Nope, I’m not touching that one.
‘I can’t. I’m so sorry, but I’ve already made plans. There’s a pool party back at my place. Sort of a building get together, and while I can’t believe I’m about to blow off a weekend in Europe, I’ve already promised. In fact, I said I’d be there to help set up and stuff.’ I really must be mad. ‘I’d love to, but I’m a girl of my word.’ I am. I also must be bat-shit crazy. Europe against a pool party. Yep, batters. That’s me.
His finger slips from my ear, curling around my arm. ‘Of course. I understand. Your weekend sounds...’
‘Suddenly very boring, compared to how yours will be.’
‘I won’t stay for the weekend, not without you. Maybe I can see you the following day, after your party?’
‘If you’re going to be in town, why don’t you come?’ I pull away and lift my head. ‘Friday. It’ll be pretty casual and you could meet Niamh properly.’ Although that’s a scary thought, I keep it to myself. I’m also not sure it’s his scene.Mr. High-End-Everything-Lives-in-a-Hotel. Would he enjoy a simple afternoon of beers by the pool?
Kai’s expression softens as he pulls himself upright, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. ‘Not quite what I had in mind, but I’ll take you where I can. When I can.’
Kneeling on the bed behind him, I place my lips against his shoulder. ‘That sounds promising,’ I say, giggling. ‘Maybe we can rain-check your dirty weekend?’
Turning his head, his eyes glitter with intent. ‘Dirty, you say. In what way?’
‘Whatever way you like,’ I whisper, my breath now on his neck.
‘Be careful,habibti.’ His skin twitches beneath my lips, his low voice vibrating in the pit of my stomach. ‘You don’t know what you’re promising.’
‘Maybe,’ I counter, ‘but you keep asking me to trust you. You can be trusted, right?’
‘With some things,’ he answers enigmatically, his tone making my nerve endings ring and light up like a pinball machine.
‘So Friday?’ I cough, clearing my throat and moving back. Kai stands and stretches, giving me a great view of his buns.
‘Love to,’ he affirms.
‘Get there around fourish? Wear shorts?’And nothing else.
‘Shorts. Will do, and you’ll wear anabayaover your bikini. Or a tent.’
