The Customer (Dexter's Saga) Ch. 27

"You know, you are right! I never thought about that," Jesse laughed. "Yeahhh, I can see it now, Mike surrounded by big hardened criminals, cringing and sweating as they close in around him...."

"You do have a mean streak in you!" Yethro laughed. "That's what I love about you. A born Bedouin."

"Well he did hurt me that first time and I do have a long memory. I would love to see him in that same situation... Again you are right, I am turning into a mean S.O.B. But not a 'Son of a bitch', rather a Son of a Bedouin!" Jesse smiled and kissed his father.

"And that's why you need a few days off -- so you just go to Mosque tomorrow and then take a few friends to the cabin and go fishing, have a few beers, and relax. I just wish it could be me going there with you, but your Governor has to work so his lover can play," Yethro playfully sighed.

"If I didn't know better I would think that you and Dan were going to try out some of those men before you ship them out of the country..."

"Get out of here, before you find your ass on that list!" Yethro ordered as he kissed him and let him out of the office. "But remember, I want you back here for another session on that couch of yours before you go to Washington."

"So Rashid, what progress do you have to report on Yethro's son? Have you or any of the younger agents been able to get close to him yet?" Asked the Jihad agent as the two of them sat in a coffee house smoking hashish from a hooker pipe late Thursday evening.

"It's really hard to tell as he has that woman that he is seeing, but I think I will be able to report some progress soon."

"Woman? It was our feeling that he was perhaps on the 'Gay Side'."

"I really don't believe he is. He surely doesn't appear to look that way." Rashid said taking a big drag on the hookah and watching it bubble. "However, it is worth a try. We have a class with the Imam tomorrow and I will explore that road. Perhaps he and I will be able to explore this together. But I have to be careful. He might just deck me. Yes, I have to be very careful. Anyway just in case I do get lucky and it looks like I may be getting somewhere I will call and tell you that I will not be home for the weekend. In any event I think I should stop this smoking and get some rest as I might need it tomorrow."

"Good I hope we are on to something here. Yethro has aged and we must look for younger blood. And that blood may not be Arab. Some of our best agents, fighters and leaders are coming from the newly converted. That young man might be the answer and with a true Jihadist like you leading, guiding and controlling him, we can be sure that control will be to our ultimate benefit."

The next morning, Friday, Jesse went to the Mosque for services and classes. It was a bright sunny morning and the afternoon promised to be even hotter. It was a great day to go for a swim or fishing up at the lake. Even the Imam realized that it was useless trying to keep the class going and decided to let them out a little early.

After class, while packing his Koran and notebook into his backpack, Jesse spotted Rashid standing alone at the doorway. Smiling, Jesse walked up to him and asked how he enjoyed today's lesson.

"It was boring and I had trouble keeping awake! Don't tell the Imam I said that," he whispered. "Jesse, to tell the truth I don't know why I come to these things. The only reason I even look forward to being here is that I get to hang out with guys like you." Rashid said and seeing the look of surprise on Jess' face he quickly added, "Jesse, how do you manage to keep awake?"

"I really enjoy most of his classes, but I do agree with you that there are times I do want to nod off. I was hoping that he might take the summer off and give us a break."

"On days like this it's not too bad being in the Mosque. It was hot this morning and since the Mosque is air-conditioned -- it was nice to cool off a bit. However, this afternoon it is going to get into the nineties and I would love to have a few cold ones and find a way to avoid the heat. Do you have any ideas?" Rashid asked. sort of hinting.

"By cold ones, I take it you mean beer. In other words, if I get you right, you would like to pick up a few six-packs of beer. Then drive somewhere, preferably out of town to avoid your co-religionists eyes, so that we could get some relief from this blasted heat," Jesse snickered.

"I'm glad to see that I do not have to paint pictures for you, my friend," he said placing his arm around Jess' shoulder and hugging him a bit."

"Ahhh, no," Jess said laughing and placing his arm around Rashid's waist. "You don't have to explain any more. I do like the way you paint pictures, but you can put away that paintbrush. Rashid, my friend I agree with you one hundred percent. What do you say we make it a real party and ask two of the sisters to join us? Then, since Yethro is busy this weekend, I can drive the four of us up to the lake, drink a few beers, have a little party, fool around a bit and perhaps cool off in the lake?"

"Hell no! Are you crazy? Are you looking to get our throats cut? Maybe you would like to place an advertisement on the Mosque bulletin board! At the very least you and I would become the subjects of the Imam's next sermon. Damn it, Jesse, there is no way to faster have him on our backsides than having a beer party with anyone from that group of religious fanatics! Has the heat got to you? What are you thinking and to invite some girls from the congregation?!!! We would never even get the girls into that fancy car of yours! Their fathers would come after us with their long knives or maybe their shotguns, as you Yanks say. No! That would never work! Besides I was thinking of something more discreet. More private. Just the two of us going to the lake and you could give me a sort of personal tour," Rashid hinted as he hugged Jesse a bit more. "Two single, young guys relaxing at a cool lake would not upset the big shots as much as our taking their daughters on a date without proper supervision, getting them drunk and then ravishing them."

Jesse leaned into him and whispered, "That thought about their fathers never entered my mind. If Yethro found out he would be the first in line to.. You are right my friend! Anyway the cabin is small and there is not room for a big party. There is only one bed! It might be a bit cramped with four of us. What do you say we just hop into my car, not tell or ask anyone else and travel to the lake? On the way we can find a liquor store or something, stop for some beer then drive up to the lake and have a cookout. We could even go for a dip in the lake if you like. The water is nice and cool this early in the season. I know Yethro would not mind that as he is always saying I should make more friends. I could even call and let him know -- I'm sure he would approve."

"Now you're talking, but no need to even ask him. I'll just leave a message at my place and tell them to notify him," he said as he dialed his home and left a message on the answering machine that he was going with Jesse and he might not be home for a few days in Arabic. Closing the phone he said, "In case you are wondering about the call, I had to let my family know I will be away and not to worry. I had to leave a message, as they are not home right now. Maybe we should stop by the house so I can pick up my swim trunks ¬just in case."

Jesse opened the passenger side door for him and after Rashid had strapped in, he then walked around to his side and slipped in behind the wheel and placed his key in the ignition. As the powerful car started up he lowered the convertible top, put the car in drive and said rather naughty-like to Rashid as they pulled out of the parking lot, "Why spoil the fun? As long as it is just us men, there is no need to stop for your bathing trunks -- I seldom if ever swim in anything but my birthday suit..."

"You're kidding me!" Rashid said as he reached over and put his hand on Jess' thigh and let his fingers lightly move up and down as he playfully leaned in and kissing his ear whispered, "You mean I am really going to get the chance to see -- the real you!"

"Why would I kid you? The lake is completely private. The swimming area is hidden from the main road and patrolled by Yethro's handpicked guards to keep the public away. They would never violate our security or privacy. No one else is there and besides no one knows we are going to the lake anyway. If you have never tried it before you will love it. There is nothing like swimming nude to refresh the body and soul. You are not ashamed of your body or having me see you nude are you? If you are, I'm sure I can dig up a suit for you or you can always swim in your under shorts," Jesse said. "But, I can assure you that you have nothing there that I have not seen before."

Moving his hand up to Jess' crotch and feeling around, he said, "Mmmm! Maybe not, but I think I might have you beat, but not by much."

"Please, while I'm driving keep your hands to yourself. As you can see -- I'm easily aroused and I like to keep my eyes and mind on the road. My father would not like it if I were to run into a tree." Jesse said as he lightly removed Rashid's roving hand. After traveling a while Jesse pointed to a store and said, "Look, there is a supermarket up ahead. I'll stop but you will have to run in and buy us some cold six-packs, while I try to cool down and adjust myself. It would be embarrassing if I were to walk in there sporting this erection. How are you fixed for money? Do you need any?"

"No, this will be my treat. Any particular brand you like?"

"If it's not too expensive, get a good German or Dutch beer."

"Okay. I'll take care of everything. You just stay here, wait but don't cool down too much. I prefer my beer cold but my men to be warm, able and ready..." He said as he again leaned in and kissed Jess on the ear and whispered, "Just keep that sex motor of yours running...."

While Rashid was in the store, Jesse called Yethro's personal phone and left a message as to where he was going and with whom. He then also notified Mike and told him what was going on and telling him not to interfere.

A little while later Rashid came out with another guy carrying a large cooler containing the beer packed in ice and Jesse popped the trunk while they placed it in the rear and then Jess and Rashid continued on their way.

"I had to leave a deposit on the cooler. Let's remember to return it on the way back," Rashid said as he leaned back, placed one arm around Jesse and closed his eyes and enjoyed the air blowing over them.

They made it to the lake by 2PM and Jesse gave the gate key to Rashid and told him to open the gate. Jesse then drove in closed and locked the gate and opened up the cabin and aired it out. Then he showed Rashid around the cabin. They placed most of the beer in the refrigerator and then he had Rashid take the cooler with a few bottles down to the dock. "I'll be down there soon. I'll make and bring something light down to nibble on before we swim. I can make a meal later. We have lots of fish here, but it has to defrost first. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good to me, babe. Do you mind if I have a cool one while I wait?"

"No, go on, enjoy yourself. Have two if you want! I'll bring the towels when I come down. Will you want me to scare up some bathing suits for us?"

"What and miss the opportunity of seeing you in the altogether? Besides, I wouldn't want you to carry too much. You might hurt that beautiful back of yours and instead of swimming I will have to spend the time massaging you. No, forget the suits. Just hurry! I can't wait to see what you have been hiding from me."

Jesse opened the freezer and took out some fish and frozen vegetables and set up the meal getting it ready to cook later. While he was at it he placed two bottles of white wine on ice. After putting together two sandwiches he walked over to the hidden security screen and turned it on so that he could see Rashid down at the dock. He saw him strip off his shirt and open a bottle of beer. After taking a long sip he just stood there looking out over the lake enjoying both the view and the slight breeze. After a short time he removed his shoes and socks, sat down on the dock and dangled his feet in the water. Jesse then shut off the monitor, grabbed the lunch, some towels and took off for the dock.

"Boy this is really something. It's what I call living! I never dreamed it would be like this. I pictured a broken-down shack but this is fantastic. Is it true Yethro owns all this land around the lake and one-day it's going to be all yours? The Governor is going to leave it to you, isn't he?"

"He has already made me a co-owner in most of his property as well as made me the executor of his will."

"You, my friend are one lucky guy to have a place like this. I was just enjoying the cool view and soaking my feet. It is so quiet and beautiful here. Do we ever have to go back to the city? Lets just stay here forever, just you and I."

"You do know how to paint those beautiful pictures. That sounds fantastic. However, we would have to find a way of getting more to eat than just fish."

"We could live off the land here. I'm sure there are deer and other game. We could even build a hen house and have chicken and eggs. Why do you ever leave it? If I owned it I would live here all year round and never go into town," he said as he got up and opened a beer for Jesse and handed it to him. "Then we could live up here, drink beer and do a little pot together. I'm so glad you asked me to come with you today. How can I ever thank you?" he said as he picked up his own bottle and clicked it against Jess's bottle. "To us and our new friendship."

"You can thank me by not smoking anything at all when you are with me. Yethro would have a fit if he ever caught me near that stuff. I also think that stuff is repulsive. I hope you will honor our feelings. It is and will be my father's and my pleasure to have you here anytime you want to come, but you must obey our rules. You are right, we do love it here and yes, from spring to autumn it is nice here. If you think it is beautiful now -- you will have to come back in September, when the leaves begin to turn color. Even in the winter, while there is not much to do except build snowmen, ice fish and sit around the fire in the fireplace, it too has its special beauty. The snow covers the trees and makes the place look like a Christmas card. We can even go ice-skating. While I do like the seclusion and privacy here, there are times that I wish I had younger company -- like right now," Jesse said again clinking his bottle to Rashid's. "To us."

"Yes," said Rashid. "To us! From now on let it always be the two of us. When I am here and with you I will obey the rules."

They each drank a bit and then, emboldened by the beer, Rashid put down his bottle and took Jesse in his arms and kissed both his cheeks. Then seeing that he didn't resist -- he lightly kissed his lips. When Jesse still did not resist his kiss, a surprised and overjoyed Rashid pulled back and looked into his eyes questioningly.

Jesse smiled and asked, "You are shocked aren't you? I can see that."

"Well, yes I am. Why the big change? The other day I thought you were heterosexual. Have you? Were you fooling with me all this time? I mean I thought that you and that woman.. that you were not interested in men...."

"I'm sorry if you got that impression. I was not fooling you. Just being careful and I'm sorry about that. I was not sure I could trust you. You see, for political reasons the Gov. wants me to appear bisexual and for the most part I am. That's why I have been seen with that woman. Yethro chose her and insists that I keep her around for appearances sake. But, to tell the truth I do favor men more than women. A strong man with a good body holding me in his arms turns me on. I like to feel a nice strong body in my arms crushing me to him," he said as he ran his fingers over the curly hair on Rashid's chest, his fingertips touching and teasing the hard nipples. "Yes I do like men and I can see that you are all man! I was not always this way. Maybe I should tell you the truth.. Yes, I think I would like to tell you how I became this way...."

"No, it's not necessary, I understand. As a matter of fact, as long as it is just the two of us I might prefer it that way myself. I have played with lovers from both sexes myself and as long as the men are not Muslims or fem I find them preferable. As you know some of us have no objections to having sex with non-Muslims both male and female. It's not considered to be sex as such and not really forbidden. In the past and even today in most sophisticated rich circles, male/male relationships are the norm. In fact most if not all of the married men in my family have very close and long lasting male friends that they associate, go to parties and on holidays with. As you will see when you get to know us better the men prefer other men even in the coffee houses. It is very rare that you will see men and women even eating at the same table."

"Being a Christian, I do not like the fact that you and many other Muslims treat me as someone you can enslave, use and then dispose of and that we are not your equals. Do not deign it. I know about your cultural fixation that every Christian, past, present and future is a direct descendent of the hated Crusaders. I know all of that too well and from first hand experience. However, I do insist that you know what you are getting into before this goes any further." Jesse said and then told him a shortened story about his enslavement, his sex life working for Sultan and how he and Yethro became father and son. "I'm telling you this, but you are not to reveal it to anyone. While it is not really a secret, the Governor would be angry if it became common knowledge. There is no way I can predict how he would act or what he would do. You might not like what he would do to you or your family if you were the cause of any of this becoming common knowledge. As for myself it is getting more and more difficult to stay in the closet. I wish he were more of a Bedouin. It seems that the Bedouin are more accustomed to that type of relationship than we city people are. The dessert people are more realistic about such things. This is very confusing to you, I know, but that's the story. Take it or leave it."

"It's not confusing to me at all. But, why did you tell me all this? You did not have to. You could have pretended to make me think that this was all new to you."

"First of all on one level, while this is not really new to me, it is new in a very special way! You see this is the first time that I made the choice. Yes, I made the choice, not someone else! I chose you of my own free will. All of the others from Achmed to the Judge were in one way or the other forced on me. So you see this is my "first time". If we continue to see each other and become good friends, someone would sooner or later have told you. Then you would be angry and hurt. I wanted you to hear it from me first. This way you will have no reason to come back later and throw it up in my face that I never told you about my past. Now is your chance to pick up your dignity and leave. I would hate it if you did but I would understand. I still want you as a friend. Are we still friends?"

"My dignity? At this time I don't think I have any, nor do I want any. As for our being okay, you bet we are," Rashid said as he pulled Jesse into his arms this time for a big passionate kiss grinding his hardened crotch into Jesse. "There, does that answer that question? Now that that hurdle is overcome, which should we do first, go to bed or go for that swim."

Gasping for air, Jesse moaned, "I think it would be a good idea to at least go into the water for a while. You know -- I never did ask if you could swim!"