A Gentleman’s Offer (10 page)

“I didn’t say anything about nudity.”

Nate measured him with a look. “I’m sure you would like to see her without her clothes on.”

“I’m certain I’m not the only one,” he softly replied.

Yvette waved her hand between them. “Excuse me gentlemen, but I’m still here.” This time she spoke in English.

Nate ignored her and responded in French. “When a woman is naked in my room she isn’t sitting still. I—”

Bernard winced and lifted his hands. “Enough! Your French is awful. Let us speak in English.”

“No, I want to practice,” Nate said, continuing to speak in French.

“Must you practice so badly?” Bernard said in English.

“Only until I improve.”

Bernard covered his ears. “I am in pain. You speak and your words are like daggers.”

“Good.”

Yvette saw Bernard’s face and glanced around, not wanting to draw any more attention. “Nate, I really think you’re hurting him. Please stop.”

He turned to her. “Do you think my French is bad?”

“Yes.”

The two men looked at each other then burst into laughter.

“Beautiful and honest,” Bernard said. He patted Nate on the back, but was soon on his feet giving Nate a warm greeting, as if they were long lost friends. There were more hugs and kisses on the cheek and a quick conversation that Yvette couldn’t follow, then they were back in their seats again.

She stared at the pair, confused. “You two know each other? What’s so funny?”

Bernard looked at Yvette. “You cannot trust this man. He is not what he seems.”

“Yvette knows most of my tricks,” Nate said in perfect French.

“But not all of them,” she said, cautious. He was a master of disguise. One moment he was the rich playboy, then the valet, and now a bohemian traveler fluent in French.

“So what are you two doing here?” Bernard asked.

“Holiday.” Nate glanced at his watch.

Yvette noticed the motion. “Do we have to be somewhere?”

Bernard shook his head. “You Americans are always chasing what you already have—time. Sit awhile.”

They did and Bernard entertained them with stories. Three hours passed before they finally decided to leave.

“I would really like to paint you both,” Bernard said. “I see you two and the picture is now complete.”

Nate began to shake his head, but Yvette responded before he could say anything, “We’d be delighted. But we’re getting ready to go back to the U.S. in a couple of days.”

Bernard handed Yvette his card. “Tomorrow.” He nodded to Nate. “You know where it is,” he said, then left.

“He’s wonderful,” Yvette said.

“And very smart.”

“What do you mean?”

“You know it’s a clever ploy.”

“Ploy?”

“He frequents expensive hotels, charms rich women and offers to paint their portrait. Naturally they pay him for the privilege.”

She thought of Ellen’s idea of men as playthings. “I wonder if that’s the only privilege.”

“He’s not your type.”

“I don’t have a type.” She stroked her chin, pretending to be thoughtful. “A woman could get bored.”

Nate sent her a stern look. “I’ll make sure you’re not bored.”

“Yes, but it’s not every day that a woman has a chance to have an affair in Paris.”

Nate stood. “Are you ready to go?”

Yvette slowly rose to her feet then froze as a realization struck her. “You speak French,” she said, her cheeks burning as she remembered the daring words she had said that night.

He grinned, amusement in his eyes. “Yes.”

She could feel her skin grow hot. “Fluently.”

“Yes,” he said again, then leaned toward her and whispered in her ear. “And I remember a few words you taught me. Would you like me to repeat them?”

She swallowed and stared him, wary. “No.”

He ignored her and traced his finger along the top of her blouse.
“Chemisier.”
He lowered his finger to reveal the top of her bra.
“Brassière.”
He touched the curve of her breast.
“Sein.”
He winked. “Am I right?”

She pushed his hand away, feeling as if her entire body was on fire, her heart hammering in her chest. She wanted him to look at her like this, but not out in public. “Let’s go.”

“Are you sure you’re ready?”

“I’m ready for something.” She bent down, lightly touching her bottom to the front of his trousers. She swayed back and forth as she pretended to adjust the strap of her shoe. When she finally felt the affect she wanted, she stood and smiled, pleased that her teasing had worked. “I’m just curious how long I have to wait.” She glanced down, resisting the urge to grab him in her hand. She spun away. “Shouldn’t be too long.”

“So how much does she know?” Bernard asked as he and Nate sat in a small hidden café the next morning. He loved the sounds of people going back and forth, and the smells coming out of the shops.

Nate sighed. “Nothing.”

“Why not? She’s bound to find out.”

Nate lifted his mug. “Not if no one tells her.”

Bernard sat back in his chair and muttered something.

“That didn’t sound like French.”

“That’s because I like to swear in English. You’re making a mistake.”

Nate shook his head. “It’s not what you think. We’re playing a little game. It will end soon and then we’ll go our separate ways.”

“But you like her.”

“I’ve liked plenty of women.”

“But not like this. I see how you look at her, but more important, I see how she looks at you.”

Nate picked up his croissant. “I can’t help that.”

“Why do you hesitate? A man should not heat up an oven and not put a cake in it.”

“You just made that up.”

“One day I’ll be old. I want to start sounding wise.”

“You’re not there yet.”

“But you get my meaning. She is a beautiful, desirable woman who obviously wants you. Do not deny yourself this tasty treat.”

Nate held up his hand as though fending off the idea. “No more relationships for me.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“How do you f—”

He shot him a cold look. “I’ve told you never to ask me that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“So now you understand.”

“But it still doesn’t make the reason clear.”

Nate shrugged.

“So you’ve given up? That’s your decision?”

He shrugged again.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Bernard sighed fiercely, but not one to stay annoyed long, he winked at a passing waitress, smiled at an old man walking by, then changed the subject. “How is the little leaf?”

Nate couldn’t help a smile. Bernard had given Cathleen that nickname because she always trembled when her mother was around. “She’s fine.”

“Is her mother—” He made a helpless gesture with his hand searching for words.

“Yes.”

“Poor thing.”

“Perhaps not. She’s finally caught the interest of someone.”

Bernard nearly choked on his coffee. “She’s seeing a man?”

“Yes.”

Bernard nodded. “Perhaps there’s hope in the world after all. I’ll see you later.”

“This portrait better be quick.”

“Of course.”

“Are you almost finished?” Nate demanded, his booming voice startling the pigeons that had decided to rest on the windowsill.

“Keep still,” Bernard ordered.

“You’ve taken our picture a million times and sketched us for over an hour.”

“Less.”

“Don’t rush him,” Yvette said.

Nate sighed. He stood behind her holding a tray of red grapes and a glass of wine while wearing a valet uniform. Yvette lay on a velvet red couch, directly in front of him, adorned in a sensuous sky-blue evening gown. “You say that because you’re more comfortable.”

“Don’t ruin this for me,” Yvette said. “Only a few weeks ago I was preparing a dog for a moment like this and now I’m the focus of the attention. I want to enjoy it.”

“You’re doing an excellent job.”

“Feed her a grape,” Bernard said.

Nate stiffened. “What?”

“Sit on the couch with her and feed her a grape.”

Nate ripped a grape from the bunch.

“Be careful,” Bernard cried. “I don’t want them bruised.”

Nate softly swore, then bent toward Yvette and pressed the cool grape against her bottom lip.

“Put it in a little farther. Yes. Stop. That’s perfect.”

Her lips touched his fingers. Yvette looked into his eyes, her heart constricting at the dark compelling pools that watched her. What thoughts did he have? Did he think that with one small gesture his fingers would be in her mouth? Did he remember their kiss? Did he ever wonder what it would feel like to kiss her again? She dropped her gaze, desperate to focus on something else and noticed how wide his shoulders were and how his fitted white shirt emphasized the muscles beneath it.

“I’m finished.”

They didn’t move. Nate’s gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips. “Do you want to eat it?”

She nodded.

He released the grape and she closed her mouth, but not before closing her lips over his fingers. He slowly pulled them away. “Was it good?”

She nodded again.

He flashed an enigmatic smile and stood.

Yvette allowed herself to breathe.

Nate walked over to Bernard, who stood behind his canvas.

“Stay where you are,” Bernard said.

Nate stopped. “Don’t be dramatic.”

“Drama makes life more interesting. No one sees my work until it is finished.”

“When will that be?”

Bernard looked at Yvette then Nate. “In three weeks.”

“That’s too long,” Yvette said. “We won’t—” She stopped before she said
be together.

Nate folded his arms. “And we can’t spend any more time in Paris.” Cathleen had called to let him know that she had gone out two more times with Lewis and felt she was falling in love. When he told Yvette she was concerned, but he told her not to be.

Bernard put his pencil down. “It will be worth the wait. Don’t worry, I’ll ship it to you. At your expense of course.” He smiled. “You can afford it.”

Y
vette wasn’t sure what woke her that night, but the sound of movement outside her door got her out of bed. She grabbed her satin robe, pulled it over her pink boudoir set and left the bedroom.

The apartment was dark and for a moment she thought the sound had been in her dream, but then she heard the sounds of the city and saw the balcony door open. She walked over to it and found Nate sitting at the table, sketching. In the distance the Eiffel Tower shone and the scents of Paris—the wet streets, the diesel fumes, the shops and flowers that laced the balcony—surrounded them. She walked up behind him and saw a charcoal sketch of the street below.

“That’s very good,” she said.

He leaped up and spun around. She backed away. She no longer had to imagine what his chest looked like. He only wore a pair of jeans. She’d seen him in a suit, she’d seen him in a chauffeur’s uniform, and even in a shirt and tie, but never like this. Was this the real Nate? “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“I didn’t know you were up.” His gaze dropped to her robe then quickly moved to her face. “Did you need something?”

“I heard movement. Can’t sleep?”

He picked up the pencils he’d scattered on the ground.

“Nightmare again?”

He rested the pencils on the table, then sat.

“Still don’t want to talk about it?”

He gathered the sketches he’d left on the table.

She muttered something rude in French.

“I heard that.”

“Good.”

She grabbed a sketch before he could reach it. “Who are you?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re good at everything you do. You’re successful in business, you speak French, you’re a great valet, and now this. You’re a true artist. Have you ever failed at anything?”

“Not yet,” he said in a grave tone.

“Do you expect to?”

He turned away.

She jumped in front of him. “Nate, why won’t you talk to me?”

“Have you ever been married?”

She paused, surprised by the change in subject. “No.”

“Why not?”

“That’s a personal question.”

“Correct, and you have the right not to answer. That doesn’t make you a bad person.”

“And it doesn’t make you a bad person to want to know more about someone.”

“What’s the point? We won’t know each other in two weeks.”

“But we know each other now. One thing I like about dogs is that they live in the moment.”

He sat and returned to his sketch. “You better go back to bed, you have a busy day tomorrow.”

Yvette rolled up her sleeves. “I’m going to figure you out if it kills me.” She stood behind him, then gripped his shoulders.

“What are you doing?” he asked warily.

“I’m going to help you relax. I had a tense fox terrier once that I used to massage to ease his muscles and he loved it.” She began working the muscles in his neck and shoulders. “You’re very tense.”

His tone deepened. “I know.”

“Like a board.”

“In more ways than one,” he grumbled.

“What?”

“I think you should stop.”

She shook her head, determined. “You’re still tense.”

“There’s a reason for that.”

“What reason?”

He jumped to his feet and faced her, his eyes like hot coals. “Careful, Yvette, you’re going down a dangerous road.”

She backed away. “What?”

“I’m not a little terrier that you can feed treats to, or a big Doberman that you can stroke, or a Labrador you need to pat on the head and say ‘Good boy’ to. I’m a man. A rational, logical man and I want you to know a few things about me.” He took a menacing step toward her; she took a hasty step back. “I don’t want your help.” He took another step forward; she backed into the balcony railing. “I don’t want your worry.” He stopped a few inches in front of her, his dark gaze penetrating hers. “I don’t want your thanks.” He rested his hands on the railing behind her, trapping her in the circle of his arms. “And I don’t want to want you.” His mouth covered hers with the fierce, unrelenting force of an avalanche.

Yvette returned his kiss with just as much passion, wrapping her arms around his neck and arching her soft body into his hard form. He moaned, deepening the kiss and she let her arms fall to the muscles in his back, reveling in the feel of his warm flesh pressed against hers.

He drew away. “We should stop.”

She pulled him close, wrapping one leg around his. “Why?”

He slid his arm around her waist. “You know why. I hadn’t planned this.”

She bit his earlobe and whispered, “Then you can write it into my schedule.”

He shook his head. “We have to remember this is business. It’s serious.”

She touched the tip of his ear with her tongue. “I’m very serious about this.”

“It’s easy to fall in love in Paris.”

She pulled away and stared up at him. “Have you done this before?”

“No.” He kissed her again, then said in a hoarse voice, “I shouldn’t be doing this.”

Yvette tenderly touched his cheek, confused by his apparent torment. “Nate, we’re two adults.”

“This will change everything,” he said, his voice a harsh whisper.

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.” His eyes blazed down into hers. “I know what’s at stake. If you sleep with me I guarantee you everything will change between us. Are you ready to take that risk?”

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

He cupped her face in his hands and searched her eyes. “Do you really believe in just living for today and not worrying about the future?”

“Yes,” she said quickly, although she felt his question hid another one.

“Good.” He stared up at the sky. “I defy you to meddle with me tonight. I’m going to enjoy this.”

She smiled. “Who are you talking to?”

He returned his gaze to her face. “Fate. Destiny. We haven’t been good friends for a while, but it doesn’t matter now. Nothing matters, except this.” He scooped her into his arms and took her to his bedroom. Once there, he placed her on the bed and unzipped his jeans. “There are a few things you should know about me.”

“At last.”

He removed his jeans, revealing a tight pair of dark blue briefs and well-defined thighs. He nodded to her robe. “Feel free to undress while I talk.”

She leaned back and crossed her legs. “I thought you might enjoy the pleasure.” Yvette let her robe fall off her shoulder revealing the soft glow of her skin against the pink lace.

“I would, but I might rip something. I don’t think you would want that.”

Yvette pulled off her robe. “I could always buy another one.” She undid the top of her boudoir, providing a small glimpse of her breasts. “What did you want to say?”

Nate stared at her as she sat half-naked on the bed.

“I forgot.”

Yvette removed some of her clothes then smiled and rested on her side. “You were telling me about yourself.”

Nate crawled onto the bed and pulled her toward him. She helped guide his hands as he took off her panties.

“Yes, that’s right. I want you to know something. First, I don’t like to share.” He rolled on his back and wrapped both of his legs around hers. “I can be very possessive.” His hand traced a slow seductive path down her back. “And I always take care of what belongs to me.”

She wiggled against him. “Don’t you have enough possessions?”

“Yes, but very few that I prize.” He claimed her mouth again and made it clear how much he prized her, how much he wanted her and how much she now belonged to him. Yvette struggled not to feel overwhelmed by her own warring emotions. In his arms she felt both vulnerable and safe, a conqueror and a conquest. She’d never let herself get this close to a man. She’d always been confident with men who wanted her more than she wanted them, but her feelings for Nate shattered the secure wall that had kept that world at a distance. She’d only let animals this close to her heart and that fact terrified her, but the pleasure of his body soon pushed all fear away.

His roving lips took claim of her entire body from her chest to her thighs and the sacred space in between. She surrendered completely, aching for release. “Don’t make me wait.”

“I’m trying to get you ready,” he said in a husky whisper between kisses.

“I am ready.”

“Hmm, if you keep touching me like that this may end sooner than you think.”

“That’s a hint.”

He didn’t need any further instruction as Yvette invited him inside her. She was tight, but he didn’t hesitate until she let out a light cry of surprise. He halted as though someone had just punched him in the gut.

“Yvette?” he said a little too quietly.

“What?”

“You’re a virgin? Why didn’t you tell me you’ve never done this before?”

“I didn’t think it mattered.”

He clenched his teeth. “Of course it matters. I would have done things differently.”

“I like it just the way you’re doing it.” She continued to move her pelvis in motion with his.

He squeezed his eyes shut as though in pain and hung his head in defeat. “Fate strikes again.”

She lightly kissed him. “Nate, I wanted this.”

He opened his eyes. “Why me?” he asked in a raw voice.

She smiled, remembering his reply when she’d asked the same question weeks ago. “Why not?”

He buried his face in her neck. “Dear God.”

“This isn’t a mistake.”

He shook his head. “I know, but—”

She stopped his words with a kiss. “We’re only thinking about now, remember? There’s nothing to worry about. Let’s finish what we started.”

“I’m going to go slow this time.”

“Not too slow. I want to enjoy this.”

“You’re not only going to enjoy this, you’re going to remember it.”

His words were as good as a guarantee. When he moved inside her with firm but tender thrusts she thought he would slowly drive her out of her mind.

“Squeeze me,” he said in a deep husky tone. “As though you never want me to leave.” He groaned with pleasure as she tightened around him, the sound mingled with her own soft sigh of release. Neither wanted it to end, each desperate to satiate the primal hunger inside them while also pleasing the other. At last they collapsed in each other’s arms, exhausted, languid and satisfied.

When Nate opened his eyes the first thing he noticed was that Yvette was gone. The second thing was the number on the digital clock. Two. But it was too bright to be two o’clock in the morning. He leaped out of bed and swore. It was two o’clock in the afternoon! He’d never slept that long. He paused for a moment as the realization hit him.
He’d actually slept?
There had been no nightmare, no waking up trembling, just pure perfect sleep. He could have wept with joy. He buried his face in his pillow to keep the tears from coming. Perhaps fate wasn’t against him after all. Maybe Yvette was his one reprieve.

He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Yes, that had to be it. Yvette was the key and no matter how long they had together he was going to enjoy himself to the fullest. He quickly showered and dressed, hoping that by the time he’d finished Yvette would have returned. But when he left the bedroom she still wasn’t there. His disappointment surprised him; he didn’t expect to miss her this much. He cracked his knuckles and swore. He had to get ahold of himself.

How would she be when she saw him? Would she try to play it cool? Or make what happened last night mean more than it did? None of those scenarios pleased him. But he didn’t want to play games.

He heard the jingle of keys in the door and quickly flopped on the couch, grabbing a magazine and pretending he was reading, instead of waiting for her.

“You’re finally awake,” Yvette said, coming into the room with several large bags.

“Yes.”

She placed the bags down and sat next to him. She leaned over and gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek.

“That’s an unusual skill.”

“What?” He turned so she could kiss his other cheek.

She did, then tapped the magazine. “Reading upside down.”

He glanced down. “Uh…yes.” He tossed the magazine down, trying to remain casual. If she wouldn’t mention last night, neither would he. “So how was your shopping?”

“Wonderful.” She rummaged through one of her bags. “I bought you a present.”

“Really?”

She pulled out a red-and-black lace teddy. “I bought two, just in case this one gets torn.”

Nate grinned. He touched the fine lacy material, feeling the knot in his stomach relax. “This won’t last five minutes.”

She raised a brow. “I plan to find out tonight.”

“You won’t be disappointed.”

She wasn’t. They didn’t see much of Paris on their last two days. Instead, they both enjoyed living in the moment—enjoying each other’s company, making love and eating. Before leaving for home Yvette insisted that they visit Bernard to say goodbye.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Nate said packing his bag.

“We can’t leave without telling him.”

“He’s a busy man. He won’t mind.” Nate spun around to grab a jacket from the closet, but the quick motion caught him off balance and he had to grab the dresser to keep from falling.

Yvette rushed up to him. “Are you okay?”

He shrugged her away. “I’m fine. Just a bit of vertigo.”

Yvette watched him, concerned. It wasn’t like him to be unsteady. “Perhaps you should stay here and I’ll go see Bernard by myself.”

“No,” Nate said. “I don’t want him to…” He sat on the bed and rubbed his hands over his face. “Why are you so stubborn?”

“I just want to say goodbye.”

He let his hands fall and sighed, resigned. “Fine, we’ll say goodbye on our way to the airport.”

Yvette touched his forehead. “You look a little tired. I think you might be coming down with something.”

He clasped her hand in his. “I’m fine, really. Don’t worry about me. I just have a lot on my mind.”

Yvette sat on his lap and wrapped an arm around his neck. “If you tell me what it is, I can help you.”

“I don’t want you to help me; it’s my job to help you, remember?” He kissed her on the lips, then lifted her off his lap. “And I’m going to make sure you enjoy this experience.”