"Where are we going Xavier?" Raine asked while yawning.
Much after Xavier had taken Raine away from the beach, they were still on the road, driving back to Paris. Raine was tired beyond belief but sleeping was out of the question. She was in France after all, a place she had dreamt of to going ever since she was a child, and only a fool would spend their time sleeping when there was so much to see and do.
Xavier glanced at Raine and chuckled. "I'm sorry, weren't you the one who said we shouldn't go back to the hotel."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you can kidnap me like this." Raine pouted.
"It isn't considered kidnapping when you willingly sit in my car." Xavier remarked smartly. "And by the way, you were the one who inspired me to take you somewhere instead of lugging you back to the hotel and tossing you in bed where you should be resting."
"Ok fine." Raine groaned. "A clue? I deserve a clue, at least."
A smile crawled onto Xavier's face at Raine's playful behavior. Yes, it was true that he was fond of her before when she was incredibly shy, but this Raine was even more fun. Her carefree and stress free attitude had gotten Xavier to live a little for himself, instead of the world.
"Ok Ms. Woods, I'll give you one, tiny clue." Xavier said, smirking at her. "It's a typical tourist thing."
"Wow, so much for a clue." Raine said rolling her eyes. "There's only about a million different things that tourists do."
"Patients Raine." Xavier said. "Patients its the key to success."
"Says the least patient guy in the world." Raine muttered to which Xavier laughed out load.
* * *
The tower stood proudly, glimmering with the thousands of little lights that adorned it to perfection. It was tall, pointed, and witty as it rose from the ground, letting the world admire it's beauty. It was a wonder of the world and current, right in front of Raine's eyes.
"Whoa." Raine whispered, finding herself in a loss of words.
Coming to the Eiffel Tower was something that every person dreamt of when looking at a picture of Paris. But being there, living it, feeling it, the emotions that were floating in her mind at the given time, were completely unexpected.
"And that's the reaction I was looking for." Xavier said, his hands placed on Raine's shoulders as he stood behind her, looking out at the view. "What do you thing?"
"I'm speechless." Raine said. "There aren't words to describe this. Nothing."
"Wanna go up?" Xavier asked, looking at the tip of the tower.
"We can?!" Raine asked, equally as shocked as she was excited.
"Why not." Xavier said, pulled Raine into his side as they walked towards the tower.
The sight from above was something that couldn't be described in words. The city light glimmered beneath her, putting up a show of lights for anyone who was watching. The night stars twinkled in the sky, so brightly as if they were twinkling only for her.
Raine smiled as her eyes trailed over the horizon. The sun had set peacefully in the distance but it's brightness wasn't being missed for the moon fulfilled it's presence effortlessly.
Xavier stood back, admiring the one thing that he could never get enough of. Raine.
She had slipped her way into his life and now he was trapped. Trapped in the brown of her coffee colored eyes. And what shocked Xavier more then ever was that he like it. He wasn't sure he'd ever want to be freed from her spell.
"It's stunning." She said, her eyes unable to stray from the masterpiece before her.
"You are." Xavier said.
"I'm talking about the view." Raine said, gesturing to the city that was as lively as can be.
"And I'm talking about mine." He uttered, his eyes memorizing her.
"Ooo! Can I go try that?" She asked excitedly as she saw the telescopes that were scattered around the perimeter of the terrace.
"Of course you can." Xavier smiled, reaching into his pocket for some lose change.
He slipped the coins into the telescope, adjusting it to Raine's height, before moving out of the way so that she could see everything.
"This is so cool!" Raine said as she looked at the gardens that were decorated perfectly in lights and fountains. Her eyes trailed along the river that flowed through the town, cutting it in two pieces and carving the landscape.
"Should I put more coins in?" Xavier asked, reaching into his pocket once more.
"No, it's alright." Raine said. "Umm.. can we eat something?" She said with embarrassment.
"I thought you'd never ask." Xavier laughed. "I'm starving."
"Me too." Raine giggled.
"How do you feel about having dinner up here?"
"You're joking right?" Raine asked in disbelief.
"Oh, I'm serious alright." Xavier smirked.
Xavier gripped onto Raine's hand, walking with her to the elevator where they went down a couple of floors to the midpoint of the tower where the restaurant was located.
Despite their decrease in height, the view was nonetheless breathtaking and Raine couldn't believe that she was actually getting a chance to dine in once of the most beautiful places in the world.
"Bonsoir Monsieur. Le nom sur la réservation?" The waiter asked as soon as they set foot inside.
"Oui. For Xavier Thorn." Xavier responded, smiling down at Raine who was nested to his side, looking around.
"Par ici. Right this way." He said, leading the way.
They stopped in front of couple table, lit by the light of a candle. Xavier pulled a chair out for Raine, allowing her to sit down before he took a set in front of her.
"This is incredible." Raine said, her eyes wide with amazement.
"Tu es incroyable." Xavier whispered.
"You speak french?" Raine asked, her cheeks tinting pink under the light of the candle.
"Oui." Xavier responded. "Yes, I do."
"Really?!" Raine asked. "That is so cool! Say something!"
"J'adore ton sourire." Xavier said, speaking not from his mouth but with the power of his heart.
Raine's eyes grew soft as her smile grew wide. A look of adoration passed on her face before she scrunched her eyes together, trying it figure out the riddle to his words.
"I love you smile." Xavier translated, causing Raine's blush to deepen.
"Thank you." Raine replied shyly. "You're are the reason of it, after all."
"Puis-je prendre votre commande?" The waiter interrupted. "May I take you order?"
"Yes." Xavier responding looking back at Raine.
"Order for me?" She asked, pleading with her eyes.
"Of course." Xavier said, looking down at the menu. "We'll have two plates of the Fillet of sea bream à la plancha with Haute-Provence's spelt risotto, butternut squash and Champagne sauce." Xavier ordered, glancing at Raine to make sure that was ok with her.
The waiter scribbled it down on his notepad before leaving the two alone.
Raine and Xavier smiled at each other, staring into each other's eyes.
"Soo.." Raine began, looking around as she tried to start a conversation.
"So?" Xavier smiled.
"This is nice." Raine said smiling, and it was. The two of them together, the flickering candle light, the city that was laying just beneath their feet. Everything was.
"With you, it is." Xavier responded. He smiled with his deep blue eyes that glowed in the dim lighting. But even in the shadows, Raine could not miss the intensity of his sapprise jewels that looked back with her with so much adoration.
* * *
Dinner was an absolute blast. Not only did Raine eat the best meal she had ever tasted in her life, but the company that Xavier provided was like none other. Soon after they finished eating, the duo had come back to the surface of the earth and was currently strolling the gardens that lay out in front of the Eiffel Tower, in the moonlight.
"That was a lot of fun!" Raine said, still blushing at the feeling of Xavier's fingers intertwined with her own. "I'll never forget today! Thank you Xavier."
"Neither will I." Xavier smiled, looking at the dirt path that unfolded before them.
"Well, we still have an hour till midnight." Raine said yawning as she looked at the time in her watch.
"Are you Cinderella?" Xavier asked suddenly, his eyes glowing with amusement.
"I wish." Raine said. "But unfortunately I'm not. I promise I don't have a fairy god mother or anything. At least I don't think I do." She giggled.
"Then what's with this midnight thing? We have the whole night ahead of us." Xavier smirked, looking out into the distance with a smug look smeared across his face.
"We do?"
"Yes. Anything you want, name it." He grinned, looking down at Raine who was looking back up at him with amazement causing Xavier to laugh.
"Surprise me." She cheered, rubbing her hands together with excitement.
"Weren't you criticizing my surprises just a couple of hours ago?" Xavier asked with a smirk rolled out on his face.
"Maybe." Raine blushed. "But now I'm asking you to. So do it!"
* * *
"Give me your hand, Raine." Xavier said, gently holding Raine's soft hands in his own as he steadied her at the river bank.
"Boating." Raine exclaimed with an impressed look. "Xavier, I must say, you have good taste."
"Of course I do." Xavier smirked, before lifting her off her feet and placing her onto the yacht that was awaiting them. "Careful Raine." He said, gripping her waist to keep her from falling over.
The night was aged but it's beauty had only grown with each passing hour. The stars hung brightly in the sky, painting the navy blue canvas in sparks. The moon's reflection fell upon the subtle waves of the river, illuminating the water. The soft sound of water splashing against the metal of the boat created a peaceful aura. And of course, Xavier's presence was the big bow on top of this present.
"How do you manage to do this?" Raine asked, closing her eyes and looked out in front of her. They were standing at the tip of the yacht and the cool breeze was brushing against her cheeks, turning them pink.
"Do what?" Xavier said in a voice that was barely a whisper.
"Everything."
"Everything?"
Raine opened her eyes, turning back to Xavier. His hand was gripping the metal railing while his eyes gripped onto her. She smiled, resting her palm on top of his hand. "I don't know. Today was perfect Xavier, I just hope you know that."
"I thought you said perfect doesn't exist." Xavier smiled.
"Well maybe with you, it does." Raine said quietly before she turned back to the water front.
Xavier's smile only grew as his heart thumped against his chest. Stepping closer to her, he trapped her in his arms as he gripped the railing on each side of her. Pressing his chest against her back, he rested his chin on the top of her head, watching the star filled sky paint a masterpiece for them.
"It's getting chilly, wanna go inside?" Xavier asked when he felt a shiver trail down Raine's body.
"Sure." She said, wrapping her arms around herself as she turned around.
However, just as Raine was about to take a step forward, her foot slipped on the slightly wet flooring. Just as she felt herself in complete control of gravity, Xavier's muscular arms wrapped around her waist effortlessly, saving her yet another time.
"Always falling for me, are you?" Xavier smugly asked as he put her back onto her feet, not letting go of her hand whatsoever.
Raine blushed deeply, before trying to play it off. "Always catching me, aren't you?" She winking, catching Xavier off guard.
Once they were both settled inside the small cabin, Raine made herself comfortable by slipping off her sandals while Xavier tugged his coat off and loosened his tie.
"So what's the plan for tomorrow?" Raine asked curiously.
"We're heading back home." Xavier replied, clearly unhappy by the decision. "And unfortunately, the only way to go back is via flight."
"Oh." Raine quietly mumbled.
"I know you're scared Raine." Xavier said, moving closer to her. "But I assure you, that I won't let a single thing go wrong." He stated, determination illuminating his blue eyes.
"I know that." She nodded gently.
"Trust me Raine, the flight will be safe and you don't have to be afraid of it crashing. I have one of the best pilots." Xavier convinced.
"I trust you Xavier." Raine smiled. "So going back home?"
"Yes. No matter how much I want to bail and just stay here with you, I can't." He said, looking away from her.
He wanted so badly to forget about everything. The numerous meeting, the partnerships, the company. He wanted to forget about it all and do this. Be here. With her. Where he was happy. Where he was alive.
"You have responsibilities."
"I do." He unwillingly nodded. "And I need to sort out some problems as well."
"With the company?"
"With the security breach. We've never had such a problem before. It just doesn't make sense how it even happened in the first place." Xavier said, raking his fingers through his disheveled hair.
"I don't know. But I'm sure Jordon and the rest of the people you have working for you, will sort that out." Raine suggested.
"I hope." Xavier said before changing the topic. "So did you have fun while you were here? I guess it was mostly a business trip but I tried to fit in as much as I could."
"Xavier, I had the best time of my life. Traveling has always been something I loved and I'm glad I got the chance to come with you here." Raine said genuinely as she smiled at Xavier.
"I had the best time of my life too, Raine."
"And it all comes to an end tomorrow." Raine dramatically said, shaking her head. "I wish this night could last forever."
"It doesn't end here Raine." Xavier uttered. "We've got many more business trips in front of us. Just wait till we get back home. You'll be so sick and tired of them."
"I doubt that's possible. I'd do anything to see every corner of the world."
"Ms. Woods, don't get your hopes up too high." Xavier teased. "You're gunna be stuck with me and my meeting for a very long time."
Raine laughed at Xavier. "Don't worry Mr. Thorn, I don't intend on finding another job anytime soon."
"So Cinderella, shall I take you back to the hotel, or do you plan on staying here till sunrise?" Xavier asked, glancing at the time.
"But we just got here." Raine yawned.
"I know butâ"
Just a Xavier was about to continue, his voice was cut out by the soft buzzing coming from Raine's purse.
"Sorry, let me just get that." Raine said apologetically as she dug through her purse to answer the phone.
However, just as she was about to answer it, the phone hung up on its own.
"Who is it?" Xavier asked curiously.
"I don't know." Raine shrugged. "Unknown number. They hung up before I could answer."
"Weird." Xavier muttered.
"Yeah." Raine yawned once more. "Some unknown number's been messaging me for a while."
"Why didn't you tell me before Raine? Has this person been bothering you?" Xavier asked with concern.
"Calm down Xavier!" Raine laughed. "It's a wrong number. Nothing to worry about." She shrugged. "Anyways, what were we talking about?"
"Going back to the hotel?" Xavier said. "Let's steer this bad-boy back to shore." He announced before heading towards the wheel and steering to boat back to the dock while Raine watched quietly.
"Tonight was one of the best nights of my life, Xavier." Raine said softly as they drove back to the hotel. "I wish there was someway I could do something for you. Something just as special."
"You do it every day." Xavier said tugging her hand. "You bring a smile to my face and there's nothing more special than that."
"You're too nice." Raine said, shaking her head.
"That's really funny." Xavier chuckled. "It's the exact opposite of what the world calls me."
"Well the world is weird." Raine pouted sweetly.
"That, it is." Xavier admitted. "But with you around, it's not so bad."
______________________
A/N: Hey guys! I know it's been a while! Super sorry for the delay, I got sick and then was stuck in a hurricane of midterms! Anyways, I am back and I hope you guys loved this romance filled update!! Please vote and comment to show some support!!
Question of the Day: Any Marvel / Avengers fans out there? Have you seen Infinity War yet?! And please no spoilers for those you haven't seen it yet.
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Breathe