A Gentleman’s Offer

by Dara Girard

  She smiled. “Who are you talking to?”

  He returned his gaze to her face. “Fate. Destiny. We haven’t been good friends for a while, but it doesn’t matter now. Nothing matters, except this.” He scooped her into his arms and took her to his bedroom. Once there, he placed her on the bed and unzipped his jeans. “There are a few things you should know about me.”

  “At last.”

  He removed his jeans, revealing a tight pair of dark blue briefs and well-defined thighs. He nodded to her robe. “Feel free to undress while I talk.”

  She leaned back and crossed her legs. “I thought you might enjoy the pleasure.” Yvette let her robe fall off her shoulder revealing the soft glow of her skin against the pink lace.

  “I would, but I might rip something. I don’t think you would want that.”

  Yvette pulled off her robe. “I could always buy another one.” She undid the top of her boudoir, providing a small glimpse of her breasts. “What did you want to say?”

  Nate stared at her as she sat half-naked on the bed.

  “I forgot.”

  Yvette removed some of her clothes then smiled and rested on her side. “You were telling me about yourself.”

  Nate crawled onto the bed and pulled her toward him. She helped guide his hands as he took off her panties.

  “Yes, that’s right. I want you to know something. First, I don’t like to share.” He rolled on his back and wrapped both of his legs around hers. “I can be very possessive.” His hand traced a slow seductive path down her back. “And I always take care of what belongs to me.”

  She wiggled against him. “Don’t you have enough possessions?”

  “Yes, but very few that I prize.” He claimed her mouth again and made it clear how much he prized her, how much he wanted her and how much she now belonged to him. Yvette struggled not to feel overwhelmed by her own warring emotions. In his arms she felt both vulnerable and safe, a conqueror and a conquest. She’d never let herself get this close to a man. She’d always been confident with men who wanted her more than she wanted them, but her feelings for Nate shattered the secure wall that had kept that world at a distance. She’d only let animals this close to her heart and that fact terrified her, but the pleasure of his body soon pushed all fear away.

  His roving lips took claim of her entire body from her chest to her thighs and the sacred space in between. She surrendered completely, aching for release. “Don’t make me wait.”

  “I’m trying to get you ready,” he said in a husky whisper between kisses.

  “I am ready.”

  “Hmm, if you keep touching me like that this may end sooner than you think.”

  “That’s a hint.”

  He didn’t need any further instruction as Yvette invited him inside her. She was tight, but he didn’t hesitate until she let out a light cry of surprise. He halted as though someone had just punched him in the gut.

  “Yvette?” he said a little too quietly.

  “What?”

  “You’re a virgin? Why didn’t you tell me you’ve never done this before?”

  “I didn’t think it mattered.”

  He clenched his teeth. “Of course it matters. I would have done things differently.”

  “I like it just the way you’re doing it.” She continued to move her pelvis in motion with his.

  He squeezed his eyes shut as though in pain and hung his head in defeat. “Fate strikes again.”

  She lightly kissed him. “Nate, I wanted this.”

  He opened his eyes. “Why me?” he asked in a raw voice.

  She smiled, remembering his reply when she’d asked the same question weeks ago. “Why not?”

  He buried his face in her neck. “Dear God.”

  “This isn’t a mistake.”

  He shook his head. “I know, but—”

  She stopped his words with a kiss. “We’re only thinking about now, remember? There’s nothing to worry about. Let’s finish what we started.”

  “I’m going to go slow this time.”

  “Not too slow. I want to enjoy this.”

  “You’re not only going to enjoy this, you’re going to remember it.”

  His words were as good as a guarantee. When he moved inside her with firm but tender thrusts she thought he would slowly drive her out of her mind.

  “Squeeze me,” he said in a deep husky tone. “As though you never want me to leave.” He groaned with pleasure as she tightened around him, the sound mingled with her own soft sigh of release. Neither wanted it to end, each desperate to satiate the primal hunger inside them while also pleasing the other. At last they collapsed in each other’s arms, exhausted, languid and satisfied.

  When Nate opened his eyes the first thing he noticed was that Yvette was gone. The second thing was the number on the digital clock. Two. But it was too bright to be two o’clock in the morning. He leaped out of bed and swore. It was two o’clock in the afternoon! He’d never slept that long. He paused for a moment as the realization hit him. He’d actually slept? There had been no nightmare, no waking up trembling, just pure perfect sleep. He could have wept with joy. He buried his face in his pillow to keep the tears from coming. Perhaps fate wasn’t against him after all. Maybe Yvette was his one reprieve.

  He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Yes, that had to be it. Yvette was the key and no matter how long they had together he was going to enjoy himself to the fullest. He quickly showered and dressed, hoping that by the time he’d finished Yvette would have returned. But when he left the bedroom she still wasn’t there. His disappointment surprised him; he didn’t expect to miss her this much. He cracked his knuckles and swore. He had to get ahold of himself.

  How would she be when she saw him? Would she try to play it cool? Or make what happened last night mean more than it did? None of those scenarios pleased him. But he didn’t want to play games.

  He heard the jingle of keys in the door and quickly flopped on the couch, grabbing a magazine and pretending he was reading, instead of waiting for her.

  “You’re finally awake,” Yvette said, coming into the room with several large bags.

  “Yes.”

  She placed the bags down and sat next to him. She leaned over and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek.

  “That’s an unusual skill.”

  “What?” He turned so she could kiss his other cheek.

  She did, then tapped the magazine. “Reading upside down.”

  He glanced down. “Uh…yes.” He tossed the magazine down, trying to remain casual. If she wouldn’t mention last night, neither would he. “So how was your shopping?”

  “Wonderful.” She rummaged through one of her bags. “I bought you a present.”

  “Really?”

  She pulled out a red-and-black lace teddy. “I bought two, just in case this one gets torn.”

  Nate grinned. He touched the fine lacy material, feeling the knot in his stomach relax. “This won’t last five minutes.”

  She raised a brow. “I plan to find out tonight.”

  “You won’t be disappointed.”

  She wasn’t. They didn’t see much of Paris on their last two days. Instead, they both enjoyed living in the moment—enjoying each other’s company, making love and eating. Before leaving for home Yvette insisted that they visit Bernard to say goodbye.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Nate said packing his bag.

  “We can’t leave without telling him.”

  “He’s a busy man. He won’t mind.” Nate spun around to grab a jacket from the closet, but the quick motion caught him off balance and he had to grab the dresser to keep from falling.

  Yvette rushed up to him. “Are you okay?”

  He shrugged her away. “I’m fine. Just a bit of vertigo.”

  Yvette watched him, concerned. It wasn’t like him to be unsteady. “Perhaps you should stay here and I’ll go see Bernard by myself.”

  “No,” Nate said. “I don’t want
him to…” He sat on the bed and rubbed his hands over his face. “Why are you so stubborn?”

  “I just want to say goodbye.”

  He let his hands fall and sighed, resigned. “Fine, we’ll say goodbye on our way to the airport.”

  Yvette touched his forehead. “You look a little tired. I think you might be coming down with something.”

  He clasped her hand in his. “I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about me. I just have a lot on my mind.”

  Yvette sat on his lap and wrapped an arm around his neck. “If you tell me what it is, I can help you.”

  “I don’t want you to help me; it’s my job to help you, remember?” He kissed her on the lips, then lifted her off his lap. “And I’m going to make sure you enjoy this experience.”

  “I am already. Nate, you don’t have to do much more.”

  He flashed a rueful smile. “Except say goodbye to Bernard.”

  “Yes. Except that.”

  Bernard was sad to see them go and urged them to stay longer, but Nate refused. “She has events to attend in the States.”

  When Yvette left to use the restroom, Bernard said, “I’m happy to see that you’ve finally placed your cake in the oven. She’s glowing.”

  Nate groaned. “You need another saying.”

  “You told her everything, no?”

  “No.”

  Bernard’s good humor vanished. “She cares about you. You will break her heart. You must tell her the truth.”

  “No.”

  “Why not? Are you afraid that she’ll leave you or afraid that she’ll stay? Have you spoken to your father? Or Kim?”

  Nate shoved his hands in his pockets and shook his head. “I won’t hurt her, I promise. I know what she wants.”

  Yvette returned, forcing Bernard to remain silent. He sighed, then hugged Nate goodbye. “I hope I will see you again soon.” He turned to Yvette. “And you must try to look out for him and make sure he doesn’t get into any trouble.”

  “I will do my best.”

  Nate walked to the door. “I’ll tell Aunt Penny and Cathleen you said ‘hello.’”

  “Yes,” Bernard said and waved goodbye as though he’d never see them again.

  Chapter 11

  When they returned back to his sister’s apartment, they spent the first three days locked away.

  “We can’t stay in bed forever,” Yvette said.

  Nate lay on his stomach as she rubbed his back, which he had come to enjoy. Yvette found that he was a lot like James—protective, loyal and eager to please. Fortunately, he didn’t snore. “I can,” he mumbled.

  “I can’t ignore the phone calls. Your aunt called and so did Estelle.”

  “I said we have jet lag.”

  “Jet lag ends eventually.”

  “Hmm.”

  “Plus I have that function I’m supposed to take Queen to, remember?”

  “It’s a stupid dog birthday party.”

  “That your sister wants you to attend. Would you like to tell her that you didn’t go?”

  He sat up reluctantly. “No, but just wait. After attending a few parties here, you’re going to wish you’d listened to me.”

  One thing Yvette did miss was getting a chance to call the shop and make sure things were going okay. She had so much she wanted to tell Lewis and Madlyn, but that would have to wait.

  “It took me three days to decide on the trim,” Mrs. Reynolds explained, examining a crocheted placemat on the buffet, not picking up on Yvette’s expression.

  It had taken Yvette only two seconds to decide the woman was a bore. Fortunately, the house made up for it. Last year it had been featured in Architectural Digest and it still looked photo-worthy. Over the past week, Yvette had readjusted to Michigan time and had become adept at social chat. After the meeting at Ellen’s she’d been given an official stamp of approval, and by disappearing to France for a week, returning and not talking to anyone, interest in her only grew so that when she finally emerged from her self-induced exile, her social calendar was filled with invites. There was the Needwoods’ pet party where King and Queen dressed in costumes, the Hasbringer’s charity auction where she only took Queen and now Ms. Reynolds’s Spring Fling. Each event was grander than the last.

  Yvette walked out to the garden where organza draped metal chairs, green silk cloth covered the tables and fire lanterns hung from the trees.

  Nate handed her a glass. “Bored yet?”

  “No.” She sipped her drink. “Hmm. Delicious. You’re a pro at this valet thing. Have you ever thought of a new line of work?”

  He shook his head, his gaze roaming over her body. “I only like pleasing you.”

  “You’re very good.”

  “I learn fast.”

  He also never left her side. Like a shadow he was always there, but never in her way. She was never without a chair, her food was perfect, her clothes perfect. The satin dress with matching shoes, pearl dinner bag and elegant opal earrings she wore had been laid out for her; all she had to do was show up and enjoy herself. But that didn’t stop her from wanting more. She knew it was a short-term affair, but as the days passed sadness entered. How would she say goodbye? She glanced at Nate and watched as his dark eyes scanned the crowd. She rested a light hand on his arm. “I wish you would relax. You’re my valet, not my bodyguard.”

  Nate tried to smile, but failed. He couldn’t relax. It wasn’t her fault. Yvette was easy to look after. She never requested anything frivolous. She was always enthusiastic and never complained. No matter how boring the conversation, or tedious the evening, she always returned to the apartment with a smile on her face.

  He watched her even when he didn’t want to. He couldn’t help himself. She was beautiful, engaging and real. She cast a magical spell over everyone she met. She was like a breath of fresh air breezing through a room choked with expensive perfume and overinflated egos. He could see how the other women watched her. Some with admiration, others suspicion, and yet others with jealousy. Nate thought about the dangerous waters into which he’d thrown her.

  He knew something was going on. Yvette had been slighted but was too innocent to notice the cool replies and smug glances. But Nate knew and felt them intently. It started with the Needwood party. Somehow they discovered that they didn’t have enough plates for all the guests and to cover up the mistake, and to help save the reputation of the catering company, Yvette pretended to have already eaten and went home hungry that night. Although the dogs ate well. Nate ended up stopping at a diner to get some food. At the Hasbringer’s there weren’t enough chairs. Yvette ended up sitting on a stool at the children’s table. Yvette was unaware of these mishaps but Nate knew the community was sending a message. One evening as he waited outside by the limos, a group of chauffeurs confirmed his suspicions.

  “It’s that new young one they can’t stand,” he overheard one say.

  “Yeah, trying to get in with them,” another added.

  “They’re teaching the poor girl a lesson and she doesn’t even know it.”

  A third piped up. “She’s donated a bunch of money to two organizations that aren’t even real.”

  “She’s just a rich sucker,” the first chauffer said, then they all laughed.

  Nate didn’t find it funny at all. The game would end tonight. He waited to see what minor error would occur. He didn’t have to wait long.

  “Oh, no,” Mrs. Reynolds exclaimed, as though a catastrophe was eminent.

  “What is it?” Yvette asked.

  “The bartender can’t make it. All the guests will be here soon and it will just be awful.”

  “Perhaps you could call another company.”

  She tilted her head to the side. “Didn’t you use to bartend, my dear?”

  “Only for a while,” Yvette said, a little stunned that she had that information.

  She smiled. “A while is better than nothing. Would you mind?” She gestured to the bar.

  She handed Nate her glass. “I
suppose I could—”

  Nate took the glass and Yvette’s arm. “No, you couldn’t.” He turned. “We’re leaving. Now.”

  Yvette stared at him. “But I don’t mind.”

  “I do.” He shuttled her into the house and found where the housekeeper had taken their coats.

  Yvette looked at him, confused. “What’s this all about?”

  “Wait here.”

  “But—” He left before she could finish.

  Yvette stood in the hall, stunned, then she heard a loud scream. She raced to the living room and saw Mrs. Reynolds, her face nearly the color of a pomegranate. “What is this?” she demanded, pointing to the floor. “My antique wood floor is destroyed. You stupid, stupid girl!”

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. Reynolds,” the maid replied. She was a young girl, with ebony skin and short-cropped hair. Yvette looked at the floor, but didn’t see anything.

  “There is an enormous scratch!”

  The girl stood paralyzed. “Perhaps a rug—”

  “A rug! Maybe I should just install carpeting and forget the whole thing.”

  “I didn’t mean to.”

  “I don’t care. Do you know what I will have to do to replace this? I can’t believe you couldn’t move a simple couch without damaging my floors. How many times do I have to tell you to use the utmost care?”

  “But I—”

  “Shut up!” She took off one of her shoes and threw it at the young woman. Fortunately, she was used to Mrs. Reynolds’s outbursts and knew to duck. Unfortunately, Yvette didn’t have that knowledge and the high heel grazed her face. She stumbled back in shock, a stinging sensation spreading on her cheek. She gingerly touched her fingers to her face and when she pulled them away she saw blood.

  Mrs. Reynolds covered her mouth. “Oh, Yvette, I’m sorry, I was not aiming at you. I wanted to…”

  Nate marched back into the room, hearing the commotion. “What’s going on here?”

  “There was a minor accident,” Mrs. Reynolds said, dismissing him.

  But Nate assessed the situation quickly seeing Mrs. Reynolds barefoot and the shoe near Yvette. “You’ll hear from our lawyer.” He adjusted Yvette’s coat and dabbed the small trickle of blood with a napkin he grabbed off a nearby table. Mrs. Reynolds was aghast that he was using one of her possessions.