“Good friends?”
“Mary worked with me for years. Kamal was originally a suiter of mine but he fancied Mary more. I wasn’t interested in dating at the time and I was happy to see her find someone who truly cared for her. She’s one of the good ones and as it turns out, so is he.”
Before they left she went to a counter and picked up a ticket for a flight back to England the next day. Then they made their way to the taxis with their luggage and soon they were traveling down the highway between the brightly lit towers.
“This city is remarkable!” Ben said watching the scenery. There were cranes everywhere so building was going on throughout the city.
Nezha smiled at his enthusiasm.
It wasn’t long before they arrived at the low rise apartment complex where her parents lived. Ben got Nezha to tell the driver to keep the meter running and wait for him.
They went to the front entrance and Nezha spoke with the concierge. Ben watched her become more and more upset. He didn’t know what he could do to help.
A woman wearing a shawl over her blond hair entered the building with a tall, slim man in the traditional white gown. “Nezha!” the woman called out.
Nezha spun and looked at her friend. “Mary!”
The women embraced and held each other’s arms as they drank in the other’s current appearance.
“What’s wrong?” Mary asked.
“He’s telling me my parents are dead! That they’ve been dead for over a month!” Nezha exclaimed.
Ben looked at the man in surprise but he just shrugged.
“Oh! Where are my manners? Hello Kamal! Mary, Kamal, this is my friend Ben Shepherd. Actually I met him on the plane when he saved me from losing my eye to that awful man Jasim Nasar.” At Mary’s look of horror Nezha shook her head. “I’m sorry, I’m so shaken by the news I’m messing up the story and completely confusing you.”
The awful man in question suddenly entered the lobby and began yelling something at Nezha. His voice choked off abruptly when he caught sight of Ben.
Nezha surged forward to scream in Arabic at Jasim causing the man to flinch back but Ben reached forward and got an arm around her waist to stop her.
“Remember, you have to go home to London,” he said quietly to the irate woman. She was breathing hard and shaking but she got control and nodded stiffly.
“I think we’d better leave,” Ben suggested to Mary who nodded. As a group they left the lobby to go outside.
Ben was relieved to see his taxi still there.
“Have you had supper, Mr. Shepherd?” Mary asked.
He blinked at the abrupt change in direction. “Uh… no.”
“That won’t do! Please join us for a late supper! We know a charming restaurant that serves the most delicious local food! It will give Nezha time to calm down.” Mary insisted.
Ben realized he was pretty hungry and Julie said he could be out late. He smiled. “Alright. Let me just pay the driver and get the bags.”
Kamal followed him and they shook hands in greeting as they walked.
Ben paid the bill and gave the man a generous tip for waiting. They carried all the bags back to Kamal’s van and put them in the back. Mary and Nezha were already seated in the back so Ben got in the passenger seat next to Kamal and they were off.
The restaurant was only twenty minutes away and Mary was right, it was a very charming and small restaurant in their neighborhood. The temperature was really lovely so they opted to eat outside on the patio under the lanterns. Candles lit the tables and gave it a very intimate feel. Nezha looked like she was feeling better.
“So his whole story was lies. He told me they were alive and wanted to talk to me. They were both ill. Apparently that part was the truth. They died within days of each other. They probably did tell him I would be his bride but they never told me and the answer is no,” she sighed.
Ben shook his head in amazement.
“So you really got a fork stuck in your back from that man?” Mary said and Kamal’s eyes widened in shock.
Ben shrugged.
“You are so much bigger than him! You could easily have crushed him in retaliation! Yet you didn’t?” Kamal exclaimed.
“Of course I could have and he knew that but what would that have proven? By not retaliating I got the same result. He sat in his seat and behaved himself for the rest of the flight,” Ben explained.
“I don’t think I could have resisted the need to fight back,” the man admitted.
“Being poked with a fork is not high on my retaliation list I guess,” Ben shrugged.
Nezha gently poked his bicep with her fork. He looked at her in surprise then grinned as the others laughed at her boldness.
“Have I heard your name somewhere?” Mary asked with a curious look.
He shrugged but Nezha grinned. “They made a fuss over him on the plane.”
Ben just looked at her beseechingly so she stopped.
The waiter arrived and Kamal placed the order for the table. Nezha smiled happily at his choices.
Mary explained how she now worked in a hospital here in Dubai and Kamal was a pharmacist. They spoke of their life in the ever growing city and Ben was fascinated.
The food began arriving and Kamal took it upon himself to educate Ben on the delicacies of his home country. Ben was really enjoying himself and saw Nezha was as well.
Finally Ben had to say no more. He’d enjoyed too much good food and was feeling heavy and sleepy.
“Thank you so much for the hospitality! I must get back to the hotel so I can catch some sleep before my flight tomorrow. Can I get a cab from here?”
“We could drive you-” Kamal began.
“No, you have been too kind. Please continue enjoying your night. I just need to get my bags and point me to a cab and I’ll be on my way,” Ben insisted.
“Let me get you the cab,” Kamal said as he got up to make the call.
“Thanks!”
As Kamal took care of that Ben looked over at Nezha. “Are you going to be ok?”
“Yes, thank you Ben! You have been wonderful! My flight home is tomorrow-” She paused to look at her watch. “… tonight. Enjoy the rest of your journey!”
Ben saw Kamal waving at him and nodded to the man. “It was very nice meeting you both. Thank you for a delightful evening!” Mary smiled at him and he could see she was still trying to place him. He sighed. “The Bronze Man.”
Mary’s face froze in shock and her mouth dropped open as her eyes flew wide. With a final smile at Nezha who was completely loving her friend’s reaction Ben left the table and joined Kamal who helped him transfer his bags to the waiting taxi. He shook the man’s hand and thanked him again before getting into the cab.
He gave the driver the destination and off they went.
Ben smiled to himself as he thought of the wonderful evening he’d had. They really were lovely people and the food had been so good but he was so tired.
When the taxi stopped Ben woke and looked around. They were in front of the hotel. He paid the driver, got his bags, and walked into the lobby up to the reception desk.
“Hi, I’m Ben Shepherd.”
A slim man with a trimmed beard rushed over with a smile. “Ah, Mr. Shepherd! Truly an honor to have you in our hotel!”
Ben was still a little groggy from the sleep in the taxi. He smiled and nodded. “Thank you. I understand there is a key for me?”
“Yes sir!” the man said and rushed away to get it for Ben. He returned promptly. “Room 305. Enjoy your stay. Do you need help with your bags?” he said with a smile.
“No, I’m good. Thanks.”
Ben took the elevator to the third floor and found the door. He quietly stepped inside and saw a table lamp had been left on in the room and the sofa bed was prepared for him. The bedroom door was closed so he sighed in relief.
He quickly used the bathroom and got ready for bed. He undressed and left his boxers on. Exhausted he slipped under the covers and turned out the light. Sighing contentedly he quickly faded.
He was on the island of Hawaii in his beautiful ocean side suite. He was resting in bed with his beautiful wife Wendy but she was sitting on the edge looking back at him with a sad look on her face. He felt Tina’s body squeezed up against his, her hand gently stroking his cock, bringing it to life.
Wendy stood and walked to the window to look out at the waves. Ben wanted to say something to her but he didn’t seem to have any words. The sensations Tina was sending through his body were so good. He couldn’t deny them. He wanted more.
Wendy looked back and opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out.
Ben felt Tina’s lips kissing their way up the shaft of his cock and he moaned. Wendy turned away and began to fade as dark grey clouds started to collect out the window. Ben was confused but Tina was driving him mad with lust. She slid her light body over his and ran her pussy up and down his shaft and he felt himself get harder still. The pressure eased then she was pressing her wet opening down on the head of his cock.
It felt so good but he knew she had to take it slow. He glanced over to the window and the clouds were ominous. A major storm was coming. Maybe even a typhoon!
His cock slowly slid deep into Tina and he was worried about the baby. She shouldn’t go so deep! Her body was resting against his and he noted her stomach was flat. Had she already had the baby? Her moans… something off.
Lightning flashed outside the window and Ben heard the rumble of thunder. He looked over to the window and the storm had Wendy’s eyes and they were filled with anger.
He gasped and awoke to the sensation of his cock being squeezed over its entire length. It felt so good but he shouldn’t be feeling this!
“WHAT THE FUCK!” he growled.
“Shhh Ben! Please!” a woman’s voice gasped.
He froze. “Julie? What are you doing in Rich’s room?”
“This is my room. Fuck you’re big!” she moaned as she rocked her hips to make herself more comfortable with him deep inside her.
“Get off of me!” he insisted.
“Please Ben! Don’t stop this! It feels incredible!”
“I didn’t say I’d have sex with you! Get off now!” he said moving his hands to lift her free of his body.
She began to cry. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry! I’m such a slut!” Sobs wracked her body as she pressed her face to his chest.