by Linda Kage
“Oh my God,” she gasped. “We’re leaving the country?”
A chuckle left him as Braxton shrugged. “I didn’t say that.” He took her hand to kiss her knuckles. At Lenna’s frown, he laughed again. “This is just killing you, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” she complained. “Why can’t you tell me—”
“And spoil the surprise?” he asked in a scandalized whisper. “I think not.”
* * * *
Nicer than Lenna had even begun to imagine, the Farris company jet put her dinky studio apartment to shame.
“Oh, my God,” she said, turning in a circle to gape opened-mouthed at the bedroom—yes, there was a bedroom right there in the plane. “Can I live here?”
Behind her, Braxton slipped his arm around her waist before he playfully tossed her onto the mattress. Grinning, Lenna bounced once and then rolled onto her back, spreading out her arms; silk satin greeted her skin. Lord, even the queen-sized bed was nicer than any she’d ever owned before.
Unable to hide her enthusiasm, she grinned up at Braxton. He stared back with a gleam in his eye. Lenna’s smile faded.
Had she ever met anyone as wonderful as Braxton Farris in her entire life?
He set a knee on the bed, slowly joining her.
Lenna’s stomach dropped. This was crazy. It was completely insane. All he had to do was look at her, and she went wet and tingly, wanting him to touch and lick every inch of her.
His other knee hit the mattress, and he crawled over her, never once taking his eyes off hers. His smile turned predatory.
“Want to join the mile high club?”
Lenna couldn’t help it; she threw back her head and laughed. She was just so...giddy.
Braxton kissed her throat as if he were trying to consume the joyous sound by sucking it straight from her voice box. He must have succeeded because her giggle broke off, and a hoarse moan erupted from her lungs.
“Braxton,” she managed to rasp as she laced her fingers through his hair. He lifted his face from her throat and met her eyes. Man, how those blue eyes affected her.
“I want you,” he told her in his own slightly choked voice.
“But we’re still on the ground. What about the mile high—”
“Can’t wait.” He kissed her, feasting on her mouth.
Lenna closed her eyes and sank into the kiss, wrapping both arms and legs around him. He had such artful hands. They created magic wherever they touched. His voice was low and seductive as he murmured sweet nothings, telling her how soft she felt, how delicious she smelled. When she was with him, she forgot about everything else.
“Have I mentioned how much I love that you went on the pill for me?”
He stripped off her shirt, and his soon followed, landing across the room in a heap on the plush carpet.
Lenna grinned over his shoulder as he dipped his head and kissed his way down her throat until he hovered over her breasts. “Only every time we get naked.”
“Mmm.” His tongue teased the top edge of her bra, and she arched, needing more.
“Braxton,” she gasped.
“Hmm?” was his evasive answer. His teeth nipped at her bra, tugging the cup down until he exposed—
“Mr. Farris?”
Lenna screamed as the deep voice that spoke above them. Braxton flattened himself on top of her to cover her. Their wide eyes met before he lifted his face toward a speaker box in the corner of the ceiling.
Fumbling and cursing under his breath, he rolled his eyes then leaned across her toward the nightstand to push a button. “Yes?”
“Good afternoon, sir,” the voice from the speakers answered. “This is Captain Wesley. I just wanted to welcome you aboard and let you know we’ll be taking off now.”
“Thank you,” Braxton answered, glancing down at Lenna as he spoke.
“If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to call,” Captain Wesley informed them.
“Thanks,” Braxton repeated. “Will do.”
“Have a pleasant flight, sir,” the captain added and then signed off.
Braxton and Lenna stared at each other for a moment. Then they broke into simultaneous bouts of laughter. Lenna buried her face in his shoulder and couldn’t stop shaking; tears of mirth filled her eyes.
“He scared the crap out of me,” Braxton managed to say between chuckles as he sat back on his haunches and held his stomach.
“You?” Lenna sputtered. She sat up and wiped her eyes. “I just about peed my pants. It sounded like the guy was right here in the room with us.”
Around them, the walls hummed and vibrated as the engines started. Braxton tucked a piece of hair behind Lenna’s ear. Lenna met his eyes and realized he’d grown serious.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
Lenna shifted slightly as the plane began to move—probably rolling down the runway—and touched his face. “Why?”
“I thought everything would be more romantic than this.”
Glancing about the room, Lenna took in the fanciest arrangement she’d ever seen: wood-paneled walls, velvet-plush carpet, top of the line decor. There were even roses in a vase on top of the dresser.
She turned back to Braxton. “Are you kidding me? I’m in a private jet, getting ready to go on a mysterious weekend getaway with a devastatingly handsome man. God, Braxton, I can’t stop smiling because I’m having the time of my life. Trust me, it doesn’t get any more romantic than this.”
He smiled softly. “I want it to be perfect for you.”
“It is,” she assured him, then grinned and pushed him back onto the mattress. As she crawled over him and straddled his hips, she gazed into his solemn eyes. “You know, I always thought if I were to ever join the mile high club, it’d be in a cramped third-class bathroom with some impatient passenger needing to pee pounding on the door.”
She leaned down and nipped at his lips, then teasingly pulled away before giving him a full kiss.
But Braxton caught her face and tugged her back.
“You’re amazing,” he whispered and crushed his mouth to hers.
* * * *
Braxton couldn’t say how long the flight lasted. He was too wrapped up in Lenna to notice.
They never left the bed. Well, he did once to fetch them a snack of cheese and crackers and a bottle of wine. Then there were a few bathroom trips, but they always seemed to find their way back to the silk sheets.
The captain came onto the speaker yet again before they landed, to inform them they were thirty minutes from their destination. As they dressed, Braxton cleared his throat and glanced toward Lenna.
She sat at a vanity, staring at her reflection as she brushed her hair. He had never seen a more beautiful sight. He sat on the edge of the bed behind her so he could see both her elegant back and the reflection of her face in the mirror. Double perfection.
“Your father’s mentioned you took a few French classes in school.”
Lenna paused in her brush strokes and met his gaze in the mirror. She was never comfortable when Tom’s name came up. Braxton wondered if he should’ve even said the words, “your father.” He didn’t want anything to ruin the next few days.
But Lenna merely sent him a curious look. “That’s right. It was my minor.”
He straightened. “Really? So, you’re pretty fluent then?”
“I’m decent.” She shrugged. “I’m better at French than I am Spanish.”
“You know Spanish too?” Braxton’s mouth fell open. “Wow.”
“Some. I’m trying to learn a little Italian as well.” She blushed. “I actually wanted to be a linguist once. But it took so much work to learn French that...” She let her words die off, not finishing the response.
“You decided public relations was more the thing for you,” Braxton completed the sentence for her.
“I don’t know.” Lenna’s smile fell. She set the brush down and turned to face him. “I really have no idea what I want to do. It’s just that...the spoken word is so fasc
inating to me. I love learning about the history of each language, how it was formed, and how it differs from the others. I love trying to figure out how to say something another way. It’s like a puzzle.”
“Sounds like you should be a translator,” Braxton said, feeling as if he were meeting her for the first time. But, man, he loved discovering new facets about this woman.
Lenna, however, didn’t look so thrilled. “No, the only language I’m passable at speaking is French, and I’m probably not translator quality. I mean, I could get through a conversation with a Frenchman, no problem, but there’s still so much I don’t know.”
She sighed. “Sure, I’d love to do something like that. But a translator? I just don’t think I could.” Then she groaned and closed her eyes. “I don’t know.”
Braxton reached for her. “You’ll figure it out. And I know whatever you do, you’ll be amazing at it.”
Lenna opened her eyes and looked at his outstretched palm. When she took his fingers, he experienced a connection he’d never known existed in the world. He was almost overwhelmed by the power of it.
Not wanting to delve too much deeper into emotional territory, he cleared his throat and said, “Are you ready? I think we’re landing.”
“Oh! Sure.” Her eyes flew wide, and she popped to her feet. “I need to put my shoes on.”
Braxton helped her, slipping on one sneaker as she pulled on the other.
She grinned at him. “Thanks.”
He took her hand and assisted her to her feet.
After pressing a quick kiss to her nose, he walked her to the main seating area. Twenty minutes passed before the aircraft came to a complete stop. As soon as a crew member opened the hatch, Lenna hurried forward. Entertained by her excitement, Braxton followed.
When she reached the doorway, she fell to a halt and stared out. Lips parting, she pressed a hand to her chest. “Well, it’s definitely a different country,” she said. “But...” Turning to Braxton, her eyes filled with question. “Where...?”
He stepped next to her and held out a hand for her to precede him. “Welcome to Paris, chéri.”
CHAPTER 14
Lenna couldn’t wrap her mind around the concept. She was in Paris. Paris, France! She was sitting in the back of a stretch limousine, riding through the streets of Paris, France.
Completely ignoring Braxton beside her, Lenna pressed her nose to the window and gawked.
It was beyond amazing. The fact that it was night and she couldn’t make out anything they passed but flashes of light didn’t even bother her. At the moment, all that mattered was that she was in Paris!
“Hey. There’s the Eiffel tower!” Braxton said.
Lenna turned, surprised to discover he was pressing his nose to the opposite window. He glanced over his shoulder at her and grinned as he motioned out his side. Quickly scooting toward him, Lenna snuggled against him when he wrapped an arm around her waist. Then she peered out and sucked in a breath. It was outlined with millions of tiny lights...the one and only Eiffel Tower. She could see its magnificent steeple rising over land and building. “Oh,” she whispered.
“I know,” Braxton murmured.
Lenna turned and realized she’d been sitting cheek to cheek with him as they both gaped like children at a candy store.
“Haven’t you ever been to Paris before?”
For an answer, he shook his head. “Never.”
Shrugging, Lenna grabbed his hand, squeezed, and went back to peering out the glass, even more pleased to be sharing this moment with him.
She had taken him for the rich kid type that spent summer breaks traveling Europe and the like. But she rather liked the fact they were both experiencing Paris for the first time together. It made everything all that more special.
When the limo finally stopped in front of a huge, brightly-lit building, Lenna’s jaw dropped. “Is this our hotel?”
“This is our hotel,” Braxton confirmed.
He hopped out of the car as soon as their chauffeur opened the door so he could assist her out. Lenna grinned at his waiting hand and took his fingers. As soon as she was on her feet, she tipped her head back and gawked unabashedly at their accommodations.
The building was long, stretching further than a normal American city block. It was five stories high with a huge clock above the entrance, looming a good story tall by itself. The arched entry under it had to rise at least two and half stories. As Braxton started toward the arch, Lenna swallowed and hurried into step behind him.
An attendant opened the door for them, and Lenna smiled, murmuring, “Merci,” as she passed.
Oh, wow. She’d just spoken French. She was going to get to use her French!
Hurrying her pace, Lenna moved closer to Braxton’s side and tightened her grip on his hand. He glanced at her and winked.
“This is, like, a five star hotel, isn’t it?” she had to ask.
“No, of course not.” Braxton eyes glittered with a devilish gleam. “It’s only four.”
Trying to imitate his air of unconcern, Lenna tossed her hair over her shoulder, though inside, she had to swallow back a squeal of excitement.
“Only four, hmm. Well, goodness, Braxton. What’s wrong with you? Couldn’t you get reservations at a five star?”
With a grin, Braxton shook his head and muttered, “Smart ass.”
They walked to the concierge desk and Braxton sent the man waiting there a polite nod. “Hello. Do you speak English?”
The concierge answered, “But of course, Monsieur.”
“Good. I have reservations for Farris. Braxton Farris.”
“One moment.” The gentleman turned his attention to a computer screen next to him.
Lenna nudged Braxton in the elbow. “Don’t you speak French?”
Out of the side of his mouth, he murmured, “Not a word.” After a pause, he added, “Thank God you decided to tag along, huh? I might’ve gotten lost this weekend.”
Gasping, Lenna watched him smile at the concierge as the man returned.
“Here is your room key, Monsieur Farris. I’ll see that your luggage is brought up.”
“Thank you,” Braxton said, taking their key card. “May I have a wakeup call at eight?”
“Certainly, Monsieur.”
* * * *
Braxton and Lenna stayed in the hotel on their first night in Paris. They had too much fun exploring their fancy suite to go out just yet. Plus it was late, ten o’clock their time and four a.m. Paris time.
When they finally tucked themselves into the single, king-sized bed, it was nearly five in the morning. Lenna didn’t even stir when Braxton’s wakeup call rang three hours later.
Utterly exhausted, he dragged himself out of bed and took a long, hot shower. As he dressed in a suit and tie, he watched Lenna sleep. She looked so peaceful and content, a soft smile spread across his face. He couldn’t regret being awake when simply seeing her lie there like an innocent angel was a reward in itself. The problem he encountered was leaving her.
Digging the gift he’d brought with him out of his suitcase, he set it on his pillow. He jotted down a note and put it on top of the wrapped box. After smiling one more time at her sweet, innocent slumber, he pressed a light kiss to her forehead. When she continued to lie there like the dead, he grinned and impulsively touched her cheek.
“Goodbye.” He brushed a piece of hair off her temple. “I’m so glad you’re here with me.”
Needing to make his first meeting at nine, he finally left.
* * * *
Noon came before Lenna stirred. She groaned, sore and travel weary. When she opened her eyes, she found herself staring at a sculpted and ornamented ceiling. She blinked a few times before she recalled the past evening’s events.
She was in Paris!
“Braxton,” she called, sitting up and looking around the room. When he didn’t answer, a small frown puckered her face. “Brax?”
She glanced at his side of the bed only to discover a wra
pped box and note lying on his abandoned pillow. Reaching for the note, she ignored the gift and read impatiently.
~~
You looked too peaceful to wake. I have meetings until five, but I left you a gift I’m confident will keep you busy until I return. Don’t have too much fun touring the city without me. Be back at the hotel by seven. Dinner is at eight.
Enjoy, Brax.
~~
Disheartened to realize he was already gone and even more crestfallen he wouldn’t return until after five, Lenna glanced at the gold-wrapped box. Not too enthused about a gift, she peeled off the wrapping, wishing Braxton was present instead.
The day was going to be no fun without him. She didn’t want to tour Paris alone. She didn’t even have a camera to take any—
Lenna gasped...and then threw back her head and laughed.
It was official. The man thought of everything. Inside her unwrapped box was a digital camera so she could preserve her Paris trip forever.
* * * *
Lenna had lunch in a French café. She sat at a small table outside under a veranda and breathed in the cool February air. Too excited for the chill in the breeze to bother her, she gazed around her with her red cheeks and took in everything that happened.
It was thrilling to order a meal in French. The waiter hadn’t given her one strange look either. So, she must’ve done it correctly, though a woman at the table next to her did lean over and ask if she was American due to her accent.
After eating, she went straight to the Eiffel Tower. Lenna didn’t care if that made her a tacky tourist. She wanted to be inside the oh-so famous piece of architecture. Braxton had also left her some euros so she was able to buy a few trinkets in the gift shop.
When she went up the tower as far as she could go, she looked down at the grand city below, wishing she’d waited on Braxton so she could’ve experienced the view with him. But he had business to attend to and said he’d wanted her to have fun. So, she continued her day, touring.
The next place Lenna went was the Musée du Louvre. She’d intended to walk the entire way, hoping to experience Paris with all five senses, not just see it out a car window. But she only made it ten blocks before the freezing wind and her aching muscles made her give in; she hailed a cab.