Lib Novel Page 8
She could only nod.
He led her outside onto verdant grounds that took her breath away. Maybe she didn’t need that Paris park after all. Colorful blooms sprouted from the shrubs. Topiary blended with rolling lawns, sporting a vast reflection pool as the centerpiece. And everywhere, statuary. Pia could spend an entire day here, just wandering and soaking in the beauty, if she had more time. But the sun would set soon and decisions would have to be made.
Matt led her purposefully down a paved pathway lined with trees to the most famous of Rodin’s statues.The Thinkertowered above them on a pedestal.
“So, you’ve been here before?”
He nodded. “An outing with ourau pair. My brother Tate and I. He said this guy reminds him of me.”
“How so?”
“You tell me.” He struck the pose, affecting seriousness.
Pia laughed. “Not even close. You have way better hair and a cuter nose. And there’s something really wrong with his knees.”
Matt smiled. “I think he meant more that I’m the idea guy of the two of us. I ideate, he gets shit done. We’re a good team.”
“Is Tate part of your new company?”
“No. He’s doing brilliant things over in our liquor division. I may be biased, but my brother is the savviest of all of us. His touch on our different branches is like magic. They need him over there.”
“Damn it,” she muttered.
“What?” He’d taken her hand again.
“You’re as loyal to your family as I am to mine. You have no flaws. It’s frustrating.”
He laughed loudly. “Is it?”
“Yes,” she scowled. What was she supposed to do with a perfect man she could spend only a few hours with? She wouldn’t even be able to talk about him, or this night. Not to her very Catholic family. Not even to Carol, who might let slip incriminating information to Rey in a moment of—gag—bliss.
No, Matt would have to be a secret she kept close to her heart. Just a perfect night in Paris.
He lifted their linked hands to check the time. She found the fact that he wore a watch—a solid, fancy one—sexy as sin.
“Our next stop has some time constraints. Are you about ready, or would you like to see more sculptures?”
Pia stared at him. “Remember a few minutes ago when you were ready to skip to the end of the night? Now you’re all sweet tour guide with a plan. I’m adding your admirable self-restraint to the list of things that are really effing ann—”
Matt’s body slammed into hers. Breath left her mouth in a rush, absorbed by the soft fabric of his sky-blue sweater. One huge hand dug into her hip, balancing the gentle grip of the other on the nape of her neck. Pia’s heart beat wildly. She pressed her hands into his chest not to create space but to get closer.
“I have been ready to skip to the end of the night since the first second I saw you. Every moment that passes when I’m not inside you drives me a little more insane. But you’re right. I need to disconnect. Be present. You wanted me to be with you for me? I want the same for you. I’m willing to go a little mad for that. For you.”
Pia tried to steady her breaths and failed. “You’re not going to kiss me after that little speech?” She did not recognize the sound of her own voice. She absolutely recognized the flood of heat between her thighs.
“No. You’re going to kiss me after what you see next.”
His ocean eyes swept her under. “You think so?” Her fingers spread across his taut chest. So full of promise, this body. And his words…
He did kiss her then, a nip on the pulse of her neck that left her quaking. “Oui.”
“Using French is a dirty, dirty trick.”
“What did I tell you before?” he breathed into her skin. “You can handle it.”
Pia wasn’t so sure. Not anymore.
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