EXTRACT FOR
The Ayana Regassa Adventures
(Andy Lang)

"We didn't really get off to the best start." smiled Dani as the two young women relaxed by the camp fire, Rolf and Doug were busy clearing away the remains of the meal and washing plates.

"Strange circumstances." nodded Ayana, "None of us were ourselves."

"True... but I really hope you don't have any suspicions about me."

Ayana chuckled softly, "No, not at all, I'm not the jealous type anyway."

"What about James... does he get jealous?" Ayana sensed an agenda and answered cautiously.

"He was once, but he's far more relaxed now... why?"

"Just thinking out loud." replied Dani, "Some men get crazy so easily, you're lucky he's so understanding." she left the statement hovering but knew from Ayana's expression she had touched a nerve. "Some men couldn't cope." she added.

"Yeah I'm very lucky." agreed Ayana as she wondered where the conversation was heading.

"How long have you been married?"

"Just over six months." she replied with a smile, "Six wonderful months."

"That's nice." nodded Danique, "I can see how happy you both are, I hope I will be that happy one day and have such an understanding husband."

"If you have something to say, just say it." replied Ayana with a smile, she sensed the blonde fencing with her, she preferred a more direct approach.

"He's making it very obvious." she nodded towards Doug who was busy wiping the table.

"That's not my fault." Ayana responded swiftly.

"You don't think so?" chuckled Danique, "That's not how everyone else sees it."

"Everyone else?" Ayana felt sudden alarm.

"Well, maybe not everyone, but I see it, listen Ayana, I'm not trying to judge you, but it's clear to me that you don't stop this thing because you like having him chase you."

Ayana searched for a cutting response but all of her words died before she could deny, the young Dutch girl had put her finger on Ayana's dilemma so accurately.

"Can I ask you? How many men did you date before you married James?"

"Not very many." she admitted.

"Five? Ten? Twenty?" Danique held her eye with her deep blue gaze.

"One." whispered Ayana, 

Danique chuckled softly,  "Now it's becoming clear."

"What is?"

"Ayana, you love James very deeply, anyone can see that, but I think you've just realised that you are truly married and suddenly another man, a handsome man is showing you his interest, and you are confused, please take it from me, one boyfriend doesn't prepare you for the future with just one man."

"I am happy." she defended, "And I'm not confused."

"Maybe confused is the wrong word, maybe curious would fit better." she smiled as she saw Ayana swallow.

"There is nothing wrong with being a little curious." she added catching the swift glance that Ayana cast at Doug.

"It's more flattered than curious." she admitted quietly, "Well, maybe just a little curious."

"Do you want to sleep with him?" she asked directly and saw the horror on Ayana's face.

"Absolutely not."

"He wants to sleep with you."

"Yes... I know, but I've told him that will never happen... he understands that."

"For most men that would be the signal to move on." replied Dani, "Yet he is still chasing you, are you maybe giving him some encouragement?"

"I don't know what you mean?" she replied, "Maybe I tease him a little, but that's all."

"That's all?" Danique raised her eyebrow and held Ayana's eye.

"Maybe I let him get away with a little touch sometimes, just my hand, or arm or leg." she defended, "Or ribs, or back, or stomach." she told herself quietly inside.

Dani chuckled and gave her a wide smile, "You hussy." she giggled, "Is that it?"

"Absolutely." she replied quickly, "Absolutely nothing else."

"Good for you, you really are in control of this." Dani grinned.

"You don't think I'm a terrible person?"

"Lord no." she replied, "I think you are a sensual woman who is enjoying his attentions, I also think you are in control of your emotions... wait a moment." she paused as realisation raised its head, "You're convincing yourself that you're cheating... aren't you?"

She saw the turmoil in Ayana's eyes and smiled, "Stop being silly, as long as you love James of course it's not cheating, teasing isn't cheating."

"But the touching?"

"Still not cheating in my book... do you touch him?" Ayana shook her head, "Then as far as I'm concerned you're not doing anything wrong, all you are doing is exploring your own sensuality."

"Let's face it." she grinned, "One boyfriend and then marriage... girl, you need to do a little exploring or one day you're going to want more, then you will seriously consider cheating."

"Deep conversation." laughed Rolf as he carried a bottle and two glasses across to the two women he considered to be the most stunning in the whole world.

"Girls talk." stated Dani and gave him a wink, "So nothing of interest to you!"

"I know where I'm not wanted." he laughed, "Anyway, we're not finished yet, I just thought you would appreciate a drink."

"He likes you, you know." stated Ayana as she watched him walk away.

"I like him too." she admitted, "But it's complicated," Ayana caught a strange look of sadness in her eyes.

"Why?"

Danique swallowed, "Well, because of what happened before, the porter." she whispered.

Ayana smiled, "I don't think you need to worry about that too much, he understands what happened here, he may be quiet but he's not stupid, he knows that wasn't the real you."

"Maybe you're right, but there is something else... it's the money, what if he thinks I'm only interested in his money, I would hate him to think that."

"So it doesn't interest you?" asked Ayana searching her face for deceit.

"Of course it would be nice to be with someone who's comfortable, any woman who says she doesn't want to be financially stable is a liar, but his millions don't interest me... oh I don't know how to explain it, I guess what I mean is I would still like him just as much if he was still a soldier, just comfortable not rich."

Ayana smiled as she detected no lie, only uncertainty, in the deep blue eyes.

"Give him time to see the real you." she advised, "Rolf's not stupid, he'll work out that you're genuine."

"Thanks Ayana, I will be patient, I want him to come to me, I don't want him to think I'm throwing myself at him... can I also offer you a little advice?"

"Please do." she replied with a nod.

"Stop beating yourself up over Doug, have fun while you can and don't feel guilty... just don't forget where your boundaries are." she added with a wink. "Oh, and my last piece of advice... tell him to stop making it so obvious." she laughed.