His eyes twinkle in the dark. “You always were good with words. Come.”
I accept the hand he holds out to me, and rise from the table, before, he pulls me into his arms. One hand dropping to my waist, the other holding my arm out, our fingers entwined. Are we about to dance?
Then the light strains of Nina Simone’s ‘Don’t let me be misunderstood’, echoes into the night and I feel his feet begin to move, encouraging me to move with him. “Dance with me, baby.”
His hand tightens around my waist, drawing me to him and we sway to the beat, Nina singing ‘I’m just a fool who’s intentions are good… please don’t let me be misunderstood’, her deep raspy voice, like liquid chocolate and words so appropriate I wonder if he planned that specific track on the playlist. It was one of my favourites and entirely appropriate. This gorgeous, frustrating stubborn man was trying to tell me something with this song, the swaying of our bodies, his touch, his hot breath at my nape, his thumb stroking my inner wrist.
“Can you feel me, Lu?” His cock nudges against my tummy and I smile into his shoulder. “It’s always alert. You do this to me. I can’t get enough of you but it’s not just about the sex.”
We continue moving around in a circle, and I allow myself to be led by him, the moment so surreal, the stars above us and candles at our feet, the waves whispering along the shoreline. “Look at me, Lu.”
And I do - do as I’m told because I want to, I want to see the adoration for me flickering in his liquorice blacks, I want him to see my eyes change colour as my lust for him increases. “I’m like this because I want to be connected to you always. In mind and body.”
“I feel it too, Seb. I crave you.”
“You have me, Lu.” His hands release mine and cup my face and we stand staring, our eyes searching deep into our souls and my stomach lurches. I love him so much.
I reach up on tip toes and press my lips to his, feeling his arms enfold me, drawing me closer to his body. A finger trails down my spine and I shiver as our tongues mate and I lose myself in the most romantic kiss.
“Come, let’s go for a walk on the beach. Mohammed has set up a fire pit and blankets where we can get you warm and take in this magnificent night.
We spend the next hour cosied up on the beach, chatting and laughing and generally enjoying being connected. I was in heaven. I listen to him talking about work, love hearing his enthusiasm, which has never faltered in ten years of graft. His vision is clear - work hard, take risks, always appreciate your client, but your own point of view too. Your honour is your ticket and a man’s reputation is built upon his work and his word. Never ask a man to complete a menial task you have not done yourself and importantly, remember that it can all be taken away with one mistake and in one minute. I’ve always respected his work ethic but listening to him now, my belly tightens and I feel immense pride in his morality codes.
I can tell that The Jannah project has been the challenge of his career; both exciting and draining, simultaneously. He’d given it his all, taken a huge risk but it had paid off. He was now a multimillionaire and a big name in his industry. Silver meant quality. I could attest for that.
“So is this it for Silver Con and Dubai - is your relationship at an end?”
I look up at his gorgeous face, deep in thought as he studies the waves hitting the beach not far from our position on the white sands. The tide would be in soon and as the fire pit crackles next to us, and I snuggle further into Seb’s warmth, I’m saddened that we only have one more night in The Maldives. Thursday we fly to Dubai. Thursday we’d be with people again - our exotic bubble popped and invaded.
It’s got windy in the past half an hour and dark so quickly and I wrap my throw around me for protection against the light chill. Seb is quiet, considering my words.
“I bought a Dubai based construction company.”
“When?”
“It’s been in negotiations for some time but the deal went through last week.”
“Well, that’s good news isn’t it?” I push myself away from him to assess his body language and his hand clasps mine tightly, not letting me move too far from him.
“It is… it will be. There’s a lot of money to be made out in the Middle East and Silver Con should be part of it, I feel it but…”
“But what?”
“I don’t want to leave you again. Be away for such long periods.”
I smile happily in the darkness, as the bright midnight blues, and tangerines bleed through the sky and the stars shine brightly, winking at me. He didn’t want to let me go.