Riad Dubois: The Complete Romance Series

by Avery North

  “Because,” she made space for him on the deckchair. "I thought, why not. Because I was tired of pretending I went away because of illness. Mainly because I want him to see me as an adult, capable of making my own decisions, and because I was angry. Why does he get to treat me like an unruly teenager just because I had a relationship?” The words had come out in a rush like a dam bursting.

  “I understand,” Jeff placed an arm around her shoulders.

  Sitting there, watching the changing patterns of moonlight on the water, they talked long into the night about her life in Scotland and his life on the beat in London. When the music from the square began to fade, and her chatter turned to yawns, he gave her a kiss on the forehead and with a quiet “See you tomorrow” left for bed.

  Chapter 5

  “I need to hire a car.”

  The receptionist looked at the young man at the counter. He was one of Miss Louise’s friends. She took in his muscular build and strong shoulders, attractive but slightly intimidating. He appeared ready for a day outside, judging by his relaxed clothes and the dark glasses dangling from his t-shirt pocket.

  She asked him to wait in the lobby while she made the call. Watching him studying a map at one of the low tables, she wondered where he was going and who was going with him. Probably that young woman he was spending so much time with. Anyhow, none of her business. She had work to do.

  The road map was spread out on the table when Sophia came down, a set of car keys lying beside it. Sitting next to him, she felt slightly embarrassed. How much of her story had she told him the previous night? Too much probably, not that it really mattered. He had seemed to understand, which was more than she could say for her father.

  “Where are we going?” she asked Jeff now.

  “We can go to these villages, they look interesting.” He drew a circle on the map with his finger. "Or, if you want, we can go further afield?"

  She shook her head. “You decide. It will be good to get away from here for a day.”

  “Cabin fever setting in?” he joked as he helped her to her feet.

  The car was waiting for them outside the hotel entrance, a sleek yellow sports model, the sunroof already open.

  “Wow, nice car,” she smiled, thinking how shabby her own car would look in comparison.

  “Yes, let’s hope it runs as well as it looks," he said, opening the door for her.

  The sun was already high, the sky free of clouds. A gentle breeze ruffled her hair as they sped along the country roads, and she turned to smile at Jeff.

  "This is so different from Marrakesh." She gestured at the sandy earth, drovers herding their animals, a lone camel tied to a tree, and the heat shimmer in the air above the road ahead.

  “Yes, it is,” he answered. He was trying to spot a place to stop; somewhere they could get food. Fortunately, they had brought plenty of water with them.

  “There’s a place,” he said suddenly, rounding a corner and seeing a village in the distance. “There must be somewhere to eat here.”

  “Yes, over there!” Louise pointed to a striped awning at the edge of the village. Jeff pulled onto the side of the road near the awning.

  Opening the car door for her, he noticed how the sun had already brightened her features, encouraging freckles to appear across the bridge of her nose. Taking her hand in his, he had to resist the urge to kiss each of those freckles individually and instead walk her to the restaurant.

  “Now the fun begins,” he said, laughing at himself. “I don’t hear any English. Do you speak Arabic?”

  “No, but I could try French. Most people here speak it.”

  In her halting French, she ordered from the very traditional menu.

  “No wine?” he commented as the tagine was placed in front of them.

  “No, only in tourist spots − and you are driving, Mr. Policeman.”

  “Thanks for reminding me!” He laughed, but privately he was thinking how well her light cotton dress suited her. A twitch in his groin reminded him of how he would enjoy lifting that dress over her head and feeling her warm body under his hands. Darting a glance at her, he saw a blush rising under her light tan. Had she read his mind, or was she having similar thoughts? Maybe they could go to his room when they got back to the Riad? Assuming, of course, that Joshua wasn’t around.

  She rifled through a fistful of dirhams with him when the bill came; her fingers brushed against his, sending an electric flicker through him. Looking at her, he knew she had felt it too. Reaching for her hand when the waiter had left, he murmured a throaty, “Let’s go,” in her ear before leading her out into the searing sunshine.

  He turned the car in the direction they had come from, saying that he thought they would be back at the Riad by dinner time. The cheeky smile she flashed him let him know that she understood his intentions, and she drew her feet under her on the seat, her auburn hair blowing in the wind as the car sped towards the next village.

  “Damn!” His curse diverted her attention away from the surrounding countryside.

  “What’s wrong?” Then she heard it too, an ominous rattle from the engine, and saw the smoke rising from the bonnet.

  “I’ll have to try to get it into the village,” he said, reducing their speed. “We should just about make it.”

  Limping into the village, he brought the car to a halt next to what looked like a mechanic’s workshop.

  "Sir, the man who can fix the car, will not be here until tonight," the young boy in the yard told them in careful English.

  "Tonight?" Jeff looked at him, askance.

  “Yes, tonight. But there is a hotel down there,” the boy pointed at the main street.

  Jeff looked at Sophia with a worried expression. If the mechanic didn’t start work until that evening, and it ended up being a big job, then they would be stranded here overnight. But a small-town Moroccan hotel? Helen hadn’t had anything positive to say about those places.

  The boy seemed to understand what was going through his head. “It is very nice, Sir. Very clean and you can sleep on the roof when it is too hot.”

  Sleep on the roof? Sophia took Jeff’s arm, laughing.

  “Jeff, it’s fine – it could be fun! Where is your sense of adventure?”

  Relieved, he gave the keys to the boy and arranged to return later to talk to the mechanic.

  “Well, OK, let's go check-in. But I am not sleeping on any roof."

  “Even my father has slept on roofs during his trips here,” still laughing she took his arm and pulled him towards the hotel.

  ***

  “Well, it is clean, I guess,” Jeff spun around the room, “and they have a bar.”

  “All your creature comforts,” she said, opening the windows to release some of the heat.

  “Yes, everything I could want,” he had moved behind her and began nuzzling her shoulder, his hands fondling her breasts.

  Turning her around, he whispered, “You felt it in the restaurant too?”

  By way of answer, she opened her mouth to allow his tongue to explore while his hands reached for the straps of her dress, and she tugged his t-shirt up. He slipped the straps down and let the dress fall to the floor. He held her at arm’s length, taking in her curvy figure, her nipples pushing against the lace of her bra.

  “You know, I have never seen you without clothes on. It has always been outside under covers. You have such a perfect body.”

  “Thank you,” on her tip-toes, she reached up to kiss him again, her hand brushing against his erection, sending another electric pulse through his body.

  He reached for his belt to undo his chinos, but she got there before him, unzipping them quickly and adding chinos and boxers to the dress on the floor.

  “Oh,” he let out a moan of pleasure as her fingers stroked the length of his manhood, before bending over to take it deep into her mouth. “So good, so good. Let’s get on the bed.”

  He raised her to her feet, unclasping her bra and running his thumbs over her nipples
, before running his hands under the lace of her panties and pulling them down, revealing curly auburn hair and smooth skin.

  Sitting on the bed with her straddling him, he ran his hands over her body, tracing her curves, finding a dimple to match the one on her face. He moved his hand to the auburn bush, stroking her clitoris and inserting his fingers as she became wetter, his mouth sucking on her nipple.

  Linking her hands behind his neck, she moaned loudly as she orgasmed under his touch. She kissed him hungrily as he pulled her closer to enter her, rolling her, so she was beneath him and starting to thrust. The walls of her love channel tightened as he thrust deeper and harder. Coming forcefully, he collapsed beside her, feeling completely spent, his throaty breathing mirroring hers.

  Chapter 6

  “The car,” he struggled awake.

  Leaning over, Sophia stroked his hair. “Yes, I was going to wake you. It’s not night yet, but we do have things to do.”

  "Such as?" He was puzzled; his mind still hazy in the afterglow of their lovemaking.

  She propped herself up on an elbow. “There is the mechanic to visit. Then we have to find a shop. Remember, we don’t even have a toothbrush with us, and a change of clothes would be nice. And we have to get a message to our families, so they know we are safe and well.”

  “The message I can send now, ”he said, reaching for his phone. “Where will you find a change of clothes in rural Morocco?”

  "There is bound to be someplace open. We can just get some traditional clothes. I fancy myself in a flowing kaftan.” She laughed before bending over to plant a kiss on his cheek. “Right now, let’s hope we have some shower gel.”

  And she was gone, running into the bathroom on light feet.

  ***

  The mechanic was back when they arrived at the workshop. He already had the bonnet of the car open and was shaking his head at the state of the engine. Seeing them approaching, he walked towards them, wiping his hands on his greasy overalls.

  "This is yours?" At Jeff's nod, he continued, "I will have it ready at lunchtime. Come back at twelve tomorrow.”

  He stopped to give Sophia a leering look. “And the lady, does she drive it?”

  Bemused, Jeff shook his head. “No, why?”

  “Oh, no reason, Sir. See you tomorrow.”

  “What was that about?” Jeff put his arm around Sophia as they walked away.

  She shuddered slightly. “I’m not sure. But I don’t think I would like to meet him on a dark night.”

  “Really?” Jeff stopped in his tracks. “Did he make you uncomfortable?”

  “Yes, a little,” she answered. “But not to worry. Let’s go find toothbrushes and some clothes.”

  "And a drink," Jeff added, giving her a squeeze as they carried on walking.

  The shops were still open. Stopping outside a clothes and souvenir shop, Sophia commented, "That is exactly what I want."

  Looking at the silky kaftan she was pointing at, Jeff replied, “And you shall have it. Now you need to find something for me to wear tomorrow.”

  Sophia spent a happy hour rifling through the display of goods before finding Jeff a long robe the shopkeeper told them was called a djellaba and matching slippers.

  "Now, dinner," he announced, taking the shopping bag from her.

  Sitting over a lamb tagine in a street-side restaurant, he took a packet from his pocket and gave it to her. "I got you this in the shop. Not exactly, Cartier, I’m afraid, but something to help you remember our day in rural Morocco.”

  “It’s gorgeous,” she hung the heavy string of beads around her neck, watching it trail past her cleavage.

  “Yes, and draws the eye right down,” he said mischievously, watching her blush.

  The mechanic was still at work when they were returning to the hotel. Hearing their laughter as they approached, he positioned himself on the pavement to intercept them.

  “Sir,” he greeted Jeff. “That repair job to your car is going to have to be paid for in cash. Not with card or cheque, straight cash.”

  “OK,” Jeff replied. “How much?”

  The mechanic quoted him a figure, all the time running his eyes over Sophia’s body. Jeff, feeling her grip on his arm tightening, put his arm around her protectively and tried to angle his body between them.

  “Very good,” he said to the mechanic, his voice taking on a sharp edge. “See you at twelve precisely.”

  “Are you OK?” he asked as they walked away. “If I see him looking at you like that again, I’m going to say something.” He hugged her closer.

  “I feel like we’ve become Moroccan,” Sophia laughed at him as they left the breakfast room the next morning, wearing their new traditional clothes.

  He laughed with her, pleased to see that she was wearing the string of beads he had bought her. He promised himself he would buy her real jewels, pearls maybe, if things continued as they were.

  But for now, he had a car to collect and a mechanic to keep an eye on. Leaving the hotel with slightly more luggage than they had arrived with, they walked to the workshop. Sophia could feel her shoulders growing tense as they got closer.

  The car appeared to be ready when they arrived; the mechanic was leaning against it, a cigarette dangling between his fingers.

  “Sir, it is ready,” he greeted them. “You can pay the girl in the office. She will give you a receipt.”

  “Coming?” Jeff turned to Sophia, who nodded and fell into step beside him.

  “Wow, nice ass!” the mechanic called after them, Sophia froze, where she was.

  Jeff swung around to face the grinning mechanic. “What did you say?” he asked between clenched teeth.

  “Nothing, except that she has a nice ass,” the mechanic retorted, still lounging insolently against the car. “Take it easy. What? You don’t like me looking at your woman?” He tossed the cigarette onto the floor. “When you have a sexy bird, what do you expect?”

  Jeff lunged at him, grabbing him by the shoulders. “You are going to apologize to her right now. No one talks to her like that. No one. Do you hear me?”

  The mechanic wasn’t backing down. “That was a compliment.”

  “I’ve seen how you look at women. You do that to all women, don't you? Apologize now.”

  “OK, OK, calm down. I’m sorry, alright?”

  “To her face,” Jeff marched him to where Sophia was standing. “Say it now and say it properly.”

  Once the apology had been delivered to his satisfaction, Jeff paid the bill with Sophia beside him.

  “And my tip, Sir,” the mechanic prompted.

  Jeff didn’t dignify the request with an answer, just shot the mechanic an irate glare. Hopping behind the wheel of the car, he accelerated out of the yard, raising a cloud of dust behind them.

  “Phew,” Sophia leaned back, placing a hand on Jeff’s leg.

  “I’m sorry you had to go through that, Sophia. No one has the right to treat you like that.” He covered her hand with his, removing it only when he needed to change gears.

  Joshua was at a table in the lobby with Louise and Helen, a large coffee pot at his elbow. Helen saw his features brighten as he looked at the main door and followed his gaze.

  “Here they are,” she exclaimed. “I told you, Joshua, there was nothing to worry about. Hire cars here break down a lot.”

  She observed the approaching couple, their Moroccan outfits, and beaming faces. "So, despite the trouble with the car, you seem to have had a good time," she remarked, arching an eyebrow.

  “Yes, a very good time," Sophia answered, dropping a kiss on her father's forehead before slipping into a chair beside him.

  “And you, Jeff?”

  “Great, Sir. Thank you.”

  Joshua nodded. He had noticed the “Sir,” but wasn’t sure how he should take it. Could it be a mark of respect or just damn insolence? He would have to talk to Sophia about what had happened. But for now, she was looking well and didn’t seem to have come to any harm. That was
enough for him.

  Chapter 7

  “You would not have believed how gallant Jeff was with that mechanic, or how angry he was that someone would speak to a woman in that way.”

  “And how does he compare with this ex-husband of yours?” Joshua asked gruffly.

  “No comparison. Dad, you have to believe that I know the warning signs by now. And,” she took a deep breath, “there are no red flags here.”

  Louise caught the last part of the conversation as she passed by. Sophia was obviously filling her father in on what had happened during her night away. Looking at the pair from her desk, she noticed how Joshua’s shoulders had finally relaxed. Poor man, he had been so worried about his daughter while she was away.

  “Even I was tempted to have a brandy,” she thought as she searched through her list of phone numbers. Noticing Sophia heading for the stairs, she cast a look at Joshua. Yes, he looked better, much better.

  ***

  Sophia, still in her kaftan, opened her balcony doors. Well, the talk with her dad had gone well. She breathed a sigh of relief. Much as his overprotectiveness annoyed her, she had to admit she was grateful for it. Perhaps she should have told him what was happening when everything went wrong in Scotland, even though he was dealing with his own problems at the time. She was glad she had spoken to him about her night away with Jeff. And she was happy that he had seemed to be changing his attitude towards herself and to Jeff too.

  But she hadn’t told him everything. She smiled to herself as she remembered the moments with Jeff that she certainly was not going to share with a parent, those moments when she had felt alive again. Tossing off her sandals and extending her feet into the sunshine, she felt free again, free of the distrust that had been holding her back for so long. And there was that other feeling, the feeling when her heart beat quickly, and she felt butterflies in her stomach. It had to be the feeling of falling in love.