“Can we… you know… there?”
Nathan chuckles. “Baby, we can ‘you know’ whenever you want but in a club, you dirty little minx.”
“No… I meant, can we kiss?”
“It’s in a hotel, baby – most tourist clubs are in Dubai. So we can kiss, we’re just not supposed to on the streets - publicly.”
“It only makes me want you more.”
“I know exactly what you mean A, but in the United Arab Emirates you can get arrested for sleeping with a man you’re not married to.”
“You’re joking me - right? How do people have sex?”
“In secret and certainly not in public places.”
“Well, I wasn’t going to jump you on the dance floor - you should be so lucky.”
I listen to all this with awe and Abby’s annoyance at Nathan’s expectation that she would just desire him at all times of the day. The problem was I understood completely and she did, as did I with Seb. The Silver charm and Dubai cocktail was a lethal combination.
I step in to defend her. “God - I knew the laws were strict about these things but I hadn’t realised so much so. I’ve seen plenty of single girl and guy groups, since we’ve arrived with nothing on their minds but drinking, clubbing and sexing it up.” I rub Ab’s shoulder in support and instinctively my eyes are drawn to mine and Seb’s clasped hands, as we walk behind our friends and I pull away from his grip in panic. Maybe we shouldn’t be touching at all in the open?
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“Should we be flirting with danger?” I wiggle my fingers to show him my meaning.
“I haven’t touched you properly for over two hours. I’ll be damned if I’m not holding your bloody hand.”
I relax as his strong tanned hand firmly clasps mine and draws it to his mouth for a light peck before letting our arms swing between us.
“Even if we get arrested?”
“Don’t worry, Lu, I’ll always be on hand to get you off!”
And don’t I know it you cocky arrogant, sexy bastard!
The thought of finally being able to touch him again openly, sounded good to me. I crave his touch, his fingers and tongue bringing me to orgasm. I shuffle uncomfortably to appease the flutters of awakening beginning to throb between my thighs. There’s no way I could live in a country where PDA was frowned upon not with such a delicious man on tap. I’d be sectioned.
The Barracuda club is another beautifully manufactured glass building, designed in dark purples, magentas and greens, with thumping dance beats and neon cocktails; Abby is in her element the second we step through the door. We head straight to the bar, where I see two doormen barricading tall white double leather doors. “What’s through there? The restaurant?”
I catch Nathan’s smile and his hand gestures point to Seb to answer, whilst he pays the tab for the drinks. “Through those doors you will find temptation.”
Seriously, what’s with all the cryptic bullshit? I raise my brows to Seb in question.
“Baby, if you liked the ambience of Scarlet House - you’ll love this. It’s all about the build.”
It suddenly dawns on me what he means and my brain frazzles with images of what is secreted behind those two doors. Scarlet House had been one hell of an experience I was looking forward to repeat in the near future. However, at the same time I’m surprised, after all we are in Dubai, where not only is alcohol a no-no amongst its patriots, sex and the female form are hidden and taboo.
“How did you find a place like this in Dubai? Surely it’s completely illegal?”
“Not really. There are several of these kind of clubs in the area. All are run out of a hotel, and designed for single men to come and meet single working women for the night. It’s discreet and only for select members at an exclusive membership fee. This is not something to talk about and you will not see a local here – it’s purely for the hedonistic tourists in the Marina.”
“Working women – like a dating agency?” Abs registers.
Nathan hands us our drinks. “Not really… but I suppose you could say you stay for a while and use its facilities in a similar way. It’s certainly run as a hotel to get around the strict legalities but the working women are…”
“Pro’s, Abs. You know prostitutes.” I whisper the latter under my breath.
Abby spins to look at me in shock. “Really? How saucy?” Well how will we be allowed in there then if we aren’t?”
“We’ll just have to play along, won’t we? We’ll be seen as one of their kind.”