“A pool,” she said with wonderment.
Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that this building contained a swimming pool. The glass arches on both sides made the room bright and cheerful, and the light bounced happily on the surface of the water.
Being born and raised in Florida, she was no stranger to swimming pools. She had grown up with one and had also had one in the house she had built with Charles. But this pool was on a different level.
She looked around. The walls were made of stone, and the floor appeared to be slate. There were chairs and chaises scattered around the pool, and a door on each side led to the enclosed rooms she had seen from outside. On one side, water bubbled over a rock formation to fall into the pool.
“Do you like it?” Dale asked, uncertainty in his voice.
“Like it? I think it’s wonderful! Absolutely fantastic. Can we swim in it? Is it warm?”
“Yes, to both questions. In fact, I had hoped you would want to join me for a swim. The water comes from a thermal spring, so it stays warm. A few years ago I had this structure built on the site of the spring, to be able to enjoy it all year long. It also became my own personal retreat. I come here when I want to be on my own, away from people and responsibilities.
“There’s a bedroom through that door.” He pointed to the room on the left. “And a sort of drawing room through that one on the right. I use it mostly to read and eat my meals when I stay here.”
“You sleep here sometimes?”
“Oh yes. I have my servants provision it with everything I may need for a couple of days, and then they leave me here alone. I have never shared this place with anyone, but I thought we might spend the night here together. Just the two of us.”
“I would love that. Thank you for sharing this place with me. It is lovely.”
He smiled and took her hand again. “Come, let me show you the bedroom.”
She followed him and entered the room, marveling at every little detail they passed. The bedroom wasn’t as big as the ones in the manor, but it was cozy and bright, with windows on both sides. A massive bed made of carved light wood occupied the center of the room, with a light blue and gold coverlet that matched the curtains and other decor. Two comfy wing chairs occupied the near right corner next to the fireplace, and to her left stood a big armoire made of the same wood as the bed. Everything was opulent but understated and calm at the same time. She liked it.
She could feel Dale’s gaze on her. He watched her reactions. But something else simmered in his look—a heated hunger that stoked a similar fire within her. The sight of the bed only made her think of rumpling it as she tangled with him upon it. But he made no advances, no doubt leaving it up to her to decide what she wanted.
What she wanted, first of all, was to get comfortable. Lifting her hands, she removed the pins from her hair and gave it a little shake until it fell free in loose waves down her back. Then she unbuttoned her riding jacket, starting with the cuffs and then proceeding to the first button on her bodice. Below, she wore only a short chemise and corset. She saw his eyes darken and heat as she removed it and placed it carefully over the back of an armchair.
With a slight smile, she bent to unzip her boots and kicked them off. Her socks went the same way. Dale still watched, reminding her of a lurking panther, poised and ready to pounce. She was a willing prey.
Next, she put her hands to the waistband of her pants and flicked open the buttons there. When the waistband gaped, she shimmied her hips to let the pants fall to the ground in a heavy swoosh of fabric, and she stood before him clad only in her short chemise, corset, and modern panties.
He snapped. With a low growl, he swooped in.
CHAPTER 40 - The Honeymoon
