Chapter 35

HUDSON

We both got ready for the last night of our whirlwind getaway. We were both exhausted and exhilarated. Tonight, we were going out for a nice dinner at an upscale restaurant in Edinburgh. We had been enjoying the local cuisine, but it was always on the fly. We hadn't really sat down and enjoyed a nice dinner. I wanted to treat her to a nice dinner with wine and appetizers.

She walked out of the bathroom wearing the dress I had bought her during our shopping spree earlier in the day. "Stunning," I said.

"Thank you." She smiled. "For the compliment and for the dress. It cost way too much."

"But you look priceless," I reassured her, my eyes sliding appreciatively down the curves of her body, taking in the cut of her dress. I crossed the room and offered her my arm. "Shall we?"

She linked her arm with mine. "We shall."

We made our way outside. The weather was a little cool after another bout of rain earlier. We walked to the restaurant, hand in hand. I looked at her and marveled at how our connection had grown so quickly. I felt like I had known her my whole life.

We had been exploring the city by day, visiting historical sites and getting lost in small alleyways and little shops. The nights were ours, filled with passion and laughter. She might be new to the sex thing, but she was a willing student. And a quick learner. She blew my mind with how responsive her body was. I was convinced she had been built just for me.

We walked into the restaurant I had called yesterday to make reservations. "Bancroft," I said. "Table for two."

The ma?tre d' looked at the screen. I could tell by his expression this was not going to go well. "I'm sorry, but I don't see your name."

"I called yesterday," I said in a tight voice.

"I'm so sorry, we don't have your reservation and I'm afraid we don't have a table available for you. We have a table for you tomorrow."

I could feel frustration bubbling up inside me, threatening to boil over. "We won't be here tomorrow. We're here now."

Before I could say anything more, Diana placed a calming hand on my arm.

"It's okay, Hudson," she said, her voice soft but firm. "These things happen when you travel. We'll find somewhere else to eat. Thank you, sir."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to let go of my irritation. We left the restaurant and stood outside on the sidewalk. "All dressed up and nowhere to go," I muttered.

"There's a pub," Diana said. "We can get dinner there."

It wasn't the fancy restaurant we had originally planned to dine at, but it was better than nothing. We walked in, her in a pretty dress and me in my slacks and tie. We stuck out like sore thumbs.

The pub was alive with the sounds of laughter and music as Diana and I settled into a cozy corner booth. The smells of roasting meats and simmering stews wafted toward us, making my stomach grumble in response. It wasn't quite the fancy dinner I had planned, but I supposed it was good enough. A young waitress with bright red hair and a friendly smile came over to take our order.

"Two Guinnesses and let's have the shepherd's pie," I ordered. I looked at Diana, realizing she might want something else. "Is that okay?"

She grinned. "Sounds perfect."

As we waited for our food, we were treated to some live music. A local band was setting up on a makeshift stage at one end of the pub.

Big glasses of dark liquid were delivered a minute later.

I raised my glass, trying to tell myself to be happy I got to dine with her at all. "To cheap food and strong beer."

Diana laughed and clinked her glass with mine. "I consider this an authentic experience. We can eat a stuffy dinner at a fancy restaurant back home. When are we ever going to get to eat dinner at a Scottish pub?"

I grinned. "Good point."

The pub was bustling. On stage, traditional Scottish songs were played. It wasn't long before we were tapping our feet in rhythm. Our food arrived soon after. The shepherd's pie was steaming hot. We dug into the savory pie, the flavors of the meat and vegetables melding perfectly with the creamy mashed potatoes. We sipped our beers to wash it all down. I had to admit, it was nice to just chill. I supposed the best plans could turn out to be the ones you least expected.

"It's good, right?" she asked.

"Yes, it's good."

"I think this tastes better than anything else we would have ordered at the other restaurant," she said.

"Alright, alright." I smiled. "I concede. But I am going to take you out to a nice dinner. You, me, a dress like that, and a long night."

"I think that could be arranged." She grinned.

The music started up after a short break. It was a lively Scottish jig that had the entire pub tapping their feet. I felt a surge of adrenaline. Maybe it was the Guiness or the fact it was our last night, but I suddenly had to dance.

"Let's dance," I said.

"What?" she asked. "I don't know how to dance to this."

I grabbed Diana's hand and swept her into my arms, twirling her around the dance floor with reckless abandon. I had no idea what we were doing but it felt good to just move.

We laughed and danced until our legs ached and our cheeks were flushed. "I need a drink," Diana said.

We ordered two more glasses of Guiness. "This is fun," she said.

"It is."

We danced a while longer before deciding we had enough dancing. As we walked hand in hand back to our hotel, the glow of the streetlights casting long shadows on the cobblestone streets, I realized I didn't want to go home. I liked jet-setting with her.

"Are there any other places you want to see?" I asked her.

"Lots," she replied.

"We could extend our trip," I offered.

She grinned. "Tempting, but I'm not sure."

"Will you come to a Bancroft family dinner with me when we get to New York?" I asked her.

I couldn't even explain what prompted me to ask her. I wasn't even planning to go, but I suddenly wanted her to meet my family. Rather, I wanted my family to meet her. I wanted them to see I could land a good woman. That I had changed.

"Of course I will," she replied, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'd love to meet your family."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for this incredible woman that had come into my life on a dark, rainy night. She was everything I had ever dreamed of and more. I knew I would do anything to make her happy.

"I'm going to spoil you when we get back home," I said. "I'm going to treat you to a spa day. The best spa in the city."

"Why?" she asked.

"Because we've been on the go for two weeks," I said. "You deserve to unwind. It's your vacation before you have to get back to school and the daily grind."

She laughed as we stepped into the hotel lobby. "Oh yes, all this exciting travel has really worn me down. I mean, the private jet has just been a terrible burden."

I put my arm around her, holding her close. "But you are supposed to be relaxing," I said. "Before you have to get back to teaching a bunch of kids. I want to spoil you. I want you to be pampered to the point where you can hardly stand it."

"But luxury is just not something I'm used to," she said, smiling up at me. "I'm the girl that gets muddy and wears jeans most of the time."

"Well, I want you to get used to it. I want the world to know that I've got you and I'll take care of you."

Diana looked up at me. "You do know how to make a girl feel special," she said.

"That's the plan," I replied. "You're special to me."

"Maybe we could have our own spa night," she said in that seductive way.

"What do you mean?"

"We have that big tub, big enough for two." She smiled. "We can order a bottle of champagne and maybe some fresh strawberries."

"Whipped cream?" I asked with a goofy smile.

"If that's what you want."

"Do I get to give you a massage?" I asked.

"I could rub your back," she offered.

"And I could rub all of your body parts," I returned.

Diana giggled and playfully batted my arm. "We'll see about that."

We walked into our suite and Diana wasted no time running the bath while I called down to order room service.

A few minutes later, the doorbell rang, and two heavy trays of room service were delivered. I thought dessert was warranted to go with our last night in Scotland.

I opened the bottle of champagne and poured two glasses. I carried the glasses into the bathroom. Diana was wearing a bathrobe, her hair piled on top of her head.

"It smells good," I said.

She turned around, taking the glass of champagne. "It's lavender," she said. "Or heather. I don't remember."

I looked at the tub filled with bubbles.

"You look scared." She laughed.

"I don't know if I've ever taken a bubble bath," I said.

"Oh, you are in for a real treat." She grinned.

She put her champagne glass on the edge of the tub and untied the belt on her robe. I watched as it fell open, teasing at first until she let it drop from her body.

I watched with my jaw hanging on the floor as she dipped her toe in the water. She stepped into the tub and slowly sank down, her beautiful body covered by the bubbles.

She picked up her champagne and took a sip. "Are you getting in?" she asked. "The water is great."

I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding in my chest. This was a moment I'd never forget. I started to undress while she watched me. I took my time, teasing her with every button I undid. She looked at me like I was the only man in the world. I hoped that was the case. She was the only woman I saw.

I took a deep breath, my gaze never leaving hers. My clothes were strewn haphazardly on the floor. The room was filled with anticipation as well as a certain warmth that radiated from the tub.

"You look nervous," Diana said, her tone teasing and playful.

"Not at all," I said.

I stepped into the water, wincing. "Damn, that's hot."

"You can't take a cold bubble bath."

I stepped in behind her, sinking into the hot water. She scooted back, her back resting against my chest. I picked up my glass of champagne and took a drink.

"I think I understand why you ladies like your bubble baths," I said.

She laughed, a sound that I was becoming more and more enamored with. "Just wait until you get the full experience."

With that, she leaned forward to grab something from the side of the tub. She held up a sponge in one hand and some sort of liquid soap in the other. "Ready for your first bath massage?"

"I suppose," I said, trying to sound nonchalant despite my excitement.

She managed to turn around, her knees pulled up. I watched as she poured some of the soap onto the sponge and then started to gently rub it on my chest, creating a lather. I could feel her fingers pressing into my skin and moving in slow circles. A sigh escaped me.

"There you go," she murmured. "Lean back and relax."