“Okay, sure.” I walk to the second bedroom and set my bag on the bed, and look through it. I’m going to hurt those girls when I get back. They’ve packed me all revealing outfits: shorts, crop tops, skirts, and dresses. If I end up arrested, I’ll literally kill them. Although Cole did say they are more laid back here than the ‘old’ Dubai. I pick out a long fire-truck red skirt that had high slits up both legs. I match it with a white crop top and sandals. I let my hair loose from the messy bun I put it in after the flight and do some light make up. I smile when I remember the girls telling me I should tease him a little to show him what he was missing. Even though I don’t want to play games with him, a small part inside was intrigued. I look in the mirror and smile. I pick up the black eyeliner and line my eyes to stand out, and put some matte red lipstick to match the skirt.
Satisfied I got the look I was going for, I spray my fruity perfume and walk out of the bedroom the same time as Cole walks out of his at the suite's opposite side. He was in a white linen shirt with the top two buttons undone, slowing his well-defined, smooth chest and a pair of baby blue shorts. He stops walking when he sees me, his emerald eyes rake over me, and he licks his lips slowly. I feel a tingle cascade down my spine when his eyes meet mine.
“Ready to go?” I ask, he nods, and we leave the suite.
Cole clears his throat when he pushes the button to the elevator. “You look gorgeous.” I smile at him and hold his gaze.
“Thank you, right back at you,” I say and step into the glass elevator. “Where are we going?”
Cole slides his hands in his pockets and looks at me. “It’s a surprise.” He informs me, grinning mischievously. “I need to make sure I don’t let you out of my sight tonight.”
I look at him puzzled, and he licks his lips. “You’re every Arab man’s dream right now.” I smile and give him a tart look.
“Only Arabs?” I ask, and a look of surprise crosses his features at my flirty response before it disappears, and he grins handsomely at me.
“You already know the answer to that.” He answers knowingly, his eyes flickering down to my lips before they lift to mine again.
“Do I?” Cole nods slowly, staring into my eyes. “And what if I need reminding?”
“That can be arranged.”
I raise my brow in response, “And what might that involve exactly?” I question, and he only smiles wantonly. We observe one another intently until the elevator doors open.
We leave the hotel and get into one of the Rolls Royce’s the hotel provided for us. Two men open the doors for us to get in. Cole tells the driver where we need to go before he slides in beside me, and the driver nods and runs around the car to get in the driver’s seat.
Cole leans in close to my ear and whispers, “Have I told you that I love the way you look in red.” I close my eyes and resist the urge to shiver when I feel his lips brush against the shell of my ear. I turn my head toward him and lift my eyes to his, smiling sensually.
“Once or twice,” I reply softly, gazing into his eyes. “Wouldn’t mind hearing it again, though.”
“I love the way you look in red.” He whispers, his eyes lingering on my lips as he speaks. I deliberately lick my lips slow and bite my bottom lip while he watches avidly. He groans and closes his eyes; his Adam’s apple jumps in his throat. “You have no idea how badly I want to ruin that lipstick you’ve got on right now.” He breathes, and I watch him for a beat.
“It truly is a shame that you can’t,” I tell him and pull my face away from his and look out of the window, my lips curling into a satisfied smirk when I hear him sighing in frustration.
A while later, the car rolls to a stop, and I look around. We’re by a marina surrounded by lit-up buildings in the middle of the city. “Come on,” Cole says, placing his hand at the small of my back he guides me toward a lit-up dhow boat.
I take his hand, and he helps me up into the boat. “Oh, wow.” I breathe, looking around. The boat had two floors; the bottom was filled with tables for diners, but it was empty. “Where is everybody?” I ask as we walk up the steps to the top floor.
“It’s a private tour, so it’s just us,” Cole tells me as he leads me up the steps. I nod in understanding and see a table for two on the top deck. “I hope you’re hungry.”
I’m starving.” I smile and take a seat when he pulls the chair out for me. “Thank you.” I look around the boat. It was so beautiful and romantic. The boat starts to pull away from the marina, and while we wait for the food, we drink wine, and I listen to Cole talk about the buildings as we pass by them. I love how passionate he is about his work. It’s honestly so endearing.
Cole stops talking when he notices me watching him, “Now who’s looking at whom like a puppy that wants to be petted?” I smile and shrug.
“I love listening to you talk about architecture. You speak so passionately about it you can’t help but feel engrossed.” I tell him earnestly, and he smiles warmly at me and takes my hand in his, his thumb gently brushing over my knuckles.
“That’s really nice to hear because there isn’t a lot of people I can share the love and passion I have for my work with.” He explains, “Only someone who feels the same excitement for architecture would understand.” He adds, giving me a pointed look, and I nod, smiling.
“I completely agree.” The starters arrive, and we ate the delicious fig salad with spiced chicken while discussing the presentation we had the next day. The mains arrived shortly after we finished the starters, Cole chose two Lamb shanks for us, and it was delightful; the meat just fell off the bone and melted on your tongue.
For dessert, I chose the chocolate souffle, while Cole chose a creamy strawberry cheesecake. I moan in delight when I taste the first spoonful of the warm souffle. Cole watches me as I suck on the spoon. “Good?”
I nod slowly and look at him. “So good.” I moan, licking the chocolate off my finger. Cole shifts in his seat and clears his throat, looking down at his own dessert.
“Never thought I’d be so envious of a dessert.” He mumbles under his breath. I resist the urge to smile, pretending I didn’t hear him. I continue to make sexy little noises while I ate each spoonful, and he watches me with hooded eyes, sucking on his bottom lip.
I scoop up a piece and hold it to his lips, “You have to try this. It’s to die for.” I say, he opens his mouth, and I feed him the souffle making sure I smear a little chocolate on his bottom lip with the spoon. Cole moans appreciatively. “Isn’t it sensational?”
He nods, swallowing, “It really is.” I smile and set the spoon down on the plate before I lean close to him. Cole watches me closely, his green eyes darting from my eyes to my lips.