Our first night in Dubai has gone quite spectacularly.

Today my husband and I take advantage of the cool weather to do a little sightseeing. The sun hasn't awoken to its fullest as we exit our rental car. Liam drove himself and I learned that he's got an international driving license and quite a useful knowledge about this place. We don't really need a tour guide as he takes me places.

As for me, I'm drawn by the culture of this city, putting its natural beauty aside. The more we dive into the skirts of central Dubai, the more I get fascinated by the sight of men in white kandora dresses and talibans, and women in long dresses and hijab, speaking their own language as they proceed with their daily endeavors.

The streets are filled with local traders. Smiling, I walk side by side with Liam, who's breathtakingly dressed in a pair of denim shorts, white V-neck shirt, and a pair black sunglasses. As for me, my flora sundress and flat sandals make me feel sixteen in my own skin—abundant happiness adding much to it.

"I can't believe I'm in a place where they shot Mission Impossible!" I squeal in a low voice when I finally see the tallest building and tower in the world—Burj Khalifa.

Extremely tall, shining in alluring silver, this tower is quite a catch.

"Yes." Liam smiles heartily, enjoying the sight of my stunned eyes. "If it's the Ghost Protocol, they indeed used this place."

"Hmm. I'm impressed that you know the movie!"

"You think I'm a caveman, don't you?"

"No." I laugh loudly, and he frowns slightly. "Okay, I'm kidding."

He just smiles and rolls his eyes. We head inside the building, per Liam's lead. He's not a stranger, after all.

"Let's drop by the mall. I want to buy something," Liam says.

"There's one inside this place?" I ask, curious.

"A very big one." Liam grins, and he fancies treating me like a little girl.

Inside the Dubai Mall I fall in love with the boutiques. I've never found such a reasonable price in any shopping I've done in my life as in this place. It makes me want to buy everything I come across, which earns me a lot of teasing remarks from my husband.

"Baby, you can't buy too much stuff here," he says gently as I go through the racks of gorgeous dresses for the umpteenth time. "We'll do it after the honeymoon, okay?"

I pout a little and mutter, "Okay. But at least let me get a swimwear, and the dress I saw earlier, and . . . those camel milk chocolates you bought me yesterday, and—"

"Kira!" Liam laughs even more. "Fine. Buy anything, but make sure you can carry them in your suitcase."

I laugh along. Jeez, it's embarrassing but do I care? Not really, because he knows all about me now.

"Alright, I'll get a few more and we'll go," I mutter.

"Good. And use this card, please. And no arguments!" Saying this, Liam slides a card from his wallet.

Hesitantly I take it. Emirates NBD. As I read its contents I begin to wonder how many worldly bank cards he actually possesses. Do I want to know? Not really. I'm fine to be surprised.

"Are you going somewhere?" I ask him.

He nods his affirmation. "To the digital shop over there. Don't go anywhere; I'll be back in a few minutes." He gives me a soft kiss and I watch him heading toward a very large shop on the other side of the mall.

By the time we're back to the hotel, it's already dark. However, the smile on my face resembles nothing but the beautiful sunrise. Aside from our shopping—which was the best—Liam took me to the Dubai desert and for the first time I got to ride a camel. It was absolutely amazing.

"Open it," says Liam as we sit down on our bed.

It's a gift he got me and I don't waste time removing it from the shopping bag. Moments fly by, with my heart trotting excitedly.

It's a camera! Damn, it's a digital camera and quite a beautiful one. I quickly glance at him, and his grin is impeccable.

"Wow, Liam!" I mutter placidly, my tone complacent. "You bought me a camera?"

"Yeah. You said your old one is broken, right?" Liam replies coolly. "I know how much you love taking photos so—" I don't let him finish; I instantly haul my body toward him and wrap my arms around his neck.

He's startled, but he catches me with ease and holds tightly while laughing hard..

"Thank you, Liam. I love it." I can't even explain the depth of happiness whenever he thinks of very little things that makes me whole.

"My pleasure, baby. Anything to see that beautiful smile on your face." He rubs my back gently, kissing my hair.

I finally pull back and say, "I also brought you something, but I don't think it's as cool as your gift."

I really hope he likes it, nevertheless.

"Cone on, Kira. Anything you give me is precious. Now, I want to have my gift, please." He spreads his palm for me to place something.

What a kid. I blush.

"Okay, wait." I grab my shoulder bag and fish out a small box. "Here. For you." I hand it to him.

Liam's eyes light up even before he opens it, and I hold my every breath in anticipation. When he finally opens it, a big smile flits on his face. Slowly he plucks a gold fountain pen that drew my attention instantly when I beheld it at the mall.

"Wow," he mutters gently, his smile genuine and lovely. I bite my bottom lip, enticed by his heartfelt reaction. "There's more?" He looks ...as he opens the other little box containing a gold tie pin and cufflinks with his initials.

I was so lucky that I could customize my choice.

"You like them? I didn't know what to get you and suddenly—"

"I love them, baby. They're absolutely beautiful and I'll use them until you tell me to stop." Sincerity laces his voice, but a hint of teasing doesn't abandon his eyes.

"Only on special occasions, Mr. Darcy." I grin and throw myself in his arms once again, a slight fatigue urging me to close my eyes and take a nap.

We spend the rest of the evening inside our room, talking while eating chocolates and drinking champagne. I ask Liam about the number of kids he prefers to have, and our argument turns big when he says he wants as many kids as possible while I'm willing to settle for two.

"Two? That's not fair. How about four? Or five?" He sounds serious.

"Five?" I gaze up at him.

He bursts out laughing. "You look quite dismayed, my love. Are you scared?"

"No, I—" I fail to answer so I just mutter, "We can have three. What do you say?"

"Well, okay. I'm sure you'll change your mind later." He grins confidently and I narrow my eyes at him.

"Indeed, we'll see." I sip my champagne as we keep hibernating on the sofa. It's a bliss. "Are you happy?" I whisper, my fingers trailing the contours of Liam's bicep muscles.

"I can not explain," he replies, laying a small kiss on the top of my head. "Being here with you feels different in comparison to the times I've been here before."

I smile. "How many times have you been here?"

"Three or four? I'm not sure." He yawns. "And it was all business, Kira Jones, if that's where you're going.".

"I wasn't going to ask that!" I chuckle.

"Oh, I know you well enough, my love. I can easily tell what's going on inside this pretty, little intelligent head of yours." He's so sure of his allegations and I can't say he's wrong.

"So, all those times you came here alone for business? I mean, no pleasure involved?"

"With Malik. He's in charge of our business with the UAE. And yes, I don't mix business with pleasure, Mrs. Darcy. However, I may start doing it now that I'm married. I think it's quite a pleasure going places with you. I can do it again and again." His voice is ever-teasing, making me flush.

"Does this mean you'll take me on your business travels?" I inquire, my inner Hermes already excited at the mention of travelling.

"If you want to, yes. We can travel together," Liam acquiesces.

"Hmm. I might as well become your personal assistant," I joke.

"Do not tempt me, Mrs. Darcy," Liam muses, a big smile on his face. "But no, I can't make my wife call me 'sir' in the office."

"How about in bed?"

"Oh, that can be arranged anytime, Mrs. Darcy," Liam remarks and off we start playing on the couch.

Our stay in Dubai becomes short-lived when we board the plane to Maldives at the break of dawn. Even if it was just for a day, I'm grateful that I've set foot to this city.

***

Maldives looks picturesque; white sand beaches, enchanting blue lagoons, a very bright sun, and shallow water that reflects the azure blue sky. From the plane I gather most of its view, and my smile becomes stubborn.

A speedboat transports us from the Airport to Male Island, where we'll be staying for the next few days. Strong, hair-flipping breeze of the Indian ocean becomes our song. I enjoy every second of our ride, taking pictures with Liam watching me, until we arrive at the resort.

A young man, dark-skinned and curly, welcomes us politely and leads us to our cabin—a gorgeous over-water wooden villa standing magnificently among many others. Wow! I'm standing at the deck, taking in the view. It's a tropical paradise.

"We're finally here, Mrs. Darcy," Liam utters. "Are you okay?" He sits down on the blue, loveseat sofa, taking me onto his lap.

"I'm good. And I'm loving every detail." I throw my amazed gaze around our room.

It's woodenly furnished, dimly lit up with candles and lantern bulbs on the bedsides. It looks romantic, intimate, and intimate, and the sunset is well visible. And then I catch a sight of the swimming pool on the terrace.

Liam's phone buzzes and I leave him to it. I waste no second in pleasing myself. I peel my clothes and throw them on the sun lounge, leaving my underwear on. Minutes pass by as I swim until I hear Liam's voice.

"Hi, Mr. Darcy!" I wave at him when he merges from inside.

"Seriously?" Liam utters with a sigh, watching me propelling inside the swimming pool.

"Come in! The water is so refreshing!" I run my palms over my soaked hair after emerging on the water surface.

"God, she's crazy," Liam mutters, talking to someone on the phone. "No, if only you knew what she's up to right now; and we've just arrived. She's like a water duck." He chuckles.

Is he talking to Eleanor?

"Come on, Liam! Join me," I insist, dragging my body backward.

"Alright. Just a moment," Liam answers loudly, and quickly returns inside.

Nothing disrupts me from this bliss, except the entrance of my husband when he follows me right away, wearing turquoise blue beach shorts, shirtless. He's a work of art, and the suntan adds much to his sinew abs poked tightly on his stomach.

"Catch me if you can!" she yells, giggling like a baby.

"Just because you're the little dolphin you think I can't catch you?" Liam mumbles.

"I thought I was a water duck! Dolphins are cute, though."

"I'll get you. Scheming wench!"

"Egocentric jerk! Are you feeling bruised?" I giggle delightfully.

"Ego—what?" Liam speeds up abruptly and manages to capture my ankle when I least expect it.

"Liam!" I scream gleefully, puffing out some water.

"Got you! Now what should I do with you, huh?" Liam pants, holding me tightly.

Ah, I feel seven again.

"Anything, sir," I reply smoothly, provoking him. "I can let you be a shark, if you want."

"Really now?" Liam laughs heartily that he may light up the whole island. "Do I look monstrous to you?"

"Aren't you sometimes? You even promised to punish me."

Why am I looking forward to that? Damn the masochist in me.

"Oh, thanks for the reminder. Good girl!" Liam retorts.

"Good girl, my butt!" I roll my eyes.

"What did you say?"

"I love you!"

We indulge a short moment playing around with words, kissing, and swimming. Afterwards we lay on the sun lounges, sunbathing coolly while getting lost into the azure blue water surrounding us. It's so peaceful.

"Were you talking to Mom earlier?" I lay my head on his shoulder.

"Yes. She didn't want to interrupt your swimming, but she said hi," Liam answers calmly.

"I miss her already. I hope everyone is fine." I'm feeling nostalgic at the thought. "Remind me to give Sam a call later, in case I forget. And what about Roshni and Malik?"

"They flew to England today," replies Liam. "I do wonder how they are coping, though. They've been getting along splendidly, right?"

"I think so. Compared to how they've been before, I can say they're past the acquaintance stage."

"That is good," Liam breathes. "What do you want to do next?" He slides his hand around my shoulder, hauling me closer.

"Well," I utter thoughtfully. "What I really want is to see how the locals live. Maybe a visit to the market, tasting the local food and drinks."

"Hmm, okay. And what else?"

"Um . . . let's see. How about we go through those brochures once again, and see the best things to do around this place?

"I'm fine with that." Liam shrugs.

"Really? You don't have any suggestion, Mr. Darcy?"

Laughing, Liam answers, "Anything is fine with me, Kira. As long as we experience it together, and bring a smile on your face, I'm certainly okay. However . . . "

"What?" I gaze up at his smiling face.

My heart does a backflip, and my body is heated.

"There's something that I can do with you right now," Liam whispers in a husky voice, "and right here."

"Here?" I smile timidly, my mind running wild at the look of my husband's playful gaze. "Okay. Do as you wish, Mr. Darcy."

A/N
The previous chapter, this one, and the next, will be only about honeymoon; sexual, playful, and stuff. If you're uncomfortable, kindly skip.

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