“I’ll keep that in mind.” Alec opened his laptop again and logged in to his hotel account. “Do you want a king bed or two queens for your room tonight?”
“King,” she answered.
With a few clicks, he set up a reservation for her. “Done. And I wouldn’t mind reports if you find any concerns about the property.”
“I’ll tell you about every speck of dust,” she promised. “Will you need daily debriefings?” There was a note of teasing in her voice.
Yet her words conjured up a sudden rise of interest. “I’ll give you a key card of your own,” he said. “You can come and talk to me any time you want.”
Her smile faded, and he caught the flush on her cheeks. He hadn’t really intended the hint of innuendo, but it was too late to pull it back. Instead, Sarah changed the subject. “I’m surprised that you’re spending Christmas working. Don’t you have family? A sister or a brother?”
He shook his head. “I was an only child. I spend my holidays alone.” He hadn’t really stayed in touch with his foster families since he’d only stayed with them a year or two before moving on.
“So, you’re trying to escape, too?”
Her prediction was a little too close to the truth, though he’d always intended to spend some time in Europe. He simply hadn’t anticipated having a companion. “I have to work.”
“Even over Christmas?”
He nodded. “Especially then.” It was easier to push back the emptiness of the holidays when he immersed himself in the accounts.
“I suppose it’s a difficult holiday if you have no family,” she agreed. “But you could do volunteer work. Or take a vacation.”
It was easier to simply stay busy with the hotels. He liked traveling, and it was easier to make decisions about the properties by visiting each one.
“What about you?” he asked. “Did you spend Christmas with your brother in the past?”
She shook her head. “No, not since before I was married. Ben wanted me to stay at our home, but he usually wasn’t there with me.” Her expression faltered. “I suppose he might have been with his real wife.”
“Possibly.” He pushed his laptop aside. “But your Christmas might have been worse if he was home.” He very much doubted that a man like Carnell would spend time watching old movies and eating frosted Christmas cookies.
Sarah seemed to consider that and nodded. “True. I don’t suppose he would have paid much attention to the holidays with me.” She eyed him and asked, “What about you? Were you ever married before?”
“No.” He had never wanted a wife or a family of his own. It was easier to forget the past, always moving from place to place. His father was in jail after killing Eva, and Alec had no one else. A part of him wondered if he could ever have a normal life. He suddenly realized that he’d enjoyed spending time with Sarah more than any other woman. And her laughter during the movie last night, with the cat stretched out beside them, had filled up the loneliness.
“This Christmas will be different. For both of us,” he promised.
She offered a tentative smile. “It will, won’t it?”
Sarah checked into the Paris Harrow Suites and observed the staff, just as Alec had requested. Everything went smoothly, though they did ask for a credit card for incidental charges. She gave them her bank debit card, though she questioned whether Ben could trace it. Her insides tightened at the thought.
The bellman promised to deliver her bags to her room, and she tipped him, choosing to remain downstairs a little while longer.
Alec had deliberately remained separate from her, claiming that he needed to meet with the general manager. In the meantime, Sarah intended to get settled in the hotel. It was Christmas Eve, and though it was early evening, it was already dark outside. There were soft flakes of snow falling outside, and she took a moment to sit in the lobby and gaze at her surroundings.
The gilt chairs had a fairytale-like quality and were surprisingly comfortable. She watched over the people as they entered the hotel, noticing the brightly wrapped presents that several guests carried. It felt strange to know that she hadn’t bought any Christmas presents this year. Ben was always impossible to shop for, and she tended to wait until the last minute to find something. Even then, he’d never seemed to care much about what she’d bought. She used to send gifts to Christopher, but he never responded. Last year, she’d sent a card, but again, there had been no reply. He was the only family she had left, and it hurt to think that they had become so estranged. She didn’t know if there was any way to fix it.
You could buy something for Alec, her heart suggested. After everything he had done for her, she wanted to repay him in some small way. Especially since he’d said that he’d celebrated Christmas by burying himself in work.
Sarah went to the ATM machine and withdrew money before walking into the hotel gift shop. There were touristy gifts of Eiffel Tower statues, t-shirts, and postcards. She thought about what Alec might enjoy and chose a selection of chocolates and a bottle of champagne. Then she added a deck of cards with kittens on the front. It was silly, but she knew he liked cats.
It cost more than she’d expected, but she tried not to think about the money. Heaven knew, Alec had spent plenty on her, and he deserved to receive presents on Christmas morning.
There was no gift wrap, but Sarah decided she could improvise. She went upstairs to her room and set the packages inside. She was delighted with the large mahogany king-sized bed and the elegant furnishings. It was a small room but quite cozy. The bathroom had marble tile, and she chose towels and a hand towel to wrap up her Christmas gifts for Alec. It wasn’t perfect, but she didn’t think he would mind.
A knock sounded at the door, and she peered through the peep hole to see who it was. Alec stood on the other side, and she opened the door.
He handed her a small box. “As promised, here’s a phone you can use while you’re here.” Next, he handed her a key card. “1252,” he said. “I’m just down the hall. You can go inside whenever you want.”
“I’ll knock first,” she promised. “And thank you for the phone. Do you want to come in?”
“Not just now. I actually stopped by to invite you to join me for a late dinner,” he suggested. “It is your first night in Paris, after all. Do you want to go?”
She hesitated, for it was beginning to sound like a date. And yet, it was Christmas Eve. They ought to do something special, just to celebrate the holiday. If she said no, Alec would likely spend time with his laptop, going over numbers. He had spent a good hour of their flight doing just that. And the truth was, she did want to see Paris, even if only for a little while.
“All right,” she agreed. “But I should change first.”
“Is half an hour enough time?”
“More than enough.” She couldn’t wait to see the city and intended to get dressed quickly.
“I’ll meet you downstairs when you’re ready.”
She smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.” And she realized it was the truth. The idea of spending an evening with Alec sounded like fun.
“Me, too.” He reached for her hand and held it a moment. The sudden warmth of his hand was electric, as if it were sliding deeper beneath her skin. It wasn’t hard to imagine his hands moving lower down her body.
Her instinct was to pull away. Not because she was afraid of him…but because she was afraid of her own reaction. He had been so kind, and there was an intensity that drew her nearer. It made her want to push past his lonely exterior to find the man beneath.
She couldn’t deny the thrill of attraction that struck her senses. Alec Harrow had the look of a man who had walked on the darker side of life. He understood what she had endured, better than anyone else ever could. And something about him drew her closer.
Sarah was starting to question whether this dinner was a good idea. It means nothing. You’re just friends.
After he left, she leaned back against the door, muttering to herself. “What are
you doing, Sarah? This is such a bad idea. A rebound guy is the last thing you need.”
I am an idiot, she thought, as she dug through her suitcase to find a dress. Though she didn’t know if they would be eating in an upscale restaurant or a street café, it was better to be prepared for anything.
She chose a long-sleeved teal knit dress that clung to her hips and a pair of flats. Heels might be too risky with icy sidewalks.
Sarah glanced in the mirror and decided to leave her hair down. She smoothed the ends, staring at the bruise on her cheek. It was fading, but it was still a reminder of Ben. She used foundation to cover up the bruise and set the make-up with powder. She added a touch of lipstick that was a slightly darker color than her mouth. For now, it was the best she could do.
She pulled on a coat and went into the hallway, tucking the key card into her purse. A few minutes later, she arrived downstairs. Alec was waiting in the lobby, and his expression held interest when he saw her. “You look beautiful, Sarah.”
“Thank you. I don’t know if this is fancy enough, but it was all I had.” She followed him outside, feeling suddenly self-conscious about his presence. Though she knew this was only dinner and perhaps some sightseeing, she could feel an unspoken energy rising between them.
Alec spoke in French to the driver, and when they pulled out of the hotel, she was mesmerized by the lights and the reflection along the River Seine. She smiled when they drew closer to the Eiffel Tower, which was covered in lights.
“I thought we could be tourists tonight,” Alec said, as the driver slowed down. “I made dinner reservations here.”
“Inside the Eiffel Tower?” She was delighted by the idea. But there were hundreds of people standing in line. The car pulled to a stop, and Alec tipped the driver before guiding her toward one of the security guards. He gave his reservation number, and within moments, they were inside an elevator, riding up to the restaurant. She couldn’t stop herself from stealing glimpses of the view as the waiter guided them to their table. Alec gave another order in French, and she caught the word champagne. Within moments, the waiter returned with a bottle and he poured glasses for them.
“To Paris,” Alec said, raising his glass.
She clinked it and answered, “Merry Christmas Eve.” When she sipped at the champagne, the light fizz was delicious. But it was the gleaming lights of Paris that caught her breath. She had always longed to travel, and the city was beautiful. From their seats, she could see a view of the Trocadéro and the Palais de Chaillot. The blaze of lights was enchanting.
This was the life she had anticipated with Ben, one where they might travel together and enjoy a vacation. But he had never wanted to go with her, always claiming that he was busy with work. And now, she sat across from an attractive man who had helped her escape the Marriage that Wasn’t.
Her brain warned her against forming any sort of attachments. She knew Alec was only being a friend and he didn’t expect anything in return. But it worried her that she might be letting down her defenses too easily. This Christmas holiday was starting to make her yearn for a real relationship, though it was far too soon.
“This is such an amazing restaurant,” she remarked, caught up in the dazzling lights of the city. The restaurant was located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, and it featured a six-course meal, paired with wines. She could hardly wait to taste the cuisine.
“What did you think of the Paris hotel?” Alec asked after the waiter brought the wine along with a first course of pan-seared foie gras with a parsnip puree.
“I like it,” she said, savoring the first bite. “It’s as if you took pieces of Versailles and placed the furnishings around the lobby. I wanted to explore, to find the hidden treasures.” The chairs, in particular, had been among her favorites. The waiter came and brought the second wine pairing, and after he left, she asked, “What made you decide to build hotels?”
Alec’s gaze shifted toward the tall glass windows, as if he didn’t want to reveal everything. Then he admitted, “When I was a boy, we didn’t have much money. My mother worked at a daycare center, and my father worked on an assembly line. We stayed in a hotel once when we went to Florida. It wasn’t a nice hotel, but I remember feeling that sense of escape. As if, for a few days, my life could be different.” An enigmatic smile crossed his face. “My father spent most of the time outside of the hotel. He went to a football game in Miami without us because we only had enough money for his ticket. Those hours alone with my mother were some of the best I ever had. And all we did was go to the hotel’s swimming pool.”
“I know you loved her,” she murmured. She could see it in the way his blue eyes softened.
“My mother was a good person. She did everything for him…washed his clothes, folded them the way he wanted. She made him his meals and always waited to eat with him, even when he came home late from work. But it never seemed to be enough.”
There was pain in his eyes, but he refused to say more. All she could offer was, “You must miss her so much.”
“She deserved better than the life she had.” He reached for the champagne bottle and refilled her glass. “So do you.”
Sarah distracted herself with the wine, but inwardly, she was reminding herself that his words meant nothing beyond friendship. He was helping her as a means of atonement, nothing more. It wasn’t about any sort of relationship or friendship between them. Don’t lower your guard, she warned herself. Don’t let yourself believe there could be more.
And yet, why he would go to such trouble? Why would he bother taking her to Paris or going out to dinner at such an expensive restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower? She pretended to look outside at the view but instead saw the reflection of Alec’s face. There was no reason for him to bother with her. But he was studying her with an interest that made her cheeks burn.
The second course arrived, and though the halibut tasted delicious, her attention was caught up in Alec. She turned her gaze downward from his face, only to be caught by his tailored suit and the way it stretched across his broad shoulders. Alec looked like a man who worked out often, and she was mesmerized by the light stubble of beard across his cheeks. She imagined what it would be like to touch his face, but immediately pushed the thought back. You’ve had entirely too much wine. The last thing she needed was to let her heart be drawn down the wrong path.
But as the evening continued, she noticed that Alec had stopped drinking very much. His complexion had gone pale, and tension lined his face. Even during the next few courses, despite her attempts at friendly conversation, she sensed that something was troubling him. “Are you all right?”
“I’m just tired. Don’t mind me.” He passed her the plate containing the poached pear in rum sauce and offered her a bite. She did the same, sliding her chocolate almond torte in front of him. Sharing the desserts was intimate, and she savored the sweet pear. But he barely touched the torte.
This was more than jet lag, she was sure. The tightness in his mouth revealed a man trying to hide his discomfort.
“Do you want to see the view?” he asked, after he paid the bill.
“I’d love to.” But even as he guided her toward the elevator, she was worried about Alec. Once or twice, she caught him closing his eyes as if to push back pain. The elevator opened at the observation deck, and he allowed her to go first. Her light coat was not enough to deter the wind, and she leaned against him as an icy gust froze her fingertips.
“Sorry. It’s much colder than I’d thought it would be.”
When he started to remove his own coat, she stopped him. “No. You’ll only make me feel guiltier if I take your coat. I’ll be fine.”
Instead, he put his arm around her, drawing her against his side. She welcomed the touch, putting her arms around his waist. “Don’t worry this means nothing,” she reassured him. “I’m only stealing your body heat.”
“I don’t mind,” he said. But again, she sensed the unspoken note of pain. She was certain that something wa
s bothering him, though he tried to hide it. For a short while, she admired the view of Paris at night. Alec took a picture of her on his phone with the Paris lights illuminated behind her.
“Would you like me to take a picture of you?” she offered, but he shook his head and declined. Likely because he didn’t feel like smiling. She didn’t know what was wrong, but whatever the reason, he needed to return to the hotel and rest.
“I think I’m beginning to feel the jet lag,” she lied. “Would you mind if we went back to the hotel?”
The look of relief on his face was instantaneous, though he kept his answer neutral. “If you like.” He made a call from his phone to order the car around, and they went back inside the elevator.
When they reached the restaurant, she took his hand in hers. “Thank you for dinner,” she said. “I loved every moment of it.”
“You’re welcome.”
The car arrived, and he guided her inside. Once they began driving, she tried to watch him out of her peripheral vision. The strain was still there, and she caught him rubbing one of his temples.
“Are you as tired as I am?” she said lightly.
“Very. I’ll be glad to crash tonight.” He leaned back in the car, and their hands rested side by side. She tried to relax, but she inhaled the masculine scent of his skin. Although she tried not to be obvious about it, she was watching him for signs that he was hurting. Once, he closed his eyes and it appeared as if a flare of pain caught him hard. They rode in silence back to the hotel, and she decided there was time in the morning to walk through Paris if Alec was feeling better.
She sensed that the moment they reached the hotel, everything would change once again, like the breaking of a spell. On impulse, she reached for Alec’s hand and squeezed it. “I want you to know how much this evening meant to me. I loved the dinner and…just everything.”
He squeezed her palm in answer and didn’t let go. The touch of his hand upon hers was magnetic, and she savored the silent caress. She hadn’t realized how starved she was for affection, even in the smallest form.
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