Chapter 19

HUDSON

Ipulled up in front of Diana's house, anxious to see her. After the dream last night, a padlock and chains couldn't have kept me away. I had no choice in the matter. I needed to see that smile again.

I had no illusions my dream was going to become reality, but fucking wasn't on my mind. I just wanted to be near her. If she wanted a kiss or two, I wouldn't say no, of course.

My pulse quickened with excitement as I spotted her waiting on the sidewalk, her radiant smile lighting up the evening. She looked gorgeous. Stunning. Her body was on display in a sexy black dress.

I slid out of the sleek Ferrari. After calling in a lot of favors and paying a lot of money, I'd gotten it delivered to Cold Springs. She was my baby. I had left her behind, but now I felt like I needed her.

I loved hitting the open road and letting all that horsepower sing. I knew it was bound to cause a scene in the little town I was temporarily calling home, but I didn't care. Tonight was a special occasion and I wanted to treat Diana like the queen she was.

I flashed her a grin as she walked out of the house. "Buongiorno, bella signora," I greeted her in my best Italian accent, earning a musical laugh from her lips. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. Is this another rental?" she asked with surprise.

"No, this is my baby." I grinned. "I had someone drive her up."

"Show off." She giggled.

"Trust me, once you've gone for a ride, you're going to understand why I had her delivered."

She ran her hand over the Silverstone paint color. "It's a beautiful car. Looks like a spaceship."

"I know." I grinned and opened the door for her to climb inside. "Only the best for you."

"What kind is it? I mean, I see it's a Ferrari, but forgive me if I'm not a car person."

"Technically, a Roma Spider," I replied and closed the door. I quickly got into the driver's seat, appreciating the smooth leather.

She ran her hand across the dash. "This is nice," she said again.

"I know."

"So, where are we going?" she asked. "You were a little vague in your note."

"Just a little surprise I cooked up for you."

Diana arched an eyebrow. "Oh really? Do tell."

"I'm about to take you on a whirlwind trip around the world."

She laughed. "Does this car turn into a boat and a plane?"

"Remember that night at the pool hall? You were a little tipsy and told me how you've always wanted to see the world."

A soft chuckle escaped her lips. "I may have mentioned some Incan ruins."

"Well, consider this your invitation," I said, my tone filled with genuine excitement.

Diana's smile widened, and for a moment, I was completely lost in her beauty. "What do you have planned?"

"Do you want to go?" I asked.

"I'm not sure."

"Just say yes," I replied.

Without hesitation, she nodded eagerly. "Yes, Hudson. I'm in."

My grin widened, and I resisted the urge to fist pump in triumph. Instead, I focused on the road ahead as I started the engine and pulled away from the curb. I had Googled this place earlier in search of something to do. When I found it, I thought it would be the perfect place to take her to spend some time together.

"Bannerman Castle," she said when I parked the car.

"I thought you might like it," I said. "Although you've probably been here a hundred times since you've grown up here."

"I've been here a few times, but it's special to share it with you."

"Good, I have another surprise," I said. "Actually, it's the only surprise."

We got out of the car, and when I offered her my hand, she didn't hesitate to take it. "Where are we going?"

I led her down to where a boat and driver were waiting for us. "We're going to the castle."

"Right now?" she asked with surprise.

"I made a couple of calls." I grinned.

As we approached Pollepel Island, the place took my breath away. Candles flickered from within and in almost every open window. It was a sight to behold, one that I had orchestrated with a lot of work. I wasn't even sure what I was asking for when I set it all up. The people had been really helpful and promised to handle everything. Seeing it and Diana's reaction were priceless.

We stepped out of the boat and I took her hand and led her to the next part of my surprise. It was a table set for two in the middle of the ruins. The flickering candlelight danced across her face, illuminating her features in a soft, ethereal glow. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as we took in the beauty of our surroundings.

"This is incredible," Diana breathed, her voice barely above a whisper as she gazed around in awe.

I smiled. "I'm glad you like it," I replied.

I pulled out her chair for her with a flourish. She settled into her seat with a smile, her eyes never leaving mine. "How did you do all of this?" she asked.

I winked. "A gentleman never reveals his secrets."

"This is incredible," Diana said again, her voice barely above a whisper. "Hudson, I don't even know what to say."

"Say you're hungry," I said.

The personal servers brought out our meals, and I couldn't contain my excitement any longer. "We'll be dining on a variety of dishes from every ethnic restaurant in Cold Springs that I could find. I wanted to bring a taste of the world to you, just like you've always dreamed about. I can't take you to Greece tonight, but I can bring the Mediterranean to you."

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she took in the array of dishes before her. "I can't believe you did all this," she exclaimed.

It wasn't just about the food. It was about creating a moment, a memory that she would treasure forever. And judging by the look on her face, I had succeeded.

"Only the best for you," I replied.

There was certainly a spark between us. It was turning into something else entirely. Something that I couldn't quite put into words but that I knew was special.

Diana was special.

She had this way about her, this magnetic presence that pulled me in. I had never felt compelled to do something like this for someone before, but with Diana, it just felt right. I wanted to knock her socks off. I wanted to make her feel special. She was unlike anyone I had ever met before. Smart, funny, kind-hearted.

And she didn't see me through the filter of my reputation. She just saw regular old me, and she seemed to like what she saw.

"Ready to dive in?" I asked her.

We picked up the plate of appetizers with an assortment of foods from the Mexican, Italian, and Chinese restaurants in town. I knew she had probably eaten everything being served, but I hoped the combination would add some flair.

"What's this?" she asked, picking up one of the plates.

"Arancini," I replied. "It's not on their regular menu. I asked them to make it. Have you ever had it?"

She smiled and shook her head.

"Well, then you're in for a treat," I declared.

She bit into the crispy Italian rice ball. The excitement in her eyes made me smile.

"This is delicious," she murmured between bites. It was clear from her expression that she truly enjoyed it.

I watched with satisfaction as Diana savored each and every dish placed before her. The Italian arancini, the Chinese dumplings, the Mexican tamales, each one was met with wide eyes and happy exclamations.

"Is it crazy that it all just tastes better?" she asked.

"I think the environment has a huge impact on the way things taste."

She nodded. "And the company."

"Have you been out here before?" I asked.

"I take my class here for a field trip every year," she answered. "The whole school does. When I was in school, we came out here, but I haven't actually been out here to visit on my own."

"It's a pretty cool place," I said.

"In World War I, the owner, Francis Bannerman, contributed cannons, uniforms, and blankets to the US military. His wife, Helen, was a talented gardener and planted the flowers and shrubs that still grace the grounds today."

I nodded, loving how nerdy and excited she was about it.

She stopped talking and laughed. "Can you tell I've taken a few tours?"

"Yes, but I was getting into it," I said. "Please, continue. You're the best tour guide I could ask for."

"Well, let's see," she said. "There are rumors the place is haunted."

"Haunted?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

Diana nodded with a big grin. "Yes, there are stories of spirits that roam these halls, trapped between this world and the next."

"Wow. Do they do ghost tours?"

"No, I wish. Wouldn't that be cool?"

I laughed. "Hell, yeah. Put a tour together and I'll be the first one to sign up."

We finished our meal and took a tour of the ruined castle, keeping an eye out for any restless spirits or demon cats. She pointed out various places and gave me some of the history. The moon cast a soft glow over the crumbling walls, making everything spooky but also romantic. The gentle hum of crickets filled the air around us. It was a peaceful sound, and I found myself embracing this slower pace with open arms.

Obviously, Diana was helping with that. Nothing in the city interested me enough to leave her without seeing where it could go.

"I always wonder what would have happened if this place hadn't been destroyed by fire," she said.

"Fire?"

"In nineteen sixty-nine, there was a fire and it has just been left to rot." She sighed.

"It's a shame, but in some poetic way, it also adds to its charm."

Diana looked up at me, her eyes shining under the soft moonlight. "You think so?"

"I do," I replied. "There's something incredibly romantic about ruins. Something nostalgic."

We continued our walk in silence, lost in our thoughts as we took in the eerie beauty surrounding us.

"Look," she said, pointing toward the castle's main tower. "You see that window up there? That was Lady Helen's room."

I followed her gaze to a lonesome window perched high above us against the moonlit sky. "Lady Helen had a great view."

"She used to sit there, watching over her husband's business dealings and the castle gardens. They say sometimes, you can still see a figure in white looking out."

"Not a bad place to be stuck as a ghost," I said. "Better than an old asylum."

She laughed. "I suppose that's fair enough."

Stopping in an archway, we stood side by side, the world around us seemingly frozen in time. Candles flickered in the gentle breeze of the summer evening, casting shadows across Diana's face. In that moment, with her by my side, I knew I had a chance to find peace in this life.

The serving staff had long since departed, leaving us alone on the island. I looked into Diana's eyes, finding I was really happy. It was such a strange feeling. I did a lot of pretending to be happy, but this was real. This was genuine.

In a bold move that surprised even myself, I leaned in and kissed her. It was soft and sweet, a tender expression of everything I felt in that moment.

I lost myself in the warmth of her lips and the smell of her hair. She tensed for a split second before returning the kiss with equal fervor, her hands reaching up to tangle in my hair.

Pulling back slightly, I rested my forehead against hers. I had to take a minute to get myself under control. That damn dream was still haunting me like Lady Helen haunted her tower. It took no time to go from zero to a volcano ready to pop.

It was her that kissed me the second time.

As my lips lingered on hers, I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if we kept going. I quickly dismissed the thought. I was content just to be with her for now and see where this went.