KILTED DESIRE - Sands of Betrayal (17 page)

“Aye, definitely that was fantastic, the perfect end tae a
perfect day. Thank yer fer my surprise.”

“Thank you, too. Today has been perfect, my best birthday ever.”

They were both very tired. Scott leaned over and turned off
the lamp, then lay on his back. She assumed her normal position snuggling up
next to him with her head on his chest.

“Guid night, Katie, sleep well. I love yer.”

“Goodnight, babe. I love you too.”

It was Katie who woke up first Sunday morning, smiling, and couldn’t
stop looking at her ring. It was beautiful! She was so happy. It was the
happiest she’d been in a long time. She hated the thought they would be saying
goodbye again. It would be even harder than the last time. She kept telling herself
the next three months would go quickly, and then they would be together
forever. Even though she was sad to be saying goodbye, she just kept thinking
that she was so happy! Her mind filled with all that had happened and
especially the ring on her finger.

Katie didn’t know what time they needed to check out of the
hotel, but knew her flight was at 3:00 p.m. Because she was blindfolded, she wasn’t
sure how far the drive was to the airport, but laughed and thought she probably
had enough time, to take a quick bath, while Scott continued to sleep. Warm and
relaxed, her thoughts drifted to her wonderful birthday surprises. Just as she
decided to step out of the tub, Scott awakened and walked into the room.

“Morning, gorgeous. How are yer?” he asked, smiling.

“I’m good, baby. Did you have a good sleep?”

“Aye, I did. Yer should have woken me. I’d have liked tae
take a bath with yer.”

She smiled at him. She knew he was serious.

“I wouldn’t have kicked you out of my bath.”

He laughed and winked at her.

“Are yer hungry?”

“Yes, a little. What time do we have to leave today?”

“We should probably leave here by 10:00. It could take aboot
three hoors or so tae get doon tae Glasgow. I’ll need tae check what time yer
flight is today.”

“Mine is at 3:00. What time is yours?”

“4:30. I knew yer flight left afore mine. So, we will need
tae be oot by 10:00 at the latest, fer sure then.”

“Okay, then we have a couple of hours to spare. Scott, is
there anything you want to do while we are still here?”

“I dinnae care, babe. Was there anything yer still wanted
tae do. Yer the tourist. We could go fer a nice breakfast somewhere if yer want
tae. What would yer like tae do?”

“I saw a sign yesterday for the Loch Ness Visitor Center.
Could we get a quick breakfast and then maybe look around the Visitor Center
for an hour?”

“Of course. Whatever yer want tae do, is fine with me.”

“Oh, that’s great. I’m glad we’ll have time. I’ll hurry and
get ready.”

“I’m going tae take a quick shower. How aboot yer head doonstairs
and see what yer can find tae bring up fer breakfast. Then we can get going as
soon I am oot.”

“That’s even a better idea. I’ll be back with breakfast. Enjoy
your shower.”

“Aye, I will, but nae as much as I would if yer were coming
in with me,” he said, with a cheeky smile.

They didn’t have a lot of time, so, they ate a quick
breakfast in their room, checked out of the hotel and drove to the Loch Ness Visitor
Center. Scott and Katie walked around the visitor’s center, Katie picking up
brochures to show the girls, before they got back in the car and headed south
to Glasgow. Katie insisted they stop at Urquhart Castle. She needed to see it
once again. They pulled into the parking lot so she could have one last look at
the place where Scott had proposed to her. They didn’t have time to walk down
to the castle, so they enjoyed the spectacular view from the parking lot. Scott
laughed, because Katie again got out the camera and snapped another couple of
photos. All too soon, they were in the car heading to the airport. Katie enjoyed
all the scenery, especially what she had missed the previous day by being
blindfolded. She started to get quiet and Scott noticed a slight quake in her
voice when she spoke. The closer they got to the airport, the sadder she became.

“I can’t believe we have to say goodbye again.”

“I know Katie, but we’re a little more than halfway through it
now. It will nae be much longer, we can do it.”

“I know it won’t. I just miss you so much, and I know that
girl has a crush on you.” She said the last part very intently. She shouldn’t
have been jealous but Britney had been on her mind all weekend. She just hadn’t
wanted to spoil things. She felt it was okay to bring her up now, since she was
depressed anyway.

“I think yer wrong, but even if it was true, I am nae interested
in Britney. Yer know that. Yer the only one I’m interested in.”

“Scott, I know how you feel about me, and you know I trust
you! I just don’t trust her.”

“If yer trust me, then what are yer so worried aboot? Plus, I
dinnae think she’s as bad as yer think she is. Besides, she’s just a spoiled
rich girl who’s used tae getting her own way. She’s used tae always getting
everything she wants.”

“Yeah, I think that’s the whole problem. I think she is used
to getting exactly what she wants and she wants you. You haven’t ever seen
anything? She has never done or said anything?”

“Actually, she did hug me once, now that I think aboot it.
It was the day our car broke doon and we had tae walk fer hoors, back tae the
hotel. We were exhausted when we got back. Just after we got back in tae the
room was when she hugged me. But I think she was just tired and relieved that
she was safe. I know she was very scared and tired. It was nae anything I even
thought aboot at the time.”

“You never mentioned anything about that before.”

“I was nae trying tae keep anything from yer. I just didn’t
give it a second thought after it happened. Katie, I’m sorry I forgot tae tell
yer, but I promise I am nae interested in her. Yer must know that by now,
especially after this weekend. Yer the only one I want. I love yer.”

“I know. I’m just down at the moment about a lot of things.
And besides, I know I have to say goodbye to you again, after such an amazing
weekend. It is just very difficult.”

“It is hard fer me too, baby. It kills me having tae say
guid bye again tae yer. What else are yer feeling doon aboot?”

“All the same things. The money problems and I’m still hardly
receiving any child support. And I guess I should tell you, I’m not sure how
much longer we’ll be able to stay in the house before it goes into foreclosure.
My attorney thinks we’ll be fine for a few more months, but it’s still a lot to
deal with.”

“Yer do have a lot of stress aboot lots of things at the moment.
But try nae tae worry too much aboot the house or money reet now. As soon as
I’m finished, yer know I’ll be getting a guid paycheck and we’ll buy that house
yer wanted so bad.”

Scott had some savings but he was not a rich man and if he
wanted to buy the nice house she loved, he needed to take the Baghdad job. He had
wanted to enter a career in physical therapy. But, after he met Katie, his
plans changed. Getting the house was important to her. She wanted a place for
them to start fresh. Soon, it was all going to happen. Scott had given Katie money
to help with some of her bills and other expenses over the last few months. He
had thought it was more help than it obviously was. She had always seemed somewhat
reluctant to take it. He hoped now, maybe it would be different, since he had
proposed.

“Scott, I know you’ll look after the girls and me. I have no
doubt about that. The money just worries me and losing the house. All I know is,
I have to do anything to stay in it, until you get back. I just sometimes feel
like you are taking on all my problems and that doesn’t seem fair to you.”

“There’s nae such thing as yer problems anymore, baby. They’re
our problems now. Yer should know that by now. I love yer.”

“I love you, too. Aww, Scott, you always say the right
things.”

“Aye, that’s my job. Now, let’s just enjoy our last wee bit
of time together. What do yer say? Smile fer me?”

“Okay, I will.”

On the drive back, he drove a slightly different route to Glasgow,
this time along the shores of Loch Lomond. Scott’s alternate route presented much
more dramatic scenery. Since they were slightly ahead of schedule, he parked the
car and they took a short stroll. They walked quietly, hand-in-hand by the
banks of the famous Loch. Like Loch Ness, the hills that surrounded the water
were awash with beautiful purple heather, which created stunning views.  As
romantic as it was, there was only time for a short stop. Soon, they were back
on the road and approaching the airport. The traffic started to build up as
they entered the city. It was Sunday, so it wasn’t too bad, but still more than
back home. After such a beautiful time at the loch, they once again found
themselves in the devastating, but familiar position of saying goodbye and leaving
each other’s arms again. When the last call for Katie’s flight was announced
over the airports PA system, it was again time to kiss good-bye.

“Be strong baby. We will nae be apart much longer. Yer know
I love yer.”

“I know. I’m going to miss you so much.”

“I’ll miss yer, too. Yer do have tae go now, though,” he
said, as he hugged her tightly and gave her one last, long, sensual kiss.

“Yer know I’ll be in touch as soon as I can. Have a safe
trip haem, Katie. I love yer.”

“I love you, too. Please stay safe and call me when you can.
Bye, babe, and thank you again.”

“Yer welcome, baby. I cannae wait tae have yer in my arms
again. Take care of yerself.”

An hour later, Scott was on his way back to Baghdad to
complete the job that he signed up for. He was already missing Katie terribly.
Saying goodbye was by far the hardest part of these short visits, but it was
worth it to see her. All the scheduled flight times worked out well again. He
met Britney in Kuwait on Monday morning and together they took the last leg of
their journeys, back to Baghdad. Britney asked him many times on the flight
what his big surprise for Katie was, but he was tired and wanted to rest on the
short flight back to Iraq.

When they arrived at the airport, they were met by another
guard, and driven to their hotel. Britney asked him again, several times during
the drive, what his big surprise was. Scott was busy talking to the other guard
and he said nothing to her during the drive about his trip. He needed to know about
the security situation over the previous few days; and to know what was
happening throughout the city. The news was not good. Things were not any
better, not that he expected them to be. In fact, it was worse. Al Qaeda had made
an announcement that their group would be targeting non-Muslims in the country.
That was not any ‘different-to-normal’ Scott thought, but it was unusual for
them to make a formal announcement about it. He knew he was going to be on high
alert for the next three months.

“So when are you going to tell me about what you did for
Katie’s birthday?” Britney asked, as they walked into the suite.

“It was a nice romantic visit together in Scotland, saw the
sights, ate some guid food and enjoyed each other’s company. Oh… and I asked
her tae marry me.”

“Really? Wow, well, congratulations. I would presume she
said yes.”

“Aye, she did and thank yer. How was yer luxury hotel?”

“It was great! I actually enjoyed this resort much more than
the other one. I brought a couple of really good bottles of wine and a bottle
of champagne back. Maybe we should open the champagne to celebrate your good
news.”

“Nae, I will nae drink while I’m here. I have tae stay sharp
and alert tae keep yer safe, but please, yer go ahead.”

“Hmmm, maybe one day I’ll persuade you if we have a quiet
day. You do owe me, remember? You did say… anything.” She was already thinking.

“Aye, yer got me there. We’ll see,” he replied. He was
determined to stay focused, but maybe he might have a small glass with her one
day. He knew she was not going to give up or forget about the favor he said he
would do for her. But, he didn’t have time to worry about little things like
that.

His engagement didn’t change Britney’s plans in the least. She
still wanted to seduce him and the fact that he was engaged didn’t worry her a
bit. She was no stranger to anyone involved or married. In fact, the last two
men she was with were married. Over her weekend in Dubai, she spoke with a work
friend in California. There were rumors that the company may abandon plans to
develop their business interests in Iraq, due to the recent events. She was not
sure how true this was, and planned to find out more information. As far as
Britney was concerned, setting up the business here was going very well, but
she knew it was possible that she could be pulled out of the country before her
assignment was complete. Because of that, if she was going to seduce her
handsome bodyguard, she’d have to do it soon.

Later that evening, after Britney turned in, Scott called
Katie.

“Hey, baby. How was yer flight haem?”

“It was good. How was yours?”

“Fine. We’re back at the hotel now. What did everyone think
of yer ring and yer hundreds of photos?” he laughed.

“They thought my ring was gorgeous and I ran right out and
got the pictures printed! Both the girls and my parent’s loved them.”

“How have yer been today? Still a wee bit tired from yer
flight?”

“Yes a little, but not too bad. I just wish you were here.”

“I wish I was there too. I miss yer already.”

“I miss you too, Scott. My dad said, he saw on the news over
the weekend, there were threats made against non-Muslims in Iraq.”

“Aye. I was told that by the other guard when I got back. It
is very unusual fer them tae announce it through the media. But it’s nae really
anything too unusual, or tae be more concerned, since we’re under threat from
these groups every day anyway.”