Chapter 31

HUDSON

Cairo, Egypt was everything I had imagined and more. I had never even considered visiting. I wasn't a history buff. This kind of thing was not what I did. This was all for Diana, but I found myself enjoying it as well. Seeing her eyes light up at the temple was a memory I would not forget.

Ever.

"That's our car," I said, steering her toward the dark sedan. The sound of the city beyond reminded me of Manhattan. We got in the back seat and were at the mercy of the driver.

"Holy shit," Diana whispered as the driver whipped into traffic. I was certain there was some bumper kissing.

The chaos was palpable, a whirlwind of sights, sounds, and smells. Our driver navigated the crowded streets with skill, honking his horn and swerving around other vehicles like it was second nature.

As we sped through the streets of Cairo, the energy of the city was intense.

Diana's hand reached out, her fingers tightening around mine. "I can't believe we're here," she whispered. "Although this is not what I expected."

I smiled, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It's wild, isn't it?"

She nodded, her eyes wide as she took in the bustling scene outside. "It's like no place I've ever been before."

The crowded streets were filled with people on foot, bicycles, motorcycles, and camels. Street vendors called out to people passing by. Other vehicles whipped by at breakneck speed with not even a hint of a traffic rule in sight.

The car pulled up to a glamorous high-rise hotel, right across the street from the Nile River. The driver parallel parked with a bit too much enthusiasm, bumping into the cars in front and behind us. Diana and I shared a look. She laughed and shook her head. "Is that what bumpers are actually for?" she asked. "Here I thought they were for looks."

We stepped out of the car and were hit with a wave of dry heat and exhaust fumes. The air was thick with the scent of spices and the sound of car horns blaring. Scooters zipped past us, weaving in and out of traffic with reckless abandon.

"This is nuts," she whispered.

We stood outside the hotel, both of us confused.

"Um, is this place safe?" Diana whispered.

"The website said it was."

Metal detectors lined the entrance. Security guards stood watch, their eyes sharp and alert. Diana clung to my arm, her nervousness palpable as we passed through the detectors. I could feel the weight of the guards' stares on us, their eyes lingering just a little too long as they checked us over.

It was a stark reminder of the reality of life in a city like Cairo, where security concerns were never far from anyone's mind. I kept a protective arm around Diana, guiding her through the process with a reassuring smile.

We made our way into the hotel with her hand firmly in mine. I was afraid to let her go. The lobby was a hive of activity, with people bustling about, speaking in rapid-fire Arabic and English. I walked to the check-in counter with her right beside me.

The clerk, a young woman with striking blue eyes and a warm smile, greeted us. "Ahlan wa sahlan," she said. I glanced at Diana, who looked a little baffled.

"Welcome," she said in English.

Diana grinned and tried to echo the greeting back to the clerk. The resulting pronunciation was a bit off, earning a chuckle from both the clerk and me.

After securing the keys to our suite, we stepped into the gold-trimmed elevator that offered us an impressive view of the city. Diana's eyes sparkled as she pressed against the glass to take in the sight. She was so full of life, so excited about every little thing. There was a vibrancy about her that was truly captivating.

"Amazing, isn't it?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her waist from behind and pressing my chest into her back. She nodded, her eyes never leaving the sprawling city below us.

Our suite was extremely luxurious. We were both drawn to the windows that offered sweeping views of the city skyline and the glittering waters of the Nile.

The room was filled with the scent of lilacs and vanilla, a sharp contrast to the buzz and fumes of the city we had left behind at the ground floor. The furniture was an eclectic mix of modern and traditional Egyptian styles, with plush couches draped in rich burgundy velvet and intricately carved wooden tables.

"We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto," Diana murmured with a laugh.

"That's for sure," I agreed.

Diana couldn't stop taking pictures from our perch above the city. I watched her with a smile. The sight was mesmerizing. I couldn't believe I was looking at the Nile River.

For a moment, we simply stood there in silence, taking it all in. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked.

"It is."

"It's not what I expected," she said. "What's with the guards and guns?"

I sighed, looking out at the city below us. "It's a complicated place," I said. "The security is necessary."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "But why?" she asked.

"Because despite all its beauty and grandeur, Cairo has its share of troubles too," I replied gently. "Like many places in the world, it has its own unique blend of problems."

"It doesn't feel dangerous," she said after a moment. "I mean with the guns, it does."

"They're protecting tourists," I said.

"It's still beautiful," she said.

"Yes, it is."

I pulled away and went to the minibar to get some water. I took a seat, watching her watch the city. This whole thing felt like an out of body experience. I was not the guy that traveled and visited historical places. I felt different when I was with her. The last few weeks I felt like I had woken up in a new life.

This was not what I expected my life to be. I never wanted this stuff. But now, I had to wonder if my life before was the wrong one. This was where I was supposed to be. Maybe this was the life I was supposed to be living this whole time. Somewhere I got off track a long time ago. Meeting Diana put me back on track.

Kameron would lose his shit if he knew what my life was like. What I was thinking. He would think it was some kind of temporary thing. Maybe, just maybe, this was the life I was meant to live. The one where I traveled to different countries, exploring every inch of their culture and history.

I took a sip from the bottle of water and watched her. She turned around and looked at me. "What are you thinking?"

"All kinds of things." I grinned.

"Yeah?" she sauntered toward me. "Does it have anything to do with us being naked?"

I leaned back in the chair and reached out to her. She eagerly came to me, sinking into my lap, her arms going around my neck.

"I was just thinking about us and this life you've turned me onto," I admitted, my hands rubbing up and down her back. "Everything feels so different. But in a good way. Brighter. Clearer."

Her eyes locked with mine. "I understand," she said. "I've never felt more alive. And it's all because of you." She kissed me softly, her lips warm and inviting.

"I want you to know," I said softly, wrapping my arm around her waist as I pulled her closer. "This is all because of you."

She looked up at me, her eyes shining with the same brightness that had first captured me. "And I want you to know that it's all because of you too. You've shown me a world I never knew existed, and I'm grateful for that. But more than anything, I'm grateful for you."

With that, we shared a long, passionate kiss, our lips melting into each other.

"Are you hungry?" I asked.

"I am, but I kind of like sitting here with you," she murmured.

I chuckled. "I like that as well, but we're both hungry. Why don't we go eat and then we'll come back here, and you can sit on my lap all you want?"

She giggled, leaning against me. "Alright, deal. But promise me we'll come back here to enjoy the view again."

We got dressed and headed out to find a local restaurant. We took our seats at a table by the window. Diana looked radiant in one of the few dresses she had brought with her. She was easily the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. Her eyes scanned the menu.

The waiter approached with a friendly smile. I could tell from the way he spoke that he was incredibly passionate about the food he served. He recommended a variety of dishes. We eagerly placed our order, choosing to step outside our comfort zone to try new things.

I was looking forward to the traditional Egyptian cuisine. "Have you ever eaten this kind of food?" I asked her.

"Not really," she replied. "It's not like it's a popular request in Cold Springs. I'm always up for trying something new."

Our plates arrived a short time later. The colors and fragrances of the dishes were intriguing, but I was a little leery of it.

"Who goes first?" I asked with a laugh.

"Scared?" she teased.

I shrugged and gestured for her to dig in. Though nervous, I had to admit, the aromas were mouth-watering. She took a bite of the spicy lamb dish and let out a delighted moan.

"Amazing!" she exclaimed.

I took a tentative bite. It was indeed incredible, the flavors exploding in my mouth. I started to relax into the experience, enjoying the adventure of trying something new.

"This is a night I'll never forget," she said, smiling at me. "It's more than I could have ever imagined. I'm so glad you introduced me to this world."

We enjoyed fragrant tajines to crispy falafel. I loved that she and I were getting to experience this together. As we ate, we talked about everything under the sun, from our childhoods to our hopes and dreams for the future.

As the evening wore on, we lingered over dessert, sharing stories and laughter until the restaurant began to empty out around us. And as we finally made our way back to our hotel, full and content, I couldn't help but feel like this was just the beginning of something truly special. I could see a future with her. We could travel like this and see the whole world.

We returned to our room, both exhausted and excited for tomorrow. We stripped naked and crawled into bed together. I reached over and turned off the lights, the darkness enveloping us as we curled up together. I could feel her warmth next to me, and the rhythm of her breathing was soothing.

"Thank you again," she whispered in the dark. "For showing me this world."

"I just want you to be happy," I said. "I like seeing you happy. It makes me happy."