Chapter 33

HUDSON

We woke up in Edinburgh to rain pouring down. I saw the disappointment on Diana's face. We had grand plans to visit Edinburgh Castle. I assured her it would be fine. We could handle a little rain.

"Ready?" I asked her.

She tied her tennis shoes, a must after the long days of exploring the historical sites. "Yep."

The rain had subsided by the time Diana and I arrived at Edinburgh Castle with our prepaid tickets. No way was I going to miss out on the chance to get a visit. We had come all this way to see the castle. As we made our way up the winding cobblestone path, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer grandeur of the structure before us.

Diana grinned. "I'm so excited."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement as we passed through the imposing gates. Her hand was warm in mine as we ventured into the heart of the castle. The air smelled fresh after the rainfall. There were still some dark clouds on the horizon, but I wasn't worried. Nothing could take away from the experience.

We wandered through the ancient halls and courtyards, taking in the rich tapestry of Scottish history that surrounded us. From the Crown Jewels to the Stone of Destiny, each artifact seemed to whisper secrets of a bygone era, and I found myself captivated by the stories they held.

As we climbed to the highest point of the castle, the wind whipping at our hair, Diana turned to me with a smile.

"Can you believe we're standing here?" she asked.

I nodded, my heart swelling with pride as I looked out over the city below. "It's incredible," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

I couldn't help but think of my brothers. My dad. My mom. A few of my brothers traveled and my dad did a lot of worldwide business, but my mom was always home with us. I knew she had never been here. I felt bad. Sad for her. I was getting to see and experience so much. Everyone should get to do this. I felt beyond lucky.

"Okay?" Diana asked.

I smiled and nodded. "Yes. I was just thinking we're one of the lucky few that get to see this. I wish my mom could have seen it. She loved history. I'm just being maudlin."

Diana squeezed my hand and leaned against me, understanding in her eyes. "She's here," she murmured. "She sees through your eyes, Hudson."

It was comforting and solemn at the same time. "Thank you," was all I could muster.

We walked around a bit more, taking pictures and absorbing the haunting beauty of Edinburgh Castle. We explored every nook and cranny of the castle, from the ancient dungeons to the majestic Great Hall.

As we made our way back down to the lower levels of the castle, Diana's hand tightened in mine, her eyes alight with excitement. "I don't want this day to end," she said, her voice filled with longing. "This whole trip. I wish it could last forever."

I squeezed her hand reassuringly, my heart filled with a warmth I hadn't felt in a long time. "Neither do I," I admitted, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

With our tour over, we went into the city to do some shopping. She wanted to get some souvenirs for her family and her classroom. When I insisted I pay, she got flustered, but I was going to do it.

"I don't want to sound like a douche but spending a few hundred dollars is not going to make a big difference to me," I told her.

She frowned and looked at me. "Are you really that wealthy?"

"And then some." I winked.

"You don't act like a rich guy," she said.

I chuckled at her blunt admission. "Good," I responded, holding open the door to a local trinket shop. "I prefer it that way."

We spent the rest of our time in Edinburgh collecting trinkets and memories. I watched as Diana meticulously chose gifts for her family, taking into account each person's interests and tastes. She picked out a miniature replica of the castle for her classroom, a tartan scarf for her mother, and an illustrated book on Scottish mythology for her younger sister. I found joy in this—in seeing Diana so thoughtful and careful about everyone she cared about.

"Are you going to get anything for your brothers?" she asked.

I laughed. "No. We're not that kind of family. If they want a souvenir from Edinburgh, they can come get it themselves."

She rolled her eyes. "I guess when you're all rich, that's actually a possibility."

We left the shop just as it started to rain again. It wasn't just a little rain. It was coming down in sheets as we dashed through the streets of Edinburgh, seeking refuge from the sudden downpour.

"There's the bookstore I told you about," Diana said, her voice raised to be heard over the sound of the rain hitting the cobblestones.

We ran across the road, rain pelting as we went. Diana laughed, clearly enjoying the moment. I pulled her under an awning, not wanting to go another step.

"Well, this wasn't exactly what I had in mind when we planned to explore Edinburgh," she said, her voice laced with amusement.

I grinned, pulling her closer to shield her from the rain. "It's all part of the adventure, right?" I replied.

For a moment, we stood there waiting for the rain to pass. Diana leaned in close, her lips brushing against mine in a soft, sweet kiss. Rain continued to fall around us, but I didn't feel the wetness. I only felt her and the way she was making me feel in that moment.

Eventually, the rain began to let up. We reluctantly pulled away from each other, our breaths coming fast and shallow. We walked to the bookstore with the light rain falling around us. I pushed open the door, gesturing for Diana to go inside. I followed behind her, immediately feeling like I didn't belong. I wasn't a book reader. I didn't hang out in libraries or bookstores. I couldn't even remember the last time I had been in either.

The air was heavy with the scent of old books and tea. It was very quiet. The ticking of the large clock on the wall sounded like a gong. I wiped the rainwater from my hair and face and followed Diana into the massive bookstore. I assumed the bookstore would only occupy one floor of the building, but I quickly realized it covered all three floors. Diana led me upstairs to the second floor, where the shelves were neatly arranged in rows, forming a labyrinth of literature. She moved down each row, her eyes scanning the titles intently as she trailed her fingers along the spines of books. I stayed a few steps behind, feeling out of place among the towering stacks of stories.

As Diana searched for a particular book, I took in the sights around me. The soft glow of reading lamps illuminated cozy reading nooks, inviting visitors to get lost in the pages of a good book. So far, I had only seen one woman in the store, and she looked to be on her way out.

We went up to the third floor that was a little on the empty side, but the books looked older and more mysterious up there. Diana seemed to be in her element, her eyes alight with curiosity as she perused the dusty shelves. I watched her as she picked out a weathered leather-bound book, its title barely legible on the spine. She turned to me with a smile, holding the book out for me to see.

"This is perfect," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's a rare collection of Scottish folklore and legends. My students will love it."

She continued to browse the books, completely in her element. "I'll be right back," I said.

I made my way to the front desk, where the owner looked bored and exhausted. I didn't hesitate as I reached into my pocket and pulled out a handful of bills, pressing them into his hand.

"Close up shop for an hour," I said, my voice low as I met his gaze. "It's just me and my girl tonight."

"Excuse me?"

"I promise we're not going to take anything," I said. "She's in love with your store, and I want her to have the chance to explore it—alone."

He frowned but eventually nodded. He ushered out the last customer and grabbed his jacket. I watched as he locked up behind them, the click of the lock echoing in the quiet of the bookstore. I did my own thorough check of the first and second floor to make sure we were all alone.

When I found Diana again, she was looking at another old book. Her head popped up. "It's so quiet in here," she whispered. "I love it. I love that there are no computers or phones vibrating."

She could be impressed by the quiet. I was more in the mood for something else. I closed the distance between us, my lips finding hers in a hungry, passionate kiss. The taste of her was intoxicating. I lost myself in the sensation of her soft lips against mine.

She gasped as I pulled her close, my hands roaming over her body as the world fell away around us. In that moment, there was only her and me. She returned my kiss with equal fervor before gently pushing me away.

"We're going to get caught." She giggled quietly.

"No, we're not." I shook my head.

With a mischievous glint in my eye, I took her hand and led her to a secluded corner of the bookstore, hidden from view by shelves of forgotten classics. The dim light cast a romantic glow over us as I pulled her into my arms once again. The sound of rain against the windows mingled with our hushed gasps and whispered promises.

"I asked the owner to leave," I said.

"You did what?"

"Shh." I placed a finger over her lips to quiet her surprise. "I wanted this place all to ourselves," I continued, my voice barely a whisper against the hushed silence of the bookstore. "I asked him to give us an hour. Just me and you and three floors of books. And a lot of couches and chairs."

She looked around as if finally comprehending the fact that we were alone. Slowly, a smile spread across her face, and she relaxed in my arms. "You are full of surprises," she murmured.

I brushed a stray curl away from her face, my fingers lingering on the softness of her cheek. "Only the best for you," I whispered in response.

I kissed her again, letting her know exactly what my intentions were.

"Can we?" she asked breathlessly.

"We can do anything we want," I replied. "Unless you don't want to."

"It's so risky."

"No risk," I promised.

"Do you have a condom?"

I grinned at her. "I carry two wherever I go now. I never know when the mood is going to strike with you. I think I've turned you into a little nymphomaniac."

She grinned. "It's your fault. You're too good in bed."

"You know, we've only actually had sex in a bed a couple of times," I reminded her.

"No reason to start now," she said with a cheeky smile.