All That Glitters Ch. 12

Surprised, she paused for a moment. Fayad took the pause for consent and once again raised her foot. He took a medical pack from his bag and pulled out a pair of tweezers to remove the glass. He then sprayed the foot with disinfectant and placed a patch of second skin over it to protect the cut and allow it to heel.

*You should be OK to walk now,* he said with that shy smile of his. *Though I would put sandals on those pretty feet to protect them.* He packed up his things and stood up to leave.

*May the blessings of Andanii be on you, honored sister,* he gave the traditional parting.

But it was anything than traditional for Hanalei. No man had given her that greeting since before the death of her husband. She was almost too shocked to speak, and then he was moving away.

*Wait! Please. I am Hanalei Anar,* she told him, giving her true name. *My late husband was Temet Halar.* It would be all the explanation that any Andanii would need to explain her plight, anyone knowing the families would know how ridged they were.

He nodded to her. *I am Fayad Ouihya, fourth son of the House of Ouihya,* he explained.

Fourth son? No wonder he was polite. He had no House, and little opportunity to create a house of his own, unless he earned it. But seeing his eyes, the way he held himself, the gentleness about him, the hidden power of his resolve, she somehow knew that he would.

She wondered what it would be like. To be with him.

*Can we go someplace private to talk,* she asked him.

He took up her bag and escorted her to his room. Not a fancy room, she noted. He offered her a drink. Water, juice?

*No alcohol?* she asked, surprised.

*I can get some for you if you like,* he told her.

*No thank-you, I prefer juice,* she said with a smile.

*All I have is passionfruit, I hope you like it,* he said giving her a bottle.

She had never tasted it before, but they each cracked open a small bottle and clinked them together before tasting the fruity nectar. Hanalei had never tasted anything like it in her life. It was sweet, and syrupy and yet not overpowering in taste. She relished the feel of it on her tongue, enjoying the sweet aftertaste as she swallowed the delicious beverage.

She looked at Fayad, he smiled knowingly at her, having tasted passionfruit for the first time himself only a few days ago. She laughed, surprised and delighted. The man could move her in so many different and pleasing ways without uttering a word.

They moved into the living room and Fayad sat in the large puffy chair. Hanalei stood in front of him and made a decision.

*I have been with a few men since my husband's death,* she told him, sad to admit it to him. *I missed the feeling of comfort that comes when you are with someone you love, someone you respect, someone you care for.*

*Sometimes, I have sought out a semblance of that feeling with other men. But it isn't the same,* she told him as she reached behind her back to pull at the string of her bikini top, removing it and dropping it on the small table.

She had beautiful, round breasts, high on her chest and firm, with large areolas and long thick nipples slanted gently upwards. They were mother's nipples, made for suckling children...or husbands.

*I think it would be different with you. Your kindness and gentleness today was beyond what I was expecting, and I am grateful to you for showing me that today,* she told him as she pulled at the strings of her bikini bottom, adding it to the top on the table. She had a small tuft of hair on her mons that did nothing to hide the labia beneath it.

But for her sandals, she was naked now in front of Fayad, a study in perfection and female beauty. And he studied her, how he studied her. He looked up into her eyes, his own eyes misting. A single tear rolled down his cheek.

Hanalei saw the tear and it unnerved her. Fearing abrupt rejection, she grabbed her bag and the bikini parts and moved to the door, but he took hold of her arm and pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly.

*Sssshhhhh...,* he whispered into her ear. *It's alright. It's alright. You are safe with me,* he said gently rocking her in his arms.

Hanalei was naked, sitting on his lap, and he just in his shorts. She felt his interest in her, the hardness very apparent. She could feel the strength in his body, yet she did not fear him or worry for herself as he held her.

*You are the most beautiful of women, and I would like nothing more than to court your and ask you to be my wife. But I must work away from Anuura for now, and it would be wrong to ask you to wait for me for five or more years,* he told her.

He held her for a time longer, while thoughts whirled in her mind.

*I do not know if I can wait for five or more years,* she told him truthfully.

Looking deep into her eyes, he nodded his head in acceptance of that. He did not take his eyes off hers even once, yet he had examined her completely as she stood in front of him. Most men would have looked again. Fayad showed his respect by not looking.

Holding her, he gracefully stood up, showing the strength she had felt. He placed her on her feet and lifted her bag from the floor where it fell, handing it to her. She reached in and pulled out a pair of panties gently pulling them on. He sighed softly as she covered her lower half. Surprised, she let out a giggle at that.

Next, she took out a dress and pulled it over herself, hearing an even louder sigh from Fayad. This time she laughed outright. He gave her a warm smile.

Taking her into his arms, he kissed her, softly, gently. The kiss was a promise without a promise, a promise to wait unless she decided otherwise. She couldn't understand how a person could convey such a message in a simple kiss.

He escorted her to the door, where he kissed her again, once more making the unspoken promise.

*I am the fourth son of the House of Ouihya, and I am Tcholla,* he said.

A fourth son, and Tcholla! Now it made sense to her

*I am, Fullohd,* she reminded him.

*Only if you wish to be,* he said with conviction, reaching up to cup her face with his left hand.

She saw the comp on his wrist and lifted hers. She sequenced it and held it up for him. He smiled and sequenced his own. They brought the two units together and she heard the simultaneous beeps and felt the rumbles of the two units as they confirmed to their respective owners that the sequences had been passed.

He opened the door for her, *The blessing of Andanii be on you, Paiya,* he said with a smile.

She felt her eyes misting and was afraid to speak so she just nodded to him, her lower lip fluttering, and turned away quickly before she could break down crying again.

As she fled the resort, she passed by the post office and stopped to buy some e-mail vouchers. She didn't have much money, Andjuran never gave her much, but she did have enough to buy thirty round trip e-mails to Anuura. She would have to be careful of using those around the compound, but maybe, just maybe...

Johal Compound, Terra

The knock came from the servant's door. Andjuran bade the person to enter.

*Ah Hanalei, how did you fare?* he asked her without preamble.

*He cannot be tempted, Elder,* she told him without further explanation.

*You did your best?* he asked of her, knowing she did.

*He witnessed my nakedness, Elder, and I could see he responded to it. But he did not molest me or touch me in any manner. He is dedicated, Elder. To what I cannot say,* she finished.

*He is Tcholla,* Andjuran informed her. Hanalei briefly allowed surprise to show on her face, then nodded her head, turned and left the office.

Andjuran was pleased. He would have to stay for another few days, but Fayad would make one more appearance, and he would make his offer to the man to be his eyes and ears on Larimor-23.

End of chapter eleven.

Please rate and comment but remember to keep your comments respectful.

Thanks, bigtddybr