Page 50 of Savage Protector

“Oh, well, yes, I suppose… I wanted a tattoo. A lotus design, I fancied. On my shoulder.”

“Sounds cool. Why didn’t you?”

“My uncle. He said only whores and criminals had tattoos, by which he meant women. He has some, and my cousins do, too. Not lovely designs like yours, though. Mehrban has a skull on his wrist, and Iftikar has his name on his neck.”

“In case he forgets it?” I offer.

Her answering grin is wry. “Probably.”

“Get that lotus,” I encourage her. “If it’s what you want.”

She considers for a moment. “Perhaps I will.” She steps back from me. “I’ll get changed while you’re in the shower.”

12

Leila

Zayn dida good job of collecting my belongings, he appears to have brought everything I asked for. I tug a pair of pyjamas from the black bag he dumped beside the bed. Nice ones, crimson silk. They were a present from my father for my birthday three years ago.

“Don’t let your mother see,” he had whispered. “You know how she disapproves of things she thinks are showy.”

My mother is Uncle Abdul’s sister, and they are very alike in their attitudes. As far as I could ever see, she disapproves of pretty much everything she associates with western decadence. The only reason I got any sort of decent education was because the Quran decrees it so it must be right.

Who am I to argue? It got me into medical school.

I dig out a toiletry bag containing my toothbrush, hairbrush, and a few other bits and pieces. I’ll wait for Zayn to finish his shower then I’ll use the bathroom. I settle down at the window to gaze out into the night.

Our apartment overlooks the gardens, which are mainly lawned, but there’s a copse of trees at the edge, screening the property from the road. Caernbro Ghyll is quite secluded and very private, which no doubt suits the owners very well. It also suits the wildlife. I spotted red squirrels earlier, in daylight, and now I see hundreds of rabbits bounding around on the grass. Their activities set off the floodlighting, but they appear oblivious. I suppose they’re used to it.

Oh, what’s that?

I lean over for a better view of the new creature plodding around the edge of the trees. A dog, maybe? Or a large cat? No, the movements seem too slow, more of a waddle than a stalk. It’s not something I’ve ever seen before.

“A badger.” Zayn is behind me, obviously interested in what has caught my attention. “There’s a sett in the trees. If you sit and wait, there will probably be more.”

“A badger? I thought there were none of those left.”

“There are plenty out here. In the spring you’ll probably see babies. Nice pyjamas, by the way.”

I glance over my shoulder. He’s wearing only a towel looped around his waist. His hair is dripping wet, and the ink glistens with droplets of water.

My mouth waters. Actually. Waters.

“I…I’ll just go and…and…”

He steps back with a smile. “Be my guest.”

I grab my toiletry bag, scuttle off into the bathroom, and close the door behind me. Several splashes of cold water on my face put me in a more collected frame of mind. Thus restored, I clean my teeth and freshen up my face with one of the moisturising wipes I like. Still, I wait a few minutes more before venturing back into the main apartment. Give him time to find some pyjamas of his own.

Obviously not long enough. Zayn is making the tea when I return, still decked out in his fluffy towel.

“Do you take sugar?” he calls over his shoulder.

“No, just milk,” I manage. Those tattoos are no less fascinating now that they have dried out somewhat. “I’ll drink mine in bed, if that’s okay.”

“Fine.” He ambles across to set my cup down on the bedside table. “I’ll join you.”

“What? No, you can’t!” Didn’t I make it clear that we won’t be sharing the bed?

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