He leant beside her on the windowsill, the window thrown open. The early evening air was warm and the sounds of the city muted.
‘Glad to be here?’ he asked.
‘How can you ask?’ she replied, her eyes glowing as she gazed at him.
Emotion turned over in her. It had been hard to leave themas. How could it be otherwise? But knowing that she was not to lose Lycos as well, at least not yet, that she was to have this grace period with him, had eased her taking leave of her beloved home.
And a new resolve had filled her. A new strength. Lycos’s words to her had lodged within her, telling her she could make a new life for herself as he had had to do for himself.
She felt her heart clench whenever she thought of what he’d had to endure in his youth, bereft of any kind of love. Her own father had never been unkind to her and had always looked after her until Naomi had got her claws into him. Her mother had been devoted to her. And she to her mother. Their bond had been strong, close and so, so loving. Lycos had never known that, from either parent. Yet he had found the strength in himself to make a new life for himself. And so must she.
Whatever it was to be.
For a moment, dangerous and seductive, as she gazed at him, she felt a longing rise within her.
What if that new life were to be always with Lycos?
The thought hung there in her head, glowing and tempting. Like a golden apple she might reach out and take, and taste.
What if he wants me always to be with him? To make our lives together?
She could see it—as vivid and verdant as if it were real. She and Lycos, back at themas, her home once again.Theirhome together…
I might never lose it. Never lose Lycos.
Emotion tightened around her heart. And a sense of longing rose in her.
She realised he was speaking again. ‘After our long drive shall we just stay local? I know a good little restaurant nearby. Small, but quiet, and the cuisine is superb.’
She smiled. ‘That sounds good.’
But then, everything about being with Lycos was good.
As he pulled out his phone to make the reservation, her eyes rested on him, her gaze softening.
Yes, being with Lycos was so very good.
If only it could last for ever…
The restaurant was just as Lycos remembered. They were shown to a table covered with a pristine linen tablecloth and set with silver cutlery and crystal glasses. Ornamented menus were bestowed upon them. As she opened hers, he heard Arielle give a low whistle.
‘Lycos, the prices are astronomical!’ she exclaimed, sounding perturbed.
‘And the cuisine well worth them,’ he assured her.
‘Yes, but even so—’
He silenced her with a lift of his hand. ‘Arielle, I told you. You are here in Paris as my guest. At my expense. For everything.’
He smiled encouragingly. For a moment he saw her hesitate then, as if giving in, she bent her head to study the menu. He was glad she wasn’t going to protest again. He wanted to indulge her. And he was glad to do so.
She is not like the women I am used to. She does not expect anything of me, which is exactly why I want to spoil her. Lavish on her the luxury I can so easily afford! I want to see her eyes glow when I give her things. I want to please her.
It warmed him to think that way. Warmed him just to think about her. Just to let his eyes rest on her.
He was not sure why. Oh, that she was so different from the women he’d become used to since he’d made his money, yes, that was one reason. And that he desired her so much. Every long, languorous night at themashad shown him that. That was another reason.
But that was not all.
