Harlequin Kimani Romance September 2014 Bundle: Seduced by the Heir\Secret Silver Nights\Someone Like You\Indulge Me Tonight (5 page)

“Rafael, we were kids.”

“No, we weren't. Quit saying that.”

His sharp tone and the strength of his gaze shocked her.

“We were nineteen, and we both knew exactly what we were doing.” Rafael cracked a smile. “And if my memory serves me correctly you kissed me first.”

I sure did, and I loved every minute of it!
Paris swallowed a moan, and buried her hands in her lap. Talking about the past would inevitably lead to daydreaming about all the times they'd laughed, and kissed. If she wanted to keep her wits about her she had to guard her mind against her memories.

She picked up her handbag and checked the time on her cell phone. Enough flirting with Rafael. Lunch was over, and not a moment too soon.
“Thanks for lunch. This was nice.”

“You're most welcome. It was my pleasure.” Rafael strode around the table and pulled out her chair. “After you.”

Standing, she took the hand he offered and slipped on her sunglasses. Paris was wearing her favorite pair of high-heeled shoes, but Rafael still towered over her. He was six feet six inches of drop-dead sexy, and being in the presence of such a gorgeous, virile man was doing one hell of number on her libido. Making love to Rafael was inconceivable, but when he rested a hand on the small of her back, it was all Paris could think of. He was her first love, and he'd always have a special place in her heart, but that was the extent of it. Paris wasn't interested in rekindling their relationship, and as long as she remembered that all men were dogs—even charming, well-bred guys like Rafael—she'd never have to worry about being betrayed by a lover again.

Chapter 6

R
afael spent the rest of the afternoon strolling around the crowded, bustling streets of Venice with Paris. They admired the extravagant window displays, the gothic architecture of ancient buildings, and relished being in one of the most breathtaking cities in the world. In the fashion district, they bought gifts for their families, tried on Venetian face masks and enjoyed a snack at a sidewalk cafe. As they drank wine and ate calzones, they laughed about their college days and watched the tuxedoed band perform at the city square.

“I don't know what to get.” Paris stood at the front of the souvenir shop, holding a hanger in each hand, wearing a frown. “Which one do you like better? The T-shirt with the pasta shells or the boxer shorts covered with wine bottles?”

“They're both hideous, but if I had to pick one I'd choose the boxers.”

Flashing a coy smile, she slanted her head to one side. “Are you sure you don't want a couple pairs? I think they're très chic, and totally you!”

Rafael chuckled. “I'm positive, but if I change my mind I'll let you know.”

Foreign languages and boisterous laughter filled the air. The souvenir shop was just steps away from the Grand Canal and crammed with everything from postcards to shoes and housewares. Being in such a small, confined space, with dozens of other people, made Rafael uneasy but he was having a hell of a good time. Paris freely spoke her mind, no matter the topic, and he enjoyed hearing her colorful stories about her employees, her friends and her family.

“This shop has the coolest stuff.” She picked up a cross-shaped rosary box and examined it. “My brother gave me a gag gift for Christmas, and now it's payback. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he opens the gondola condom holder!”

“How are your brother and sister doing?” Rafael leaned against the counter and slid his hands into the front pocket of his jeans. “Your niece is fifteen-years-old now, right?”

“Wow, you have an amazing memory,” Paris said, her tone one of awe. “Bella's a high school junior, and she's already taller than me!”

“I bet she's just as beautiful as her aunt.”

Paris winked, and patted his cheek. “Keep the compliments coming, and I'll buy you your
own
gondola condom holder!”

Rafael tossed his head back, and laughed long and hard. Her spirited, fun-loving nature appealed to the kid in him, and he loved her witty sense of humor.

“Kennedy is happily married with four children, but my brother, Oliver, is still as juvenile as ever. He'll be forty next year, but I'm starting to think he'll never grow up.”

“Does Oliver work for your father, as well?”

“On paper, yes, but he rarely goes into the office. He'd rather play golf with his buddies than attend executive meetings.”

“Be patient. Your brother will find his way.”

“I hope so, because I'm sick of doing his job
and
mine!”

At the cash register, as Paris loaded her items onto the counter, she chatted with the shop owner and selected more trinkets to buy. Then, purchases in hand, she strode purposely through the store and out the door.

The street was filled with restaurants, bars and high-end boutiques. Couples sat underneath umbrellas, chatting and eating. Tourists posed for pictures in front of cathedrals and museums, and police officers patrolled the area on foot. The sky was a magnificent blue, the brightest, most vivid shade. Church bells rang on the hour, opera music played in the distance and school children played soccer in the square.

“I'm going to get some gelato,” Rafael said, gesturing to the small, quaint shop across the street. “Do you want some?”

Her face lit up and amusement twinkled in her almond-shaped eyes. “Do you even have to ask? I've been hooked on gelato since the first time you bought it for me!”

“What flavor do you want?”

“Surprise me.”

Her innocent, good-girl smile made Rafael think wicked thoughts. He'd been fighting the desires of his flesh all afternoon, and he didn't know how much more of her teasing and flirting he could take without crossing the line.

Standing there, gazing at her, he noticed two things: the tiny freckles on her nose, and how plump and juicy her lips looked. He wanted to taste her, and imagined himself stroking her smooth skin.

“My cell phone's ringing!” Paris opened her handbag, and frantically searched around inside. Finding it, she sighed in relief, and typed in her password. “It was my dad. I better call him back. Do you mind?”

“No, not at all. I'll go grab the gelato.”

“Great, because I could use a break.” Paris sat down on a wrought-iron bench and dropped her shopping bags at her feet. “Ten minutes, and I'll be good to go. I promise.”

Inside the store, Rafael placed his order and paid the cashier. His gaze strayed to the front window, and his smile faded. Paris was talking on her cell phone, and it was obvious the conversation was not going well. Her expression was somber, and her shoulders bent. Concerned, he grabbed their desserts and jogged back across the street.

“Fine, Dad, I'll do it. I don't have much of a choice, do I?”

Rafael sat down on the bench, and placed the cup holder beside him.

“I love you, too. Okay, I'll call you tomorrow.”

Paris hurled her cell phone into her purse and raked a hand through her dark silky hair.

“What's wrong? You look upset.”

“My father's assistant has been planning Excel Construction's charity gala, but now that she's off on medical leave he wants me to oversee the event.”

“When is the gala?”

“Not until the end of March, but I don't have the time or energy to take on another project. I have enough on my plate as it is.”

“Then hire a party planner and leave everything in their capable hands.”

“You don't know my father,” Paris muttered. “He's the stingiest millionaire you'll ever meet. If he finds out I spent thousands of dollars on a party planner he'll have a fit. He always does. No matter how minor the expense.”

“There's nothing wrong with being money savvy, especially in this time of economic instability. The economy isn't what it used to be, and there's no telling when it will rebound,” Rafael said thoughtfully.

“You only live once. Might as well live it up while you're here!” Paris retorted.

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that your personal philosophy?”

“Yeah, pretty much. My mom passed away when I was twelve years old, and I learned how fleeting happiness and success could be.” Paris studied her French manicure, then twisted her long, delicate fingers together. “I've made a lot of mistakes, and I know my friends and family wish I wasn't so impulsive, but I have no regrets.” She paused, then added, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste adventure and excitement to the utmost and to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

“Wow, Paris, that's deep. I didn't realize you were such a poet.”

“I'm not,” she said, with a laugh. “I'm paraphrasing Eleanor Roosevelt!”

Chuckling, he picked up a cup of gelato and handed it to Paris. Their fingers touched, and the feel of her skin against his made his temperature soar. “I got you three scoops of dulce de leche,” he said.
“Buon Appetito!”

“It sounds decadent, and it smells delicious, too!” She dug her spoon into her gelato and put it in her mouth. Her eyelashes flicked and fluttered, and a sultry moan fell from her lips. “Oh, my, this is dreamy! What exactly is it?”

“Sweetened milk and caramel. I asked the clerk to add a splash of sherry, but she added
way
more than just a splash!”

“Great choice, Rafael. I think this is my new favorite flavor.”

And I think you have the prettiest eyes I have ever seen.

“Looks like you have a new friend.”

A small, brown dog was sitting at his feet, barking furiously. “Yeah, a hungry one who wants to steal my snack.” Rafael reached into his backpack, took out his water bottle and poured some of the clear liquid into the puppy's mouth. “Good boy.”

Paris gasped. “Oh, my, gosh, do you know what this reminds me of?”

“The freshman camping trip!” they shouted in unison.

“I almost died when that coyote snuck into your tent,” she said with a laugh.

“You and me both. Thank God you had that chocolate bar in your backpack!”

Paris laughed until tears filled her eyes. “We had some great times, didn't we?”

“We sure did.” Rafael couldn't control himself any longer and shocked them both by reaching out and caressing the length of her cheek. He inclined his head towards her, moving in close. He saw a nervous glint come across her face and watched her shift and shuffle around on the bench. It took everything in him not to crush his lips to her mouth. Still, after all these years, he felt connected to her, craved and desired her in ways he couldn't explain.

Paris fixed her gaze on him, and a shiver shot through his body. He felt his temperature spike, heard his pulse hammering in his ears. When Rafael saw something he wanted, whether in his personal life or in business he pursed it relentlessly, and right now Paris St. Clair was the object of his affection. His goal was twofold: to get her into his bed and to prove to that she'd made a mistake by dumping him years ago. “I'm having a great time. Are you?”

She nodded, but didn't speak.

“Nothing's changed. You're still the most fascinating woman I know, and I love spending time with you.” Rafael was taken by her, attracted to her in every way and wondered if Paris felt the same way. But before he could ask her, she pulled away from him.

“We should go.” She shot to her feet and grabbed her shopping bags. “There are a few more places I really want to see before it gets dark.”

Disappointment flooded his body, but he slapped a smile on his face and stood in turn. “You're right, we should get going. We still haven't checked out any of the museums near Saint Mark's Square.”

“You've seen one painting, you've seen them all, right?” she said wryly.

“Ok, so, what do you want to do next?”

“I'm dying to see the Doge's Palace and the Palazzo Dario.”

Rafael studied her face for clues, tried to gauge if she was serious or joking and decided it had to be the latter. “You want to go to ‘The House of No Return'?”

“Absolutely, it's on the top of my must-see list.”

“But it's been cursed for centuries and historians are convinced it's haunted.”

“I know. Isn't that crazy?” Paris laughed and shook her head. “I read all about it in my travel guide, but I find it hard to believe that such a striking piece of architecture is haunted. Too bad it isn't open to the public because I'd love to look around inside.”

“I don't see why. The house is dark, creepy and condemned.”

“I didn't come all the way to Venice to peruse art galleries and boutiques. I came to experience an exciting, new adventure.” Gazing at him, Paris hitched a hand to her hip. “Haven't you ever felt the urge to do something wild and crazy?”

“No, never. I'm as by-the-book as they come.”

“Come on, fess up. There must be something,” she insisted, her tone full of sass. “What's the most fun you've ever had?”

The most fun I've ever had was making love to you.

“I'm waiting,” she said in a singsong voice.

He thought hard, but drew a blank. “I'm just not a wild and crazy guy, I guess.”

“What do you like to do in your free time?”

“Play with my dogs, exercise and watch documentaries.”

“Wow! How exciting. You're a
real
party animal!”

“I enjoy my solitude,” he said, feeling the need to defend himself. “I work eighty hours a week, and on Sundays I like to kick back and relax. What's wrong with that?”

“Nothing, if you're an eighty-year-old man...”

“What are you saying?”

“Live a little. You don't always have to be so serious and uptight...”

Rafael gulped. Uptight?
Is she calling me...boring?
He mentally stumbled over the word.

“Life is about having fun and trying new things, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.” Paris took her travel guide out of her purse and then stared up at the bilingual street signs on the decorative lamp posts. “I'm going to the Doge's Palace. I'll see you later.”

“I'll go with you,” he said, touching her waist. “I don't want you to go alone.”

“Are you sure?”

“I'm positive. It'll be great.”

“Awesome,” she said enthusiastically. “Let's go. It's only a few blocks from here.”

Rafael swallowed a groan.
Lucky me.

* * *

“Casanova was more than just a scheming womanizer,” the tour guide said, his voice full of awe. “He was also a spy, a scam artist and one of the most fascinating men in Venetian history....”

Paris tuned out the guide and admired the intricate carvings inside the small prison cell. The tour group was comprised of noisy travelers speaking a million different languages, and when they exited the dungeon, she was glad to see them go.

Paris looked up, caught Rafael watching her and broke into a shy smile. Goose bumps exploded across her arms, and tickled her flesh. Like fine wine, he just got better with age. He had killer sex appeal, and when he licked his lips, Paris wondered what kind of damage his tongue could do between her legs. “I've never seen anything quite like this.”

Rafael was standing outside of the cell, tapping his foot, clearly anxious to go. Paris didn't blame him. It turned out he was right. The dungeon was creepy, as dark as a hole in the ground, and if not for fear of looking like a scaredy cat she never would have descended into the depths of Doge's Palace.