He swept her into his arms. Kissing her deeply, he took her breath for his own, pouring all his love into the kiss so that nothing could be misunderstood. And she responded, kissing him back with equal fervor, just like he remembered. Their heat was undeniable.
“That’swhy I came,” he breathed, panting. “I can’t ...unfeelyou, and I don’t want to, ever again.”
Shaking her head, she whispered, “What would you have me say? Yeah, sure, let’s do it?”
“Certainly not like that.”
“William, neither of us are cheaters. I won’t do it.”
“Then, what happened on the beach?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She looked away.
“The beach—what we did in the Hamptons following the Hurst wedding. You had no qualms then about us cheating on the people we’re going to marry.”
“Whatever you think happened between us, didn’t.”
Releasing her from his embrace, he challenged, “You’re lying. You’re biting your lip, just as you did the night we made love on the beach.”
“Please, go back to your room. Getting it on with the foolish girl who broke your heart is not the answer to cold feet, nor should I be another victorious conquest in Paris. My hollowheart can’t take breaking yours or anyone else’s again. Can’t we just remain friends?”
“It’s not enough. I want more.”
“Is this about an itch to get laid tonight, or about stroking your ego, or is it about your feelings?”
“You know it’s about my feelings.”
“Do I? You’re different now and standing at my door with—” her eyes lowered to his groin—“an obvious aching need for immediate sexual satisfaction!”
“All the more proof that I haven’t changed. I still need you.”
“As enticing as you are, I’m undeterred. I don’t do one-night stands, and this is a business trip—nothing more. Whatever feelings you have need to be left in the past. You are getting married in six weeks. That’s that.”
He grinned. “We’ll see. You know, I wish we could turn back the clock. I’d be wiser and not let you go without a fight.”
“And I wish we could freeze time for a little while, but both are impossible. It’s just not meant for us to be, I guess.”
And there it was—her admission, a repeat of what they’d said to each other in the Hamptons. That magical moonlit night was not a figment of his vivid imagination.
“William, please stop this dogged pursuit for a one-night stand. You’re in love with someone else now,” she said, exasperated. “By your own principles, you should make love to her, not me.”
“Remember what you said in the car? Everything is an illusion—everything—except what we had. Your moral high ground is admittedly commendable, but perhapsyouneed to take a thirty-thousand-foot view.” Leaning into her ear, he whispered. “Think logically about this. Ask yourselfhowI got here. Why would Caroline bring us together if not to have this conversation?” He took her hand in his, then kissed it. “Good night, Lizzy.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
Fourth Moment in Paris—July 4
Independence Day in Paris. It wasn’t the first time she experienced the anomaly. This time, however, William was with her, even if she wasn’t sure what he had planned for the day, given his shocking three a.m. declarations and raging erection. But, oh my, how she silently thrilled, feeling it press against her hip when he took her into his arms. She’d barely escaped succumbing to his passionate words and need, but held onto her dignity and refused to be a sexual outlet for his pre-wedding jitters. Still ... she wanted to be with him, and his proclamation touched her heart while other statements made no sense at all. Deep down, she knew he sought more than a meaningless hook up. The William she knew hadn’t been wired for shallow intimacy, but was he still the same man she left behind?
Then, there was the daunting reality that he recalled the beach. That was going to be a problem. All she could do was keep denying it.
Brushing her teeth, she looked at her reflection in horror. Her hair stuck up in a million directions, and she hoped she didn’t look like that last night! She ran the hairbrush through the mess, donned her robe, and then leisurely walked out into the morning sunshine streaming through the open balcony door.
Gazing out at the city’s landscape beyond and the lush Grand Jardin below her fifth-floor suite, she admired the amazing view. A freshness hung in the air after last night’s rainstorm. Taking a deep breath, she inhaled the sweet, fragrantflowers mixed with the tell-tale scent of coffee wafting in the gentle breeze.
“Good morning, Paris. I missed you.”
“Good morning, Elizabeth,” William answered back from the opposite side of the railing, causing her to startle. Embarrassed, she wasn’t sure if she should be happy or sad that he was back to calling her Elizabeth.
