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Ebook Price of Love The Auction 1St Edition Tamrin Banks Online PDF All Chapter
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Price of Love
THE AUCTION SERIES
TAMRIN BANKS
Copyright © 2022 by Tamrin Banks
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or
mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without
written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a
book review.
Covers by Cover Girl Designs
Created with Vellum
Thank you to all my readers! I appreciate your support!
Thank you to my hubby! Love you, honey bunny!
Contents
1. Sasha
2. Jackson
3. Sasha
4. Jackson
5. Sasha
6. Jackson
7. Sasha
Epilogue One: Sasha
Epilogue Two: Jackson
Auction Series
About the Author
Also by Tamrin Banks
CHAPTER 1
Sasha
H oly shit! I’ve never seen Jackson so furious. His tanned cheeks
are flushed and there’s a muscle jumping in his strong jaw that
looks like he’s gritting his teeth.
His dark blue eyes lock on me, scary as hell. “Don’t dawdle, baby
girl. I want to get the hell out of this place. I’ve got Victor and Henry
and a few of the other guys watching the doors and anywhere else
we might get into trouble.”
I lift an eyebrow. “What do you mean? It’s all over.”
Jackson grunts and glares at me. “This is why I tell you all the
time that you’re too damn naive. You think that it’s all over since I’ve
won the auction and paid for you? These men aren’t exactly the kind
that stick to the letter of a contract. They’re more likely to shiv me in
the back on the way out and sell you again.”
“But…Alejandro…” I stutter.
“Alejandro is a killer. They respect him. They know not to cross
him. You and I don’t fit into the same categories.”
“Alejandro would never let me do something dangerous.” I jerk at
my arm and glare at my friend.
He stops and stalks up to me, picking me up until I’m nose to
nose with him. My breath stutters and my pulse jumps like I’ve
touched a live wire.
“Alejandro told me he was against this stupid stunt from the
first.” His dark blue eyes are like chips of sapphire ice. “He did this
because you two, especially Jane talked him into it. And he’s lucky
he’s still walking. I wish I’d have kicked his ass because then maybe
some of the…”. His eyes close and then open and I gasp when I see
the flames of rage in their dark depths. He takes a deep breath.
“Let’s just say I’m not feeling quite sane right now, Sasha. I’m not
sure what you hoped to do with this stunt but Alejandro said you
wanted my attention. Said you need something from me. Well,
you’ve got it. All of it. All of me. You crossed a line tonight. A line
that I’ve been very careful to stay away from and you jumped over it
like it was a little bitty crack. It was a chasm. One that I meant to
use to keep you safe. Now we’re done with that. I have needs,
angel.” Darkness and fire. His eyes burn up and down my body and
it’s like a physical touch. “Needs that I meant to keep you safe from.
But since I just paid a million dollars for you, I guess I should get my
money’s worth.”
His brutal words rip a gasp of shock from my throat. His full lips
quirk and satisfaction sparkles in his eyes. “Good. You’re finally
getting it.”
And he sets me down on my feet, his hands steadying me even
as my knees try to buckle.
With a nod at the auctioneer he walks out the door and I see a
dark-tinted limo sitting outside. One of their men stands by the door
and I see the little bump in his ear. He taps it and smiles. Aqua eyes
sparkle.
“Got her, I see.”
“Yes, Henry. Can you make sure that nobody follows us? You and
Vic. The other guys need to stay close to the car. But send Jack and
Razor to the plane. Make sure we don’t have any surprises there
either.”
He nods and tips his head to me.
Jackson thrusts me in the back seat and then crowds in after me.
“Airport please,” he growls to the driver and then puts the fogged
glass up so that he can’t see or hear us.
My heart pounds and I lick my lips, my mouth suddenly dry. “Not
quite the pet you thought I was?” He leans back in the seat,
spreading his legs and relaxing into the crisp-smelling, cool leather.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jackson.” I know what
he’s talking about. At least I think I do.
I’ve always thought of Jackson Price as a smooth-talking, good-
natured friend. Someone I could count on, if need be. But someone
that was about as dangerous as a kitten playing with a little piece of
string.
This man is not that. My eyes roam up and down the tense body
and flaring heat in his deep blue eyes. He’s like a tightly-coiled
panther. A predator ready to strike out at its prey.
Under his glare I feel like a tiny baby bunny. Defenseless and
frozen in place. Unwilling to risk him spotting me if I run.
“Cat got your tongue, baby girl?” The smirk on his lips has a
cruel twist to it.
“N-no. I’m alright. Just tired.”
He darts forward quickly and his big hands land on either side of
me on the plush seat. I throw myself backwards and gasp.
“What the hell, Jackson?” I whisper.
“Yes, Sasha. What the hell? What the hell were you thinking?” he
growls. He leans even closer and I push my head into the cushions,
desperate to move back out of the line of fire. “Because I had to
take the time to make sure that we had enough cover in case
something went sideways. But that slowed me down. What if I
hadn’t managed to get there in time? What would have happened
then? You could have been kidnapped by some raving lunatic. You
could have been raped or worse. What if the man who won you
killed you and I never found you again? What the hell do you think
that would have done to me, Sasha? Did you even think about that?
Did you think about how many fucking things could have gone
wrong in this hare-brained scheme of yours?”
“But this is Alejandro’s family. I trust him.”
His hand darts out and wraps around my throat, tightening
lightly, just enough pressure to make it sting. Make me aware of
him. “His family is not Alejandro. He is trustworthy. He is good. Well,
mostly. But he’s a loyal friend…he has a code. Those men back
there…the only code they have is pleasure and business. They
couldn’t care less if you get hurt. If you end up dead. As long as the
buyer pays, they don’t give a shit about you. Not like I do,” he
growls out. Then his lips slam down on mine, his hand tightening
just a smidge more. Leaning over me he blocks out the light. Covers
me with the strong muscles I’ve fantasized about every night for
years.
But not like this. His body singes me. Flames lick at my nerve
endings. His tongue darts out and pushes the seam of my lips apart.
He doesn’t ask. He doesn’t beg. He takes. The man that I’ve trusted
for years. The man I thought was so calm and controlled all the time
pushes my thighs wide and pushes over top of my body.
His hand wraps in my hair and pulls my head back, his lips sliding
down my throat, his tongue and teeth scraping and laving my skin
until I feel that fire raging out of control. My belly clenches, my eyes
close and I struggle to breathe, to calm the frantic beating of my
pulse.
He draws back slowly, his lips skimming up my throat to slam
down on my mouth, drawing my gasp into his lungs. Fast and hard.
Then he backs off, his teeth closing on my bottom lip, dragging at it
until the slight sting makes tears well in my eyes.
“I’m not a good man, Sasha. I’ve always taken care with you.
I’ve always made sure that I kept everything under control with you.
Because of your past. Because I wasn’t willing to risk our friendship.
Wasn’t willing to risk you. But you managed to blow that all to hell
with this one stunt. Don’t blame me if you regret it. Because we’re
not going back now. The genie’s out of the bottle.”
My eyes widen and a weightless feeling creeps over me. I lift my
hand to my mouth, running my finger along my bottom lip. There’s a
drop of blood on my finger and my eyes dart to his.
Dark and dangerous, his blue eyes don’t flinch at all. His body
coiled and stretched out, lean and muscular. My best friend is
nowhere in sight. This man is someone I’ve never met.
But although he scares me, I kinda like it. What the hell is wrong
with me?
CHAPTER 4
Jackson
M y eyes open slowly and I see his familiar face in front of me.
His dark as midnight blue eyes, his craggy jawline like cut
steel, his lips that I never imagined kissing me.
Yeah, okay. That’s not true. I imagined them kissing me.
Imagined it every time I tried to touch myself and bring myself the
pleasure that I’ve been denied for so long.
I think there’s something wrong with me. I’ve never been able to
come. Never even come close. The few boyfriends that tried actually
gave up, claiming that I was frigid and then disappeared.
But I’m humming like an out of control engine right now. My
body aches and burns, the fire roaring up inside me, begging me to
push him. Push him until he takes me on this plane, in a car. Hell! I
don’t care where!
“Jackson,” I whimper. My hands wrap around his head and try to
pull him down but he just grabs them in his big hands and holds me
carefully but securely. Struggling, I tug and pull but he just grins
mischievously.
“I’m in control here, Sasha. I say when and where. I saw how
much, how long, how often. You can beg me, plead for me to fuck
you with those pretty pouty lips that I’m dying to feel wrapped
around my cock while you gag on me. Doesn’t fucking matter. We’re
not fucking on this plane so you can get that thought right out of
your pretty head.” His head cocks to the side and he studies me like
a puzzle he’s trying to solve.
“But I’m not an unfeeling bastard. And I can see you need
something.”
He sets me on my feet and I moan, worried to see what he’s
going to do next. It’s like an alternate universe. This man isn’t the
one who held me when my parents died. Who sat up with me and
ate ice cream until the crack of dawn when yet another man left me.
I’m scared of him and yet pulled to him. Like I’ve always known
there was something darker bubbling under the surface. The
smooth, friendly face he showed to everyone else. To me.
Before I have a chance to question what he’s doing, he picks me
up and throws me over his shoulder. His muscles flex under my belly
and I huff out a strangled scream.
“Jackson, what are you doing?” My hands scrabble at his suit
jacket. “Put me down!”
He slaps my ass and his big hand leaves a sting that goes
straight to my clit.
“Jackson!” I moan and wriggle on his shoulder.
“I should have done this a long time ago,” he mutters under his
breath. “Lord knows with how much you’ve tortured me when I lie
awake late at night, you deserve it, you little hellcat!”
He stalks to the back of the plane and his hand on the back of
my thigh makes my belly clench the closer he gets to the valley
between my thighs. His big hand curls around and then he dumps
me on the bed.
“Get them off, Sasha. All of your clothes now!” he growls, tugging
at his tie. I see his eyebrow lift when he holds it up, dangling it from
his big hand. “Maybe next time,” he mutters then tosses it to the
side.
He prowls up the bed and I skitter backwards, crawling away.
The intensity rolling off of him is overpowering. It rolls off of him like
waves of thundering lust.
His eyes are focused, laser sharp, the blue practically burning,
searing me with desire.
“I said off, Sasha. Now. Before I shred them and leave you with
nothing but that beautiful pale skin to leave the plane.” His big hand
reaches out and I quickly pull the dress over my head. The certainty
that he would do it pushing me way the hell out of my comfort zone.
I shiver when his eyes run down my body in my black lace
panties. “You weren’t wearing a bra. You went up on that fucking
stage in front of all those lecherous assholes with no bra on?” His
eyes close and he runs his hand through his dark, ruffled hair. “Are
you trying to kill me, Sasha?”
His hand reaches out and he jerks my leg, pulling me down until
I’m under him, covered by him. Overwhelmed by him. I close my
eyes, not wanting to see his dark eyes trailing down my naked body.
“Open your eyes, princess,” he grits out between his teeth. “You
started this. You don’t get to hide from it.”
My eyes pop open and I’m drowning in the lust and desire
focused on me.
His eyes drift down and down until he catches his breath. “I
knew you were beautiful. Knew it in my soul. But I never realized
how beautiful.” His dark head pops up and he grinds his slim hips
into my belly, the thick rod making my mouth dry out. If I ever
wanted to know for sure that Jackson wanted me? Now I know.
He fucking wants me. And the zips and tingles south of my belly
tell me that I desperately need him.
“Jackson,” My eyes search his. “Are you sure we should do this?”
“So damn sure, baby girl. I just need a taste to hold me until I
get you back to my place.”
He slides down my body and then his big hand wraps in the
delicate lace on my hips, twisting it and shredding it in two quick
yanks.
“Jackson!” I screech, the sound turning to a strangled moan
when he slides between my thighs and his mouth locks on my pussy
like a starving man going after his last meal.
Licking, nibbling, sucking. My head spins when his tongue wraps
around my clit and then his teeth graze it, the little sting making me
push my hips up into his face, needing something to feed the
emptiness that I can’t seem to fill no matter what toy I’ve used.
Restless, my hips jump and bounce until he pushes me down
with one hand, the other sliding down to push one, then two fingers
inside me.
“So fucking hot. God, you’re so hot and wet. I need to get inside
this little kitty so bad,” he groans, his voice rumbling into my lower
lips, setting off another round of firecrackers in my body.
“Jackson,” I whimper, the tight knot building into a swelling storm
throwing my body back and forth in its fury. Ripping my shame to
shreds and turning me into a needy ball of wanton lust.
My hands tangle in his hair tugging hard until he grunts into my
weeping core. It doesn’t slow him down though. His lips and tongue
work me up and down while his fingers curl into my walls, petting a
spot that makes me tingle and burn.
Flames and sparks dance behind my eyelids. Curling need wells
in me until I scream and moan, my pulsing dragging and sucking at
his fingers.
“That’s it, princess. Let it go. Let it all go. Give me all of it. It’s
mine. It always has been,” he growls and the rumbling grunt sets off
another round of ecstasy, the shivering pulses as he eats me out
sending me over the edge. I shove at his head and he growls…
literally growls.
“Not fucking likely, Sasha. I’m not done with you yet.”
He licks up every last drop and my nerves are screaming, while I
fight him, my hands dragging at his head, begging for him to stop,
to never stop. I don’t really know anymore.
The pleasure and pain are melding into a ball of wired tension
that I can’t take anymore, sobbing and wrung out.
And he finally sits up, his mouth covered with my juices. He
wipes his hand across his mouth and then sucks his fingers one by
one.
My eyes widen, the sweat cooling on my body and I shiver. His
eyes are full of so much raw lust and desire and rage that it scares
the hell out of me.
This man is not the one that I’ve spent years with. That I’ve
cuddled with on my coach watching old movies and sharing popcorn
with.
This man is a raging psychopath, every drop of that energy
focusing on pleasuring me.
And I’m not sure if I should run now or later because he might
just be more than I bargained for.
But the look in his eyes tells me that even if I do run, he’s never
letting me go.
He owns me. Body, soul and everything in between. That’s what
he said and I believe he means it.
Standing, he moves to grab his tie and put it back on, smoothing
it out with a big hand. A twinge of lust hits my belly when I
remember where those hands were a minute ago.
“Now, I think you understand what I mean, Sasha. I’m a jealous,
obsessive, overbearing asshole. But you’ve got me now, baby girl.
I’m all yours.”
He saunters out of the room and I fall back on the pillows,
exhausted. I’ve unleashed a beast. A beast intent on devouring me.
I hope that all of us survive what I’ve done. I don’t want to lose
my best friend. But I have a horrifying feeling that that ship has
sailed. We’ve moved to another step in our relationship.
Lovers. Obsessed, reckless lovers. Because as obsessed with me
as he seems to be. I’m just as obsessed with him.
CHAPTER 6
Jackson
N ow, I think she gets it. When I go back to check on her after
we land, I find her asleep, the comforter tucked around her
body. My heart skips. This. This is what I’ve been waiting for.
I’ve been hiding my feelings for her, struggling not to let the animal
hiding under the fancy clothes out.
But he’s out. And she’s still here. She’s not hysterically crying.
She’s not begging me to let her go. She’s sleeping peacefully.
Happily.
My hand moves to caress her long hair. It’s so soft and sweet-
smelling. My dick is already throbbing, thinking about all that
glorious, flaming-red hair spread out below me or wrapped around
my fist while I fuck her from behind.
I shake her shoulder roughly, angrily. My throbbing dick and
needy body want her. But I have plans to make. This is my woman.
The one that I intend to marry as soon as I can get her to agree and
drag her in front of a minister. Or impersonator in Vegas. Doesn’t
fucking matter.
If she wants a beautiful wedding, I’ll figure out the shortest one
on record. But if I can get her to agree, we’re walking off this plane
right now and getting married.
“Sasha, wake up. We need to talk.”
She moans and tries to pull the sheets over her head. “Jackson, I
need to rest. It’s been a really long day.”
I rip the blankets off. “It’s going to be even longer.”
She sits up, glaring at me, her hair tousled around her head.
“What is it?”
I grunt and growl when I see she’s back in her dress. I was
hoping to see her naked again. Like a fucking teenager trying to
peep at the girl next door.
“We’re in Vegas. I’m making arrangements for our wedding. I
thought you might want to hear what they are.”
Her eyebrows shoot up and her mouth drops open and now I
just can’t stop picturing her pouty lips wrapped around my dick. I
shift to release the ache, knowing now is not the time. She looks
livid.
“What the hell do you mean wedding? We haven’t even been on
a date! How do you figure a wedding is how to start off whatever
this relationship is?”
“I’m not waiting. I’ve waited since we were in college. I dreamed
about you every fucking night, waking up aching and wanting you.
I’m not doing it anymore.”
“You didn’t even ask!” she growls, standing swaying on her bare
feet.
“I’m not going to either. You’re marrying me. I warned you that
you weren’t going to like it when you got all my attention. Case in
point.”I nod and point to the door. “Let’s go. We’ve got stuff to do.”
“Like what?” She flounces on the bed and crosses her arms,
glaring at me, fire in her eyes.
“Like all the stuff you do before you get married. My attorneys
are here with papers drawn up so that you’re covered if something
happens to me since my job is sometimes dangerous.”
“You’re a billionaire computer nerd! How is that dangerous?” she
asks, fear in her eyes.
“I work for a security company. We follow people, find what’s
needed to arrest people. Some people don’t take kindly to that.”
“So what? People want to kill you?” she gasps.
“Sometimes. But I work for the best and they always have all the
bases covered. Most likely I won’t need any of that stuff, but I refuse
to leave you without making sure that you’re taken care of.”
“I don’t need your money, Jackson. I’ve never been friends with
you because of money.”
“I know that. But I have it and anything that I have is yours. So I
will also have the lawyers make sure that your student loans are
taken care of. And any other debt that you have.”
“I don’t have any other debt. Even my old car is paid for.”
I shrug. “Then it’s just the student loans.”
“I don’t want you paying those off, Jackson. I still have my job. I
can pay them off.”
“Nope. And you don’t have your job. You don’t need it. You’re
going to come to work with me so I can keep an eye on you. And I
sure as hell don’t intend for you to travel with Jane anymore.”
Her back stiffens and she stalks up to me, her long hair
practically bristling with her rage, crackling in the air. A smile tugs at
my lips but I shove it back down.
“I am going with Jane whenever she needs me. So you might as
well get rid of that idea right now. I like working with Jane. I like
having a life. And you’re not taking that away from me.”
I tilt my head. “Fine. If I or one of the guys can get away then
you can go with Jane. But not every time.”
“She needs me,” Sasha rages.
“She has a husband. She’ll be fine.”
“Oooh! You’re acting like a neanderthal.”
“Welcome to the caveman club, baby girl. Alejandro and I are
very similar. I told you before be careful what you wish for.” I stalk to
the door and slam it open. “Be ready in five minutes to get hitched
or I’ll haul you out of here with your ass on my shoulder.”
I slam the door behind me.
And five minutes later, she slams her way out of the room, a
mutinous look on her face.
I hold my arm out to her and she tentatively tucks her hand
underneath. “Let’s go get hitched.”
Her dainty nose wrinkles and she glares at me. “I feel like we’re
making a mistake.”
“Nope. I’m getting exactly what I want. And so are you.”
The attorneys meet us in the private room at the hotel that I
booked us in the honeymoon suite.
Signing paper after paper giving her all of my estate if something
happens to me, my heart slows and settles. She hasn’t argued with
me. Hasn’t fought me. She’s still angry but she’s not running.
That’s something, right?
After all the papers are signed, I ask them if they want to stay
for the wedding.
“Nope. We’ve got to get this stuff taken care of as soon as
possible so Sasha is taken care of immediately.”
I nod and take her hand. “Let’s go, princess. We’ve got an
appointment at The Little Chapel of Love.”
“Ugh. What a hideous name.” Her nose wrinkles and she glares
at me.
“Doesn’t matter. Let’s go.”
“You know, you’re not much of a conversationalist right now. I’m
trying to make sense of how you’re acting and you’re just being a
nut. And a bossy nut at that.”
I lean over her and smile, but it’s not a warm smile and she
cringes back. “I am bossy. Very bossy. That’s why I am the boss.
And you’re mine so I’m gonna fucking boss the hell out of you. I’m
gonna follow you and stalk you and just generally make sure that
you’re safe and well. And I’m doing it all for your own good. I always
have.”
Now I have her attention. “You followed me before? Is that why
my boyfriends always disappeared? Did you threaten them?”
I laugh, throwing my head back. “Boyfriends? Bunch of chicken-
shits. There wasn’t a real man among them. And yeah, I told them
how it was gonna be and they left.”
Her mouth drops open and she stares at me, shocked. “You’ve
lost your mind.”
I nod. “As soon as I saw you. Now walk or I’ll carry you out.”
She nods but I can see the wheels turning. “And don’t think that
you can get away. I’ll find you wherever you go.”
That night, I sit in the bed, my body covered with the sheet. “Sasha!
Come on, baby girl. It’s our wedding night and I’m an impatient
bastard.”
“I’m coming,” she grumbles.
“Not yet.” But soon. My fingers shake and I can’t stop the hunger
barreling through me when she steps out of the bathroom in the
silky nightgown I got her. I wanted to get her some jewelry for it but
it didn’t seem like the right time yet.
“Lord, you are a sight, Mrs. Price. Come over here,” I growl.
She walks over slowly, her feet slow and hesitant. She stops by
the bed. “Are you sure this is a good idea, Jackson? I might not be
what you want. We might not be compatible in the bedroom.”
I snort and hold out a hand to run it along her arm, watching the
goosebumps run along her delicate skin. “You are exactly what I
want. Always have been. And I can promise you that we are going
to be very compatible in the bedroom. Or the kitchen. Or the car.
Wherever the fuck I can get you.”
I tug her hand and pull her down to the bed. I know I need to
take it slow. Get her warmed up because she’s never been with
anyone and I’m a large man in every way.
My hands run up along her sides, cradling her plump breasts in
my hand, my mouth watering when her head falls back, her throat
exposed.
“So fucking pretty and responsive. You just sit back and let me
make you feel good, baby girl.”
I slide the straps down her arms until her luscious mounds pop
free and then I tug at one with my fingers, rolling it around,
pinching it lightly while my mouth closes around the other. Licking
and biting, I groan when her fresh, clean taste hits my tongue. “You
taste like heaven, Sash. So fucking good.” Sucking hard, my other
hand runs down her thick thigh until I’ve pulled the silky gown up
and exposed her neatly-trimmed mound.
“Jackson,” she whines. “I need you.”
“I know you do. You’ve needed me for a long time and I’m a
selfish bastard that I didn’t give you what you needed. But I will
now. And forever.”
My finger moves to cup her weeping core and she jumps and
moans, her eyes rolling back in her head. “Jack…”. Her voice trails
off on a moan when I push two fingers inside her slick lips, dancing
lightly, delicately until I find her clit. Then I pull at it, pinching it just
a bit. A little pleasure with the pain.
“Oh my god,” she moans and her hips chase my fingers. Restless,
her legs slide back and forth on the silken sheets. Until I lift myself
up and cover her. My hips roll with hers even though I haven’t
entered her yet. I can feel her slick heat right there though and it’s
so tempting to just push my aching shaft inside her body.
Holding her down, I push at her hips, pushing them open further
until my shoulders hold them open. Before she can say a word, my
tongue is licking up and down her wet slit, greedy lips drinking up
over drop of her dew.
“Jackson!” she screams, her fingers tangled in my hair. Her hips
pushing me further into her until I can’t breathe. But I don’t give a
damn. I’d gladly smother myself in her sweet juices.
Her pulses slow and still and then I lick her hard and soft, driving
her higher and higher until she’s panting, breathless, begging for me
to stop.
“I can’t take anymore, Jackson! Please!” she sobs.
“You can. Just wait.” And then I suck her clit into my mouth hard,
nipping it while I drive three fingers into her tight hole.
“Oh my god!” She goes off like a bomb, sitting straight up in the
bed, screaming and cursing my name. Her pussy spasms and I drive
my dick straight into her.
“Jackson! Oh god!” She stiffens and tears drip down her
alabaster cheeks.
It hurts my heart to know I hurt her. But it was inevitable.
“Shhh.” I whisper softly. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m so damn sorry.” I was
meant to be her first and only.
Fate. Alejandro always laughs about fate. But as soon as I met
Sasha I knew. It was fate.
Her body slowly relaxes and she moans softly, her eyes opening,
twin pools of dark honey that make me suck in a shaky breath.
“You’re so beautiful, Sasha. I always knew it was meant to be us.
I just didn’t want to hurt you ever. It’s killing me that I did.”
She shakes her head and one more crystal tear drips down her
cheek. “It’s better now. I think you can move.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, my body tightening already.
“Yes. I want you so bad. Please move.”
And I slide deep inside of her, sliding home, buried so deep inside
of her that I’m not sure I’ll ever find my way out.
CHAPTER 7
Sasha
Bevor uns der prächtige junge Abdu Rehim verläßt, seien noch
ein paar Worte über seine Familie gesagt. Er ist ein Sohn des
Pavans Ahmed, der seit 40 Jahren in Singer mit seinen vier Söhnen
wohnt, die alle dort geboren und von denen drei verheiratet sind. Alle
Bewohner des Dörfchens sind demnach Mitglieder der Familie
Ahmeds. Der älteste Sohn ist Karaultschi, der vom Amban von Dural
eingesetzte Stationswächter des Dorfes. Wenn in der Gegend etwas
Unerlaubtes oder Verdächtiges geschieht, ist es seine Pflicht,
darüber Bericht zu erstatten. Er ist Besitzer von 200 Schafen, die ein
Mongole in der Gegend von Argan unter der Bedingung hütet, daß
die Hälfte der im Jahre geborenen Lämmer dem Mongolen, die
andere Hälfte aber Ahmed zufällt, welch letzterer auch noch so viel
Wolle beansprucht, wie zur Herstellung von drei Kigis (Filzdecken)
erforderlich ist. Den Rest darf der Mongole, der selbst große Herden
besitzt, behalten.
Ferner ist Ahmed Besitzer von 27 Kamelen, mit denen er nicht
selten Geschäfte macht, indem er neue ankauft, wenn sie billig sind,
und sie teuer verkauft, sobald sich die Gelegenheit dazu bietet.
Schließlich hat er noch 2 Pferde und 10 Kühe. Er baut Weizen,
Gerste, Melonen, Zwiebeln und andere Gemüse in Singer, wo der
Boden besonders ergiebig sein soll, so daß sie dort jedes Jahr auf
Ernte rechnen können, während man in anderen Gegenden die
Äcker einige Jahre ruhen lassen muß. Die Leute sind von ihrem
Dorfe entzückt und möchten mit keinem anderen tauschen.
Abdu Rehim war ein hübscher, munterer, kräftiger und
zuverlässiger Mensch, und was ich an ihm besonders schätzte, war
seine Wahrheitsliebe und die Zuverlässigkeit seiner Angaben.
Konnte er eine gewünschte Auskunft nicht erteilen, so antwortete er,
daß er es nicht wisse. Sonst pflegen die Muselmänner in einem
solchen Falle rasch eine Geschichte zu erfinden. Er besorgte seine
acht Kamele mit bewundernswerter Geschicklichkeit, war überall bei
der Hand, belud und lud ab wie ein Sklave und fand den geraden
Weg zwischen den Quellen wie ein wildes Kamel. Ihn zu sehen, wie
er sich mit der schweren, plumpen Flinte auf der Schulter auf sein
Reitkamel schwang, war ein wahres Vergnügen; er war geschmeidig
und stark wie ein Tiger. Jeden Abend pflegte ich ihn in mein Zelt zu
rufen, um ihn eine Stunde lang über seine Erfahrungen
auszuhorchen. Ich versuchte, ihn noch länger an unsere Karawane
zu fesseln, aber er sehnte sich nach seinem Heim in den Bergen
zurück.
Beim Aufbruch am 18. März wurden sieben Ziegenfellschläuche
und zwei Säcke mit Eis mitgenommen, sowie zwei Säcke Kamisch,
um an Lagerplätzen ohne Weide sparsam an die Kamele verteilt zu
werden. Unterwegs sahen wir Spuren von einem alten und einem
jungen Kamele, und zwar so frische, daß die Tiere am selben
Morgen dort gegangen sein mußten. Tschernoff brannte vor Eifer
und verschwand, von Chodai Kullu begleitet, hinter den Hügeln.
Abdu Rehim ritt wie gewöhnlich an der Spitze, seine Kamele
anführend, ihm folgte Faisullah mit unseren vier Tieren; ich war der
letzte. Ördek ging gewöhnlich zu Fuß.
Plötzlich machte der Vortrab Halt, und die Männer saßen ab. Sie
hatten ein großes, liegendes Kamel wahrgenommen. Abdu Rehim
kroch mit der Flinte auf dem Rücken am Boden entlang. Ich schlich
mich zu ihm hin und beobachtete mit dem Fernglase eine Herde, die
aus einem großen schwarzen Bughra (Männchen) und fünf helleren
Kamelen bestand. Das Bughra hatte sich gerade erhoben und
wendete den Kopf mit aufgeblähten Nüstern unruhig und
aufmerksam nach unserer Seite. Drei von den anderen lagen
wiederkäuend, und zwei weideten.
Während wir anderen in einer Entfernung von 800 Schritt auf
einem gutversteckten Aussichtspunkte, von dem man allen
Bewegungen der Herde folgen konnte, stehenblieben, schlich Abdu
Rehim nach dem Platze, wohin auch Tschernoff durch die Spuren
geleitet worden war. Doch der Wind kam gerade von hier, und das
Männchen witterte offenbar Unrat. Es ging nach Westen, wo die
Weibchen lagen, blieb stehen, schnüffelte, den Blick unverwandt
nach unserer Seite gerichtet, in der Luft und ging dann weiter; die
anderen, zwei ausgewachsene Weibchen und drei Jährlingsfüllen,
merkten nichts.
Jetzt krachte ein Schuß. Er traf nicht, die Entfernung war zu groß;
aber, erschreckt von dem Knall, ergriff das Bughra schleunigst die
Flucht. Die Weibchen zögerten einen Augenblick, schnellten darauf
wie Sprungfedern in die Höhe und schwenkten in so starkem Galopp
ab, daß der Staub hinter ihnen aufwirbelte. Das Bughra lief allein, die
anderen dicht aneinander gedrängt 100 Schritt rechts von ihm. Ich
betrachtete die Schar durch das Fernglas, aber nach wenigen
Minuten waren die großen Tiere zu kleinen schwarzen Punkten
zusammengeschrumpft, und nachher sah ich nur noch die
Staubwolke, die ihren Weg angab. Die Tiere flohen mit großer
Schnelligkeit und ohne sich zu verschnaufen; sie waren in den Wind
hineingekommen, der ihnen den Karawanengeruch zuführte, und
hatten die Gefahr erkannt. Abdu Rehim glaubte, daß sie drei Tage in
der Sandwüste bleiben würden, ehe sie sich auf einem weiten
Umweg wieder in die Berge wagten.
Sehr weit waren wir auch am folgenden Morgen noch nicht
gelangt, als die Schützen wieder anhielten und nach Süden zeigten,
wo ein einsames Kamel philosophierend zwischen toten
Tamariskenkegeln umherspazierte. Drei Flintenläufe wurden auf das
Tier gerichtet, und drei Schüsse krachten, aber die Entfernung war
zu groß, und das Kamel lief in wenig hastigem Trabe nach
Nordosten; dabei kreuzte es unseren Weg, so daß wir es jetzt zur
Linken hatten, wo es plötzlich stehenblieb und sich die
Friedensstörer der Wüste betrachtete. Daß die Hunde auf das Kamel
losstürmten, ließ es sich mit merkwürdiger Ruhe gefallen. Tschernoff
schoß wieder, worauf das Tier zusammenzuckte, alle Beine spreizte,
den Schwanz aufrichtete und ziemlich langsam, die Hunde auf den
Fersen, nach Osten lief. Verwundet war es, das sah man an den
spärlichen Blutspuren, aber die Verwundung schien nur leicht zu
sein, und es entschwand uns bald aus dem Gesichte.
Wir hatten einen neuen Beweis von der unbegreiflichen
Dummheit und Unvorsichtigkeit des wilden Kamels erhalten. Das
jetzt in Frage kommende schien sich außerordentlich für unsere
Kamele zu interessieren und stand nach der ersten Salve einige
Augenblicke ganz still. Tschernoff verfolgte es zu Pferd und näherte
sich ihm auf 50 Schritt, aber die Hunde verdarben ihm die Jagd. Das
Kamel, eines jener einsamen Männchen, die von einem stärkeren
Nebenbuhler besiegt worden sind, war wohl gerade an die Quelle
gekommen, um zu saufen. Es hatte sicherlich nur eine ungefährliche
Schramme erhalten.
Zur Linken haben wir noch immer die untere Terrasse und finden
auf ihr unzählige tiefe Regenwasserrinnen. Zur Rechten schlängelt
sich der Kurruk-darja mit seinem toten Walde und seinen
Jarterrassen. Von dieser Gegend an sind Schneckengehäuse
(Limnaea) außerordentlich häufig. Hier hat es also an den Seiten
des früheren Flusses Uferseen gegeben. Diese Behauptung bedarf
keines anderen Beweises als des Vorkommens von
Süßwassermollusken, die sich nicht in schnell strömendem
Flußwasser, sondern nur in stillen Seen und Lagunen mit reichlicher
Vegetation aufhalten.
Dann überschreiten wir das Bett und gehen nach Südosten, um
ein Bild von dem Aussehen der Wüste nach dieser Seite hin zu
erhalten. Der harte Felsboden ist außerordentlich unangenehm und
höckerig. Die Jardang werden niedriger, die Furchen zwischen ihnen
sind nur einen Fuß tief eingeschnitten, aber die Kamele stolpern
über diese ewigen Schwellen. Sand tritt auf, bildet aber keine
Dünen. Ördek fand einige Scherben eines an starkem Feuer
gebrannten Tongefäßes und eine Art von Schiefer. Noch
aufrechtstehende Pappelstämme sind nicht ungewöhnlich, aber sie
sind tot und grau, spröde und zerbrechlich. Sie sind stets dünn, als
ob nur ihr innerstes Mark der Beschädigung durch die
Atmosphärilien zu widerstehen vermöchte. Der Boden ist mit
Limnaeaschalen bestreut. Tschidschegan (totes Kamisch), gestutzt
wie die Borsten einer Scheuerbürste, bedeckt große Flächen; es
sind die früheren, üppigen Felder auf den Ufern dieses Flusses und
seiner Lagunen.
Es kam uns sehr unerwartet, daß wir in einer Bodensenkung ein
Dutzend lebender Pappeln fanden, die allerdings kümmerlich
aussahen, aber doch Wurzeln hatten, um ihren Lebenssaft aus dem
Grundwasser zu saugen. Um sie herum kreuzten sich mehrere
Kamelspuren, und man sah auch die Fährte eines Wolfes, der von
Süden gekommen war, wohin auch ein paar Kamelspuren gingen.
Abdu Rehim glaubte, daß es nach dieser Richtung hin Weide gebe
oder daß dort ein See liege. Er hatte nie vom Awullu-köll gehört und
ahnte gar nicht, wie recht er hatte.
Wir ziehen dann zwischen 3 Meter hohen, steil nach
Westsüdwest abfallenden Dünen hindurch, die außerordentlich
regelmäßig gebildet sind, eine hübsche Halbmondform haben und
isoliert liegen. Im Süden dieses noch in den Windeln liegenden
Übersandungsgürtels erscheinen höhere Dünen, zwischen denen
jedoch noch immer toter Wald auftritt. Es war nicht unsere Absicht,
uns jetzt in dieser Richtung noch weiter zu begeben, sondern wir
kehrten nach Nordosten zurück und lagerten in einer wüsten
Gegend, wo die Kamele, die hier in der Heimat ihrer wilden
Verwandten stets angebunden wurden, Kamisch aus den Säcken
erhielten.
Oft verlieren wir das alte Bett ganz, um uns dann nach
stundenlangem Suchen plötzlich wieder am Rande einer Biegung zu
befinden. Wahrscheinlich finden wir in dem gegenwärtigen Relief der
Landschaft verschiedene hydrographische Epochen abgespiegelt.
Die außerordentlich scharf markierte Terrasse am Fuße des
untersten Sai ist eine Uferlinie, die seinerzeit von den Wellen eines
sehr ansehnlichen Sees bespült worden ist. Dieser ist nach und
nach flacher geworden und zusammengeschrumpft; die
Schneckenschalen sind liegen geblieben und zeigen, welche
Gegenden früher unter Wasser standen.
Die Wüste wird immer unfruchtbarer. Oft kreuzen wir nach Süden
führende Kamelspuren; es ist nicht unwahrscheinlich, daß das
Kamel sich nach dem Awullu-köll, der selten von Lopleuten besucht
wird, zu begeben pflegt. Und dann geht unser Zug wieder durch ein
Stück Flußbett, das bewundernswert deutlich ist. Es ist 94 Meter
breit, 6,5 Meter tief eingeschnitten und trägt auf seinen Ufern toten
Wald. Es ist ein fossiler Fluß. Nimmt man ein Stück vom Tarim, läßt
sein Wasser verschwinden und seinen Wald welken und verdorren,
so wird das Resultat genau dasselbe sein, das wir hier vor uns
hatten.
Wir rasteten in einer Bodensenkung.
Von diesem Lager folgten wir einem Kamelpfade, der jedoch
wahrscheinlich nur einmal von einer Herde benutzt worden war,
denn es liegt nicht in der Natur des wilden Kamels, sich an
bestimmte Wege zu halten, sondern es pflegt im Gegenteil seine
Sicherheit dadurch zu vergrößern, daß es sich davon ganz
unabhängig macht. In dieser Beziehung ist es schlauer als der Tiger,
der sich in Fallen fangen läßt, weil er stets alte Wege benutzt.
Die Landschaft verändert sich wenig. Die Berge sehen eher aus
wie eine niedrige Hügelreihe mit eingekerbtem Kamme. Toter Wald
ist spärlich, aufrechtstehende Stämme selten. Rechts ein Meer von
Jardang mit Milliarden von Schneckenschalen. Ördek fand einen
Tonkrug, Stücke einer großen Schüssel mit einem glasierten
Rankenornament und ein Stück von einem großen Kupferkessel mit
horizontal umgebogenem Rande. Hier hat ein Gehöft oder ein
kleiner Weiler gelegen; jedenfalls zeigte der Fund, daß die Gegend
bewohnt gewesen ist. Die Gefäße waren chinesische Arbeit.
Während des heutigen Tages hörte das Bett des Kurruk-darja
ganz auf, und der Boden, den wir jetzt betraten, war ehemals vom
Wasser des alten Lop-nor-Sees überschwemmt. Daher endigte der
Wald hier, die Schnecken aber waren noch zahlreicher als früher.
Die Jardang bildeten jetzt ein paar Meter breite und einen Meter
hohe Rücken von ziemlich festem, horizontal geschichtetem gelbem
Tone, deren Richtung Nordost-Südwest war und die einander bis ins
Unendliche folgten. Furchen oder Rinnen von derselben Breite und
Tiefe trennten sie voneinander. Die Richtung dieser eigentümlichen
Bodenform läßt uns vermuten, daß sie ausschließlich ein Werk des
vorherrschenden Nordostwindes ist, dessen Flugsand an dem leicht
vergänglichen Tone beständig feilt und frißt. Alle Ränder und Seiten
dieser langen Tafeln zeigen deutlich vom Winde abgeschliffene
Flächen. Anhäufungen von Treibsand fehlen jedoch, weil der See
erst vor relativ kurzer Zeit verschwunden ist. Marco Polos
Behauptung, daß zur Durchquerung der Lopwüste ein Jahr
erforderlich sei, ist nicht so übertrieben, wenn man bedenkt, daß
dazumal Kara-buran und Kara-koschun noch nicht existierten und
man also von der Takla-makan bis nach der Mandschurei von einer
ununterbrochenen Wüste sprechen konnte.
Unweit des Lagers Nr. 12 wurden dicke, graublaue Scherben von
einem großen Tongefäße mit kleinen Henkeln gefunden. Es war das
dritte Mal, daß wir an diesen ausgetrockneten Wasserwegen Spuren
von Menschen fanden. Der Boden ist hier und da mit
Salzablagerungen bedeckt, an denen man sieht, daß der See,
nachdem er seines Zuflusses beraubt worden war, allmählich salzig
geworden ist. Daß die Salzschichten so selten sind, hat seinen
Grund darin, daß der Wind die Oberschicht des Bodens beständig
abhobelt.
Jetzt galt es, Altimisch-bulak (die sechzig Quellen) zu finden. Wir
schlugen daher den Weg nach Nordnordost ein, die niedrigen
Ausläufer und Hügel des Kurruk-tag ersteigend, von wo aus der
Blick sich auf der absolut ebenen, aber rauhen Fläche der Wüste
verliert. Nur zweimal während aller seiner Wanderungen in diesen
Gegenden hatte Abdu Rehim fern im Süden einen schneebedeckten
Kamm gesehen, aber er hatte nie etwas vom Astin-tag gehört.
Gegen Abend erhob sich ein heftiger Nordwind; der Himmel
bedeckte sich mit Wolken, und es war bei der herrschenden
Finsternis nicht möglich, die Quelle zu finden, weshalb wir nach
einem Marsche von 38 Kilometer in einer gänzlich unfruchtbaren
Tonwüste lagerten. Seit fünf Tagen hatten wir keinen Tropfen Wasser
gefunden, und das bißchen, das sich noch in den Schläuchen
befand, war verdorben. Der Fleischvorrat war auch zu Ende, und die
Bewirtung fiel an diesem Abend kärglich aus.
Der Wind hielt die ganze Nacht an; das Zelttuch war
straffgespannt, es flatterte und riß an den Tauen, und ich hatte alle
meine Papiere und Karten eingepackt, denn wenn der Wind das Zelt
umstürzte, wären sie fortgeflogen und nicht wieder zu erlangen
gewesen. Noch am Morgen betrug die Windstärke 11 Meter in der
Sekunde.
Als ich bei Tagesanbruch aus dem Zelte trat, lag eine trostlose
Landschaft vor mir. Im Nordosten erstreckt sich ein niedriger
Rücken, im Südosten fällt das Terrain nach der Wüste ab, im übrigen
sieht man in weiter Ferne unbedeutende Kämme und Landrücken;
der Boden ist mit Schutt bedeckt, keine einzige Pflanze; alles ist
verwittert, kahl und öde. Die Chinesen haben diese Landrücken auf
ihren Karten nicht als Gebirge verzeichnet, nur der Hauptkamm weit
hinten im Norden ist darauf angegeben.
Heute war es Melik Ahun, Abdu Rehims Bruder, der den Zug
führte. Schweigend und ruhig thronte er auf seinem hohen Kamele
an der Spitze, den ganzen Zug hinter sich, wie ein Lotse ein ganzes
Geschwader leitet.