“I think I found a prospect, Bree.”
“How? When?”
“Just now. There’s a really good-looking guy headed toward the café. He’s hot — so very, very hot! And his walk is sexy as hell.”
“Take a picture of him and send it to me.”
“I can’t…he might see me. But take my word for it, he’s really something.”
“I believe you. What about sexual chemistry?”
“It’s oozing all over the place. But he hasn’t looked my way yet. I’m not sure if the heat will be mutual.”
“Just in case it is, Vic, are you prepared?”
She knew what Bree was asking. “Yes, I have my own condoms. Don’t worry about a thing. Girl, I got this.”
“Vic…”
Victoria recognized that tone. Her cousin was worried about what Victoria was getting herself into. But it was too late now. “I’ve got to go, Bree. If he looks this way and sees me talking on the phone, he might think I have a boyfriend.”
“Okay. Call me later.”
“I will.” Victoria clicked off her phone and then quickly slid it inside her backpack. Then she straightened in her chair and took another sip of her peach wine.
Not wanting to be caught staring, she glanced away and watched a couple sitting at a table not far away. They had a baby stroller with them. She couldn’t see the baby inside but figured, considering the pink blanket, it had to be a girl. Not for the first time, she thought about her future and what part children would play in it. She did intend to marry one day, after she’d established herself in her chosen profession.
“Where would you like to be seated, Monsieur?”
“Anywhere would be fine.”
The deep, rich masculine voice that spoke the words in perfect English recaptured Victoria’s attention. She glanced back in the man’s direction. He was at the café’s entrance, talking to Pierre, one of the waiters. He was now less than eight feet away from her and she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. The man was totally gorgeous! She’d put him in his late twenties, probably around twenty-six or twenty-seven. And he looked so friggin’ sexy in his denim walking shorts that showed strong legs. She was tempted to fan herself.
As if he felt someone checking him out, he shifted his stance and glanced over at her. The moment their gazes connected, she felt something she’d never felt before, something more powerful than sexual chemistry. It was animal magnetism, so potent she could actually feel blood throbbing in her veins. In all her twenty-three years, she’d never felt anything like it. And she didn’t quite know what to do now that she was experiencing it.
That had to be the reason she continued to stare at him while lust seemed to burn into her brain cells. Raw need passed between them. She was certain he felt it, too. It would explain why he was staring at her so intensely.
Suddenly, his lips spread into a sexy smile that seemed to caress every nerve in her body. And at that moment, she knew. This was the guy she wanted to share her first sexual experience with. And she had a feeling, she wouldn’t regret a single moment of it…
He said something to the waiter before moving in her direction. As he moved toward her, a flush covered her skin and she could feel certain parts of her body starting to hum. His eyes held hers in an exchange that was almost sinful. It was as if an urgent need was drawing him to her.
She had a feeling that he was a man who went for what he wanted, and with just a look he was letting her know that he wanted her.
He stopped at her table. “Hello. I’m Cort.”
She swallowed as she tilted her head back to look up at him. He was tall. Probably around six-three. And that same deep voice she’d heard when he’d spoken to the waiter captivated her. She couldn’t have moved if she’d wanted to.
She noticed that he hadn’t given her his full name, and wondered if Cort was even his real name. She had no problem playing his game, though, if that was the case. She had no intentions of giving him her real name, either. “Hello, Cort. I’m Adele.”
In a way, she wasn’t lying…Adele was her middle name. Lucky for her it was also a popular French name. “Would you like to join me, Cort?”
The smile that seized the corners of his mouth went from being sinful, to bone-melting irresistible. His eyes weren’t just studying her, they were stroking all kinds of heat within her, and filling her mind with all types of naughty thoughts. Thoughts a woman who’d never been made love to should not be having.
She was experiencing a seductive power she’d never felt before, mainly because she’d never given herself the opportunity to feel it. But now she had the time and definitely the desire. Would he take her up on her invitation?
“Yes, Adele, I would love to join you.”
She watched him slide his masculine body into the chair across from her, without breaking eye contact. “Are you American?” she asked, figuring he probably was, but deciding to pretend she wasn’t sure.
“Yes. And you’re French, right?”
Now came the lie. It was her lie, and she intended to stick to it. Nodding, she said, “I guess my accent gives me away.”
“Yes, but you speak pretty good English,” he said.
“Thanks. So, what brings you to Paris, Cort?”
He leaned back in his chair. “A celebration. I just finished law school and passed the bar exam. I’m here to celebrate with my two best friends. However, they won’t arrive for a few days. I decided to fly in early since I’m the only one of the three of us who hasn’t been to Paris before.”
She smiled over at him. “You’re going to love it here.”
“I already do.”
There was something in the way he’d said those words that made her think she had something to do with it, but she wasn’t sure. All she knew was that his assertion caused heat to spread through her.
At that moment, the waitress came to take his order. He glanced over at her glass. “What are you drinking?”
“Peach wine.”
He nodded and glanced up at their waitress. “Please bring me a glass of the same. In fact, bring a bottle.”
The waitress nodded and then walked off. Cort turned back to her and asked, “Have you ever been to the United States?”
“Yes, years ago, with my parents.” Another lie.
“What part?”
“Florida. Disney World.”
His chuckle was rich and seductive. “I should have known. That’s a very popular tourist spot in my country.”
The waitress returned with his glass and the bottle of wine. When the woman left, Cort refilled Victoria’s glass, which was almost empty. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He took a sip of his wine while looking at her over the rim of his glass. “I don’t know my way around your city. How would you like to show me around? There’s a lot to see and do here.”
“Yes, there is,” she agreed. Was a day all he wanted? How would he feel when he realized she wanted more? She’d need a night with him, too, to get what she needed done accomplished. But a day was a start. She’d just have to make sure he wanted more. “I’d love to be your personal tour guide.”