Chapter299
When the car finally pulled up in front of a villa at the Summit Springs Resort, it was nearing 5 p.m. The waning winter sun casts a warm glow over the entire area.
As the car came to a halt, Diana woke from her satisfying nap to the sight of the sunset slowly sinking, its afterglow painting half the sky with splendid streaks of red.
"Wow, it's gorgeous!" she couldn't help but sigh in awe.
Douglas, watching her, smiled and leaned over to unbuckle her seatbelt. He stayed close, his hands braced on either side of her, their proximity so close they could nearly share breath.
"We're here. This is where we'll stay for the night."
As Diana took in his handsome face, now inches from hers and marked with a hint of mischief, her heartbeat skipped erratically despite her trying to appear composed. "Is it a single bed or twin bed?"
Douglas chuckled, "One king-sized bed—big enough for you?"
"Plenty just for me." She pushed at him, her tone firm. "You can take the couch or the floor."
With that, she stepped out of the car.
Douglas watched her with a grin plastered across his face, hopping out of the car to fetch their bags from the trunk.
After checking in, the pair made their way to the room.
Douglas had reserved a suite—a bedroom and a separate living room. The sprawling balcony just outside the bedroom boasted a natural hot spring pool that, tonight, would be solely theirs.
Diana quickly looked around the room and then stepped onto the balcony. The setting sun cast a gentle glow on the distant mountains, painting them in warm hues. Despite it being winter, River North, nestled in a subtropical region, remained free of snow, with verdant hills stretching into the distance.
"Should we explore a bit or grab dinner first?" Douglas asked, coming up behind her to wrap his arms around her, his breath warm on her ear.
A shiver ran through Diana at his touch. She turned to face him. "You seem to know this place well. Have you been here with someone else before?"
Douglas pondered for a moment. "What if I told you I had? Would you get jealous?"
She cast a sidelong glance. "Let's take a walk and see."
It would be a shame not to take advantage of such a fantastic natural oxygen bar.
"All right." Douglas nodded and took her hand, leading her outside.
Night falls early in winter. By the time they stepped out, dusk had set in. The quaint lanterns that dotted the mountainside were aglow, casting a beauty entirely different from the sunset's lingering warmth.
A bamboo-lined pathway stretched up the mountainside, lanterns twinkling on either side. Together, Douglas and Diana strolled along it.
As darkness enveloped them and the temperature dropped, Diana, despite being well-dressed, couldn't withstand the nocturnal chill of the mountain, her body shuddering from the cold.
Douglas, walking beside her, noticed her reaction and slipped off his jacket, draping it over her.
"I'm fine, not that cold. Keep it on, don't catch a cold," Diana protested immediately.
But without discussion, Douglas settled his jacket firmly on her, then drew her into his embrace, his eyes crinkling with a smile. "I'm naturally warm. Don't believe me? Feel it."
He grasped Diana's hand and guided it beneath the hem of his shirt.
The cool touch of her fingers against his well-defined muscles made her recoil as if burned. She withdrew her hand quickly, chastising him. "Douglas, stop it!"
"Okay, okay, I'll stop," he complied agreeably, still holding her in his arms. "Let's walk a bit longer, then head back in half an hour for dinner."
"I'm not hungry yet."
"Then we'll eat in an hour. You can't soak in the hot springs right after eating anyway—you need to wait another half hour."
Diana couldn't help but question whether Douglas was indeed Emily's shy, quiet little brother from back in the day - the kid who could barely string together a few words in her presence.
But honestly, it didn't even matter anymore.
What mattered was that no man had ever made accommodations for her like Douglas did. He cared for her and protected her, even though he was younger. That feeling was undeniably pleasant.
"How are we supposed to share this hot tub?" Diana teased him, pretending to be troubled by the thought.
Douglas chuckled, "We can share it, of course."
"And let you have all the fun at my expense? I don't think so," Diana playfully refused, shaking her head.
"All right then. You take a soak, and I'll sit by, pass you drinks, hand you towels, that sort of thing," Douglas quickly compromised, unwavering.
She glanced at him, choosing not to respond, and continued to stroll with him, side by side, through the long wooden corridor.
The now gentle night breeze wrapped around them, prompting Douglas to draw her even closer.
Yet, Diana didn't feel the slightest chill both her body and heart were enveloped by warmth.
...
After reaching the end of the corridor and walking back, they dined in the restaurant and then leisurely returned to their room.
"I'll get the tub ready and fill it up with water. You go change," Douglas said thoughtfully once they were back in the room.
"Okay," Diana nodded, watching him head toward the hot tub on the deck. Then she pulled out the most alluring one-piece swimsuit from her suitcase - which, despite being a connected piece, was made of barely enough fabric to cover the essentials.
Inside the bathroom, she changed into the swimsuit and casually pinned up her hair.
Looking at her reflection, thinking about what might happen later with Douglas, Diana's heart began to race uncontrollably.
Liam had mentioned that Douglas's feelings for her were genuine.
Over the past fortnight, Douglas had indeed been attentive and caring, greeting her office with fresh flowers every morning and often waiting in her apartment with delicious treats in the evening.
Furthermore, he would stock her fridge with groceries and surprise her now and then with tiny, delightful gifts. They might not have been expensive, but Diana could tell they were chosen with care.
Now, it seemed everything was falling into place, naturally leading to her opening up to Douglas.
Diana's mind buzzed with worries: was she merely a passing fancy for Douglas? Would their relationship fizzle out once his curiosity was sated, ending in a painful breakup?
Diana stood in front of the bathroom mirror, lost in thought for a good while. Finally, taking a deep breath, she slid the door open and stepped out.
