Chapter 9 #2
They walked the Ile De La Cité and crossed the Seine.
He also took her exploring to the nearby bookstalls where she felt as if she had stepped into a story.
She documented everything with the small hi-tech camera he had handed her as soon as they landed and did not care if she was an obvious tourist.
Everything was so bright, so beautiful and so full of life that she was dazzled.
They had lunch at a tiny café where the food was terrific and the conversation, fast-paced French, was loud and boisterous. No one was paying them any mind and to her surprise, she realized he spoke excellent French.
"I bet you speak Italian too." She murmured, sipping her wine.
"I'm afraid so." He could not believe how much he was enjoying her frank admiration and enthusiasm of the trip.
"And Spanish?"
"Hmm." Leaning over, he used his tongue to taste the wine from her lips. "So much better."
"People are all around us." She protested, ready to pull back. He snagged her around the waist and drew her onto his lap.
"This is Paris, it's expected." He then proceeded to seize her lips, the kiss drugging and sending off heat.
"Let's go take a siesta." He suggested hoarsely. "That's also expected."
"I thought we were staying at a hotel." She opened her eyes when he stopped the vehicle to see that they had left the dazzling lights of the city and turned into a private road that led to a small cottage-like building.
She had noticed the large and fabulously appointed Lancashire hotel on their way from the airport and naturally assumed they would be staying there.
"I wanted to be alone with you. Do you mind?" He glanced over at her as he unhooked his belt.
"No. This is lovely and so peaceful."
"Good." Shoving the door open, he rounded the hood and took her hand when she opened her door. "The caretaker and his wife got the place ready and prepared a meal before they left." He led the way up the cobbled drive and found the keys.
Unlocking the door, he ushered her into a charming foyer and a narrow passageway that led into an even more charming living room where the fire was simmering inside the hearth. Comfortable furnishings gave the place a cheerful appearance and a cozy look.
"Hungry?"
"Just a little tired. Is this place owned by the company?"
"Yes." He helped her off with her coat and went to hang them on the coat tree in the hallway.
"I thought we could sit by the fire a little bit before I give you the tour."
"I'd like that."
Pulling the neatly folded blankets off the sofa, he spread them out and added cushions. Drawing her down, he took off her boots and rubbed her feet. "Better?"
"Much."
She sighed when he took off his own shoes and came to lie next to her. Bringing her closer to him, he wrapped his arms around her and felt contentment stealing over him.
"Having fun?"
"Immensely." She inhaled his expensive cologne and closed her eyes. "Paris is magical."
"Hmm. It's different when it's viewed with someone who appreciates its astounding beauty." He tipped his head down to stare at her. "You're making it all new and shiny for me."
"I'm happy." Lifting her head, she propped her arms on his chest and examined his face. "I have to ask."
"Shoot."
"How many other women have you brought here?"
His brows lifted. "Why?"
She shrugged. "It's none of my business."
Lifting a hand, he trailed his fingers over her smooth cheek, loving the satiny feel of her skin.
"Never here to this cottage. I brought two to Paris, but we stayed at one of the hotels.
There are three in France. This place belonged to my great-grandfather.
He lived here for a bit when he was a young man. "
"I'm the first?"
He nodded.
"Why?"
"Because you're different. This is different. And now I want to make love to you by the fire."
"I would love that too." She whispered, feeling the erratic beating of her heart.
"Good." With his eyes trained on hers, he pushed her back gently on the cushions. "It seems I cannot get enough of you."
"I love that."
"Of course you do. Tell me you want me, darling."
Her heart thrilled at the endearment. "I want you, so much."
"I need you. The taste and feel of you." He traced the outline of her bottom lip before bending to touch his tongue to the fullness of it. When she trembled, he felt desire bursting inside him like a geyser.
Drawing back when she would have wrapped her hands around his neck, he took off her sweater, murmuring deep in his throat at the swell of flesh over the black lace.
"Very nice." Unhooking the clasp, he took it off and cupped the flesh, filling his palms with her. She felt warm and smelled like honey and desire. Deep, dark desire.
"Rodney." She breathed his name, her voice strangled.
"I intend to take my time." His voice was rough, his thumbs caressing the raised flesh. "I want you to scream out my name before I'm finished. I want you to want me the way I want you."
"I do."
"Not yet. But soon." Bending his head, he brushed his lips over her pebble-like flesh. When she could not bear it anymore, he took the nipple into his mouth and started suckling. Slow at first and then with increased urgency, like a man who had been starving for days, months.
Her body arched, fingers digging into his hair, his shoulders, biting into his back. He wanted to devour her. Having her once would never be enough for him.
He treated the other nipple with the same voracious appetite and had her calling out his name. It wasn't enough. He wanted her incoherent and panting for him. He wanted to imprint himself on her body so that she recognized only him. Just him.
He wanted to possess her for life. It stunned him to realize how much she had become the center of his life in such a short space of time, and it scared him to death.
He slowly took off the rest of her clothes and his before taking back his position. Melanie felt as if she was vibrating. Her body was so hot, her longing so much, she could not stand it. Turning to him, she curled her fingers on his chest, her eyes pleading.
"Now."
"Soon." He whispered back. "Very soon, baby." He nuzzled her neck, to give his body time to slow down from the raging inferno that was going on inside him. Trailing a hand down her back, he nibbled the hollow of her throat.
And then went back to her breasts. Her nipples fascinated him, drew his mouth to the tight buds that were already moist from his lavish attention.
One hand snaked between her thighs, nudging them open.
When he brushed a hand over the silky hairs covering the flesh, she arched.
Wanting to see her reaction, he lifted his head and watched with fevered eyes as her own eyes popped wide open when he slid a finger into the wet tightness of her flesh.
Her scream sounded around the room as she erupted against him, the climax slamming into her like a tidal wave. Her body quivered, collapsing against him in absolute surrender. But he was not done.
"Take more." He ordered harshly. Seeing her complete surrender did something to him that he could never put into words. Sliding another finger in, he brought her up again, until she was exploding. With a feral growl, he captured her cries, his lips bruising hers.
Ending the kiss, he trailed his lips down her neck and the valley between her breasts. When he kissed her stomach, she jumped, her fingers clutching at his hair.
"I can't." She cried brokenly, attempting to force him to stop.
Evading her, he made his way down, kissing the curls between her thighs and destroying her with his tongue. She came again, tears coursing down her cheeks as the storm broke and consumed her.
Only then was he satisfied. Bursting with need, he covered her body with his, driving into her in one long powerful stroke and staying still for a minute. He had completely forgotten about protection, wanting to feel just her.
He moved, eyes holding hers, hands gripping hers. Lowering his head, he kissed away the moisture from her face, until he took her lips in a gentle kiss that had her clinging to him.
When she came again, he joined her, his body driving into her, filling her and emptying. His heart pounded like a jackhammer, skin coated with sweat as he emptied himself inside her.
It took him several minutes to gather the strength to ease away, and even then he did not let go of her but held her against him.
She curled into him as she fought to get her breath.
For a few minutes they did not say anything and the only sound inside the room was the crackling of firewood and the heavy sound of their breathing.
"Some siesta." Her husky voice breaking the silence made him laugh.
"The best." Shifting slightly, he studied her face and brushed the wisps of hair from her damp forehead. "Tired?"
"Hmm. A little."
"We should get some sleep."
"That's a good idea."
Within minutes, he heard her even breathing and realized she was doing just that. Shifting carefully so as not to wake her, he pleasured himself by studying her in repose. She was stunning. Her complexion was a flawless caramel with just a hint of a mole next to her left eye.
She had long lashes, he had noticed it from the very first day. Her hair was tangled by his fingers and spread over his arm. Her mouth, he drew in a deep quiet breath and let it out slowly. Her mouth was incredible. He could spend all day exploring the shape of it.
He wanted to marry her. The knowledge of it stunned him into stillness.
The thought had been circling over the past few days and had now surfaced.
Good Christ, he was in love with her! Taking another breath, he continued to study her face and with the revelation came the knowledge that he did not really know anything about her.
She had told him about her parents but never suggested him meeting them. When he casually spoke about her meeting his mother, she had balked at the idea. He understood her reluctance to take that step, because it was a big one. But he wanted to.
And after this trip, after they returned home, he was going to push her again. Surely, she cared about him too. Even if she was not in love with him yet, she was close. There was no way she could exhibit that amount of emotion if her heart wasn't involved.
With a satisfied smile, he snuggled against her and dropped off.
*****
He took her shopping that afternoon at the Galeries Lafayette Champs-élysées.
He was willing to sit and wait as the eager sales associates in their sleek wear came and selected outfits for her to try on.
Champagne was served in slender flutes along with fruits and delicate pastries.
They were given a private room and showed the utmost respect.
Melanie felt herself preening as she received envious looks from the beautiful women handing her clothing to try on.
She also realized that there were no price tags.
Black cocktail dresses, chic skirts suits in jewel colors, expertly cut pants suits and leather jackets so soft, they felt weightless.
When she told him it was too much, he waved her protests away and asked the sales associates to bring perfume.
And he was far from through. He tirelessly took her to Romano's and ALE Paris, the luxury vintage boutique, for more purchases.
"We'll have dinner at the hotel." He announced when she felt ready to drop from exhaustion.
"When am I going to have time to wear all of these clothes?" She demanded as soon as they were inside the car.
"I went overboard."
"You think?"
Leaning over, he tugged at her chin and kissed her roughly. "I want to give you the world."
"Rodney--"
"And you're going to allow me to." He kissed her again before starting the engine. "We'll have a meal at one of the restaurants at the hotel and I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave you to wander around while I attend a meeting. It won't be long, I promise."
They were treated like royalty at his hotel, with the manager rushing forward to greet them.
Pierre Aveline was a superbly dressed man with a slender pointed face and raven black hair and was very charming and eager to please.
He gallantly commented on her beauty in precise English and personally attended to their menus.
The Coq au Vin was so delicious, she had to stop herself from asking for seconds. Rodney laughed when she wrinkled her nose and shook her head when Escargots was offered.
"It's a French delicacy and quite delicious." He assured her.
"It's snails." She retorted. "And no amount of garlic butter or whatever is going to change that. The answer is still no."
"You're going to offend the chef."
"He's just going to have to get over it."
Turning to the hovering waiter who was standing at attention slightly behind their table, Rodney spoke in flawless French and had the man bowing away.
"What did you say?"
"That mademoiselle is too scared to try anything new." His eyes twinkled at the look on her face. Tilting her chin up, he kissed her mutinous mouth. "I told him that you're not ready to explore the unknown."
"It sounded like you were saying much more than that." She said suspiciously.
He chuckled and kissed her again before picking up his wine. "I told him to go away because I wanted you all to myself."
"You did not."
"Something to that effect." He looked around the crowded space, sharp eyes noticing the décor and looking for flaws.
He had not informed anyone that he was coming as the trip was an impulse but was pleased to notice the standard was still the very best. He was going to make a note to compliment Pierre on maintaining it.
He was about to turn back to her, when he noticed a familiar face.
"Hailey." His expression was one of delight as his smile widened.
Turning her head, Melanie felt the spike of sharp envy and jealousy as she stared at the woman gliding towards them.
She was wearing a turquoise pantsuit that seemed to slide over her very shapely body like a lover's hand. And she was stunning.
"Darling." Her voice was husky and cultured. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"I, we arrived last night." He rose and took her hands, drawing her in for a warm embrace. "You're still as beautiful as ever."
"And you're still a charmer. You said we." Long golden eyes swiveled to take in the woman seated there.
"This is Melanie Foster, my, er, we're involved. Melanie." Reaching out, he took her hand and drew her up. "This is a very good friend, Hailey Snyder. She's married to a friend of mine and a member of my club, David Snyder."
The woman sized her up quickly and offered a polite smile.
"It's very nice to meet you." Turning back to Rodney, she touched his cheek lightly.
"And perfect timing. We're having a party to celebrate Jackson's new gallery.
" She looked at Melanie. "You're both invited and I refuse to take no for an answer. "