“Oh, Rashid, this ... this is so beautiful,” she cried.
Rashid’s eyes twinkled at her delight. “I had hoped it would please you. Come, sit down.”
He took her hand and led her to one of the soft cushions surrounding the table. When he was satisfied she was settled comfortably, he knelt down to retrieve the bottle of fine French champagne that had been chilling in a silver ice bucket under the table.
Sara sipped on the champagne and nibbled on the food, and as darkness fell the inside of the tent was illuminated by candles, creating a dream-like atmosphere. The enchantment of the garden had followed them here. Rashid gazed at her over his tulip shaped glass, then suddenly, put the glass down and stood up. She looked up at him, puzzled, and he reached for her.
“Come. Walk outside with me.”
Wordlessly, she took his extended hand, and they stepped outside. The sky was clear, and the moon and stars shined brightly. Rashid turned his head towards the heavens.
“I seldom have the time to come out in the desert anymore... When I was a little boy, I used to pitch a tent outside the palace walls at night. Somehow, being on the desert made me feel strong and much safer than behind any walls. The desert is in my blood,” he turned to Sara and held her eyes. “... as you are.”
Sara reached up, matching the look of love in his eyes, and caressed the side of his face with the back of her hand. He took that hand in his own and kissed it, then picked her up and carried her back into the tent. He gently placed her on her feet next to a bed of soft cushions and slowly removed her clothes. When she was naked in front of him, he was again struck by the perfection of her body.
He shed his own clothing, and they stood facing one another, their naked bodies glimmering in the candle light: his; tall, dark, hard, and lean, and hers; white, soft, and rounded in all the right places. There was no need for words as they embraced and fell to the bed. They kissed and licked and explored each other. Finally he was on top of her and in her, and she rode the waves of ecstasy with him until they reached the crest of the highest wave and together they exploded over the top.