“Amsterdam isn’t famous for their wine, more so the beer,” Tyler murmured after the waitress left.
Lena grinned. “I don’t mind wine every now and then, but I’m much more of a beer girl.”
“Really?” His gaze turned pensive. “It’s a good thing we’ve only got two days together. Otherwise I could fall for you.”
She bit her lip, ignoring the flutters his comment caused in her stomach. It was all just flattery of course.
She grabbed one of the warm breadsticks that had just been delivered to their table. “Two days. So you got all your work done in only three days?”
“No, I was here before you and Stephanie arrived. I’ve been working my butt off to get a branch of our office set up here. I basically attended a bunch of meetings and did a lot of paperwork—which I finished the last of this morning.”
“Sounds fun.” She nibbled on the parmesan-covered bread. “What kind of work do you do?”
His gaze didn’t leave her mouth as he answered, “I can’t answer that, remember? Too personal.”
Crap. She winced and gave a small shake of her head. “Am I a hypocrite or what? I’m sorry. I forgot.”
He winked. “Just don’t let it happen again.”
The dinner arrived then, and the conversation went quiet as they dug into their food.
Tyler twirled his fork through his pasta and lifted it to her mouth. After a slight hesitation, she parted her lips and closed her teeth around the fork. A second later she closed her eyes and groaned in satisfaction.
After swallowing the bite she murmured, “Wow. That is delicious.”
Keith never indulged in such romantic notions like feeding her food and, wow, had she missed out. Sort of like Lady and the Tramp, only a whole lot sexier.
“Did Stephanie catch a flight out last night?”
“She did. And she wasn’t very happy either. Especially after she heard I would be going after you.”
“Jealous?” His mouth curled into a smile.
“No, I wouldn’t say that. She was worried about me.” Lena grimaced. “Sorry, Tyler, but in Stephanie’s world you would have just been a tally in her diary.”
“Ouch.”
She laughed. “So, do you want dessert?”
“Yes. Lena a la mode.”
His words made her hand jerk, and a loosely anchored tortellini flew off her fork and across the table. Tyler raised an eyebrow at her as he retrieved the lone pasta.
Her cheeks warmed. She was more than a little excited by his sensual teasing.
She licked her lips and met his gaze. “Then you’d better hurry up and finish your dinner.”
Tyler opened his eyes, the sleep in his body ebbing away. The memory of last night and the passionate sex after their dinner still lingered. He smiled, rolling over and reaching for Lena. The bed was empty.
He jerked upright and looked around the room. Empty. Had she left? The thought had just crossed his mind when he heard the shower running.
He leaned back against the pillows, annoyed at the sense of relief. She would leave today. He’d known that. His sexy little fling was leaving, and soon their time together would become just a memory.
He’d understood what she’d wanted, had been more than happy to comply with her demands. But, damn it, he hadn’t expected the time to go by so fast. He scowled. Funny how she’d been the one worried about getting attached.
The shower stopped and a moment later the bathroom door opened as she emerged with the cloud of steam.
Her hair was slick against her head, a towel tucked around her tempting curves. She gave him a tentative smile, as if she might be sharing some of the same emotions.
“Hi. You woke up.”
“Yeah. So what time do you have to leave?”
“My flight is at three.” She adjusted her towel and went to pull a pair of panties from her suitcase.
“That gives us just enough time to go for a boat ride in the canal. You up for one?” He surprised himself by the suggestion, but he couldn’t send her away just yet. Everything within him told him to delay it for as long as possible.
She gave a quick nod, her relief obvious. “Right. I can’t leave Amsterdam without a ride on the canal. Let me just dry my hair and get dressed.”
He climbed out of the bed. “I’ll just grab a quick shower first.”
They walked along the river but didn’t touch each other. Lena sighed, wondering if he had the same motives she did for keeping their distance. She thought it would be less painful if they eased their way into letting go.
Winter being the off-season in Amsterdam, the boat they climbed into was empty, save for the driver. Lena settled into her seat and found herself tucked up next to Tyler.
The man who piloted the boat glanced back at them with a grin before pulling it into the middle of the river.
“I am Hans. You are Americans, no?”
Lena smiled. “Yes, we are. I’m Lena, and this is Tyler.”
“I am pleased to meet you both.” Hans guided the boat under a bridge and nodded. “You are beautiful lovers. You will be married soon?”
Lena choked, and Tyler gave her an amused glance, taking her hand into his.
“No marriage plans yet,” he said.
Lena gave him a sharp glance, relieved when he winked. “I’ve been trying to talk her into it for months now, but she’s a stubborn girl.”
The tension eased from her body. To indulge the romantic guide, she’d play along.
“I’d marry him, but he snores terribly, and his feet smell like dead fish.”
The guide laughed and muttered something in Dutch.
Tyler turned to her. “Do my feet really smell?”
“Well, you haven’t seen me licking your feet, have you?” she teased.
He scowled. “I’m calling bullshit. And I do not snore.”
She giggled and relaxed a little more. She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he slipped his arm around her. Why not? How many times would she be in Amsterdam, sitting by a sexy guy who gave her the best orgasms of her life?
Okay, and why did just thinking that make her a little sad?
Conversation dwindled as they took in the scenery and enjoyed the ride.
The whole thing just seemed so romantic. Maybe because they were in Europe, but still…somehow she got the impression even if it had been Keith beside her—and he hadn’t been a cheating bastard—the romance factor would have been non-existent.
She rested her hand on Tyler’s thigh and tried to smother out the unhappiness seeping in. Not to mention the anxiety.
She was going home today. Home to her normal life. Then again, define normal. Was being betrayed by the man who you supposedly loved normal?
Not that you’re any better now. The thought ran through her head, making her uneasy. But she didn’t regret it. Not for a moment. And she would walk away with a wonderful memory.
Tyler stroked the back of her neck, and she turned, lifting her face toward him and giving a brief smile.
“Thank you for the past couple nights, Tyler. I’ll never forget them.”
He glanced down at her, his expression unreadable. “They were for you. I wanted to give you everything you wanted out of these couple days. Mind-blowing sex and more.”
A sad smile curled her lips. “You did.”
His fingers tightened, and she wondered if he wanted to say more, but instead he leaned forward and dropped a kiss on the top of her head.
She bit her lip as it trembled, and blinked back the sudden tears in her eyes. What on earth was wrong with her? Strictly sex. That’s what she’d wanted. She needed to get her ass on the plane as soon as possible.
“Ja.” Hans nodded from where he sat. “I think you two will last many years together.”
Neither of them answered. Tyler’s hand withdrew from her neck, and Lena shifted so she could put a small amount of space between them. Suddenly she needed it. Might not want it, but she knew she needed it.
She sighed and mentally geared herself up to go home.
They arrived at the airport not long before her flight. Lena checked in, knowing she was already late, and turned to Tyler.
“What do I say?” Keep it light, Lena. “You’re nice on the eyes, great in bed, and a fabulous tour guide.” She forced out a laugh. “Thank you, Tyler. I had a fantastic time.”
Tyler nodded, his mouth twitching as he shoved his hands in his pockets. “Ditto on all of that.”
“Except for the tour guide part. I would have been lost without you.”
She realized the double meaning in the statement the moment the words left her mouth. Heat stole into her cheeks. “That came out kind of intense. I meant…I only wanted—”
He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her against him, then brought his mouth down on hers, fierce and possessive.
She parted her lips and let his tongue take control of hers. She groaned, wanting to savor this final taste of him.
How was this possible? Despite her own efforts, she’d still gotten a little attached to him.
He pulled back after a moment and took a deep breath. “There. Now that was a proper good-bye.” His smile seemed tight. “Now, go or you’ll miss your flight.”
And then he left her. Lena sat down in one of the plastic chairs, not quite ready to check in for her flight. She buried her face in her hands, trying not to think about going back to reality. Back to everything as it had been before—in all its appalling glory.
Her stomach churned.
Keith was still in Maui and wouldn’t be back for another week. At least that was the impression Keith’s mom had given her. One week of analyzing their relationship. To decide whether they should get counseling and continue with the marriage plans, or call off the whole thing.
Stephanie had all the luck to be in the Caribbean. Why hadn’t she considered taking up Steph’s offer to use the apartment in Paris?
Maybe it wasn’t too late…
“Ma’am? Did you need to check in?”
Lena blinked and looked up at the airline employee behind the counter.
“Check in?”
“Yes, check in,” he repeated with obvious patience. “Where are you flying to?”
She paused and then gave a slow shake of her head. “No where, at the moment.”
“I’m sorry?”
“No. I’m sorry.” She turned on her heel and ran through the airport.
Her legs pumped hard, and her breath came out ragged. She caught him just as he was climbing into a taxi.
“Tyler!”
He paused and glanced around, a frown marring his face.
“Tyler,” she screamed again, running toward him.
He caught her just before she slammed into him like a tornado and held her a couple inches away.
“Lena?” His eyes narrowed with concern and another emotion she couldn’t name. “Is something wrong, what happened?”
“I…I need to ask you something.” She struggled to get a breath in, still winded from the run.
“What? What do you need to ask me?” He glanced over her shoulder into the airport. “Lena, you’re going to miss your plane. What are you thinking?”
“I’m not. I’m not thinking at all.” She gave an uneven laugh as she looked up into his eyes. “I’m going to Paris, and I want you to come with me.”
Chapter Six
Tyler’s grip on her elbows tightened. “You didn’t get on your plane?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Lena, you just missed your plane home.”
“Deliberately missed it,” she emphasized. “Look, I’m not going home right now. That’s why I didn’t get on that flight. Did you hear the question I asked you?”
“Yes, I did.” He turned to the taxi driver and waved him on to another waiting customer.
“And?” Trying to think about how nuts she had to be right now, she waited, her breath locked in her chest.
“Lena, it’s an amazing offer.” He hesitated. “I would love to go to Paris—especially with you. But I’m scheduled to be back at work in a couple days. Back at work in New York.”
“Oh. Right. I-I didn’t even think of that. I’m such an idiot.”
Turning away from him, she walked over to a bench by the windows and sat down, pressing her trembling fingers against her knees.
“You’re not an idiot.” He came and sat beside her. “The timing is just a little off.”
“Of course.” She shook her head. Try and salvage a little pride here, girl. “I know it was a real last-minute decision. Completely spontaneous.”
“I think it’s great. Spontaneity makes life more exciting.” His words seemed to be a poor attempt to comfort her.
“Okay. But I still come out looking like a moron.” So much for pride.
“You’re not a moron. So, what are you going to do now?”
“What am I going to do?” Lena frowned. “Well, I’m going to go to Paris, of course.”
“Alone?” His eyebrows shot up.
“Well, you can’t come with me, and unless I happen to meet another hot guy that I want to take to Paris… Then I guess it’s just me.”
He made a quiet harrumph, not looking thrilled. “Don’t pick up a strange guy. You might get into trouble.”
“Hey, you were a strange guy.”
“Point taken, but still, I don’t like that visual of you picking up a stranger. Have you got a place to stay?”
“I do. Stephanie rented an apartment in the city, and she’s given me free use of it for the next week and a half.” Here tone lightened. With or without Tyler, she still planned on going to Paris. “You know what? This is going to be wonderful.”
“I’m jealous.”
“And you should be. You need a real vacation where you don’t have to work all the time.”
“Yeah, that’ll be the day,” he admitted and thrust a hand through his hair. “Well, Lena, have a good time in Paris. Maybe I’ll see you around some time.”
No, he wouldn’t. And they both knew it. She sighed and gave him another searching look.
“Hey. I, umm, hope I didn’t just make things weird with this whole running after you bit.”
Tyler laughed and pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. “No, you didn’t make anything weird. You made me lose my taxi, but nothing’s weird. Actually, I’m flattered.”
“Good. You should be.” Her pulse skipped at his touch. “Well, take care of yourself, Tyler.”
“You too.” He stood and gave a small salute, and then turned to wave down another taxi.
Go get your luggage, you idiot. She stood up and headed back into the airport, hoping her luggage was where she’d abandoned it.
She pressed the back of her hand against her forehead, trying to ignore the lump of disappointment in her throat. A few minutes later she found her luggage in the same spot, but with a security official glowering at her and waiting to give her sharp reprimand.
She debated getting on a flight to Paris, but decided to take a train there tomorrow. That would be cheaper. Which meant she’d be spending another night here, and she didn’t have a room. Visions of showing up at Tyler’s hotel room weaved through her head, but she quickly dismissed them. There was no way she would embarrass herself in front of him again today.
She’d just check into the small hotel that she and Stephanie had used before.
Lifting the suitcase off the ground, she turned to head toward the exit and rammed into somebody.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Lena glanced up, then stepped back, her mouth open in shock.
“You know, I don’t really remember Paris.” Tyler plucked her suitcase from her hand. “I partied too much and wasted my time trying to pick up cute French girls.”
“Is that so?” Her heart pounded, and her smile felt big enough to leave cracks on her face.
“Yeah. Come to think of it, I don’t remember the last real vacation I took. I’ll call my office in New York and let them
know I’ll be staying for some vacation time.”
“And you can just do that?” Lena raised an eyebrow.
“Of course.”
“You’re that powerful?”
“I make people tremble with fear.”
“You make me tremble,” she admitted. “Although not with fear.”
Tyler paused, whatever he’d been about to say apparently forgotten. He laughed and shifted his weight to his other foot.
“When are you leaving for Paris? Tonight?”
“No, I want to take a train and see the countryside. It leaves tomorrow.” Her smile turned wry. “I’d offer to buy your ticket, but then I’d have little left to shop with.”
“I can buy my own ticket, sweetheart.” He steered them outside to where a taxi waited. “And if you’re good, maybe I’ll buy you something in Paris.”
“Hmm, how good?” She glanced at the protective hand that he’d settled on her hip. “That must be some job back in New York.”
He gave her a brief glance. “I guess you’ll never know. That is, if you want the same rules to apply in Paris as in Amsterdam.”
“Oh. Right.” Did she still want that? No…but yes. It’d have to be that way to be safe. To protect her heart. “Silly me. What on earth was I thinking?”
“I don’t want to know anything about you.” He quoted her earlier words.
The taxi pulled away from the curb and sped off toward the city.
“You’re just using me for sex?”
He leaned over and kissed her hard, his fingers threading into her hair. “Does that answer your question?”
She glanced up at him through her lashes and managed to whisper, “I can’t wait, stranger.”
Tyler came out of the bathroom and paused in front of the mirror, rubbing his hand over the stubble on his cheek. He stifled a yawn and splashed some water on his face to wake himself up.
They’d stayed up almost all night eating Chinese food, chatting and watching a movie on the hotel television. Not to mention more amazing sex.
Foreign Affair Page 6