Chapter 5: Chapter 5

He roused her from sleep with a gentle kiss on her forehead just as they were about to touch down. As they journeyed to the hotel, she gazed out the window, her eyes wide with childlike wonder. She had never ventured beyond New York, and the sights of Paris left her breathless.

“Wow, I can’t believe I’m actually in Paris. It’s so stunning,” she exclaimed.

“It truly is, and there’s so much for you to explore. We’ll visit the Eiffel Tower, the theaters, and you must see the French museum. The artwork is breathtaking. There’s so much I want to share with you.”

“But how can we do all that in just one day?” she asked.

“I think we might need to extend our stay for a few more days,” he suggested, a playful smile on his lips.

“I can’t do that.”

“Sure, you can.”

“But I only packed enough clothes for a day.”

“No worries, we’ll go shopping. Don’t look so surprised. I know you can’t afford it, so consider it my treat.”

“I’m not letting you buy me anything.”

“You’re one stubborn woman, but you don’t have a choice. Besides, a woman as beautiful as you should have lovely things to wear. Paris is famous for its fashion.”

“Which is also notoriously expensive,” she retorted.

“Let me worry about that. Ah, we’ve arrived at our hotel.”

Upon entering their room, she spun around to face him, her eyes flashing with anger.

“I thought you said I would have my own room?”

“Relax, your room is right there,” he said, pointing to a door. Seeing her confusion, he opened it. “It’s an adjoining room.”

She walked in, her eyes scanning the room. It was so elegant and grand.

He moved closer to her, his body just inches away from hers.

“It’s late, why don’t you get comfortable? I’ll order us some dinner. Anything in particular you’d like?”

“As long as it’s something light, I don’t mind.”

“All right, once you’re ready, join me in my room and we’ll eat together.”

She took her time settling in, making him wait. Her room was luxurious and she felt out of place.

“You were taking so long, I thought you’d fallen asleep.”

“Sorry,” she replied, not meaning it. “I see the food has arrived.”

“Yes, I ordered salad and salmon. I hope that’s okay with you. Please, sit and let’s enjoy it. I also got some wine, if you’re okay with that.”

“One glass is fine.”

“I was thinking we could start tomorrow with some shopping, then visit a museum. After dinner, we could go to the opera. If you’re up for it.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Of course, I don’t want to exhaust you on the first day. How’s your salmon?”

“It’s delicious, but if you don’t mind, I’m really tired and would like to go to my room now.”

^Morning^

The scent of coffee and bacon wafted through the door. She got out of bed, slipped on her robe, knocked on his door, and waited for him to invite her in.

“I was just about to call you. I ordered breakfast for us. Please, come sit down and eat. We have a busy day ahead.”

She was famished and her stomach growled at the sight of the food.

“Are you just going to stand there or will you sit down?”

She sat down and was about to take a sip of her coffee when she noticed him watching her.

“What?”

“I see you take your coffee black.”

“Yeah, so what?”

“Just an observation. You seem a bit grumpy. Not a morning person, are you?”

“Do you expect me to be cheerful when I was blackmailed into coming here with you?”

“You could have said no.”

She didn’t respond. What was the point? He had made it clear that she didn’t have a choice.

After breakfast, they got dressed and headed out for some shopping. He took her to one of the most exclusive boutiques in Paris. She gulped when she saw the price tags.

He sat patiently, waiting for her to choose some outfits. When she kept refusing each piece, he stood up and confronted her.

“If you don’t pick, I will do it for you.”

“I can’t afford these prices.”

He sighed and rolled his eyes.

“I told you I’m paying for it. Now, pick out a few outfits and a gown for the opera.”

“I refuse to let you pay. I’m not going to be your dressed-up whore. I don’t accept charity.”

“Kat, to be a whore, we’d have to be having sex, which we’re not. Look, maybe we can make a deal.”

“What kind of deal?”

“I have several businesses, and my employees are swamped. I need someone to review files, correct mistakes, and make suggestions. What do you say?”

She thought about it. It would be nice to have some new clothes.

“It’s a deal.”

“Great, now start trying on a few items and let me see you in them. You’re in Paris, don’t be afraid to splurge.”

After trying on several outfits and getting his approval, she changed back into her clothes. She was down to her underwear when he walked into the changing room. She shrieked and covered herself with her clothes.

“What are you doing in here?”

He couldn’t help but smile at her semi-naked state. He could feel his body responding.

“I want you to try on this gown. It’s the one I’d like you to wear tonight.”

“I already picked out a gown.”

“Yes, and I want you to have it, but this one is for tonight. Do you need help getting into it?”

“Oh my god, get out,” she yelled.

“I’ll be right outside. Call me when you’re ready.”

She was seething as she put on the dress. The audacity of him to walk in on her while she was changing. And the way his eyes roamed over her body.

“I’m dressed,” she called out.

He entered, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. He moved closer, his hand gently caressing her face.

“You have no idea how beautiful you are. This dress is perfect. I have a sudden urge to kiss you.”

She swatted his hand away.

“It’s not going to happen, so get over it. This dress is way too expensive, and if you want me to have it, it’s on you. I won’t repay you for this since I’ll never wear it again.”

He backed her up against the wall, his hands on either side of her, trapping her.

“By the end of tonight, I will be getting that kiss.”

Her lips quivered, her gaze locked on his mouth, and a wave of desire washed over her. He was a beacon of raw, sexual energy, and for a fleeting moment, she wished he would kiss her right then and there. But he pulled away, leaving her wordless.

“I’ll be waiting in the other room. We can grab something to eat afterward.”

As he paid for the items and gave the delivery address, she gasped, pulling at his arm.

“What?”

“That’s a lot. It’ll take me ages to pay you back.”

“Don’t sweat it. I pay my employees well. You’ll square up in no time.”

Over an early dinner, he noticed her discomfort. He knew it was about the price tag on her new clothes.

“I can see you’re worried about the cost, but you don’t have to be. I wanted you to have nice things. You don’t owe me anything.”

“But I’ll pay you back. I don’t want you to think I’ll sleep with you just because you bought me stuff. I don’t know about the other women you’ve been with, but I’m not one of them.”

“I know. That’s why I want to be with you. I hope you’ll enjoy the opera. Honestly, I’m not a big fan.”

“Then why are we going?”

“I get the feeling you haven’t had many chances to enjoy the finer things in life.”

“That’s true. I’ve only ever gone to school and back home.”

“Why is that?”

“I’d rather not talk about it. This opera we’re going to. Will it be crowded?”

“Usually, it’s packed. But we’ll be in the balcony. It’s less crowded there. Do you have a problem with crowds? You seemed fine at my party.”

“That’s because I took something to calm my nerves. I wasn’t around many people growing up, so it makes me anxious now.”

“I don’t understand. You’re shy around people, but you’re pretty bold with me.”

“I guess you bring out the worst in me.”

“You’re still upset about me bringing you here. I hope you’ll think better of me by the time we leave.”

“I doubt it.”

“Let’s finish eating and head back to the hotel to get ready for the opera.”

***

Later that night, her heart fluttered as she stepped out of her room and saw him in his suit. He looked so damn good, it made her pulse race.

He turned and smiled at her. He was struck by her beauty; the low-cut dress showcased her cleavage and the slit up the side revealed her slender leg.

“You look amazing. That dress looks like it was made for you.”

“It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen, let alone worn. I have to admit, I’m excited about tonight. Kurt has been and told me about it.”

“How come your brother has been to places and done things, but you haven’t?”

“I told you, I don’t want to talk about my past.”

“I’ll drop it for now, but remember this: One day, you’ll tell me. If you start to feel uncomfortable, let me know, and we can leave.”

“Why are you being so nice to me when you know it won’t lead to sex?”

“Why? Because I see something special in you. The moment I saw you, I knew you were meant for me. I know you don’t believe me, but in time, you’ll see and give us a chance.”

“But threatening my brother’s job isn’t the way to do it. It just makes me hate you.”

“You feel that way now, but I believe in fate, and you’re my destiny. If we leave now, we can beat the crowd.”

***

At the opera, he found himself more captivated by her than the performance. His gut told him she had experienced some sort of trauma, likely from her childhood. He wanted to understand her, to uncover what made her so guarded. He would learn about her past and her ex, and do whatever he could to ensure her future was happy.

“Are you enjoying the show?”

She didn’t look at him as she responded.

“Yes, it’s incredible. I don’t understand why you don’t like it.”

He could tell she was enthralled by the way she watched, the sparkle in her eyes.