Page 14 of Tides of Time

Truthfully, her coloring was similar to all the local women, but that was where the similarities ended.

Her dark black hair was short and curled just slightly at the ends, as if intentional and not natural. It framed a tan face with striking features. Her brows were thick, but not unshapened, and framed the most stunningly aquamarine eyes he’d ever stared into. A pale orange dress with thin straps on her shoulders draped down to her knees, but it did nothing to hide her shapely form. Round breasts stretched the fabric too tight at the top, and the curve of her hips was unmistakable through the cotton of the simple dress.

This woman was not from here, of that he had no doubt. She was far too stunning to have gone unnoticed in this city.

There was something about her, some sort of magic that reached out from her like a beckoning finger and called him close.

As his eyes met hers, time seemed to freeze. The honking cars and bustling streets faded into silence. All he could see was her intense gaze locked onto him, rendering everything else irrelevant.

She’s searching for me.

The thought was the most illogical he’d ever had, but he still couldn’t shake the feeling that she was here for him.

You’re fantasizing before the war claims you.

The war with the Palestinians would never end. They were furious their land was divided up, and if Orion were honest, he didn’t blame them.

But he would do whatever it took to keep the families of Israel safe from them and the bombs they dropped with reckless abandon.

What’s one for the road before I throw myself to the enemy lines?

Orion didn’t know when he would leave his home, but he knew he would.

The Army came calling time and time again because the threat didn’t stop. That was no reason he couldn’t have a little of fun with a stunning visitor before his time was up.

His mother’s voice sounded off in his mind, telling him not to think like that, but Orion couldn’t help it.

He’d been on edge since the last time the Army called for him. He’d come home when many hadn’t. It was the same story every war, every battle, every insurrection, but there was this sensation deep in his bones telling him the next time they came for it, it would be the last.

“Miss?” he spoke in English, assuming she would not speak his native Hebrew as so few did who weren’t born and raised in Israel did. Even the Jews in other countries who spoke Hebrew dwindled as they all moved to this part of the world.

“Hello,” her cheeks turned damn near strawberry red with a flush, and she stepped toward Orion as he walked toward her.

“I couldn’t help but hope your eyes lingered on me.” He wasn’t a flirt, but he would be for this woman.

“I’m afraid they were,” she extended her hand. “Ariana de Gasol.”

As they intertwined their fingers, Orion felt a jolt of electricity course through his body. He couldn't help but smile as he looked into her eyes and squeezed her hand.

“Sorry, must have been our connection,” he teased, and couldn’t figure out where this brazen man he pretended to be came from. He was attractive, but he’d never been so aggressive in pursuing someone. “Orion Levi, a pleasure to meet you.”

Again, she flushed, but this time her eyes held the heat of desire he usually only saw in a woman’s eyes after pressing against her or drinking far too many drinks.

“Do I know you?”

She swallowed visibly, but her eyes did not give away if she were embarrassed. “I would like you to.”

His grin was unstoppable. “Are you certain you mean to seek me out? Not that I am at all uninterested in your advances, but this is not the norm where I am from.”

She tucked a strand of hair behind her eyes. He had the unmistakable urge to do the same - to trace his finger along her cheek and over the curve of her ear until the stray hair was well and truly tucked.

“I’m certain. I’ve come a very long way for someone just like you.”

“Well, then, please, allow me to buy you a drink.” he gestured for her to walk beside him before he began to move. “What brings you to Israel? We aren’t the standard tourist spot.”

“As I said, I came looking for someone just like you.”

The lust dancing in her words made his throat dry and his mouth parched. He had never met a woman so upfront, never mind one as stunningly beautiful as Ariana. Orion would bet men chased her around her homeland - which he presumed to be Spain from the light accent when she spoke.

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