Chapter 7
They did not mention ‘the moment’. He had an early meeting and when he went downstairs, it was to discover that she was already up.
“I made coffee.”
“You did not have to. I could have grabbed something on the way.”
“It’s no trouble.” She avoided his gaze as she poured the coffee and set it on the counter.
“Where are you off to, today?”
“This delightful café that I passed as I was doing my exploring.” Taking her coffee with her, she sat at the counter and cradled the cup. “I went in for a minute and surprise! The woman, her name is Aimee speaks English – albeit with a heavy accent, but if I lean in - I could actually hear what she is saying.”
He grinned and sent her heart into overdrive. She did not need this, not now. Last night she had tossed and turned in bed, wondering if he slept in the nude and what his chest looked like. And the rest of him.
“I wish you luck.” He finished his coffee. He wanted a refill, but being so near to her, inhaling her scent and looking at her was making him decidedly edgy.
Um, have a good day. I have a feeling you are going to nail that hotel today.”
“Your lips to God’s ear. I will call you when I am leaving.” He hesitated a minute and she held her breath.
“See you later.” He turned at the doorway. “No cooking this evening.”
“Why?”
“We are having dinner out. That will give you a chance to explore something different from the cafes.”
She looked down at her outfit of faded denims and a chunky orange sweater. “Should I change? You know how I hate dressing up.”
He grinned at her. “What you are wearing is fine. See you later.”
She sat at the counter and picked up her cup, cursing her trembling hands. For the first time since Greg had crushed her heart and stomped on it, she was feeling something. She had stayed away from all of that, and it had not been that difficult.
She had been approached by members of the opposite sex, including some of whom had been sent her way by Michael. She had gone out several times but had not been interested enough to get into anything serious. Her sex life was non-existent. And that had not bothered her.
Until now. Pushing the cup away, she dragged a hand through the thick strands of hair she had decided to leave loose.
She was attracted to him, that much she could admit to herself. She was acutely aware of him. And oh God! She wanted to sleep with him. Lifting a shaky hand, she rubbed the back of her neck wearily.
Which would complicate things. She was not the type to have casual sex, she wished she was that person. If that were the case, she would have followed her desire and gone straight to his room and just jumped him.
But she could not go to bed with a guy and simply tell him goodbye, it has been nice. And she had a distinct feeling that it would be much more than that with Leo. Michael was right. She had deluded herself into thinking that she could be with him, live with him, be in close proximity and not feel anything except mild feelings.
And they were just barely two days into the week. How the hell was she going to survive the next few days? She could enter into a sexual relationship and see where it went… No! The minute the idea took root; she shook it loose.
Leo was a very wealthy man and an extremely handsome one. She had never been able to keep Greg in her bed and he was not half as dynamic as Leo. She was not sophisticated enough to turn a blind eye on infidelity.
She did not believe in sharing her man.
She was also horribly inexperienced. Aside from Greg, the only other relationship had been with someone in college, and he had broken it off with her, because ‘she was not doing it for him’…
It had been painful and a lesson she had taken with her over the years. With Greg, she had been awkward and apologetic, and he had told her he understood.
He had teased and called her his ‘virgin fiancée’, and she had thought it was cute. But he had been so dissatisfied, he had turned to her best friend to make up for her lack in the bedroom.
A man like Leo was highly experienced and would be disgusted with her lack of experience and would quickly get tired of her.
“I am not doing this.” She muttered into her cup. “No matter how tempted and Lord, am I tempted.” She finished the coffee and tried to settle her heart.
*****
They made a day of it. She stopped in the little café, owned by Aimee and her husband William who just happened to be an American. She was greeted like a long-lost friend and invited back to the kitchen.
“I met my Aimee when I came here on vacation.” He was a thin looking man with a wide smile and an air of fatherly comfort about him. his light blue eyes sparkled when he talked and he had a habit of slapping his belly when he laughed, which was every five minutes.
“That was twenty years ago and I did not return home.” He nudged a nervous looking chef out of the way and took over. “We serve American and French meals and get a lot of tourists.” He smiled at her. “You are a chef?”
“Pastry.”
He nodded and reached behind him to pluck a covered plate from a glass case. “Patisserie. My Aimee makes the best. Taste, go ahead.”
She did and it just melted in her mouth, the taste of it floating through stomach. “My good Lord.”
He laughed at her amazed expression. “I took one bite of this when I stopped in and fell in love with the pastry and then with my Aimee.” He beamed at his wife who bustled in to pick up several plates and spoke to him in rapid French.
“English, my dove, or go slower. Twenty years and I am still trying to grasp the language.” Aimee shoved at him fondly as he wrapped his hand around her ample waist and stole a kiss.
“We have a crowd,” she gave Sherrian a wink before slipping out.
“I am going to need this recipe and please don’t tell me it’s a secret or I am going to have to kill you.”
His laughter boomed and he slapped a hand to his stomach, eyes twinkling. “You are a fellow American, so yes to the recipe.”
*****
He picked her up in a spiffy red sports car at noon.
“This yours?” She asked as she slid in, the warmth of the leather enfolding her in comfort.
“No. Strap in.” He waited until she did before pulling away from the curb. “How was your morning?”
“Eventful.” She told him about William and Aimee.
“You got the recipe?”
“I did.” She leaned back and stretched her legs out. “it was cold as crap, and I forgot to check the weather. My jacket was inadequate.”
He glanced over at the tan leather.
Without warning, he made a turn that took them into the parking lot of Romano’s.
“Why are we here?”
“To buy you a coat.”
“Leo, I didn’t mean… No…”
He simply opened the door and came around to open hers. The building was even bigger than the one she had visited in New York and speared upwards with glistening glass and chrome.
“Please don’t spoil this for me.” He murmured as she stood there with the wind blowing around them.
“Nothing over the top expensive.” She warned, then rolled her eyes at what she just said. “Who am I kidding? This is Romano’s.” She bit her lip. “Okay, fine. It is your money.”
He hid a smile as he touched her elbow lightly to guide her towards the revolving glass doors where a snappily dressed man was waiting to usher them into the brilliantly lit entrance. Women dressed in glitters – from dresses to jewelries rode the transparent elevator that seemed to zip upwards in seconds.
Leo knew where he was going, but a chicly dressed svelte blonde materialized out of nowhere and spoke to him in sultry French. Squelching the desire to rip the woman’s blonde hairs out by the roots, she did the next best thing.
Sliding her hand through his arm, she surprised both of them by the contact. She felt when he stiffened slightly. But instead of pulling away, he placed a hand over hers as they made their way towards the massive coat section.
The woman was waving poetic about the merits of cashmere and wool when they heard his name.
“Leo, what the hell are you doing here?”
He turned, a smile widening his lips. “David. I thought that was you.”
“You’re in France and did not contact us?” He stared at Sherrian curiously. He was gorgeous, breathtakingly so. She knew who he was of course. David Synder of Snyder’s fortune in sporting goods. She had read where he married a woman ten years his senior after running around as a playboy for most of his life.
“Where is Hailey?”
“She is – here she comes. We just stopped in to talk business. Darling.” His quick intimate smile tugged at Sherrian’s heart as the stunning woman draped in gold cashmere glided towards them.
“It’s Leo.”
“So, I see, darling.” Gliding over, she kissed him on the cheek before turning towards Sherrian, who felt dowdy and unattractive in her denims and sweater. “And who is this?” “My wife, Sherrian.” Ignoring the clutching of her fingers into his arm, he smiled at the couple who stared at him in shock.
“You are married. Why the secrecy?” David demanded.
“it was low key.”
“Dinner.” Hailey’s husky tone brooked no refusal. “Pierre’s is a lovely little restaurant that I discovered since living here.” She glanced at Sherrian, a smile glowing in her dark brown eyes.
“It is a casual place. A jacket over your jeans and that should do it.” She held out a hand to Sherrian. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, darling, and I am looking forward to hear you dish on this hunk right here.”
*****
She was quiet on the drive to the hotel. The couple had left them with the promise of a 9.00 pm meal at the restaurant and they had proceeded to pick out a gorgeous soft black cashmere jacket.
She had thanked him politely and refused the offer of something else.
“This is more than enough,” she told the eager sales associate firmly.
He waited until they reached the foyer of the hotel before he switched off the engine and turned towards her.
“Talk to me.”
She fiddled with her jacket and stared out at the looming building.
“You told them we were married.”
He knew that was her worry, but still it hurts that she had taken offence.
“Yes. What did you expect me to say? He took me by surprise.”
“They are going to want all sorts of details. How did we meet and all that? What do we say to that?”
“The truth. We met on the street, just in front of your place of business. I did not know what else to say.”
She tilted her head to stare at him and considered. “She is very beautiful, almost like a model. They seem to love each other very much.”
The tension eased out of him and left him weak.
“They do. Very much. She was a professor at a university when they met. The love affair was unexpected and for a while they had no idea what to do about it, especially David.”
She nodded. “She’s incredibly beautiful and a doctor.”
He nodded. “She has a PH. D, yes.” He wanted to take her in his arms and cuddle. “She is also the most down to earth person I have ever met. Most of the ‘wives’ are, some of whom are from very humble beginnings. Look, if you are not comfortable, we could make our excuses…”
“No.” She shook her head. “I just have to figure out what to wear, that’s all.” She interpreted the expression on his face and lifted a brow.
“If you open that mouth of yours by saying you are going to buy me an outfit, I am going to slam it closed. I will figure it out.” She looked out the window. “Now let’s explore this palace of yours.” She turned to look at him. “I take it that it is yours?”
He grinned a little foolishly, relieved that they were over that hurdle. “The contract was signed this morning, after another long and heated discussion.”
“Congratulations!” She told him softly and really meant it.
“Thank you. Shall we?” He pushed the door open and came around to let her out. Taking her hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he led the way towards the towering building.
“The Duchess.” She murmured.
“Pardon?”
“That is what it should be called. And there should be just suites, not individual rooms like other hotels. Just sumptuous suites and exclusive gift shops. Also, a theatre for shows, wonderful musicals. The best of the best. It should be so exclusive that it takes a year to get a booking.”
He turned her to face him. The crumbling graceful building loomed behind them, framed by a grayish blue sky. The property was located away from any vehicular or foot traffic and had the trees swaying in the stiff breeze.
“That’s a wonderful idea.” It was already forming inside his head. “You’ve painted a rather vivid picture.”
She shrugged, feeling the warmth of his skin seeping into her skin. Maybe it was this place, not just where they were at the moment, but the entire city of Paris. But she was feeling things she should not be feeling. She wanted his mouth on hers and her curiosity in wanting to know what his kisses were like was beginning to alarm her.
“Let’s get started.” She stepped away from him and turned towards the building, forcing him to do the same.
*****
“What?”
“You’re wearing makeup.”
“So?” She bristled and had just managed to resist tugging at the seams of the brand-new emerald, green jacket she had chosen to wear over elegant khaki leggings. A tan cashmere sweater was under the jacket and her hair was loose and flowing past her shoulders, in healthy waves.
“You look lovely.”
Her heart slammed into her chest at the look on his face. He was wearing dark blue dress pants, a pale pink sweater and blue jacket with thin vertical stripes and he looked marvelous.
“I happen to be representing you, so I need to look my best. Besides, Hailey looks like a fricking movie star. The woman appears to be ageless. It has to be that with all that money, she has had work done.” She offered him a sheepish look as his brows lifted. “I am not usually this bitchy about another woman, but I am feeling insecure.”
He was surprised at her admission and knew it cost her a lot.
“No need.” He helped her into her jacket and brushed at her hair gently.“You’re killing it.”
She sent him an unconsciously provocative look over her shoulder that had him tightening with desire.
“Why, thank you.” Taking a deep breath and completely oblivious to the effect she had on him, she took his arm.
“Let’s do this.”
*****
To her surprise, she found herself relaxing. The gorgeous couple made it their duty to put her at her ease. The restaurant was elegant, but not stuffy. The staff appeared to be on friendly terms with the Synder’s.
Both husband and wife spoke fluent French and the food and setting, gaslights, and purple décor, made for an intimate setting. Sherrian had not brought her notebook with her, but she was busy taking it all in to write her impressions when she returned to the flat.
And was unaware that Leo was watching her.
“Sherrian is wrapped up in her own thoughts.” His amused drawl had her coming back to the present.
“What?”
“Darling, we have been talking for a few minutes, and you have not contributed a word to the conversation.” Hailey, looking stunning in lime green the pantsuit molding to her slender curves, told her with a laugh. “We are trying not to take it personally.”
“I’m sorry.”
“She does this thing whenever we enter an eating establishment. She zones out and I know she is marking things down in her mind.” Leo told them with an indulgent laugh which had Hailey and David giving each other a look.
“I cannot seem to help myself. This strawberry parfait is exquisite.”
“Leo told us you own a pastry store in the States.”
She nodded in response to David and only felt a smidgen of anxiety where he was concerned. She was trying to look past the gorgeous face and amazing body to the man himself. She knew he had been a playboy before meeting Hailey and could see why.
“Yes. I am looking to expanding it.”
“We would love to drop by on our next visit.” Hailey told her warmly. She clapped her elegant hands briskly. “Now, the boys are going to take a walk and go to the bar and leave us girls alone to get to know each other better.”
“You’re just trying to get rid of us.”
“One of the reasons why I love you is that you are so smart.”
“And the other?” David leaned over to take her chin in his hand.
“Cannot be disclosed in polite company.”
“We are all friends here.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I adore you.”
“You had better.” She touched his cheek intimately. “Now shoo.”
He kissed her again and let it linger this time. “Come on buddy, let’s go and buy ourselves some overpriced liquor, while our women gossip about us.”
“Your colossal ego is going to be the death of you.”
With a laugh, he followed Leo to the elegant bar.
Sherrian had to swallow the lump that had formed inside her throat as she watched the intimate foreplay between the couple. She wanted something like that, the thought slammed inside her with a force that had her sitting up.
She barely saw when Hailey nodded to the hovering waiter who came forward immediately.
“Two glasses of Dom,” she told him in French.
“Now darling, shall we get started?”
“There is really nothing much to tell,” Sherrian hedged slightly.
“Why don’t I go first.” Hailey gave her an appraising look. “When I met David, I was not looking for a relationship.” Merci.” She gave the man a dazzling smile that had him blinking as he brought the glasses of wine. “I was forty-five and he was ten years younger.”
She took a sip and nodded in approval. “I was a respected professor at a well-known university and worked my ass off to get where I was. I had a one-night encounter with him at a party and thought that was it. The sex was amazing of course, the best I ever had, but that was to be expected. He was David Synder.” She smiled whimsically.
“I thought that was it. But he found me and pursued me until I gave in. At first I just wanted it to be something physical, but who was I kidding? I was hooked from the very beginning.”
“Yet there had to be doubts on your side. The age factor, his reputation, and the fact that he was heir to a fricking fortune.”
Hailey laughed huskily, eyes dancing. “I really like you. Yes, all those were in play and I tried my best to make him go away. But he stuck. I even went as far as getting engaged to another man.” She laughed again at the look on the younger woman’s face.
“Yes, darling. I went to the extreme. The man was more of my age and solid. And I wanted to show David that it would not work between us. I ended up wounding a good man because of my utter selfishness. I had fallen head over heels in love with David and I was pregnant, at my age.” She shook her head.
“He came to my place; guns blazing and told me in no uncertain terms that he was not going anywhere.” Her expression became luminous as she gazed over at the bar where they were seated. “I had my doubts and told him in no uncertain terms that if he cheated on me even once, I was going to slice off his cock and feed it to him in increments.”
The two women’s laughter had heads turning, including the two men at the bar.