Our First Embrace

by Judy Lynn Hubbard

  “You’re going to get us kicked off,” Nicole good-naturedly complained.

  “Can you swim?”

  “I can.”

  “I hope it doesn’t come to that.” He leaned his hip against the rail. “But that’s good to know.”

  “Just so you know.” Nicole leaned forward and whispered, “I enjoyed your facts much more than the guide’s.”

  “Thanks.” Alex chuckled. “He was really mad, wasn’t he?”

  “I think he was.” She furtively glanced at the frowning guide. “Correction—he still is.”

  “I’m sorry about that, but I can’t help it that the other people found me interesting.”

  “They have good taste,” Nicole said.

  “Yeah?”

  “Oh, yes,” Nicole solemnly vowed.

  He could have said a lot—a lot she could have said, too—but they both remained silent and turned to stare out at the choppy blue water in companionable silence.

  Alex made it a point to keep further commentary for Nicole’s ears only, thus ensuring they weren’t thrown off the boat prematurely. After the two-hour boat ride, they toured the first, second and third districts before going to the fifth and finally the sixth. Along the way, Nicole did some shopping, and she was surprised that Alexander didn’t seem the least bit impatient as she explored one shop after another for several hours.

  In one store she fell in love with a colorful porcelain carousel music box. She hesitated over whether or not to buy it. Alexander encouraged her to get it and even went so far as to offer to get it for her, which she quickly refused. In the end, she left her treasure in the store window because she had bought so much already.

  “Let’s walk down to the Luxembourg Gardens,” Alex suggested when they entered the 6th Arrondisement.

  “Sounds good.”

  A short while later they entered the Gardens. Nicole had never seen anything so beautiful in her life.

  “Well...” Alex watched her with a smile. “What do you think?”

  “This is...” She spread her hands in awe. “This is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen.” He smiled at her genuine delight as she glanced around. “It’s gorgeous.”

  “It’s something, isn’t it?”

  “Wow,” she gushed and he laughed, taking her hand in his as they walked down the long winding concrete walkway that was littered with people, some sitting on the side near the green grass in chairs, others walking and chatting.

  Tall trees were blossoming. Gravel and colored flowers were arranged in various patterns, and Nicole lost count of the innumerable statues and huge fountains.

  “This is the second largest public park in Paris. I come here a lot to unwind and think.” He took her hand as they walked on.

  “I can see why.” She glanced around appreciatively. “It’s so peaceful.”

  “With all the people constantly visiting, you wouldn’t think it would be, but it is a very calming place.”

  They walked on with Nicole trying to take in every point of interest, but it was impossible. They passed a large fenced-in playground where young children and their parents were having a ball enjoying a vintage carousel.

  “This is called the garden of the Senate,” Alex said. “The Senate itself is housed in the Luxembourg Palace.” He pointed to a huge brick complex flanked by tailored lawns and beautiful shrubs, flowers, more sculptures, bushes and trees. It was both regal and welcoming, and people milled about taking pictures, sitting in chairs relaxing or reading plaques of useful information.

  “Wow.” Nicole breathed in wonder and then laughed. “I guess I should expand my vocabulary.”

  “You’re perfect the way you are.”

  “Thanks.” Her voice was breathless because all air left her lungs at his sincere compliment. With a kind word, he could turn her into putty.

  “The southwest corner contains apple and pear orchards and a puppet theater.”

  “I’ve got to see the orchards,” Nicole decided.

  “Your wish is my command.” Alex guided her in the right direction.

  They spent several hours touring the gardens and had barely scratched the surface when they left the grounds at 4:30 p.m. Where had the day gone? She had spent it in the company of a fascinating man who made her forget about everything.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “I’m starved.”

  “You should be. We haven’t eaten all day,” Alex said. “I know this little place close by where they serve the best snails.”

  At his serious delivery, Nicole did a double take. “Snails?”

  “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they serve them with plenty of ketchup.” He winked and laughed. After a second’s hesitation, she joined him, realizing he was joking.

  “You really are a Lucy fan, aren’t you?”

  “I told you I was.”

  “I believe you after today.” She automatically took his offered hand. “Where are we going?”

  “To the Café de Flore. It’s not far from your place.” At the touch of her skin against his, the hunger he felt for food was crushed by blinding desire for her luscious lips. “Have you been there?”

  “No, not yet. I’ve been meaning to go, though.”

  “There’s no time like the present,” he proclaimed.

  They reached the famous art deco sidewalk café located at the corner of Boulevard Saint-Germain and Rue St. Benoit in no time. Luckily, they found an outside table under the white awning. They shared a bottle of wine while they decided what to order.

  “Parisians have wine at all times of the day.” Nicole raised her glass to her lips.

  He leaned forward and whispered, “You’re over twenty-one, right?”

  “Safely over twenty-one,” she promised.

  “Good.” He sat back, stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles. “Did you enjoy your tour?”

  “Are you kidding?” She stared at him in surprise. “I’ve had a wonderful time today.”

  “Me, too,” he admitted, fingers absently tracing the rim of his glass. “Actually, this was the most relaxing Saturday I’ve had in a long time.”

  “I’m glad.” Nicole raised her glass in a toast. “You’ve been a wonderful tour guide and great company.”

  “Thanks.” He touched his glass to hers.

  “So what’s good here?”

  “Everything.” He grinned. “Even the snails.”

  “Um, I think I’ll pass on those.” She stuck out her tongue, and he chuckled.

  They settled on steak sandwiches, French fries and garden salad. The wonderful smells coming from nearby tables and the inside of the café were pure torture while they waited for their food to be prepared and delivered. When it was, they both dug in with appreciative gusto. They made occasional small talk as they polished off their meal.

  Nicole plopped her last French fry into her mouth and sighed in contentment. She glanced up and found Alexander smiling at her.

  “What? Do I have something on my face?”

  “No, nothing.” His smile widened as she placed a forkful of salad into her mouth. “I like a woman who doesn’t play with her food.”

  “One thing my momma—who is a fabulous cook—taught me was to appreciate the food that’s put in front of me because a lot of people aren’t so fortunate.”

  “Very true.”

  “Besides.” She glanced at her clean plate. “I love good food—I really do.”

  “Then you’ve definitely moved to the right place.”

  “Or the wrong place.” She placed a hand on her now full stomach. “If I’m not careful, I’m going to gain twenty pounds. In fact, I think I’m well on my way.”

  “You look terrific.”

  “Thanks.” They stared at e
ach other and endured another uncomfortable silence, with Nicole contemplating forbidden thoughts about Alex.

  After paying the bill, Alex cleared his throat and asked, “So what do you have planned for tonight?”

  She considered admitting the truth—that she had nothing concrete planned and would be open to anything he suggested as long as it meant spending more time alone with him. It was insane how much she didn’t want their time together to end. She was dangerously close to forgetting he was her boss.

  “Monique said something about catching a movie,” she finally answered.

  “I’m sure you two will have fun.”

  “Well.” She slowly stood, prompting Alexander to do the same. “I guess I should get going.”

  “Walk you home?”

  “No, you don’t need to do that.”

  “I don’t mind.” He picked up her bag, which was stuffed with her shopping purchases. “Besides, this is pretty heavy.”

  “This is nothing. You should see me when I really get going.” She took her bag and easily slung it over her shoulder. “You’ve already given up your Saturday to show me around, and I really appreciate it.”

  “It was no hardship, Nicole.”

  “I’m glad.” She impulsively kissed his cheek, close to the corner of his mouth. “Thank you for a wonderful day.”

  “You’re welcome.” His eyes darkened at her actions, but his voice remained steady. “Enjoy the rest of your weekend.”

  “You, too.” She slowly backed away from temptation.

  “See you Monday.”

  “Bright and early,” she promised, turned and walked away while she still could.

  With great effort, Nicole kept walking, wondering at the sense of loss she felt with each step she took away from Alexander. She sensed he was watching her, but she didn’t dare turn around to find out. She needed to quickly get out of his presence and remind herself that he was her boss and not a man she liked, was attracted to and wanted to get to know better.

  “Help me, Lord,” she whispered, glancing heavenward, seeking divine guidance out of the sticky situation she had unwittingly gotten herself into where Alexander was concerned.

  Chapter 8

  “Hi,” Monique greeted from her perch on the sofa as Nicole entered the living room and plopped down beside her. “Tired?”

  “Happily exhausted.” Nicole dropped her full purse to the floor.

  “I take it the sightseeing went well.”

  “Oh, yes.” Nicole’s eyes grew dreamy. “We had a fabulous time.”

  “We?”

  Nicole quickly glanced at Monique. Oh, darn, had she said we? “I...um...”

  “Come on, give.” Monique sat up at attention. “Who did you go with?”

  Nicole hesitated before reluctantly admitting, “Alexander.”

  “Well, well,” Monique drawled. “Fate seems to be bringing you two together.”

  “It was just an unplanned outing, Monique.”

  “Some of the best times I’ve had have been unplanned.” Monique chuckled. “Did you have fun?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “Don’t sound so surprised. You two have real chemistry.”

  “Oh, Monique!” Nicole tucked her feet beneath her. “Why do I have to be so attracted to our boss?” She shook her head helplessly and emphatically reiterated, “Our boss! What am I going to do?”

  “How would you feel if you had to leave Paris tonight and knew you would never see him again?”

  Nicole gasped at Monique’s completely out-of-the-blue question.

  “I’d miss my job, you and all of my new friends,” she carefully answered.

  “That wasn’t the question.” Monique gently shook her arm.

  “Okay, I’d miss him.” That was an understatement. She couldn’t imagine not seeing Alexander again. How had this happened so quickly? “I don’t want to jeopardize my career, but...”

  “You’d like to date the boss,” Monique finished for her.

  “I think I would,” Nicole tentatively admitted and then buried her head in her hands. “Oh, this is so wrong!”

  “No, it’s not.” Monique pulled her hands away from her face. “Honey, life is too short to waste an opportunity. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “I know it is,” Nicole softly agreed. “But this is complicated.”

  “Most complications we create ourselves,” Monique offered.

  Nicole silently agreed, resting her head on the back of the sofa as she stared thoughtfully at the white ceiling, contemplating her worrisome attraction to Alexander and how to best handle it.

  * * *

  Alex entered his sprawling, secluded two-story brick house in the 16th district, whistling a bright tune. He dropped his keys on an oak table beside the door and rifled through the mail in his hands.

  “You’re in a good mood.” Victor walked out of the kitchen holding a bottle of beer in one hand and a sandwich in the other.

  “Hey, Vic.” He glanced up and smiled at his brother. “What are you doing here—besides raiding my fridge?”

  “I stopped by to see what you’re up to.” Victor took a bite of his sandwich.

  “Nothing much.” Alex shrugged out of his jacket, patted his brother on the back and walked into the living room with Victor trailing behind. “Just enjoying this great day.”

  “Wow, you really are in a good mood,” Victor reiterated as they sat on side-by-side brown leather recliners.

  “Is there a law against that?” Alex stretched out his legs and smiled.

  “No, definitely not. It’s good to see you smiling and happy.”

  “Thanks.” It was good to feel happy, which he silently admitted he owed to Nicole. He felt alive around her.

  “The question is, why are you smiling and happy?” Victor took a drink of his beer.

  Alex shrugged as if he didn’t know the reason. “Things are just going well—business is great, and...”

  “You’ve met Nicole,” Victor intuitively finished when Alex paused.

  “She’s very talented.”

  Victor bobbed his eyebrows. “How talented?”

  “In fashion design, Victor.” Alex sighed in disgust. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

  “Sorry bro, no can do.” Victor’s quick denial received a chuckle from his brother. “Well?”

  “Well what?”

  Victor waved his hand. “What do you intend to do about Nicole and you getting together, and I mean that in the biblical sense.”

  “Victor, how many times do I have to tell you I’m not going down that road again? Just because we went sightseeing today...”

  “Whoa, what?” Victor’s eyes widened in surprise. “You went sightseeing with Nicole?”

  “Yes,” Alex reluctantly admitted, cursing his disobedient tongue.

  “So that’s why you’re in such a good mood.”

  “It is not. I’m just happy.”

  “To have Nicole in your life.”

  “Nothing is going on between Nicole and me,” Alex curtly denied. Though he couldn’t deny that he wished there was.

  “You spent the entire day with her and you enjoyed her company, didn’t you?”

  “Yes.” Alex sighed resignedly. “I did, but...”

  “But nothing,” Victor interrupted and sat forward hopefully. “Are you seeing her tonight?”

  “No.” Alex gave his brother an exasperated look. “We’re not dating, Vic.”

  “Yet,” Victor predicted.

  “What do you have planned for tonight?” Alex tried to divert him from the present topic of conversation.

  “Nothing.” Victor sighed dramatically and plopped back in his chair. “I’m all yours.”

>   “What if I don’t want you?” Alex drily asked.

  “Too bad—you’re stuck with me.” Alex smiled as Victor’s sandwich-filled hand halted midway to his mouth. “Hey, you wanna pop by Monique and Nicole’s?”

  Alex did, but he fought against it. “Nah. Nicole said they were heading out to a movie tonight.”

  “So you cared enough to check out her plans for tonight.” Victor looked extremely pleased. “That doesn’t sound like you were ready to be rid of her.”

  “No, I...”

  “Yes, go on.” Victor laughed at Alex’s uneasy expression. “It’s good to see you interested in a woman again.”

  “Vic, I’m not interested in Nicole.” How he calmly told such a blatant lie, he’d never know.

  “Save it, brother. We both know you like Nicole, and to my surprise, she likes you, too.”

  “Does she?” Alex grabbed Victor’s beer and took a swig.

  “You know she does,” Victor confirmed. “Take a chance, bro. It’s time for you to get back on the horse.” He paused before threatening, “I don’t want to interfere, but you know I will.”

  “Oh, no.” Alex’s smile turned into a frown. “You stay out of this.”

  “That depends on you, bro.” Victor retrieved his beer. “That depends on you.”

  He laughed as Alex picked up a pillow from the sofa and threw it at him.

  * * *

  Nicole had been waiting for Monday morning to arrive so that she could see Alexander again. She was in the break room getting a cup of coffee when the door opened, admitting the man who had occupied her thoughts for the past thirty-six hours.

  “Good morning,” she greeted, willing her heart to stop thudding.

  “Good morning,” Alex said.

  “Coffee?” At his nod, she poured him a cup.

  “Thanks.” He took the cup from her and sat down, then motioned for her to do the same. “Did you enjoy the rest of your weekend?”

  “It was wonderfully relaxing.” She sighed contentedly, sitting opposite him. “How about you?”

  “It was great.” He sipped his black coffee. “I did a little work and tried to keep Victor from eating me out of house and home.” He chuckled at the memory.

  “Do you two live together?”