I giggle to myself. Men are completely clueless.
I think I packed a couple of options. Can’t wait to see Paris.
His response is almost immediate.
Can’t wait to see you.
My heart feels like it’s going to beat right out of my chest. I like his response, too afraid to reply with my own words. This is getting dangerous.
I set my alarm for five and put my phone on the charger. It takes some meditation and breathing exercises for me to calm my body down enough to fall asleep. The nerves about what comes next—what is all means for me and Roman— still linger in the back of my mind.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Roman
Iglance down at my watch. We’re probably going to land in the next half hour.
I’ve been watching Eva sleep across from me for far too long. Her eyelids flutter quickly every so often. I wonder if she’s dreaming.
It occurred to me about an hour ago that something has got to give. I need to figure out if I can move past the feelings that have haunted me for years. Ones that tell me love isn’t real. That I’m just like my father and I’ll eventually stray, ruining my family.
Because if I can’t, I need to end this.
It’s not fair of me to lead us down this path where hearts get broken. Hearts, plural, because I’d be lying if I said my own heart wasn’t at risk.
Suddenly, the pilot’s voice comes over the intercom, announcing that we are now descending.
Eva’s eyes open slowly. She looks around, appearing slightly disoriented.
The corner of my mouth rises into a smirk. “We’re descending. Should be on the ground in fifteen minutes.”
She sits up quickly. “Wow. Flying in a private jet is so much more comfortable,” she says as she brings her seat back up. “It feels like we just left.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. I’d have to say, I agree with you.”
After we land, the car takes us directly to the front of the hotel, where staff is waiting.
The moment I open the car door we are greeted by the staff at the hotel.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bertini. My name is Matis. I am here to assist you with anything you might require during your stay. Welcome back to Paris.”
I nod my head at Matis. “Thank you, Matis. This is Eva Harlow.”
When I had Dorothy set up the trip, I instructed her to make sure Eva had the room below the penthouse, where I’d be staying. Though I have no intention of her using that room.
Matis takes our luggage out of the trunk of the car and begins to load it on the cart. I walk up to him and lean down to be discreet.
“You can just put all the luggage in the penthouse, please.”
Obvious? Maybe. Though there are two separate bedrooms in the penthouse. Either way, I trust that Matis will be professional about it.
“Absolutely, sir.” He disappears into the hotel with the cart, leaving me and Eva with our key cards.
I turn around to find her gazing up at the city, wide-eyed at her surroundings.
We are in Paris after all. I should care about what my staff might think, but I can no longer resist. I wrap my arm around her waist and draw her nearby. The warmth of her breath hits me before my lips find hers—slow at first. With each second, the kiss deepens to a new level.
When I pull away, our breaths are erratic as our eyes meet. “I can’t wait to show you Paris.”