‘This is us.’
Beyond another set of double timber doors is a massive bedroom, luxurious enough to challenge any hotel. Neutral shades—mainly whites and greys—give the room a tranquil feel, but it’s also a bit sterile and impersonal. An off-white rug covers almost the entire floor, and standing in the middle of the room is a modern take on a four-poster bed. It’s covered with pale coloured coordinated bedding and stacked high with pillows, cushions and bolsters. It must be a pain to make every day. The walls are a textured grey, and an upholstered bench sits at the end of the bed matching low slung chairs in front of floor to ceiling window.
Kai walks further into the room, opening another set of doors that lead into a dressing area that should come with its own post-code. But he doesn’t stop there, passing the rows of colour co-ordinated clothes to yet another set of double doors and a bathroom beyond.Quelle supris,it’s also mahoosive: a glass-walled shower almost the size of half a netball court. Okay, maybe a teensy exaggeration, but it is very big. An oversized claw-foot bath stands in one corner in front of a marble fireplace.Very out of place. Who needs a fireplace in Dubai?The walls are covered in a mosaic of neutral tiles, mirrors above a double vanity, and more doors leading to the toilet and bidet.
Kai pulls open an armoire, handing me a new toothbrush, towels and a whole host of stuff I don’t need.
‘You could have a party in there.’ I gesture to the shower, hoping my tone is one of careful restraint rather than insinuation. Returning my gaze to the toothbrush, I concentrate on peeling it from the packaging, not quite daring to watch his response. When he doesn’t—respond or answer—I raise my head.
‘Big, isn’t it?’
His face is inscrutable and his tone bland. I blink rapidly, not quite sure of the implication of his answer, when he takes the brush from my hand.
‘Yes, you could, but no I haven’t. Does that satisfy your curiosity?’ As my brows pull together, he adds with an almost exasperated rush, ‘Other than family, you’re the first woman I’ve had in this house, okay?’
‘That sounds incestuous.’ I keep my eyes lowered, hiding my smile.
He shakes his head and chuckles, squeezing paste onto the brush. ‘Dirty minded girl.’
Back in the bedroom, Kai chucks the pillows from the bed to the floor before stripping out of his clothes and sliding between the sheets.
I gaze around the room, evading his gaze.
‘What is it?’
‘I haven’t got any jammies,’ I answer quietly and a little forlorn. I’ve been naked in bed before with him, but usuallyhemakes me naked first.
‘Good, because this is a no sleepwear zone. See that chair?’ Leaning up on his elbow, he points to one on the other side of the bed. ‘I expect to see all manner of fluffy pyjamas, sleepwear and onesies on that thing, because that’s as far as they’re allowed.
‘What about slinky nightwear? It’s not all fluffy duckies, you know.’
‘All of it. That chair.’ He points again. ‘Though, I may be of assistance in the process of putting it there. Now, get your cute arse over here. Don’t worry, your virtue is safe. I can barely raise an eyebrow just now.’
‘I thought I was safe when you got the old-school toothbrush out.’ Chuckling softly, I begin to strip, and not at all provocatively, because the truth is, I’m buggered, too.
‘Don’t,’ he pleads half laugh, half groan. ‘I don’t think I’ve the energy to lift an electric brush, let alone pleasure you with one.’
‘Pleasure me!’ And I snort. Naked and snorting. Some things never change.
His head angles slowly to one side and he stares at me through those thick, black lashes. ‘But I could watch.’
‘Kai, you must’ve gone to sleep already. You’re dreaming. Night-night.’ I slip between the sheets and rising on the pillows, kiss his forehead before then snuggling in.
Then, I go out like a light.
