Chapter Thirty-Two

ACACIA AWOKE JUST AS THE SUN peeked over the horizon.

Nicholas was in her bed, his face relaxed in sleep and shadowed with stubble. The sheets had fallen to his waist, exposing his upper body. One of his arms was tucked beneath the pillow, which showed his bicep and forearm to great effect.

Nicholas was a generous lover. It wasn’t fair to compare him with Luc, who’d been her last. Both men had treated her well, which made her very fortunate indeed.

But something hidden had been unearthed the night before. She didn’t remember ever having such an aching want or such intense, unbridled satisfaction.

Nicholas seemed more handsome to her that morning. She felt a tenderness toward him that made her reach out to touch his face. She kissed his pouting lower lip.

The previous evening had been incredible. But it was over.

She wondered why he’d stayed. She hadn’t had a one-night stand before, but she’d discussed the subject with friends. Most of them declared it was better to end the evening amicably and awake, rather than awkwardly and sleepy.

But Nicholas had stayed. He’d fallen asleep with his arm about her, as if he’d wanted to remain there. He hadn’t disappeared after she’d succumbed to sleep as well.

Acacia didn’t flatter herself that he would think of their encounter as anything other than an enjoyable evening. A man like him would never be in want of female companionship. A man like him wouldn’t become involved with a concierge.

But he was a good lover. He’d been unselfish and tender, and he’d made her feel special. Men like him were rare.

When they went their separate ways in a few hours, she would smile her goodbye and embrace him. She wouldn’t begrudge him their single evening. She’d hide the memories among other mental treasures and think on them from time to time.

With an unaccountable tightness in her chest, she leaned down and touched her lips to his once more. She traced the sudden furrow of his brow and slipped out of bed.

Her shower was much longer than normal to allow Nicholas time to dress and depart. She only hoped for both their sakes he would not be surprised by one of the other staff on his walk back to his room.

The sun was rising in the sky when she emerged fully dressed from the bathroom, only to find Nicholas still asleep.

This was a surprise. Back in Geneva, he’d confessed he didn’t sleep well. Yet he seemed to have slept soundly all night.

She contemplated walking up to the kitchen to eat her breakfast, but decided to check her email first.

She sent a brief message to her mother and responded to a couple of emails from colleagues at the Victoire, who notified her of Marcel’s passing and the upcoming funeral mass.

She texted Luc and told him she’d be home in a day or so.

And she read the most recent texts from Kate.

Luc came by. Again.
I need to wear sunglasses
not to melt under his heat.

I’ve been checking your mail.
A few bills arrived.
The decorator came by yesterday
to work on your apartment.
She let me take a look.
You’ll love it. Come home.

Acacia was relieved. Now nothing was keeping her away from Paris, apart from her visa troubles. Nicholas’s company would cancel the applications they’d begun on her behalf now that she’d resigned.

She suddenly remembered she hadn’t sent her resignation letter.

She opened the email she’d drafted to Madame Bishop and Nicholas and quickly re-read it. She emphasized that her resignation was to take effect the previous day. Then she pressed send.

Somewhere in the room, a cell phone chimed.

Nicholas yawned.

He rolled over and squinted at her. “What are you doing way over there?”

She logged out of her email and closed her laptop. “Just catching up on a few things.”

He patted the bed.

She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and surveyed her freshly washed hair and floral dress. “Beautiful Acacia, please come here.”

She found his tone irresistible. Vulnerability had crept into his voice, as if he were far from certain she’d acquiesce. His openness in that moment drew her like a magnet.

She crossed over to him and sat stiffly on the edge of the bed. He pulled her atop him and arranged her legs so they straddled his lower abdomen.

“I don’t want…”

“What?” He put his hands on her hips. “You don’t want what?”

She touched his naked chest and looked down into eyes that were suddenly alert.

When she didn’t answer, he slid his palm underneath her dress to rest atop her thigh. His thumb ghosted over the crease between her torso and hip. “Are you sore?”

“No.”

He cocked an eyebrow.

“A little tender,” she admitted.

A look of what may have been triumph passed over his handsome features. It was replaced by concern. “You should soak in the Jacuzzi.”

“Maybe later.”

Nicholas’s teeth marked his lower lip. “I’m going to sound like a bastard, but I’ll ask anyway. Last night you said it had been a long time. How long?”

She sat back and dropped her hands from his chest. “That’s none of your business.”

“I know.” He took her hand and kissed it. “But my inner Neanderthal is a curious beast.”

She placed their conjoined hands against his chest. “I wasn’t pining for someone. I went out on dates, but I worked a lot. I took language classes. I took courses in hospitality management.”

“I’m glad you weren’t pining.” His voice gentled. “But people find time for sex. As I’ve recently discovered, Brazilians are very passionate.”

Acacia sifted her fingers through the fine hair on his chest. “I’m particular about who I share myself with.”

“Then I’m honored.” He reached up to touch her face, tracing her eyebrows, her cheekbones, and her jaw. He looked as if he wanted to say more, much more. But he didn’t.

She turned toward the window, where the sun was streaming in. “What time are we leaving?”

Nicholas lowered his hand. “That depends. I slept well last night, for a change.” He caressed her thigh with his thumb. “What time is it?”

“It’s early.” She tried to move off him, but he kept hold of her hips.

His eyes blazed. “I can still taste you.”

He slid his hands to her underwear. He plucked the side of it. “Take it off and come up here.”

He shifted beneath her and pointed his chin at the ceiling.

“Are you sure?” Her voice was shaky.

He gave her a cocky smile. “I wouldn’t invite you if I wasn’t sure.”

He tugged at her underwear again. She lifted and moved to the side so she could slip the silk down her legs.

He pushed her sundress up over her head and unfastened her bra with a flick of his fingers.

He grabbed the pillow from beneath his head and threw it across the bed, then settled himself flat on the mattress. He beckoned her with both hands.

Shaky with anticipation, Acacia straddled his shoulders and gripped the wall as she moved forward.

She raised herself over his face, and he wrapped his hands around her thighs and pulled her down to his eager mouth.

There were no words. There were no thoughts. Acacia’s eyes closed as she swayed back and forth over him, palms against the wall for support.

Restraint had been abandoned. She writhed and panted, as loud utterances and exclamations fled her throat.

Nicholas was not in a teasing mood. He was single-minded in his focus and unrelenting in his movements.

Her orgasm spiraled out of control as she froze, leaning against the wall, holding her breath.

She sagged above him, and he lifted her to the side, watching as she lay very still.

He wiped his mouth with the edge of the sheet and looked over at her with a wide, satisfied grin.

“I can barely move,” she whispered. She laughed softly.

She reached for his hand and wound their fingers together. “You have a very talented tongue.”

“You have an exceptionally fine flavor.”

She laughed again and shook her head. “I just need a minute to catch my breath.”

“Take your time.” He leaned over to kiss her. “I like where I am, very much.”

When she’d recovered, she pushed him onto his back and held out her hand. “Condom.”

He reached over the side of the bed and picked up another square packet. He held it in front of her, dark eyes dancing.

She took the packet and carefully sheathed him.

He fastened his hands on her hips. “Are you sure? You seem a bit fatigued.”

“Arrogant.” She returned his grin and lifted so she could position him properly.

When she sank down on him, he groaned.

“Are you all right?” She lifted herself and touched his chest for balance. “You seem fatigued.”

“Minx.” He gripped her hips to help her move. “Nothing will prevent me from answering your siren call.”

She moved again and fell into a slow and even pace.

All of a sudden, he sat up against the wall.

The change in angle caused Acacia’s eyes to close. She leaned her head back and rolled her hips.

He moved her faster and faster, and the sound of her moans combined with his harsh breathing.

She tensed and her body spasmed as another climax overtook her.

Nicholas followed, thrusting twice before he stilled. He clutched her hips and buried his face in her neck.

Without thought, Acacia kissed his scar and hugged him. Their bodies slid against one another, slick with perspiration.

Nicholas’s fingers climbed her spine and came to rest on her shoulders. He eased her back, his eyes wide.

She kissed his brow. “Nicholas?”

His gaze remained fixed on her.

She tensed. “Is something wrong?”

“The fates have smiled on me.” His head was lowered, his voice throaty.

“The Greek islands tend to have that effect on people.”

“No.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her close. “It’s you.”

The embrace surprised Acacia, because the hug was not that of a lover. It was something greater. Something deeper. As Nicholas hid his face in her neck, she realized she’d never been hugged like this before. Not even by Luc, when he’d declared he loved her.

Nicholas’s tenderness and affection awoke something in her that lay beneath the fear and caution. His touch was true. Her feelings for him blossomed, and she relaxed in his arms.

“What a beautiful heart you have,” he whispered as he held her tightly.

“Oh, Nicholas,” she murmured. “What happened to you?”

He opened his mouth as if he were going to answer; then he kissed her.

“I’ll be back.” He pressed his lips to one side of her mouth and then the other. He disappeared into the bathroom.

Acacia worried she’d said too much. His embrace had changed her. Her integrity would not allow her to hide that change. Inwardly, she squirmed.

“Sleep with me.” Nicholas stood naked next to the bed.

“Now?”

“Yes.” He reached into his trouser pockets and retrieved his phone. He switched it off without looking at it and placed it on the nightstand.

“The others will be getting up soon, if they haven’t already.”

“Last night was the first good night’s rest I’ve had in a very long time. I could use a few more hours. Please.” He positioned himself on his back and lifted his arm in invitation.

She went to him. He flicked the sheet over them.

She rested her cheek on the side of his chest as his arm curled around her. He blew a deep exhale across her hair.

The gentle tide of Nicholas’s breathing slowly lulled her into sleep.