Chapter 4

Chapter Four

Artair

"Wake up, sleeping beauty, it's time for your adventure to begin." I placed a steaming cup of coffee down on the bedside table, allowing the rich chicory aroma to float toward her, and stood back, watching her slowly become conscious. Her cute little nose wrinkled and sniffed the air, reminding me of a bunny, which, like everything else about her, I found fascinating.

"Artair?"

Her sleepy voice held a note of desire, and I would have preferred to join her in bed over taking her to lunch, but I'd made a promise, and I planned to make good on it. "It's me. When you didn't answer your phone, I decided to come and wake you up myself. It's almost 1 pm."

"What?"

Luna's eyes flew wide as she struggled to sit up in bed. She winced when her backside made contact and rolled onto her side. Every emotion, every thought, so evident that again I found myself marveling at the purity of her expressions. It was hard to find someone who wasn't hiding behind their outer bluster.

"I'm so sorry. I guess I really needed the sleep."

"No apologies necessary, lass. Don't forget you're in day one of a new time zone; we are nine hours ahead of what you are accustomed to."

She reached for her cup of brew and leaned back, a smile on her face. "Thank you for this. Oh! We should have dessert for breakfast."

"Will a sugary treat get you out of bed?"

Her smile grew. "It sure would."

"You're incorrigible." I stood and made my way back to the tiny kitchen to grab a dessert from last night and cutlery.

"What does that mean?" she called out to my retreating back.

I just shook my head. How could she not know what that meant? "It means that your behavior is questionable and in need of correcting," I shouted back. Okay, so not completely accurate, but fitting. "Here, let's enjoy this lovely dish."

Luna sat up, wincing once again, but relaxed after a few breaths, her eyes widening at what lay on the plate I placed on the bed.

"What is that? It looks delicious."

"Coffee Meringue—brandy ice cream with chocolate sauce and sugared walnuts."

She blinked at me. "That was very specific. You've had this before?"

"No, but there is a reason I'm a damn good lawyer, I have an eidetic memory."

"Seriously? So you know the entire menu just from reading it last night?"

"Exactly."

"Wow, that's so cool. I don't have any gifts like that. I sometimes have a hard time remembering where anything is and one time I found my keys in the fridge."

I burst out laughing. "Luna, you are so refreshing."

Pink tinged her cheeks. "Ah, thank you?"

I laughed again and I watched her demolish the dessert in seconds.

"Sorry, I guess I was hungry. I'll get ready now."

I wore what felt like a permanent smile, shaking my head in amusement, as she hustled to the bathroom, her pink bottom wiggling from side to side. Her luggage was sitting where I'd left it last night, clothes spilling from the closed lid. Under normal circumstances, this would be considered messy in my world, but considering the lack of time I'd given her both last night and today, it was more than acceptable.

I opened her bag and folded her clothes into piles at the end of the bed, noting three pairs of jeans and three pairs of leggings, a dozen shirts, a sweater, hiking boots, walking shoes, and then in the other room was her outfit from last night, which seemed to be the only somewhat dressy item she'd packed. I'd make sure to take her shopping today and purchase not just textiles appropriate for Scottish weather, but also sexy things she'd wear underneath.

I heard the shower turn off and left to give her space to get ready. She entered the living area ten minutes later looking fresh and happy. "Ready!" she proclaimed enthusiastically.

I called downstairs to make sure my driver was ready and then escorted Luna out to the car.

"Where are we going first?"

I wanted to say my bed, as her ass looked glorious in her figure-hugging jeans. Ravishing Luna would have to wait though. Something she'd said at dinner alerted me to maybe this trip being more than a vacation. She had a purpose; I just didn't know what it was yet.

"I thought to take you to Doune for a quaint breakfast and a bit of shopping, and then to the Castle if it's on your to-do list?"

Her eyes were wide. It was her stunned look, the one where she was unsure of what to say, so I continued, "After, we can go directly into Stirling and see the Castle, as well as the Wallace monument if you like, and have dinner at The Orangery ."

She gulped and tried to speak, but just gulped again.

"Lass, are you all right?"

"Uh, yeah, I just… Well, I'm overwhelmed to be honest. I thought my first day would be trying to figure out how to get around and find these important monuments and sites and here you are serving me up Scotland on a china platter, and it's a little much. But I trust you, and you seem to have a great plan. I… uh, just forget I said anything and leave it at, I'm overwhelmed ."

I tugged her to my chest and held her until the tension drained from her body. "I'm sorry, I tend to be bossy. Correction, I am bossy. What would you like to do?"

"Honestly?"

"Yes," I said in my strictest tone. "Only honesty is acceptable."

"Could we go on the tour bus thing? You know, those double-decker buses and just hop on and off wherever we want?"

She peeped up at me, craning her neck as if to read my reaction. I became very aware of two things at that moment: She was asking me for permission, which made me happy and hard at the same time, and also, she wasn't a gold digger, and I needed to wife her up right now.

"Of course we can. I'll just let Graeme know that we won't be needing him."

"He's here? Why not invite him?"

I wanted to laugh hysterically. Graeme on a bus tour? It was hard to picture. "Sure, let me ask him."

An hour later, the three of us were on the tour bus and Graeme was shamelessly flirting with our tour guide. It was a surreal experience, seeing sites I'd taken for granted for years, from Luna's perspective. I felt as if I was seeing my homeland for the first time and found myself as in love with it as she.

She oohed and awed at everything she saw and took hundreds of pictures. What I found particularly stunning was the rainbow that seemed to follow us, almost like Glasgow was welcoming her. Even I had to admit that she seemed a little magical, with all the bright sunshine she bestowed on those in her proximity.

We jumped off in the West End, leaving Graeme to get Donna, our tour guide's phone number. Luna, it turned out, was an Outlander fan and pointed out Stravithie Pub as being frequented and endorsed by the actor who played Jamie Fraser. I quickly escorted her inside and sat us at a window seat overlooking the streets bustling with students and tourists.

"You know what I love?"

I didn't, but intended to store anything she loved in my memory banks.

"Everything here is different. Like back where I'm from, corporations own everything and nothing is Ma-and-Pa original anymore. Here, nothing is duplicated and I truly hope it stays that way."

She seemed sad by the prospect of change… Interesting. Old soul perhaps, or maybe something in her own past had turned for the worst.

"Tell me more about your home. I had pegged you for an American, but surprise, you're Canadian. What was it like growing up in B.C.?"

She dipped her eyes down to her plate and took a bite. Luna was stalling and I wished to be a fly on the wall inside that brain of hers. She took a drag of her beer and put her fork down.

"It's a lot like here, weather-wise. In fact, did you know that Scotland gets one less day of rain per year than my province?" She took another sip of beer like somehow it would bolster her courage to say what she wanted to say. "I've always wanted to travel and decided to start my adventure here. I, uh, needed to get away and see some different scenery."

I had questions, but didn't interrupt her.

"I was attending university, but decided to drop out. I feel I've learned way more from being in the real world than I ever could from a formal education. Besides," she added, "I was bored and needed something new; Scotland seemed like a great place to start."

A mystery. This woman became more intriguing with every minute I spent in her presence. But I couldn't ignore the warning bell either. She got bored easily and I was sure she would move on from my company the moment I no longer stimulated her. I didn't like that disquieting revelation, quickly turning off the potential for this encounter to be negative and focused on the present. I'd told her I'd show her my home, and that was exactly what I planned to do.

"I'm sure you're right. Cheers to your first day!"

"Cheers!"

She clinked my mug, all appearances of sadness gone for the moment. Something was wrong with her situation and my spidey senses were telling me she may be in trouble. But grilling her in my typical lawyer style would only make her clam up. Whatever secrets she was harboring, I would learn as I got to know her better the old-fashioned way, with patience and time.

After a late lunch, we walked the bustling streets of the West End and I finally got my way when we came along the shopping district filled with unique shops featuring charming vintage treasures, and chic contemporary pieces, both of which had delighted Luna. I purchased everything she tried on, and a few extra items I wanted her to have. When our arms were too full to carry any more, I called Graeme. He took our packages back to her hotel as we continued our walk through Kelvingrove Park, arriving at the other end in time for the sunset.

We held hands as we watched the sun make its descent behind the horizon. I couldn't remember the last time I'd intentionally watched a sunset and found myself watching Luna in my peripheral vision. Her face bathed in the setting light gave her an otherworldly glow. She had no idea how ethereal she appeared in that moment. Nor was she aware of her beauty and unique charm it seemed, but I vowed to make sure she knew before our time was through just how special she was.

"What now, lass?"

Her owlish eyes blinked several times before they refocused on me. She tended to, for lack of a better word, zone out frequently. I wondered again if she was wrestling with issues I could help her with, or if this was part of her modus operandi.

"I'm ready to let go of controlling my first day, Artair."

Music to my ears. "Meaning what, exactly?"

"I would like it very much if you would lead me for the rest of my first day."

I couldn't hide a sly grin. "So does that mean anything goes, lass?"

She grinned in return. "It does… Daddy."

I was sure her pupils were not the only ones dilated at her use of the word ‘Daddy' as my title. I pulled her against my chest, gripping both her ass cheeks in my hands. "It's about damn time!"

She giggled, her body vibrating against mine.

"Good, then a spanking and a fucking it is!"

She pulled back, gazing up into my eyes. "Why a spanking?"

"Because, lass, I'm in lust with your sexy bottom, and I love seeing my marks displayed on it."

Her breath hitched. "I like that too," she said, speaking so softly I almost missed it.

I scooped her up in my arms and carried her out of the park. She nestled contentedly against my chest until Graeme pulled up in the car. I slid onto the seat, keeping her on my lap as the car pulled out into the early evening traffic.

"Graeme, take us to the castle."

He viewed me in the rearview, questioning my choice. He knew better than anyone that no one was ever allowed into my inner sanctum, especially not a woman I'd only met yesterday. But something in my gut told me that this was right and there was no reason to worry.

I nodded my head, answering his unspoken question. "Please phone ahead and ensure a dinner is laid out in the private dining room."

I settled back, turned Luna so she was straddling my legs, and scooched her forward until she pressed against my cock. Gently gripping her nape, I pressed her toward me until her lips melted against mine. She tasted like apples and cherries. Our tongues tangled as we both fought for a deeper connection. I ran a hand around her back and squeezed her ass, capturing the gasp she released in my mouth.

Exploring, my hand traveled up over her hip and around to her small but plump breast, tweaking her excited nipple to a tight peak. Her mouth pulled from mine and her head dropped back as she pressed her breast into my hand. She had sensitive nipples and seemed to love the attention.

I gripped her other one as well and twisted the tightened peaks. Luna softly mewled and ground against my dick. An image of a naked Luna, bent over with nipple clamps swinging from those tightened buds while I spanked her bottom and played with her clit, assaulted me.

"Graeme, I changed my mind. I want the food delivered to my suite in an hour. I have something urgent I need to take care of first."

Graeme smiled and nodded in the rearview. Luna pulled back, pinning me with hungry eyes.

"I'll feed your needs first, then your belly," I assured her.

"Mmm. Can't wait," she moaned.

I continued driving her wild, playing with her nipples, edging her toward orgasm several times before we pulled up in front of Lennox Castle. Until recently, it had been abandoned, but before its vacancy, had been a poorly run institution for peoples with disabilities up until 2002. The castle was then left in ruins after a fire in 2008. And that's where my family took over. By providing proper documentation of our lineage, I was able to purchase the estate and begin restoration in 2010, finishing in 2018. Finished being a relative, because restoring a castle and a town never ends, as new issues come up as fast as others are fixed. I didn't mind, however, as I took pride in the ongoing project.

I released Luna for the first time since the park and escorted her inside. Her eyes widened as she took in the imposing castle, but I wasn't in the mood to answer questions; I just wanted to get her to my room and have my way with her at last.

"Be a good girl for Daddy and hold your questions until we are dining."

Gripping her hand, I led her through the entrance and up a long staircase to the third floor. The west wing was an apartment within the castle taking up 3000 precious square feet, all for my personal space. I allowed tours of the estate, particularly the ruins I'd left intact from the hospital. Tourists came in flocks to see the ghosts. I'd never seen one myself. However, the tourism team firmly believed that we had multiple ghostly inhabitants. Who was I to complain when the tours provided jobs for the townspeople?

The fireplace was on, and the flames danced on the walls creating quite the ‘ Beauty and the Beast ' vibe. All I cared about was the room being warm enough to have her naked and at my mercy.

I closed the suite door and led her to the bedroom. The wall-length fireplace was also on and provided slightly better lighting and extra warmth. I removed my jacket and kicked off my shoes. Luna did the same and looked at me questioningly. I curled my finger, and she stepped closer.

"I've been dying to spank that sexy ass all day, but first, I need you naked. Turn around and slide those jeans over your bottom."

She did as I asked, then looked over her shoulder, waiting for more instruction.

"Shirt and bra off, then turn around and face me." I ran my gaze over her beautiful body and nodded approvingly. "Good girl."

Her teeth tugged on the corner of her lip as a blush stole over her face.

Now to put a blush over the rest of her.