Seduction's Shadow

Chapter 24: Reunion and Unexpected Calls

As Aari sat in the bustling airport terminal, she dialled Seb's number. The flight was boarding soon, and she wanted to give him the details before taking off.

"Hey, Seb," she said, smiling despite the nervous flutter in her stomach.

"Hey, Aari," Seb's voice was warm, a soothing balm to her anxious heart. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just about to board. I wanted to let you know the flight details. I'll be on EK 204, and guess what? Maya's operating this flight! It's full, so we'll be sitting together on the jump seat."

"That's awesome! I'm glad you have her with you. It'll make the flight better."

"It definitely will. I'll see you soon, Seb. I can't wait."

"Me neither. Safe flight, Aari."

As Aari boarded the plane, she spotted Maya, her sister's familiar face bringing a wave of comfort.

"Hey, sis!" Maya greeted her with a wide smile. "Ready for our little adventure?"

"You bet!" Aari replied, hugging her tightly. "I'm so glad we're on this flight together."

They settled into the jump seat, the buzz of the cabin surrounding them. As the plane took off, they began to chat, catching up on everything they'd missed.

"So, how's everything with Seb?" Maya asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"It's been...complicated," Aari admitted. "But he's been really supportive. We're meeting in Dubai to figure things out."

"I'm glad to hear that. You deserve someone who cares about you."

"Thanks, Maya. And how about you? Any interesting stories from the sky?"

Maya laughed. "Oh, plenty! You wouldn't believe the things people try to bring on board. Just last week, someone had a live snake in their carry-on."

"No way!" Aari giggled. "That's hilarious."

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, a welcome distraction from Aari's worries. The hours passed quickly, and soon they were preparing to land.

As they disembarked, Aari gave Maya a tight hug. "Thanks for everything, sis. This flight was exactly what I needed."

"Anytime," Maya said, smiling. "Just make sure you have some cash. And where are you staying?"

Before Aari could answer, her phone buzzed with a message from Seb: "When are you coming? It's 3 AM, I'm sleepy. Come fast."

She quickly texted back, "On my way," and turned to Maya. "I've got to go. Seb's waiting."

"Alright, take care," Maya said, hugging her again. "And good luck!"

Aari said goodbye to the rest of the flight crew and headed to the arrivals area. She called an Uber, and soon she was on her way to the hotel. As the car sped through the glittering streets of Dubai, she texted Seb, "Just reached. See you soon."

Seb was waiting in the lobby when she arrived. His night outfit—a snug black t-shirt and loose sweatpants—showed off his toned physique and the tattoos on his arms, making him look effortlessly hot. His sleepy eyes lit up when he saw her.

"Aari," he said, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so glad you're here."

She hugged him back tightly. "Me too, Seb. Let's go upstairs."

Seb took her bag, and they made their way to their room. Aari quickly changed into her night outfit—a soft, loose-fitting back lace tank top and matching shorts. When she emerged from the bathroom, Seb was already in bed, looking irresistibly comfortable.

She joined him, snuggling into his embrace. "Sleep, Aari," Seb murmured, but his hands had other ideas, moving from her arms to her waist, tracing gentle patterns on her skin.

Aari turned to face him, her eyes meeting his in the dim light. The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the air conditioning. Seb leaned in and kissed her forehead, his lips warm and tender against her skin. He held her close, his embrace firm and reassuring.

In that moment, all the uncertainties and anxieties melted away. Aari felt a rush of emotions—relief, love, and a glimmer of hope for the future. As they lay there, wrapped in each other's arms, she knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

Aari's heart raced as she felt the warmth of Seb's touch. The softness of his hands against her skin made her momentarily forget all the troubles and anxieties that had been plaguing her. She held him tighter, her fingers threading through his hair, pulling him closer.

Seb's hands roamed gently, caressing her back and sides, his touch electrifying her skin. He pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes with a mixture of love and desire. "I missed you so much," he whispered, his breath warm against her face.

"I missed you too, Seb," she replied, her voice barely audible, filled with emotion.

He smiled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Let's just be here, in this moment. No worries, no fears. Just us."

Aari nodded, feeling a sense of peace wash over her. She snuggled closer to him, her head resting on his chest. The steady beat of his heart was soothing, grounding her in the present.

Seb continued to hold her, his hands moving in slow, comforting strokes along her back. They lay there in silence for a while, simply enjoying the closeness and the comfort of each other's presence.

"I'm so glad you're here," Seb said softly, breaking the silence. "This week is going to be amazing. We'll explore the city, have fun, and most importantly, we'll figure things out together."

Aari looked up at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "I'd like that. I really would."

Seb leaned down and kissed her forehead again, his arms tightening around her. "Get some sleep now. We've got a big day ahead."

Aari closed her eyes, the exhaustion from the long flight finally catching up with her. She felt safe and loved in Seb's embrace, and soon she drifted off to sleep, her worries momentarily forgotten.

Just as she was about to drift into a deeper sleep, her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Groggy, she reached for it, squinting at the screen. The caller ID displayed a familiar name that sent a chill down her spine—Love(Theo).

Glancing at Seb, who slept peacefully beside her, she hesitated for a moment. Why would Theo be calling now, after all this time? Her mind raced with questions, uncertainty creeping back in like an unwelcome guest. With a conflicted sigh, she didn't answered the call, her hand trembling  as she held the phone in her hand, wondering what unexpected turn her night in Dubai would take next.