Lost In France (Firebird Trilogy) (10 page)

Coco Chanel once said,  “A woman who didn’t wear perfume had no future.”

Smiling to myself, I liberally sprayed Chanel no 5 into the air above me so that it settled all over my skin, followed with a squirt to my wrists, and behind my knees, so that the fragrance lingered all night.

I’d applied my makeup a bit more liberally tonight, going for deep smoky eyes which I downplayed with a soft neutral lipstick.

Wearing only a black lace G-
string, I carefully slipped into my beautiful new dress. Feeling like a princess, I smoothed the dress and caressed the soft fabric. The dress Alain had chosen for me was an Oscar de la Renta navy sheer-chiffon gown, with layers of transparent fabric draped around my body. The neckline was cut low into a deep V, with a crossover at the waist. A thin jeweled belt cinched my waist, making it appear even smaller than usual.

I twirled in front of the mirror. Of course, the dress was a perfect fit and made the most of my smooth skin and ample bosom. Apparently Alain knew my body better than I did, as I would never have been confident enough to choose such a revealing and sexy dress. I smiled back at my reflection, pleased with the overall ethereal picture.

My hair was tied back into a semi up-do with a few wispy tendrils falling softly around my face. The dress was so long that even in the silver Jimmy Choo jewel-encrusted shoes, it still pooled around my feet. I was worried about tripping over, but then as I took a few steps, the skirt naturally parted and exposed my legs. Sensual yet romantic, even more special, because the dress had been chosen specially for me.

I chuckled to myself, my spirits high.

So this is what it feels like to be a movie star.

Alain was already waiting for me and I didn’t want to make him late. I glided into the lounge where he was pouring himself a drink at the bar. He looked up as I entered the room, and my heart skipped a beat. Looking impossibly handsome in a formal black dinner suit with a crisp white shirt against his olive skin—his hair slicked back and under control—my breath hitched as he smiled at me. The top button of his shirt was undone and the black silk bow tie was hanging loose around his neck.

He let out a low whistle as he came toward me, his hand held out. His eyes were gleaming, a sexy smile curving his sensuous lips. I placed my hand in his and he brushed my fingertips with his lips the old-fashioned way, and then twirled me around on his finger to admire a full three-hundred-sixty-degree view of me in
the dress
.

“Even more beautiful than I imagined.
Stunning.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off him. A man in formal dress always turned me on. “You don’t scrub up too badly yourself.”

Fixing his top button as well as his bow tie, I took a step back to admire the complete picture that was my debonair French man.

“
Tu es elegant—You are handsome.” My French was rusty, and I hoped I wasn’t making an ass of myself. He smiled, really pleased at my attempt to speak his mother tongue.

“I have something more for you,” he said, as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jewelry box. He opened the lid and I gasped as I saw the beautiful pear-shaped emerald earrings.

“It’s from Chopard, an official sponsor of the Festival de Cannes,” he said, “to complement your gorgeous green eyes.”

I was stunned.
Speechless. How did I get so lucky? The dress already was enough.

I couldn’t refuse such an exquisite gift without hurting his feelings. And what woman wouldn’t love such a beautiful gift, chosen especially to match her eyes? My heart melted even more.

“Allow me,” he said, as he hung them carefully on each earlobe. His fingertips caressed my neck  and I leaned into him.

“Thank you, Alain. You really spoil me,” I whispered, barely able to breathe. 

“It’s going to be hard to keep my hands off you tonight,” he said, swallowing hard. “You can thank me properly when we get back,” he added with a wicked grin. “I don’t want to mess up this perfect look now.”

I smiled; delighted by the fire I was able to light in this beautiful man. And yes, I would definitely be thanking him properly when we returned to the villa.

The valet drove the Porsche away as we walked the red carpet. Alain grinned as he proudly displayed me on his arm. Butterflies on speed fluttered in my stomach. I gaped at all the beautiful people surrounding us. There was an electric vibe in the air.

Alain pulled me toward him, his arm around my waist possessively. He planted a kiss in my hair as photographers snapped away. I beamed from ear to ear, thrilled to be a part of this moment at the side of the most handsome man in France.

Beautiful women, preened in expensive designer gowns, were
strutting their poses as flashlights lit up the night. My mouth dropped open as Eva Longoria floated by, breathtakingly beautiful as she flashed a dazzling smile. How I wanted to run up and ask for her autograph, I was that excited to see her. I had always admired her sense of style and tonight she had outdone herself; she looked poised and confident. Elegant.

Alain gently pulled me toward the entrance. He grinned at my stunned expression. “Want to meet her?” he asked, as he noticed the flush of excitement on my cheeks.

“Wow, really?” I asked, star-struck. Alain just laughed, pulling me along in her direction.

“You look lovely, Eva.” He addressed her as if he was an old friend. “This is Rebecca Clarke. Like me, she is a huge fan,” he chuckled. Eva gracefully extended her hand and smiled at me. I instantly liked her. Her smile was genuine and reached her beautiful brown eyes.

“Hello, Eva. I’m a huge fan of yours.” Her handshake was warm and sincere.

“Nice to meet you, Rebecca” she said. Just then flashes went off like crazy as Eva put her arm around my waist. Photographed standing between her and Alain, I had the most ridiculous grin on my face.

The evening was absolutely divine. I was in awe of Alain as he confidently worked the room. It was clear he was one of France’s most eligible bachelors, but also an astute business man.

Chloe believed that Google was God; she could find dirt on anyone. I’d sent her a text asking her to research Alain. After all, I needed to know what I was getting myself in to. Chloe did not disappoint me. She’d sent me links about Alain’s life–both his business and love life.

From what I’d read, Alain was not easy to pin down. He seldom spent more than a few days with the same woman. Apparently he was never seen twice with the same beauty on his arm at a special event.

How
the hell
did I get so lucky?

Not only was I a guest at his villa, he was proudly introduced me as his ‘special lady friend’ to some of the world’s most famous beautiful people.

After dinner, we attended the main premiere show. Alain held my hand throughout the screening, often bringing my fingers to his lips, kissing them tenderly. Relief washed over me that he was behaving himself in public this evening.

At the end of the show, we applauded with the rest of the crowd and made our way out of the theater.

“Alain,” a voice called from behind. It was the director of the movie we’d just watched. After a few pleasantries, he invited us back for drinks.

“Do you mind if we pass on this?” Alain looked at me with hooded eyes, waiting for my response. “I want to get back home where it’s just the two of us.” He leaned closer to whisper in my ear. “As beautiful as you look in that dress, I can’t wait to get you out of it.”

He kissed the sensitive skin beneath my ear, sending a tingle down my spine straight to my groin.

Speechless, I nodded my head.
I think I did, anyway. I was too lost for words by this point. This man…

T
onight’s
the night.

A welcoming glow from the fireplace warmed the lounge room. Alain removed his jacket from my shoulders. I curled into the deep couch, watching Alain as he poured two glasses of Remy Martin. He swirled the amber liquid before sniffing it, his nostrils flaring. A flashback of our encounter in the limo sent a warm glow to my cheeks. What did he have in mind tonight?

This time he held my glass to me, staring into my eyes as we
clinked glasses. “To us.” His eyes were intense, his expression serious.

“To us,” I whispered, and took a sip from the glass, waiting. My heart beat so hard I was afraid Alain would hear it.

“Alone at last,” Alain sighed, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “I’ve been waiting all evening for this moment.” He closed the distance between us and took my glass from me, setting both on the mantle.

“You’re beautiful.” The flicker in his eyes reflected the flames from the fire.

He dipped his head to kiss me gently on the lips, cupping my face in both his slender hands. His hands trailed lower, warm on my skin as they slipped beneath the deep V neckline.

Cupping both breasts, he rolled my nipples gently between his fingers, his tongue in my mouth, tasting the cognac off one another. Slowly he slipped the dress off my shoulders, deepening the kiss. The gossamer fabric fell open and down to my waist, as if it were designed for seduction. My breasts grew heavy as my breath came out in small gasps.

Groaning, he buried his head between my breasts, mumbling something in French I couldn’t understand. He took a nipple in his mouth, his stubble scraping over my tender flesh. Liquid fire ignited in my belly, burning a path down my body directly to my center. I let out a soft moan as I twirled my fingers in his silky hair.

The jeweled belt fell with a soft clunk to the floor and the fine fabric quickly followed, falling in a pool around my feet. “You were made for fucking.” I sucked in a breath, my insides clenching at the primal lust in his eyes.

“Tonight I make you mine,” Alain growled, pulling at his bow-tie. Burning for him to get back to my body, I undid the buttons to his shirt with trembling fingers, pushing it off his shoulders.

Thank fuck for that
. My pussy clenched in anticipation, drenched.

Reaching down to undo his belt, my hand brushed his erection. A feral
groan, and more swearing followed, as he stepped out of his pants. I gaped at his perfect torso, his sculpted abs and the trail of dark hair leading to his steel-hard length. I was practically salivating. Alain could have been an underwear model in his Calvin Klein briefs. I licked my lips involuntarily, eager to get my mouth around his cock.

“Now you’re asking for it.” He laughed softly, “And tonight you’re going to get it.” My hand slipped under his boxer’s waistband and I held his length in my palm, stroking the wet tip with my thumb. He let out a sharp hiss between his teeth, both of us tugging at his underpants, desperate to set his erection free.

He pulled me down to the soft rug in front of the fireplace, holding me in his arms.

Flesh to flesh.

Finally.

He kissed me passionately, the fire in both of us desperately eager to be quenched. His hands ran freely over my body, pulling me against him, as if he couldn’t get enough of me.

His tongue slowly explored downward as he kissed his way past my neck. Trailing his mouth down my stomach, he licked my belly till I wriggled and moaned beneath him.

More.
Lower.
Please.

Placing himself between my legs, he slipped off my G-string. His eyes were blazing, his rippled muscles tensed. With his mouth on my mound, I arched my back as he pushed my legs apart.  His hands gripped my ass as he started a torturous slow dance with his tongue. He slid over me, his tip at my entrance, and stared into my eyes.

“I want you, ma cherie.”

Oh god, yes.
Finally.

He sat up and reached for his pants. I watched as he fumbled and cursed before it dawned on me what he was doing.

“No Alain, I’m on the pill.”

I reached out to pull him back to me. He came willingly, a fine mist of perspiration covering his skin. My arms slipped around his neck, drawing him to me.

“I want you. Skin to skin.”

His eyes widened and a vein ticked in his neck.

At last.

“So fucking wet.
So ready for me.” He grunted.

Gently
he glided himself into me, filling me with every inch of his hard shaft.

“Alain,” I moaned against his ear as he moved rhythmically inside me. I responded in kind. For every thrust, I rose up to meet him, eager to feel him inside me. His mouth possessed mine, our fingers
intertwined.

“Come with me,” he rumbled from deep within his chest.

My whole body tingled and I exploded around him, moaning as my breath quickened. Alain found his release, pumping his juices into me as he exploded.

Gazing into my eyes, I saw wonder in his soft blue eyes as he whispered my name. It sounded like a prayer on his lips. Holding me reverently in his arms, as if I was some kind of goddess to be worshipped, he stayed inside me as he leaned down and kissed me gently. It was as if we both wanted to hold on to this moment forever, lying like this for a while, basking in the warmth of our first coupling.

“I told you it would be special, our first time together.” Alain smiled down at me stroking my back as we lay side by side. “Now you are all mine,” he said, satisfied.

Pain shot through my heart for a split second as I thought of Julian.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Alain coaxed.

“It’s nothing,” I whispered, “I’m here, and I’m all yours. That’s all that matters,” I said, as I stroked his cheek. In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to be there, with Alain, him inside me.

“Are you sure? I want it to be me…
and only me
. I am a jealous man, ma Cherie. I won’t share you with another man.”

He gripped my shoulders tightly. “Tell me I am the only one.”

“It’s only you.” I wanted Alain to believe me. Hell, I wanted to believe me.

Julian is in the past, I let him go when I left on that plane.

“You make me the happiest man in the world.”

I held my lips up to his and he kissed me deeply. Happy tears slipped from the corners of my eyes.

Only a few weeks before, I’d never have believed I could be this happy.