’ ‘We are in service to Allah, the one true god of the Prophet Mohammad,’ Hatim replied. ‘Allah will not fail us. We will see victory and the ...nfidels will understand their foolish ways.’ ‘When the time comes, will we win Constantinople?’ Thabit asked. ‘It will not be an easy victory. It was a strong city when it was Byzantium. The Greeks could only defeat it by sneaking into the walls in a wooden horse when it was Troy. It is well-defended by walls and Alexis’s army.’ ‘We must control. The time between the end of dinner and 8:30 seemed to pass so slowly. I didn’t know what to expect, I just knew I wanted to be near Paul. I wanted to see his eyes, his smile, hear his voice. I wanted to smell him. I wanted to touch him. I just wanted to be around him. And yeah, I wanted to kiss him again. I guess this is what love is all about? I changed my clothes three different timesbefore deciding on a simple pair of short jean shorts and a t-shirt, in part to keep any suspicion from the. The more I thought about it, sitting in that dimly lit room, with the Christmas lights glowing at the steamy window, I realized I relished the idea.I got up, throwing the sheets aside, and went to the window. I leaned my forehead against the window, watching my breath condense on the icy glass. Looking at the white birches far below, I shivered. They swayed back and forth like dancers to a beat I couldn't hear, beckoning to me.I opened the window, letting in the freezing air. The breeze carried. You look at me with those beautiful eyes, and they have that look in them, that I-wanna-have-sex look, and I look back at you the same way. Then you close your eyes and kiss me. We lie there kissing, and you run your hands up and down my back. You move them over my butt, gently squeezing it, and then move them back up my back. I have my hands on your chest, on the back of your neck, and move them over your half naked body. I gently start to suck and nibble on your bottom lip. I feel you start.