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I leaned up and kissed his cheek.
“Not that I mind, but what was that for?”
“Because sometimes you’re just far too cute to resist.”
“Sometimes?” I heard him say as I walked away.
He was right that the tub was bigger, but it was also far more luxurious, with multiple jets and two waterfall-type faucets on either side rather than on the ends, where there were built-in headrests.
Zeppelin walked up behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Nice, right?” He dropped his robe to the floor, then reached around me to undo the sash of mine before slipping it from my shoulders. He helped me into the tub, climbed in behind me, then pressed a button.
“What does that do?” I asked when the jets didn’t come on.
“Keeps the water warm.”
He pressed another button, and colored lights came on in the tub at the same time the room lights dimmed.
“Apparently, you’ve made use of one of these before.”
“Every day when I’m at home. Which, unfortunately, isn’t very often.”
I glanced over my shoulder. “You really have one of these in your flat?”
He shook his head. “In my house.”
I realized then how little Zeppelin and I actually knew about one another’s personal lives. “Where is your house?”
“Wargrave, right on the water.”
“That’s far more impressive than me owning a fancy espresso machine.”
“I’ll take you there when we return to England. It’s only an hour’s drive from London. It’s also an hour’s drive from Shere, although not exactly a direct route.” Zeppelin moved my hair and kissed my neck right below my ear. “You’ll love it there.”
“I would? What makes you say so?”
“There are views of the Thames from all the main rooms and floor-to-ceiling, glazed doors that lead out to the deck. The kitchen, which has a one-hundred-and-eighty-degree view, is quite spectacular.”
“It sounds lovely.”
“I’ve realized, though, it’s missing two things that are quite essential.”
“Two?”
“The aforementioned fancy espresso machine.”
“And?”
Zeppelin wrapped his arms around me. “You, there with me.”
I closed my eyes and relaxed against him. It was a nice thought, regardless of how unrealistic it seemed. A fantasy, really.
“That was quick,” Zeppelin said when we heard what sounded like a doorbell ring. He scooted me forward, got out of the water, and put on the robe he’d left on the floor. “Not a peep out of you, understood?” he said, leaning down to kiss me. “I’d rather not cause an international incident by the two of us being arrested.”
Once he walked out, I sunk deeper into the water, wishing he’d turned on the jets before he left. I’d experiment with the buttons, but then the hotel employee would probably guess there was someone in here.
“All set,” he said, dropping his robe in the same place on the floor and rejoining me in the water.
“Which one turns on the jets?” I asked.