She was silent for a moment and then chuckled. “You know what? Nothing. I’m not sorry. Normally, I have to explain to… someone I’m with about being stalked.” She tilted her head slightly and smiled. “But something tells me you understand.”
He chuckled. “I’ve been in the press for a very long time.”
She nodded. “What do you say we get out of here? Find someplace… private?”
His entire body heated and jumped at her suggestion. There was nothing he wanted more than to have an amazing affair with Robin Stein in the city of love.
But then he thought about how much that one kiss and the past hour of conversation with her had meant to him, and he knew that a one-night stand with her wouldn’t satisfy his thirst to spend more time with such an amazing person. He thought of the perfect private place where they could go and be alone.
“I have the perfect place to go.” He started walking towards the door, then stopped. “Do you need to check in with…” He motioned towards the party.
“Nope, all good.” She tugged his arm, pulling him towards the door.
They made their way into the foyer and waited until they were signaled that their limo had arrived. The moment they stepped out front, they were once again surrounded by flashes as they darted for the limo.
He initially tried to shield her but when he heard several of the cameramen calling her name, he remembered that she was probably as used to the attention as he was. If not more so.
“And the fun continues,” he said when they were tucked safely in the limo.
Instead of answering, she pulled closer to him and plastered her body against his. He had a difficult time remembering he was trying to play the gentlemen.
“Where shall we go?” she asked almost purring. “My place or yours?”
“I was thinking…” He dipped his head down to brush his lips over hers and allowed himself a moment to enjoy the taste of her. The feel of her against him. Her lips were soft, and she tasted like cinnamon and nectar. “That we’d go someplace more private.”
He watched her eyebrows rise slightly. “Where in Paris is there someplace more private than a hotel room?”
He smiled. “You’ll just have to wait and see.” He pulled out his cell phone and sent a text message to the driver.
“Oh, we’re in your limo.” she said, as she looked around. “They all look alike back here.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No.” She pulled out her phone and sent a text. “I just need to tell Phillip he can have the rest of the evening off.”
“Your driver?” he asked, putting his phone in his pocket as the limo headed out of the city.
“Yes,” she answered. She tucked her phone back into her purse. “Now, where were we?” She tossed her purse onto the seat next to them and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
“Would you think me a cad if I told you I didn’t remember?” he asked playfully.
She chuckled. “Your reputation precedes you, Senator Rhodes. I’ve read a few articles from several of your exes, and they all agree that you are no cad.”
“Oh?” he said, feeling his stomach lurch. “What else have you heard?”
Her smile grew. “That you have a few dark shadows in your closet, but nothing too iniquitous.”
He relaxed and started running his hands over her dress. It was the first time he could remember being with someone as educated as he was. He remembered reading an article about her history. How she’d spent the last few years not only making movies but getting her degree while she was at it. For her, education had been as much a priority as working. She’d given up most of her personal time for her classes.
“It’s nice,” he said between kisses.
“Hm?” she asked, pulling back and looking up into his eyes.
He’d meant to think his thoughts to himself, but now he sighed. “Being with someone who knows what iniquitous means.”
There was a slight pause and then she laughed. “So the rumors about your last two girlfriends are true then?” He frowned slightly. “Oh, come on.” She shifted away slightly. “You’ve dated models and”—she tilted her head slightly— “backup dancers. There was bound to be some intelligence there.”
“So have you, or so I’ve read.” He smiled. “There was some, but none to, shall I say, the level that I’ve experienced from you so far.” He pulled her back towards him.
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she purred, then she glanced out the dark windows. “Where are we going?”
“I’m staying just outside of town. There’s plenty to do at the château, and I thought we’d have a better time going for a walk minus the paparazzi.”
Her eyes grew large and she gasped. “Château de Ferrières? You’re taking me to Château de Ferrières? Your family’s private château?”
“Unless you object?” he asked, seeing her excitement.
“No, no objections.” She shifted in her seat and glanced out the dark windows, as if she could already see the massive structure. “I do wish it was daytime. I’d love to see all of it.”
“Then you’ll have to come back tomorrow,” he suggested. “It’s only a twenty-minute drive.”
“Or…” she turned back to him with a smile. “I could always stay until the sun comes up.”
He chuckled. “That’s another option. There are plenty of spare rooms.”
She touched the lapel of his jacket. “Afraid I’ll hog the covers?”
Smiling, he shook his head. “I’m trying very hard to be a gentleman.”
“I’d heard that about you.” She brushed her lips across his jawline. “You don’t have to be a gentleman on my account. I think we’re both adult enough to know that we want one another.”
He nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. “I didn’t bring you out here to force your hand,” he said honestly.
“I had already made up my mind.” She smiled as she kissed him again, and she began tugging his dinner jacket off his shoulders. He allowed her to undress him, pulling off his jacket and tie, and unbuttoning his shirt. He explored only the bare skin exposed by her long-sleeved dress.
It was enough, for now, to run his hands over the lace that was tight against her skin. To hike the long material of the skirt up and run his hands over the softness of her legs, which were lying over his legs.
When she reached for the zipper of his pants, he gripped her hand, stopping her as the limo slowed and turned into the final curve.
“We’re here.” He nodded towards the windows.
It took her a moment to register his words. Then she gasped and leaned towards the window. “Wow, it’s even more beautiful than the pictures.”
He remembered the first time he’d seen Château de Ferrières. He’d been ten. His mother, Coleen, had nagged his father after his kidnapping to purchase a place overseas where they could escape and have some quality family time.
His father, being the kind of man who didn’t do anything small, had purchased the château. For the next ten years, the family had spent more than three months in the nineteenth-century stone château.