“Please. Or maybe both. I slept well, but I think I could use the extra kick to get going this morning.”
Khizar leaned over and kissed her.
“Whatever you want. Your wish is my command.”
Jacqui laughed and pulled his head back down to hers. “In that case…”
The kiss was full of promise, and Khizar’s head was spinning by the time he let her go. Jacqui’s smile was all the kick he needed that morning, so he kissed her one more time, quickly, and then leapt out of bed.
“Breakfast and your carriage await, my love,” he said, holding a hand out to her.
Less than an hour later, they were standing outside Khizar’s building where a rugged four-wheel drive vehicle waited for them. The SUV was a little beat up, but sturdy looking.
The driver got out of the front and walked over to greet them.
“John, thanks for coming along with us today,” Khizar said as he shook the man’s hand.
“No problem. You all ready?”
Khizar nodded. “Let’s go.”
Jacqui gave him a look that asked who their driver was, so Khizar explained as he helped her climb into the vehicle.
“John handles security for my company. I asked him to accompany us today. I don’t believe anyone is still out at Bill’s mine, and to my knowledge, no one knows we’re looking for the diamond. I simply wanted to take every precaution.”
“That makes sense. Thank you for thinking of it.”
Khizar smiled at her.
“Plus, I can show you some more of the countryside as John drives.”
John turned his head over his shoulder as he pulled the SUV out into the bustling city street.
“The drive should take about an hour, boss. The roads look pretty clear all the way out, as least as far as there are roads.”
Jacqui raised an eyebrow at that remark.
“Where we’re going there’s no road?”
John laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
They drove out of the city, the tall buildings turning into shorter buildings, and then gated communities. After half an hour, they were well into the desert.
Jacqui looked out the window at the passing scenery.
“I’ve never been in a desert before. I didn’t realize there would be trees.”
Khizar nodded.
“In this area, yes. One reason Bill’s mine was so productive is that this area used to be a giant river bed. You can see where the water carved out the hills in the distance.”
Jacqui looked in the direction he was pointing.
Khizar added, “Unlike bigger deserts, this area is more of a high plateau. We’ll get to the endless sand shortly, though.”
True to his word, after a bit more driving, they crossed into an area that was mostly sand dunes.
John pulled the car off to the side of the road.
“Either of you need to stop for anything? This is the last point I’d suggest getting out of the car for a while.”
Khizar looked to Jacqui, who shook her head. “I’m good. Let’s go.”
Khizar lifted a hand and pointed. “Onward, then.”
John nodded and turned back to face forward.
“Okay. We’re going to head off-road here, and cross the dunes. It’s a more direct route, but also one that most people wouldn’t take.”
John put the vehicle back in motion and after driving a few more minutes down the road, turned off into the sand.
Khizar was used to this kind of travel; he’d been out this way to Bill’s mine once or twice before. He turned his head to check on Jacqui. She grinned at him as they both bounced as the SUV rolled over the bumpy sand.
“I thought sand was a lot smoother than this, too!” she said.
She’s having fun, Khizar thought happily. And I am, too, he realized. Although he’d done this trip before, and had certainly spent much time in the desert, seeing it through her eyes was new.
He pointed out the window at certain landmarks as they drove. Jacqui asked questions, interested in all of it. This was one of the things he loved about her—she was curious about everything, and she wasn’t afraid to ask. He shared that spirit of adventure.
They were going to have so much fun together, he thought, and reached over to squeeze her hand.
A few miles out from the mine, John slowed down. They hadn’t seen anyone, but Khizar knew the man wasn’t going to take any chances.