Lady Death

into three sections. One for sitting, one for entertainment, and another for dining. The jet was also equipped with a lavatory and shower, which Omar made use of immediately.
All three had “go bags” prepared well in advance. Each bag contained clothes, personal items and pre-stamped passports in their cover identities. Each passport had proper US exit stamps so customs in Paris would ask no questions. They were traveling as executives with her father’s company. There would be no questions asked but the routine ones.
Tanya had worked for her father long enough to know how to deal with airport routines. All Omar and Sila had to do was follow her lead and keep quiet unless spoken to.
Presently they touched down at Orly Airport in Paris and met no resistance. Sila Kaymak drove the rental to their hotel. Tanya Jafari didn’t relax until she double locked the hotel room door. They were staying at the Mercure Paris Tour Eiffel Pont Mirabeau. A nice place with a long name but close to the Seine, which would be important for them later, and the Eiffel Tower should she get the urge to go look. Right now, the tower didn’t interest her. Omar turned on the lights.
“I’m going to keep the drapes closed,” he said.
“Perfect,” she said, and began to undress. She kicked off her jeans and pulled off her Tee-shirt. Her pale white skin contrasted with his darker shade. Reaching back to unhook her bra, she frowned at Omar.
“Why are you standing there like a dope?”
“Tanya—”
She dropped her bra and let him have a look at her. Joy turned to disappointment.
“What is it, Omar?”
“I don’t think I can.”
She went to him and undid his belt buckle. “Of course, you can.”
She felt his breath on her as she pushed his pants down, squatting in front of him. She told him to step out of the jeans. He did so reluctantly. She looked up at him. “Why are you behaving like a man about to be shot?”
“Tanya—”
She stood and leaned into his face. “Hey! We haven’t been together—”
“In a long time, Tanya. I know.”
“So, come on.” She tugged at his shirt. “Throw me on the bed and ravage me.”
He took hold of her wrists. Her eyes widened.
“Don’t you want me?”
“Yes. But I need time.”
“What did they do to you, honey?”
“Put me in a cage.”
“You busted out! There’s nothing wrong with you.”
He moved past her to the bed, pulled down the covers, and finally removed his shirt. He dropped his boxers on top of her jeans. She smiled and came to him, wrapping her arms around his warm torso. His chest hair felt good against her bare skin.
“I still have something on,” she said, nudging him. She felt his thumbs hook into the waistband of her panties and then they were on the floor too.
But he wasn’t responding.
“Omar?”
“Let’s get in bed,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time I slept in a real bed. We can hold each other. It’s all I can do right now.”
Her face softened. “All right.” She slid onto the bed on her hands and knees, offering another view she assumed he examined with relish. Rolling onto her back, she gestured for him to join her.
He pulled the covers up, turned on his side, and pulled her close. She sighed and rested her head under his neck. She felt warm all over, partly from his body heat, the rest from desire now agonizingly frustrated.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
“Just hold me,” she said.
It didn’t take long for him to doze off. He snored quietly. She didn’t feel tired but fell asleep too. Their first time together since his capture hadn’t gone the way she planned, but at least he was there, in her arms, and alive.
Twenty-four hours later, the pair lay half asleep in bed, entwined in each other, and Tanya glanced with lazy eyes at the nightstand clock.
“It’s past noon,” she said.
Omar mumbled into her neck. His body still felt hot against hers and she didn’t want to let go. All the tension of the last few days had faded. She felt normal again.
“We missed breakfast.”
He moved a hand along her bare leg, reaching between her thighs.
“Mmmmmm,” she said.
“I can do one or two things,” he said.
She didn’t argue. Her body tingled as she let him probe inside her. She gasped as waves of pleasure rolled over her and squeezed him tight. She had gone without him for too long. She wasn’t going to cut their time short unless she had to.
They didn’t get out of bed until three in the afternoon. Showered and dressed, the drapes still closed, they ordered lunch from room service. Grilled chicken with rice and salad and a pitcher of ice water. Tanya checked in with Sila Kaymak, who was in his room two floors down. All was well. All on schedule.
Omar ate fast.
“Slow down,” she told him.
“You wouldn’t believe what they tried to make me live on,” he said. “Maybe one meal every other day. The rest of the time they forced Ensure down my throat.”
“A protein drink?”
“Their idea of torture.”
“No wonder you lost so much weight.”
He scoffed. “Don’t remind me.” He gestured at his plate. “I may need more after this. I’m almost useless.”
“Not useless at all. Not the way you blasted out of there.”
He shook his head. “Pure desperation.”
“It comes in handy sometimes.”
He nodded and went back to eating.
“What’s next?” he said.
“The island,” she said. “We’ll stay there while Operation Triangle takes place.”
He frowned. “Is it safe?”
“It will be. For a while.” She looked sad. “Once the strike takes place, the Americans will scorch the earth to find us.”
He stopped eating again. “Why did you come for me?”
“I need you.”
“For what?”
“I need you with me, Omar. I don’t want to be alone. I can’t do this without you.”
He nodded.
“Would you rather I left you there?”
“No.” He ate some more.
“I admire how you held out,” she said. “They didn’t break you.” She raised an eyebrow. “Did they?”
He shook his head. “I kept thinking of you. You