Chapter 10
The last lights of sunset were fading in the distance as the plane touched down at the airport in Portland. Dave and Penelope were amongst the first to exit the plane. Dave held her hand tightly as they moved through the airport to the baggage claim.
As they hurried past The Oregon Store Penelope gasped. "Oh! We need to buy trinkets for the team."
Dave smiled patiently. "There are several shops near the hotel. And we can stop here before we fly home if need be."
"Promise?"
He leaned over and kissed her quickly. "I promise."
She allowed him to tug her past The Oregon Store to the escalators. They moved with the rest of the crowd to the bottom floor.
A man in a dark suit holding a sign in front of him that read: D. Rossi waited near the bottom of the escalator. Dave led Penelope to the man and pointed at the sign.
"That's me," Dave said quietly.
"Welcome to Portland, Mr. Rossi," the man said with a slight bow. "Would you like me to grab your bags, sir?"
"Sure," Dave agreed. "We'll point them out."
The three of them waited by the baggage carousel. The man grabbed the bags as Dave and Penelope pointed them out.
"I've never had someone grab my bags before," Penelope stated giddily. "Well, other than Derek."
"Derek doesn't count," Dave smirked.
"If you say so dear," she replied teasingly. They clambered into the back of a long, white limousine and relaxed against the cool leather seats. "Mmm, I could get used to this."
"You will," Dave promised. "From now on it's all champagne and caviar."
She wrinkled her nose. "Eww, no caviar for me."
"Truffles?"
She grinned. "Truffles I can do."
The ride across town was effortless at this late at night. Penelope gazed out the windows trying to take in as much as she could in the darkness. They exited the freeway and crossed the Willamette River on the Burnside bridge.
"Ohhhh! How many bridges are there here?" she asked excitedly.
"There are currently eleven bridges that cross the Willamette River," Todd the driver answered. "Fourteen in Portland if you want to count the three across the Columbia from Portland to Vancouver, Washington."
"That's a lot of bridges," she replied.
"Yes, ma'am," the man smiled toothily. "I'd say it helps in rush hour traffic, but it doesn't."
"Does anything?" Dave cut in.
The man laughed. "Staying home."
Dave and Penelope laughed as well. In a matter of minutes, they pull up in front of a large white and red brick building. Todd got out and opened the door for them before retrieving their bags from the trunk of the car.
Dave led Penelope inside the building where they took in the dark, polished wood interior.
"Ah, Mr. Rossi," the man behind the counter greeted warmly. "Welcome back."
"Thank you," Dave replied.
The man looked at Penelope. His smile deepened. "And you've brought a lovely companion this time."
Dave slid his arm around Penelope's shoulders and pulled her close. "This is my fiancée, Penelope Garcia. This, my dear, is Fred Garrett, the manager of this fine establishment."
"Pleased to meet you," Penelope said graciously.
"And you as well, Ms. Garcia. Welcome to the Benson Hotel."
"It's a little late for you to be here – isn't it Fred?" Dave asked.
"Are you kidding? I knew that David Rossi was coming, of course I was going to be here upon his arrival," the man gushed.
Dave snorted dismissively. "I'm not anyone special."
"Not special," Fred repeated sarcastically. He looked at Penelope and winked conspiratorially. "Do you have any idea what this man has done for his country?"
Penelope smiled. "I am very knowledgeable of his actions, yes. We have worked together for several years."
"Oh," Fred perked up. "Are you an agent too?"
Dave leaned against the counter and spoke softly. "Fred, you really do not want to know what this woman does for a living. In a matter of seconds, she can tell you every detail of your life including the color of your socks and what you ate for lunch. Whatever you do, do not make her upset."
Fred had the good sense to blink twice and not ask questions. "Sounds like a great plan. I have you in your usual suite, is that okay?"
"That's perfect," Dave replied casually.
Fred handed him a set of key cards. "You know where everything is, if you need anything else don't hesitate to ask. I've already sent a message to housekeeping to provide a second set of slippers and a robe. Have a wonderful rest of the evening and I will see you in the morning."
"Thank you, Fred," Dave said as he took the key cards.
"It was nice to meet you," Penelope called out as Dave led her towards the elevator.
Fred smiled and waved.
A bellman joined them on the elevator. He pushed a small cart carrying their bags. They ride to the top floor. Dave and Penelope led the way, Dave unlocks the door allowing Penelope to enter first. He held the door open for the bellman, then entered the room as well.
Penelope stood at one of the windows staring out at the city. The bellman unloaded the bags. Dave tipped the younger man and sent him on his way. He then sauntered across the room and slid behind Penelope.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly as he nuzzled the shell of her ear.
She smiled and leaned back against his chest. "How I wish I hadn't wasted so much time and had told you sooner how I feel for you."
He swayed them gently back and forth enjoying the feel of her in his arms. "Don't dwell on time lost, Kitten. Think about all the things we are going to do now that we are together."
"Mmm," she hummed. "That's a wonderful idea."
"For starters," he murmured. "I know that there is a giant clawfoot tub in the bathroom with plenty of room for two. Shall we check it out?"
"Absolutely," she giggled.
In the bathroom, Dave started the water as Penelope investigated the various bath products. She found one that she liked and poured a generous amount into the tub.
They both undressed and climbed into the large tub. Dave got in first, then Penelope slid in front of him between his leg and rested her back against his chest. The warm water enveloped them as steam rose wistfully into the air. Dave wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes letting the warmth and feeling of her in his arms fill his every sense.
"This is nice," she sighed.
"Mmm," he hummed in her ear.
She moved forward, his grasp tightened.
"Where you going?" he asked.
She giggled. "I'm just shutting off the water, so we don't flood the place."
"Good idea," he murmured as she settled back in his arms.
They stayed there quietly, enjoying their time alone.
"How many women have you bathed with in this tub," she questioned carefully.
"Honestly?"
She nodded, not daring to look at him.
"You're the first," he confided.
"Why do I not believe that?" she asked softly. Her body stiffened in his arms.
"I swear, Kitten. It's the truth."
"Then how did you know it would hold both if us comfortably?"
"Have you seen the size of this thing?" he laughed. "We could practically fit the whole team in it."
"That's true," she agreed. She relaxed against him once again.
"Kitten," he said softly after a few seconds had gone by.
"Uh-huh?"
"We both know that I've had a bit of a lascivious lifestyle and that I've been with, what some may term as a lot of women," he began. "There are going to be a lot of things that you and I do together that I have done with other women. You understand that, right?"
She sat up and twisted around to face him. "I know that." Her voice and her posture take on a defensive stance.
Fight the urge to stare at her wet exposed chest, Dave rubbed her shoulder with his left hand as his right hand cupped her face. "I just want you to know that when you and I do something together, no matter what it is, it's still special to me. I just don't want you to resent the fact that there will be things we do that I've done before."
"I know that too," she said sharply. He raised his eyebrows. She sighed. "This is all so new to me…"
"Everything," he emphasized. "That we do together, is new to both of us. Think about that."
She looked at him, being so earnest, and it made her smile. "I'll remember this as well. I love you."
"I love you too," he grinned. "Now you wanna settle back in before I freeze to death?"
Laughing she maneuvered back into his arms. "You're so dramatic."
They finish their bath as the water cools, drying each other off with the thick, warm towels. Going back into the main room, Penelope crawled into the large king-sized bed as Dave turned out the lights and made certain the door was secure.
Dave joined her in the bed and took her in his arms. "You're the only woman who has shared this bed me," he told her. "How about we break it in together?"
"How about you shut up and kiss me?" she replied sassily.
He did as she asked. The kissing led to caressing which then led to sex. They made love slowly, enjoying each other as the night outside got darker. Eventually, they finished and fell asleep in each other's arms.
End Chapter 10