Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
G rant takes a seat on the side of the bed and watches Mallory sleep. She is very beautiful and he understands why Sebastian is so taken by her.
Shaking his head, Grant stands and walks to the windows looking out at the view of Paris. He and Sebastian have a routine about things. One of them will vet a submissive and then they will introduce the other.
Sebastian joined them tonight, he should have never done that. That wasn't how tonight was supposed to play out, but he is starting to understand. Sebastian is falling for Mallory.
Glancing back at Mallory, Grant studies her again. Eventually he and Sebastian will have to talk about this. Eventually decisions will have to be made. If Sebastian plans on making this permanent, he may want Grant to walk away.
But for now he is going to enjoy every moment he has with them. Turning off the lights, Grant crawls into bed beside Mallory. Pulling her into his arms, he drifts off to sleep.
The soft morning light filters through the curtains, casting a gentle glow into the room as Mallory stirs from her sleep. Her eyelids flutter open, and for a moment, she is disoriented, her senses slowly coming into focus.
As her vision clears, Mallory's heart skips a beat when she realizes she isn't alone in her bed. There, beside her, with the sheets pulled up to his waist, lies Grant Stevens, his features peaceful in slumber.
A surprised gasp escapes her lips as she sits up, her mind racing to make sense of the situation. She had not expected Grant to stay the night. Memories of the previous evening's connection and attraction flood her thoughts.
The room holds the faint scent of their shared moments, and the atmosphere is charged with the lingering electricity of desire. Mallory's heart pounds in her chest as she considers what this unexpected development might mean.
Careful not to wake him, she watches Grant sleep, his handsome face relaxed in repose.
Grant stirs from his slumber, his hazel eyes gradually opening to the sight of Mallory sitting beside him. He offers her a warm, sleepy smile.
"Good morning," he greets, his voice husky with sleep.
Mallory returns the smile, a mix of surprise and curiosity in her eyes. "Good morning," she replies, her voice soft, as if they are sharing a secret.
Grant shifts slightly, propping himself up on one elbow, his gaze locked onto hers. "I hope you don't mind my staying the night," he says, his tone sincere.
Mallory's heart flutters as she meets his gaze, her fingers tracing an invisible pattern on the sheets. "I didn't expect it," she admits, "but I'm not complaining."
Grant reaches out, his hand brushing a strand of hair from Mallory's face. "Last night was just the beginning," he murmurs, his gaze filled with an unspoken promise. "There's so much more to discover, if you're willing. And as long as Sebastian allows it."
Mallory's eyes meet his, a mixture of desire and curiosity in her gaze. "I am," she replies, her voice laced with anticipation. "I want to see where this journey takes us. Do you really think Sebastian will care? He is the one who wanted this to begin with."
"We should get up and join him for breakfast." Grant kisses her lightly on the lips before rolling out of bed.
She watches as he stretches in all of his naked glory. His body is breathtaking. She watches him retrieve his clothing from the night before and get dressed.
"I’ll be out in a few moments," Mallory informs him.
He only nods his head before leaving the bedroom.
When Mallory emerges from the bedroom she finds Sebastian alone. He is pacing the living room on the phone. She makes a quick glance around and finds the rest of the suite empty.
Walking to the table, she grabs a croissant and pours a glass of orange juice. She is taking the last bite when Sebastian hangs up the phone.
"I have an author who is having a fit," Sebastian finally says. "She is unhappy with everything."
He sounds exasperated. "She wants a new cover, she wants different book tour dates, she wants more money."
She watches him walk to the coffee pot and pour a cup.
"Did she sign a contract?"
"Yes."
"Then what is the issue? She agreed to the terms," Mallory points out.
"It's more complicated than that. We want our authors to be happy. We try to negotiate the best we can. Grant went to go meet with her, he is going to try to reach an agreement."
"What's the plan today?"
"I don't have any meetings today." He starts walking towards her. "I was thinking that you and I could spend the day together."
"Really?" To say she is shocked would be an understatement.
"Yes, really. I want to show you Paris. Do you have a camera?"
"No, I didn't bring mine with me."
"It would be a beautiful city to capture."
"Yes, well, I will just have to come back when I'm not working," Mallory jokes.
"Get ready, we’ll leave soon."
The morning sun paints the city of Paris in shades of gold as Sebastian and Mallory embark on a day of exploration. Dressed in elegant yet comfortable attire, they set out to discover the timeless beauty of the City of Light.
Their first stop is the iconic Eiffel Tower. Standing beneath the wrought-iron masterpiece, they gaze up at the intricate lattice of steel, its graceful arches reaching toward the sky. Mallory can't help but feel a sense of wonder, her heart fluttering at the sheer grandeur of the structure.
As they ascend the tower, Sebastian's hand brushes against Mallory's, their fingers intertwining with a silent promise of the adventures to come.
From the viewing platform, they marvel at the panoramic view of Paris, the sprawling cityscape and the Seine River winding its way through the heart of the metropolis.
"Paris has a magic of its own," Sebastian whispers, his voice filled with reverence.
Mallory nods, her eyes reflecting the city's enchantment. "It's like a dream come true."
Their next destination is the charming Montmartre district. They stroll hand in hand along the cobbled streets, passing quaint cafes, art studios, and bustling markets. The scent of freshly baked bread and the strains of street musicians fill the air.
Sebastian leads Mallory to the steps of the Sacré-C?ur Basilica. At the summit, they stand before the grand white-domed church, its marble facade gleaming in the sunlight. Mallory feels a sense of serenity wash over her as she takes in the breathtaking view of Paris below.
"It's as if time stands still here," Sebastian remarks, his gaze fixed on the basilica. "A place where past and present converge."
Mallory agrees, her heart echoing the sentiment. "It's like a love story written in stone."
As they continue their journey, visiting iconic landmarks like the Louvre and Notre-Dame Cathedral, their connection deepens with every shared moment.
The Louvre's magnificent art collection, including the Mona Lisa, leave them in awe, while the grandeur of Notre-Dame's architecture inspires a sense of reverence.
During a quiet moment by the Seine River, Sebastian turns to Mallory, his eyes filled with a profound emotion. "Mallory," he begins, "today has been remarkable. I'm glad we did this."
"So am I. Thank you for showing me Paris."
Sebastian reaches out and caresses her cheek softly with the back of his hand, letting his fingers slide down the length of her neck, the motion sending a delicious shiver down her spine, before he brings them back in front of him and strokes his fingers on the palm and on each finger, ending first with the middle finger and making his way down to the pinky.
His eyes focus on the entire motion, taking in every moment of this magical experience with Mallory and when he finishes, he closes them.
Sebastian raises her hand to his lips and kisses the tip of each finger from the middle downwards and then placed a kiss on each of her cheeks, before turning to face her properly and kissing her ever so lightly on the lips before holding her tightly against him as they stand in a tight embrace for a long time