This is the first chapter of a three-part story. The story has been completed and each chapter will be posted as it is approved. Please note the content tags. This is a work of fiction, and all participants are over the age of 18. The author takes full responsibility for any inaccuracies in depiction of Saudi or US culture, and apologizes for any mistakes or misinterpretations.
"Do you know how far we are from anywhere, Todd?" Stephanie asked the minute I opened the door to our room. She was stretched out on the bed in a hotel robe, long golden hair draped over the pillow, remote control in one hand and phone in the other.
I frowned, but bit back a retort. It had been a long day for me and my offsider Alex at the trade fair and I was beat. I'd always known there was a risk that Steph would be bored.
"Hey babe," I said brightly, and went over to offer a kiss, which she accepted with a small smile. "I'm sorry, I know it's not exactly Riyadh Central here, but I do need to point out that it's a $1500 dollar a night luxury hotel with amazing food and more spa treatments than even you could work through in a week."
She gave a light laugh, patting the bed next to her in invitation as I kicked my shoes off. "Okay, you got me there. And you'll be happy to know that I exercised a bit of restraint. No point bankrupting the business."
I hugged her in genuine appreciation. "Thanks babe. This week is a bit of roll of the dice."
We both knew that that was an understatement. I had a small start-up with minimal staff, but we had developed some very good software and I had taken a big risk in splurging some of our tiny working capital for a week of pressing the flesh in Saudi Arabia, at the suggestion of an interested client. Alex and I had spent the day setting up my booth -- the conference itself was starting tomorrow. All was good to go, but we were nervous.
Steph worked in another field completely. She sometimes helped me out with her knowledge of trade logistics, but otherwise stayed away from my business, unless there was the chance to take a week off to stay at a luxury hotel in the desert.
"The pool is included, at least," she said, and indeed I could smell the faint remains of chlorine in her hair. "First I had a back massage though. It's strictly female to female or male to male of course, so need to worry unless I feel like some girl love."
I chuckled. Steph was adventurous and I wouldn't have stood in her way, but we both knew that same sex activities would be a bad idea during our week in the Kingdom, despite the recent liberalization.
"They have some female only pool time during the morning," she continued, "but by the time I got there, it was back to mixed access." She stroked my arm teasingly. "It was just me and a guy there, swimming laps. We didn't talk, but I have to say, he was very fit."
"And you said you were bored here!" I laughed. "It sounds like you're in your element."
We chatted a little more, and then Steph convinced me to do the right thing by inviting my assistant Alex to join us for a late dinner downstairs.
"Treat your team like they're everything, even though I'm here too," said Steph, and she followed through by being charming and attentive to Alex right through the meal. It was Alex's first trip overseas but she was a great operator and doing really well. I would be leaning on her sales skills, and (to be frank) her good looks this week. As a green-eyed redhead, she stood out from the crowd of white-robed men and dark-robed women at this hotel, but she could also more than match it in product knowledge with anybody in the room. Steph, no slouch in that area herself, gave Alex some suggestions on techniques for moving the pitch on quickly for those who were coming to gawk rather than buy, but I'm not sure Alex needed the advice.
It was late when we finally got to bed, and tomorrow was going to be a big day. Steph, bless her, took pity on me and contented herself with a kiss and a cuddle before we drifted off to sleep.
...
The next morning went really well. It was quiet at first while the conference was in session, but then delegates poured out for their break, and it never really slowed down from there. Our software was niche, but it was clever, and we could reasonably claim a significant boost in marketing efficiency: we knew our numbers stacked up well.
One of our first customers was Ahmad, the potential client who had suggested that we come out. Like all the men here, he was dressed in the traditional white
thawb
, or robe, with the checkered red headscarf and a light beard. He was lean, fit, and carried an air of command: I noticed others around him being deferential in their interactions. He spent a good hour with us as we talked him through the software and showed off some of the features. I did notice his eyes wandering over Alex's figure more than I was really comfortable with, but we had expected that. Alex had herself dressed modestly and professionally: she couldn't help her looks, but she could use them to advantage.
Abruptly, Ahmad seemed to reach a decision, and signaled to one of his staff to stay and discuss terms while he strode off to do other things. 30 minutes later, we had a sale that would more than justify the price of the trip. It was a very good start, and we were able to back that up with some smaller sales during the day. Once Ahmad had given his nod of approval, it seemed that we were ahead of the pack.
When I reached our room, I was exhausted again, but buoyant. "Babe, guess what!" I sang out as I strode through the door. I knew she'd be relieved for both our sakes, and I was gearing up to give her all of my energy and attention tonight.
But Stephanie wasn't there. The lights and aircon were off, and the air was stale. I had a moment of panic, and then relaxed when I realized that her gear was still there. She was obviously just out for a bit longer that she'd expected.
Come to think of it, why should she be waiting for me? I hadn't even let her know that we were finished for the day. Cursing myself for being ridiculous, I sent her a message, and within a few minutes a thumbs up came back.
It took more than half an hour before Steph herself came back though, and she looked a bit flushed. She was carrying an expensive looking shopping bag as well as her gym bag.
"Sorry Todd," she said sheepishly. "I, um, I've been a bit silly. Nothing really happened, but... I should have asked."
I didn't really know what to say.
"Nothing happened but you need to apologize?"
She took a deep breath, put her bags down, and drew me down to sit on the bed with her. Abruptly she lunged forward and kissed me, arms wrapped around me, tongue pressing urgently into my mouth. I went with it, and we had a few minutes of smooching before she pulled back.
"Whatever you've got to tell me might be almost worth it," I said, bemused.
She flushed again, and then plunged in. "Remember how I told you about the mixed bathing at the pool, and how there was just a guy doing laps at the same time as me yesterday?"
My heart started racing. "Yes?"
"Today the same guy was there, and we started talking."
"And?"
She suddenly couldn't look at me.
