Free One Hot Desert Night by Kristi Gold

were a whole man again. Many years had passed since he had experienced such strong, unwelcome emotions.
    Surprisingly, she reached the top of the cliff with expediency, and once there, she turned and favored him with a smile. “You’re as slow as a snail.”
    The insult sent him up to join her in a matter of seconds. “You clearly are a skilled climber,” he said as he came face-to-face with her.
    “I’ve done my share in some pretty rough regions, and apparently, so have you.”
    If she only knew where he had been, and what he had been forced to do at times, she would probably scurry back down the mountain and run to the palace. “I have, yet it is not often I have been graced with such a beautiful companion.”
    Her smile returned, soft and overtly sensuous. “And I’ve never known anyone who so easily threw out the compliments.”
    “Do not doubt my sincerity, Sunny, for as I have said before, I know true beauty.”
    With that in mind, he clasped her shoulders and turned her to face the east. The first fingers of light had begun to reveal themselves above the mountain range, giving the sky an orange cast. “This is why we are here. To pay homage to your namesake.”
    He remained close to her side to witness her reaction firsthand to that which he had so often taken for granted. Without speaking or moving, she stared at the sun as it rose in the distance. A warm breeze ruffled her blond hair, yet she seemed oblivious to her surroundings, and him. Though he should not be concerned by her inattention, for some reason he was.
    “It’s breathtaking,” she finally said. “Seeing the dawn of a new day gives you hope that the world isn’t such a terrible place after all.”
    Yet his world could be a terrible place on a constant basis. “I find this scene gives me a sense of peace, as well.”
    She sighed. “Sometimes peace is hard to come by so you look for it wherever you can find it.”
    He knew that to be all too true. “You will have peace again, Sunny. You are a survivor.”
    “Actually, you’re right, and like I told you last night, I’m going to be fine.” The slight break in her voice belied her conviction.
    “You are not yet
fine
, but you will be as soon as your soul is on the mend.”
    She turned her gaze to his, a hint of frustration calling out from her green eyes. “Really, it’s okay. As far as I’m concerned, my breakup with the ex-boyfriend was long overdue.”
    “I am referring to your abduction.”
    Rayad could tell by the way her body stiffened that she relied on denial to dampen the memories. “I try not to think about it too much for the sake of my sanity.”
    Sensing she needed comfort, he laid his palm against her lower back, relieved when she did not recoil at his touch. “There are certain experiences in life that haunt us for many years. Circumstances that will lessen in impact, yet never be entirely forgotten. Fortunately, the passage of time does aid in gaining perspective.”
    “What events are haunting you, Rayad?”
    Because his attempt at counsel had led to his transparency, he would only supply a half-truth. “I am serving in the military. Oftentimes that regretfully entails witnessing revolting acts imposed by men on other men. Unfortunately, I am not at liberty to provide details.” Nor would he reveal his own personal tragedy.
    “I understand.” After a brief span of silence, she asked, “Is that the baby-making mountain over there?”
    That brought about his smile. “
Mabrứuk
. And yes, if you believe in the legend, it has the power to render women fertile within a hundred-mile radius.”
    “I’m not saying I believe in the legend, but would you mind keeping your distance? Just in case.” She followed the comment with a coy smile.
    He did not care to keep his distance or acknowledge that he gave the folklore credence. “I do not believe that
Mabrứuk’s
powers would enable me to impregnate you with only a touch of my hand.”
    “I suppose that would