Shark Out of Water (16 page)

“
Nounous
?” Charlotte questioned.

“Nursemaids, or nannies. There will be quite a few children at the
château
this week. Most of the families will bring their own
nounou
, but my parents have arranged for several more to help if needed,” Guy said. “I told them you would most likely want to keep Warren with you, but my mother said that if you need a break or time to rest, someone would be there to watch over Warren if I am not able. I will be with him as much as possible, but there may be times when I am required to be involved in the activities and cannot tend to him as I would like. There will be a doctor on staff if you need anything, also, in case you do not feel well.”

Charlotte looked a bit stunned by everything he had just told her. Guy had asked her permission before telling his parents of her illness. He had explained that he was concerned she might need medical attention while they were away and she had agreed. Obviously, she had not expected such overwhelming attempts to provide for her from his family. “Guy, you went to all this effort for me?”

“Of course,
ma chérie
.”

She seemed truly touched by his concern. Her arms slipped around his waist as she stared up at him. “Girlfriend,” she said quietly.

“Excuse me
?
” Guy asked.

“The answer to your question earlier. I want you to introduce me as your girlfriend…if that’s okay with you.”

She bit her bottom lip nervously, but Guy had no idea why she would be anxious about her request. “Nothing would make me happier,” Guy said. “I shall tell everyone you are
ma petite amie
.”

“Your little friend?” Charlotte asked with a laugh.

Guy laughed as well. “The French do not have a specific word for girlfriend. I could call you
ma copine
, but it can have improper connotations and my parents would not be pleased with me using that term. Unless you want to be referred to as my wife, which is the other option,
ma petite amie
is the best term.”

When Guy said the word “wife,” Charlotte’s eyes had widened a bit. He was not surprised when she said, “
Ma petite amie
is just fine.” She punctuated her words with a yawn, reminding Guy that they were all exhausted from traveling. They still had a drive ahead of them the next day as well.

Letting his arm fall from Charlotte’s shoulders, he took her hand instead and led her from the room. Charlotte tried to protest, but Guy refused to let go until they reached the bed in the main room.

“Guy…” Charlotte began.

He shook his head and took the zipper of her jacket in his fingers. Slowly, he pulled it down until the sides separated. His hands moved up to her shoulders. He paused when her breathing stalled, but only for a moment. Stepping closer, he slid his hands down her arms to remove the parka. Guy let the jacket fall to the ground, but continued to slide his fingers down her palms to her fingertips. He was standing so close to her that he could feel her chest pulsing against his, hear her rapid breathing that matched his.

Guy knew how to pleasure a woman, but this was something entirely new for him. His intent was not physical excitement alone, though they were both struggling to maintain their impulses. Guy’s intention as he moved his hands to Charlotte’s waist was to make her feel loved. That was something he had never attempted before, and his own hands were shaking as he slid his hands beneath her sweater and slowly pulled it over her head. The t-shirt she wore beneath the sweater was still in place, but its tight fit revealed the curves of her body in such a way that he was left speechless.

Running his hands slowly back down to the small of her back, Guy rested his mouth against her ear. “Do you wish to change before lying down?” He wanted her to say yes, to ask him to help her as he wanted so badly to do. Her body was trembling in his arms.

“I…Guy, what are you doing? I can’t…we can’t…”

“I know,
ma chérie
. I just want to keep you close tonight.”
As close as possible
, Guy thought to himself. In that moment, he needed to touch her, to not let go of her frightened and trembling body until she felt completely at ease with him.

Charlotte let out a broken breath as she pressed her hands against Guy’s chest. “I don’t think this is a…good idea.”

“Do you not trust me?” Her hesitation tore at him. “You trusted me enough to let me take you halfway around the world, but not enough to let me hold you this night?”

Her hands slid up his chest, to his shoulders, behind his neck, drawing him closer. “Guy, I want to trust you, but…your past…”

“Charlotte,” he said as he pulled back, abandoning any terms of endearment, “I know that you are scared, about your illness, and the future, and managing everything, but I do not wish for you to be scared of me. A pregnancy would put you and the child in danger. It is too big of a risk. I understand that. I would never jeopardize your health. Please trust me on this. I will not hurt you. I promise.”

Charlotte stared into his eyes, gauging his honesty. Resisting her was torture, but he cared for her too much to break his promise. His hands cradled her face as his entire being begged her to believe in him, though she had no reason to. Charlotte took in a shaky breath and whispered, “I do trust you.”

Smiling down at her, Guy said, “
Merci
, Charlotte.” He did not think she could understand how much her words meant to him. He touched her face reverently, yet a smile crept back onto his lips a moment later. “Now, I believe there is the matter of
le baiser
.”

“The what?” Charlotte questioned.

Rather than translate, Guy decided to show her. As he leaned in, Charlotte’s heart rate jumped along with his. His fingertips slid along her cheekbones, gently turning her mouth up to meet his. Her lips were so beautiful, so perfect. His body burned where he touched her. It was a feeling he had never before experienced with a woman. It made him hesitant, fearful, as though he would be consumed by her if he held her too long.

It was Charlotte who reached up and pressed her lips to his. The feel of her mouth on his had a startling effect. He still wanted her, quite badly, but that desire suddenly became secondary to protecting her, to keeping her safe from anything that would dare to break her happiness and peace.

Chapter 18

Plus de Plaisir

Charlotte’s hand cinched around Guy’s as they approached the front door of his parents’
château
. Guy squeezed her hand back, attempting to reassure her, though he was nervous as well. His reception here was not always as warm as he hoped. The only one unfazed by the impending meeting was Warren. He was too busy peeking through the nearest window to notice the tension.

Guy reached for the front door, but it burst open before he grasped the handle. It flung outward seconds before Sabine stepped out with a smile rarely seen by the public. She threw her arms around Guy excitedly. “
Mon frère! Je suis si heureux de vous voir!”

Guy laughed at his sister. Seeing her so relaxed and carefree was the best part of coming home. She was never so informal away from their family. After kissing each of her cheeks, Guy began the introductions. “Charlotte, this is my sister, Sabine.”

Instead of feeling intimidated by his sister’s beauty, like every other girlfriend who had had the occasion to meet Sabine, Charlotte grinned. “It’s so nice to meet you, Sabine. Guy has told me so much about you.”

“Complaining, I am sure,” Sabine said with a roll of her eyes. “That is all he does lately, complain about the date shark business. It is not my fault Lewis grew too entranced with me to continue and Guy was forced to step in.” She grinned despite her penitent words.

“The what business?” Charlotte asked.

Guy shook his head. “I will explain later,” he said to Charlotte before turning to his sister. “How is Lewis, by the way?”

“We broke up a week ago,” Sabine said with a shrug. A sound from behind her turned her attention away from the conversation. “And who is this?” she asked in regards to Warren.

Charlotte sighed at the sight of her son stepping on a planter filled with flowers to get a better view inside the house. “This is my very curious son, Warren.”

Sabine squealed in delight and she somehow managed to squat down to Warren’s height in her ridiculously tall stilettos. It was a small miracle that the cold weather prompted her to wear jeans rather than her usual short skirts. Sabine reached out to Warren, beckoning him to her side. “Look at such a fine little man!” she gushed, much to Warren’s delight. “You are so handsome and such a big boy!”

Grinning wildly at the attention, Warren hopped off the planter and was at her side immediately after. “You’re pretty,” Warren said, “and your shoes are super tall!”

“
Oui
, they are,” Sabine laughed.

“That means yes,” Warren said proudly.

Sabine played up her reaction, gasping at him in amazement. “You speak French? I do not believe it.”

“I can count to ten. Want to hear me?” He did not wait for her to respond, but immediately started counting. He barely even noticed when Sabine took his hand and stood, leading him into the house. She turned around and winked at Charlotte as they followed her inside.

Charlotte leaned in close to Guy and whispered, “I love your sister.”

“So do I,” Guy responded. He was tremendously grateful to his sister for softening the tension that had been lingering around both Guy and Charlotte. Some remained as they were led deeper into the house, but Charlotte was no longer strangling his hand.

“
Maman! Papa!
” Sabine called as she led them toward the sitting room. “Look who I have found!”

As soon they entered, his parents turned around excitedly. The direction they were giving the event staff was abandoned as they turned all their focus on Guy and his companions. His mother was very much like Sabine, beautiful and the picture of bourgeois etiquette in public, yet excitable and affectionate with family. Her expression lit up as she hurried over to the new arrivals.

“You must be Charlotte,” she said with a wide grin. “We are so thrilled you could come. Look at you! You are so darling. And your son! He is so precious. He will have such an enjoyable time exploring everything while you are here.”

To follow up her gushing welcome, she kissed both of Charlotte’s cheeks and turned to Warren, who was trying to see inside the grand piano in the corner. Guy’s hands would have been slapped away from the instrument when he was a child, but his mother only smiled at Warren.

“Thank you for inviting us,” Charlotte said. “Guy mentioned everything you’ve arranged to make sure we’re taken care of. You’re so kind to do so much. You really didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”

“It is no trouble,” Guy’s mother said. “Guy never allows us to meet the women in his life, so we must make a good impression on this rare occasion. We must do everything we can to keep you around. My son is not so good at that on his own.”

“Well, thank you, although, I think I should be the one worried about keeping Guy around. He’s a better catch than I am at this point.”

Guy’s mother turned to her son with a doubtful expression. “If that were true I would have a daughter-in-law and grandchildren by now.”

Shaking his head, Guy stepped forward and kissed his mother’s cheeks. “It is nice to see you too,
Maman
.”

She glared at him a moment longer before breaking down into a happy smile and pulling her son in for a hug. “It is so wonderful to have you home,
mon fils
.”

Guy was more than a little surprised she did not follow up her welcome with a plea that he should remain in France as a good son should. He turned to his father, expecting him to fill in for his mother on the requisite admonishments. He was greatly surprised not only when his father came over and clapped his hand on Guy’s back in welcome, but said, “
Mon fils, je suis très fier de vous. Bienvenue à la maison
.”

Guy lost track of the conversation for a moment after that. His father was proud of him? Welcome home? Even though he knew his father respected his decision to go to medical school instead of following his footsteps into finance, like Guy’s mother, he did not understand why he felt the need to go to the United States in order to accomplish his goals. He certainly did not understand why he remained there. He believed Guy felt some sort of shame about his family, which was far from the truth. Guy only wanted to get out from under the constant pressure of being Aldérick Saint Laurent’s son.

“Now,” Guy’s mother said more seriously, “you must all rest before tonight.”

“Tonight?” Guy asked. “I thought there were no events until tomorrow.”

His parents smiled. “We must welcome Charlotte and Warren. We have arranged a dinner for just the family. We will need to leave at seven o’clock, but rest until then. You must all be tired from your flight.”

It was not a request. Guy, Charlotte, and Warren were bustled up to their rooms a few minutes later. They were shown the nursery, but Warren was not quite ready to be away from his mother, despite his overwhelming curiosity. They were next shown Guy’s and Charlotte’s rooms, before abruptly being left to their own devices. Guy suspected that was to cause no interference on choosing how the sleeping arrangements would be decided. They need not have worried. Charlotte laid down immediately, still quite exhausted, and Warren begged for a story before having to rest. All three were asleep shortly after sitting down on the bed.

It was hours later before one of the maids came in to gently wake Guy from a restful sleep. Her gentle nudge woke him, though Warren’s body sprawled over his chest kept him from getting up. “
Oui
?” Guy asked sleepily.

“
Monsieur Guy
, it is time to wake and prepare for dinner.”

Rolling Warren off him gently, Guy sat up. “What type of dress is expected?”

“Informal,” she maid replied.

Guy regarded her with surprise, but she only nodded before leaving. Dinners with his family were never informal. He supposed she knew what she was talking about, however, and turned his attention to Charlotte. His fingers slid along her cheekbone, drawing back hair that had fallen onto her face. His touch drew a smile to her lips, which pleased Guy. He leaned down next to her ear and whispered, “Charlotte, it is time to wake up.”

“Mmm,” was her only response.

Trying again, Guy first kissed just behind her ear before trailing his lips along her skin and back to her ear. “We must get up or we will miss dinner,
ma chérie
.”

“You aren’t making me want to get out of bed,” Charlotte complained.

Guy grinned as he gently rolled her to face him. “I will stay in bed with you as long as you want.”

Charlotte laughed, still sleepy, but becoming more awake by the second. “Is that a promise?”

“
Oui
, one I am happy to keep.”

Thoughts of dinner fled Guy’s mind as he pulled Charlotte’s body against his. She responded immediately, her breath halting as she found herself pressed up against him. One of Guy’s hands slid down to her hip as the other cradled her head. His lips brushed against her cheek, traveling up to kiss her eyelids. Charlotte started breathing again, but it came only in stuttering gasps. He turned her head gently, kissing down the curve of her neck. Charlotte’s soft moan begged him to keep going. His own heart was racing. The feel of her skin was addicting. Guy lost himself in simply having her in his arms.

“Mom,” Warren whined plaintively, reminding them of his presence, “I’m hungry!”

Charlotte’s eyes snapped open. She stared at Guy a moment, regret for the interruption clear in her expression, before pushing him away hastily. Her chest was heaving, but she attempted to speak in a normal voice. “Well, that’s good, because it’s dinner time.”

Guy fell back against the bed, stifling a groan. The apologetic look on Charlotte’s face as she looked down at him was torture. Despite the fact that it was fortunate Warren had woken up and gotten them back on track, Guy was more than a little disappointed to have to refocus on dinner. He pushed himself up and turned toward Warren, though his hand slipped around Charlotte’s waist, not ready to lose contact.

“Can you help your
maman
and change your clothes for dinner on your own?” Guy asked Warren.

Warren’s nose screwed up in distaste. “Why do I have to change my clothes? I like this shirt.”

The maid had said informal, but Guy knew that was far from casual jeans and t-shirts. “I like your shirt as well, but we must dress up, just a little, for dinner tonight. Can you wear your brown pants and the blue shirt with the collar?”

“That shirt itches,” Warren complained.

“Warren, please don’t argue.” Charlotte gave him a firm expression, one her son knew better than to question. That did not stop him from sighing dramatically and rolling off the bed with a thud. He stomped over to their suitcases only to find them empty.

“Hey! Where’d all my clothes go?” he demanded.

“Check in the dresser,” Guy said.

Warren stalked over to the antique dresser and pulled one of the heavy drawers open slowly. His face lit up in surprise when he saw all of his pants folded neatly within. “Whoa! How’d they get in there while we were sleeping? Is this castle magic?”

Charlotte tucked her head against Guy’s shoulder and tried to stifle a laugh. Guy did not bother to hide his amusement. “
Oui
, it is magic,” Guy teased, “but it does not like to perform tricks for little boys who do not listen to their
maman
.”

Warren’s eyes widened. His clothes began flying from his body, and less than a minute later he was dressed in the clothes Guy had asked him to put on, even if they were slightly askew. Still chuckling, Guy finally relinquished his hold on Charlotte and stood up to help Warren with his collar. “Now,” he said to the little boy, “you must go next door to my room and I will help you straighten out your hair. It is sticking up all over from sleeping.”

“Okay!” Warren called out as he bolted from the room.

A moment later, Charlotte slipped her arms around Guy’s waist from behind. Her head rested on his back as she said, “I never should have let you kiss me.”

“And why is that?” Guy asked, turning in her arms to face her.

“Because now I know why so many women have fallen all over you.”

Guy grinned at her. “You did not know already? I thought my charm and good looks were enough.”

“They pale in comparison to the feel of your lips on my skin,” Charlotte whispered.

Tilting her head up, Guy kissed her lips softly. “It is your skin which is so intoxicating, not my mouth.”

Charlotte shook her head in disagreement, but sighed a moment later as Warren calling out for Guy to hurry up got them back on track. She looked up at Guy and asked, “If we’re expected to change before meals, I don’t think I brought enough clothes.”

“It is already taken care of,” Guy said. He took her hand and led her to the closet. He pulled the door open to reveal several racks of blouses, skirts, dress pants, and dresses. Charlotte stared in surprise.