Hardin Scott has been madly in love with Tessa Young since the moment he first laid eyes on her, but there's no way she could ever see him as anything more than a friend. After all, he's a bad boy with a promiscuous past and she's a sweet and innoce...
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While I'm waiting for Hardin to return, I decide to start setting up my first surprise. I place our candles in the bathroom next to the bathtub and grab the bottle of bubble bath. Before I can finish, Hardin walks through the door.
"Tess?" Hardin calls out.
"Just a second!" I shut the door to the bathroom and walk toward Hardin. "Hardin? What's wrong? Where did you go this time?"
"Um, I went to ask Betty to have our dinner brought up to our room. I know you were excited about meeting the other guests, but I feel like we've barely had any time together since we got here."
"Oh. That's fine, Hardin, but why are you upset?"
"I ran into that dreadful woman again," he huffs.
"The rude, judgmental one?"
"Yeah, that one," he says angrily.
"What happened this time?"
"Pretty much the same thing as last time. She said I was in her way, then she scoffed at my clothes and tattoos before rolling her eyes at me and walking away with her nose stuck in the air."
"Oh, Hardin... Try not to take it personally. She clearly doesn't know how to treat other people with respect."
"It's still hurtful. I never cared how others looked at me, until I started dating you. I just know they think we don't belong together."
"It doesn't matter what others think. You're stuck with me, Mr. Scott," I say as I take his hands in mine and look directly into his emerald eyes.
"I love you, Miss Young... soon-to-be Mrs. Scott."
"I love you, my sweet, gentle Hardin. And I have a surprise for you after dinner."
"To hell with dinner. I want it now!" Hardin picks me up and throws me over his shoulder.
"Put me down!" I roar with laughter. "You'll see it after dinner!" I continue to laugh.
"Fine, but you better eat fast," he warns before putting me back down.
Within minutes, there's a knock at the door and our dinner is delivered to us. Hardin rushes through it, but I take my time.
"Are you almost done, Tess?" Hardin asks impatiently.
"Gosh, do you want me to get the hiccups? You know that happens when I eat too fast."
"No... Although, you are cute when you're hiccupping." He chuckles.
"Okay, I'm done."
"Great! Let's get to my surprise," Hardin says eagerly.
"Okay, follow me." I lead him into the bathroom. "We're taking a romantic candlelit bubble bath together."
"Tess, that's a great idea." He gently tucks my hair behind my ear.
"And now I finally get to find out what scent you used in your candle. I bet you would have made it smell like leather if you could have." I giggle. I take a match and light both our candles before smelling Hardin's.
"What do you think?" Hardin smiles.
"You made it smell like lilies?"
"Just for you... sweetheart."
"Aw, a black candle with a crooked wick that smells like lilies, just what every girl wants," I tease.
"I'm glad you like it... honey."
"Okay, that has to stop!"
"What?" Hardin chuckles.
"I want you to call me baby again. I miss it."
"But I'm banned." He shrugs.
"You're officially unbanned! Say baby all you want, talk about knocking me up and all the grandchildren you're going to give your mom. Just please call me baby again," I beg.
"Whoa, Tess. Calm down." He chuckles.
"No. I want you to call me baby again." I pout.
"Okay, okay. Come here, baby," he says and opens his arms to me, giving me the tightest hug. "Now, how about that bubble bath?"
"Oh, yeah. Just give me a minute." I start to fill the bathtub with warm water and add the bubble bath.
"Allow me," Hardin offers and begins to undress me before helping me into the tub. He quickly undresses himself and then joins me.
"This brings back memories..." I say as I fondly remember our time at the cabin.
"Do you miss the cabin, Tess?"
"I do. I hope we can go back there one day."
"We will, baby, we will," Hardin assures me.
As I'm sitting and enjoying the relaxing warmth of the bubble bath, I feel Hardin begin to draw on my back. "What are you doing?" I giggle.
"Guess what I'm writing, Tess."
"Um... I don't know. Write more slowly!"
"One more chance!" Hardin starts to draw on my back again.
"Um... That says... 'marry me'. Hardin... I already said yes."
"I know you did. It wasn't a question this time. It was more like a demand. Hurry up and marry me already."
"What are you going to pester me about once we're finally married with kids?"
"I'm sure I'll come up with something." He chuckles.
After soaking in the bathtub for twenty more minutes, we finally get out and get dressed.
I move on to getting ready for Hardin's second surprise. "Hardin, take off your shirt and lie down on the bed," I demand. "On your stomach!" I add.
"What? Why?"
"I'm giving you a massage! I even brought these!" I say as I proudly show off the massage oils I packed for us.
"You're really spoiling me, Tess." Hardin smiles before doing as I asked.
I get on the bed and straddle his body before applying some oil and starting to massage his shoulders. "Does that feel good?"
"Mmm-hmm," he moans.
I continue to massage his arms and then his back.
"Baby... that feels heavenly."
"Just wait until you see what I have planned next," I say seductively.
"There's more? You're the best fiancée ever."
"I know." I giggle. I continue to add a little bit more oil as I work my way back up to his shoulders and neck. "Okay, Hardin, are you ready for your final surprise?" I ask seductively. "Hardin?" I repeat.
When Hardin doesn't answer me, I lean down to look at him. He's passed out and snoring with the most peaceful look on his face. "Oh, Mr. Scott, you're going to hate yourself for falling asleep come morning." I giggle.
I gently move off Hardin and take a moment to admire his peaceful expression before covering him up and kissing his temple. "I love you, my not-so-grumpy Hardin."
