I was hoping I could drag him straight to bed and return the come-your-brains-out favor, but he's here for business, not pleasure.
"Everything okay?"
He sighs. "I'm sorry, Juliet, but this issue won't wait. I was hoping to have some time to show you around, but I need to meet with everyone right away. Jean Luc will show you to our suite. Anything you need, just let him know."
I'm disappointed, but I realize just how tired I am all of a sudden. Even with the nap on the plane, my internal clock is all over the place. It's five AM in Chicago right now, and my body is screaming out for sleep. "That's fine," I tell him. "I'll take a rest, you go take care of the company."
The concierge shows me to the suite. I nearly drop my purse when I walk in. It's … awe-inspiring. High ceilings, elegant artwork on the walls, incredible views. Jean Luc gives me a tour through the four room suite, filled with billowing lavender curtains, teardrop chandeliers and antique furniture. "Is there anything madam requires?" he asks, his accented words charming me.
"No, thank you." I stop in the middle of the room, wondering if I'm supposed to tip him, but Jean Luc has already retreated, closing the door behind him.
I wander to the windows in a daze. A serving cart has champagne on ice, a bowl of fruit and a truffle tower.
This. Is. Crazy!
So crazy that I can barely keep my eyes open. I go lay down in the bedroom and spread my hands over the embroidered satin coverlet. The coolness of the fabric is soothing as I close my eyes … just for a minute …
"Juliet."
Something warm touches my lips. Dominic's sexy scent wraps around me, and I'm both comforted and aroused. "Mmm," I mumble.
"Open your eyes."
I do, and find his smiling face staring down at me. He kisses me, gathering me to him until my breasts press into his chest. We roll over on the bed, kissing like a pair of horny teenagers until my stomach rumbles loudly.
I pull away, mortified, but Dominic only laughs.
"Perfect timing. I have dinner planned."
I sit up and realize it's dark outside. "Dinner? What time is it?"
"Almost midnight. Come on, sleeping beauty. Let's go."
Midnight? I'd been sleeping for hours! All the restaurants must be closed by now. "Wait," I brush the hair from my face. "We can have dinner this late?"
He reaches a hand to help me off the bed. "I'm a Rexford, remember?"
Chapter Eight
This is a dream.
It has to be.
I'm on a private boat, with a gourmet dinner laid out in front of me as we cruise down the River Seine. The water glitters, reflecting the lights of the city and the moon above us in the dark sky. It's beautiful and amazing, and I'm completely enchanted. It's like a dream come to life.
All because of Dominic.
He's relaxed and I love how the soft lines of his face give a boyish touch to his very masculine appeal. I changed into a simple sundress and heeled sandals after he woke me in the hotel. The skirt is short enough to leave my skin bare to mid-thigh, a detail I'm enjoying as his hand rests on my knee.
"Try this." Dominic leans over, holding an oyster on the half shell. I've never tried them before and honestly, I've been eyeing them suspiciously since the waiter brought them out.
"Too slimy." I shake my head.
"It's a delicious kind of slime."
I playfully swat his hand away. "You're a terrible salesman."
He takes the oyster for himself, tipping it into his mouth with an appreciative murmur. He picks up another and offers it to me again.
"Try it now, or forever live with my disappointment." There's a teasing smile on his lips.
"Really?" I laugh. "You'll be disappointed if I don't eat it?"
"Devastated. Crushed."
"Sounds serious." I grin. I've having fun with him. Away from Chicago, there's a new playful side I never expected.
Dom brings the shell closer to me and I find my lips parting. "I know how much you love to please me, Juliet."
Our eyes lock as I open my mouth. Sneaky bastard, thinking I'll do anything to please him. The thing is, he's right. I love making him happy, seeing him smile and knowing it's because of me.
He tips the shell and the oyster slides into my mouth. Wow. It's rich and salty and lemony on my tongue as I chew. I guess I can see what all the hype is about. Still, I don't think I'll be wanting another.
Dominic leans in and chases it with a kiss.
"See how pleased I am?"
I roll my eyes and take a bite of my steak. It was served medium rare with a delicious béarnaise sauce. So much better. I'm about to take another forkful when Dominic clears his throat. He looks serious for a moment.
"Juliet, kidding aside, you do … you make me happy." He keeps his gaze on me and I see a flush climb into his cheeks.
My breath catches. He's opened up to me in bits and pieces, but never about us. I often wonder how he feels about me, if there's something more. But I don't let myself dwell on it because the answer might hurt too much.
But now, he's looking at me like this is for real.
"Me too," I whisper, my heart pounding. Dom squeezes my hand, then returns to his meal. He chuckles. "What?" I ask.
"Nothing," he smiles. "I was just thinking about the night we met. I'd say our one night stand turned out pretty well, wouldn't you?"
My heart drops. Suddenly, there's ice water in my veins.
He doesn't know.
That night we met, it wasn't just an accidental encounter in the bar. I was there to seduce him, or at least, to help someone get incriminating photos. My roommate, Callie, works for a private investigator, but she was sick, so I was the one who showed up that night. I wasn't expecting to meet a man like Dom. I wasn't expecting any of this to happen at all.
I take a gulp of my wine, trying to stay cool. I want to come clean-I hate that I've been lying to him all this time-but it's too late now. I'll just have to live with the guilt, and pray he never finds out.
"Are you tired?" Dom asks, changing the subject.
"Not at all." Relieved to move the conversation on. "That power nap really did the trick."
"Do you want to take a walk? There's something I'd like to show you."
The boat approaches a dock. A few minutes later, we're secured and Dominic helps me ashore.
The sidewalks are well lit as we stroll along the riverbank, past historic churches and amazing old buildings. I hold his hand, drinking it all in. I never could have imagined this.
" … after the Resistance-" Dominic stops talking. "You're not listening to anything I'm saying, are you?"
I flush. "Sorry, it's just that I'm a little overwhelmed here. I mean, just look at all this." I gesture.
He smiles. "And here I am, trying to impress you with all my history lessons. I'll shut up now."
"No!" I protest. "I love history. I'm listening."
Dom lifts my hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. "I like the silence too. I like just being with you."
He turns down an old cobbled street lined with gorgeous old buildings. Flowering vines flow down from windowsills, scenting the air as we pass. I feel like I'm floating on cloud nine. Dominic glances down at me and our eyes catch, electric.
Excitement sparks through me. I hold his hand tight, wanting him to stay this close, and he does, our arms brushing, our joined hands pressing against my hip. He glances down at me again and my breathing speeds up, my body turning into him before I even think about it.
Dominic takes my face between his hands and kisses me deeply, parting my lips with his tongue and delving inside. I moan and slide my hands down his forearms, pulling him into me as a sharp ache pulses between my legs. I can't get close enough. I want him against me, in me, on me-his taste, his warmth. All of him.
Suddenly, he takes my arm and leads me back between the buildings. It's a slim alleyway, set back from the street, out of sight. Dom presses me against the wall and claims my mouth again, harder now, hungry.
Our kiss becomes frantic, Dominic's hands caressing my body, over my stomach and up to cup and squeeze my breasts through my thin dress. I moan, arching eagerly into his touch as I return the favor: my own hands roving over the hard muscular planes of his chest. Already, I need more.
I bring a hand to the waist of his pants. His cock is hard and straining, but when I reach to grip him, he pushes my hand aside. In one move, Dom grips my ass and lifts me, wrapping my legs around his waist and slamming me back against the wall. Now, his cock is pressed hard against me, grinding in between my thighs, pressing against my panties and clit in delicious pressure. Yes. I grip his shoulders to keep from falling, wanting him right there, deep inside.
"I need you, Juliet." His voice is thick and low and the sound makes my pussy throb with a restless ache. I squirm against him, reaching between us to unzip his pants and free his thick, rigid cock. I stroke my thumb over his tip and press it against me, tracing the wet lines of my opening. Dom groans against my neck, grips my hips harder, and then suddenly slams into me in one hard stoke.