Chapter 26
twenty-six
. . .
Emilia
I’d handled my first fling like a champ. I wasn’t clingy. I didn’t ask if he liked it.
I could tell he did.
But I didn’t even attempt to make small talk after.
I knew the score, and I was down to play the game.
I turned on the tub water in the gorgeous hotel bathroom. It was all marble floors and walls, with an antique-looking claw-foot bathtub. I poured some lavender bath salts in the water, because apparently swanky hotels provide everything your heart desires.
Including two orgasms and a steak dinner.
I snagged a small bottle of sparkling wine from the minibar and set it on the stool next to the tub before dropping my robe and slipping into the water.
What a freaking night.
Bridger Chadwick could put every book boyfriend I’d ever read about to shame.
If barns housed men, Bridger Chadwick would be the stallion.
He was confident, attentive, and controlling, all at the same time.
Even the way that he’d insisted I take control—it was still him telling me what to do.
And his filthy mouth.
I thought dirty talk only worked in fiction, but I’m here to say, it works in real life, too.
Because hells to the yes, I loved every single second of it.
His body was hard and strong. Every inch of him was chiseled, golden skin.
My phone vibrated next to my glass of wine, and I used the towel to dry my hand before reaching for it.
Lulu
Bonjour. How’s Paris?
Henley
Tell us something good. I’m stuck at the office and just had lunch at my desk. I need to live vicariously through you.
Eloise
I’m in the gym with a bunch of sweaty men. Tell me you’re living out your Paris dreams.
I thought it over, and I wanted to tell them about my night, but I would just need to leave the little detail about Bridger out of the story.
I sure am. Are you all sitting down?
Lulu
Yes. Are you moving to Paris?
Henley
I’m sitting, and I’ll probably be sitting here until midnight, so I’m up for some exciting news.
Eloise
Did something happen? Did you get in a fight with Bridger? Are you okay?
Oh… I’m okay, no doubt about it. I met a man and had my first fling EVER. When in Paris, right? And it was… AMAZING.
Eloise
Whaaatttt? Where did you meet him?
I met him in the hotel lobby. We had a drink and one thing led to another.
It wasn’t a horrible lie. I mean, I was trying to keep this drama-free. If they knew it was Bridger, they’d make it a big thing. This was easier, and at least I could talk about it. I’d just leave out who he was.
Lulu
Yes! Let’s go, Em! Paris is the city of love.
Henley
You go, girl. Tell us everything.
Well, he was beautiful and sexy and had a filthy mouth. And let’s just say it was definitely the best sex of my life.
Lulu
It’s about time you found a man who knows how to use his… baguette.
Eloise
My head is spinning. This is something straight out of a romance book.
Henley
What happened after? Will you see him again?
We had a lovely night, and then we said goodbye. No drama. No strings. It won’t happen again. It was a one and done.
Henley
Did you get his phone number?
Lulu
She’s not going to be texting with her Parisian lover. Her needs were met. She’s donezo.
Eloise
Well, I’m happy for you. I know it’s been a while and what a way to do Paris.
Lulu
Paris is doing Em, real well.
Henley
And Bridger agreed to stay one more day and work from here, so I can do some sightseeing over the next two days.
Eloise
Maybe you’ll run into your lover!
Lulu
That baguette has already been served.
Lulu
You have the list of places I sent you that are the most important to see while you’re there, right?
Yes. I’m starting first thing in the morning.
Henley
What about Bridger? Are things going okay with him?
He’s fine. We’re meeting in the afternoon to go see the fireplace mantel at the antique store.
Lulu
I’m sure he’s found himself a hot Frenchwoman too.
I wouldn’t know, I was busy with my French baguette.
Henley
Do you know Cami Rogers, Em?
Yes. I’m not a fan. She was horrible to me in high school.
Henley
Easton and I ran into her at Booze and Brews. Apparently she got divorced, and she was asking endless questions about Bridger. She called him the “one who got away.” I think she’s going to try to reel him in.
Lulu
Good luck with that. He’s not that guy. Plus, if she wronged our girl, she is dead to me.
Eloise
Absolutely. She better not so much as look at you wrong, Em.
My chest squeezed at the thought of Cami sinking her claws into Bridger. I despised her. She’d been horrible to me. And what were the chances that I’d have an epic night with the man, and then she’d start asking about him?
I groaned.
I had no claim over him. He wasn’t mine. I needed to remember that.
We’d just had some fun.
That’s all it was.
Okay, I’m hopping out of the tub, and I need to get some sleep so I can get up early and explore Paris. Love you guys.
Three texts came through, all saying how much they loved me and telling me to have fun.
I was off to a damn good start.
I stepped out of the tub and dried off before slipping my nightshirt over my head. I brushed my teeth, pulled my hair into a long braid, and did a quick version of my skin care routine.
I turned off the lights and slipped into bed.
And when I closed my eyes, all I saw was him.
Bridger Chadwick.
He’d lived up to the fantasy.
But I needed to remember that he was just that—a fantasy.
“You finished your meeting sooner than I expected,” I said when he met me at the coffee shop the next day. I was desperately trying not to be affected by the man, but the way he’d walked into the coffee shop, looking sexy as hell, made it difficult.
He texted me a few minutes ago to say he was done and asked where I was. We were supposed to meet at the antique store, but he’d met me here instead.
He looked amazing in his dark jeans, gray sweater, and black dress coat.
Rule number one when having a fling—don’t make it more than it is.
So, I’d do my best to act normal, even if I had a hard time looking at him and not picturing him naked now.
“The meeting was quick.” He sat in the seat across from me. “Have you gotten to see much?”
“Yes. I started early. I just popped in here to get a coffee to warm up.”
“I gave you the driver’s number—why didn’t you use it? You shouldn’t be walking in this weather,” he said. He ordered a coffee when the server walked over.
The coffee shop was bustling with people coming and going. The white marble flooring and the cute bistro tables gave the place all the Parisian charm I’d hoped to find when I was looking for a little café to pop into.
“I’m in Paris. I don’t want to be sitting in a car,” I said.
But I wouldn’t mind sitting on your face again.
I wouldn’t share that little tidbit. No need to scare the guy.
He studied me for a long moment. “We can take the car to the antique store, since it’s a few miles away.”
“That’s perfect. How was your meeting?” I asked as I broke off a piece of my blueberry muffin and popped it in my mouth.
“It went well.” He nodded when his coffee was set down in front of him. “Did you find a lover while you were roaming the streets?”
I set my mug down and chuckled. “I did not. But the day is young. You never know.”
“You never know, Emilia,” he said, his gray eyes locked with mine.
I spent the next thirty minutes telling him about the places I’d been this morning, and he listened intently.
“I’m glad we’re staying an extra day, so you can see more tomorrow as well.”
“Do you have to work tomorrow?” I asked, curious about what he’d be doing.
“Well, if taking you around Paris counts as work, then yes, I’ll be working,” he said dryly.
“You’re going to show me around Paris?”
“Yes. You’re only here for a short time, so we can’t have you seeing the wrong things.”
My lips turned up in the corners.
Don’t read into it.
“Thank you.” I finished off my drink, and he glanced at his watch.
“We should get going.”
I stood up, and when his hand found the small of my back, I swear my body heated instantly.
Thoughts of those large hands on me just a few hours ago had me squeezing my thighs together.
The cool air hit me when we stepped outside, and I was grateful for the distraction. Bridger had a car waiting for us right out front, and he opened the door for me before I slipped inside.
I was going to say hello to the driver, but he had the divider up.
“I’m very excited to see this fireplace,” I said.
“We came a long way to see it. I hope it lives up to your expectations.”
“Me too.” I chuckled, just as my phone rang.
It was my mother. I’d called to let her and my father know that I was going to Paris, but she hadn’t picked up, so I’d left a message. I sent it to voicemail, and it rang again immediately. Bridger obviously noticed.
“You can take the call. We’ve got a few minutes in the car, and I’ve got some emails to check,” he said.
I nodded. “Hey, Mom.”
I held the phone away from my ear when she started shouting. “How could you go on vacation when you have a business to run. How irresponsible are you?”
My chest tightened at her words. She always thought the worst of me, no matter what I did.
“I’m not on vacation. I’m here on a design job.”
“Oh yes,” she said, continuing on her rant. “Bridger Chadwick hired you because you whined about him thinking you wrote ‘The Taylor Tea.’ And now you’re abandoning your responsibilities and your family for a job that isn’t even real?”
I tried to hold the phone against my ear so he wouldn’t hear what she was saying.
His eyes were on me, and I could feel my cheeks heat.
“I’m not abandoning anything. Beatrice has the shop covered, and I hired another employee for the holidays. Everything is under control,” I said over the lump in my throat.
“You left a woman who isn’t a family member in charge of our business while you go to have a little fun in Paris. And then you hired a teenager to help her!” she shouted, and I pulled the phone away once again. “Shame on you, Emilia Taylor.”
“Shame on me?” I gasped as the first tear broke free. “Shame on me for going to Paris and chasing my dreams? I’ve been doing everything you’ve asked of me for years. This opportunity came up and I took it, hoping I’d have the support of my mother.”
An evil laugh came through the phone. Cold and angry. “You are a spoiled little girl. You’ve let your entire family down. Have fun in Paris, Emilia.”
And she hung up the phone.
I looked out the window, swiping at my cheek and trying to pull myself together in hopes Bridger hadn’t noticed.
“Emilia,” he said, his voice deep and smooth.
I cleared my throat and turned to look at him. “Yes?”
“Come here.” He opened his arms, and I moved into him. Needing the comfort.
His arms wrapped around me, and I took several deep breaths to keep from losing it. I would not break down in front of my only client.
And the man I’d just had incredible sex with last night.
When the car came to a stop, I pulled my head back. “Thank you. I’m good.”
He nodded, but I saw much more in his gaze than I’d expected to.
Empathy.
Concern.
Care.
Even if nothing ever happened between us again, it was obvious.
Bridger Chadwick cared that I was upset.
And that was more surprising than my mother’s berating phone call.