The Alliance

Chapter 18

I cautiously looked both ways before exiting my bedroom. 

I was going stir crazy having stayed sheltered in the rather nicely decorated room all day for the past two days, my meals being brought up by the house help and busying myself with anything I could. Mostly with the intention to avoid Imaan.

And it had worked for the most part. But even though I didn't see her, it didn't mean I didn't think about her. I did. I thought about all of the things I wanted to do to her all of the time. And that's precisely why I had to avoid her.

For the sole reason that I didn't know if I could handle us being in close proximity without temptation getting the best of me and slitting her throat- if nothing else. I reminded myself as I speedily walked down the quiet hallways, barely watching where I was walking that I had to be patient. Patience had never been my strongest principle. 

A groan escaped me as I bumped into someone. I closed my eyes and released a sigh before cracking one open to the last person I wanted to see. 

I watched her as those hazel eyes that watched me intensely as I orgasmed took me in the same way they had that night. My own eyes travelled down the length of her frame. 

The pair of lips that had kissed and sucked on my neck quirked into the half smirk she always seemed to wear. Folded sleeves covered most of the strong arms that had held me as I came down from my high. And those hands- fuck those hands.

I straightened up, softly clearing my throat before speaking in the most authoritative tone I could muster, "Excuse me."

"I take it that you're not done avoiding me." 

"I'm not avoiding you, Imaan." I quipped back, my line of sight being the painting that hung behind her. The swirls of different shades of blue, green and orange being enough to hold my attention.

"Look me in the eyes and say it." I sighed at the words preparing to take my leave before her hand on my forearm stopped me. Her other hand reaching for my chin and tilting my head in her direction. "Look me in the eyes and say it, Ariah."

"It was a mistake." I uttered. Fiery hazels burning into my greys that stayed on them like smoke to a blazing fire. "We-" I began but rethought my words, "You shouldn't have."

"You kissed me that night." She argued. And I wanted to die at how true that was. But what did she expect when she rubbed on me like that? With that look in her eyes.

"And you didn't stop it." My eyes looked over her face. Her dark silky hair pulled away from her sharp features.

"You didn't seem like you wanted to." She leaned in closer. "You looked like the only thing you wanted was my fingers in your pussy, Ariah." A small shudder racked through me as I vividly recalled the night. How she thrusted in and out of my wetness while rubbing on my clit. "You whined like a brat when my hand wasn't touching you. And God." My pulse skipped a beat as she moaned into my ear before pulling at my earlobe which forced me to stifle one of my own. "You were so wet for me, habibi."

Her head moved from the crook of my neck. Our eyes meeting again. "You looked exactly like you do now." My eyes stared at her mouth as she brought her face closer to mine, our noses touching and lips only inches away. "Don't tell me you're going to kiss me again." 

I inhaled sharply, my senses whelmed by the spearmint scent of her toothpaste before she moved away with a smirk on her face. "Because I don't think we'd be able to stop." 

Both of my lips salivated. The idea of her fingers exploring my walls again, guiding me to a finish and fucking me through it should not have sounded as appealing as it did. But fuck, it did and I barely felt apologetic about it.

"If only you could see yourself right now." I snapped out of my lust-filled daze at the sound of her smoky voice. A loose strand of my hair being found to twirl around her long tempting finger. As if to tease me further. "You look so cute when you're desperate."

"I-" I started before I startled as I was cut off yet the interruption earned a breathy exhalation of relief from me. Because what the fuck was I about to ask her?

To touch me? Again? 

Why didn't sound as bad of an idea as it should have?

"Ms. Ariah, your sister's here for you." One of the women that worked around the house regularly spoke, and I never once thought I'd be so grateful at the mention of Nezrah.

"Allow her in." I answered before hastily moving past Imaan. I turned my head to look at her with a confused expression on my face when she followed me. "What are you doing?" 

"I can't say hello to my sister-in-law?" She taunted and just as I was about to object said sister-in-law ran into her arms.

"Hey, Nez." I quickly raised a brow at the nickname, watching the two as they hug like best friends that hadn't seen each other in weeks. I nearly stumble at the small impact of someone wrapping their arms around my leg. 

I look down to see Koen looking up at me with a smile on his face. "Hey Ko." I send a smile of my own back, content when I get a wave in return- Koen has never been big on words.

"Oh, hey Ariah." The greeting makes me look at my sister and send my own back. My eyes narrowing when I catch Imaan looking at Koen and I can feel my body tense up in protectiveness. It takes her a moment to feel my gaze on her and she looks away as soon as she does. Leaving me with questions and my guard up.

"What are you eating?" She eagerly asks, eyes now fixated on the oddly shaped dessert in Nezrah's hand.

"I honestly have no idea." She chuckles before proceeding to speak with her mouth full. "There are more in the kitchen though." And it's almost as if I'm invisible as I awkwardly follow the pair with Koen's hand in my own while Imaan drags her hastily to the kitchen where one of the helpers are taking a pan of delicacies out of the oven.

"These are so good, Hilary." My sister applauds, taking one off of the tray and handing it to Imaan whilst I take Koen to the living room, sitting him on the couch and putting something on the tv to keep him entertained.

When I return Nezrah has a look on her face. A look I don't like one bit and shut down. "No." I say before sitting down at the marble island and taking a cookie.

"No." She looks at Imaan with a pout, "No?" Imaan only shakes her head in the negative seemingly very uncomfortable. "I could have a niece by now." My sister complains and I can't help but let out a humored snort at that.

"You know that's not how it works right?" Imaan shakes her head, "I'll let Ariah explain it to you." She excuses herself before walking out of the kitchen leaving Nezrah and I behind.

It's a few moments of us both enjoying our cookies before I speak up, "How have things at home been?"

"Same old same old." She dismisses my question with a wave of her hand before she sighs realizing I'm not having that. "Dad's barely been home these days." She blows a strand of hair out of her face. "You know how ma gets when that happens." She self-projects her insecurities onto us, becoming more over-bearing than ever- as if we're the reason dad sees other women.

"Well, you and Koen could always stay here if you need to."

"We won't Ariah, I can take care of us. We don't need you looking after us anymore." She huffed. "I swear sometimes you're almost as bad as mom."

"I'm sorry." I whispered out softly, my eyes stinging.

"I didn't mean for it to come out." She said walking to where I was sat. 

"But you thought it?" I looked up at her.

"I -" Imaan chose that moment to return, cutting Nezrah off and making me quickly wipe my tears that hadn't yet fallen away.