by L. C. Giroux
"But I don't even know what I am eating?"
"That is better, non? Close your eyes, just let the taste guide you." He gave her a hard stare.
"No tricks, La Reine. I do not want noodles up my nose."
"Eugh, I only did that once and I was eight years old. I cross mon coeur, no noodles up your nose. Now close your eyes, this will be fun." He looked at her again and she tried to look as innocent as she could. He must have accepted her promise because he closed his eyes and opened his mouth slightly. She couldn't help but smile. She wanted to throw her arms around him for giving her this chance.
"This is some soup, I'll blow on it so it is not too 'ot for you." She cooled it off enough and then held the spoon to his lips. "What do you taste?"
"Mmm, chicken broth, lemon grass, butter, other things I couldn't even name."
"Now try it with your eyes open." She repeated blowing on it and spooned it into his mouth. "Does it taste different?"
Actually yes, much better the first time. Each of the flavors stood out, this time it was still delicious but all of the flavors ran together some how."
"That is why it is better to taste wine with the label concealed. It is not just to hide the name, oui? Now close your eyes again and I will feed you some more."
"You will keep your promise?"
"Oh, you are impossible! Yes, I will keep my promise." He smiled at her and she saw that flash of fire again. "Allain, why do we fight with each other?" He looked stunned at the question.
"I don't know, we just always have. From the moment I met you and you told me my English was ugly. You were, five years old, maybe six. You took an instant dislike of me."
"Oh, that is not true. Well, I was an enfant terrible then but why do we fight now?"
"It is just what we have always done."
"I want to stop fighting, I would like to know more about you, just you, not Violet's brother or the head of the foundation. What do you do for fun?" Allyn looked away and took a deep breath. Marie-Hélène watched as he carefully composed his features, she wanted to cry as he lowered a mask over his emotions.
"I enjoy the symphony and sit on the board."
"Do you go with a group of friends or is there someone in particular you take with you, a lady friend perhaps?"
He laughed. "No, I'm afraid I sit alone in my box usually, occasionally I will bring a guest if I am entertaining some one for the foundation. Violet will go with me if it is a Mozart program but she has Michael now."
"Allain, it sounds very grown up and lonely. What do you do that makes your 'eart beat faster?"
"I have a sailboat I take out when I want to think. I do have some friends, unfortunately most of them were school chums and they are back in England. I get to see them from time to time and I have colleagues here that I have become friendly with. I'm afraid when I lay it out like this it all sounds slightly pathetic. Really I am very busy with the foundation and I wouldn't have time for a more active social life."
"But you must want to have a family of your own. How can you do that if you never meet a woman?" She held her breath, she didn't want to hear he already had a woman he loved but it would be better now than later. She promised herself that she would be happy for him if he was already in love with someone else.
"Violet is my family and I am going to be an uncle soon."
"But for yourself? Allain you can not tell me you live like a monk?" He choked and then started coughing.
"I don't believe that is any of your business and certainly not something I am willing to discuss with you."
"Allain, I think you must have loved a woman very much, but she 'urt you." She reached out her hand and stroked his cheek. He closed his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths.
"There was a girl once..." She took her hand away. "I don't think I have ever really gotten over her."
"You should find her. Maybe she has loved you all this time too, non?"
"Perhaps. I thought you were hungry and all we are doing is sitting here talking. Do I get to feed you something now?"
"You will not try to get even for the noodles in the nose?"
"I am wounded Mademoiselle, I thought we were calling a truce to our fighting." Her smile could have dimmed the sun.
"Bon! Yes, a truce." She closed her eyes and opened her mouth like a bird. Allyn was forced to use his fingers but was able to pick up a slippery dumpling. He held it to her lips as she held his hand in place. She took a tentative bite and then gobbled the rest down. When she had finished swallowing she sucked his fingers into her mouth one by one. She swirled her tongue around each, licking off the sweet spicy sauce. He was transfixed, this was so frankly sexual, an intimacy to be shared by lovers. He wanted to howl, he wanted to devour her, his chest ached with the desire to tell her how he felt. She gave a little shiver of pleasure.
"Mmm, c'est bon! More please." If she did that again he would lose all sense of propriety and make love to her here in the middle of the restaurant.
"No, it is your turn to feed me now."
Ah, it's true. Close your eyes." She lifted a morsel of ginger beef and noodles to his lips. He opened his mouth then captured her fingers with his lips. She gave a small gasp as he nibbled the tips of her fingers to take the food. He looked at her through his lashes and smiled. He was not the only one that this game was affecting.
"Mmm, the beef is very tender and the ginger and cinnamon have a spicy warmth. The feminine finger tips are a nice touch."
"Oh, you are 'orrible!" She slapped him on the arm but not so it would hurt.
"I said I wouldn't fight with you, no one said I wouldn't tease you. You don't have any brothers so you wouldn't know what it is like."
"I 'ardly think of you as a brother. But two can tease."
When they finally reached the house Allyn cell phone rang.
"Allyn, are you and Marie-Hélène getting along?"
"Yes, Violet we have even called a truce to our squabbling. Would you like to speak with your cousin?"
"Yes please! Put her on." Allyn covered his ears as the high pitched shrieking started. He walked in to the kitchen to save his sanity. La Reine had been gracious and intelligent in the limited dealings with the people at the foundation today. He was surprised by the depth of her knowledge of the workings of it and the perception she exhibited in the questions she asked people. Of course, everyone was thoroughly charmed. Why wouldn't they be she was beautiful and when she focused that 'sunlight through the trees' gaze on you everyone melted, even him.
It was like the soup she fed him at lunch. Without seeing it, the soup was different. If only he could blindfold her and then let her get to know him. It wasn't so crazy an idea really. He would just need to convince her he was someone else then he could reveal himself, if she actually fell in love with him. It was hopeless and ridiculous. He was no actor, she would be able to tell it was him when he spoke. She wouldn't go out with a total stranger that would blindfold her, maybe he could wear a mask? No. This is absurd. He should just forget about her, she would meet some nice boy her age... and they would spend the rest of their lives together while he watched. It was absurd but if she found out he could always just say that it was a trick he was playing on her. No harm done. It wasn't a good plan and frankly she would never agree to it so what was the harm in trying.
As if fate was laughing at him Marie-Hélène walked in at that moment.
"Is my sister coming here tonight?"
"Non, she said Michel had several days of surgeries planned so they would be sleeping there. I will see her tomorrow at the office. It will be just you and me 'ere for a few days. Violet thinks you will play a 'orrible trick on me. You wouldn't do that, would you?" She actually looked concerned. Allyn couldn't help himself and smoothed some stray hairs behind her ear.
"No, I won't play a trick on you." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I forgot to mention one friend of mine when we were talking. I was telling him about you and he was very interested in meeting you.
" She looked up at him confused. "He is a very nice guy but a little strange sometimes. Has some odd habits, nothing dangerous but I think you would like him. Certainly more fun for you than just sitting here with me for the next couple of nights. Should I tell him you'll see him?"
"'e is a friend of yours? You know him well?"
"Yes, quite."
"Is he as old as you?"
"I don't think I am exactly ready for the grave just yet."
"Non, I mean 'e is not some boy? I find boys my age to be very dull. Older men are trés interestant."
"Oh, well yes, he is about my age."
"Bon, it will be fun. You will be there, non?"
"Non, I have meetings and other engagements all week, if I am not at something then I need to be home preparing for the next one. I will tell him you would like to meet him." she stretched and yawned like a sleepy child.
"Pardon. I think I will go up to bed. Funny how sitting on a plane all day can make you tired."
"I promise not to ask to much of you tomorrow."
"Good night Allain." She surprised him by putting her arms around him and kissing his cheek. His body warmed to her touch. He stroked her hair and then kissed her on the forehead. Safer that way, less chance of him wanting something he couldn't have. She looked up at him and his heart thudded in his chest. Crazy or stupid as the plan was, he needed to at least try to make her see him as a man that loved her.
"Do you need help finding your room, you'll be sleeping in Violet's wing."
"Non, she told me she left a light on for me to find it." She yawned again but she still hadn't taken her arms from around him.
"Well, I still have a couple hours more work to do so don't wait for me. I'll bring your bags when I head up."
"D'accord. Bonne Nuit, Allain." finally she unwound her arms from him and he could breathe again. He waited till he heard her on the stairs and took a deep breath. She had agreed, now he just needed to figure out how to make this work.
Hours later he had the rough idea of a plan. It was all so ridiculous there was no way it could work but he was beyond caring. Even if it only lasted a couple of dates it was worth it. If she hated him for it... Well, he couldn't think about that. He carried her bags upstairs and put them in her room. She had fallen asleep while reading. He quietly stepped in and removed the book from her hands. He was surprised by the glasses she was wearing but eased them off her face and put them beside the bed. She looked so warm, soft and kissable he couldn't help touching his lips to her forehead.
She stirred and draped an arm around him. He suspected she might still be asleep, he couldn't tell though. She twisted her head so that her lips met his and she murmured against them. When he tried to tell her good night she kissed him deeply, as if he was a dream lover. His body caught fire and he wanted to sweep her into his arms and into his bed. He couldn't have stopped kissing her if he wanted to and considering how confused he was he didn't want to. She felt like sun warmed flowers in his arms. Now he understood the appeal of the sleeping beauty story.
Eventually, she sighed and her arms loosened around his shoulders. He looked down at his very own tormentor and stroked her cheek with the lightest of touches. She stirred again and mumbled something about her prince.
"Would that I could be your prince, my sweet." he breathed in her ear. She had a half smile on her face as she rolled over and curled up in a ball, never having fully woken up.
She was so childlike in her trust and yet an alluring woman at the same time. Allyn resolved then insane, unworkable plan or not, he needed to find a way to make it work. Leaving her room as quietly as possible, he took a deep breath when he got outside her door. With the throbbing in his groin he wasn't going to be sleeping anytime soon.
The next morning Allyn stumbled downstairs in pajama bottoms and bathrobe. He smelled coffee, thank God. He'd been up all night thinking about her or trying not to. He felt like he'd gone ten rounds in a prize fight. The other guy had definitely won. When he entered the kitchen she was sitting at the table with a cup the size of a bowl reading the... Business section?
"Bon matin, Allain. Une cafe au lait or a glass of tea?" She was exceedingly cheerful for the hour.
"Coffee, please. And it is a cup of tea." He reached over and poured himself some coffee and nearly choked on it. He had forgotten that she liked her coffee stronger than most. Maybe that was the secret to being a morning person. Of course a little more sleep last night would have helped. She lowered her paper and just stared at him.
"Pardon?"
"Never mind." he looked at her again, now that she wasn't hiding behind the paper. She was already dressed for the office. She had on a trim business suit, the skirt a little shorter than average but not indecently so. She had the legs to carry it off. Those legs ended in shoes that he was going to have to actively work on not thinking about all day. Black patent leather, a sky high heel with a thin little strap around the ankle. He could feel all the blood rushing from his head already. He pulled his robe around him tighter. She had the jacket unbuttoned over a silk camisole. The effort to remain passive in the face of such temptation was making him grumpy. She was an odd combination of prim and sensual. The heavy silver chains at her wrists were in complete opposition to the prim suit but they put him in mind of handcuffs. The whole outfit could have been that of a dominatrix in public. The thought made him lightheaded with desire. He sat next to her on the banquette.
"What have you done to your hair?"
"What do you mean? I put it up for work, non?"
"Non." he reached over and started to pull pins out, dropping them on the table. Finally he ran his hands through it to loosen the twist and let it slide through his fingers and down her back. "Bon, there is no reason to look like a, well like a junior executive."
"I thought... You dress like this."
"Yes, well, I am not a pretty young girl." She started giggling at him. If he could hear her laugh like that every morning he'd never sleep again.
As long as she kept her hands busy she wouldn't touch him. But oh, how she wanted to run her hands over his bare chest. When he had leaned in and pulled the pins from her hair, she was enveloped in his scent. She smiled to herself. He was always so refined looking, so genteel but his scent was pure male animal. It made her want to strip the expensive dignified clothes off of him. This was the first time she could remember seeing him in the least bit disheveled. Yes, she needed to hang on to her coffee for dear life so she wouldn't pull his robe off him. She wanted to feel the coppery curls of his chest against her cheek. He had some freckles from the sun there too that made her think she'd like to trace them with her tongue. Oof, How was she going to spend the day working with him? At least Violet would be there today, she would distract her from thinking about Allyn like that.
She got up to pour herself more coffee. When she turned around to ask Allyn if he would like more he was frowning at her.
"Probleme?"
"No, no problem." He hadn't shifted his gaze from her shoes
"Is it my shoes?" He looked up at her like he just realized she was there.
"I was wondering if I would have to carry you if you wore those? They look like you could break an ankle."
"We are not going 'iking?"
"Iking, what is iking?"
"Ouh, long walk, up and down mountains, oui?"
"Oh! Hiking, there is that H we like so much here. No, we will not be going 'iking."
"Bon, then you will not need to carry me. I wear these in Paris. I should be fine 'ere." She studied him as he took the business section she had been reading. The poor man looked tired and tense. The dark smudges under his eyes were not a good sign. From their conversation yesterday it didn't sound like he ever let himself have any fun. She would find a way to change that.
"Allain?"
"Oui?"
"You will take me out on the boat, won't you? I know you said you would be busy this week but when you can?"
"I suppose. Violet won't be a
ble to come with us. Since she got pregnant she gets very bad seasickness. She came with me to the dock and almost got ill."
"Violet is very happy with Michel and having a baby, non?"
"She almost purrs. She is so different now, confident in a way she never was. Like she can finally see all the wonderful things about her I always saw and couldn't convince her were there. Michael has only to look at her and smile and she knows. It makes me a little jealous. Michael is a good man, you'll like him. We are all going for lunch together I believe."
"Oui, Violet said. Are you going to the office comme ça? It is getting late." He glanced past her and swore. He popped a last piece of croissant into his mouth and got up. He swallowed down the food with the last of his coffee and came over to her by the sink. When he was standing next to her he looked her up and down.
"Those silly shoes make you too tall."
"That is why I like the silly shoes. Now I am almost as tall as you." She stepped closer to him, stretched her chin up and gave him a quick kiss on his chin. He hadn't shaved yet and the little bit of stubble there tickled her lips. Mmm, she wanted to run her lips along his sharp jaw line to his neck. Allain pulled back so quickly she almost laughed. Yes, the man definitely needed to learn to have fun. She looked up at him and smiled at the look of confusion on his face.
"Allain?" She whispered in her most seductive voice.
"Mmmm?" He was staring at her lips like he had never seen anything like them before.
"Vite! You are going to make me late for my first day." She grinned at him as he backed away. He was mumbling under his breath. Well, she was going to have fun anyway.
The ear piercing shriek followed by rapid-fire French told him Violet had found her cousin. Allyn ducked into his office to get away from the noise. To be honest, he was hiding. Deciding to take his Jaguar was a mistake but she had begged so sweetly. He'd indulged himself with the fast sleek cars since he'd gotten his father's old one when he was a boy. After his father died, it seemed fitting he keep driving them. The car's speed and handling made him feel alive in a way few other things did. Unfortunately, one of those things had been sitting next to him on the commute in. Sitting so close, listening to her laugh as she urged him to push the car faster, he no doubt looked the very picture of a man in the throws of a mid-life crisis. What was worse he didn't know if he cared any more. It wasn't as though he had sudden desire to start chasing after young women, just one woman and one he'd loved from afar for longer than he should.