I bet she’s gagging to.
‘That’s a lovely thought, but—’
‘Of course, the invitation’s open to you both. Kate, how do burgers and beer sound?’
Pedestrian and trouble, if I’m honest. I’m pretty sure Kai wouldn’t be pleased to hear I’ve been out for dinner with Matt, especially after his antics at the pool. The exact nature of Kai’s words are a little hazy, maybe deliberately so of certain aspects of that day... So while I don’t really want to go, I feel I shouldn’t go, either. But that can’t be healthy, can it?
Fleeting images and sensations of the day cause me to shiver, my gaze sliding towards Niamh and her silent, pleading eyes. Go out with Niamh. Be around Matt? It can’t really be an issue, especially now that Kai and I have declared our feelings for one and other. Besides, we’re all grown-ups. And if Kai happens to object, I can just tell him; set him straight.
Or maybe get to repeat the experience from the pool party...
‘Yeah, why not.’
The music in this faux-pub is almost as obnoxious as the red-checked tablecloths. Beers and burgers? Try slumming it. All this place is missing is a mechanical bull and some hicks chewing on straw. I can’t wait to go home.
Standing at the edge of a scuffed wooden dance floor, I start as large hands grasp my hips. My whole body stills as they hold me for a moment before forcibly moving my reluctant form to the music, as I’m puppeteered by an almost familiar touch.
‘Kate,’ breathes a familiar voice in my ear.
I place my hands on the larger ones, instantly reminded of Kai—his height and bearing, his hands—all so similar. Then I pull them away in distaste. ‘Essam, you’ve got to stop doing that. It’s seriously creepy.’
‘I called your name twice but it’s so loud in here.’ He grabs my hand. ‘Come, sit. Let me buy you a drink.’
I try to catch Niamh’s attention, but she has her back to me. Rob has joined her on the dance floor and she’s too preoccupied to notice my dread. So I follow Essam reluctantly, possibly forcibly, my wrist in his hand. We climb several stairs at the edge of the dance floor, heading for a quieter spot.
On edge, I perch myself on a dark leather sofa in an area worryingly somewhat out of the way. It’s quieter, but by no means quiet, but it’s also dark. As Essam lowers himself next to me, our thighs touch. I draw my legs in tighter and scoot towards the arm.
‘Have you spoken to Kais?’ he asks pleasantly. But the tone doesn’t suit him, especially as I know now exactly how unpleasant he is.
‘Lots, thanks.’
‘Don’t be coy. I mean about Riyadh,habibti.’
‘Don’t call me that,’ I reply, picking invisible lint from my jeans.
‘You don’t like to be calledhabibti?’ He draws out the word along with his arm, stretching it along the back of the sofa and behind me. ‘I think perhaps you don’t like Essam.’
‘I’d like Essam better if he stayed on his side of the chair.’ I move further forward away from his fingers.
‘Maybe you’d be more inclined to friendship if I was to tell you exactly what’s going on?’
‘I don’t need any new friends, thanks.’
‘It’s useful to have friends in high places. Friends who are willing to tell you exactly what you’ve missed.’
‘Yeah, I can see that. How embarrassing would it be for me to, like, meet your wife and ask her how your girlfriend is?’
‘I’m not the only one with secrets and I’m not the one teaching innocent little girls,’ he retorts, hard-edged. ‘Your job requires discretion. I’m sure the parents of your class would be most distressed to hear their child’s mentor lives such a debauched life. Boyfriends and bars. Fucking the owner’s son for a car.’
‘That’s not—’ Then a thought hits me as hard as a fist, making me feel sick to my stomach. ‘Are you threatening me?’
‘Don’t flatter yourself,’ he answers, discerning my thinking. ‘I mean only to warn. Open your eyes,habibti.You aren’t the only one Kai is fucking with, and while we all have skeletons in our closet, I know for a fact Kais prefers his to wear chains.’
‘You’re mad.’ I begin to rise, to get away from his filthy insinuations, but I don’t move far as he lunges across me, pinioning me against the chair by his forearm.
‘Listen to me, you little slut,’ he snarls, his head looming over mine. ‘Your precious Kai fucks people over. He won’t get away with it this time.’
‘Get off me!’
