Page 96 of The Accidental Wife

We eat the ‘Shayla Special’ and reminisce about the day we went to that place by the river. It’s been a while since we talked like this. It hit me once more how much I missed her or just being around her. We sat leaning on the table between us once our food was finished, our heads in our hands, enjoying a bottle of white wine while laughing and talking.

You know, in those cheesy rom-com movies, you see the guy just watching the girl while she talks, smiling in slow motion; that’s literally how I felt in that very moment. I was enthralled with this girl; she does something to me.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She asks, smiling, a beautiful blush forming on her cheeks.

I grin, watching her, “Like what?”

Shayla laughs, “Like that.” She points to me. “With your eyes all wide like a puppy staring at its owner waiting to be petted.” She giggles, looking into my face. “Cole, stop it.”

“Why? Do you think I’m cute?” I smile, looking at her a little more intently, and she grins, shaking her head.

“I’m not going to feed your ego, Cole Hoult.” I chuckle at her remark and tweak her nose. She slaps my hand away, but I catch her hand and rub her fingers with my thumb. I look down at her hand and brush my thumb over her finger she once wore the diamond ring I gave her. The mood quickly goes glum between us. I lift my gaze to hers, and she does the same, likely thinking the same thing I was.

“I’ve missed you,” I declare, those green eyes I adore search mine for a second before she bites her bottom lip.

“I’ve missed you, too.” She whispers, looking down, her finger also brushing along mine where I once wore the gold wedding band. My stomach does that weird twitchy thing when she touches me.

Fuck, I want to kiss her so bad. She’s so close I can smell her intoxicating scent whenever she moves. I need to find out what perfume and shampoo she uses and buy gallons of it. With my free hand, I reach up and brush my fingers through her soft, long hair. I love the way my fingers just glide through her silky strands.

Shayla’s eyes flicker up to mine, her tongue swipes across her bottom lip, and I watch avidly, fighting the urge to pull her in and kiss her like I’ve been longing to. Five hours in, and I’m already struggling; if I don’t control myself and make a move on her, she will freak out and walk away again. “So, um, how long are we in Dubai for?” Shayla questions clearing her throat a little.

“A couple of days,” I reply, dropping my hand from her hair and leaning back into my chair, drawing back the hand I was rubbing her fingers with. “It will be just after ten o ‘clock at night local time when we land, so we can either rest if you’re tired or we can go and explore a little,” I suggest, and she shrugs, leaning back in her chair also.

“I’ve never been to Dubai, so I’m definitely up for exploring if you are.” She answers with a smile, fiddling with the cork to the wine.

“Sounds good to me. Seen as you’ve never been, you should know there are strict rules in the U.A.E.” I explain, and she frowns, looking at me questioningly.

“Rules?” I nod, leaning against the table again, and she does the same, listening intently.

“Yes, public displays of affection are prohibited when you’re out and about. If you’re married, you can get away with holding hands, but that’s it. Two people who are not wed aren’t allowed to touch in public or share a hotel room. If you’re caught breaking the rules, you get arrested, and it’s up to a year jail time.” I explain, and Shayla’s eyes grow wide.

“A year? That’s a little extreme.” She mutters, shaking her head. “Sucks for those coming as an unwed couple. Imagine having to stay in separate rooms while on holiday.” She smirks.

I smile, nodding, “Dubai isn’t as bad as Abu Dhabi. It’s more laid back. They don’t care as long as you’re not having sex in public. You can do what you want in the privacy of your hotel room.” I explain, and Shayla nods, chewing on her bottom lip, a little smile on her face. “What?” I ask, and she shakes her head, her smile growing into a grin.

“Nothing.” She mumbles quickly, averting her gaze, her cheeks turning pink.

I chuckle, “What are you thinking about? You’ve gone all red.” Shayla touches her cheeks, her green eyes wide.

“Nothing. No, I haven’t.” I laugh, reaching over. I poke her, and she giggles, shaking her head.

“Liar. You’re thinking about something naughty I know that look. Tell me.” I laugh when she goes even redder, “Oh my God, it must be good look how red you’ve gone.” I tease her.

Shayla covers her face with her hands shaking her head, embarrassed. “Cole, shut up!” She chuckles, mortified, turning her head so I wouldn’t see her face. “Why is it so hot in here.” I snicker, taking hold of her wrists. I pull her hands away from her face and look at her grinning.

“You were picturing us having hot sex in a country where it’s forbidden, weren’t you? Admit it.” I drawl teasingly, and Shayla shakes her head.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She denies still smiling. I narrow my eyes at her and lean in close, my thumbs rubbing the pulse point on her wrist as I gaze into her olive-green eyes. “Sex is forbidden to us full stop Cole not just in Dubai.”

I look over her face, “Maybe the act itself is, but no one can stop us from thinking about it, can they?” I reply, letting my eyes drift down to her plump, soft lips, “Or talking about it.” I add with a breathy whisper.

“What’s there to talk about?”

I lick and bite my bottom lip, “You can tell me what you were thinking about, for example.” I question, trailing my fingers down the length of her arms slowly. “Where were we?”

“Cole,” She sighs, her eyes closing, and I watch her closely.

“Tell me,” I whisper.

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