The Lounge was in the hotel's heart, overlooking the spectacular Dubai Fountain, perfect for meeting friends, business meetings, or just watching the world go by.

The ambience wasn't something she was used to and knew it was out of her league, thankful for Hussein. They would've shown her the door, not the impressive oversized square chair facing the window and overlooking the fountain.

Nikki eased into the chair, placing Hussy at her side, its front feet hanging over the chair's arm, and looking at the views. She's hanging out with the cool crowd, smiling to herself, looking across the tile-patterned floor under the glass table.

Hussein seated at the other end, talking to the attendant.

Looking around the area knowing this was beyond her means, wondering how much coffee would set her back, then told herself off. She had some money left in the bank, pushing Vincent out of her head and his disapproving shaking head.

Stuff it!

A once-in-a-lifetime experience, she wasn't staying here and could add to her journal, leaning towards Hussein, the table between them.

"Can I take photos?" A video recording might be too much.

"I see no issues." She discreetly took photos of the views and then around the room, taking in the settings, pillars, and lights. It had to be seen to be believed. She had never seen the likes of it, apart from the flight with Emirates.

Her first flight out of Australia.

Vincent had talked her out of flying business class.

She had been seated by the window, though aware of the other passengers; so went to the toilet when they went and also made sure she didn't have too much to drink.

Everyone had been nice and accommodating and talked about her trip, nothing about Hussein Abdul, until it slipped out and found out they were big fans of the books. They were so eager for her that she was following his footsteps but was pretty sure this wasn't in his adventures.

Her eyes popped as a three-level tray of savoury delights was placed on the table, with added trays with scones, another with chocolate and different condiments. An ice bucket was placed at the side, as a bottle of champagne opened and two glasses poured.

"Umm," she pointed at the glass.

"My treat, afternoon tea, so what do you want to drink, coffee or tea?"

"Coffee please, cappuccino, thank you." She didn't know what to say about his generosity. There was no way she could afford this, knowing Dubai wasn't the cheapest place in the world.

She's handed a list of what was on offer without the price. She was sure Hussein had made sure of that. Comprising Classico Salato, Dolce, and Torte that covered everyone's taste. Nikki's taste mainly ran into savoury, licking her lips over the list, not even sure where to begin.

Although they waited until the coffees arrived, Hussein started by offering her a plate with the scones, removing the plain one, cut in half, and adding raspberry jam and clotted cream that went down a treat with a sip of bubbles, after tipping glasses with Hussein.

Nikki eyed off what was on offer, thinking she wouldn't have to worry about eating tonight after this lot. Maybe she could pick up something light on the way back to her hotel.

Hussein didn't know how much this kindness meant to her. Vincent would have been suspicious and said no thanks, with his disarming smile, and taken her away.

So glad she did this by herself.

Cobra hadn't tapped her shoulder, so bit into the overloaded clotted cream and jam scone, oozing everywhere, hiding her mouth with her hand, licking her lips behind, grinning.

Not the best behaviour for such a fancy place like this.

To be honest, she rarely went out like this. As long as she could remember, she ate at Vincent's large house surrounded by servants, including a cook.

Even if she was brought up there, it had never really been her home, even if she wanted it to be.

She never fitted in, feeling like the outsider looking in.

Attending his functions at his side, playing the hostess, yet never went out to dinner. Vincent did all the time.

He wouldn't even allow her to go shopping by herself, let alone go for a coffee at some fancy cafe, unless with him, which was rare.

Heaven forbid a hotel. All she needed was available in his home, apart from friends, and having her own life as she desired, hungered for, wanting to work, only to be told she already did.

Now she was doing this alone and look at her, eating like the Queen of Sheba, getting her cream, licking her lips once more, lowering her hand.

Dark eyes danced at her from across the table, wiping a finger across his mouth. She removed the napkin to wipe her mouth, removing the leftover cream, taking another bite, a smaller one, yet still oozed, using the napkin this time, laughing with delight.

"It's so good," she cooed, wiping her mouth again.

Polished of the scone, she went for something not so messy, a sandwich of truffle egg with cucumber, brioche, and caviar that was much fancier than she was used to. Not even Vincent's dos are up to this quality, savouring every bite, both settling in to enjoy what was on offer, mixed with bubbly and coffee.

"I can't believe this is all ours."

"You haven't had afternoon teas before?" he asked, sounding surprised.

"Not really our ... my thing, which was a misguided decision. The only afternoon tea I had seen was on telly and usually very English. How often does one indulge in such a thing like this?"

"As often as one desires."

"But not too often," she said, patting her stomach, removing the other half of the scone, adding lemon curd and cream and taking a smaller bite.

"What did you want to ask me?" Smiling, she first asked about headscarves to wear or not. "My advice is only to wear when visiting a mosque, out of respect, there is one that allows visitors. It is quite stunning."

"Not on my list, but if I have spare time, I will add it as a maybe."

"You have a list?"

"Yes, a long one. Burj al-Khalifa was the first one on it," then began naming familiar sights that were mentioned in the book. Her eyes glowed. "I can't wait to try the water taxi," for her reasons, more than crossing the Dubai creek. 

Hussein listened on with interest, reaching for his phone as it buzzed.

"Excuse me," she waved at him, polishing off the glass of bubbly, removing another sandwich. "Hello," he smiled. "Where am I? Downstairs at the lounge."

"Lounge? What are you doing down there?"

"Just relaxing with coffee," he winked at Nikki. "You can join if you desire."

"I was thinking about going for a swim to clear my head. Might join you first for a quick one before I do so."

"More the merrier. If you are stuck, we can toss ideas around."

"I know your ideas already, girl and camel backpack," he growled. "Not happening. I just need to clear my head. See you soon."

"Bye," he hung up and placed the phone on the table, where he removed a couple of items and placed them on his side plate.

"I hope everything is alright. If you need to go, I can leave."

"And waste all this? I don't think so, anyway I want to hear more about this list of yours. Sounds interesting, as if there is a reason behind it all."

"Oh, there are, all the things I need to see before heading home." She sighed, easing back into the chair, tucking hair behind her ear, not sure what was waiting for her.

Especially when she tells Vincent her answer.

It felt too weird.

She didn't see him that way.

He was more like a brother than a future husband.

****

Unable to write, Khayri shut down the laptop and shrugged on a shirt as he headed into his bedroom. He needed to clear his head that was still buzzing from the last few days, still tense from the negations for his country's future that had been a hard win.

Heading out, dressed in smart casual clothes of white shirt unbuttoned at the top, cuffs flicked back, with black pants, when normally he wore loose white string pants for the pool, but going to the Lounge beforehand, needed something smarter.

However, Khayri couldn't believe what he was seeing when he entered the Lounge area, spotting Hussein off to the side at the back of the room. What was she doing here with Hussein? What was he up to now? Removed his phone, waved away the one approaching him to help, and headed back out.

"What are you playing at?" he asked, when he answered the call, speaking in their native tongue.

"Where are you?"

"Heading towards the pool. I'm sure you can entertain your little friend. Did you invite her?"

"When? No, she was seeing the tallest building in the world, like most tourists. What are you so scared of? She is such a little thing with an enormous appetite. For food," he added at his scoff.

"I told you I need to clear my head. Enjoy yourself."

"Oh, I am," he laughed, then shut down.

Khayri hoped Hussein knew what he was getting himself into: she looked like a child, especially with a child's backpack.

She oozed womanhood, even if she didn't know it. He would give her credit for dressing demurely, yet still alluring.

A sweet treat of nectar that he planned to keep his distance from.

The last thing he needed was an entanglement as he headed out to the smaller of two outdoor pools that enhanced the design of the hotel of the Hymenocallis, a desert flower native to the region, spiralling up to the very tip of a spire that made it the tallest building in the world, so could understand the attraction so had to take Hussein's word for it.

He was an excellent judge of character, also liked to cause mischief and he had a feeling that's what he is up to.

Why else would he take a stranger out to an afternoon tea, even if he had gone to her rescue?

Then again, she did take on the bag snatcher over a camel backpack called Hussein. His lips twitched as he exited the elevator stepped out under the sunny cloud-free skies, and headed towards the pool, music blaring.

Something he had forgotten about, heading towards his private changing room that saw to his every need and held his belongings, punched in a code and entered the room, with a shower and bathroom when needed.

Once stripped, and bathers on, he grabbed a towel and headed out, choosing a daybed away from the others, spread the towel across, and placed his phone and sunglasses on the table between the other daybed, giving him some privacy.

For now, he headed for the pool, to the deeper end, and dived in, the cool refreshing water washed over him, doing a few laps, following the shape of the pool, stopping at the deep end.

He eased up on the edge of the pool with his arms, inhaling in deeply, situated under the shade from the height of the building above. Only a portion of the way up, yet the views were of the surrounding tips of skyscrapers against the blue of the sky.

Dubai was an architectural dream with a modern twist, also showing respect for their country like the Khalifa, a perfect tourist spot. Also, owned the most stopover airports, a branch out to Europe, Asia, and the UK and beyond.

Not quite what he wanted, not what his people wanted, instead wanted the best hospitals, educations, and expanse of the workforce for his people, not the 80% expats in Dubai, which used to be a trading port, and pearl diving, until they found oil.

His focus was on infrastructure, civil engineering, also looking into natural resources. Their small size and lack of resources led to others overlooking them, even though they possessed coastal regions, bordering mountains, and a desert.

A hidden gem, and Khayri wanted to keep it that way, yet couldn't keep the world out and didn't want to, shaking off the thoughts when he was supposed to be thinking about Hussein Abdul and his latest mission.

Ones that he fell into, usually from a call for help or something that upsets the balance in the wrong direction.

He was tired.

Maybe because he was tired, nothing seemed to excite him.

Writing Hussein had been a joy, a release, lately, it's a chore that didn't sit well on him, easing out of the pool, water rippling down his well-toned body, grabbing the towel, dried down, and wrapping it around his hips.

He lowered down as he claimed his black mirrored sunglasses. He saw clearly out of them, yet no one could see his eyes, so he could ignore those trying to catch his attention. There were others around, aware of their proximity. A couple of single women, other couples. 

Usually, he had Hussein as a buffer from unwanted attention.

Who wasn't here, was he?

No, he was with a camel backpack girl, pressing a button beside the daybed, where a staff attended the call.

He ordered a drink, and asked for more distance between the daybeds, making it clear he didn't want company.

Wishing now he had brought his laptop, reaching for his phone, and started texting Hussein. When he was done, to bring his laptop, his finger paused over it, deleted thinking better of it, and went to his email instead.

Also connected to the cloud brought up what he had already written, and began reading, as his coffee arrived and removed, thanking the staffer. Who shifted the closest daybed to him further away, even putting up a rope stanchion, blocking him off from the others.

The story was there, action perfect, yet something was missing. It seemed he was wandering around, doing what he does best, yet lost.

No actual mission, a reason for what's happening. The Evil Enemy was the worst he had written, yet doesn't fit this story. He was for another book. That is why it wasn't working.

The reason behind the story is to feed the story.

So, back to the drawing board.

For now, he went back to palace business that was unceasing, reading over documents that were sent to him for his approval.

The ones running the palace when away were his most trusted people, yet everything had to go through him. Hussein also helped in this area, vetting for the most important ones, sighing.

Normally it didn't worry him, sorted it out himself, yet the restlessness in him made this more ... irritating.

****

"Before you go, how would you like to see the views from the outlook, as long as you're not scared of heights?" Hussein offered as they headed out of the Lounge, a small bag of leftover goodies in her backpack that he also arranged for her.

Excitement rippled through her. She would appreciate a part of what he had to do, yet not as high as Cobra had leapt from nearer the top. Tom Cruise had run down the side of the building closer to the top, so it could be done.

"I would love to see that, as far as I know, height doesn't worry me."

Being so high on the plane hadn't worried her, looking down on the land below, or oceans as wide as the eye could see. Soaring through the white fluffy clouds, then above them. The sun blazed like a brand new day mind-blowing.

This was her first day, and it only had been non-stop thrills.

Hussein's kindness toward her seemed to be what it was, being kind to a stranger in his lands. Yet didn't want him paying for everything, chewing her bottom lip.

"What's going on Nikki?"

"I don't want you to out of pocket and it's not on my list of things to do or see. Depends on how much it costs."

"Nothing, as my guest. I do have certain privileges as an owner." Her eyes widened, jaw dropped. "Not as in a hotel, my rental."

"Oh," she mouthed. "I would like to as long as didn't financially burden you, otherwise I'm happy to explore more outside."

"Not in this heat, you won't. It has risen since we came in here. Come, let's go, then I will see you back to your hotel." Relief washed through her.

"I will pay for that," she said. All part of her cost of travelling, taking taxis.

"No need, private car."

He urged her on before she could protest, and they exited the Lounge area and headed for the elevator and the observatory on the 154 floor.

The sights from the Lounge hadn't prepared her for the sights from such dizzying heights. She could see the entire ground plan. The water feature working from here would be stunning.

It's a good thing she didn't have an issue with heights. "How did one jump from here?" Her mind boggled.

"Eyes closed," Hussein suggested with amusement in his tone.

She smiled up at him. "Good idea, however, needs to be open for the landing."

"True," he agreed, eyes sparkling with enjoyment that warmed her heart. He got her, without judgement. He appreciated her point of view.

Frowning, she looked down, yet saw nothing, Vicent hadn't. Not in the true sense.

Had it always been like that and never seen it?

No, it's just Vincent was busy running his business empire and looked after her, so she was being unfair. She had fitted into his world.

Sighing, she focused on the sights. This was her world, her dream and she was living it, bringing the camel around to hug, carrying her special prize. There was no way either was going to leave her sight. Nothing could replace her golden ticket.

Once in a lifetime.

After more viewing walking the area and seeing all views, they headed downstairs, making one more stop at the pool area.

Wanting to show her the specially designed pool around the building mass reducing with an upward spiralling pattern, daybeds out, with large resort umbrellas, surrounded by glass barriers, expressing her delight as they went around.

****

Khayri heard a soft voice filled with elation and undertones of laughter, closed his eyes, and then peeked across, groaning at the sight of Hussein and his new little lady friend. Not that she seemed interested in him, gasping over the pool and the escalating building that spiralled upwards, the camel backpack slung over her shoulder.

The strap was clasped in one hand grip, holding up a phone and taking photos, as Hussein explained the shape of the pool, following the line of the building, a part of the flower.

Then spotted him and excused himself.

She followed Hussein with her eyes, sunglasses on top of her head, spotted him and gave a little wave, yet looked away when he didn't return the wave. She couldn't know if he was looking at her; his focus might have been on Hussein.

She didn't try again, going back to taking photos, heading back towards the glass barrier, looking up with the phone, and focused on what she was doing.

Maybe that little wave had been for recognition. She's nothing like the other women who had been flaunting their figures in very skimpy bikinis in a suggestive manner.

However, they had kept their distance, hoping he would invite them to join him. When hell froze over. He knew the signs. Nothing to do with his ego.

Yet, he was irritated she hadn't, brows furrowing because he would deny that he had felt like that. It made little sense. Maybe felt guilty that he had been dragging his feet in marrying and producing heirs that he must have to carry on the bloodline.

The pressure since his parents' death and what was expected of him to do, also they weren't meant to be taken that early. That had given him some leeway.

Now they were pushing, bringing up suitable marriageable princesses and their suitable reasons for marriage and benefits for the country. He didn't want that.

He wanted what his parents had, yet not realistic. He had to find a suitable princess, which his life had been full of. However, he had no time to spend any time with any princesses to find that special one, like his father, love at first sight.

It was all about her working her magic over me, his father had answered when asked why he chose his mother. 

His parents had laughed over that, never understanding what his father meant.

He had lost them both that tragic day and became the ruling head before his time. His gaze drifted up towards Hussein at his side.

"What's going on Hussein?" speaking in Arabic. "Up to your usual mischief?"

"Not at all. There are two pools, just showing her the sights. We had been up to the viewing room."

One thing he noticed was those girls, who spoke Arabic by the way they leaned towards them with their ears. Nikki kept taking photos from different angles, her grin engaging, and focused.

Not sure how they suddenly honed on Nikki, mocking her about her camel, even if in a language she didn't understand, was no excuse. Not that she noticed anything, so involved in what she was doing, turning the phone in all directions of what she viewing, finger busy, stepping back, camel at her side, nearing the edge of the pool, which was slippery.

He sat up, and swung his legs over the daybed, eyes on Hussein. "You shouldn't have brought her here." Raising to his feet. 

Hussein glanced back and headed towards her, catching her attention. "Nikki, you're too close to the pool," Husein warned.

Stunned, Nikki stepped forward, spun on her toes, and stepped further back, dropping Hussy down at her side.

"Hey, watch what you're doing," one of the women called out.

Losing her balance, Nikki flung the phone high into the air, followed by Hussy both flying towards a stunned Hussein, out of reaction. Arms flailing as she tethered on the edge of the pool. Falling backwards into the pool, one leg in the air, landing with a big splash, sinking below the water.

Cursing, Khayri dropped his towel as he dived into the pool, sunglasses tossed.

Hussein watched on, hugging the camel to his chest, eyeing off the women, who were distancing themselves, his glare hardening. They moved towards the other side, away from the pool, closer to the barrier, and settled on the provided daybeds.

Khayri lifted a coughing Nikki onto the pool edging, patting her back.

"Are you alright?" a guttural voice asked beside her ear as she eyed off the camel in Hussein's strong protective arms, lowering her head onto the edge, her phone in his hand.

"Yes," she breathed, eyeing him sideways, water trickling down the contours of his striking features into his dark rich eyes spiked with wet lashes. "What happened?" she blinked at his startled, then focused. She had fallen backwards into her pool, tossing her bag at Hussein, because she could trust him.

Hussy and her prize were safe with him.

She was safe with the man at her side, his arm clasped around her waist.

Then there were others rushing to help.

Staffers seized her hands, hoisting her out of the water up onto her feet. Water ran off her body, clothes were heavy and clinging to her curves.

Orders snapped and soon found herself on the daybed, wrapped in towels provided by the pool area, hiding under the towels as the day's events seeped from her body, even if her teeth were chattering.

Hussein's friend/boss was at her side, tugging the towels around her, speaking to her, using a calming voice that washed over her, closing her eyes.

What next? Tell her she needed to go home. Then realised he wasn't talking to her, giving orders around her, peering up from the towel, his arm around her in protection.

"Thank you, I'm fine," she reassured, touching his bare masculine leg with the towel. "My fault."

Dark eyes stared at her for the longest time, which unnerved her, lowering her head.

"I strongly debate that, but we will let it go," he added, at her begging eyes. "You need new clothes."

Her eyes widened. "No! I'm sure if I sit here I will dry off in no time," she said, easing the towel back, exposing her wet clinging top-covered shoulders. "Not so sure about my hair," she laughed, running a hand through the dripping wet hair, even gathering together off to the side, and squeezing out the excess water, splashing at her feet on the tiled floor. "All buff," she added at his confused expression and raised brow.

"I have a better idea, you have a shower, and send your clothes to be cleaned."

Before she knew it she was in a private change room, where she stripped, showered, even had shampoo and conditioner for her hair, towel dried her hair. Wrapped in a bathrobe she headed back outside where her clothes were taken away, and settled in a daybed, added to his, while Hussein saw to her needs.

Sitting down, robe tucked between her legs, she eased back waiting for her clothes to arrive. Hussy was beside her on the table, safe and sound, reaching across to stroke its head to make sure for herself.

Tomorrow she promised herself would be a more non-exiting day.

The way she was heading she will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

Vincent would've been most disappointed, whisking her home. Not that this would've happened under his watch. They would never do what she was doing now, even if she was still shaken by what had happened.

Her teeth had stopped chattering after the warm shower.

Once Hussein came back with freshly washed and dried clothes, Nikki rushed off to change, gathered her belongings, thanked the one who rescued her, and left the pool area, with Hussein.

Hussy in front of her, hugged tightly to her chest.

She hated being a bother at the best of times.

Hussein had organised the town car to take her back to the hotel, insisting he came with her, making sure no more mishaps happened to her.