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“So am I,” she agreed. “But maybe we can come back for a holiday soon?”
“That sounds like an excellent idea. Perhaps in the late spring, when it will be warmer.”
“What about for your birthday?” Nyssa knew his birthday was in late May, and spending a week in Paris would be a wonderful way to celebrate. Her mind ticked over as she began to think of all the things they could do and see and explore.
“Sounds like a plan.” He kissed her again, then moved back just far enough for her to be able to turn back around and look out over the city.
They stared down at the lights blanketing Paris, walking hand in hand around the platform and pointing out various sites to each other. When they got back around to the stairs they’d come up, Pierre was waiting for them, seemingly stepping out of the dark. “Beautiful up here, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely,” Nyssa agreed. “But I think we’re ready to go back inside and get out of the cold.”
“Of course. Please follow me.” He led them back down the small spiral staircase and into the room they first stepped into. He poured them both another glass of expensive champagne and encouraged them to help themselves to the chocolate-covered strawberries which had appeared on the table in their absence.
Once they were done imbibing, their host handed John a small device with a large red button in the middle of it. Like smoke, he once again made himself scarce as John handed the device to Nyssa. “I’ve made arrangements for you to do something very special tonight.”
Her brows furrowed. “Something special?”
He glanced at his watch. “If you press the button in exactly one minute, something will happen. Come watch.”
He led her over to a small television screen she hadn’t even noticed, and like magic it turned on and a picture of the Eiffel Tower appeared on it. The camera was level with the ground, angled upward to take the entire tower in frame. “What now?”
John looked at his watch again. “Okay, get ready to press the button in ten, nine, eight….” Once he’d counted down to one, Nyssa pressed the button and looked at the screen.
All of a sudden, the lights on the Eiffel Tower began to sparkle. After placing the box down on the table nearest her, she watched, mesmerized, as the tower shimmered in the dark for a full five minutes before the sparkling stopped. With a grin, she turned to the man by her side. “I didn’t do that.” She knew very well the lights sparkled for five minutes every hourautomatically after dusk until 11:00 p.m., but she appreciated the gesture anyway.
“Sure you did. You always light up my life.”
She kissed him, a soft, gentle kiss full of love. “I had no idea you’re such a romantic.”
He grunted. “Must be the city.”
Her laugh echoed throughout the room. Pierre stepped back into it from a door she hadn’t even realized existed and approached them both, a small, white box tied with a red ribbon in hand. “Please feel free to stay here as long as you wish. The elevator will take you back down to the ground when you’re ready. I’m glad you were able to explore the Eiffel Tower, and I leave you with this gift. Good evening.” With a bow, he left them alone.
Nyssa undid the ribbon and removed the lid of the box. Inside, she discovered what looked like a screw with an extended base. “What is this?”
“It’s a rivet.” John picked it up and showed her the number stamped into it. “It’s one of the millions of rivets that was used in the construction of the tower. It’s since been replaced, but now you can say you own a part of the Eiffel Tower.”
It was such an unusual yet thoughtful gift, and she loved it. “Merci, mon amour.”Thank you, my love. She planned to place it somewhere of prominence in her home back in D.C. In what she hoped would become their home.
She didn’t voice her thoughts in the car on the way back to the hotel, instead choosing to gaze out the window and enjoy the night lights of Paris one final time before they left. She knew they’d come back to Paris again and again, so her heart was light instead of being sad they would be leaving soon.
They drove back to the hotel in comfortable silence, then removed their outer clothing once safely back in their suite. She knew from the text message waiting for her from herbrother that her family was now safely back in Lecroisa. After responding to let him know she’d text him the following day when she and John were back in America, she turned her phone on to vibrate only, wanting to devote all her attention to one man.
Chapter Ten
John
Although it was late and they had an early flight back to D.C. the following morning, John wasn’t tired and he didn’t think the beautiful princess he loved was either. So he suggested they take a bath together, because the bathroom in their suite was nothing short of spectacular and he wanted to enjoy it before they left Paris.
Nyssa was clearly on board with the idea if the way she raced to the bathroom was any indication. He trailed behind her, mesmerized as he watched pieces of her clothing appear on the floor, leaving a trail for him to follow. By the time he got to the bathroom, the water was already running and he’d stripped down to his pants.
He glanced around the large room. The walls, cabinets, and floors were all made of the same cream marble and all the hardware was gold. Two sinks graced the middle of the large vanity, which took up one entire wall. Each sink had its own mirror and three-shelf display. Numerous bunches of white flowers dotted the room, as did groups of two and three candles.The three large ones sitting in a corner of the bath had already been lit, but the rose scent wasn’t overpowering. Towels had been carefully placed in the opposite corner.
As luxurious as the bathroom was, John couldn’t tear his gaze from the woman standing next to the tub. Nyssa leaned over to test the temperature of the water before she nodded once and shut the faucet off. Bubbles covered the surface of the water, and a pillow sat down at one end.
She was clad only in pastel pink lingerie that hid nothing. He could see her hardened nipples poking through the lace of her bra, and her dark curls were visible through her panties. “Take them off.” His voice was deep, hoarse, and he watched silently as Nyssa removed the remainder of her clothing, leaving her standing in front of him, bared to his hungry gaze. “Fuck, you’re beautiful.”
The smile she gave him was almost shy, but the way her nipples tightened told a different story. “You seem to have too much clothing on, Mr. Ashwood.”
