Kiss the Stranger

We drove without stopping for another full day until we finally reached the city. At first I could make out a few buildings far off, and then suddenly the view burst into a panorama of gleaming towers. I never imagined there could be such a stark contrast beyond the desert. Stunned, I stared out at the skyline and Kamar smiled at me.

“Does it look different from what you remember?”
“Yeah….”
I answered, still dazed.

“I don’t know if it was like this when I was young… it’s been so long….”
But the one thing I did remember was that the city was just as dazzling as ever. Wealth overflowed everywhere, incomparable to Al-Fatih’s simplicity. Cars passed by gilded with gold, and people seemed unhurried. Flashy signs hung everywhere, and even the tallest buildings sparkled in the sun. I felt a sudden flush of shame.
“What’s wrong?” Kamar asked, noticing me slump back into my seat. I felt embarrassed and muttered quietly.

“I'm embarrassed.”
“At what? Me?”
“No!”

I blurted out and shook my head.
“It’s me who’s embarrassed.”
“Why would you be?”
Kamar genuinely didn’t get it. I muttered again, “Just….” He must have guessed my thoughts and shrugged.

“Don’t worry. I’m more rustic than you. You’re still cute.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
My cheeks burned hot and I lightly scolded him—but he only furrowed his brow as if wondering what he’d done wrong. I had nothing else to say and fell silent. Kamar glanced at me, shrugged one shoulder, and changed the subject.

“Let’s find a place to stay.”
True to his word, he began looking for lodging. He planned to stock up on necessities there—but he was careful. In case of danger, he slipped on sunglasses and half-hid his face. The glaring sun made his disguise convincing.
“Wait here.”

He said that and vanished into the crowds. Heart pounding, I hugged Rikal tight and waited. The anxious minutes dragged by until, at last, Kamar reappeared. I exhaled in relief.
“Where did you go?”
I asked, spotting the newspaper he carried. He casually explained.

“I bought this and asked around. This is the outskirts. The city where the royals live is much farther—six hours by car, they say.”
“Six hours?”
I gasped. I couldn’t believe this wasn’t the real center. How much more splendid would that be? Kamar continued.

“For now, let’s stay here, see how things go, then leave the country.”
He didn’t elaborate and started the car again. He must have asked for information at the newsstand, because he drove off without hesitation. He stopped at a small inn and negotiated a room that came with a kitchen so he could cook his own meals. I was startled when I saw him pay with money.

I whispered as soon as we were alone. Kamar strode down the hallway, answering casually.
“From your house.”
“My house? Oh.”
I caught on immediately—and then I was shocked.

“You stole it?”
“Stole it?” he repeated, frowning as he grumbled.
“Well, if you stole it, you stole it—go ahead and say that.”

“No, that’s not it….”
I didn’t know what to say and trailed off. When I gave up, Kamar just turned the key in the lock. He opened the door and stepped aside, gesturing me in.
The room was surprisingly tidy. The wood-paneled kitchenette had basic cookware and even a small table with chairs. My gaze lingered on the large bed beside an old wardrobe.

“They’ll think we’re a married couple,” Kamar said from behind me. We’d wrapped ourselves head-to-toe in cloth without a word, so the innkeeper wouldn’t have suspected a thing. I felt my face flush.
“A married couple? What?!”
I jumped, and Kamar looked disappointed. That made me even more flustered. Married? We hadn’t even discussed marriage—but we had declared our love, and he’d said he wanted children with me. Did that make us married? My head spun with confusion.

“Just stay inside if you can,” Kamar said gently. “I don’t know how omegas are treated here.”
His words snapped me back to reality. This wasn’t Saide. I nodded tensely and he wrapped me in a warm hug.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be fine.”

“…Okay.”
When I nodded again, Kamar tilted my face up and kissed me exactly on the lips. Startled, I asked,
“How did you know?”

“What?”
“That my mouth is here.”
I pointed at my lips, and he laughed, then kissed me again, soft and quick.
“I just wanted to kiss here.”

He bumped his forehead against mine with a light “thump,” straightened his back, and asked,
“Want to eat something? You’re hungry, right? We’ve got supplies in the car….”
At his words, Rikal meowed anxiously and circled my feet.

A little later, Kamar returned carrying sacks of food ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) over his shoulder. I watched him move to the kitchenette, and on impulse I slipped around and hugged his waist—the same way he did to me every time. Kamar glanced back, smiled, and then turned back to prepare whatever he was making. I leaned forward, curious.
“What are you making?”

I realized he had, so far, only grilled meat and boiled rice. Could he not cook anything else? I looked up at him from behind.
“Kamar, do you know how to cook?”
He hesitated, then turned and laughed, “Heh.” He set down his knife, grabbed my arm, and pulled me close. Unprepared, I met his gaze as he wrapped his arms around my waist and smiled.

“Can’t cook anything but meat?”
“What if I can’t?”
“That’d be a disaster.”

He feigned distress, his eyes narrowing into a playful grin.
“Well then, how about this? I’ll eat you instead.”
“No!”

His breath tickled my neck and I burst out laughing. He kissed and nipped playful spots—neck, cheek, everywhere—and whispered,
“Where should I start? Nipples, butt, waist….”
“No, stop!”

I twisted free, but turned my back and ended up pressing against him. His sex pressed into my hip—he noticed, too—and the air turned charged. I shyly glanced back and our eyes met. I regretted not removing my clothes. If only I had…
“YAAAOWR MIAOW!”
Suddenly Rikal’s harsh cry stopped us cold. Looking down, I saw him with his fur bristled, meowing at us. I murmured softly,

“Rikal wants meat.”
Kamar was silent for a moment, then spoke.
“When are you going to get rid of that cat?”

“I’m not.”
I answered firmly, and Kamar fell silent again.
“You’re not serious?”

He asked like it was a joke, and I saw no expression change on his face.
“Halfway serious.”
I dared not ask what the other half meant. I slipped away from his embrace, and Kamar turned back to the grill. Soon the savory aroma of meat filled the room.

Tap-tap.
Just as we were about to sit down to eat again, someone knocked. I looked at Kamar in surprise. He motioned me aside and rose to answer the door. He opened it a crack; his body blocked my view. I watched anxiously. A gruff male voice spoke first.
“…What is it? You’re—”

I held my breath, waiting for Kamar’s reply. No one was supposed to find us—what could this be? As I wondered how I could help, the man’s voice came again.
“…Please help me.”
His desperate tone made me freeze. I couldn’t see Kamar’s expression, but I knew he would refuse. I moved to speak, but the man continued,

“I’m hungry.”
Then a loud growl of hunger rumbled out with his words.