Chapter 15
Ginny’s POV
Most people never had an opportunity to feel as Ginny did tonight.
He stood before her—in life and living color, no longer a dream. Lex extended his hand.
The now familiar but never everyday electricity zinged between them. She put her hand in his, allowing him to help her to her feet. In an expectant silence, they walked to the guest bedroom in a Paris condo three-thousand miles from her home. In minutes, she’d face a life-changing decision. If she let the moment slip by, regret would haunt the rest of her life. Someday, somewhere, he’d walk out a door, and she might never see him again. Who knew when that day would come?
I’d rather have tonight to treasure that a lifetime of regrets.
He led her into the bedroom. “Ginny, don’t worry. We are going to sleep in the same bed.” He grimaced and pointed. “That one with the blush comforter—I’ll really feel like a manly man.” As his fingertip traced her lower lip, his big blue eyes made a promise. “I’m not asking you to do anything you feel uncomfortable doing.”
This rainy Paris night might have to be enough to last her for a lifetime.
She shook her head, tears blurring her eyes. Capturing his hand, she brought his fingers to her lips. “Don’t worry about me. I made up my mind the first time I saw you. Lex, I want you to make love to me.”
Slowly, they undressed each other, savoring every warm glance and sensual caress. He lay down, pulling her down beside him. She snuggled close—as close as his own skin. It felt like her soul tried to escape and lie against his. She rose to her knees, kissing the body she'd desired for many, many nights. The soft light from a bedside lamp caressed his perfect male physique and burnished her hair a fiery copper, as with her fingers, her lips, and her eyes, she worshiped him, memorizing every detail.
His hands on her body were magic, gently tracing her figure. His mouth followed the caresses, and Ginny gasped in wonder and intense pleasure. He stroked her breasts, his soft lips branding her neck. She touched him without restraint or fear. The feel of him against her—in her—was oh so right.
As pink rain pelted the building, they made love. Their bodies joined naturally, a perfect fit. Sex was an ugly word of the past. In his arms, she knew bliss. He moaned deliciously as she stroked him, at last trembling in her arms. In a lover’s knot, they fell asleep. If she held on tight, maybe the night would never end, tomorrow never come. Tomorrow would tear him out of her arms.
***
Daybreak thundered in on fierce lightning and sheets of rain. Beyond the pink glass, she could see only water pounding sideways in a stormy wind. Sometime during the night, Lex had rolled onto his back. He was beautiful in sleep, his long dark lashes lying on his cheek, his lips slightly parted.
Ginny eased out of bed, soundlessly retrieved her robe from the closet, and tip-toed to the kitchen. Except for the booms of thunder, the house slept in the pre-dawn silence. From the stainless-steel fridge, she grabbed eggs and bacon, quite different from bacon at home. After a quick search, she located the pots and pans. The toaster held court on the onyx countertop.
She was more alive and happier than she’d ever been, her body still tingling with memories of his touch and the feel of him inside her. A soft throbbing low in her body tempted her to return to bed. She cracked an egg into a red mixing bowl. Everyone had flaws, but she absolutely hadn’t found any when Lex was naked. Or when he coaxed her to heights she’d never dreamed possible.
Ginny placed thick slices of bacon in a copper pan. A soft step sounded behind her. She turned. “Hi, Eugenie.”
In a mauve satin robe and slippers, their hostess yawned. “You’re up early.” She crossed to the bar, pulled out a stool, and perched. “My brother’s fatal charm must have failed if you’re cooking at five o’clock in the morning.”
Ginny grinned, stirring the scrambled eggs. “I don’t kiss and tell.”
Eugenie chuckled. “Touché. I like you, Ginny. I hope you can hold onto Lex. He’s worth it. But I warn you, it’s going to be a rough ride.”
His sister certainly didn’t mince words. Girl talk was one thing, confessions quite another. Ginny intended to keep her secret. She’d loved Prince Alexander from afar. This morning, she loved Lex, the man, her friend, and lover. “He’s not really a playboy?”
“No, no.” Eugenie joined her in the kitchen, opening the fridge. “Women love him. He loves women, but that’s not what I’m talking about.”
Ginny flipped the bacon with a copper spatula that looked as if it had never been used. “I guess I’m not following you.”
The guestroom door opened on a small creak. Ginny tensed for the morning after scene. A prayer that he’d be as loving as he had been last night whispered in her heart. Looking preciously disheveled, he wandered from the bedroom, rubbing his eyes. Lord, he was beautiful. Was it a sin to love someone this much?
Ginny needn’t have worried.
***
Alexander’s POV
I saw her standing in the kitchen with a copper spatula in her hand. Her gaze fixed on me. I shook off the morning haze, smiled, and sailed like a ship under full steam, straight to Ginny. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pulled her back against me. She felt so good in my embrace. So right. I lifted her hair off her nape and kissed her neck.
“You’re distracting the cook.” Eugenie surfaced from the fridge, champagne bottle in hand.
Ignoring my sister, I dotted another kiss to Ginny’s nape, enjoying her little shiver. “Good morning, beautiful,” I whispered against her skin.
She gave a delicious little wriggle that made me want to tuck her between the sheets. “Good morning. I hope you slept well.”
“Uhm,” I whispered a kiss to the top of her shoulder and stood back.
“Help me with the Mimosas.” Eugenie handed me the champagne. “Pop the cork. I’ve been saving this one for a special occasion. This is it.”
“I’m glad we’re special.” Ginny cracked another egg into the pan. “How do you like your eggs.”
“Over easy, please.”
The champagne cork popped, flying up and hitting the ceiling, but luckily it didn’t overrun the top. I held the bottle to the light to examine the label. “le specialist en France from Epernay in Champagne itself. This ought to be good. Are we having Mimosas?”
“I thought so.” Eugene took the bottle from me, pouring three glasses and adding freshly squeezed orange juice. She handed each of us a crystal champagne flute and lifted her glass. “To quiet mornings at home. Are we really staying in all day?”
Our quiet and peaceful day, enshrouded by pouring rain, was charmed, enthralling, fairytale-like. I made popcorn with melted butter, and we munched while watching an old movie, An Affair to Remember. My phone rang. I glanced at the screen and silenced a call from Ingrid. Did she know I was with another woman? One I cared for far more for than I’d ever cared or her? If so, the woman was psychic.
After the movie, Eugenie set the TV to a music station.
Snuggled with Ginny on the sofa, again my thoughts wandered to the bedroom. She was a good lover. In fact, no one could ask for better. In the palace, we’d spent an innocent night in conversation. Last night, we’d spent hours in love. At that thought, a little shock ran through me. In love? We’d made love, but in love? Now, she dozed contentedly against me. I was content, more so than I could ever remember.
Lost in desire, I smoothed a hand down her pretty arm, just to feel the softness of her skin. I’d heard people use the term velvet soft. That was the closest I could come to describing her skin. Overcome by a sudden warm feeling, I dropped a kiss on the top of her head. She snuggled her face against my shoulder.