Finally they reached the top of the hill. He brought the horse to a sudden halt. Basil dismounted and helped Saja down.
She walked towards the edge of the hill and looked at the view. “Wow, it’s beautiful.” She could see other buildings and fields.
“We are just in time for the sunrise” Basil said as he approached her with the basket. He placed it down on the grass and opened it. He took out a blanket and spread it. Saja was just watching him with her eyebrows creased. She was seeing a whole new Basil before her.
“Sit with me,” he said to her.
“You brought me here to see the sunrise?” She asked him.
“Yes. Riding in the morning really clears my mind,” Basil looked into the distance and watched the sunrise. Saja watched him for a moment, noticing a calmness spread over his usually stern features. She turned her head and took in the sunrise. Despite being here several weeks, she had never been up to see a sunrise in Quabeca before. In fact, whether by her own choice or not, she hadn’t really seen any of the beauty that Quabeca had to offer.
“It's beautiful,” she said.
Basil smiled, “I knew you would like it.”
“Did you?” She creased her eyebrows.
“Yes. Beauty appreciates other beauty.”
Saja laughed. “Basil, you do strike me as a man who knows what women want.”
Basil was silent. He reached into the basket and brought out a large lunchbox. He opened it and put it between him and Saja. She smiled to herself. Just last week they had spent all their time together arguing. Now, things had changed – for both of them.
The two of them ate and watched the sunrise. The breeze was warm and refreshing. “Quabeca has so many beautiful attributes,” he said to her.
“Shame I have never gotten the opportunity to see them.” Saja said.
“You can still do”
“Hmmm.” Was he asking her to stay or was he going to take her somewhere? She turned to look at him and found his dark, penetrating eyes already looking at her. He had such an intense stare on his face. It immediately made her nervous. She ran her hand through her hair, but before she could ask him why he was looking at her, he was leaning closer to her. She found herself leaning closer to him also.
“Come here, my Saja.” Their lips touched. He touched her face as he kissed her. He lowered his hand and caressed her neck. He held her waist and pulled her closer to him, enjoying the touch of her body. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. He caressed her back and carried on kissing her.
***
Later that night, Saja slipped into a pencil sleeveless red dress. It was not traditional nor was it what Basil recommended but she did not care. She thought it was quite alluring and wanted to dress up for him. She had had such a good day with him and wanted to end it on a good note.
Mona had informed her that they were dining in his quarters. As she made her way to his rooms, Saja thought of all the meals they’d shared together. Before she used to hate eating with Basil, but now she couldn’t think of any other place she’d rather be.
That all came to an end when she arrived at his rooms. Her legs refused to go any futher when she saw him in the dining room with nothing but a towel on. She glanced at Mona and Amber but both had their eyes fixed on the floor. His maid was standing stone faced, trying to avoid looking at Basil’s muscular torso.
“I see you are wearing a dress today,” Basil said to her, trying desperately to keep a straight face. He studied her from top to bottom. He liked what he saw.
“And you are undressed,” Saja replied. She blinked a couple of times. His chest was so ripped, it was distracting.
“You are always missing clothes, I thought you should get a taste of your own medicin-” Before he finished speaking, she cut him off.
“No I am not!” She protested. He tilted his head to the side and looked at her. She had such energy and passion about her. He strode across the room in a few quick steps.
He placed his hands on her flat belly and caressed it. The maids quickly took this as a sign to exit the room. “What are you doing?” She whispered.
All he had done was caress her belly and she was already feeling aroused. Her mind wandered back to the night before. Those magic hands. He pressed a small kiss on her lips.
Saja touched his strong bare chest. He watched her touching him. This beautiful hurricane came into my life and destroyed my idea of a wife- he thought to himself. He was glad she did so. She was one of a kind. He caressed her face and searched her eyes.
“From this moment, you are mine forever, not as a prisoner but as my wife” he said to her and kissed her softly.
END OF BOOK 1