The sound of splashing reached his ears just as he saw moonlight silver a sinuous form in the stream. A form that was all lush curves and elegant lines. A figure that would make a man get down on bended knee and plead for the privilege of simply stroking that satiny skin.
Only the belief that he was sleeping off another bout of fatigue would have tempted Annalisa into total nudity.
Tahir sent up silent thanks for his wakefulness.
His gaze slipped hungrily along her body, traced the evocative darkness at the juncture of her thighs, dwelt on the supple twist of her spine.
She lifted her hands to smooth water off her hair and the movement raised her breasts invitingly high.
The impact of the sight was like a series of juddering implosions through his body. Arousal was instantaneous. Heat speared him as every muscle hardened. His breathing was an uneven rasp, his hands clenching desperately at his sides.
So focused was he on reining in the need to reach for her that it took a moment for his brain to kick into gear.
To realise he’d seen her like this before.
She’d stood gloriously naked in the afternoon light, like a nymph, perfect, sweet and utterly seductive in this very stream.
He put a hand to his head as the stars wheeled above him. The scattered images in his mind took on a sharp new clarity.
Staggering over that sand dune to the oasis, a warm weight in his arms.
Lying in the sun, his mouth as dry as the great Qusani desert.
His pleasure at the dangerous game of low flying over the sandhills.
Ragged shreds, but enough to give him a sense of identity.
‘You see it?’ Annalisa’s voice rose in excitement. Soon the comet would disappear, but for now its tail was clear. ‘My father was right.’ Pride rose, curving her lips.
‘I see it.’
Tahir sounded subdued as he bent over the telescope. He’d been that way since he’d emerged from the tent a short time ago. Annalisa hadn’t liked to wake him, knowing how important it was that he rested. But finally he’d emerged and picked his way through the unlit campsite to where she’d stood by the telescope. The way he’d moved, with a sure, cat-like grace, had distracted her from the comet.
But she was glad he’d come. Glad there was someone with whom to share the moment. Glad it was Tahir.
He lifted his head and she felt his scrutiny.
‘Congratulations. You must be very proud.’ He paused and shoved a hand back through his hair. The moonlight showed it rumpled and far too appealing.
Annalisa pulled her jacket tighter, telling herself it was the chill desert night that made her skin prickle, not the insane desire to copy his movements and furrow her own hand through his thick hair.
She forced herself to turn back to the starry sky. ‘It’s marvellous, isn’t it? Now it will be officially recorded, just as he wanted.’
Side by side they watched the comet track towards the horizon. To the naked eye it was just visible.
When it was gone they stood a moment longer, alone in the vast silence. Then Annalisa began to dismantle the telescope.
Emotions flooded her, too many to name. But as she worked on her father’s precious equipment she realised that rising above them all was a sense of loss. Her fingers faltered at the task she’d done countless times. Her breath hitched.
Since her father’s death she’d focused on this night. On fulfilling his dying wish.
Now it was done. Time to move on. Yet suddenly her plans for the future seemed insignificant in the face of the emptiness engulfing her.
She felt…bereft. Her father truly was gone. Her past life, so busy and organised and full, was over.
The future yawned before her like a dark void. A shudder ripped through her.
‘Here,’ said a warm voice in her ear. ‘I’ll finish, if you trust me.’
Annalisa watched his deft movements. How easily he stowed the telescope and hoisted the case, leading the way to the tent.
‘Just like that and it’s all over.’ Her voice sounded stretched and brittle.
‘Until the next time Asiya passes by.’
‘Of course.’ She entered the tent and fumbled inside for the lantern.
It was ridiculous to feel this way. Her grief seemed as fresh as on the day her father had died. She pursed her lips, striving to conquer the raw pain of loss.
She had everything to look forward to. Travel. A career. New friends. New experiences.
Yet at this moment she felt so alone.
Finally the lamp glowed reassuringly. She turned away, only to find Tahir unexpectedly close, his warmth enveloping her.
Their eyes met and held.
‘Ah, Annalisa, don’t weep.’ His hoarse whisper scraped across her skin.
‘I’m not—’ Her words stopped as he reached out and brushed her cheek. Hard, callused fingers against wet flesh.