Chapter 9
Vani
I use the bedroom which contains my bag to get showered and dressed in private so the men won’t see me until I’m ready.
My black dress has long sleeves, and is down to my ankles, but it’s incredibly fitted, like a damn glove, with two cut outs at the waist, which is what makes it so sexy.
I pair it with some high heeled boots. The red sole is decadent and showy, but Saint bought me these and I love them.
I have a thick gold necklace around my neck, and a gold bracelet at my wrist. It’s retro looking, eighties style, which is super popular right now, except the ones I’m wearing aren’t costume jewelry, they’re real gold. Saint bought them for me to wear in Paris.
My purse is small, on a chain strap, just big enough to fit my phone and a lip gloss. I spritz some perfume and fluff my hair, then step out into the hallway, and head to the stairs.
The rumble of voices comes from the main living room.
As I walk down the stairs, I marvel once more at all the incredible Christmas decorations.
We used to go big on Christmas at the motorcycle club, with lots of decorations, and some of the guys would put tinsel on their bikes.
Every year, there’d be a charity run, and some members would dress as elves when we’d take presents to underprivileged kids and kids in the hospital.
But this is something else. These decorations are expensive.
The trees are absolutely massive. It’s a million miles from the tinsel and inflatable Santas that were my childhood Christmases.
For a moment, I get an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia. One year, I’d like to spend Christmas at the club with my men, but I’m not sure how it would go down, with either side of the equation.
Stepping into the larger living room, I smile as I get the attention of all my men at once. They’re dressed smartly, dark jeans, nice shirts, and with the big tree lighting the room with a warm glow, it makes my stomach flip in a happy way.
“Well, look at you.” Saint’s gaze roams up and down my body.
I know I look good. The dress might be simple and classy, but the cutout section is genius. The whole design flatters me with the way it cuts low on the chest, has paneling over the stomach to cinch me in, and flares out again over my hips to hug my legs as it falls to my ankles.
“Fuck me.” Lex shakes his head. “Your body should be illegal, Vani.”
I flush with pleasure at his compliment. Loving my curves the way I do now makes me feel happy in my own skin, and my men’s appreciation only makes that all the better.
“Where are we eating?” I ask.
“First things first, we want to show you something.”
Lex grabs my coat from the stand by the door, and slips it over my shoulders. The men slide into various jackets, too.
Saint hooks his arm, offering it to me. I take it, and he leads me to the front door of the rental home. Outside, the limo is waiting for us once more.
Once we’re inside, we glide through the streets, and with everything lit up, it looks magical. Every single place I turn, I see more beauty than before. It’s not long before the car draws to a stop and the door is opened for us by the driver.
“Thank you…” I pause, realizing I have no idea of his name.
“John,” he says with a British accent.
“Oh, you’re not French?”
He grins. “I’m both. My mother is French, and my father is British. I went to school in the UK.”
I’m about to say something else when Saint steps between us, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I resist the urge to giggle. The man is so possessive, and I guess John is quite handsome.
“Well, thank you, John.” I nod at him as Saint leads me forward.
Taking two more steps, I stop and put a hand over my mouth.
“Oh, wow.”
I stare in awe at the stunning scene in front of me.
Trees stand to attention either side of us, sparkling with thousands upon thousands of lights, all leading down the avenue of the Champs-élysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
I might never have been to Paris, but I know about this famous view, and with all the lights, it’s like a fairytale.
Tears prick at my eyes, and I blink them away, feeling stupid. Saint notices, and I brace myself for him to say something slightly mocking, but instead he nods.
“It does that to you, this city. I miss it so much.”
Grabbing his hand, I squeeze his fingers. “I can understand that.”
We wander, taking in the incredible sights. The stores are all lit up, and some with amazing displays on the front. Dior, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton have all turned their store windows into festive pieces of art.
After an hour of strolling the streets, the men lead me to a restaurant with a wonderful view out of the windows to the bustle of the streets.
People pass by wrapped up warmly, some dressed casually, but so many dressed in gorgeous clothes.
Cashmere coats, wonderful scarves, knee high boots, bags that cost thousands, and even fur coats—fake, I hope.
The women look stunning and expensive, and the men handsome.
There’s an elegance to a lot of the people passing by that makes them look like they’ve fallen off the pages of a magazine.
I could watch the world go by while sitting here forever.
I eat French onion soup, rich and thick, followed by a salad nicoise. It might be cold outside, but the restaurant is warm, and after the hearty soup, I fancied something lighter. The men all order meat for their main course. Saint has beef wellington, and Lex and Zane both order steaks.
We’re served champagne, and as I drink the chilled, bubbly liquid, the world around me seems to fizz with happiness, too.
By the time we return to the limo, I’m yawning heavily, and we head straight home, the journey and the jetlag catching up to us.
We ponder what sleeping arrangements to take, and I end up sharing with Saint, while Lex and Zane take a room each.
I slept soundly, and we didn’t wake until after ten. We ate croissants warmed through in the stove and then decided to go and explore the Christmas markets.
Within the hour, we’re all bundled up and back out the door, ready to see more sights.
Being in Paris is a truly fascinating experience, seeing all the different foods and gifts.
There are designer stores, too, but I’m more interested in the local artisan offerings.
The food market offers fruits and vegetables that I’ve never even heard of, and delicious handmade delicacies. It makes my stomach rumble.
We take a break for lunch, eating simple, but delicious crepes, and then head to the place I am most excited to see for the afternoon. Montmartre.
The whole district is lovely and vibrant. Street artists paint people live on the sidewalk, whereas others create hilarious caricatures. The scent of roasting chestnuts and hot chocolate permeates the air, and above it all, the white stone Basilica looms in awe-inspiring grandeur.
Saint starts to get all agitated, and I wonder what he’s getting antsy about, only for us to walk around a corner, and I let out a little cry of delight.
There, in front of us, is the famous windmill of the Moulin Rouge.
“Our spiritual home, cherie.” Saint’s breath brushes across my ear. “We will take you to a show.”
“Tonight?” I ask.
“We couldn’t get tickets for tonight, but we will go tomorrow.”
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve.
“We’re going to Moulin Rouge on Christmas Eve? Wow.” I could downright burst with giddiness.
What about this tonight? Zane signs, then picks up a leaflet in one of the shop doorways, holding it out.
A candlelight Siene River cruise, complete with a three course meal, which sounds amazing.
“I bet it’s booked up,” I say, trying not to sound disappointed. “It would be lovely.”
Lex takes the leaflet. “Let me make a call.” He walks away from us, talking into the phone after a short delay, and when he returns, he’s grinning.
“You managed to get us a place on it?” I ask excitedly. I can’t think of anything more romantic.
“I got us the whole damn boat. Admittedly, it’s one of the smaller vessels that provide this kind of thing, but I figured we’d want our privacy.”
I gawk at him. “How did you do that?”
“Money can do an awful lot.” He shrugs. “And the family name.”
That makes me pause. “Are you going to visit your family while you’re here?”
He glances to the ground and looks back at me, but to my right slightly, avoiding my gaze. “Non. It’s fine. They will be busy.”
That’s kind of weird, but I was nervous about meeting their father, so that’s fine by me.
I clap my hands and twirl on the spot. “I can’t believe this. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” I gesture around. “This. The lights. The Moulin Rouge, and now a river cruise.”
I hug each of my men in turn.
“I love you all so much.”
A huge yawn follows my declaration, and Lex laughs.
“Let’s all go home and take a nap before tonight.”