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Heaven in the Desert Ch. 01

By: PoeticallyPersonified



A/N Hello loves! I've been a bad bad girl, but now, I'm going to be very very good to you. Love is in the air and just in time for vday I am spreading the love and finally sharing the story I have been saying I would share for eons. This is my baby and I really hope you all like it. Enjoy xoxoxo

*****

Ariana Johnson awoke with a stir. Try as she might, her eyes refused to open, her body was heavy with lethargy. She moved her hands around to get some sense of where she was, but all she could feel was something hard pressing against her body.

"Where am I?" Ariana spoke aloud to the room, but received no response. 

As she tried to push herself up into a sitting position she found that something was covering her eyes. It was her hair. 

She pushed the thick mass of her black hair away from her eyes and squinted about the room. Sunlight streamed in from windows around her. 

As her eyes adjusted to the light, she realized that she was lying on her side on the floor of an ornate room. 

The room was bathed in rich burgundy color and gold trimmings. Ariana lay on what appeared to be Persian carpet with a coat of arms that had some kind of dagger encircled by words in Arabic. 

A four poster bed with a canopy stood proudly behind her. There were two dressers on each side of the room with mirrors atop them. To her right there was a small desk with a laptop and door that she assumed led to the bathroom. There was another door to her left and a door immediately in front of her.

As her hazel eyes settled on the door, it immediately opened. Two women dressed in plain hijabs and abayas entered. They were short in stature and speaking to each other frantically in Arabic. They looked to Ariana like housekeepers or ladies maids. 

"Stand up." One of the women said to Ariana in a heavily accented voice. As Ariana struggled to stand to her full height of 5' 9", the woman began to inspect her. 

She looked at and pinched Ariana's stomach, she squeezed and hefted her breasts, she checked Ariana's teeth and lastly she tugged at her jeans, cupping her hips and buttocks.

Ariana wasn't insecure about her body by any means but these women made her uncomfortable. She constantly worked out to keep her lithe frame in shape but remain curvy.

"What size?" The older of the two asked as she stared into Ariana's confused eyes. 

"Eight." Ariana replied. This gained a nod of approval from the woman as the second woman began taking Ariana's measurements.

"You will have to do. Hopefully you do better than the rest." The woman said. When the women made to leave, Ariana stopped them.

"Ma'am, could you tell me where I am?" Ariana asked meekly.

"You are in Omash." The woman answered and made to leave again.

"Omash?" Ariana said as she began to shake violently, "But that is halfway across the world, how did I get out of America, I don't even have a passport. Oh God!" Ariana exclaimed.

She clutched her sides and began to cry as horror stories of women being kidnapped and sold in foreign sex slave trades began to replay in her mind.

She thought to herself how could a young black woman such as she be involved in all this. She knew that even if she was reported missing no one would probably look for her. She didn't come from a rich family and other than her working her way through college her life was unremarkable.

Ariana began to get frantic, the women gave her pitiful look and then quietly left the room. Hearing the sound of the door only increased Ariana's hysterics and she collapsed to the ground. Eventually someone came in and left her a glass of water. The last thing she remembered was crying herself to sleep.

The next day as reality set in she decided to come up with a plan. Ariana was strong and not usually one to give into hysterics and cry. She knew that Omash was close to Africa her home was America. She didn't have any money for a plane ticket so she knew the only way to get back was to earn the money for her freedom. 

The only way that she would be able to earn money was to either gain someone's trust or stash some of the money she earned. 

Maybe I can convince whoever is in charge to allow me to work as a maid? Or befriend whoever is in charge? She thought.

When the two women from the previous day walked into the room, she put on a brave face and smiled at them. 

The oldest woman that talked to her yesterday smiled at her in a motherly way and asked, "Are you feeling better today?"

"Yes." Ariana replied forcing a smile. "What are you names?"

"I am Ghita and this is Kadshah and we will be helping you during your stay here." Ghita said.

Ariana realized that there was no way she could get away from the Omash without gaining the trust of someone, so she decided Gita and Kadshah would be perfect.

"Nice to meet you, I am Ariana." Ariana said with a genuine smile. "Do you know why I was brought here?"

"My dear we cannot answer any of your questions. I am sorry." Ghita said as Kadshah nodded sadly.

"It will be fine. Omash is a beautiful land, you will see." Ghita said patting Ariana on the shoulder.

The women then ushered Ariana out of the room and escorted her down the hallway. As they walked Ariana took in her surroundings. 

She realized she was in a beautiful palace, whoever owned it must be exceedingly rich she thought. 

Pink sand and a vast body of water surrounded and open bridge way on one side while many more dome structures could be seen off to her left. 

On the beach she noticed a boat that looked vaguely familiar to her but she couldn't for the life of her understand why. The last thing that she remembered was studying for her last final exam in the library. 

This was her senior year in college and she wanted to finish strong. She remembered grabbing a cup of coffee from the library Starbucks before heading to her exam and then nothing. She couldn't remember if she took her philosophy final or even if she reached home afterwards.

As they walked the corridors, Ghita prattled on about how the palace had been in the Al Said Aaban family for years. She would occasional point out bedrooms, prayer rooms, bathrooms, an office and libraries as they passed by wooden doors. So far Ariana had counted twelve doors. 

As Ariana took in the beautiful mosaic tiles that made up the walkways, she soon smelled the delicious scents of foods emanating from the kitchen.

"Where exactly are you taking me?" Ariana asked slightly rubbing her stomach.

"To the kitchen where you will meet the headmistress." Ghita said matter of factly. Ariana instantly got worried. She knew next to nothing about Arabic culture, especially the proper way to greet royalty and she assumed from the palace that she would definitely be meeting royalty.

As she entered the room, she saw a sweet older woman of around 75 sitting at dining table with a cane nearby. She smiled at her as Kadshah and Ghita pushed her in that direction.

"I am Ghaniyah." The woman said and extended her hand. Ariana took it and bowed over it. The woman chuckled and told her to rise.

Ghita placed a steaming plate of food in front of Ariana and her stomach gave an involuntary growl. Ariana had no clue what was in front of her but she decided to try it since it smelled so heavenly. She could make out the green of vegetables and peppers but that was about it.

As she consumed the delicious meal, Ghaniyah told her more about her family dynasty.

"For centuries the rulers of Omash have been chosen from my family. We live in an absolute monarchy. When the ruler is too old to rule, he chooses a successor. Our family council also chooses a successor and if agreement cannot be reached whoever was chosen by the previous ruler becomes the successor." Ghaniyah said in a motherly tone.

"But where do I fit into all of this. I have a family back home, they will worry about where I am." Ariana pleaded.

"Forgive me for speaking so harshly dear but no one will miss you." Ghaniyah said with a smile.

Ouch. For a lady that looks so grandmotherly she can sure say some mean things. Ariana thought.

"You were specifically chosen because of your looks, your fertility, your intellect and your social interactions. We know that you have 3 other siblings, all of which you are rarely in contact with. We know that you are very close to your mother but recently you have become estranged. We know that you live with a roommate and that you sometimes take care of her cat Louie. We know that you have had 2 boyfriends in your entire life, slept with none, that you are 22 years old and that twins run in your family." Ghaniyah said reading from a file. 

"Do you know what my bra size is too?" Ariana said sarcastically with a scoff.

"40 D." Ghaniyah said matter of factly causing Ariana to slightly choke on her food.

"How do you know so much about my life?" Ariana asked rubbing her hands uncomfortably.

"That is simple. We have been following you for weeks. All of you were handpicked. We couldn't just pick anyone off of the street, we had to pick women with specific traits to carry on our family lineage." Ghaniyah said.

"I understand that you can easily find my age and maybe even that I don't speak to my family often. But how do you know that I am virgin and that twins run in my family?" Ariana asked perplexed.

"Doctors records." Ghaniyah said shortly.

"But why am I here? Why is the fact that twins run in my family important?" Ariana asked afraid of the answer.

"Aaah that is simple, you are here to give me grandchildren." Ghaniyah said smiling at the thought.

"So wait, you're not trying to sell me into the sex trade?" Ariana said with confusion.

"Goodness no! You American's and your tv and poor ideas about Arabic countries. No! You are here to become the bride of my son and give him heirs." Ghaniyah said taking a sip of ginger tea.

"My son is the sultan of Omash and in order to continue our family lineage we need you to bear his young." Ghaniyah said with a hopeful smile.

"Aren't there any Omash women who would love to have his children? Why me, I'm just an American girl with an unremarkable background." Ariana said.

"There are thousands of Omash women who would love to bear his young but he will not have them. We have tried to catch his interest with hundreds of girls but all in vain. It seems that he has an affinity for African girls. He also likes women who are strong and independent." Ghaniyah said looking up at Ariana.

"Hmmph." Ariana said as she pouted and folded her arms. She didn't like feeling controlled and out matched and right now she felt as if she had no options to escape.

"Look Ariana you are a beautiful and intelligent girl, I'm sure by now you have done the math. My son is a very rich man and if you are chosen you will be well taken care of. All I want is beautiful healthy grandchildren. If chosen, you will wed shortly after and begin mating." Ghaniyah said in a no nonsense tone.

"Excuse me if I'm not comfortable with being uprooted from life and becoming someone's broodmare." Ariana said standing up angrily.

Ghita and Kadshah cringed at her display of anger toward their headmistress. Ghaniyah just smiled.

"You're fiery passion will suit my son well in the bedroom and in life." Ghaniyah said.

In response Ariana sat back down in her chair and slouched.

"Don't slouch it is very unladylike." Ghaniyah said with a smile, once again sipping her tea.

"So what happens if I am not chosen?" Ariana said with hope.

"Then you will be dropped off with your family and this will all be a vague dream. No one would believe you if you told them this anyway." Ghaniyah said not liking the hope in Ariana's eyes.

"But I would not count on it. Once my brother catches sight of you, he will be rushing you off to give me nieces and nephews. Omi (Mother)!" a man said entering the room and hugging Ghaniyah.

"Haaziq!" Ghaniyah said.

Ariana looked at the handsome man entering the room and couldn't help but stare. He looked very similar to Alexander Uloom. He was slightly taller however and his eyes were a penetrating black instead of a warm brown.

Ariana had to admit that if his brother looked anything like him, he may be worth staying around a few days just to check out.

As the two embraced and hugged, Ariana ended the motherly display of affection with a question. "If your other son has no heirs, home come Mr. Haaziq cannot take over the throne?"

"I am too old to rule and have no desire. I am a happily married businessman that enjoys my travels and my wife." Haaziq said.

Ariana slumped hearing this, she realized that she there was no immediate way out.

Turning to her Ghaniyah said, "Lucky for us my son is away on business and will not return for two and a half weeks' time. This will give us plenty of time to get you prepared for your first meeting with him and acquainted with our customs." 

"Why teach me all of this stuff now? He may come home and immediately dismiss me." Ariana said grasping at straws.

Stopping as he walked away, Haaziq turned to her with a grin and said, "Oh no he won't I know my brother, and he would never be able to dismiss you without at least sampling your...wares."

It was looking more and more like Ariana would not be able to get out of this situation. It looked to her like Haaziq and Ghaniyah were handing the sultan's perfect match over on a platter. He would be a fool not to take her. 

"Think Ariana. Think." Ariana thought as she bit her lip in concentration.

Ariana knew that during these two and a half weeks she would have to come up with a plan to make the sultan dislike her and find a way to leave. 

"What is the sultan's name?" Ariana asked a mysterious glint in her eye, beginning to form a plan.

"Aaryan." Ghaniyah replied. "Now that you are full it is time for your lessons to begin. A good Omash woman knows how to take care of her husband. You are here to serve his needs. Your first lesson will be in the kitchen." 

Ghaniyah shepherded Ariana to an industrial size kitchen. Ariana knew how to cook American food and a few Italian and Mexican dishes so it was safe to say she knew her way around a kitchen. 

She had never had the privilege of preparing a meal in such a grand kitchen before. There were eight utensils and five different pots designated for each part of the dish and everything was of the highest quality.

"Must be nice to be a sultan." Ariana thought to herself.

"The first thing that I will teach you to prepare is tea and coffee. Hot beverages are very important in our culture so knowing how to make these are essential. Now, to make the tea, you want to first bring your tea bags and water to a boil." Ghaniyah instructed.

"That should be simple enough." Ariana said turning the burner to high and placing a pot of water on the burner. 

"As we are waiting on that, you can prepare 1 tbsp of ginger and 3 tbsp of sugar. My son has a bit of a sweet tooth so add 4 tbsp instead of 3." Ghaniyah said.

Ariana did as was told.

"Now that the water is boiling you want to slowly add a can of evaporated milk and the sugar and bring it to a boil again." Ghaniyah advised.

Personally Ariana liked adding evaporated milk to her tea and cocoa but she never boiled it in, she smiled at learning something new.

"And now you are done. Pour this into the tea service and let's start the coffee." Ghaniyah said with a smile as her face hovered over the tea pot.

"But what about the ginger?" Ariana asked.

"Aah that is for me." Ghaniyah said and placed the ginger in her tea cup.

After two more hours of preparing meals Ariana was exhausted. The sun was beginning to set and she was in desperate need of a nap.

"Before I let you go, I would like to introduce you to two people who will be with you everywhere you go." Ghaniyah said with a serious face.

"This is Rafiq and Rakhshan. Think of them as your personal guard. Wherever you go, they go and if you need anything, all you have to do is ask them." Ghaniyah began.

"Hello." Ariana said with a nod of her head. She didn't know much about Arabic culture but she thought it would be inappropriate to shake hands with these two men.

Rafiq and Rakhshan looked like brothers. Both were dangerously handsome. Rakhshan was the more handsome and more dangerous looking of the two. Rafiq looked more kind and approachable.

"Tomorrow they will take you shopping for more suitable clothes." Ghaniyah said looking at Ariana's clothes in disapproval. "If my son keeps you as I anticipates he will, you will need clothes to wear around guests."

"They have been instructed on the places to take you and to keep a close eye on you. Do no disrespect this kindness by trying to run, are we understood?" Ghaniyah said in a no nonsense tone.

"Yes, Mrs. Ghaniyah." Ariana said like a chastised child throwing one of her escape plans out the window.

"Call me Ghani dear, at least for now. Now run along and get some rest." Ghani said patting Ariana's shoulder as she got up to leave.

Rafiq and Rakhshan escorted her to her room. 

"We will be waiting outside, when you awake." Rafiq said. 

Not missing the veiled threat, Ariana entered her room and laid down. Before she could count to 30 she had fallen asleep.

When she awoke she decided to shower. A clock on a nearby wall told her that it was 10:45pm. 

As she stepped into the bathroom she couldn't help but gasp. The bathroom was bigger than the size of her dorm room apartment. Immediately when she walked in she noticed a sunken tub with massaging jets. A quick glance showed her it had 8 settings and a button to adjust the heat. 

To her left there was his and her sinks with what looked like a gold faucet and pearly marble countertops. In the back of the room was a bedau and off in the corner was a glass encased shower that looked like it could fit 4 people. The same coat of arms was displayed on the shower tile. 

She found towels and wash cloths resting atop the counter along with her favorite bath soaps and salts for the tub.

"They really have done their research." Ariana said as she fingered a bottle of Moonlight Path from Bath and Body Works. 

Deciding that a bath would just put her to sleep, she headed over to the shower and got in. After 15 minutes she got out feeling very refreshed. 

As she stood outside of the shower in her towel, she bit her lip and realized that she had a dilemma. She had no clothes. She went outside hoping to find a way contact help when to her relief she saw Kadshah.

"My lady, we have fresh clothes for you to wear." Kadshah said meekly.

Ariana stared at the closet full of clothes in bewilderment. "How did you get so many clothes in my size?"

"Our seamstresses have been at work since I took your measurements earlier." Kadshah said.

"Can you help me with this?" Ariana said pointing toward an embroidered maxi dress and hijab.

After helping her put on the clothes, Ariana said her thanks and walked out the door. She was immediately greeted by Rafiq and Rakhshan.

Ariana was a major night owl so she decided to go to the library and read until she was tired. Most of the books were in Arabic so she could not read them. The few one's that she found that were in English, were books on business. 

After 2 hours of econ, Ariana traipsed off to bed. She wanted to be well rested for her shopping trip the next day.

*******

Thank you for reading! 

Heaven in the Desert Ch. 02



A/N: Hello loves! How are you? I hope you are all well and enjoying the warmth of spring as I am. Thank you for all the wonderful feedback. I read every comment and every email and take everything you say into consideration. I love to hear from you and the best way to send me anything is definitely via email, so keep it coming. Now...Some people have expressed concern over the accuracy of Heaven and the Arabic culture. Heaven is in no way shape or form based on one specific culture. It is not a portrayal of Islam, Muslims, Egypt, or anything of the sort. Heaven is my brainchild that pulls from Middle Eastern themes that are not limited to the ones I have mentioned. With that being said, happy reading! 

*****

The next day Ghita and Kadshah woke Ariana up at 10am. Instead of donning a dress as before, they instructed her to wear a burqa. 

Dressed in her white burqa, Ariana left the palace. 

The market place was a bustle of activity but it was unlike anything that Ariana had ever seen before. 

All around her, Ariana's senses were stimulated. There was tea, and incense and food and spices. There were also many beautiful silks, pieces of pottery and art. It was like something out of good video game or movie. 

There were tons of people milling about haggling, perusing and selling their wares.

Children ran and played, men walked through with camels and other animals and women shared a laugh together at the fountain as they ate a delicious treat.

Ariana also saw a few young children walking with dogs that Kadshah identified as Salukis. 

Everything was so beautiful and peaceful.

Ariana had the strong urge to buy some art, but then she realized she had nowhere to put it. She didn't plan on staying her, so why redecorate?

As she entered deeper into the market place surrounded by her bodyguards and flanked by Kadshah, Ghita led her to a back corner. 

Pushing open a modest looking door, Ariana entered into what appeared to be a clothing shop. 

"We have been expecting you." Said the shop owner. 

Although many women in Omash wore traditional Arabic clothing, it was not expressly dictated. Ghita explained to Ariana before the shopping trip that it was ok to wear some American style clothing but that Ariana should try to keep most of her skin covered.

Keeping that in mind, Ariana picked out long dresses and robes in her favorite colors. Unlike American dresses however, these dresses had beautiful embroidery and art where cleavage and skin would normally show.

Ariana was in awe of how much work went into the clothing. 

Since her plan was to only remain in Omash for a short time, Ariana only picked out a week's worth of clothes. 

"It will be nice to have some beautiful momentos." She thought. 

She also picked out a few pairs of sandals to go with each dress. 

After an hour of shopping she was ready to go back to the palace. 

When Ariana arrived back at the palace, Ghita escorted her to the kitchen for more lessons with Ghaniyah.

Just as the day before Ghani taught Ariana how to prepare traditional Arabic dishes late into the evening.

**********

A week and a half later.

Most of Ariana's days were spent with Ghani learning how to cook and be a proper housewife. Although the palace had chef's, Ghaniyah thought it was important Ariana learn to cook from her, how to make her son's favorite dishes.

Although this kept her very busy, in Ariana's down time she was very lonely and homesick.

Kadshah would come and keep her company for a few hours and for that she was grateful but most of the time she was left to her own devices.

"You should be happy." Kadshah said to her one day, "You have survived longer than most."

"That is only because your master has not yet returned and dismissed me." Ariana said as the continued cutting vegetables for a stew.

"I am very excited about your progress." Ghani said to Ariana with a smile.

Although Ghani was very strict with her, Ariana couldn't help but like the woman. Ghani was direct but caring, intelligent but reserved, and very very astute.

Earning her favor was beginning to be a goal for Ariana.

"Thank you, Ghani, you are a great teacher." Ariana said with a genuine smile. 

Although she would never admit it, Ariana loved the attention and appraisal from Ghani. Ghani was very right when she said that she and her mother were estranged and Ariana craved motherly attention.

"Ghita and Kadshah have told me how you have been these past few days. Moping around the palace with your sad looks." Ghani said with disapproval.

Instead of answering, Ariana looked away sadly.

"Because you have been a good girl, I decided to get you a present." Ghani said with her eyes alight. 

Unless the present was a one way ticket back to America, Ariana didn't see how this was going to cheer her up.

"It is waiting for you in your room. Please go and enjoy the weekend off of lessons. I will be back on Monday to introduce you to your new instructor. She will teach you the art of seduction." Ghani said and then left the room.

As Ariana left the kitchen accompanied by her shadows, Rafiq and Rakshan, she couldn't help but wonder what would be in store for her in her bedroom. 

A million dollars? What would she do with that? Diamonds and Rubies? Again, what would she do with that?

When she opened the door she gasped in surprise at what was sitting on her bed. On her bed were boxes of her things from her apartment. Granted it wasn't a ticket back to America, but these few things made her feel at home.

In the boxes was her book of poetry, a bracelet her brothers had gotten her for her birthday, the last photo she had taken with her family, her favorite university hoodie, a few books, some clothes from her closet and a few pairs of shoes.

Ariana was ecstatic and touched that Ghani had went to the trouble of getting her things for her. She started packing her things away and proudly displaying them about the room.

She was full of happiness until she came across the picture of her family. She wondered if they were looking for her. 

Remembering that there was a laptop in the corner, she decided to see if it was connected to the internet.

Why hadn't I thought of this sooner? If this laptop can get on the internet, I can get a message to my family and they can get me the hell out of here! Ariana thought.

As Ariana powered only the laptop she cross her fingers and stared at the computer hopefully.

"Come on, come on, please don't have a log in password." Ariana said aloud.

"Rats." Ariana said as the password protected screen came up. Ariana sat in front of the computer pondering her next move. 

Maybe if she asked nicely someone would give it to her? Or maybe there was another laptop in the palace that wasn't protected? The library perhaps.

She opened her door and let out a sigh of relief that her shadows were nowhere to be found.

She slowly crept down the hall toward the library door, checking each corridor before she carefully ran across. 

She could hear the voices of the servants further down the hall eating dinner in the kitchen. Aside from her shadows, and Ghita and Kadshah she had been kept away from most of the house staff. 

As she turned down the last corridor and headed to the library she sighed in relief. She had made it.

"Going somewhere?" a deep voice said from behind her.

"Aaah." Ariana gasped as she turned around quickly and fell to the carpet.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack Rakshan?" Ariana said standing up and rubbing her sore bottom.

Rakshan just chuckled and took a bite of his apple.

"Where were you headed?" Rakshan asked.

"To the library. I..." Ariana began and came up short. 

"You what?" Rakshan asked in genuine concern.

Ariana wondered if she should tell him she was trying to gain access to a computer or just lie. She really hated lying to people, but she thought if she told Rakshan the truth, he wouldn't give her what she wanted.

She decided to go with a partial truth instead.

"I was trying to find a computer I could use. I wanted to check my grades for last semester, they should be in by now."

Rakshan gave her a skeptical look, then started to laugh.

"What's so funny?" Ariana was perplexed because this was the most she had seen Rakshan smile since her visit.

"You are a sly trickster, the master would be a fool to underestimate you. Come with me there is a computer in your room." Rakshan said.

When they arrived back in Ariana's room, he signed her into the computer and stood close by.

He didn't give Ariana the password so there was no way she could sign in without him and he was close enough that he could see what she was doing.

Keeping up her ruse, Ariana decided to check her school website for her grades. While waiting on that to load, she also checked her school email and her social media page. 

Her school email didn't contain anything important so she deleted most of what was there.

She had a few messages on her social media page, friends asking if she wanted to get together for drinks or a movie. 

She thought that was very strange. She had to have been gone for nearly two weeks and yet no one was looking for her.

"Rakshan, can I ask you something?" Ariana said over her shoulder.

"Speak." Rakshan said in his heavy accent.

"Did you guys by any chance leave a note saying I would be leaving for a while?" Ariana asked.

"No ma'am." Rakshan said.

Ariana was hurt, why wasn't anyone looking for her? She knew that at times she could be a loner but she thought at least one person would notice her absence. 

And then she remembered. All semester long she had been gushing about taking a trip. Her friends probably assumed that she had went away to Italy like she wanted.

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid. You played right into their hands, Ariana thought. Her trip plans fit in well with what Ghani said about no one looking for her. 

Clicking off of her social media page she noticed that her grades were up. She finished the semester with a 3.8. 

Fist Pump! She thought to herself and she smiled.

"Congratulations miss." Rakshan said.

"Thanks Rakshan." Ariana said with a smile. If she passed all of her classes then she must have taken all of her finals. Since her last final was in the afternoon it only stood to reason that she had been taken after it. Probably once she had gotten home? Darn if she couldn't remember.

Closing down the laptop she decided to curl up and read a romance novel from one of the boxes. Rakshan took that as his cue to leave.

After five chapters of the sappy novel, she put the book down and went to sleep.

******************

On Monday morning, Ghita escorted her to another side of the palace she had never been in before. 

Walking through two big mahogany doors, Ariana looked around in surprise as she stepped into a grand ballroom.

Oak flooring covered the length of the ballroom. Beautiful artwork of what must have been the Aaban family covered the walls. 

As she looked above her she noticed that light entered the room through beautiful mosaic tiles. 

As she continued taking in her surroundings, Ghita approached her with a woman that was dressed in dance gear. 

"Ariana, this is Dania, she will be your instructor." Ghita said.

"Hello." Ariana said as Ghita left the room.

"I will be teaching you Raqs shargqi, westerners call it the belly dance." Dania said.

"I'm pretty sure I know how to dance." Ariana said smugly. She had taken a few pole dancing classes to get in shape so she was sure she could roll her hips.

"Raqs sharqui is not what you westerners see, it's more than that. Dancing is an art, you must entrance and arouse your audience, but still keep your secrets." Dania said as she began to dance slowly.

Ariana had to admit that her moves were captivating. 

"People spend many years trying to master this craft. It will be difficult." Dania said.

"I'm eager to learn." Ariana said getting into position.

"Let's start the music." Dania said.

******************

After another four hour practice with Dania, Ariana was worn out. She had been practicing daily with the woman. 

She missed the days when belly dancing was cute and not a lot of hard work. Her hips were constantly sore. The only good thing about learning the dance was it kept her abs tight and was a great workout.

After taking a shower she decided to cook herself something to eat. She dressed in her hoodie and some short shorts.

As she stirred over the pot, she mulled over what she would do. The sultan was due to return in less than a week's time and she still had no clue of how to get him to dismiss her.

She chopped up some beef for the stew as she sang her favorite song, her mind was scattered.

Meanwhile outside of the palace...

A Black Mercedes pulled into the drive and a tall elegantly dressed man stepped out.

"Aaryan sir, we were not expecting you for a few days." A servant said as he rushed to greet his master.

"I missed my homeland, Bashir." Aaryan said with a tired smile. He noticed the startled look in Bashir's eyes and a few other servants as the hustled about at his impromptu arrival.

"Strange." Aaryan thought. They seemed unusually tense. 

"Please send Rakshan to my office." Aaryan said as he went to get a bite to eat from the kitchen.

All of the servants that saw Aaryan on his walk to the kitchen quickly darted away from him.

He was beginning to suspect that maybe he smelled. Sniffing himself he realized that couldn't be and that something else was a foot.

Nearing the kitchen he saw Rafiq standing closely by the door.

"Rafiq old friend." Aaryan said with a genuine smile as he embraced Rafiq.

"Sir." Rafiq said as he went rigid.

"Is anyone going to tell me what's going on?" Aaryan said as he stepped back and looked at his friend.

Rafiq appeared as if he wanted to be anywhere but where he was at the moment.

After staring at him in bewilderment, Aaryan decided to go into the kitchen.

A heavenly scent was drawing him in. He smelled that someone was cooking, but he also smelled a lighter scent.

Is there a woman here? Aaryan thought to himself.

He stepped into the kitchen and his breath caught. There is a woman! He thought.

Standing in front of the stove, unaware of his presence was a beautiful African American girl. She was singing as she slowly stirred the contents of a pot. 

She was dressed like any college coed but on her the outfit was very provocative. Bare feet with her hair loose and flowing down her back, wearing what appeared to only be a hooded sweatshirt.

Now this is a welcome home I can get used to. Aaryan thought as he took off his jacket and looked the woman up and down.

Aaryan could have groaned. Her lightly tanned caramel skin was just his type. 

He could already imagine her soft hands massaging every ache from his sore muscles.

But what was she doing here? Aaryan wondered. Was someone playing a trick on him?

"Hello." He said in a deep booming voice. The girl jumped and dropped the stirring spoon in the pot.

Darn it Ariana. Stop jumping every time a man talks to you. Ariana internally chastised herself as she tried to remove the spoon.

"Hi." Ariana said as she turned and then gaped. In front of her was the most handsome man she had ever seen. He looked like he had just stepped off the runway.

Dressed to the nines in an impeccably tailored black suit, the handsome adonis stood before her. He had warm brown eyes like Ghita's, and long black hair that peaked out from under a shora. He was tall, at least 6' 2" and when he smiled as he was doing now you could see pearly white even teeth. 

He looked like Omar Borkan Al Gala but better. 

This man was sex, Ariana could bet he had women fawning over him everywhere he went.

He was an orgasm just waiting to happen. Ariana's nipples puckered as delicious thoughts ran through her mind.

Stop it she chastised herself as she blushed and looked away from the man. 

"And you are?" Aaryan said. 

"I'm Ariana." Ariana said, trying once again to fish the fallen spoon out of her stew.

"This smells heavenly, Ariana." Aaryan said stepping closer and taking a whiff of the stew and her scent.

Ariana could have groaned. He smells divine, she thought as he moved closer to her. His scent was so masculine and dominant, she had to force herself not to move closer.

"Here let me help you with that," he said reaching close to her bottom. Before she could get startled and move away he had opened the drawer and retrieved a longer spoon.

He then used the spoon to remove the one from her stew.

"See all better." Aaryan said still invading her personal space.

My brother must have brought her here as a present after my long trip. I will have to thank him when I am finished. Aaryan thought.

"Ariana, what are you doing here, if I may ask?" Aaryan said looking directly into her eyes.

Ariana thought she would melt, "Well I..."she stuttered.

"You..." Aaryan said putting two warm hands on her shoulders and beginning a light caress.

"I.." Ariana said, completely enraptured by his spell, biting her lip and staring into his eyes.

Before she could even blink she was fully encircled in Aaryan's arms and his lips were descending toward hers. The spoon was once again forgotten and had fallen back into the pot.

In the back of her mind she thought, I don't even know who he is? Do I even care?

Somehow his touch just felt so right. Instead of scaring her like a man's touch usually did, it felt dominant but protective. She felt safe.

The first touch of their lips sent a line of fire coursing through them both. 

Ariana moaned and moved closer, as Aaryan gripped her sweatshirt tighter.

Feeling bold, she pushed her tongue in between his lips and dueled with his tongue.

I just have to have a taste of him, she thought as she gripped his shirt.

Ariana could feel Aaryan's arousal pressing into her strong and hard, the feeling thrilled and terrified her at the same time. 

She did not want to stop kissing him, but she refused to get carried away with this stranger.

She lightly pulled back from his embrace and he let her go. 

Stupid, stupid girl. What are you doing? Focus! How is this going to help you get out of here? She thought.

Outwardly she coughed and tucked a strand of hair nervously behind her ear as she bit her reddened lips. 

"I seem to have lost the spoon once again." She said with a chuckle.

Ugh, what is wrong with me! One kiss and I'm already giggling like a school girl.

Aaryan reached around and got the spoon once again. His thoughts were in turmoil. Although she responded to his passion it was clear that she was not some experienced courtesan. 

"Ariana, why are you here?" Aaryan asked running a hand through his hair. 

"Well I am..." Ariana began.

"She's a new maid." Ghani said entering the room.

"She's a harem girl." Haaziq said at the same time.

Gaining a quizzical look from Aaryan, Haaziq said with a smile, "She's a harem girl that doubles as a maid."

His words effectively doused the tension between Aaryan and Ariana and sparked a different flame.

"Now you listen here Mr. Haaziq," Ariana said angrily stepping around Aaryan. "I do not take kindly to being called a prostitute. It's bad enough you have me here to..."

"Ariana!" Ghani cut her off, "What are you wearing child?" 

Ariana looked down at her state of dress and turned scarlet. Although she hated being chastised, she knew she was wrong for wearing something so revealing. 

"I'm sorry Ms. Ghani, I thought there were not any men in the palace. I was only preparing myself dinner when Mr...?" Ariana stopped and looked at Aaryan questioningly.

"Razam." Aaryan supplied looking at his mother and brother directly in the eyes.




Heaven in the Desert Ch. 02



"Right, Mr. Razam entered." Ariana finished.

"You should go and change, come back when you are properly dressed." Ghani said with disapproval.

Ariana bowed her head and quickly left to do as she was told. 

When Ariana was out of earshot, Aaryan turned toward his family. He was beginning to put two and two together. He now guessed that Ariana was not a present but another ploy from his family. 

My mother must be pretty desperate if she brought one all the way to the palace, Aaryan thought.

"More of your scheming to see me married off?" Aaryan said in a bored tone. Ghani looked away innocently.

"You must admit brother, she is a very attractive female." Haaziq said with a grin. "Attractive, passionate, intelligent..." 

"Did you see the way she stood up to your brother, you will never be bored with her." Ghani chimed in approvingly.

"What makes her so different from the others?" Aaryan said dismissively. He did not like being cornered, even if the girl was beautiful, he could make his own choices.

"You can't say that you are not the least bit intrigued by her?" Haaziq said puffing his chest out.

"How can I be, I have only spent mere seconds in the girls company." Aaryan said turning away from them.

"Fine then, I will make her one of my harem girls. A virgin of her beauty will suit me." Haaziq said. Ghani looked at him skeptically.

"Haaziq, you don't have a harem and you love your wife." Aaryan said.

"I could start one with her." Haaziq challenged. 

Aaryan knew that his brother would do just that to force his hand. 

"No." Aaryan said turning back. "I will have dinner with her and decide if she stays here. If she is dismissed she is to go back home untouched. Understood?"

"Yes, brother." Haaziq said with a smile as his brother played right into his hands. 

Aaryan wiped his hand down his tie, confused about why he felt possessive. Then he thought with a smile, "She is here for me, I have every right to be possessive."

Haaziq knew that Ariana had left an impression on his brother. He had only thrown out the proposition of her being a harem girl to see his brother's reaction. 

"No one is to tell her who I am. Make sure all of the servants know." Aaryan said.

Ghani and Haaziq nodded their agreement as they left to do his bidding.

So the hellcat is a virgin. Aaryan thought with a grin.

He should have known. There was no way that his mother would bring a woman to his palace who was not. 

********

15 minutes later, dressed in a fashionable light brown blouse tucked in a tan cotton pants¬¬¬, Ariana arrived back downstairs. 

While in her room she had given herself a pep talk. Although she could admit there was sexual chemistry between herself and Razam, she had to focus on the task at hand.

If she could gain Razam's trust, she thought that maybe he could help her escape the sultan. If she could not escape, Razam could be a better alternative than marrying the sultan. 

When she entered into the drawing room, she was surprised to only see Aaryan sitting at the table.

Seeing the look on her face, Aaryan asked, "Is there something wrong?"

"No, it's just...I wanted to thank your mother for her generosity. Ah well guess it will have to wait." Ariana said.

"Would you like some?" She said gesturing toward the pot of stew.

"Indeed." He answered, looking at her with a contemplative look.

She scooped out a bowl of stew for herself and Aaryan and sat two seats down from him. She was grateful that she and Aaryan were not completely alone. Kadshah and Rafiq were both standing over in the corner.

"Why are you sitting so far away?" Aaryan asked with his most charming smile. "I do not bite."

For some reason all Ariana could think about was him biting. Her nipples, her neck, her thighs...

"I thought it would be improper." Ariana said instead.

"Come sit here." Aaryan said pointing to the seat immediately at his right. "There is no one else coming to join us."

As the silence grew between them, so did the sexual tension.

Their legs were very close and Ariana could feel the heat radiating off of Aaryan's thigh through her pants.

She bit her lip as she thought of all the delicious sensations he stirred in her in the kitchen.

Trying to douse the tension, Ariana decided to strike up a conversation.

"So Mr. Razam, are you another brother of the sultan?" Ariana asked.

"Yes, we are very close" Aaryan said taking a bite of stew. 

Perfect, Ariana thought with a smile.

He smiled approvingly at the taste and asked, "Do you have any siblings?"

"Yes I have three brothers, but sadly we are not very close. I guess we all grew apart when we went away for college and started are own lives." Ariana said.

"That's unfortunate." Aaryan said with a face of genuine concern. "Would you be closer to them if you could?"

"Of course, family means the world to me. I want to have a big family one day." Ariana said with a smile. "Are you in business like your other brothers?" 

"Yes, I own a few businesses. In fact, while I'm in town, I'll take you to a few of them. We can go sometime this week." Aaryan said.

"I would love that very much." Ariana said loving the chance to see more of Omash. "Will you be in town long?"

"I'm not sure yet. I may have a few business deals coming up that will take me away again." Aaryan said.

"So tell me more about yourself?" Aaryan asked giving Ariana a dazzling smile. "I want to know more about my brother's future wife."

"Oh, I don't plan on marrying your brother." Ariana said matter of factly and heard Rafiq clear his throat.

"Why not?" Aaryan asked. "He is a rich man you know. He could give you everything you could dream of and more."

"With all due respect Mr. Razam money isn't everything." Ariana said blowing off her stew. "Marriage is a serious commitment and the man I marry must have certain qualities."

"Really? What qualities are that?" Aaryan asked curiously. Amused by her innocence.

"Well for starters he must be loyal. I will not share my husband with a mistress or another wife." Ariana said.

"It's common practice for a sultan to have both. What makes you think your marriage will be different?" Aaryan asked.

"I'm very sure that I can keep my husband's attention. He will have no need for mistresses and other wives." Ariana said confidently with a smirk.

"What if he wants more wives to bear more children?" Aaryan asked with a glint in his eye. 

I've cornered her now, he thought.

"I will bear all of his children and keep giving him children until he says enough." Ariana said raising a challenging brow, daring Aaryan to say something else.

She didn't really want to have a lot of children, but she refused to let Aaryan best her. He was beginning to get under her skin in more ways than one.

"Very well, what other qualities should your husband have?" Aaryan asked.

"He must be honest and kind. He should definitely be understanding." Ariana said.

"Are you talking about a husband or a lap dog?" Aaryan said with a chuckle.

"Very funny Mr. Razam." Ariana said with a smile.

"Please continue." Aaryan said and gestured with his hand.

"Well, I would like it if my husband was passionate, handsome of course and confident without being arrogant." Ariana said.

Check, Check and Check. Aaryan thought with a smile.

Ariana was definitely a hopeless romantic at heart. Either that or the sappy romance novels were getting to her.

"And most importantly, I would like it if..." Ariana began but abruptly cut off.

"If what Ariana?" Aaryan said.

"He was a protector." Ariana finished with a vulnerable look in her eyes.

Before Aaryan could address it, the look had vanished from Ariana's face and an unreadable mask was once again in its place.

"You have a long list of qualities you want in a husband." Aaryan said.

Instead of responding, Ariana laughed in his face.

"What's so funny?" Aaryan asked with a perplexed expression.

"Nothing it's just, this is sounding like a date." Ariana said with a grin.

"Somehow I get the expression that it would be much harder to get you on a date then this." Aaryan said with a smile. Again Ariana laughed.

"Are you hard to get?" Aaryan asked.

"I can be...elusive." Ariana answered with a chuckle. "I rarely dated back in the states." 

Thinking about the states made her a little homesick and she took a spoonful of her stew to cover up her sadness. 

Focus on the plan Ariana, she told herself.

"What about you?" Ariana turned to Aaryan and asked. "I couldn't help but notice that you are easy on the eyes. You must have women knocking down your door and falling at your feet."

"I do, but just like in business, I make my choices carefully and wisely." Aaryan said taking a sip of water.

"So, in other words, you are picky?" Ariana said with a laugh.

"Indeed, I am. I think it has worked out to my benefit so far." Aaryan said confidently.

"Indeed it has." Ariana said as she sipped her juice.

"So tell me more about your life back in the states, what did you do?" Aaryan asked curiously. 

"Well, I just finished my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. I worked my way through college as a waitress at a pizzeria, and a coffee shop. Both were not too far away from campus. I had a roommate named Jessica and we lived in a modest apartment with her cat Louie." Ariana began.

"Which university? And what did you want to do with your degree?" Aaryan questioned.

"Jordana University and I want to DO research in any area that will help improve people's quality of life." Ariana finished.

"That is noble." Aaryan said with a contemplative look. It was very clear that Ariana had a lot of different sides to her.

Continuing Ariana said, "Ideally I want to do research in pharmaceuticals, specifically medications that can help with pain relief and aid cell regeneration."

"Hmmm, that's very specific." Aaryan said. "What made you choose those of all things?"

"Well my father, started my interest in science, I was very close to him when I was younger and that was his passion. He passed away before I reached my teens. I think it would be nice to do something that can help people with degenerative diseases in his honor." Ariana said staring off, spoon forgotten in her hand.

"I'm sorry to hear that your father passed." Aaryan said genuinely.

"Yes." Ariana said with a polite smile that did not reach her eyes.

"Please, enjoy your meal." He said standing abruptly. "Rafiq!"

"Yes, sir." Rafiq said.

"Have Rakshan meet me in my brother's office." Aaryan said.

"Yes, sir." Rafiq said as he stepped outside to call his brother.

Ariana was a little sad at the loss of Aaryan's presence. She wondered if she had done something wrong to make him leave so abruptly.

Maybe she had bored him will all her romantic notions she thought.

"Kadshah, come sit with me." Ariana said as Rafiq stepped back into the room.

"But milady, it isn't proper for servants to sit at the dinner table with guests." Kadshah said frantically.

"I won't tell if you won't." Ariana said. "And you won't tell on us either Rafiq, will you?" Ariana said pleadingly.

"No ma'am I won't." Raifiq said with a smile.

"Good and I'll be sure to leave you a bowl of stew." Ariana said with a wink.

*****************

Meanwhile in Aaryan's office.

"You can't tell me that she hasn't gotten under your skin."Haaziq said sitting in a chair in front of his brother's desk. 

Rakshan entered and stood near the door.

"What makes you think she has?" Aaryan said facing a window that overlooked the beach. The moonlight shining over the breaking waters illuminated his brooding face.

"Look at you now, standing over there." Haaziq said with a smile. "Tell me what bothers your more brother. The fact that you will have to wait or the fact that you have met your match?"

"What makes you think I have met my match?" Aaryan said facing his brother and quirking his brow.

"She will not be some meek girl easy to conquer. Spend some more time with her and you will see what I mean. We picked her for a reason." Haaziq said standing up to leave, beaming with confidence.

"And what reason is that? Because she lost her father the same time we did?" Aaryan said with a sting of pain.

Haaziq looked at him with a shocked expression.

"You did not know?" Aaryan questioned adamantly. 

"No, none of us knew. We could not find any information on her father, except that a man with his name was killed. Brother, we all took father's death hard. None of us would use that against you." Haaziq said, reaching an arm out to his brother's shoulder.

"I know...and you are right, she has gotten under my skin." Aaryan said with the beginning of a smile.

"I assume I can tell the servants she will be staying for a while?" Haaziq said with a smile.

Aaryan was once again looking outside of the window at the beach, but this time he smiled as he watched Ariana walking outside.

She was currently laughing at something that Kadshah was saying to her as Rafiq trailed behind them from a safe distance.

Instead of answering his brother, Aaryan asked, "Rakshan, what do you think?"

"I think she will suit you well sultan." Rakshan said straight faced.

"You do." Aaryan said stroking his nicely cropped goatee. "And your brother would agree?"

Rakshan nodded his agreement.

Turning back toward his brother Aaryan said, "Inform the servants that she will be staying indefinitely. Inform mother that she can begin the wedding preparations quietly at once."

With that being said Aaryan began to walk out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Haaziq said to his back.

"I'm going to court my future wife." Aaryan said removing his suit jacket and undoing a few buttons on his shirt.



Heaven in the Desert Ch. 03



A/N: You all rock! Thank you for the amazing feedback. I have read all the emails and just set up a new email account so I can get your messages faster and respond. Keep it coming. I have considered all of your suggestions, exclamations and frustration. Remember if you send something anonymous there is no way I can reply via email. Thank you for continuing to read heaven and for all my loyal readers and followers, xoxox. Enjoy!

*******

As Ariana walked toward the outside of the palace flanked by Kadshah, Ghita, and her shadows, she was in high spirits. 

After meeting Aaryan yesterday she had gotten the best nights rest of her life. Something about him just made her feel at peace.

Nothing like meeting a handsome man to lift a girl's spirits, Ariana thought as she began to daydream. 

She was startled when she abruptly ran into something solid. She put her arms out to prevent her fall but it never came.

Warm hands braced her upper arms and set her a few feet apart.

"I'm sorry Mr. Razam," Ariana said looking up into Aaryan's smiling eyes. "I didn't see you there." 

"No worry at all." Aaryan said still holding her close. "Where are you off to this morning?"

"Your mother has informed me that I will be staying indefinitely until the master returns. So she has ordered me to get more clothes. Would you like to join?" Ariana asked hopefully.

"I don't know, women's clothing isn't really my expertise." Aaryan said.

"Nonsense. I'm sure with all of the women you've dated you have a lot of experience with women's clothes." Ariana joked.

Both Kadshah and Rafiq laughed. 

Becoming serious, Ariana leaned in closer and whispered, "No offense but Ghita and Kadshah are too old to tell me what's stylish and suitable."

"I would not want to offend the sultan with my dress." Ariana said innocently with pleading eyes.

"Well when you put it that way, how can I refuse?" Aaryan said. 

Good, Ariana thought with an outward smile as she bounced up and down in glee. He had played right into her hands.

"Rafiq, have Bashir bring another car around." Aaryan said as he escorted Ariana outside.

When Ariana noticed the two cars being brought around she couldn't hide her distaste quickly enough. 

"Does the modest American woman not like Mercedes?" Aaryan asked with a smile.

"I always said if I ever had a ton of money I would buy myself a V12 Zagato, a V8 Vantage SP10 or a Rapide S Aston Martin." Ariana said. "If you have the money to spend, why not got for style, class and speed." 

"Expensive cars for a college student." Aaryan commented thoughtfully.

"A girl can dream can't she?" Ariana said stepping into the GL63 AMG Mercedes SUV.

All of the women rode together while the men followed closely behind in their own suv.

When they arrived at the marketplace. Everyone stopped and stared at Aaryan.

Women, men and children all came up to him and grasped his hands.

They were talking to him in Omashi so Ariana could not understand what they were saying. When she asked Ghita, she told her that they were thanking him and his family for their generosity.

Aaryan accepted the appraisal modestly as he smiled at all of the people and spoke to them.

Ariana looked on in awe. Aaryan had a commanding presence but it was not domineering. He was commanding when needed but very approachable. 

I see why his people like him, Ariana thought, as she continued walking with Ghita.

Instead of the previous clothing shop, Aaryan took Ariana to a boutique that the younger women of Omash frequented.

Ariana was instantly in love with the selection. The clothing was still modest but trendier. In addition to the embroidery, the clothing had jewels, flowers, beads and chains. The clothing also fit more to Ariana's curves and she liked that.

Ariana tried on many dresses for Aaryan's approval. Some dresses he liked while others he nixed before she even tried on.

He could tell that Ariana was having a good time and enjoyed the smile that she readily displayed.

In addition to clothing there were also under clothes, shoes and accessories. Ghita directed Ariana over to these with express instructions from Ghaniyah.

Ariana was in 7th heaven. She was not wealthy by any means but her one indulgence to herself was expensive lingerie. She loved it. She loved the feeling of having on sexy lace panties under her grungy work clothes and no one being the wiser. It made her feel womanly and pretty.

She perused the section of under garments and picked out many selections to Aaryan's secret approval. 

Why not have a little fun while I'm here, Ariana thought as she picked out lingerie in her favorite colors.

After picking out more shoes the group decided to bring their shopping trip to a close. It was now close to sundown.

Instead of going back to Aaryan's palace, Aaryan decided to take Ariana to see one of his offices.

Ariana was amazed at the sights of the city along the way. Although it wasn't like the major cities of the west it definitely left an impression. 

On the outskirts of the city, in a rural area, there were modest houses, children playing, women hanging clothes on clothing lines and community fountains.

This was an extreme contrast to the inner city that was highly industrialized. The closer they got to the inner city the more buildings and people Ariana saw. It was almost like arriving in New York City but much more reminiscent of Dubai.

The city was an architectural dream, it seemed like every architect tried to out due the next with a bigger and better architectural feat. It was beautiful. 

Tall glass buildings cast a beautiful glow on the blue green waters that now appeared almost black.

The group arrived outside of an enormous glass office building that was shaped like a tidal wave. Aaryan got out of his car followed by Rafiq and Rakshan. 

"I will only be a minute." He said as he passed by Ariana's window.

After 10 minutes of waiting Ariana decided to explore the building for herself. 

"Miss Ariana! Miss Ariana! The master would not like it if you took off alone." Kadshah said racing after Ariana.

After arriving inside and stepping across the decorative marble tile she arrived at a front desk that proudly displayed Aaban in gold letters.

"I don't think he will mind me taking an interest in his brother's business." Ariana said to Kadshah with a smile over her shoulder.

Stepping toward the elevator she looked at the directory of floors. 

She noticed that there were 35 floors labeled but when she stepped into the elevator it went up to 42 floors. 

She decided to stop by the research department on the 22nd floor and see the chemistry lab. 

As soon as they arrived on the 22nd floor and she saw all the lab equipment, Ariana bounced around in glee. 

She grabbed a nearby lab coat and goggles and entered into the lab.

Kadshah wrinkled her nose at the chemical smell and said that she would wait for Ariana outside.

Meanwhile, Aaryan, Rafiq and Rakshan had reached his office on the 41st floor, his penthouse was on the 42nd.

Aaryan headed straight for his office. Once inside he retrieved the folder he came to get and returned to elevator. 

"So what do you think of your future wife?" Rafiq asked.

After chuckling Aaryan answered, "She is beautiful, but I can tell she will be a handful."

"You don't know the half of it." Rakshan said as he showed Aaryan surveillance footage on a smartphone.

In the footage Ariana and Kadshah were on the elevator in the building.

"It looks like they got off on the 22nd floor." Rakshan said hitting the button on the elevator. 

********Meanwhile on the 22nd floor.

"Oh my god he has a GC-MS...Oh and MALDI." Ariana said touching the machines in awe.

She continued to go around the room checking the various instruments and equipment until she settled on a photo on one lab technician's desk.

It was a man standing next to Aaryan. The photo had a hand written message. Ariana could not make out most of the message but one thing stood clear. The message clearly said Aaryan.

"I knew it!" Ariana said with a glint in her eye. 

"I don't know what he is playing at, but I will get him before he gets me." Ariana said as she continued to peruse the lab. 

Outside Aaryan flanked by Rafiq and Rakshan had arrived on the 22nd floor.

"Sir, I tried to stop her from coming in..." Kadshah began but was stopped by Aaryan's hand.

"Think nothing of it Kadshah. Return to the car with Rafiq and Rakshan." He said in dismissal.

After they had all gotten on the elevator he entered into the lab to see what his future bride was up to. 

He watched her touch the instruments with a smile on her face for a few minutes before he interrupted her. 

"Were you always a little chemist at heart or did you take after your father?" Aaryan asked.

"Chemistry has always run through my veins so to speak." Ariana answered stroking the tops of some test tubes.

She smiled at Aaryan as she turned more toward him.

"Why study chemistry, why not business or something more interesting?" Aaryan said teasingly as he stepped closer to her.

"Chemistry has always piqued my interest. It is life." She said with a hint of awe.

"It is the air you breathe and the water you drink. It explains nearly everything you encounter." Ariana said hatching a plan.

"Chemistry makes the world go round." She said stepping closer to Aaryan. "Especially the chemistry between two people."

"How so?" He asked allowing her to invade his personal space and his senses.

"Chemistry is electricity." She said stepping closer and trailing a finger up his arm. 

"Hmmm." Aaryan breathed.

"That tingling sensation, that warmth that you feel as I step closer..." Ariana said breathily as she placed her palm on his chest, "That's chemistry". 

"Your body's energy is reaching out and responding to the energy of mine and deciding if you should try to...mate." 

Being this close to Aaryan it was hard not to act affected although she tried her best to put up a good front.

She went to pull away but he stopped her, holding her lightly at her elbow.

"So this feeling right here..." He said as he gently kissed her neck. "Is that chemistry?" He continued to kiss up and down her neck.

All Ariana could do in answer was moan.

Aaryan continued to kiss her as he moved his hands to her waist. They didn't stay there for long. Soon he began sucking her neck and he moved his hands higher reaching for her succulent breasts. 

Before she knew it Ariana was seated on a lab bench with Aaryan's hands moving up and down her body. Squeezing her most tender spots.

"Razam." Ariana moaned softly as Aaryan licked and sucked her neck. Hearing his middle name moaned from her lips was the sweetest delicacy. 

I have to get a hold of myself she thought. She could barely think straight with all of the sensations he was stirring inside of her. 

She had never let a man touch her like this before. She had never felt this. What is he doing to me? I have to stop this before it goes too far, she thought.

"Razam...Razam...(moan)...Razam stop!" Ariana said sharply.

When Aaryan looked at her there was a fire in his eyes that almost melted her resolve. She was sure hers smoldered with the same.

Why not just give in now? A little voice in her head said.

Ariana turned away and pushed herself off the lab bench. Her face was flush and her body still tingled with sensation.

"You are playing with fire." Ariana said to him after she righted her clothes.

"What do you mean?" Aaryan said in a huskier tone.

"I am promised to your brother. The sultan would not like it if someone else touched something that is his." Ariana said over her shoulder with a look of defiance.

Turning her around with his hand under her chin Aaryan said, "Well maybe I will have you to myself."

"Good luck with that." Ariana said with a smile as she walked away. 

She was grateful that Aaryan did not immediately follow her onto the elevator. She needed some alone time to compose herself and cool off before she saw the others. 

Aaryan smiled as Ariana got into the Mercedes. Now he knew that he affected the little minx just as much as she affected him.

"This will be easy." He thought.

*************************

The next day, Ariana arrived down for breakfast with a skip in her step and a smile. Last night she had hatched a plan to get away. Although lately she was beginning to think staying for a while would not be such a bad idea. Would being with Aaryan really be that bad? Did she really want to go back to her life in the states?

She arrived to the kitchen to find Aaryan eating breakfast and drinking a cup of coffee. 

"Kadshah told me this morning that the sultan will be returning tomorrow and that we will be having a dinner party upon his arrival." Ariana said as she dished out a plate of food for herself.

"Do you think your brother would allow me to work in the lab at his company?" Ariana said innocently as she sat down.

"As a sultan's wife you will have other duties to attend and it is not very proper for a sultan's wife to work." Aaryan said with a peculiar look wondering what she was up too.

"Technically, I have a degree now and although it may be frowned upon, I demand some independence from my husband. It is no longer the dark ages." Ariana said.

"I do not think my brother will be so easily convinced. Besides, there will be plenty of things at the palace to keep you busy." Aaryan said taking a big sip of his coffee.

"Like what exactly?" Ariana asked skeptically, folding her arms.

"That is more of my mother's expertise, not mine. I'm sure she will tell you soon enough what your duties will be as a sultan's wife, that is if you agree to marry my brother." Aaryan said glancing at Ariana with a mischievous grin.

"I'm sure I can convince your brother to agree with me. It will make Ghani happy if I put my seduction classes to use." Ariana said as she rose from the table with her plate and orange juice.

"I'm sure." Aaryan said as he watched Ariana sway her hips as she walked away.

**********

"This is the sweetest torture." Aaryan thought as he watched Ariana from across the room. His mother was hosting a party for the Sultan's return.

Aaryan had asked his brother to act as a stand in sultan for him for the time being.

He now stood on the far side of the grand ballroom and watched as his youngest brother Fadil conversed with Ariana. 

Ariana looked ravishing in a dark silk green floor length dress. The long sleeve dress kept her completely covered but clung to her like a second skin. Her hair was wrapped in a bun and loosely covered by a gold colored headband. She wore five gold bangles on each wrist and had a gold necklace that fell in between her covered cleavage. 

He couldn't keep his eyes off it and neither could his brother Fadil to his chagrin.

"Why ask for the charade if you cannot handle it brother?" Haaziq said to his left intruding on his solitude.

"I honestly don't know what you are doing. Tell her the truth and claim her." Haaziq continued.

"It's not that simple." Aaryan answered.

"Or is it." Haaziq answered rhetorically.

Aaryan gave him an evil glare in answer and took a sip of his drink.

For all appearances Ariana looked completely enraptured by what Fadil was saying. Inside she felt as if her head would explode. 

She had to admit she was affected by Aaryan and as charming as Fadil was, she would much rather be by Aaryan's side. 

She was upset with him however.

She wondered how much longer he would keep up the ruse. He did not seem like a passive man.

Thinking of Aaryan made her think more about her current predicament. 

She had decided after their chat yesterday that she was going to stay. The possibility of working in the state of the art lab was too good to pass up.

She also felt like she owed it to herself to have an adventure for once in her life and she had always thought the idea of working abroad intriguing and exciting. 

As far as the marriage was concerned, she hadn't worked that part out yet. She liked Aaryan but marriage was a serious commitment. 

She knew she was developing a strong attraction to him and chucked it up to lust, he was a handsome man after all.

She decided to stay and figure out what exactly it was about him that was so enrapturing and why he made her feel so safe. She had never encountered a man like him before. He made her feel so protected.

"But how can I stay? Agree to marry Fadil? But how long will Aaryan let that last? Would it be so wrong to give herself to him?" She thought.

"I'm so confused." She thought.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Aaryan looking her way. She reached over and grasped Fadil's arm as she laughed at something he said. She saw Aaryan clench his glass and almost spilled hers in laughter.

She enjoyed teasing him. At least she had that to look forward to in the meantime, she thought with a smirk.

Fadil smiled at her attention. He thought foolishly for a second that maybe he should compete with his brother for Ariana's hand. As soon as he saw the icy daggers Aaryan was shooting him from across the room, he gave up the notion for fear of losing his head. 

Ariana then stood to check on the refreshments and make sure that the other guests were satisfied. She left the room for the kitchen to ask for more drinks to be delivered. 

On her way back, she decided to step outside of the ballroom doors and stare out at the moonlight on the waters.

This had become one of her favorite pastimes. She loved nature and the beauty of Omash held a special allure.

Time ticked by as she sat outside on a bench with her feet in the sand and a serene smile plastered on her face and she closed her eyes and faced the sky.

"Enjoying yourself?" Aaryan asked approaching slowly.

"Immensely." Ariana said as she continued to face the sky.

She shivered. 

Aaryan took off his suit jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders. 

"I think I will say yes to your brother's proposal." Ariana said opening one eye lid.

"Really?" Aaryan said, sitting next to her.

"Although I don't like how I was brought here, the sultan is a good man. He has agreed to all of the things that I asked him, so I think he will make a good husband."

"What are these things?" Aaryan asked raising and eyebrow

"Your brother has agreed to allow me to work in the lab at his office." Ariana said.

"Did he now?" Aaryan said with a slight chuckle.

"Yes, it took little convincing." Ariana said with a smile. "I think it was love at first sight."

"His or yours?" Aaryan asked with a smirk.

"Do you want to see how I convinced him?" She said, ignoring his question and standing up. 

She looked at Aaryan expectantly. 

She stood closer to him and began to sing a soft tune as they began to dance. 

She chuckled and raised her arms to sit around Aaryan's neck as he made a joke about how it must have been her singing that won his brother over. 

When their eyes connected she became so lost in them that she stopped singing.

She would have stopped moving if not for Aaryan's warm hands at her hips guiding her and continuing to move her. 

"You are so beautiful." Aaryan said raising a hand to stroke her face.

Before Ariana knew what she was doing, she was standing on the tips of her toes and pulling Aaryan's face closer to hers.

He took control and pulled her in closer for the kiss.

Their lips connected and their tongues dueled. Ariana moaned in submission as Aaryan groaned in agony. 

"I'm tired of this game." She said breaking the kiss for a brief moment.

She pulled Aaryan further away from the noise of the ballroom to a private alcove.

She sat down on a bench, shrugged off his jacket, and moved back into Aaryan's embrace.




Heaven in the Desert Ch. 03



She kissed him with all the passion and built up frustration she had been holding inside. 

She wanted the sparks, she wanted the flames...she wanted the intensity, she wanted the thrill, she wanted...this man.

She pulled his hair as she kissed him with a fiery passion that threatened to consume them both. 

She still couldn't figure out what it was about him that drove her so wild.

She lost all composure and thought when she was alone with him. 

Her main reason for wanting to stay wasn't the adventure, she had to be honest, it was him.

"I want you." Aaryan said in a deep, booming voice.

Ariana wanted nothing more than to surrender and end the game, but there were a few more lessons she had to teach him first.

She pushed him back and straddled his waist. Aaryan was shocked by her bold move. 

She kissed him again, and bit down and tugged at his lower lip.

"Mmmm." She moaned as she started to unbutton the top button of his shirt. 

"I would love nothing more than to give in to you." She began in her sexiest tone as she stroked his upper chest. "But your brother, I fear he is in love with me and he will not let me go without a fight."

"He will get over it." Aaryan said as he continued to kiss her lips, his hands that were resting at her hips, began to move up and down her curves.

"I am not so sure." She said, resting her hands over his. "He told me tonight he will make me a very rich woman if I agree to marry him in less than a week." 

"I can make you richer." He said as he kissed her cheeks.

"He also said I can work in the lab at his company, and that he will always be a loving and respectful husband." She punctuated with kisses on his lips.

"I can build you a lab and do both of those things. What else?" He said with a challenging brow.

"Most important of all he said he will not take any wives after me." She said with a direct look. 

"Done." He said bringing her in for a kiss with his hand at her neck. 

I have won. Aaryan thought as he kissed her hard.

He then squeezed her breasts causing her to gasp. When he brushed his tongue against her lips she opened them willingly.

As he hands began lifting the hem of her dress, she pushed him back. 

"Or mistresses." She said quirking a brow and daring him to disagree.

"I don't want anyone but you." He said staring into her eyes intently.

"Now, what can he offer you that I cannot?" He said after a while.

Honesty she thought. Instead she said aloud with a smirk, "Hmm you are right." 

"No one can compete with a sultan, can they Aaryan?" Ariana whispered sexily in his ear.

"No they cannot." Aaryan said smiling and then he went rigid, realizing his mistake.

"I knew it!" Ariana said standing up. "I knew it. I knew it!" She said poking Aaryan in the chest.

"How long have you known?" Aaryan asked running a hand through his hair and looking like a caught school boy.

"A while." Ariana answered trying to hold back a smile. He looked so sexy when he did that, she thought. 

"Focus Ariana, you are angry with him." She thought.

"Why did you lie?" She asked folding her arms so she wouldn't touch him. 

"I...I...I didn't trust you." He said looking at her squarely.

"That's funny. You didn't trust me." She said crossly. 

"Not at first. I had no idea my mother would stupe to such a level and I did not know what role you were playing in all of this until they told me the truth. I was angry with them and would have ended it there." He began.

"So why didn't you?" she said.

"This." He waved between them. "This attraction between us. You cannot deny, I know you feel it too."

Ariana snorted in answer.

"You didn't have to lie to me Aaryan." She said.

"The crazy thing is I trusted you. You made me feel safe especially after your family just took me and brought me over here like some worthless object. I'm scared, I miss my family, and the one person who I trusted, chattered that trust." She finished trying to hold back tears.

"I will not force you to stay. If it is your wish to go no one will stop you. I will personally see to it." Aaryan said through clenched teeth. 

"...and don't think ill of my mother, she is cornered." Aaryan said.

"Why?" Ariana asked, looking at him.

"There is a rule of law. If the heir to the throne is unmarried, he must be married by his 25th birthday with hope of bearing heirs. If the heir cannot find a bride, the throne will then transfer to the first cousins of the royal family, The Amini Abdallah."

"And this is bad?" Ariana asked.

"The Amini's have tried to wrestle control away from my family for centuries. They are a ruthless and oppressive and cannot have the throne under any circumstances." Aaryan said passionately.

That sat in silence for a while and Ariana looked up at the night sky.

"If it is one thing I've learned in life, it is that fear makes people do stupid desperate things." Ariana said putting a hand on his arm. "I will not hold this against your mother. In a way I understand and she and everyone have been nothing but kind to me. I get it. The fear of losing everything your ancestors have built lead her to make a rash decision. I cannot say I wouldn't have done the same or worse in her position." 

"Will you leave then?" He asked. 

He felt vulnerable with her and he hated it. The last thing he wanted was for Ariana to leave but he refused alter her life for his own personal gain.

"Meh." Ariana said shrugging her shoulders. Her thoughts were scattered.

She had the easy out she wanted but the question now was, "Did she want to go?"

"Let me know what you decide." Aaryan said and stood to leave.

"You would marry me?" Ariana asked, looking him directly in the eye.

"Without question." Aaryan said never missing a beat.

"Why? That's crazy! I could be a serial killer." Ariana said standing up.

In answer he looked at her up and down skeptically.

"Why?" She asked again.

"You are intelligent and perceptive. You challenge me when no one else would ever think to do so but you also submit to me when I demand it." Aaryan said.

"Go on." Ariana said blushing, breaking the tension. 

"Did I mention you are witty and a complete handful?" He said coming closer.

She laughed softly in answer.

"And you are beyond beautiful. I'm glad we met even if it was because of my mother's meddling." He said with a grimace as he rest both hands on her elbows.

"Ghaniyah is treasure. You are lucky to have her." Ariana said resting a hand on his chest.

"I know." Aaryan replied.

"Stay." He said after a while. He refused to grovel.

"Why should I?" Ariana said with a hint of playfulness as she smiled at him. She liked the idea of him wanting her to stay. 

"Because you want to." Aaryan said with a challenging brow.

She laughed. 

He was one cocky man, she thought.

Aaryan began to move in for a kiss.

"Not so fast." Ariana said sobering. "I will stay but only if you agree to my terms."

"Only if they are reasonable." Aaryan said all business.

"I still get to work in the lab." Ariana said.

"...Ok, but Rafiq will be with you." Aaryan said leaving no room for argument.

"How long before your birthday?" She asked.

"Six months." He answered.

"Ok, If you want to have me as your wife, you must court me and convince me." Ariana said with a smile.

"Done." Aaryan said once again moving closer. The predator had finally captured his prey. 

"You also have to let me have some independence. Earn my own money, do things that I enjoy. You are not my identity." Ariana said.

"Ok. Anything else?" Aaryan said contemplatively.

"No sex." Ariana said with a smirk.

Aaryan turned away from her so she could not see his face. She could have sworn she heard him growl.

"And I want a standing flight with your pilot to go back to the States if I ask. If you lie to me again I will leave without question." 

"Is that all?" He asked through gritted teeth.

"Yes. Now come here and give me a kiss." Ariana said with open arms hoping in her head she was making the right decision.

******Meanwhile outside of the ballroom.

Haziq and his mother embraced as Fadil looked forlorn.

"Oh cheer up Fadil, she was never yours to begin with." Ghaniyah said as she touched Fadil under the chin.

"We must speed up the wedding preparations at once. With our luck they can be married by the beginning of the next solstice.

"She didn't say she would marry him." Fadil said in a depressed tone.

"Look at them," Ghaniyah said "of course she will."



Heaven in the Desert Ch. 04



A/N: You rock! Thank you for the continuing support and feedback for heaven. I want to have two more chapters next month and then I think I want to write a sex scene a day to celebrate my birthday month in September. Here's hoping. :-) Special thanks to Animefreak9872 for motivating me in the final hour. Enjoy. 

***** 

We do not exist in, any other instance, 

Here in this dimension, you and I are meant to be. 

I have waited lifetimes to find you, now that you're here I can remind you, 

Of the things you've been dreaming times two, I promise yooooooou 

If you just give me 24, man all I need is 24 hours 

I promise you'll want plenty more, you'll probably be with it forever 

So how does it sound, us on the ground, giving you my love? 

Ariana sang the lyrics to one of her favorite songs as she smiled and spun samples in a centrifuge. It had been 3½ weeks since she had decided to stay in Omash. 

She was currently working with a group of researchers on a new drug that could aid people with multiple sclerosis. She was on the part of the team that would create the actual drug for the drug trials. 

As she loaded the drug samples into the GC-MS she thought back onto how things had changed between her and Aaryan these past weeks. 

True to his word Aaryan allowed her to work in his offices as long as she was accompanied by her shadows. 

He had also stopped taking long trips. If he did leave it was only for 2 days at a time and they would always have teleconference dates while he was away. 

He had also relented to her demand to work regular hours and have a regular job like anyone else at the company but at a price of course. 

She had also learned so much about him. She smiled as she remembered their conversations. 

She learned that his favorite color was green, that he liked to do most things himself, that he was a fierce businessman, worked hard and would forget to eat and sleep if she didn't remind him. 

She also learned they liked a lot of the same things. Their favorite time of day was sunset, their favorite music was R&B, their favorite food was Italian and that ironically he loved winter weather just like her. 

She could really see herself falling for him but the thought of getting married was still quite scary. 

She did however have hope that they could have a successful relationship. They had already survived their first fight. 

Ariana looked up at the clock on the wall, it was after 5:30pm and she was supposed to leave every day at 5pm. She was going to be late! 

She set the GC to run the samples overnight and rushed onto the elevator. 

Ariana steamed at Raskshan. 

"Why didn't you warn me it was getting so late? You know he will have my head if I'm late for dinner." Ariana said as the elevator doors opened onto the main floor. 

She shuffled to the car and sat down anxiously. 

As Rakshan began to maneuver the suv toward the palace Ariana began to fidget nervously. 

As part of the agreement for allowing her to have a regular job at the company and earn money, Aaryan had insisted on them having nightly dinners. 

Sometimes Ariana would have to cook and other times the chef would prepare the meal. 

These dinners however were private, between just the two of them and Aaryan would always pick out something for her to wear. 

Normally he would have an elegant dress accompanied with jewels and heels waiting for her but that all changed the first time she was late. 

He had shocked her having had her entire wardrobe brought to Omash. Out of all the outfits he had picked out a black form fitting dress that came just past her knees and had small oval cut outs under her breasts. 

She had bought the dress for her birthday because she thought she looked ravishing in it, but never had the chance to wear it. 

The dress was so tight she didn't have to wear a bra. It was also tight enough that he could not reach under it. 

He had learned his lesson. 

The second time she was late he had once again picked from her American wardrobe. That time he picked out a short black skater dress that had mesh cutouts around her upper breasts and lower belly. 

If that wasn't bad enough he also picked out the bra and panties she wore and insisted she serve him dinner while sitting on his lap. 

That had been a hot night, she thought as she bit her lip. Who was she to refuse a sultan? With the increasingly delicious results, she no longer wanted to. 

Aaryan had found his way underneath her dress many times and always took that opportunity to squeeze her thighs and buttocks. 

Although she was nervous about what he would do if she was late tonight, she was also exhilarated by it. 

No sex, no sex, no sex, she chanted in her head. 

As soon as she arrived at the palace she raced inside. She checked the clock in the entrance and growled. It was 5:59pm and dinner was at 6pm. She stared daggers at Rakshan as he gave a sheepish look. 

Aaryan walked toward her as she heard him ending a business call. 

She licked her lips in anticipation. 

He came to her and wrapped his arms around the small of her back. 

"You are late." Aaryan said with a smirk, his hands resting at her hips. She moved them up. 

"So I am." She said kissing his cheek and trying to move out of his embrace. 

He stopped her by holding her hand. 

She turned and said through gritted teeth, "I assume my clothes will be waiting?" 

"You assume correctly." He said as he turned her back into his arms and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. 

She ducked her head when he broke the kiss trying to hide her smile. She loved how his kisses made her feel. 

"Ass." She mumbled under her breath. 

She turned and began walking to her room to shower and dress when his voice stopped her. 

"Ariana...make sure you don't take too long." He said with a chuckle. 

She had every intention of doing just that. She stayed in the shower for 20 minutes and then took another 15 putting on body oil. 

When she stepped outside to find her outfit she scrunched her nose in confusion. Normally there would be four neat piles waiting for her. One with jewelry, one with undergarments, a dress and the last with heels. 

Today there were just two piles. In the first there was a black corset with mostly see through mesh with black boy short panties that had pink garter straps. In the second pile there were thigh high pantyhose and a pair of 6-inch heels. All were from her American clothes. 

In between was a note that said "You should be late more often." 

She laughed. 

"There is no way I am wearing this." She checked her closets and drawers and they were empty of all her other clothes. 

"Smart man." She said with a scoff. 

She looked at the curtains to see if she could put those on but they were too high to reach and lace. 

She sighed. She didn't like to lose and although this game they were playing wasn't expressly stated, Aaryan had definitely won this round. 

She put on the boy shorts and attached the pantyhose. She then put on the corset and the heels. 

She sat on her bed with her back to the door and called out to Kadshah. 

After the corset was tightened to her liking, and her makeup and hair were artfully arranged, she thanked Kadshah. 

Taking a deep breath she walked all the way down to the kitchen. 

She noted that it was especially quiet this night. Normally she could hear or see the palace staff hustling about to do their work but today she saw and heard no one. Her shadows were not even around. 

Aaryan had surprisingly stood by her no sex rule so she didn't know what he was trying to tempt tonight, her or his patience? 

As she arrived to the dining room she couldn't help but grin. 

There were candles all around and off to the side she noticed instead of dinner there were many plates of small pastries and fruits along with melted chocolate, caramel, ice and whipped cream. 

Aaryan was standing in front of the dining table which only had a briefcase at the opposite end. 

As she closed the doors behind her she thought, "Let the games begin." 

"You look ravishing." Aaryan said as he looked her up and down leisurely. 

"Aaryan." She said in answer, slightly miffed. 

"Razam." Aaryan corrected. 

"Good evening Razam...How may I serve you tonight?" She asked as she looked at him under her lashes, with one hand on her hips. 

Although she was upset that he had won, she loved the way she looked and felt in the lingerie. 

She wanted to push him down on the table behind him, crawl on top of him and... 

No sex, no sex, no sex, she chanted in her head. 

He smiled as she slowly began to walk toward him, accentuating the movement of her hips. 

He pulled her closer to him and this time she did not stop his hands. 

When they were alone in this room, there was no pretense. 

This was their element, this was their safe haven, this was their...home. 

Here they could lay it all bare, connect...build. 

He kissed her hard and she gripped his arms in appreciation. 

His hands gripped her curves as he easily slipped his tongue in her mouth. 

"Oh Razam." She moaned when he pulled back. Aaryan chuckled in answer. 

He placed softer kisses on her cheeks and neck. 

"You can start by putting two of everything on a plate."Aaryan said as he spanked her then gripped her butt. 

He then took off his suit jacket and sat down at the head of the table. 

Ariana gathered the food and sat down on his lap without a word. She fed him a bite of the food first and then she took a bite. 

"How was work today?" She asked as she rest a hand on his chest and continued to feed him. 

"Work was good. I negotiated a few new deals in Europe, and expanded our product line further into Asia." He said looking her in the eyes as he caressed up and down her arms. 

"So the usual then." She said as she touched his cheek. The rest of the food lay on the table forgotten. 

"Yes, the usual as you say." He said turning her in his lap to face him. "What did you do today?" 

"Well, I put the finishing touches on the trial one drug, and then I..." Ariana began but abruptly cut off as Aaryan gripped her hips and licked the left side of her neck. 

He looked at her expectantly and she continued. 

"...began analysis on the samples. We have to make sure, Mmmm..." She moaned as he continued licking her neck. 

"Continue." He said with a chuckle as he bit down on her neck and began to lick a path lower. 

"We have to make sure, that we know everything about the samples before we...Ahh...start testing them with patients." She moaned again and unconsciously pushed her chest higher. 

Aaryan had pushed her left breast out of the corset and was now slowly licking around her areola. 

He lifted her up and sat her at the edge of the dining room table. She arched back as he sucked her nipple. 

"Mmmm...and I also...mmmm...I also went on a lunch picnic." Ariana said in between gasp as she gripped his hair. 

"A lunch picnic?" Aaryan asked in confusion. Although his company was vast he still knew about most of the day to day operations and he did not remember seeing a company picnic on the agenda. 

"Yes...with Fadil." She moaned and then gasped. Aaryan had bitten her nipple. 

"How is my little brother doing?" Aaryan asked putting her breast back inside her corset. 

"Still in love, still the charmer and romantic." Ariana said laughingly and then she pouted. Where was he going? she thought. 

Aaryan ignored her and went over to the dinner table, gathering things she could not see. 

"I think I will keep having weekly lunches with him, I do have to keep my options open." She said with a smirk, trying to peek over his shoulder. 

"Lay down." Aaryan said ignoring her statement. 

He went to the other side of the table and opened the briefcase. She felt something soft wrap around her ankles but thought nothing of it. 

She trusted Aaryan. Although Aaryan could be rough with her, she liked it, and he never took advantage of her vulnerability or trust. 

If anything he was too gentle with her. Sometimes she really wished he would just pin her up against the wall and make her beg for it. 

One day she would get him to do that. One day. 

She was so caught up in her fantasies that she had not even noticed what Aaryan was doing. 

When she felt the breeze and realized her breasts were now exposed to his gaze she gasped and covered them. 

Although Aaryan had sucked her breasts before, she had never been before him topless, she felt vulnerable and exposed. 

They stared into each other's eyes. 

Did she want to be so vulnerable with him so soon? Did it matter if she was going to do it later anyway? 

She already knew she would give him her virginity, did it matter when? 

"Kiss me." She said and pulled him on top of her. 

As their lips and tongues met they both moaned in appreciation. 

She unbuttoned Aaryan's shirt and slowly scratched down his abs as she kissed a path to his neck. 

"You need to learn to reciprocate." She whispered sexily in his ear. 

With both of them naked from the waist up, Aaryan instructed her to lay down once again. 

He began licking her neck trying to seek out her spot as she ran her hands over his biceps, triceps and lats. 

"Mmm...that feels so good." She moaned as he sucked and bit down on her neck. 

Aaryan swirled his tongue along the tender spot on her neck and bit down hard making Ariana gasp. 

His hands gripped her waist as he moved down to her breasts, placing bites along the way. 

He slowly trailed his tongue around the outer rim of her areola and worked his way inward toward her nipple. 

She arched her back and gasped as he bit her nipple then soothed the sting away with flicks of his tongue. 

He pushed down hard and swirled his tongue on her nipple and areola as if he could lick the light chocolate hue of her skin away. 

She scratched his back as he placed harder bites around her breasts to tease her. 

"More." She gasped as he sucked her right breast back into his mouth. 

He licked the underside of her breasts and then licked his way down to her navel. 

He flicked his tongue in out of her navel and then bit down on her lower belly. 

He stared at her then. 

When she made eye contact, he slowly began pulling down her boy shorts. 

She tried to open her legs to assist him but realized something was holding her ankles. 

Aaryan smirked as she noticed the fur and leather cuffs around her ankles. 

"Clever." Ariana said as she tested out the movement in the restraints. 

He started at her ankles and made his way slowly up to her inner thighs placing kisses and soft bites. 

Ariana moaned as Aaryan kissed and licked around her inner thighs. 

She arched and opened her legs wider as he bit down hard on her upper thighs. 

As much as he enjoyed teasing her, he was ready for a taste. 

He braced his arm under her buttocks and pulled her closer toward his face. 

Ariana jumped as he placed light kisses on her already wet pussy. 

He had never kissed her there before and one kiss wasn't enough to satisfy either of their appetites. 

With a groan, Aaryan split her lips with his tongue and tasted her essence. 

They both moaned as he licked around her clit. 

Aaryan began slowly swirling his tongue around her clit in a clockwise motion. 

"Fuck." Ariana exclaimed as she wiggled her hips and gripped Aaryan's long hair knocking off his keffiyeh. 

"You like that." He asked as he began flicking her clit causing her to bounce in excitement. 

"Yes, Razam, I love that." Ariana said breathily as he continued. 

Aaryan lightly bit on Ariana's clit and gently slid a finger inside of her dripping pussy. 

"Oooooh." Ariana moaned as she began to ride Aaryan's first finger and then a second. 

He formed a suction with his lips as he swirled his tongue over her clit and pumped two fingers in and out of her pussy. 

After two minutes of this sweet torture she was begging him for more. 

"Razam...?" She said barely able to breathe. 

"Yes?" He said, trying to concentrate as he continued to pump. In and out, in and out. 

"I need..."she stopped and bit her lip. She moved from side to side causing her breasts to jiggle. 

"What do you need?" He asked with a smirk. As soon as she said it aloud he was going to plunge into her. 

"I want...uuuuuhhh..." She moaned and arched her back as he began sucking her left breast. 

"What do you want?" He said removing his fingers and slowly massaging her clit with his thumb. 

"I...I...(moan)...Razam, fuck me!" She ended with a shout as she jumped from the sensations he caused. 

Aaryan chuckled and moved so that he was hovering above her. 

He continued to rub her clit as he tongue kissed her. 

Ariana frantically undid his belt and unzipped his pants. 

Freeing his cock, she stroked it up and down as she wiggled closer, positioning him at her entrance. 

Aaryan took over and rubbed his head against her clit and entrance, covering himself in her juices. Ariana moaned and moved her hips trying to push him inside of her. 

Aaryan spread her legs as wide as they could go as he rubbed her clit and began to push in. 

There was a knock at the door. 

Aaryan continued to rub her clit and asked, "What is it?" 

"I'm sorry to disturb you sir, but there is an uprising." Rakshan said through the door. 

"In the Northeast?" He asked with a growl, Ariana was moaning as she rubbed herself all over his cock. 

"Yes sir." Rakshan answered. 

"Casulties?" He asked removing his cock and placing a finger inside her quickly. Ariana gasped. 

"In the 100s so far sir." Rakshan replied. 

"Have everyone meet in the conference room in five." Aaryan commanded. 

"Yes sir." Rakshan said, walking away. 

Turning back to Ariana he said, "I have to go but..." 

"No Aaryan, No! I know what you are planning to do, don't!" Ariana said as she tried to move away from him. A strong arm on her hip stopped her. 

"Let me." He said and moved down her body so that he was flush with her pussy. 

"Aaryan, no!" Ariana shouted as he once again parted her lips with his tongue. 

He slid his tongue inside of her pussy and swirled it around gathering up her juices. He then licked up and down her slit. 

After a few strokes, he stopped at her clit and began sucking it in and out of his mouth. 

"Fuck...no..." Ariana said as she bounced on his tongue and continued to squirm. 

He began slowly pumping a finger in and out of her pussy. 

"I don't want...I don't want to come without you." Ariana pleaded. 

Aaryan ignored her and continued sucking her clit. 

Each suck took her closer and closer to the point of no return. Her muscles tensed as Aaryan continued pushing her closer to the edge. 

"Razam...Razam...Razam!" She chanted as and he attacked her clit fiercely with his tongue. 

He added another finger and pumped faster. 

"Fuck, Razam...Raaazaaaaaam." Ariana screamed as an orgasm washed over her. 

She scratched his upper back and moaned as he continued licking her pussy. 

He continued to lick and suck her clit lightly until the tremors subsided. 

When it was over she pulled him to her face and kissed him passionately. 

Eyes shimmering with emotion, she stroked his face lovingly. 

He undid the ties at her ankles and she wrapped her legs around his back. 

"That was unfair." She said and kissed him again. 

"You enjoyed every second of it." He said daring her to say otherwise. 

He sat up and slid his arms into his shirt and she slowly removed her legs from his lower back. 

She buttoned his shirt and regrettably buttoned his pants and redid his belt. 





Heaven in the Desert Ch. 04



He kissed her again and then walked to the door. 

"Tell your mother I'm picking out my own dress." She said as she got dressed. 

There was no need to ask what dress she was referring to. 

"Are you sure?" He asked, looking for confirmation in her eyes. 

She nodded and smiled before she kissed him. He pushed her against the table, grinded into her as their tongues dueled. 

She reached down and boldly gripped his cock in his pants. 

He almost said to hell with the uprising and finished what they started. However, he knew he had a duty to his people. 

"I will." He said, stepping back and handing her his suit jacket before leaving the room. 

She stroked her lips as she watched him walk away. "Damn uprising!" She thought, shaking herself and standing up straight. 

She walked back to her room in a happy daze. She closed her bedroom door and rest on it as she let her mind wander about getting married and what that would mean. 

Shaking herself out of her reverie, she decided to do a little research on the uprising and check her email. 

Ever since she decided to stay at the palace she was allowed more freedom. One being, she now knew the log in password for the computer. 

She signed into the computer and entered Omash in the search bar. 

She scrolled down until she found a webpage titled the history of Omash. 

It read: The Al Said Aaban's have ruled Omash as an absolute monarchy since its first sultan Ghazi Haad Al Said Aaban came to power in 1281. 

Ghazi Haad Al Said Aaban also known as 'Ghazi the Wise' established Omash after the The Battle of Laheya. 

During the Battle of Laheya, Ghazi and the 8 clans overthrew the oppressive Pashian regime in a successful coup. Ghazi was declared ruler and the 8 clans divided themselves into 4 regions. 

These four regions continue to exist today. They are: 

The Kinsha, Awaan, and Ashake of the Northern mountainous region. 

The Adab and Gutan of the Southern tropical region. 

The Isin of the Western desert region. 

The Imitti and Eshtar of the Eastern coastal region. 

Ariana went back to the search bar and searched: conflict in northeast Omash. 

There was not much news on the actual conflict but she determined, the conflict was between the Awaan and Imitti. 

Clicking out of her research she signed onto her email and social media page. 

A few weeks ago she had updated her status letting her family and friends know that she would be staying in Omash for a wonderful work opportunity. 

They wrote comments wishing her well and saying she would be missed. 

She also had a private message from her roommate asking her what project she was going to be working on at her new job and telling her that some pretty hot but intimidating men came to get her belongings and gave her money for the rest of their lease term. 

She responded saying: My employer is a pretty serious guy. It seems that he gets everything that he wants. I am sorry to run out on you and Louie, I will miss you both. At my new job I will be working on the synthesis of a drug to assist in the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Wish me luck! 

Closing out of her social media page she brought up her email. There were the usual spam messages from companies trying to get her to buy something and a few messages from friends. As she reached the bottom of her inbox, she stopped cold. 

There was a message from her mother. 

It read: 

Dear Ariana, 

I have not heard from you in a long time and I miss you. I know that you and I have not always seen eye to eye but you are my daughter and I am your mother and I love you. Your brothers tell me that you have some new job oversees somewhere. I wish you would have stopped by to see your old mother before you left but I understand. My little girl has grown up, she is a grown woman now and she is living her life. If you get a break from your job you know how to reach me and you know where I will be. Live your life and be happy my child. I will always love you no matter what. 

Forever & Always, 

Charlotte 

Ariana didn't know what to say to her mother. Although they were not on speaking terms she didn't hate her mother. She decided it would be best to talk to Ghani and ask her what to do. 

She closed the laptop and let out a sigh. 

Shaking off thoughts of her mother she decided to wait for Aaryan outside of his office. 

She didn't have to wait long because five minutes later, he arrived at his office visibly worn out. 

"You didn't say goodnight." She said looking at him expectantly with her arms folded across her chest. 

"Goodnight, Ariana." He said kissing her softly with a hand at her nape. 

He went into his office leaving the door open so that she could step inside. 

He sunk into his chair and sat back with his eyes closed facing the ceiling. 

"You poor thing. You look so tired." Ariana said perched on the door jam. 

"I am." He said continuing to face the ceiling. 

"Let me help." She said locking the door behind her and walking over to him. 

He thought she meant to give him a massage so he was shocked when he opened his eyes to find her kneeling before his seat. 

She unfastened his belt and pulled his cock out of his boxers while looking him directly in his eyes. 

"Ariana..." He began. 

"Don't." She cut him off, "This is reciprocation." She said kissing the head of his cock. 

She continued kissing his head and then sucked his cock into her mouth, wetting its length. 

She was shy about doing this but she was determined to please Aaryan as he had pleased her earlier tonight, so she pushed him back into the seat. 

She bobbed up and down his cock sucking not to hard but not to light. 

When it was nice and wet she used her right hand in a firm grasp to pump up and down as she sucked. 

Aaryan grunted and clenched his fist. 

She started off light and then increased the pressure of her grasp as she got more confident. 

She sucked up to his head and looked him into the eyes as she licked and swirled her tongue around his helmet. 

She alternated bobbing up and down and flicking her tongue around the sensitive spots at the head of his cock. 

Aaryan grasped her hair and pushed her head further down on his cock as she continued to bob. 

"Fuck." He exclaimed. 

She swirled her tongue round and around his head as she continued to grip his cock as she bobbed faster up and down. 

She felt Aaryan's cock twitch in her mouth and he pulled her off of him. 

He pulled her up, bent her over the desk and pulled her boy shorts down. 

She smiled in glee and spread her legs wide as she flattened herself on the desk. 

He braced himself with a hand on the desk and rubbed against her entrance and clit with his cock. 

She wiggled against him and then looked back in shock as she felts jets of his cum hit her ass. 

"That was a dirty trick." She said with a pout. 

"So was this." he answered with a smirk. 

He wiped his cum away with a tissue before pulling her boy shorts up and turning her around. 

"No sex before marriage remember." He said mockingly with a quick kiss on the lips. 

"But...But...you asked for it." She said gesturing toward her outfit. 

"And you begged for it, but rules are rules." He said with a smirk. 

She stared daggers at him. Two can play this game, she thought. 

She shoved his chest and stormed toward the door. 

"Goodnight, Ariana." He chuckled. 

"Goodnight, Aaryan." She answered, miffed. 

"Will you always call me Aaryan when you are angry?" He asked continuing to find her anger hilarious. 

"Yes Aaryan." She said folding her arms and pushing up her boobs. 

He licked his lips and looked at them and she growled. 

"Goodnight." She said storming out of the room. She could hear his laughter down the hall. 

****** 

The next day Ariana awoke to a bustle of activity. She heard servants running around the palace and in the halls. 

She got cleaned and dressed and walked to the entrance. It was there she found Aaryan on the phone conducting business. She slowly approached as he ended the call. 

"What is going on?" Ariana asked gesturing toward the staff and security standing close by. 

"I am going to the Northeastern region, to establish a cease fire." Aaryan said. 

"That's a great idea, I'll take the second Mercedes." Ariana said walking toward the door. 

"You will not." Aaryan began. "These security guards will be monitoring the palace and protecting you indefinitely. There could an unprovoked attack or an uprising and I want you to be safe." 

"There will be no safer place than with you." Ariana said, walking over and caressing his cheek. "Besides, if I am to be your wife, I need to be able to support you in all things. You have to let me in Aaryan, let me help you with stuff." 

"But..." Aaryan began. 

"No buts..." She began in a whisper so the guards would not overhear. "I refuse to be a pretty little housewife that waits for you, cooks you dinner, you fuck me and then leave me again." 

Aaryan's eyes sparked when she said fuck. He flashbacked to when she said it last night. 

"Yes, I know we will both have our independence..." She said putting both hands on his cheeks, "...but marriage is a partnership. I am not just signing on to be your wife, I will also be their queen." 

They stared silently into each other's eyes. 

"Ok." Aaryan said after a while. Ariana bounced and clapped her hands in glee. 

"But you must follow my instructions here and not attempt to get in the middle of anything or go off on your own. Rafiq and Rakshan go with you everywhere you go, understood?" 

"Understood." Ariana said with a quick kiss to his cheek as she raced off to the car. 

Ariana rode in a car with Rakshan, Rafiq and Kadshah behind Aaryan and his security guards. 

As they drove to the region which was nearly 2 hours away, Ariana thought over what Aaryan said and possible ways she could help ease the conflict. 

Naturally she would let Aaryan take the lead but she wondered if there would be any ways for her to help. She had no idea what they were going into. 

She wasn't prepared. 

As they arrived into the region a foul stench permeated the air. Ariana looked outside of the car to see rows and rows of the dead wrapped in cloth near the entrance of region. They were meeting in the middle not far from where most of the fighting occurred. The bodies seemed out of place to the mountains in the distance. 

Kadshah handed her a niqab and Ariana quickly dawned it before stepping out of the car behind Rakshan. 

The leaders of both sides agreed to an impasse for the day to talk with Aaryan. 

They were waiting for him a tent in the center of the makeshift encampment. 

Aaryan came to Ariana and grasped her hands. 

"You cannot go in there with me. I will listen to both sides and I promise to tell you everything that is happening and what I will do." Aaryan began. "Do not leave Rafiq and Rakshan's sight, stay close to them at all times." 

"Ok, I understand. Come back to me." Ariana said squeezing his hand as she looked at the heavily armed men outside of the tent. 

One wrong move and Ariana thought the fighting would easily start up again. 

Aaryan entered the tent with the two men and after greetings were over, they sat down. 

Aaryan began speaking. 

"The losses are heavy on both sides. This fighting will solve nothing but costing you more lives. You will leave your wives without husbands, and father's without sons. We must find a solution to end this today. What is the cause of this senseless violence?" 

The two men began talking at once and nothing could be heard. 

"Stop!" Aaryan said in a commanding tone. 

"I am here to listen and help but nothing can be solved with both of you yelling. You sir..." Aaryan gestured to the man on the left, the leader of the Imitti clan. "Speak." 

Outside of the tent, Ariana wandered around the encampment. 

She saw many women and children peeking out from some tents with fearful looks. 

She went over to the oldest woman and greeted her as kadshah translated. 

"She says you have wonderful robes fit for a queen." Kadshah translated. 

Ariana expressed her thanks. 

"There a rumors in the regions that the sultan has taken a wife. Are you that woman? Are you our queen?" Kadshah continued. 

"Yes." Ariana said extending her hand. 

Although shocked Kadshah smiled and said, "Congratulations miss." 

The woman excitedly bowed over it and exclaimed she had touched the queen and how beautiful Ariana looked. 

"Why are all the women here, so close to this fighting?" Ariana asked. 

"To care for the dead, and the sick." Kadshah translated and pointed to the entrance. 

Ariana thanked the woman for her time and continued walking around the encampment. The women now followed her. 

Ariana walked around assessing the conditions. 

In this area between the coast and the mountainous region, there were not many crops or grass. Children from both sides ran through the low foliage. 

Ariana noticed what appeared to be a stream coming from the mountains but it was very small. 

A she got closer to the stream she noticed a small boy by himself, watching the other children as he sat with a nearly emaciated dog. The boy could not have been older than 7. 

"Kadshah, ask our new friend who that is. Why does he sit all alone watching the other kids?" Ariana asked. 

The woman made a face and looked angry as she spoke. 

"He is an orphan and the villagers want nothing to do with him, he is abandoned from the other side." Kadshah replied. 

"What happened to his parents? His family?" Ariana asked looking at the boy. 

"He has no family, she says. They were told his mother died in childbirth and his father was a drunk who was killed." 

"What normally happens to orphans?" Ariana asked. 

When kadshah did not answer she looked back at the women and saw that they looked uncomfortable. 

Ariana looked at kadshah for explanation. "Most die or wander off to some other place." 

"Why doesn't some other family in the village take them in?" Ariana asked indignantly. 

"They can barely take care of their own mouths." Kadshah explained. 

Ariana was torn between anger and sadness. 

"You have to understand Miss, that is the way it has always been." Kadshah said. 

Ariana noticed he had a sling around his arm. "How did he become injured?" She asked hesitantly. 

"He was...kicked trying to save that dog during a village fight." Kadshah answered. 

Ariana was incensed. How could this happen, she thought? 

Ariana took a deep breath and slowly approached the boy. She noticed that he was feeding the dog a small piece of bread and scraps and trying to coax it into drinking the water. 

"Hello, my name is Ariana, what is your name?" Ariana began. 

"I am, Quadir." he said. Ariana was startled that he spoke English. 

Noticing her reaction he said, "My father taught me some English words before he died. He was a brave man." Quadir said punching the dirt. 

"How long has it been since your father passed?" Ariana asked gently as kneeled down. 

"Two...two years." Quadir answered. Ariana's eyes rose in alarm. She was angry to think that this small child could be on his own for 2 years. 

"It's very nice to meet you Quadir, and who is our friend here? I here you saved her, that was very brave...What kind of dog is she?" Ariana said gesturing toward the dog. 

"I have not named her and she is a saluki." Quadir answered. 

Ariana paused and looked at Quadir thoughtfully. 

"Quadir..."Ariana began unexpectedly. "How would you like a job?" 

"What kind of job, Miss Ariana." He asked hopefully. 

"Please, just call me Ariana and the job is...Royal translator. I do not know much Omashi and my current teacher is horrible at teaching. So this is what I propose." 

Quadir perked up and moved in closer. 

"I think I can teach you more English as you teach me Omashi. Does that sound perfect?" Ariana asked. 

"That sounds wonderful Ariana, but how will I teach you? I live here." Quadir asked sadly. 

"Well, since you are the royal translator you will have to stay in the palace. Close enough that you are there whenever I need you. You and your saluki will have your own room and staff and clothes. We can have lessons over dinner every night." She answered. 

Understanding her kindness, Quadir jumped up and gave Ariana a hug. She held him tightly as she willed the tears not to fall. She would change this boy's life and she would talk to Aaryan and make sure that this did not happen again. 

"You have to make me a promise before I agree Quadir." Ariana said pulling back from the hug. "You have to promise to go to school every day before our lessons, ok? Education is important." 

"Ok Ariana, I promise." Quadir said hugging her again. 

"Now, I want you to follow this woman and go get anything you need and wait for me in my car ok." 

"Ok." He responded. 

"I will see you soon." Ariana said ruffling his hair. 

The women were shocked as they saw the boy race off to gather his things. 

One of the women spoke to her. 

"What is she saying Rakshan?" Ariana asked. 

"She is asking why you did that. She says he is dirty, he is from the other side." Rakshan replied. 

"Tell her this: There is no such thing as dirty blood or being dirty because he comes from the other side. We are a community and we must learn to work together. We will never have anything if we continue to fight over the same small piece of bread. There is always something we can learn from each other. I encourage you all to do so." 

Meanwhile Aaryan exited the tent. He had gotten both sides to agree to continue the cease fire while he worked on a strategy and returned in a few days. 

He watched Ariana shaking the hands of the women of the women of both sides as the children ran around them with smiling faces. 

"What has she done?" He asked one of his guards. 

"She has adopted an orphan boy and is talking to the women about working together with the sick and the dead." The guard answered. 

"An orphan boy?" Aaryan asked in surprise. 

"Yes, your majesty, him." He said gesturing toward Quadir who was running to Ariana. 

Aaryan watched as she crouched down and spoke to him as they both smiled. 

He approached them with an unreadable mask. 

"Ariana."Aaryan said. 

"Your majesty." She said with a bow. "I would like you to meet the new Royal translator. I wish for him to teach me Omashi if it so pleases." 

"Your majesty." Quadir began, "I am Quadir, Royal Translator and protectior to Miss Ariana." 

"Protector? That is a big job, are you sure you can handle it? Aaryan asked and Quadir nodded. 

"Even from big men like me?" Aaryan said, towering over him. 

"Yes, sir." Quadir said, standing up to his full height. 

Aaryan studied his face and looked him up and down. Ariana bit her lips nervously in silence. 

"Well, in that case, you're hired...Please join us." Aaryan said and Quadir ran to the car. 

Ariana and Aaryan walked slowly toward the cars as her shadows and kadshah flanked. 

"Thank you for this, yoooour majesty." Ariana said playfully. "How can I show you the proper thanks?" 

"I'm sure you will think of a way." He said smiling at her suggestively. 

"You have a good heart." He said after a while. 

"So do you," She said arriving at her car. "You just try to hide it." 

She wanted to kiss him then but knew she would have to wait until they were back at the palace. Instead she locked her pinky around his and gripped tightly. Their eyes conveying the love they had for each other, even though the words were yet to be spoken. 

****** 

Night fell as they drove home, and Quadir chatted excitedly with Ariana about how he would be the best Royal Translator and bodyguard she could ask for. 




Heaven in the Desert Ch. 04



After 30 minutes of discussing his big plans, he fell asleep, his head falling onto Ariana's shoulder. 

Ariana stared outside the window as her mind wandered. 

"Stop the car." She yelled abruptly and the car came to a screeching halt. 

She carefully moved Quadir and stepped out of the car, moving to what captured her eye in the distance. 

Aaryan got out of his suv and walked toward her car as he tracked her movements with his eyes. 

"What is she doing?" Aaryan asked Rafiq. 

"She said she has never seen a waterfall in the mountains before." Rafiq answered. 

"Wait for us here." Aaryan said removing his jacket and tie and running after Ariana. 

Ariana lifted her dress and slowly stepped knee deep into the beautiful blue green waters of the waterfall. 

She sat on a rock close to the shore and listened to the rushing water as she faced the starlit sky. 

"They don't have waterfalls in America?" Aaryan asked sarcastically. He had removed his shoes and walked in the water to her rock. 

"Can I tell you something without you laughing at me?" Ariana asked when he reached her rock, she was visibly embarrassed. 

"I promise not to laugh." Aaryan said as he smiled with his fingers crossed behind his back. 

"I didn't know things like this existed over here. I thought it was all..." She gestured with her hand "...desert." 

Aaryan let out a big laugh. 

"Hey." Ariana said and tried to splash his face with water. 

"The ideas you Americans have." He said continuing to laugh. He sobered when he saw the pout on Ariana's face. 

"Join me." He said extending his hand. 

"But I'll get all wet." She said looking down at her clothes. 

"You're always wet around me." He said with a knowing grin. 

She splashed his face with water as he chuckled. She tied her dress around her mid-thigh and stepped into water. 

"Tell me about the conflict." She said as she put her arms around his neck. 

"They are fighting over resources. The Awaan have a stream that runs through the mountain so they have access to fresh water and can grow a lot of leafy green vegetables like lettuce and spinach, and other vegetables like carrots and potatoes. The Imitti have this coastal area, and here they grow things like garlics, onions, spinach, squash and celery." Aaryan explained. 

"Do they grow during the same season?" Ariana asked running her hands through Aaryan's hair. Aaryan flexed his hands that were around her hips. 

"No, the Awaan have a short growing season around late summer and the Imitti grow during the spring, fall and early summer." Aaryan answered. 

"Well start there. They need to help each other in their off seasons. If they do, they will both have more crops and they can trade the resources they don't have. It is a win-win situation." She said as he pulled her toward the shore. 

"The only problem is, they don't want to work together." Aaryan said sitting down on the grass and pulling her into his lap. 

"I was thinking about that." She said straddling his waist. Her dress had risen higher. 

"And the way I see it you have three options...Option 1: You can force them by law to work together." She said in concentration. 

"Go on." Aaryan said caressing the tops of her thighs. 

"Option 2: You can highly suggest that they work together but not formally force them to do so...and Option 3: You can lead by example and bridge the gap between both sides." She said looking at his face for answers. 

"Hmmm." He began contemplatively. "I agree with all of the options you gave...however...I think Option 3 is the best." He said quickly turning over and pulling her down on top of him on the grass. 

"Aaryan!" Ariana screamed. 

He silenced her alarm with a hard kiss on the mouth. She immediately yielded and softened to him. 

"You will make an excellent Queen. You did...well today." He said as he continued to kiss her. 

"I just like solving problems. Speaking of which..." She said suggestively as she brushed against his cock with her calf. 

"No sex remember." Aaryan teased and she swatted his chest. 

They laid that way for a while. Ariana laying on chest, stroking his hair and staring at the stars, while Aaryan held her and closed his eyes. 

"This is a very weird situation that we are in." Ariana said tilting her head to the side. 

"What do you mean?" Aaryan asked, looking at her. 

"If this was a normal situation we would be dating or we would be boyfriend and girlfriend." Ariana said looking at Aaryan closely. 

"Girlfriend? I have never had a girlfriend before. I've never even been in love before. There has never been time for such things." Aaryan said with a confused look on his face. 

"I know that you want to marry me, but don't you think before we walk down the aisle we should have some form of commitment?" Ariana asked. 

"Like an engagement?" Aaryan asked. 

"Yes, like an engagement. It will let all of the men at the office that I am off the market and show our level of commitment to one another." Ariana said with a serene smile. 

"Is anyone bothering you?" Aaryan asked with clenched fist. 

"Not really anyone besides Fadil..." Ariana said with a chuckle. 

"This way we can let him down easy." Ariana said as she stroked his chest. 

"I will take great pleasure and letting my brother know you are "off the market" girlfriend." Aaryan said and Ariana giggled. 

He kissed her and then helped her right her clothes before they began walking back to the car. 

They locked pinky's and he opened her car door and helped her inside. 

She rode back to the palace with Quadir resting in her lap and a serene look on her face. 

She had a family now. 

******* 

A few days later, Ghaniyah stopped by for their weekly informal Wednesday dinner. 

"I'm glad you arrived early Ghani, we have much to discuss." Ariana said as she got the ingredients ready for the Chalua. 

She had already mixed minced garlic, chopped onions, 1 ½ cups of water, salt and pepper, cayenne pepper, ½ cup of vegetable oil, cumin, and cilantro together and added it to the cooked lamb. 

Now Ariana was preparing the spinach and rice. 

"Yes. I hear congratulations are in order my dear child."Ghaniyah said embracing Ariana and kissing her on both sides of the cheek. 

Ariana blushed deeply as she lightly cooked the spinach in cooking oil and tossed it in a skillet. 

"I know this is the right decision. I can help him and he can help me and we can have a wonderful life here together." Ariana said as she looked at Quadir in the distance. 

"I'm so glad you have come to right decision. Now I don't want you to worry about any of the details, I will take care of everything but the dress. We can meet with the designer soon and go over what you want." Ghaniyah said as she prepared the basmati rice. 

"That is great..." Ariana said, with a hint of sadness clouding her tone. 

"My dear...what is wrong?" Ghaniyah said, putting the spoon down and reaching over to Ariana. 

"My mother...my mother wrote me last week and...I don't know what to say or do." Ariana said looking at Ghaniyah for answers. 

"What is this conflict between you and your mother?" Ghaniyah asked in a motherly tone. 

"My father died when I was 12. He had a stroke while behind the wheel of his car. I was devastated...After he died, his best friend helped us a lot. He would take my brother's to games, help me with my homework, look after my mom, etc." Ariana said with tears in her eyes. 

Ghaniyah touched her arm lovingly. 

"When I was 13, I caught him and my mom having sex. My father hadn't even been dead a year yet and she was already moving on with another man, and his best friend no less." Ariana said with a clenched fist as tears rolled down her eyes. 

"Oh honey." Ghaniyah said pulling Ariana into a hug. 

"What if she had been sleeping with him the whole time? That's a very fast time to just fall in love with someone. How could she do that? How could she do that to my father like that?" Ariana said crying openly. 

"Sit."Ghaniyah said gesturing toward the table. She turned the rice down low. 

"My husband has been gone for 11 years. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of him. I see him every time I look at the amazing children we were blessed to have. I see him in these walls, in the memories we shared, in the happiness we once had. That kind of love does not just go away." Ghaniyah began. 

"I still love my husband but after he passed I fell in love again too." Ghaniyah said with a chuckle. 

"How?" Ariana said pulling her hands away. 

"The heart is a strong resilient organ. It can be damaged many times over and repaired. You can think you will never get over some heart ache and then you simply do. The heart has the capacity for more than one great love. I love my husband, and no matter who I love or who loves me after that, it will not undo anything that he and I had. I still have the utmost respect for him and his legacy, and I will never speak ill of the time we had." Ghaniyah said. 

"It is unfair of you to think that your mother should spend the rest of her days alone. It is childish and it is wrong. I'm sure you know that his best friend is a good man that treats your mother right. If you open yourself up to him, it will not erase any of the memories you had with your father or undo any of the love that you have. Don't be afraid. No one can ever replace your father in your heart." Ghaniyah continued. 

"I just feel guilty." Ariana said in frustration. 

"Don't, your father would want you all to be with happy. Let it go. Make amends with your mother. Your father would not be happy seeing you two fight like this. You are happy here with my son, yes?" Ghaniyah said holding Ariana's hands. 

"Yes." Ariana answered. 

"Don't you think your mother deserves that kind of happiness too?" Ghaniyah asked rhetorically. 

"You are right. As always you are right. How do you know so much?" Ariana said with a sniffle and chuckle. 

"Truth is, I don't. But that is my secret." Ghaniyah said patting Ariana on the hands and once again stirring the pot of rice. 

"Please go and tell Aaryan that the food is ready." Ghaniyah said. 

Ariana wiped the tears from her face as she walked down to Aaryan's office. She found him asleep at his desk. She knew that he had been up late the previous night working on a solution with his advisors for the northeast region. 

She looked at him as emotion washed over her. 

She stroked his hair and whispered in his ear, "I love you." She quietly left the room and had dinner with Ghaniyah and Quadir.