Page 25 of Finding Jacob
I hadn’t been to Dubai before. My models had been, there had been a large fashion show organised by Dior when the Burj Al Arab opened. Usually, if I was sending out younger models, I would always insist on accompanying them. On that occasion, it clashed with Paris, so my PA attended instead. She’d called me every five minutes telling me how amazing the place was.
“I’d love to visit Dubai,” I said.
“Good, we should get a date in the diary.”
The chef indicated that dinner was ready, and Jacob slid from his seat. He picked up both our glasses and asked me to follow him. We walked to an informal dining area to one side of the kitchen and overlooking the natural pool.
“This is a wonderful view. Do you use the pool much?”
“As much as I can. I like to swim, especially at night.”
We chatted about his house, and his excitement was infectious. We ate a starter of asparagus roasted with parmesan cheese and dripping with olive oil. A simple dish and perfect for my still slightly delicate stomach.
To follow, however, was a challenging chicken dish drenched in a cream sauce. I had found, since becoming pregnant, dairy was not my friend. I ate, trying to avoid the sauce as much as possible and citing fullness as my excuse to leave most of it. I poured myself some iced water from a carafe and decided it was time to get some answers from Jacob.
“So, tell me what you do when you’retravelling the world?” I asked.
“Sightsee, business, relaxation,” he replied, smiling at me.
“Still evasive?” I enquired.
He laughed. “Not really, it’s just I talk business all the time. In my downtime, I don’t like to. I’d rather talk about you.”
“Good diversion,” I said, raising my glass of water to him.
He turned his chair and scooted closer to me. “I like to talk about you. I want to know you fully, Anna.” His voice had lowered to an even more seductive tone.
“I gathered that, but it feels a little one-sided,” I said, being honest.
He slowly nodded his head. “I organise security for companies that have interests in... difficult countries,” he replied.
I straightened up. “That sounds...interesting. And scary.”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Not for me.”
“When you saysecurity, what do you mean?”
“Private armies, Anna.” He stared intently at me, not blinking.
“Blimey, that’s...” I wasn’t sure what it was. I knew of private armies, of course, and then something clicked in my brain. “Nathan.”
“Nathan’s story is his to tell, not mine.” Jacob’s voice had taken a more formal tone, perhaps one he’d use at a business meeting. A tone that brokered no further question. “Now, back to you and your predicament.”
My hand flew to my stomach and for a moment I thought he knew! He frowned at me.
“Are you unwell? You’ve paled,” he said, reaching out to rest the back of his hand against my cheek.
“No, sorry, I’m fine. Can I be honest? Dairy doesn’t always agree with me.” It wasn’t a lie, but a convenient statement to cover my actions. “Gives me a little bit of a stomach ache.”
“Then Nathan informed me wrong,” he said.
“No, not that I like the idea of you two discussing me. This is something new.”
He slid his fingers down my cheek and along my jawbone. “You’re glowing,” he said, and then chuckled.
“I’m hot,” I replied.
“For me?” His words came out as a whisper.
