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  “Hani...baby,” Serena said sweetly, trying to soothe him, but she could tell from his face that she wasn't going to reach him. He impatiently raised a finger to her to say he would be a minute and walked out of the bedroom.

  The argument continued for several minutes, muffled as he had gone into the living room away from her. She lay motionless in bed, still straining to hear what was going on. She was sure he just didn't want to upset her, but the inflection of his words with the other person didn't bode well for her, and she was worried about what was going on. Usually his Arabic sounded sweet and melodic to her, but this time it was harsh and emphasized in a way that she wasn't used to hearing from him.

  She clicked on the TV and started flipping channels to distract herself from Hani's conversation but found nothing interesting. She wasn't in the mood for another morning talk show about finding the paternity of an illegitimate child born to a mother who wasn't sure which of her three sex partners was the father or inane reruns of sitcoms that were never that funny even before syndication. She decided to have a bubble bath while she waited for him, so she dragged herself out of the cozy bed and started to draw a bath in the large marble tub.

  She hadn't changed her residence to the suite because Hani's company would not approve of paying for his girlfriend to stay there, but she still kept all of her toiletries and make up there. Hani liked to surprise her with small gifts and kept her well supplied with sweet smelling bubble baths and lotions, calling her “Amira” and saying that every girl deserves to be treated like a princess. They say that if a girl keeps her monthly feminine supplies at a guy's place, then she is living there, but to most people, Serena was only spending every night with her boyfriend and dropped by her small apartment near campus occasionally to pick up the mail after class. As far as his company knew, he left the office and spent his evenings alone in the suite.

  The bathroom billowed with steam as the tub filled, and she hoped that she hadn't let the water run too hot. She instantly felt the tension releasing from her body as she slipped into the hot bath, sinking into the mounds of lily-scented bubbles. The room had the posh décor of a spa, and when the lights were dimmed, relaxing music and nature sounds began to play quietly. It was the perfect place to relax and forget about the world outside.

  Serena sank deeper into the bath and closed her eyes. Her mind wandered, thinking first about Hani and worrying about what was going on with the heated phone call, then wondering how Maggie was since she hadn't heard from her lately and she thought she would give her a call later, and finally she felt herself floating in an aquamarine lagoon surrounded by lilies as the soft calls of songbirds filled the air. She didn't know how long she had laid there in the tub, when something woke her from her reverie.

  “My God…You look like heaven resting there,” Hani said. He said it with such gentleness in his voice, much different than when he was speaking on the phone. He stood naked before her, and she watched as his cock stiffened and became erect at the sight of her in the tub. “Is there room for one more?” he asked, cocking one eyebrow seductively.

  She sat up and moved forward and held her hand out to him. He slid into the warm water behind her, put his arms around her, and began kissing the side of her neck and shoulder. He held her in the bath and stroked her hair as they talked about how they should spend the day. Too much time had been wasted between dozing and being interrupted by the lengthy phone call. They had stayed up into the wee hours making love, which had almost become their nightly routine, and the day was quickly getting away from them.

  Hani suggested that they spend the rest of the day the same way they spent the night, making love, but Serena said they should get out and see the world a little and enjoy some fresh air, maybe take a walk by the beach. Hani added that they should make love on the beach or find a secluded place off one of the trails. She teased him and said it must be true what she had always heard about Arab men, that they are always horny and “D.T.F.” as Maggie called it – “Down To Fuck”. His rigid cock rose and swelled to fill the space between them, wedging between their wet bodies, so Serena knew that was not a joke, and she did not complain one bit about his libido.

  No matter how many times she admired his naked physique or felt his firm erection pressed against her, she always felt like it was the first time she experienced the male anatomy. She was always dazed in amazement at the way his body reacted and responded to hers, and every time they were near each other, their bodies united in an irresistible connection that could not be suppressed or denied. The surface rippled slightly as his hand moved through the tepid bath water. His fingers grazed the skin of her thigh and slipped between her legs. Serena moaned and laid her head back on his shoulder, and they kissed passionately as his fingers pushed between the smooth lips of her pussy and began circling her clit.

  Chapter 9

  There was a slight chill in the breeze at the beach, and Hani held Serena’s hand, keeping her close to him and warm as they walked along the shore. She suddenly dashed away ahead of him, scattering the flock of seagulls that had gathered on the sand. He watched and smiled at her childlike enthusiasm as she spun around and danced, still feeling relaxed and free from their bath together.

  She had cum for him twice in the tub as he masterfully massaged her clit then, dripping across the carpet wrapped in their embrace, he led her to the bed, and they made love before dressing and heading out for the day. He knew her body so well by now that it required very little effort from him to make her climax quickly, and much of his pleasure came knowing how much he was pleasing her, without regard to his own satisfaction. Their bodies connected in a way such that they felt there was no one else in the world with whom they could feel that same intimacy.

  He strolled along the shoreline leisurely enjoying the sights, occasionally skipping stones across the waves, and finally caught up with her and swept her into his arms. Her long wavy hair that he once described as being thick and luxurious like warm hot chocolate and caramel was blowing across her face, and he pushed the strands away before kissing her fully on the lips.

  “Serena, Serena, my Serena...” he said, his dark eyes brightening as he looked lovingly into her eyes.

  Her heart bloomed like a sun-kissed meadow of wildflowers and glowed warmly when he spoke. It radiated to her face and made her eyes sparkle every time, and even after these weeks together, his deep exotic eyes and Middle Eastern accent still took her breath away like the first time they met. It had become a frequent bon-mot between them that he would profess that her smile shined brighter than the morning sun, and she would blush and turn away. He would lift her chin gently and tell her that the sun and all of the stars at night couldn't compare to her smile and that he needed her beside him to fill his life with her light, after which she would hold him tighter and tell him that he is the one who put the sun in her smile and the stars in her eyes.

  They kissed passionately on the beach with the sounds of waves washing ashore and seagulls flying above them. They walked along the abandoned beach and saw only one other person the whole time they were out that day. Gone were the days of sun bathers and picnics on the beach. The season had quickly changed, and there were no lifeguards on duty or children splashing around in the water. It was as if she and Hani were the only ones left in the world, so they were free to laugh loudly, kiss and grope each other openly with no intrusions, and finally settle down and snuggle together closely on a driftwood log.

  An elderly man approached them from the west side of beach, and he was letting his black Labrador Retriever play in the waves along the shore; the dog would try to nip the waves each time they came to his feet. The man's tweed jacket and touring cap made him look like someone who just got off the plane from the Scottish Highlands, not like a “local”, and he carried a knotty walking stick, although he seemed to be very spry and agile for his age.

  A pipe dangled from the corner of his mouth, and the aroma of the cherry-vanilla tobacco wafted in the breeze as he near
ed them. He pardoned himself for interrupting, but Hani said it was no imposition and offered him his seat on the log. The man sighed as he sat down and thanked them for the brief respite, saying that his old bones couldn’t keep up like they used to.

  The three of them enjoyed watching the dog play in the water, chasing the waves and the occasional sea gull, and his owner called out “Alastair!” when he started to wander too far away. The dog promptly trotted towards them and picked up a small piece of wood in his mouth and carried it with him. They took turns tossing the stick, and Alastair quickly retrieved it each time. Hani seemed to be especially taken by the dog, and he brought the stick to Hani more than to Serena, no matter how much she called him.

  The man introduced himself as Angus MacKay, and between puffs on his pipe, he reminisced about the times that he and his late wife Fiona had spent on this same beach. They had married after the war and emigrated, seeking a more prosperous life in America, and settled there in the town where Serena was later born and lived her whole life and where Hani had been relocated by his company. They lived a quiet life and raised a family who had since all grown and had families of their own and also kept a summer cottage at the beach until Fiona's passing three years ago.

  Angus paused and pulled a rumpled handkerchief from inside his jacket and wiped his eyes. Serena noticed that the hankie had a fine lace edge on it and was monogrammed with an ornate letter “F” on the corner. She put her arm around Angus and squeezed his shoulder. Hani winked at her and smiled sweetly to see her offer comfort and tenderness to a stranger.

  Angus was quiet for a few moments as he stared off towards the horizon, then he said that he hadn't had the strength to return to the cottage without his Fiona by his side. Instead, he had adopted a black lab puppy who had been brought to the shelter where he volunteered. Fiona was an avid animal lover and advocate, and she made generous annual donations to the charity, so after her passing, he decided to carry on her legacy by continuing the donations and went one step further to volunteer and work with the animals himself.

  The tiny black pup had been abandoned and lifted one paw off the ground at all times from an injury or birth defect, and Angus needed a companion and distraction from his grief. He explained that Alastair meant “defender of mankind”, and it seemed a fine name for a dog such as him. Their companionship was apparently a perfect match because Alastair recovered and showed no evidence of having an injury or even a limp, and having an active dog had kept Angus limber and on the go, taking walks on the beach regularly.

  Angus quickly stood up, changing the subject before he could get emotional again. He called Alastair from the surf again, and the dog sat obediently at his side. Hani stroked the dog's head and complimented Angus for raising such a good dog. Angus reached to shake Hani's hand before departing and also squeezed Serena’s arm gently.

  In a move that surprised Serena, Hani pulled his business card from his pocket and told Angus that if he ever needed anything to please give them a call, day or night. He offered to come over to chat over tea or if Angus needed someone to walk the dog when the days got colder and his arthritis flared up.

  Angus thanked Hani for being a “right good bloke” and winked at Serena and told her that she “had better hold on to this one.” He slipped the business card into the inner breast pocket of his tweed jacket, and then he started to step away from them and faltered. Hani grabbed his arm to steady him, and he turned back and looked at them thoughtfully for a moment and began to speak.

  “Ye young kids...Aye, ye live yer lives always thinking that ye have forever tae live yer dreams, but when ye get to be an old man like me, ye realize that life is but a fleeting moment in time. Ye live, ye love, and it's all taken away and gone in a flash before ye realize. Ye wake up one day and find yerself gray and yer weary bones creak as ye move, and then…yer alone.”

  He got a faraway look in his eyes again as his words trailed off, turning to look out over the water. Serena imagined that he was remembering the early days with his wife when they were much younger and so much in love. He began to slowly sing an old Scottish folk song and seemed to forget that Hani and Serena were even there.

  “My Bonnie lies over the ocean,

  My Bonnie lies over the sea.

  My Bonnie lies over the ocean.

  Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.”

  They all sat quietly for a short time, as if it were a moment of silence to honor Fiona. Serena envied the kind of love and devotion that Angus had for her and wondered if she would ever have a love like that. She looked wistfully at Hani and wondered if he might be The One. Angus came back to the present moment and wiped another tear from his wrinkled cheek with Fiona's handkerchief.

  “This, my dear, belonged tae my beloved Fiona,” he declared, turning to Serena. “I would like for ye to keep it and carry it near yer heart as I have for all these many years. She carried this on her wedding day and gave it tae me. Said she wanted me tae have all of the happy tears that she cried on that day. It is my wish for ye that ye find a forever love as we did.” He winked at her and added emphatically, “And birth many wee bairns, raise a little clan.”

  He patted Serena’s belly gently with one hand and offered the handkerchief to her with his other. She protested and said that she couldn't possibly accept such a heartfelt memento. He insisted and pried open her fingers, placing the hankie in her palm, and then squeezed her hand closed. He said that the handkerchief had dried enough of his tears at her passing and said maybe one day she would carry it on her wedding day just as Fiona had.

  “And Hani…Arabian prince,” he said with a charming wink and a grin. He took Hani's hand in his again and squeezed it. “Ye may not always have the riches of Ali Baba or the wishes of Aladdin's lamp, but what ye have here with Serena is much more valuable. Cherish it! Treasure it! Love each other. Be good tae each other!”

  Hani nodded like a young child receiving words of wisdom from his elder, and Serena could tell that he was holding back a tear as the muscle in his jaw twitched. He was unable to speak but managed to utter a quiet “Yes sir.”

  Angus then turned and ambled down the beach in the direction from which he came, and Alastair strode protectively beside him. Hani put his arm around Serena and pulled her closer as they silently watched the pair disappear into the distance.

  Chapter 10

  Serena and Hani spent the remainder of the afternoon stopping at a few shops on the boardwalk and ate lunch together at a café. There was a kind of quiet calm between them as they spoke a little quieter, held each other a little bit closer, and kissed more tenderly that afternoon. He insisted on buying her a handmade necklace that she had admired in one of the shops which specialized in beach glass jewelry. He lifted her hair and carefully fastened the clasp, placing one soft kiss on the nape of her neck. He stepped back to check how it looked, and he said the color of the smooth, frosted glass complemented the blue-green of her eyes.

  They returned to the hotel, which was a toasty welcome from the cool autumn air. Upon entering the suite, Hani quickly pulled Serena into a warm embrace and held her tightly in his arms. She laid her head on his chest as he held her and listened to his heart beating strongly in his chest. When he lifted her chin to look into her eyes, she did not resist his passionate kisses that followed.

  He guided her to the bedroom, where they had made love many times before. This time, however, was a little bit different as they kissed with more depth and passion, and Hani thrusted slowly inside her like the waves that washed up on the beach earlier that day. He made love not only to her body but also to her heart and soul, and when she came, he held her trembling in his arms as he released his warm seed inside her. It was more a life-affirming act than any kind of hormonal lust, although their lovemaking was always sublime.

  Later that afternoon, he worked on some paperwork even if it was supposed to be his day off, and Serena sat near him as he worked, not wanting to be far from him at any time. It seemed that they were alwa
ys touching each other in some way. She would stand behind him and rub his shoulders or she would sit beside him and he would rest his hand on her thigh as he explained some of what he was working on. She didn't understand a lot of what he talked about, but she nodded with interest as she listened.

  She left him to have some quiet time to finish his work and make some business calls and went into the bedroom and closed the door so her music wouldn't disturb him, but she still kept the volume low. She texted Maggie and didn't get a reply, so she dialed her number, and it went directly to voice mail. That seemed strange, so she dialed again and finally got an answer.

  “Serena! Oh my God, girl!” Maggie shouted into the phone. “Where have you been? I haven't seen you in forever, and Dee said you were sick today. Are you ok? Do you need anything?” Once Maggie opened her mouth, her words gushed out and you couldn't stop her until she exhausted all that she had to say.

  “Maggie!” Serena shouted back with a laugh. “I'm fine. Just been busy with classes and shit and Hani had the day off, so we hung out and walked on the beach. We ate at that little café; you know the one where that really dorky guy was flirting with me last time? And spilled my coffee because he was staring at my chest? The food was great, and Hani bought me a new necklace on the boardwalk, made with beach glass. Wait til you see it, it's so pretty, and--”

  Maggie cut her off and suggested they get together for some drinks that evening and said they never did that anymore since Serena met Hani. Serena looked toward the door, knowing that Hani was busy but had wanted to spend the whole day together. She wondered if he would mind if she left him for the evening, but she had also grown so attached to him that it was hard to be away from him.

  She asked Maggie to hold for a few minutes while she went to ask Hani if it was ok with him if she and Maggie went out for a bit. He told her that was fine, but he said he had a better idea. He suggested that they all go out for a nice dinner and drinks, his treat, and Maggie could bring a date. Serena wasn't even sure if she was seeing anyone seriously, but if she knew Maggie, she would find someone in a hurry to bring along. Maggie and Serena had both been boy crazy since they were out of diapers, so finding one to bring along to any event was never a hard task.