12. Caught in the Act
12
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
VIVIAN
After dinner, Keaton and I relaxed in the common room, watching Paris play with Jessie, a new little friend of hers who was also waiting for a kidney transplant. We finally had time to catch up, and as close siblings who shared every detail without reservation, I held nothing back, telling him all about Richard—from the first night we met, to our reunion at Chelsea’s wedding, to now.
“That’s wild how you ended up meeting again,” he couldn’t believe it.
“Yes. And you know it’s difficult for me to let someone in after the way Adrien treated me.” I hated dredging up the darkest night when Paris and I left him for good.
“Trust me. I remember the countless phone calls I got from you.” He shook his head and finished off a candy bar from the cafeteria. “But once you told me exactly how he treated you, I’d have flown all the way to France to sort you out—and to kick his ass.”
I laughed, adding, “Not sure that would have helped. If Adrien wouldn’t change for me and Paris, he wouldn’t change for you, no matter how charming you are.” I reached over and tousled his hair, a habit from our childhood that he always pretended to hate.
“Stop, stop—don’t ruin my image in front of all the nurses,” he protested with a mischievous wink.
“As far as relationships go, Adrien will always be my biggest regret, but not a mistake. Because it brought me Paris.”
“I think every person on the planet has to go through one bad relationship to get to a good one,” he mused.
“Oh yeah? Enough about my love life. Tell me what’s up with yours. Did you end up skiing in Denver with what’s her name?” I teased, knowing he had already cycled through half the women from that dating show.
“Cassandra? Nope.” He looked away. “She and Anthony got together the day before I arrived, and that was it. Before I left to come back here, he told me he thinks she’s the one. I texted her and asked how serious it was, and she sent kiss emojis back like it’s a game. Like she forgot how she totally flirted with me by both text and phone before I flew out there, only then to snub me the entire time in favor of him. Whatever. I’m over it.” Yet, he didn’t seem over it at all.
“Texting? Seriously?” I patted his hand. “I wish you’d find someone closer to home, though I realize that might be selfish on my part. It’s only because I don’t want to see you swept away by some semi-famous woman who takes you far from Holly Creek and me. You know Paris would be devastated, too.”
“No matter where life takes me, I’ll always be the best uncle Paris has.” He glanced over at her and they shared a smile across the room. I loved how they’d bonded since we moved back here from France.
“Richard’s really great with Paris, too. I think you’ll see that. He has a big, generous heart; not one of these billionaires stingy with their money—not that I’d ever take advantage of him. I think I should open up to him. What do you think?”
“I think you already know what you want. You’re just too scared to act on it.” He shrugged. “I wish I had all the answers. Do what makes you happy. If he makes you happy, I’m happy. If he makes Paris happy, even better.”
“That’s a lot of happiness,” I elbowed him with a twerk of my lips.
“Yep. It is, especially if I can trust a billionaire with the two people I love most in this world. I have my own life to live, you know.” He shoved me playfully, shoulder to shoulder.
“You sure do. Any other female prospects? Paris needs some cousins.”
“Don’t push me to settle down yet, Viv. I just turned thirty.”
“Old man.”
“Shut it. And no, not a single prospect in sight.” He sighed. “I think I’m going to focus on my business for a while, and let love find me. Richard said he’d introduce me to a bottling company. That could be a huge deal.”
“He did? Interesting.” Clearly Richard had earned the trust of Paris and Keaton. I should give him a chance. Across the room, Paris yawned. “Oh, she’s rubbing her eyes. Can you go get her? I want to text Richard to come and say goodnight to her.”
Keaton scooped her up and spun her around, drawing giggles from her. I texted while trailing after them, yawning myself.
Once we had her settled for the night—with cupcake jammies picked out, teeth brushed, and hair braided—Keaton read to her from two books. Still, there was no sign of Richard.
I wasn’t about to send a nagging follow-up text, that might be awkward. Even though he’d been here for us throughout this ordeal, I tried to have no expectations of him, his time, or his kindness. I didn’t want Paris to be let down, though.
Thankfully, she drifted off before she could ask about him. But inside, worry gnawed at me. Despite our earlier talk, was his absence revealing his true colors? Once again, I doubted—whether he deserved it or not.
“What’s wrong?” Keaton asked softly as he finished reading, noticing the scowl on my face.
I masked it with another yawn. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“Go to the suite and get some rest. I’ll stay here.”
“No, that’s too much to ask. You just got into town,” I objected.
“Yeah, and I still need to check in at Hops with my team tomorrow. But tonight, I’m here. So go on.” He settled into the sleeper chair.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Got this spot right here, and a remote control for the TV. A couple of cute nurses to flirt with if I get really bored. I’ll be fine.” He stretched out his limbs for the night. “Ah, nice and comfy.”
“Your back won’t thank you in the morning. Believe me, I know.” I chuckled and drew a blanket over the top of him. “Thanks for being here. You can add ‘best brother’ to the list.”
“That’s a given.”
“I’ll be back early, hopefully before she wakes.” I kissed his forehead, gave my precious girl one more glance, sent up a prayer for her to get better, and left.
The hotel was only a five-minute walk away, and I knew the fresh air and movement would do me well. I’d already changed out of my pajamas earlier and was glad I’d bundled up in a sweater and my winter coat. Spring couldn’t arrive soon enough—but what would things be like for Paris by then?
A shiver ran down my spine, and I folded my arms as I quickened my pace. The biting cold helped distract me from my worries about her. I blew out clouds of breath as I hurried toward the hotel.
I assumed Richard would be there. Perhaps he’d dozed off and missed my text—I should give him the benefit of the doubt. After all, he had been so busy organizing surprises for Paris and the children, checking in with the doctors about her condition and tests, entertaining her alongside me, and fielding a constant stream of work calls.
I hadn’t even asked him to put his life on hold for us, yet he had. That should mean something. So if he needed sleep, I couldn’t really blame him; he’d already done more than enough for us.
As I ducked under the broad portico of the hotel, the snow began falling again. I saw a man and a woman exit the revolving front door and head toward a waiting car—and then I recognized Richard. I froze, watching him hug the woman and hold the door open for her.
“Oh, my God.” It was like Adrien all over again, catching him cheating red-handed. My heart couldn’t handle it—I had no desire to repeat a relationship like that. Rage surged within me, and I shouted, “You jerk!”
“Vivian?” Richard’s eyes widened as both he and his companion took notice of me.
“Guess you were too busy with your lady friend here to make it back to the hospital? Good thing Paris fell asleep and didn’t ask where you were. I can handle my own broken heart, but I’d never forgive you for letting her down and breaking hers,” I yelled. I wasn’t about to let another man deceive me again, regardless of how kind he might seem to my child.
“You must be the mother.” The woman nodded like she understood something I didn’t. “I’m Dr. Remington.”
Richard sighed and split the distance between us. “She’s my therapist—has been ever since I broke things off with my ex.”
“What? But I saw you hug her.” I protested, not ready to forgive.
“So? My family has known her and her husband a long time. I sought counseling from her after I called off my wedding to Janet because I recognized I was in trouble. She’s helped me sort through a lot.”
I glanced between them, trying to process his words.
“Listen, just because I’m wealthy doesn’t mean I don’t have my own problems. Mental and physical health are vital. And ever since you and Paris came into my life, I’ve needed?—”
“I get it. We’ve been too much for you, haven’t we? Paris’ diagnosis is a lot to deal with, and you’ve stepped in, even offering to donate a kidney, which you didn’t have to. And now it’s causing you too much stress.” I suddenly felt terrible about how much our situation must be weighing on him, so much that he required his therapist. Then again, I could probably use one, too.
“Stop. I can handle that. What I can’t handle are the missing pieces of our first night together in Paris.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not only a therapist but a practicing hypnotherapist, too. Richard called me so we could work together to recover the memories that are missing for him... about you, ” the doctor explained, just as Richard finally closed the distance between us.
“I was drugged that night, Vivian. I think the bartender slipped something into my drink at Club Aces. Why, I don’t know? I have my suspicions.”
“Drugged?” She shook her head. “I’d heard Adrien’s parties were always a little wild. It wouldn’t surprise me.”
“But the point is that my memories of our first night together are fragmented. The session ran longer than I expected. I’m sorry I missed saying goodnight to Paris. I promise I’ll be there when she wakes up in the morning.” Richard ran his hands down my arms, his eyes pleading for me to understand.
“But Richard, if you really wanted to know everything about our night in Paris, you could have just asked me.”
“I tried to tell him that, but Buchanan’s can be a stubborn lot,” the doctor interjected with a knowing smirk. “It could take two or more sessions for your memory to improve with hypnotherapy. Or one discussion with Vivian. It’s up to you. Either way, I’m heading back to the city. Call me if you’d like to schedule another session.”
With that, she slipped into the car and left. Richard gently took my hand and led me into the lobby, stopping just inside the threshold. “I know I could have asked you. And I will—but hearing a story isn’t the same as reliving it. I want to remember everything, to know exactly how it felt to kiss you for the first time under the Eiffel Tower.”
Stunned couldn’t begin to describe my reaction to this news. “That moment was incredibly special to me.”
“I recall things in fragments, but not the entire picture. Like kissing. I remember kissing a lot, but not our very first kiss—the way your lips might have warmed to mine and how my heart would have leapt out of my skin at the first touch of you. And pretty much everything we did in my bed at the hotel—gone.” He pressed a lock of my hair back off my face.
“Oh, Richard…” A tear welled up at how sad it was he couldn’t share the same appreciation for our night together.
“I recall one thing clearly, though. How you took my breath away the first time I saw you entering Club Aces, because you were so beautiful. I don’t think you know what simply looking at you does to me every day.” he whispered.
I shook my head. “You could have anything in the world you want, but hiring a hypnotist to dredge up memories of our first kiss? That’s so… so…”
“Silly, I know. I should have just asked you.” He turned and headed toward the elevator, but I caught up, stopping him in his tracks. I didn’t care that we were in the middle of the lobby with the night desk clerk eyeing us. Every moment counted now.
“If you’d let me finish, I was going to say that it’s incredibly romantic,” I explained, imploring him with my eyes.
“Yeah? More than a first kiss in Paris?”
“I think everything you’ve done this past week qualifies as romantic. And by the way, taking care of your mental health isn’t silly. I’ve never met a man quite like you.”
“Actually, you have met me before, and that’s the whole point. Things could have been so different between us. I want to go back in time and do it all over again, but better. Unfortunately, there haven’t been enough modern advances in time travel.” He chuckled, and wrapped his arms around me. “All I know is, I want you, Vivian.”
In that instant, the deep pull of longing that I’d been too afraid to acknowledge until now took over.
“Yes, Richard, I want you too.” I ran my hands over his chest, clutching his shirt as if I’d lose him, but I couldn’t, not now, maybe never. “Kiss me.” I pulled him closer.
He murmured my name against my forehead, his full lips brushing softly there. My pulse raced with more feathery kisses landing along my cheek and jaw before he captured my mouth.
With the searing heat of pent-up desire, my heart thundered in my chest, almost tearing itself apart in its fervor. The kiss was raw, and charged with the electricity of words left unspoken for too long. I desperately hoped his heart mirrored mine.
He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, as if seeing the truth between us. “Hell, yes. I feel it now.” He pulled me into his world, our tongues colliding in a fiery dance of exploration and need. As we plunged deeper into the passionate kiss, it left me breathless, dizzy with desire. I half expected to look up and see the Eiffel Tower magically lighting up again above us.
Suddenly, an angry voice shattered our special moment.
“What is he doing here? What is the meaning of this?” Adrien’s furious words broke our embrace. I blinked rapidly, as if trying to clear away a hallucination—but Adrien was very much real and present.
“W-what are you doing here?” I stuttered, scrambling to regain my composure. The last thing I expected was for him to show up here.
“I came to save my daughter,” he snarled. “You wanted testing, oui? ”
Richard stiffened beside me, his fists clenching, speaking through gritted teeth, “Stay away from Paris.”
With a scowl, Adrien fired back, “You have no right to keep me from what is mine.”
On that note, he rushed out of the hotel into a waiting taxi.