Seduced by the Heir(22)

"I have to go," he said briskly. "Be at Bourbon Steak by seven o'clock sharp."

Taking a deep breath, Paris disconnected the call and stretched her legs  out. Thankfully, the driver didn't try to make conversation, and as she  closed her eyes and sank into her seat, she decided she'd reward him  nicely for his silence. Alone with her thoughts, she allowed the stress  and anxiety of the past seventy-two hours to fade away.

Thoughts of Rafael inundated her mind again, and for some unexplainable  reason she wondered what life would be like if he was her man. Would he  accompany her to black-tie events? Would he make an effort to get along  with her boisterous, dysfunctional family? And most important, would he  be open and honest and love her unconditionally?

Paris shook her head and chided herself for being silly. Back when they  were dating, Rafael used to love to take her out, but now he was a  homebody who'd rather read the Wall Street Journal than party at the  hottest nightclubs, and that would never change. He preferred spending  quiet evenings at home, while she enjoyed red-carpet events, movie  premiers and lively concerts. We're more different than alike, so why am  I fantasizing about him? And why do I wish he was here with me right  now?

Her head jumped from one thought to the next. Paris treasured her  independence, and didn't want love to cramp her style. But she couldn't  deny her feelings for Rafael. She wanted him, and not just because he  had juicy lips and the body of a Greek god. He was a romantic at heart,  chivalrous and kind, and she loved being with him.                       
       
           



       

Memories of New Year's Eve consumed her. It had been the most sensuous  night of her life, and reminiscing about her epic encounter with Rafael  triggered a rush of desire. Her feelings for him were so powerful and  intense they scared her. He knew just what to say to make her smile,  never failed to tell her she was smart and beautiful and made love to  her with reckless abandon. His kiss was magic, his touch explosive, and a  week after their one-night stand, Paris was still tingling between her  legs.

Haunted by his smile, she struggled to control her emotions. Their  behavior on New Year's Eve was hard to justify, and impossible to  condone, so why was she reliving every moment of that night? And why was  she itching to make love to him again?

Paris longed to hear his voice, could almost feel his soft, tender  caress. Tapping her index finger on her cell phone, she wrestled over  what to do about him. Should I or shouldn't I? she wondered, trying to  ignore the suffocating knot in the pit of her stomach.

The town car slowed and then stopped. Paris opened her eyes and looked  out the window. She saw children playing in the snow, mothers trudging  up the block pushing baby strollers and mail carriers jogging from one  brownstone to the next. Before she could ask the driver if he was lost,  he got out of the car and slammed the door.

I hope he isn't doing personal errands on my dime, or-

A gush of cold air flooded the car when the back door swung open. Her  teeth chattered and she shivered, but when she looked up as the driver  took her hand to help her out of the car, a delicious heat spread  through her body.

Paris couldn't believe her eyes. The town car driver was Rafael. The man  she'd made sweet love to seven days earlier. Panic rose in her chest  and fear coated her throat. Her first impulse was to try to make a break  for it, but Paris knew she wouldn't get far.

She touched a hand to her chest. Her heart slammed into her rib cage,  stealing her breath and her voice. If she didn't get her emotions under  control she was going to have a panic attack, right there on the street.

Breathing deeply slowed down her erratic heartbeat. Paris tried to  speak, wanting desperately to apologize for the way she'd treated him in  Venice, but couldn't get the words out.

"Good morning, angel eyes. You're looking gorgeous, as usual."

The sound of his dreamy, sensuous voice caused desire to well up inside  her. Paris felt the urge to touch him, and an even stronger urge to kiss  him all over. Unexpectedly seeing Rafael again made her feel excited  and nervous at the same time. But all she could think about was how  handsome he looked in his crisp black uniform.

What the hell was going on? Rafael wasn't a chauffeur, so why was he  dressed like one? Nothing made sense, but Paris still didn't have the  presence of mind to speak. Not when he was staring intently at her,  wearing a boyish grin. He smelled of expensive cologne, looked  devilishly handsome, and when he reached out and caressed her cheek, her  thoughts took an erotic detour. "Thanks for the flowers," she blurted  out. "They're beautiful, and the card was sweet."

"I'm glad you liked them. I remembered how much you love roses and thought they'd make a nice thank-you gift."

Confused, Paris frowned. "A thank-you gift? But I didn't do anything."

"Oh, but you did." His gaze smoldered with longing. "I flew to New York  yesterday to see my parents, and when I gave my mom the gifts you helped  me pick out for her she squealed like an adolescent girl!"

Paris laughed. "Of course she did. Everyone loves Chanel!"

"Why did you leave Venice without saying goodbye?"

He wants to talk about this here, now, in the middle of the sidewalk?  Overwhelmed with guilt, and fear of being put on the spot, Paris blurted  out the only thing she could think of in the moment. "I had an early  morning flight and I didn't want to...um, wake you." Her voice faltered  and her tongue tripped over the lie. Paris wasn't afraid of anything and  usually said exactly what was on her mind. But the thought of telling  Rafael the truth-that she'd skipped town because she was embarrassed  about her raunchy behavior in bed and was too ashamed to face him-made  her break out in hives.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. I should have said goodbye, but I was in a rush."

Rafael took off his cap and tucked it under his arm. "Are you sure that's all it was?"

"Come again?" She stared up at him, meeting his dark gaze head-on. "I don't understand what you're asking."

"Did I please you in bed?"

Paris inhaled sharply. Are you for real? Isn't it obvious? Thinking  about their New Year's Eve escapade made her yearn for more. More  kissing, more caressing, more explosive sex in unlikely places. Paris  wanted Rafael so badly it hurt, but she restrained herself from touching  him. Because if she did, there was no telling where things would end  up, and Paris wanted to avoid getting arrested in her hometown for  indecent exposure.                       
       
           



       

"I thought maybe you left because I was bad in bed and you didn't want to face me."

His confession blew her away, making her feel worse than she already  did. Paris heard the vulnerability in his voice, the sadness, and knew  she had to put his fears to rest. "That's absurd, and you know it."  Losing the war with her flesh, she placed a hand on his chest and gave  him a peck on the cheek. "You're an amazing lover, Rafael, and I  wouldn't trade our night together for anything in the world."

A half smile crossed his mouth. "I'm glad we cleared the air."

Paris giggled and shook her head in disbelief.

"What's so funny?"

"This is crazy. I can't believe you're here. I was just thinking about calling you."

His hands moved down her arms and around her waist. "Thank God you  didn't because if my cell had gone off inside the car that would've  ruined the surprise."

"Yes, and what a surprise it was," she quipped. "I almost fainted when I saw you!"

Rafael chuckled long and hard, and Paris knew all was forgiven.

"It's chilly out here. Let's head inside." Rafael activated the car  alarm and drew her to his side. "I hope you're starving, because I made  all your favorites for breakfast."

"Where are we going? You live around here?"

He smiled, gesturing at the large Colonial-style house to their left,  and patted her hip affectionately. "I've planned a fun-filled day for  you, Ms. St. Clair, and a few more big surprises."

"If I don't check into the hotel by noon I'll lose my suite."

"Then you can stay here with me," he said in a smooth voice.

"Rafael, I can't. That's insane."

"Not to me. I love the idea of taking care of you."

Paris felt her heart melt, and knew she had stars in her eyes. At a loss  over what to do, she weighed her options. She could call a cab to take  her to the hotel, or have a long, luxurious brunch with Rafael. The  answer should have been a no-brainer, but Paris couldn't shake her fear  of being alone with him again.