by Jani Kay
“Don’t leave me, Becca,” he pleaded, “Not now...not after everything we’ve been through. Please.”
His voice was gruff as he pulled me into a tight embrace, holding me as if he would never let me go. I hadn’t trusted myself to be alone with him, so I’d made very sure that when I said my final goodbye, we had been surrounded by people from the office. He didn’t care that they were watching, their mouths gaping.
I’d inhaled his scent for the last time.
What just his touch did to me... . I couldn’t allow this man to have such an effect on me any longer. He was out of bounds. It had to stop. I had to do this for my own survival. Before I crumbled and gave in. Because, I really wasn’t that strong. I wanted Julian more than ever. But not like this.
Running away to France seemed like my last chance to get Julian Palmer out of my system. If I didn’t, I would be damned for the rest of my life. I had to do this, I had to stay strong.
Hot tears escaped from under my eyelids. I was leaving a part of myself behind. Julian had been a part of my life for a very long time. It wasn’t going to be easy. I felt like a traitor...
I remembered the nights alone in my bed: the longing for his arms around me, his lips to be joined with mine, his body covering mine.
No. I had to stop thinking about him. It was over, my new life started today. I was young enough to start over, to be happy with someone who could love me freely in return.
The universe was bringing about changes. Mysterious forces were affecting the beginning of my new life. And I imagined it could have a sexy French man in it. Even if only for a short time.
Chapter 7
As we disembarked, Ms. Desperate gave me a strange look. Was that one of admiration? Really? Alain’s thumb possessively stroked the small of my back, sending shivers down my spine.
“Good luck,” she whispered in a heavy French accent, “you will need it.” My eyebrows shot up. What did she mean? She was just plain creepy, especially after what she had witnessed last night. Or perhaps, because of what she had watched. I would never know. I didn’t really care.
It was early morning in Paris and I had a whole day to myself before I registered for the conference.
“Come, I have a limo waiting.” The authority in his voice did not invite argument. He gripped my arm and steered me, his long strides purposeful. I had no choice but to follow him. This man knew what he wanted and it appeared as if he was used to getting it, too.
A few minutes later I was sitting in a limo, beside Alain, amazed that I allowed him to just take over.
He reached for my hand and pressed my fingers to his lips, kissing them one by one, causing a warm and fuzzy feeling to flood my insides. His eyes were smoldering now; a sexy smile, curving his lips. He sucked on my index finger—slowly, sensuously—watching me through thick black lashes, his teeth gently nipping into my skin.
“You have no idea how hard it was to let you sleep,” he said gruffly. “I hope you are well rested for what I have planned for today.”
His black hair fell over his eyes, he raked his fingers through it impatiently. He was so goddamn sexy, how was I possibly going to focus on sightseeing? Right now I wouldn’t object to staring at the ceiling of his hotel room all day.
What the hell has come over me?
I shook my head as I tried to shake the fog from my brain.
This woman in the limo was nothing like the person who boarded the plane only hours ago. Years of suppressed longing had finally surfaced. It took a red-hot man, like Alain, to open the floodgates to every carnal thought and desire my body yearned for. Something insatiable had been turned on inside me.
The limo came to a stop in front of my hotel. It occurred to me that I hadn’t given the name of the hotel I was staying at, and neither Alain, nor the chauffeur, Gaston, had asked me. I drew in a sharp breath as my gaze darted to Alain. “Stalking much?”
He lifted a brow mockingly. “You mentioned the hotel last night when we were...chatting. I have a good memory.” Alain winked at me, mischief playing in his eyes.
Good looking and smart, I was in trouble...
Climbing the stairs, a quick slap on my ass stung my behind. The doorman grinned approvingly. Alain raised his eyebrow as a warning and steered me possessively toward the large revolving doors. My cheeks burned as I crossed the vast open space to the reception desk, fully aware of strangers watching us in amusement. Check-in was quick and easy, in spite of the pretty girl behind the desk who kept grinning at Alain, flirting with him.
Alain led me toward the elevator. “I will give you exactly one hour to freshen up, then I’ll come looking for you.” The promise in his voice was undisguised as he pulled me into his embrace and kissed me hard on the mouth. He gently pushed me into the car and stepped away. “I am counting the minutes,” he said, his voice husky. The doors closed as I stared at him, my mouth hanging open at the way he was simply commanding me.
As I entered the suite on the twenty-fourth floor, I drew in a sharp breath at the unequaled, beautiful view across the Seine, the Eiffel tower visible in the distance through the floor to ceiling windows. The panoramic view drew me closer and I took a moment to absorb it all. Old buildings were nestled amongst the new all along the banks of the river.
The bellboy brought my attention back to my immediate surroundings. The suite was tastefully decorated in rich creams and gold, opulent yet elegant. No expense had been spared in decorating it and most likely it cost a fortune to stay here. I paid him a generous tip and he grinned as he left the room.
A huge king-sized bed dominated the room. I was tempted to spread out on the bed for a little nap. On the pillow was a box of chocolates. I withdrew the welcome card from under the pretty deep-red bow. It wasn’t from the hotel management as I expected. I let out a long breath as I read the note.
Miss Clarke,
Welcome to Paris. Hope you had a good flight.
I look forward to working with you over the next eight months.
Enjoy your stay.
Chat soon.
It was signed: Maxwell Grant, CEO of Grant Industries.
Hmm, my new boss sure has the magic touch.
The chocolates looked expensive, too. I decided to save them for later tonight when I was alone in my bed, reading my book.
A deep sigh escaped my lips. At last I was in Paris. I’d promised to call my mother to let her know that I arrived safely, so I sat on the edge of the bed and dialed her number.
“Beccy, I'm so glad to hear your voice. Was your flight OK? And how is Paris?” She rattled on without breathing.
My mother sounded her usual self, concern lurking behind her bubbly tone.
“I’m fine, Mom. The flight was...awesome. I don’t think I can go back to flying cattle class after this amazing experience. I'll have to be really great in my new job so I can keep it up.” I tried to sound cheerful.
“And how is the hotel? Have you met your new boss yet?” Questions kept coming at me.
I rolled my eyes. “No. Mom, I told you before, my boss lives in New York. I only get to meet him face to face in a few weeks, after the conference and workshops. He’s a busy man, he’s not going to fly out to Paris to meet a new consultant he just employed.” If only she would listen when I explained things to her.
“Remember, you can come home any time when it feels wrong. I understand why you had to do it, but I’ll miss you so much.”
“I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself. Besides this is the job opportunity of a lifetime. How could I refuse? And it came at exactly the right time.” My throat tightened and I found it difficult to speak. There was an uneasy silence for a few seconds—or was it just a bad line?
“Running away isn’t going to solve your problems. You can try to guard yourself from getting hurt any further, but you can never escape your past, no matter where you live.” Her voice wasn’t as perky anymore, she sounded tired.
“I’m not running away. Why are even having this conver
sation? Again. I’m doing what’s best for me. So don’t judge. Just this once, please trust that I know what I’m doing,” I huffed, closing my eyes. I didn’t belong in my old world anymore. I needed a fresh start: new challenges, new experiences. Definitely a new beginning.
“But why go so far away? You have never been away this long.” There was an accusatory note in her voice, even if she was trying to hide it.
“Because...if I am finally going to get Julian out of my system, I can’t be anywhere near him. Not in the same company, not in the same city. Hell, not even in the same country.”
“Rebecca.”
She only called me by my full name when she was exasperated or when I was in trouble.
“Listen Mom, I have to go now. I’m meeting someone for lunch and I don’t want to be late. Just wanted to let you know I’m safe. I’ll call again soon.”
“Lunch with a...stranger? Be careful, Rebecca. Promise?” she begged. Mom would always be concerned for my safety, even though I was an adult and left home more than a decade ago.
“I promise. Love you, Mom.” I quickly hung up before she could interrogate me further although I knew she only had my best interests at heart. Right now, I had to get myself into the shower if I wanted to be ready when Alain picked me up.
The soft fluffy towel caressed my skin as I dried myself. I opened the drawer containing my new underwear and shot Chloe a thank you under my breath for forcing me to splash out on these beauties, in spite of my verbal resistance. Hmm. Something feminine and summery. Who knew what state of dress—or rather, undress—I would find myself? I picked out a white lacy matching bra and panty set.
I kept my makeup and jewelry light and to a minimum, a flash of mascara and a lick of lip-gloss would do just fine. Anyway, with my cheeks permanently flushed lately, I didn’t need any help there.
From the clothing I packed, I chose a flowing skirt, matching silk camisole, and light gossamer blouse that complemented the green of my eyes. I tied my messy curly hair up loosely so that it wasn’t in my face. Slipping into flat shoes, which were practical for an afternoon of sightseeing in Paris, I checked my reflection in the mirror. Finally, I threw a cardigan over my shoulders, just in case, ever the practical woman.
I sighed. I am what I am, nothing I can do to change that now.
Chapter 8
I ate with gusto; French food was famous for a reason. Alain cocked his head, his one eyebrow lifted as he gazed at me—I couldn’t place his expression. Was it amusement?
“Another thing, it seems, that I really like about you,” he chuckled, as he leaned over slightly to wipe the sauce from my chin. There was more than one thing he liked about me?
He saw the question on my face. “French women don’t eat much,” he explained, “it’s such a waste of time, spending hours in the kitchen cooking and then they just pick at it. I would love to cook for you at my chateau and watch you enjoy every morsel.”
It was a very tempting invitation indeed.
In a lower voice he continued, “Watching you eat with such joy is very sensual, mademoiselle Clarke, it really turns me on.”
What?
How could my eating have that kind of effect on him? He really was easy to please. My previous boyfriends had always frowned at my appetite, worried that I may add a few pounds to my already full and buxom frame.
He leaned over and brushed his lips over mine, his tongue rimming my lips as he went. “I could just eat you now,” he whispered at the corner of my mouth. I spluttered, fully comprehending his innuendo. I quickly took a gulp of wine to hide my embarrassment. People in the restaurant were staring at us, smiling openly.
“Alain. Not here in public.” I could have saved my breath. He threw his head back and a really deep guttural laugh escaped his lips, creasing the corners of his eyes.
“Oh Mademoiselle, it is not possible, to not touch you. You are really going to enjoy our sightseeing this afternoon, I am going to delight you in ways you have never experienced before.”
I wasn’t sure I wanted to understand that last comment, so I returned my focus back to my delicious food, feeling an awkward warmth spread up from my chest to my cheeks. For goodness sake, I really had to stop this blushing thing. My cheeks were permanently flushed lately.
As if he read my thoughts, Alain gently brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. How could the simple act of eating—in a public place—be so damn erotic? He had me all hot and flustered and we hadn’t even begun sightseeing yet. A swarm of butterflies were doing a jig in my stomach, my appetite for food suddenly gone.
After paying the bill, Alain took hold of my hand and lead me outside. “Dessert will be served in there.” He indicated by tilting his head toward the limo.
Once we settled inside the limo, Alain poured cognac from the small bar into a crystal glass. He swirled the amber liquid around, taking a deep sniff, his nostrils flaring slightly. My French self-appointed tour guide looked so hot, my eyes devoured him. Gazing into my eyes, he took a sip from the glass as I held my breath. Then he leaned over and gently parted my lips with his tongue, squirting the warm liquid into my mouth. My senses went into overdrive. It was the most sensual way I had ever tasted this ambrosia. I swallowed the fiery liquid eagerly. It warmed me all the way to my belly as it slipped down my throat. My eyelids grew heavy and fluttered closed.
He kissed my neck, his breath warm on my skin. I moaned softly as his weight pushed me further into the very comfortable leather seat. His erection throbbed against me, causing an equal throbbing ache between my legs. I was completely lost to this man’s lips. I wanted him badly; my sex pulsed wildly, increasing the dampness between my legs, eager for what was to come.
Just as suddenly, Alain pulled away. No. Don’t stop now.
The driver pulled over and my eyes flew open. We had arrived at the Eiffel Tower. “Our first stop this afternoon.” Gaston smiled.
“We will continue this up there,” Alain promised, his voice low and husky.
We didn’t stand in the long queues with the rest of the crowd. Instead we were whisked into an elevator immediately with only a handful of people. I was excited and eager to drink in the sights of Paris from the top of the Eiffel tower.
Alain stood behind me. His arm snaked around my waist and he pulled me to him, his erection pushing into my back. Oh, hello big boy.
His nose was in my hair, inhaling slowly, as if he was breathing me in. He planted a kiss at the nape of my neck as his hand slipped inside my blouse and cupped my breast. Oh my God. My body stiffened and my mouth went dry.
“Just relax and enjoy,” he whispered into my hair. Slowly his thumb and forefinger caressed my nipple till it pebbled. The hand around my stomach slipped lower and came to rest just at the apex of my thighs, his palm pressing softly into me. I closed my eyes tightly as I bit into my lower lip. Both my hands were gripping the railing in front of me, my knuckles white as I tried to suppress a moan.
“Open your eyes, ma cherie,” he whispered, “and always remember how you first saw Paris from the top of the Eiffel tower.”
As if I could ever forget this.
White buildings sprawled below us into the distance. It was breathtaking. I drew a deep breath at the sheer beauty of it. Alain chuckled at my reaction. “Not as beautiful as you,” he whispered.
The doors opened and he tugged me toward the landing. I needn’t have worried; the other couples were so engrossed in the sights of Paris, that they were hardly aware of us. Or maybe they were just too polite to let on they saw him caressing me so intimately.
Holding my hand tightly he proudly led me onto the platform, pointing out the Sacre Coeur in the distance. “That’s our next stop this afternoon.” He sure had it all planned out. I squinted my eyes so I could see farther, trying to burn this moment into my memory.
Just then, Alain handed me a small parcel, beautifully wrapped. “I think you will need this now,” he smiled, clearly very pleased with himself. What could it be? My finger
s trembled as I untied the bow and ripped open the wrapping paper to reveal a small digital camera.
“You can’t come up here and not record this moment for eternity.” He grinned, his eyes gleaming intensely as he scanned my face.
My throat closed, making it nearly impossible to speak. “Oh, Alain, it's very thoughtful of you, but I can’t accept such an expensive gift.”
“Well I can’t return it, it is not possible,” he said, as he pointed to a small engraving on the side.
Rebecca, Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away. Love Alain.
“You take my breath away,” he said softly.
I did what any normal person would do under the circumstances; I reached up on my toes and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
“That’s all the thanks I get? I expected more.”
I giggled at him as I turned the camera on, like a little girl with a new toy, and I snapped a picture of him, arms crossed and frowning at me in mock anger. But then he burst out laughing and flashed me the hottest smile I had ever seen on a man’s face. My fingers nearly froze, but luckily I managed to press the button and capture his smile for posterity.
A woman who’d been watching us being silly, offered to take a picture. “You must be on your honeymoon,” she blurted.
Alain pulled me possessively toward him, kissing my cheek. I grinned like a goof who just won the lottery jackpot. The woman had been clicking away, when she stopped abruptly, staring at Alain. A light of recognition flashed across her face. “Aren’t you Alain du... ?” she started.
But before she could say more, Alain interrupted. “Oh no, you are mistaking me for someone else,” he said, taking the camera from her as if dismissing her. How could there be another man roaming this planet that looked anything as hot and sexy as Alain? Impossible. And what were the chances he would have the same first name as my Alain? I made a mental note to ask him later. He wasn’t the only one who had a good memory.