Page 87 of Afraid to Hope

“I’m fine.”

His finger touched the hollow of her throat and he whispered, “Do you really think you can lie to me?”

She compressed her lips, then sighed. “Apparently not. I hurt, but nothing like I did when I woke up.”

“That’s what I thought. Let’s break”—he looked at his watch—“get some more acetaminophen in you, eat lunch, and make plans.”

“I have another idea. We can eat and plan while we stroll the palm grove to the east. I’d like to see it in daylight. One, it will keep me moving and loosened up. Two, fresh air and scenery will clear our heads and help us focus. Three, even though we’re working, we should take in part of this oasis. It’s supposed to be remarkable. Four—”

Bane silenced her with a slow, wet kiss, leaving their breathing labored and wanting much more when he stopped. He pressed his forehead against hers. “You had me at idea.”

During their stroll, Natasha and Bane decided they would pay Amastan another visit and explain that they knew about the shipment and wanted to look things over, possibly offer significantly more money than had already changed hands. Natasha had a buyer who was willing to pay significantly higher for something impossible to come by.

After returning to their room, Bane phoned the director. “Hey, Emmet,” he said cordially, putting him on speaker mode.

“Good enough then. We had two more calls to ART, asking about the two of you, specifically what qualifications and knowledge you have that your clients trust you to shop for them in such a unique market.”

“Good. We’re making inroads.” Bane caressed Natasha’s palm with his thumb, sparking her blood. “We’re renting another vehicle tomorrow. SOP,” he said. “The keys are at the front desk.”

“Roger. Name?”

“Mr. Repo.”

“Your idea of humor, I take it?”

Bane let it slide. “We’ll be inOuarzazatetomorrow. There’s a big evening shindig at the airport. We’re going as ART Enterprise Global employees interested in a piece of the pie. We’d like to invite other guests. Late. Twenty-three hundred.”

“Ours will be there, along with Rafiq’s. Be safe.”

Bane disconnected the call and kissed Natasha’s palm. The wicked glint in his eyes was accompanied by a lopsided smile. “We’ve a few hours before dinner. How about some exercise and a nap, you know, to address your aches and lack of sleep?”

Natasha slid her arms around his neck, her eyes turning molten, and playfully nipped at his mouth, her lips ghosting over his, breathing, “I’m all yours.”

“Impressive. Kinda like a desolate mirage in the middle of nowhere.”

Natasha laughed and massaged his sculpted thigh. “Oh, come, come. Ouarzazate is known as the gateway to the Sahara. We came here when my brothers and I were little. Rode camels out into the desert. Got spit on by camels. Ugh. Camped in a big, fancy tent. It was really boring. And hot.”

Bane chuckled. “I imagine so for little kids. Sweetheart, keep rubbing my leg like that and we’re going to need to find a private roadside stop.”

She placed her hand in her lap. “Sorry, babe. You make me forget myself sometimes.” She glanced out the window at the passing terrain, indeed dry-looking and desolate. They were on the outskirts. Bane exited off N10 and into Ouarzazate, in the direction of the small airport.

“Let’s check out our surroundings and then find a place to stay.” Bane drove by the entrance to the airport and circled back to an area close to the airport.

“There.” Natasha motioned to a niceriad.“It’s close enough to be convenient but not on top of the runway.

“I doubt there’s a lot of air traffic.” Bane parked the small SUV.

“You might be surprised. A lot of people enjoy the desert tours, especially when it’s cooler, like now.”

A room was available, although not the honeymoon suite, so they presented their passports and, for a little extra, they were allowed an early check-in. They grabbed their gear and bags and left them in the room, heading tosoukand shops, asking questions about acquiring artifacts for their buyers and leaving Natasha’s card, anticipating that INTERPOL would be fielding calls. Natasha and Bane found a great café for a late lunch. Their table allowed them to watch the foot traffic while having their backs to the wall.

Natasha’s phone vibrated. “Hello?”

“Emmet here. The Jeep has been picked up. You two have garnered a lot of interest. ART’s phone is ringing off the hook. Be careful. You have the wire info?”

“We do. We’re ready.”

“Let me speak to your husband please.”

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