HOUSE OF HAYDAR 2 - THE WARRIOR OF HAYDAR - completed

Chapter Six

Waking early Kahlil walked the area looking for the perfect place to sit out the day's heat to find a small opening in the rock side. Small, however, would keep the sun off her and hopefully cool as well. Satisfied he went searching for edible food that was scarce, to end up back at Zoe side who was still asleep.

He grabbed the backpacks to see what was left. He had no choice. There was no way she could make a journey today. He would, of course, cut back on his own share as long as he drank plenty of fresh water, looking over his shoulder. Stripping down he grabbed the empty water canteens to walk into the oasis and over the cascading water to fill the canteens.

Feeling weak and dry mouthed Zoe rolled over reaching for Kahlil to come up empty handed to slowly open her eyes to focus on a dying fire. She looked behind her to see him wading in the water to roll onto her stomach, resting her chin on crossed arms. As he rose higher out of the water carrying the water canteens, it became obvious he had stripped. How far, she had no idea. Licking her lips, she tried to call out only to gasp from a dry throat. He didn't even notice and he wasn't looking at her, concentrating on where he was walking, so buried her face further into her arms, so only vivid blue eyes were showing and black hair.

The further he come out it became clearer he was completely naked. Her cheeks burned yet curious. He had a magnificent physique, broad rock hard chest taping down to ripped abs water glistering off his body reminding her of those models displaying the latest underwear. All muscles and good looks. Kahlil was hundred times better and no way was he going to be a model. His jet black hair shone under the morning sun, dark stubble lined his angular jaw line, high cheek bones and amber eyes fringed with thick black lashes most women would kill for that were looking straight at her and he was half way out of the water to stand still.

"Finally awake I see," he noted dryly though muttered something under his breath. Something like perfect timing as usual.

"Enjoying myself," she said in a hoarse whisper.

"Save your voice habibti, just nod or shake your head. Now look away," he ordered. She shook her head. "Zoe," he growled. She smiled. "Fine," he said moving forward to place the filled canteens on solid ground then lifted himself with strong arms twisting around to sit on the edge.

"Cute butt," she croaked to chuckle as he glared at her over his shoulder. "Sorry," she buried her face into her arms suddenly tired. "You're safe," she whispered hoarsely.

"Obviously you used to nakedness," he snarled making her blush because she wasn't, no matter what he thought. She turned to face towards the desert. However, he was a hard man not to keep your gaze upon because he was gorgeous. Drop-dead gorgeous. He left Philip for dead in physique and being a hero. Philip would never do this, which made sense. Kahlil was a desert warrior. Philip.....she frowned struggling to find something special about the man she was going to marry.

He had been easy going. Seemed to enjoy her company, well used to, she scowled, remembering how he had been with her family. Her noisy fun loving family who looked after each other. She sighed because she missed being with her family. They had so much fun and surrounded by so much love. Philip couldn't leave fast enough she realised when she got the call to say Bella was in labour and two weeks early.

Philip had her packed, flying to England to a waiting private jet within a blink of an eye. Thinking back her family hadn't been that warming either, perhaps Kahlil was correct, she had been bowled over. At first he had bent over backwards to please her, would do anything for her. Not something she really expected or wanted, she realised. Assad and Bella loved each other unconditionally, however, didn't mean they didn't have arguments or lost patience.

Philip and her, never argued, not once. Suddenly she felt she wanted out. She wanted to be single again. Why? No, she shook her head, it wasn't Philip, it was her, because he hadn't done anything wrong, she just wanted something more than he was offering. She wanted a voice. She doesn't have one now. Philip controlled what they did or where they went, which just wasn't fair. Kahlil would be worse, since he always did as he pleased and answered to no-one only maybe his brother who he resented. That was obvious.