His Surrogate For Hire

Chapter 7

The spa day was the best experience Diana ever had. With the exception of the twelve minute massage she would have at the kiosk in the middle of the shopping mall, she had never had a truly relaxing experience like the one she had that morning. The massage was a deep tissue that was accompanied by a full body sugar scrub and mud wrap. Her facial was a custom deluxe with an oxygen therapy and she even got a manicure and pedicure afterwards.

Once she made it back to the room, Clay was still not there. She felt like she was floating, the effects of her spa day. Instead of grabbing a late breakfast, Diana decided to take a nap and go for lunch a little later. Those plans were foiled when she went to sleep and did not wake up until early in the evening.

She was to meet Clay for dinner around seven. It was already six. Within an hour, she showered, applied her makeup and dressed in a midnight blue pencil skirt that stopped right below the knee and a black sleeveless top. She slid on a pair of black pumps and pulled her died red hair back into a messy top knot on the crown of her head.

Clay still had not shown up at the suite, so Diana thought they would meet at dinner. She felt confident as she walked down the corridor. It had been a while since she felt that way, but it was beginning to feel more and more familiar.

She showed up to the dining area where there were several private tables, all adorned with fine china and bowls with floating candles. The hostess seated her and offered to bring her a drink. She went ahead and ordered a dry martini she could sip on while she waited for Clay.

He was not too late, only arriving a quarter after the hour. Being late was not his usual, but with getting a last minute call for a project, Diana could understand why he would be a bit tardy.

His face lit up when he saw her. Clay held his hand out to her, beckoning for Diana to stand up. He twirled her around.

“You look sensational.”

“Thank you,” she said, feeling her cheeks warm as she blushed.

Ever the gentleman, Clay pulled her chair out for her to have a seat.

She noticed he was dashing as well, dressed in a white button down, collared dress shirt and a pair of neutral khaki colored slacks. Casual, he looked great and she was happy to see him for dinner.

The waitress came by and took their drink orders, bringing them a fresh bottle of red wine.

“Do you know what you will order?” Clay asked.

“I’m not too sure. Everything looks so good, but I don’t know what I would like to try.” The fact was, some of the entrees were things she had never heard of and she did not want to order something she would not like.

“Is it okay if I order for you?” he offered.

Feeling relief, she told him he could. She watched as he placed their order, so elegant and so comfortable in such expensive surroundings. It was all still so new to her.

Once the waitress was gone, Clay focused all of his attention on her.

“Did you like the flowers this morning?” He grabbed the bottle of wine and poured a glass for him and for her.

Diana tried not to start blushing again. “I did. They were beautiful.”

He raised his glass to her, Diana then picking up her glass and met his. “Yes. They were absolutely stunning.”

A wide grin spread across Clay’s face. “I’m glad you liked them. I wanted to give you a little something so you would know I was thinking about you. I hated that I had to go tackle some work related things this morning at the last minute. How was your spa day?”

She loved the fact that he seemed genuinely interested in her morning. “It was wonderful if I do say so myself. I loved it. Really was amazing.”

“That was what I intended it to be.”

Their food was served and Clay talked her through all of the entrees she was sampling. The entire experience was the best she’d ever had and she wished there was a way to return the favor.

“I found out there is a ballroom here and there is some music and dancing starting in a few minutes. Would you like to go?”

Diana could not believe her good fortune. The night would just go on and on and she wanted to take in every moment of it.

“I would love to. Although I have to warn you, I am not the best dancer.”

They shared a laugh and for Diana, it replaced the fact that she knew at some point, they would have to discuss the kiss. She thought by now, they would have discussed it, but the subject had not yet been broached. Diana was not sure how to even bring it up, so she thought it best to just let the evening flow and have it happen organically.

Clay offered his hand to her, helping her out of her seat. She followed as he led out of the dining room.

“We have a good thirty minutes before the dancing starts. Would you like to take a walk?”

“That sounds like a good idea,” Diana agreed. She was actually stuffed from dinner and did not know how she would whirl around a dance floor.

By the time they made it to the glass doors that led to the gardens, Diana realized Clay had not stopped holding her hand. She did not protest. They strolled slowly, quietly. A few other people had the same idea, to go out and enjoy the night air after dinner.

“So hopefully everything worked out for you at work today.”

He squeezed her hand. “It did. Thank you for showing concern.”

Their walk was quiet. For Diana, the mood was building. She could not help but continue to think about the kiss and it was getting harder to wait for Clay to bring it up. She did not have to wait long.

Clay, full of surprises, pulled her to him and kissed her. His lips, now becoming so familiar and his touch so soft, but firm.

“I have been waiting to do that all night,” he replied, looking in her eyes.

She was speechless. The last thing she expected was for Clay to kiss her like that. So passionately, a man full of desire that she could feel seeping through his lips.

His hand was in the small of her back massaging, kneading. It felt so good, she found herself arching herself into his touch.

“And you finally gave in?”

“I did. I could not resist.”