his fingers in her hair. Elizabeth looked up at him and swallowed, her cheeks hollowing as she created a vacuum within her mouth.
"Christ…feels so…tight…so wet…don’t…oh…Elizabeth," Crawford cried as he leaned his head back and clawed at the bedding with both of his hands, desperately struggling to maintain control.
Elizabeth could tell from his breathing that he was nearing climax so she backed off a bit allowing his fully engorged erection to pop from her mouth.
"You’re stopping?" he asked with a slight tinge of panic as he looked back down at her.
As his eyes connected with hers she swept her tongue, in a circular motion, around the head. She teased him, licking and flicking her tongue back and forth. His breathing became less ragged and he reached down, entwining his hand in the long tresses of her hair and pulling it out of the way. He sighed in extreme pleasure as he watched the head of his cock disappear, once again into her luscious mouth. She sucked and licked the tip like she would the most delectable of sweets. "Mmmm," she moaned again, making her throat rumble slightly before she exhaled and took him in, all the way into her mouth.
She was using her spit to her advantage now, letting it run down his shaft and into her own hand. When she reached the top of the shaft, Elizabeth sometimes would allow her tongue and mouth to separate from him completely. Then she would blow a cool stream of air or use her hot breath to provide additional stimulation.
The sight of her devouring his cock with such abandon was exhilarating. "Oh, yeah," he moaned, "Just like that," as Elizabeth moved her attention to his balls, first taking them gently into her mouth, then lapping, licking, and finally cupping them in her hand. She enthusiastically took his cock in again and began an intense, rhythmic cycle, massaging him with her throat, licking, pulling away. Over and over she continued.
"Oh, Elizabeth, luv. Stop, I’m- I’m gonna-" he gasped.
Elizabeth smiled with pride around his still turgid shaft and doubled her efforts. She moaned in pleasure and self-satisfaction as she listened to his now out of control breathing. He was desperately trying to hold on.
"Stop!" he begged as he grabbed ahold of her hair, preventing her from taking him in again. "I want to come inside of you," he explained when she looked up at him startled.
Crawford sat up, quickly lowered her onto the pallet and slid inside of her now sopping channel. "So wet," he moaned. "Jesus, Elizabeth," he gasped as he quickly found his rhythm. Both of their bodies were now slick with sweat. As he pumped in and out of her, his hips slid across hers, his pelvis bone grinding against her engorged clit.
"Deeper," she moaned.
Crawford lifted one of her legs over his hip, opening her up wider so that he could push still further into her depths. "That better, pet?" he asked as he rotated his hips, stretching her further with each thrust.
"Oh, yes!" she cried as she lifted her other leg and wrapped it around his back. "Oh, God, Will! I-I can’t-"
"Don’t you quit on me now!" he cried as he snaked one arm underneath her, tilting her bottom up slightly allowing for even deeper penetration.
"Oh…never…you’re…so deep…dizzy," gasped Elizabeth.
"I can barely feel my lips," admitted Crawford as he struggled to hold on, awaiting her climax.
Elizabeth smiled and said, "That’s alright baby, I know exactly where they are." She leaned up, captured his lower lip between her teeth, and bit down lightly.
The slight pain from her nibble, coupled with the already numb feeling was too much. He broke away from the kiss and as his eyes connected with hers he came with a roar, shooting his spendings into her over and over again. As she heard him call out her name, Elizabeth was simultaneously swept away with the most powerful orgasm of her life. Her entire body shook, the intensity of both the physical and emotional sensations were almost unbearable.
Gradually their breathing began to slow. At last, her inner walls had milked him of every drop. He could still feel her body trembling beneath him as he began to soften inside of her.
"Don’t move," he said, his voice still raspy and filled with passion.
She could feel it as some of their mingled fluids began to leak from around him, drip down her thigh and onto their pallet. "You should let me clean up," whispered Elizabeth, her own voice still rough from her excessive breathing.
"Stay right where you are," he said as he leaned down and kissed her face, tenderly.
"But we’re making a wet spot," she protested.
"I’ll sleep in the wet spot, luv," he responded as he kissed the tip of her nose.
"You’ll sleep in the wet spot?" she asked.
"Uh-huh," he agreed.
"Wow, I guess you really do love me," teased Elizabeth.
Crawford chuckled, "I do really love you," he affirmed. He ducked his head down, buried it in her shoulder for a moment, and then whispered into her ear, "I also don’t want to leave you just yet."
Elizabeth sighed contentedly and stroked his back, "I love you too, Will."
"Elizabeth?" he asked.
"Hmmm?" she responded.
"I bet this is just what heaven feels like," he confessed before he rolled onto his side careful to take her with him, and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 25
"Are you about ready, pet?" asked Crawford as he finished strapping their tent to one of the camels.
"I guess," responded Elizabeth as she looked back at the Harem tent.
"Do you think that they will really be alright?"
"Honestly? I don't know. Angellah is leaving two men behind with orders to get Ilham and Sahar back to his palace. The others can do as they wish. He's given them their freedom," answered Crawford.
"What about the rest of the women and children?" asked Elizabeth as she shielded her eyes against the setting sun and surveyed the dozens of women saying their goodbyes to their husbands as their children ran about.
"I imagine most will stay here and wait. I don't really know. All I know is that I’m taking my woman with me,” he said as he leaned down and kissed her softly. “If the going gets rough, luv, I want you to remember those three important words. Promise me?”
“You love me?” asked Elizabeth looking up at him.
Crawford smiled, “Yeah, that too, but I was thinking ‘don’t get killed’.”
“Check! Don’t get killed. Got it!” confirmed Elizabeth as she accepted his boost and climbed into the saddle of the horse that she had been given to ride for their journey.
Crawford left her side to retrieve the black stallion that Angellah had bestowed to him. As he climbed into the saddle of the horse he shouted to her, “I’ll be right back, I’m going to ask Ahmed to check and make sure his platoon’s ready at the rear. We’ll be on our way in just a few minutes. Sit tight for me?”
“Aye, Aye, Captain!” answered Elizabeth giving a mocking salute.
“I hate it when you do that,” responded Crawford dryly.
Elizabeth answered with a flutter of her eyelashes and laughed as Crawford turned his horse and headed back down the line. Angellah rode up to join her. “You sure you want to go through with this?” he asked. “It’s not too late to reconsider. You could go back to the palace with Sahar and Ilham.”
“Why are you speaking to me? I’m still mad at you!” answered Elizabeth curtly.
“Me? You can’t be mad at me,” said Angellah matter-of-factly.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and said, “Wanna bet?”
“You don’t seem to be mad at him anymore,” responded Angellah as he pointed a finger in Crawford’s direction.
Elizabeth smiled and said, “Actually, I’m still mad at him too. I love him, but I’m still mad at him.”
“You haven’t answered my question,” observed Angellah.
Elizabeth looked him in the eye and said, “I’m sure.”
Angellah nodded, solemnly and then turned away.
“My lord?” asked Elizabeth.
“Oh, now you are speaking to me?” he asked.
Elizabeth smiled in response and said, “Well, a girl can’t resist your charms forever.”
“Can’t a bloke leave for two bloody minutes?” accused Crawford as he rode up to join them.
“What do you mean?” asked Elizabeth, innocently.
“This!” said Crawford pointing between Angellah and Elizabeth. “You, flirting with the royalty again!”
“I do not flirt!” said Elizabeth indignantly.
“Oh, you flirt!” responded Angellah and Crawford simultaneously.
Elizabeth looked back and forth between them and frowned. As she was trying to think of a suitable response Ahmed rode up to the front of the line. “The rear guard’s ready,” he said.
“Tell them Ahmed!” responded Elizabeth.
Ahmed looked at Crawford and raised his eyebrow.
“Elizabeth maintains that she does not flirt,” explained Crawford.
“Really?” asked Ahmed as he turned to look at Elizabeth.
“Yup! That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!” she quipped.
Ahmed continued to look at her for a few brief seconds then said, “Fine. Are we ready to go?”
“Fine?” asked Elizabeth, obviously surprised.
Ahmed exchanged a quick glance with Crawford and then repeated, “Fine.”
Elizabeth looked at Crawford a little suspiciously. He quickly added, “Sure!” before leaning over and kissing her on the cheek.
Both Ahmed and Crawford looked at Angellah who said, “Whatever. Look, I’m the prince, I don’t ever have to admit to being wrong. Especially when I’m right.”
“The front guard is ready, Lieutenant,” announced Harrhas as he road up to Crawford on a horse.
“Who’s on point?” asked Crawford.
“Ali,” responded Harrhas. “I’ll ride behind him, like we discussed, with one flank guard on either side and the rest of my platoon behind.”
“You put him in command?” asked Angellah, incredulous.
“Yes,” replied Crawford.
“And you gave him a horse?” asked Angellah.
“Well, technically, you gave him the horse. It’s your horse,” answered Crawford.
“He’s a servant!” rebuked Angellah.
“He’s a soldier,” said Crawford, patiently, “and a damn good one. He’s leading the first platoon.”
“No one is going to listen to him,” protested Angellah.
“Oh, they’ll listen,” responded Crawford with assurance. “Harrhas? Get the front guard in position. We’re almost read to go. On my signal.”
“Yes, sir,” said Harrhas before riding off.
“Where am I supposed to be?” asked Angellah as he looked around at what seemed like chaos.
“You and Elizabeth will ride in front of the column,” responded Crawford.
“The column?” questioned Angellah starting to feel a bit inpatient. “Lieutenant?”
“One moment my lord,” responded Crawford as he whistled loudly.
Angellah was stunned as he saw all activity come to a screeching halt. He watched in amazement as the men of his camp began to move as one synchronized unit. Falling into formation in response to Crawford’s hand and arm signals.
“The column,” said Crawford as he gestured behind them. “Harrhas is leading the first platoon, they are acting as the front guard. He has Ali on point with two flanks the rest of his platoon will ride behind him, but in front of you and Elizabeth. You will have a good view, but more importantly you will be protected. The column will march behind you. I’ve positioned a few flanks on either side just in case.”
“In case of what?” asked Angellah.
“In case we’re attacked enroute. It’s unlikely, but I don’t like surprises. Ahmed is leading the second platoon. They will act as the rear guard and protect us from behind,” clarified Crawford.
“What do I do?” asked Angellah.
“I want you to hold this central position at the front of the column. I’m going to need to move around a bit, to check on the various units. As you saw, I command using hand and arm signals. Depending on where I am, you may need to transmit them up or down the line,” explained Crawford.
“But, we don’t know what the signals mean,” said Elizabeth.
“He’ll learn. But, the truth is, he doesn’t need to know, he just needs to mimic them for now,” responded Crawford.
“What about me?” asked Elizabeth.
“You stay safely nestled smack dab in the middle of all these men, luv,” said Crawford as he reached out and tucked a lose strand of hair behind her ear before turning his horse to ride away.
“What? No! Will, wait! I-” Elizabeth started.
Crawford rode back up to her took the reins from her hands and looking her steadily in the eye calmly said, “No? Let’s get one thing straight, right now. I am in command. What I say goes. You need to respect my authority here. Do we have an understanding?”
“Yes, Lieutenant,” responded Elizabeth sincerely.
Crawford handed the reins back to her and said, “See you shortly, luv.”
“See you in a bit, Will,” responded Elizabeth as she watched him turn his horse around and ride up ahead. He paused briefly and waved his arm to signal they should move out. Harrhas picked up the signal immediately and the front guard mobilized, leading them out of the valley and into the desert.
The caravan proceeded, making steady progress on what was just the beginning of a long journey. Six hours and a quick watering and resting break later found Crawford riding up the line. He had gone back to check on the men at the rear and spent an hour or so riding alongside Ahmed. The desert seemed a dusky blue. As the camels and horses walked through the sand, a fine dusting rose into the air. The full moon, now high in the sky, reflected on the iridescent particles making it look as if an almost ethereal cloud was surrounding them.
As Crawford approached her, he noticed Elizabeth yawn.
“Tired, pet?” asked Crawford.
“Sorry,” she responded, “I’ll be fine.”
“If you need to doze, let me know. I don’t want you falling off your horse,” said Crawford.
“You can’t stop the entire caravan so that I can take a nap,” she replied.
“Wasn’t planning on it, luv. Was going to let you ride double with me for a bit, tie you up to me snug as a bug so you don’t fall off,” he said lifting a coil of rope that he had tied to his saddle.
“I’m good, really. But, thanks!” said Elizabeth.
They road in silence for a few minutes before Crawford began to softly sing:
Up
to mighty London came
An
Irish lad one day,
All
the streets were paved with gold,
So
everyone was gay!
Singing
songs of Piccadilly,
Strand,
and Leicester Square,
'Til
Paddy got excited and
He
shouted to them there:
It's
a long way to Tipperary,
It's
a long way to go.
It's
a long way to Tipperary
To
the sweetest girl I know!
Goodbye
Piccadilly,
Farewell
Leicester Square!
It's
a long long way to Tipperary,
But
my heart's right there.
“Where’s Tipperary?” asked Elizabeth.
“It’s in South-central Ireland, southwest of Dublin. Lord, it’s beautiful, Elizabeth. It’s so…green,” he said wistfully. “Ever been to Ireland, luv?”
“No, can’t say that I have. I’ve been to London though. I’ve seen both Piccadilly and Leicester Square. It was raining. Big surprise, I know,” finished Elizabeth.
“I miss the smell of rain,” said Crawford.
“Yuck! I hate rain,” interjected Elizabeth.
“What’s wrong with rain?” asked Crawford.
“Well, it’s…wet…for one thing. And, rain doesn’t smell,” responded Elizabeth.
“Sure it does,” insisted Crawford. “As a matter of fact, I can even smell it coming, before it starts.”
“Really,” replied Elizabeth, her tone full of skepticism.
“Absolutely,” confirmed Crawford.
“You know? Maybe after the war you can get a job working for P.T. Barnum. He can display you right along with the other oddities,” Elizabeth joked.
“Don’t think he’s hiring, he’s been dead for quite a while now, pet,” responded Crawford.
“No! I just saw the show last year. ‘The Barnum and Bailey Greatest Show on Earth’,” announced Elizabeth mimicking the ringmaster.
“Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Bailey’s dead too,” announced Crawford. “The Ringlings own the entire thing now.”
“The Ringlings? You’re making this up!” said Elizabeth shaking her head.
“Nope. The five Ringling brothers bought it for the bargain price of 400,000 dollars, U.S., not long ago,” explained Crawford.
“Okay,” said Elizabeth. “Now, explain why a British soldier knows so much about a silly American circus.”
“Well, first off, Barnum and Bailey also had a circus in England. You Yanks aren’t the only suckers you know. P.T. Barnum even had an audience with Queen Victoria once, bet you didn’t know that!” said Crawford.
“And?” asked Elizabeth sensing that was more to the story.
“When I was a lad I used to torture my poor mum by telling her I was going to run off and join the circus someday,” he said, looking off into the distance. “My parents always thought I should be a career soldier.”
“Will?” asked Elizabeth. “If you weren’t a soldier, what would you be?”
“Hmmm?” he said turning back to look at her.
“Well, after the war, you can do whatever you want. Right? I mean, sure, you have to earn some type of a living, unless you’re rich, of course. Are you rich?” she asked.
“No, luv, no such luck. You picked the wrong fellow if that’s what you wanted,” he responded.
“Oh,” she said before tossing her hair over her shoulder, turning to Angellah and saying, “So, tell me about your palace.”
Crawford moved his horse closer to hers, reached up, grabbed her arm and growled, “Not funny!”
“I’m only teasing, silly,” she said, offering him a bright smile.
Crawford leaned forward, dropped his voice a bit and whispered, “Well, could you stop please? I don’t like it. And…you shouldn’t tease men, especially men who have been sexually deprived. It could get you in trouble.”
“I don’t think Angellah is sexually deprived,” Elizabeth whispered back.
“Depraved, maybe. Definitely not deprived,” interjected Angellah. “And, he has a point.”
The couple looked over at him, seemingly surprised.
“What? You forgot I was here? Thought I was sleeping perhaps?” asked Angellah. “Just because I’m not yammering away doesn’t mean I’ve lost consciousness.”
“So, answer the question,” Elizabeth said as she turned back to Crawford, trying to get their conversation back on track, “after the war, what do you want to do?”
“Write,” he said without hesitation.
“Write?” she repeated.
“Always wanted to be a writer, a journalist, actually,” admitted Crawford.
“Ever been to Boston?” she asked.
“Oh, I recognize this one. Same tact that dear old mum used to take whenever I brought up my desire to write, the changing of the subject ploy,” said Crawford.
“No! I’m not, not really. Have you? Have you ever been to Boston?” she persisted.
“No, luv. Never been to the States,” he responded with resignation.
“Well the first newspaper in America was started up in Boston,” began Elizabeth enthusiastically. “There are so many newspapers over on Washington Street now, they call it Newspaper Row. There must be more than five major papers there, Will.”
“You have a favorite?” asked Crawford.
“Yeah, I take The Boston Evening Globe. I’m not so much a morning person. I like to catch up on the news before bedtime. It gets delivered right to my doorstep like clockwork. Shoot! I forgot to leave a note for the paperboy when I left town!” lamented Elizabeth.
“He’s probably figured out that your not home by now, pet,” soothed Crawford. “You can have it re-started once you get back home.”
“Yeah,” responded Elizabeth with a sigh. “Will?”
“Yes,” he said without hesitation, “you’re going to make it back there.”
“Do you think that, well, maybe someday-” Elizabeth’s question was cut off by yet another yawn.
“How may hours you thinking of traveling tonight?” asked Angellah.
“We’ll ride for a couple more hours, then we’ll take another short break before the third leg. I figured we’d stop for a rest around 10 in the morning, give or take,” answered Crawford as he saw Elizabeth yawn again out of the corner of his eye. “That’s it, pet,” he said as he reached out, lifted her off her horse, and placed her in front of him, “you’re coming over here for a nap.”
“You just want an excuse to tie me up,” she teased.
“Yeah! This is exactly the way I envisioned it too, you, me, and a couple of hundred Arabs,” responded Crawford as he helped her move her leg over so that she faced him and straddled the horse. “See, aren’t you glad now that I didn’t let you talk me out of the trousers? They are much more practical. If you ask me, you should wear trousers instead of those big long skirts from now on. I’m sure in a few years it’ll be all the rage anyways. Totally proper.”
“Oh Yeah? You think you’re Emily Post now?” asked Elizabeth.
“What? No! My motivations are completely nefarious. I just like to see the outline of your legs and bum,” answered Crawford as he slid his hands under her bottom and pulled her closer to him. “Close your eyes and rest for a bit,” he encouraged as he guided her head down and wrapped one arm around her. “I’ll wake you in about an hour.”
Elizabeth snuggled against the warmth of this chest, closed her eyes and quickly drifted off.
“You don’t really think she’s going to sleep-” started Angellah.
Crawford brought his finger quickly to his lips and quietly said, “Shh. She’s already asleep.”
“Didn’t you let her sleep today before we left?” asked Angellah.
“Of course I did. She slept…some,” answered Crawford as he tenderly ran his hand up and down her back and smiled at the memory of the last time he made love to her.
“Perhaps you should consider getting yourself another wife, before you wear this one out,” suggested Angellah.
Crawford kissed the top of Elizabeth’s head and whispered, “I think this one will do me just fine, mate. Besides, no one could possibly compare.”
“You sound completely besotted, Lieutenant. I find it disturbing. I had you pegged as a man of…experience,” responded Angellah.
Crawford nodded, “Yeah? Well, if it makes you feel any better, I find this more than a bit disturbing myself.” After a long pause he added, “I have a wife, back home, you know. Drusilla. She’s been very ill for a long time.”
“So she is unable to service you to your satisfaction?” asked Angellah.
Crawford looked away and said, “It’s complicated.”
“Explain,” responded Angellah. “Pretend we’re friends and that I’m interested.”
Crawford sighed and began, “Her mind is…shattered. They call it schizophrenia. The doctors say she is incurable. She’s been a patient at Bethlehem Hospital for years, many, many years.”
“So, she is unable to service you at all. Yet, you have not taken another wife until now?” Angellah asked.
“No,” answered Crawford. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not all that noble. There have been other women, lots of other women, over the years. It was meaningless though.”
“But this one is different,” said Angellah.
“Yes,” admitted Crawford. “My lord, if something should happen to me, I want your word that you will see to it that she gets home. I mean back to America. I want your word-” Crawford paused to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat.
“No one else will have her. I will keep her under my protection until I can get her safe passage back. You have my word,” assured Angellah.
“Not even you,” added Crawford.
Angellah looked at him, a bit surprised, then nodded in agreement, “Not even me.”
“It’s ridiculous, I know. She’s young and beautiful, smart, sexy, full of life. Undoubtedly she will have many suitors, other lovers in her lifetime. I just want her to be able to choose,” explained Crawford.
“You reveal a weakness,” said Angellah, nodding towards Elizabeth.
“No man is without weakness. Besides, I can still kick your arse six ways from Sunday,” responded Crawford.
“What’s my weakness?” asked Angellah.
“Your weakness? Really, mate, we only have a few days before we reach Acaba, that’s hardly enough time,” teased Crawford.
“You do realize that you are supposed to treat me with reverence, don’t you?” asked Angellah.
“Seems I didn’t get that memo,” replied Crawford. “Besides, admit it, you find me endearing.”
“I think you mean annoying,” responded Angellah with a smirk.
Chapter 26
“Be right back,” said Crawford to Elizabeth as he saw Harrhas signal to him up ahead.
“What’s the matter?” asked Elizabeth, worried.
“Probably nothing. They’ve spotted something is all, I’ll be back in a bit, hold this position. Anything goes wrong Ahmed’s in charge.” responded Crawford.
“Be careful?” she asked.
“Always,” he said as he leaned over and kissed her passionately. “And, I love you.”
“I love you, too. Don’t get killed!” she called after him as he rode ahead.
After traveling that first night they stopped and slept for only about six hours. The second night of travel went much like the first. Last night had been more difficult for everyone. All of the men were getting tired. They were sore from the journey and their water was running out.
“Is something wrong?” asked Angellah as he rode closer to Elizabeth.
“No. I don’t think so. There’s something up ahead. Will’s going to check it out. He wants us to sit tight, hold our position. He said if something goes wrong Ahmed should take charge,” she responded as she climbed out of the saddle and stretched out her back.
“I’ll go tell him what’s going on,” said Angellah before riding down the line to have a word with Ahmed.
“I think I’ve been here before,” said Ahmed as Angellah approached. “Is there a small oasis up ahead?”
“Don’t know, but you’re in charge until Crawford gets back. You better take his place in front of the column. I’ll stay back here,” said Angellah.
“You’re better protected up there, my lord,” responded Ahmed.
“I realize that, but if you are in command that is where you need to be. This is not a time for vanity. Is there someone else you would rather have lead the rear guard?” asked Angellah?
“No, my lord,” responded Ahmed.
“Good, it’s settled then. I know the signals now. I will await your orders,” said Angellah. “I am counting on you to serve me well.”
“Yes, my lord,” said Ahmed as he bowed in deference before riding away to check in with the other units.
After Ahmed finished his rounds he returned to take his position at the front of the column. As he approached Elizabeth he asked, “Have there been any signals?”
“No. Where’s Angellah?” she responded.
“He is standing with the rear guard. When the Lieutenant returns we will resume our original commands,” said Ahmed.
Elizabeth bit her lip and began to pace back and forth.
“Everything will be fine,” assured Ahmed.
“You don’t know that!” snapped Elizabeth.
“Why are you angry with me?” asked Ahmed.
“I’m not. I’m sorry. I’m just…” started Elizabeth.
“Worried,” he finished. “I understand. Believe me, I do. War is a dangerous business. People get hurt. People get killed. Sometimes people you love.”
“You’ve lost someone,” responded Elizabeth.
“Yes,” answered Ahmed as he looked away.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
“Thank you,” responded Ahmed. “You are very kind.”
“Who was it? That you lost,” she asked.
“My wife and sons,” said Ahmed softly as he looked towards the ground. “I was away, tending to someone, when our village was attacked. They were killed.”
“Tending?” repeated Elizabeth.
“My father was a healer. He taught me,” responded Ahmed.
Elizabeth nodded and asked, “Turks?”
“Yes,” responded Ahmed as he looked, shielding his eyes against the early morning sun. “He is returning.”
Elizabeth looked lifted her hand to shield her eyes. Off in the distance she could see a dust cloud. Seconds later a tiny speck appeared through the heat waves that were visible on the desert horizon. Relief swept over her. Elizabeth watched, patiently and in silence, as the image of her husband enlarged, coming closer and closer.
“What is it,” yelled Elizabeth as soon as she thought he was close enough to hear.
Crawford smiled as he rode up to them and reported, “Well, seems I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”
“I believe I would rather avoid the bad news altogether,” responded Ahmed.
“I agree,” confirmed Elizabeth. “We took a vote while you were gone and we are only accepting good news for the duration of the war.”
“Okay. Good news first! There’s a lovely little oasis up ahead. It’s a good two acres of green paradise with a huge natural spring and a couple of artesian wells. It seems it’s been occupied and farmed before. There’s still wheat and barley in the fields. And there are trees, date palms, figs, peaches and some citrus,” said Crawford as he pulled a ripened peach from the satchel that was tied to his saddle and tossed it to Elizabeth.
“Well, let’s go!” responded Elizabeth with enthusiasm as she bit into the peach. “Mmmm,” she moaned offering William a bite. “This is so incredible. Oh my God, I swear this is the best thing I have ever put in my mouth.”
Crawford raised an eyebrow teasingly and right on cue Elizabeth began to blush furiously. He hadn’t had her since leaving and was suddenly filled with desire. The prospect of a long rest and a good shag held endless appeal. He shifted a bit in his saddle, the unbidden recollection of what it felt like to sink deep inside of her making his trousers uncomfortably tight. God he wanted her. He cocked his head slightly to the side, curled his tongue back behind his teeth and gave her the sexiest of grins. Elizabeth’s eyes widened with a combination of excitement and embarrassment. Then she looked away, unable to hold the intensity of his gaze.
Crawford quickly refocused on the matter at hand. Once again the commanding soldier, he turned to Ahmed and continued, “The Turks swept through not long ago and decimated the little village that had been there. The Hasimi now occupy it. I’m having a bit of trouble getting permission to camp there. Truth is, they won’t even let us drink from the wells and water the animals before moving on. Any ideas?”
“That’s not exactly true, is it?” asked Elizabeth.
Crawford turned back to her and with a puzzled look on his face said, “Not sure what you mean, luv.”
“They would let you and I, its Angellah and his men that are not welcome,” she replied.
Crawford tilted his head to the side and thought for a moment before replying slowly, “Well, I did request permission on behalf of Angellah, that’s true.”
“There are tribal differences. It may seem petty, I know, but it’s their way. These tribes have fought one another for years. The animosity between them runs deep,” said Elizabeth.
“But its only water!” said Crawford impatiently.
“Water is everything in the desert, Lieutenant,” offered Ahmed. “They will not consent. Do we outnumber them?”
“What? We are not going to fight them. They are not the enemy!” responded Crawford with conviction. “They’ve been working on sabotaging efforts for months. We’re on the same bloody side!”
Ahmed wiped the sweat from his brow, shrugged and responded, “You’ve returned, should I switch back with Angellah?”
“No!” snapped Crawford. “Elizabeth, you’re with me.”
“Me? What do you want me to do?” she asked.
“There was a reason your government sent you here. It’s time to go to work, luv. Come on!” he said as he began to ride away.
Elizabeth rode after him, quickly catching up. “Will!”
“Took you long enough!” he shouted over his shoulder as he continued to ride towards Harrhas.
Elizabeth continued to follow thinking that he would stop when he reached him, but he continued, past Harrhas, past the line held by the flanks, past the man on point. He stopped about 100 meters from the outskirts of the small village. It took Elizabeth just a few seconds to catch up with him. By the time she did he had already dismounted. Once she stopped he reached up and helped her off of her horse.
“You do know why my government sent me, don’t you?” asked Elizabeth.
“Because you have superb diplomatic skills and you’re bloody brilliant?” asked Crawford.
“No,” said Elizabeth shaking her head.
“Oh, but you really are, pet, you know all sorts of useful facts about this country and it’s people. So, tell me what’s-” began Crawford.
“He said it was because I was pretty,” responded Elizabeth in a hushed voice.
“Who said what?” asked Crawford.
“The man from the FBI when he came to ask,” said Elizabeth looking uncomfortably back towards the caravan.
“Well, he’s wrong,” replied Crawford with conviction. “You’re not pretty. You, my dear, are exquisite. But, I’ve got to tell you, that asset I am not willing to exploit. I want you to put this to use,” he said as he softly tapped her head. “How do we spin this in order to get them to let us stay?”
Elizabeth thought for a moment, and then responded, “Let’s start with what we have in common. You said it yourself, Will. We’re on the same side. We are fighting against the same enemy. We’ve got to somehow align with them. How many of them are there?”
“Not more than twenty, I’d wager,” responded Crawford. “They were planning on attacking the rail. They have explosives, which could definitely be an asset to us. Several of them were injured on a prior mission. Bad burns. They’ve been laid up here for a few days trying to recover.”
“Then we have several things that offer advantage. The common enemy, many able-bodied men to support their mission, and a healer to nurse their sick back to health,” reflected Elizabeth.
“What do you mean, a healer?” asked Crawford.
“Ahmed,” replied Elizabeth. “Ahmed is a healer. Like a doctor, Will. He can treat them.”
“No!” said Crawford. “Really?”
“Yes really!” responded Elizabeth.
“Well, alright then! We’ve got ourselves some leverage, luv, let’s go!” said Crawford, cheerfully.
They walked the few remaining yards together. A gentleman waited for them, patiently, at the edge of the oasis.
“Hassan!” called Crawford as he approached.
“That was quick, Lieutenant. We did not expect you to return so swiftly,” replied Hassan.
“Well, we didn’t want to waste any time. I’d like you to meet-” started Crawford.
“Buffy? Buffy Giles! Oh my Lord! It is you, isn’t it?” asked the tall dark-haired man as he swiftly approached.
“P-P-Parker?” responded Elizabeth, clearly surprised.
“Lord, you’re a sight for sore eyes!” exclaimed the man as he walked up to Elizabeth, wrapped his arms around her and swept her up in a familiar embrace. After releasing her he brushed the hair back from her face, placed his hands on her shoulders, and in a low voice whispered, “You know just last night I was laying alone in my tent, thinking about you, and here you are. Did you come looking for me?”
“I-” she started.
“Actually, it’s Crawford now, mate,” interjected Crawford, loudly.
“What?” asked Parker as he seemed to notice Crawford for the first time.
“Her last name is now Crawford,” he responded.
“And you are?” asked Parker releasing his hold on Elizabeth.
“Her husband,” answered Crawford pointedly. “Lieutenant William Crawford,” he said, extending his hand to the man in front of him.
“You married a Brit?” asked Parker as he looked down at Elizabeth with amusement. “When?”
Elizabeth nodded towards Crawford’s still outstretched hand. “Oh! Sorry,” said Parker as he released Elizabeth and grasped Crawford’s hand.
“Recently,” responded Elizabeth vaguely as she stepped closer to her husband. “What are you doing here?”
“Figured that would be pretty obvious. Following in your old man’s footsteps, as usual. I’ve been doing my best to sabotage the rail,” reported Parker.
“Were you with him? When it happened, were you with him?” asked Elizabeth, her eyes suddenly filled with tears.
“Not close enough. I was out with a group on a raid. I didn’t return in time. I was too late, I’m sorry,” finished the young man.
Silent tears leaked from Elizabeth’s eyes and she stubbornly wiped them away. “Parker, we’re traveling with a group of men. We’re on our way to complete a vital mission and we need rest and water. We’d like to camp here for a day or two.”
“I am not in charge here,” said Parker.
“I don’t believe that for a minute. You have a way of taking charge,” said Elizabeth looking away uncomfortably for a moment. “Parker,” she continued, “we need the water and rest.”
“I’m sure you’re more than welcome,” said Parker.
“But the rest of them are not!” interjected Hassan.
“Hassan,” said Elizabeth walking up to him. “We are on the same side here, fighting against a common enemy. Let’s not fight one another, tribe against tribe. It’s such a waste. We both have a mission to carry out. We can help you with yours and you can help us with ours. You have few men, but we have many. You have sick and wounded, we have a healer traveling with us. We can help one another. Together we can be stronger.”
“You want our water!” accused Hassan.
“Damn straight!” interrupted Crawford. “And some of your explosives would do us a right bit of good as well.”
“You think we are going to just…” began Hassan as he stepped forward to confront the British soldier.
“Look, mate, we’re not here to quarrel with you. It’s the Turks we’re after. We are offering medical care for your wounded. In exchange, you allow us to camp here. It’s a fair trade,” stated Crawford.
The man thought it over for a few seconds before asking, “You’re healer will agree to treat my men?”
“He’s under my command, he’ll do as I ask,” Crawford replied.
“Very well,” consented Hassan.
“Well alright then!” said Crawford as he stepped back and moved towards his horse. “Be right back.”
“Lieutenant?” called Hassan.
“Yeah?” replied Crawford.
“My son is among the wounded,” he explained.
“We’ll do our best,” said Crawford as he climbed back into his saddle.
“Where are you going?” asked Elizabeth as she ran towards him.
“Going to give the men the good news, pet. No need for you to ride back, why don’t you pick us out a nice spot. When I get back we can pitch our tent,” he replied.
“Okay,” said Elizabeth sounding a little distracted.
Crawford tilted his head to the side and studied her for a long moment. She looked back towards Parker, bit her lip and folded her arms protectively across her chest.
“Elizabeth!” he called, getting her attention.
“Yes?” she asked, turning back to look at him.
“Grab hold,” he said as he extended his arm towards her.
Elizabeth grabbed his forearm and in one smooth motion he lifted her onto the back of his horse. She wrapped her arms around his waist and placed a small kiss on his back. “Thanks,” whispered Elizabeth.
“You gonna tell me?” asked Crawford as he turned his horse around and began the ride over to Harrahs.
“Tell you what?” replied Elizabeth.
“What he is to you,” said Crawford.
“He’s not anything to me,” responded Elizabeth.
“Not anymore, perhaps, but he was once I’d wager. He’s definitely seen you without your knickers,” said Crawford.
“How could you possibly know that?” asked Elizabeth.
“They way he looked at you, the way he touched you, the way that he, without even trying, brings out the homicidal maniac in me?” responded Crawford.
Elizabeth laughed, snuggled closer and said, “You have nothing to worry about, silly.”
Chapter 27
As Crawford gradually wakened his arm instinctively reached out, searching for the warm body that he had grown accustomed to sleeping alongside. So quickly he had fallen into a rhythm with her. He loved best this quiet moment before either of them was fully awake. He would wrap his body protectively around her, taking the time to memorize her curves and breathing in her scent. He found himself more and more imagining that they were back in his flat, in London, waking up in his large four-poster bed after a night of making love.
He realized these thoughts about a future were dangerous. Not merely a future with her, a future at all. It could all be lost within the blink of an eye. Better to focus on the present. Appreciate what you have now. Crawford inched a bit to the left and reached out further. When his arm found only emptiness he quickly opened his eyes and sat up, fully alert. He was alone.
“Elizabeth?”he whispered into the darkness of their tent.
There was no response. He stood up, walked over to the tent’s entrance and peered outside. It was late at night and the camp was quiet. Most of the men had turned in by late afternoon or early evening, anxious to catch up on sleep. He scanned his surroundings and listened for any sign of activity or movement. He felt as if the bottom of his stomach suddenly dropped out. Then he heard it, a soft moan follow by the sound of rustling sheets.
Crawford slowly walked about a dozen meters towards the direction of the noise. He stood still and waited. For a moment he wondered if he were dreaming. He looked around again, and then he heard it, only louder this time, a man. As he determinedly walked towards the entrance to the tent Ahmed emerged carrying a bucket in one hand and a wet rag in the other.
“You surprised me,”he said quietly as he noticed the Lieutenant. He looked back inside the tent, shook his head, and pulled the flap closed. “It’s bad,”he said shaking his head, “not sure those two will make it. The truly unfortunate thing is that it could have been avoided. If their burns had been properly tended to in the first place they wouldn’t have gotten so infected.“
“Elizabeth is missing,“ stated Crawford.
“Oh! No, she’s down by the water. She said she wanted to bathe. I walked her down there myself. She didn’t want to wake you. Guess she thought you needed your beauty rest. I promised her I’d be back in an hour or so to walk her back, but, I’m sure she’d rather have your company,” responded Ahmed.
“She’s been gone that long?” asked Crawford, concerned that he wasn’t somehow alerted to her absence.
“Just about twenty minutes, give or take,” said Ahmed, studying him. “You don’t like the fact that you didn’t sense her getting up.”
“Guess I’m getting too bloody used to her. She normally gets up at night to use the loo,” said Crawford as he ran his hand through his hair and looked off in the direction of the water.
“And getting used to sleeping with your wife is a bad thing?” asked Ahmed.
Crawford turned and looked at him, understanding passing quickly between them.
Ahmed nodded and said, “You think what you have with her is going to end and you don’t want to miss her. You don’t want to feel that void, that emptiness. I can understand that.”
“I thought you might,“ said Crawford. “I think I’ll walk down there and check on her.”
“Lieutenant? While it’s true that if my wife and children meant less to me, my pain now would be, well, not so great, I would have lost something even more important,” offered Ahmed.
Crawford turned back to look at him.
“I would never have had the pleasure of knowing them. I would never have experienced the joy that having them in my life brought me,” added Ahmed.
“You’re an interesting fellow, Ahmed,” said Crawford.
“Must be the sleep deprivation,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to make another trip to the well for some more water. Is it alright with you if I have Elizabeth relieve me in a few hours?”
“You haven’t slept yet,” observed Crawford.
“Not yet, soon,” responded Ahmed as he draped the wet rag over a makeshift clothesline.
“I’ll send her over in a bit,” offered Crawford. “You’re doing a great job, Ahmed,” he added patting him on the back before walking off in search of his wife.
The pathway down to the water wasn’t terribly long. The glow from the moon overhead allowed him to see its outline as it curved ahead of him. He traversed slowly, gazing up at the stars and taking in the smell of the flowers that surrounded it. As he came up close to the end of the path he could see a cluster of date palms ahead and the outline of five or six men sitting amongst them. He froze and the hair on the back of his neck stood up. Slowly Crawford lowered himself to the ground. He listened, trying to catch any words that might be passing between them. The lighting was too dim for him to tell who the men were, whether they were his, Hassan’s, or yet others who had stumbled upon the oasis. He cursed himself for coming unarmed and for a moment wondered if he should return for weapons and some reinforcements. Remaining in a crouched position he inched slowly forward. Once he was positioned 10-12 meters from the group he stopped again reaching out with his senses, assessing the situation.
“Come on,” he heard one of them whisper, “turn aroundÉturn around!“
“Shh,”reprimanded another. “Be quiet.”
Crawford recognized the second voice as belonging to Ali, the young man that Harrhas had riding on point during their journey. Crawford rose to his feet and silently moved yet closer to the men. From his standing position a few feet behind them he could clearly see what had gotten the men’s attention.
The pool of water was still but for a few minor ripples, the moonlight making its surface shimmer. He watched as his wife’s head broke through the calm of the water. As she stood in the waist high pool facing away from them, he could clearly see the outline of her torso and the curve of her breasts. She arched back and swept her hand over her head, gathering her long hair up in her hands and wringing it out before letting is fall back across her shoulders. The vision was enough to take any man’s breath away.
“Fun’s over boys,” announced Crawford quietly. “Time to go back to camp.”
The men scattered like flies. Ali turned to face him, eyes downcast, and mumbled “I- I’m sorry, sir.”
“Get out of here, Ali. Go get some rest. Don’t let me catch you invading my wife’s privacy again,” scolded Crawford.
“No, sir, I won’t,” said the young man before turning to walk away. “Sir?”
“Yes, Ali?” answered Crawford.
“You won’t tell her, will you?” he asked.
“Are you kidding? I need you on point from here to Acaba,” answered Crawford with an understanding smile. “Now go.”
Crawford turned back and watched his wife as she ran the bar of soap up the length of her arms. He felt himself instantly get hard. “How did I get to be so lucky?” he asked. His voice carried clearly over the water, startling her.
Elizabeth turned to face him, her arms crossed protectively over her chest. “Shh!” she said, eyes wide as she slipped deeper into the water.
“Afraid you’re a bit late, luv. I’ve already seen the goodies,” whispered Crawford as he walked closer to the waters edge.
“Well, I don’t want you to wake anyone,” she explained quietly.
“I’m not-” he started to say.
Elizabeth stood back up slowly, extended her arm out in front of her, and beckoned him with a crook of her finger.
Crawford looked back over his shoulder into the darkness, then upon turning back to her he pointed at his own chest and mouthed the word, “Me?”
Elizabeth nodded, a smile gradually forming on her lips.
Crawford reached down and began to gather up the edge of his robe. He continued to watch her, his eyes locked with hers as he lifted his robe up and over his head. Elizabeth ’s heart rate increased as she looked at his naked form under the glow of the moonlight. He was fully aroused with desire. As he stepped into the water his abdominal muscles flexed at the slight coldness.
“It’s cold!” he whispered as he waded deeper into the pool making his way over to her.
“It’s warmer over here,” she said as she dragged her index finger down the valley between her breasts.
“You’re right,” he said his voice getting husky from the pent up sexual tension, “it’s much hotter over here.”
He was in front of her now. Looking down with unrestrained lust at her. Elizabeth’s breasts were rising and falling rapidly as the pace of her breathing increased. She could feel the evidence of his desire for her poking into her stomach. She stepped forward, her arms still passively at her side. As she inhaled her breasts barely brushed up against his chest. She was so close. She had been thinking of him while bathing. The image of him coming to her only fueled her desire.
Crawford reached up to cup one of her breasts in his hand. “Don’t,” she whispered, softly. “NotÉI’m-“
Crawford lowered his hand to his side. “What do you want, kitten?” he asked.
Elizabeth rubbed the soap in her hands creating lather then released it to float on the surface of the water. Crawford watched raptly as she massaged the lather over her breasts. She moved closer still, pressing her breasts up against his chest, and then began to sensuously moved up and down his torso. A few seconds later she shifted slightly, positioning herself so that one of her legs was between his and the other lifted to rest draped over his hip. It didn’t matter that they were submerged in water. All he could focus on was the warm wetness that was forming between her legs as she rubbed herself against his thigh. Elizabeth craned her head up, letting it fall back, exposing her neck to him.
“Cor, Elizabeth!” he moaned as he slipped one arm around her back to support her. “Do you have any idea how exciting you are?”
Elizabeth tilted her head up and her eyes connecting with his. As she continued to ride his leg she reached down between them and coated her index finger with her own juices. “I’ve missed you, Will,” she said as she brought her finger slowly out of the water and lifted it towards his mouth. He licked his lips in anticipation, reached out wrapping his hand around her wrist and taking her finder into his mouth. He swirled his tongue around the slick digit, cleaning it off, before beginning to suck on it, sliding it in and out of his warm mouth.
Elizabeth moaned and he felt a slight tremor begin to course through her body. He smiled in satisfaction around her finger, pleased with the effect that he obviously had on her. “Been thinking about me, have you?” he asked as he let go of her wrist and lowered his hand into the water, sliding it between their bodies.
Elizabeth nodded, her breathing so ragged now she couldn’t speak, she could barely form a coherent thought. He slipped two fingers inside of her and began pumping them in and out slowly, twisting his hand slightly to provide extra friction.
“Oh!” gasped Elizabeth.
“Shh!” he hushed her sliding his arm up further on her back and bring her head to his chest. “Don’t want to wake the bloody camp, do you?” he asked as he began to palpate her engorged clit.
He felt her shake her head and begin to pull away. She was so close now. He added a third finger and could feel her internal walls clamp down around his hand. “I love being inside of you, even like this,” he admitted quietly, “touching you, stroking you, being surrounded by you.”
He added his forth finger and felt her stretch to accommodate him as he pressed firmly on her clit with the calloused pad of his thumb. “Ohhh!”she began to moan, her head still buried in his chest as the long-awaited and slowly-built orgasm began to wash over her. He grabbed the back of her hair and pulled, tilting her head back and leaned in crushing his lips to hers devouring her screams of ecstasy in a demanding kiss. He didn’t release her until he was sure that she was spent. As her breathing began to slow and he felt her body relax he pulled his fingers from her and wrapped his arms around her body so that he could stroke her back.
“What about you?” she asked reaching up to grasp his still fully engorged cock.
“God, pet, don’t touch me now. Just watching you, hearing you come like that, it was all I could do to hold off. Give us a minute,” he said.
They heard a sudden noise and Elizabeth spun towards it. “Probably just a sand fox,” she whispered as she moved to turned back around.
Crawford wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Taking one full, round breast in the palm of his hand. “Yeah, just a sand fox,” he repeated, softly as he swept her hair over her shoulder, baring her back. He ground his erection into her backside as he placed his hand at the base of her neck. Her head fell forward slightly and she pushed back against him. “Ready for another go, kitten?” he asked quietly.
He rolled the nipple of her left breast between the thumb and index finger of one hand. His second hand slid down the length of her back and began to massage the globes of her bottom. After a few strokes he let a finger glide down the cleft that separated them. He followed the delicious path and reached forward all the way, coating his finger with their mutual spendings before sliding it back up. “Too soon?” he asked as he repeated the stroke and felt her tense slightly.
Elizabeth felt a momentary sense of panic and hesitated in responding.
“I’d never hurt you,” he whispered offering reassurance. “Never.”
He felt her begin to relax against him. Crawford continued to spread their fluids, first sliding his finger lightly across her rear entrance and then applying just the slightest amount of pressure as he teasingly tracing circles around it.
“Will, I don’t think-” she started to say.
“Shh, don’t think,” he whispered into the shell of her ear as he lift her hips up slightly and slipped his cock between her legs, “just close your eyes and feel. Trust me.”
Elizabeth followed his command. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the duel sensation of his stroking. “Want you inside of me,” she murmured after another minute passed, her head now lolled back and resting on his shoulder.
Crawford smiled. He angled his hips, lifted her up, and brought her down, slowly on his fully erect member. “Oh!” gasped Elizabeth.
“This what you had in mind, luv?” he asked as he pulled half-way out and then sunk again, deep inside of her.
“God, yes!” she moaned.
“Shh!” he admonished.
Elizabeth bit her lower lip in an effort towards restraint then whispered back over her shoulder, “How can you expect me to-”
Her thought was interrupted as Crawford pushed his finger inside. He could feel it as she initially tightened around his finger in response to the invasion. “Relax baby,” he said as he continued to slowly move his cock in and out of her, building to a steady rhythm. “Won’t do any more than this,” he added as he started to move his finger a bit to stretch her, “promise, kitten. It’s going to feel so good, baby.”
He felt her relax again around him and then began to gently move his finger in and out of her rear entrance matching his already established rhythm. “God, you’re so bloody tight!” moaned Crawford quietly. “You feel so good, baby. You’re so wet.”
“For you, Will,” gasped Elizabeth as she felt another orgasm begin to wash over her, the double penetration stimulating her beyond belief. “I’m yours,” she said. “Completely yours.”
“Only mine?” asked Crawford as thrust he cock deep inside of her and increased the pace.
“Yes!” whispered Elizabeth as tremors began to shake her body. Crawford moved his hand to her other breast and pinched her pebbled nipple, “Oh, Will, it’s so intense!” she began to cry.
He quickly released her breast and brought his hand up to cover her mouth. Her body was wracked by yet another orgasm causing her to clamp down on both his cock and his finger. As his hand reached towards her lips she opened her mouth and bit down into the hard flesh at the base of his thumb. The painful sensation of her bite coupled with the force of her climax made him completely lose control. He removed his fingers from her, snaked his arm around her waist and pushed once more into her, spilling his seed and burying his head into her neck.
Elizabeth could feel him soften inside of her, as she came back to her senses she realized that she still had Crawford’s hand in her mouth and she promptly released it. “GodÉI-I’m sorry!” she whispered. “I bit you!”
“Yeah, well, that was new and different!”chucked Crawford as he held his hand up trying to see it in the dim light of the moon. “Think you actually broke the skin too.”
She reached up tenderly took his hand in hers and lowered it so that she could see for herself. Sure enough, there were little dots of blood there. Elizabeth swallowed. She remembered his vampire fantasy, the one he had shared with her and she licked her lips before lowering her mouth and latching on to his hand. Her tongue darted out and swept across his wound, swirling sensuously lapping up the evidence of the damage. As she took his hand into her mouth he was overcome and a shiver ran through his body.
She felt him tremble, released his hand, turned around and faced him. “Cold?” she asked.
Crawford took her head in his hands, leaned down, and tenderly kissed her lips. “No, luv,” he murmured as he rested his forehead against hers. “Not cold.”
“I love you,” she said as she reached up to caress the side of his face.
“Love you too,” he replied as he reached up to take her hand and kiss the inside of her palm. “Will you ever stop surprising me?”
“I hope not,” she replied honestly.
“Let’s get out of here and get some rest. I promised Ahmed some help in a couple hours,” he said.
“Lead the way,” she said as she grabbed the bar of previously abandoned soap, interlaced her fingers with his, and allowed him to lead her out of the water.
Upon reaching the shore he picked up both of their robes. Hers folded neatly and his which had been carelessly tossed onto the sand. He flung his robe over his shoulder and helped her on with hers.
“Thank you,” whispered Elizabeth. “Hold this?” she asked handing him the soap before pulling up her hair and squeezed out the excess water.
“My pleasure, madam,” responded Crawford as he placed a kiss on the tip of her nose, handed the soap back to her, then pulled his own robe over his head. “And if you’re a good little girl I’ll pleasure you again shortly,” he added swatting her playfully on her bottom.
“Will!” she scolded, hitting him on his arm.
“What?” he asked. “I can’t help it if I’ve got a healthy sexual appetite.”
“Healthy!” she exclaimed teasingly as they walked hand and hand back up the path. “Is that what you’re calling it?”
Neither of them noticed the glow of a cigarette as they passed by, they were decidedly too wrapped up in one another. Parker tipped his flask back, and took a large swallow of the amber liquid. The whisky burned as it traveled down his throat to warm his stomach. He replaced the cap on the flask then slipped it back into the pocket of his jacket. He took one last drag from the cigarette before angrily tossing it to the ground. He looked down at it and then covered the still burning ember with the toe of his boot. He narrowed his eyes and exhaled a stream of gray smoke as he twisted his foot grinding the cigarette into the sand extinguishing its flame once and for all.