Tess Awakening Read Online Free PDF Page B

the
time comes to make an alliance with another great family.” Almost
absent-mindedly, he added “I have been the head of the tribe since
my father died, and I have many responsibilities.” Tess again
passed on expressing her views on arranged marriages and dynastic
issues.
    “What about your wife?” she asked.
    “She is in Paris with my sister. I thought it
would be a safe place for them to wait out the war. Just in case
you are wondering, my wife is nothing to me. We met on the our
wedding day, and we never cared much for each other.”
    ‘I see where this is going,’ Tess
thought.
    “It is sad to live without someone to love,
and yet you would wish exactly the same fate for your sister.”
    Amir sat down across from her, his eyes
focused on Tess’s creamy breasts.
    “We are members of a distinguished family. We
have an obligation to maintain our position in our society. We must
make sacrifices when necessary.” A brief pause; “It does not
matter, I don’t lack for companionship. I have splendid mistresses
in Europe, particularly in London. The ladies there appreciate real
men who can afford to treat them like queens.” Tess was starting to
feel like the principal in the Perils of Pauline , strapped
to the rails, waiting for a train to appear and run her over. Here
it comes!
    Amir kept staring at the splendid beauty in
front of him. He could hardly comprehend how such a feminine
creature would want to fly planes and go into battle, or how
soldiers, men, could submit themselves to a commander that rightly
should better serve their leaders in bed. He struggled to control
his lust, not to seize her forcibly there and then. “None of my
ladies compares with your beauty, Tess. I would like it very much
to enjoy you, and to give you more pleasure than you can imagine.”
Tess felt her temper stir.
    “General, you are a very attractive man, but
I cannot be one of your ladies, or your only lady, for that matter.
I am an American officer and a prisoner. We are in the middle of a
war, not exactly the best setting for romance.” Tess was running
out of ideas.
    Amir was starting to enjoy her evasion. He
appreciated her attempts at resistance. He never cared for passive
women. He relished the challenge of the chase, as an accomplished
hunter should. It made the conquest that much sweeter.
    “Tess, wars are transitory events. With the
exception of the war that the Americans started in Afghanistan,
nowadays they generally don’t last long. Why be enemies when we can
be lovers? I am wealthy, powerful and a very passionate man. I can
show you a world you never imagined. Instead of a dusty tent in the
desert, you could live in a French Chateau. You could have your own
plane in Paris and go to the Opera in Monte Carlo overlooking your
own yacht moored in the Bay.”
    Tess stood up. “Is that what you promised to
Kejal?”
    The General put his drink down. “She and her
family are traitors! She should be grateful that she is still
alive!”
    Tess pointed in the direction of his sister’s
apartments. “She doesn’t look very grateful to be alive! What did
you do to her?”
    Amir stared at her icily. “If she does not
want to live, I can arrange for her death in less than one
minute.”
    Tess fell silent. She knew that she was
treading on dangerous territory.
    “Let’s go back to you,” Amir resumed. “Why do
you risk your life to fulfill the ambitions of old and corrupt
politicians? You are young, beautiful and a woman; why waste your
life as a soldier when you could live a life of leisure?”
    Tess snapped. “General, about serving
politicians — isn’t that exactly what you are doing? You are
fighting to support a brutal dictator and a corrupt party. And how
are you going to handle the simple fact that your nation just
cannot win a war against the Coalition armies? Can you honestly say
that you have a future?” Oops, she almost regretted her remarks. ‘I
should let him talk. Buy time. Save my guys.’
    Amir