“I would love to.”
Wasim took her hand and they walked to the water. They splashed around, jumped into the waves, and floated on their backs as they let the sun’s rays toast their skin into a darker hue. Their playfulness included Imani jumping on his back or Wasim tossing her into the waves.
Worry-free, Imani lost track of how much time they spent out there. Every time they grew tired, they went back to the shore, relaxed on the chairs, and rehydrated. Then they went back into the water for more swimming, splashing, and playing.
Her grumbling stomach caused Imani to say, “I’m ready to eat now.”
“I am, too, actually,” Wasim admitted.
They went back to the shore where they both covered up and Wasim called for their lunch.
Two female servants delivered a picnic basket filled with a choice of sandwiches, more fresh fruit, figs with creamy goat cheese, and more of the refreshing citrus water.
After they ate, their full bellies kept them relaxing on the chairs. Wasim reclined in his lounger and looked at her.
“What?” Imani said.
“Come here.”
“Why?”
“Come. Here.”
She wanted to be stubborn. To refuse him, but her feet moved of their own volition and took her across the small divide. She rested her knee on the edge of his chair, and he took her hand with the platinum and diamond wedding band.
“When I tell you to do something, you should do it.”
“I’m not afraid of you.”
“You should be. My word is law. I am the ultimate authority in Barrakesch.”
“And you do want an obedient wife. How sad for you that’s not what you ended up with.”
“Are you sure,habibti?”
She tried to yank away her hand, but he tightened his hold and chuckling, pulled her down on top of him. As Imani relaxed and closed her eyes, Wasim smoothed a hand under the coverup and cupped her bottom. He squeezed her ass several times and she moaned, settling more comfortably on top of him before he patted her left cheek and left his hand there.
That was the last thing she remembered—his hand resting possessively on her bottom as she lay on top of him—before she dozed off.
She woke up when Wasim shook her awake. Groggily, she opened her eyes and saw the sun had already set.
“It’s time to go back to the house,” he said quietly.
“Okay,” Imani said, glancing up at the darkening sky.
He gave her a tender kiss, holding his mouth against hers for long time before he finally released her.
They slowly made their way back to the house, with her tucked into his side and an arm around his waist. After spending the day together playing, laughing, and even sleeping, being this close to him felt extremely natural.
While the helpers went down to the beach to gather up the items they’d left, she and Wasim took showers in separate bathrooms and changed clothes before the last part of the day commenced.
22
Their meal consisted of grilled trout, sautéed vegetables, andbissap, a popular Zamibian drink made from dried hibiscus flowers. They ate out on the balcony with only a few lights on, and votive candles flickering on the table. The sound of the Arabian Sea rolling forward across the sands over and over again was their background music.
As the meal came to an end, Imani dabbed her lips with the white napkin. “That was absolutely delicious.”
“Yes, it was,” Wasim agreed.
