Prologue
To Paris!” Melanie Shaw lifted her margarita glass and grinned at her two best friends in the world, Astrid Lindberg and Valerie Wolitzky.
To Paris!” they both echoed as they touched the salted rims of their glasses to Melanies.
Melanie sipped her full drink and set it down carefully in front of her. Good tequila should be savored, not gulped, and Golden Spurs and Stetson served the best margaritas in Dallas. I still cant believe we bought plane tickets today. Were actually going.” She gazed across the round table at Astrid, her petite blond friend whose family had more money than God, and Val, a sassy redhead who was one of the best young lawyers in Dallas. I mean, Paris. Do you realize weve dreamed about this since college? I can remember sitting in the sorority house late at night talking about this trip.”
Astrid smiled. Me, too. And it always had to be just us experiencing it for the first time together. Edward couldnt understand why Id refused to go with him last spring. He didnt get that I was waiting until the three of us went.”
Thats what I love about you,” Melanie said. You could have flown to Paris anytime, but you waited for us.”
Of course I did! Besides, Id much rather tour Paris with you two than Edward.” Then she blinked. Did I just say that out loud?”
Fraid so.” Val studied her over the rim of her glass. You do realize that half the women in Dallas want your guy. Good-looking billionaires dont exactly grow on trees.”
I know.” Astrid sighed. I just . . .”
I think Astrid prefers a Stetson-wearing man.” Melanie winked at her. Astrid had defied her wealthy familys wishes and become a large-animal vet, a job that put her in constant contact with cowboys.
Astrid picked up her margarita. Okay, Ill admit that Western wear gives a guy a certain rugged appeal.”
Doesnt it, though?” Melanie had been raised on a ranch and had dated cowboys almost exclusively. Her current boyfriend, Jeff, wasnt particularly adventurous. For instance, he had no interest in going to Paris. But he sure was pretty to look at. Ill take a broad-shouldered cowboy over a billionaire any day.”
Why settle for one or the other?” Val glanced across the table. As long as were dreaming, why not order up a billionaire cowboy for each of us?”
The best of both worlds.” Melanie nodded in agreement. The perfect man. Why not?”
Astrid raised her glass. Billionaire cowboys for all. Its no more than we deserve, right?”
Right!” Val said.
Laughing, they finished their margaritas and ordered another round. Tonight, with their long-awaited trip to Paris finally becoming a reality, nothing seemed impossible.
One Night with a Billionaire
MELANIE
One
Im in Paris.
Melanie Shaw stared at the façade of Notre Dame as the deep-throated bells counted down the hour. Ten oclock in the morning. Instead of mucking out stalls or riding the fence line at her daddys ranch outside of Dallas, Texas, she was standing in front of frickin Notre Dame. Amazing.
Her plane had landed two hours ago, and she still couldnt believe she had both feet planted in Paris, France. Only one thing could have made this moment betterif her friends Val and Astrid could be here with her.
Theyd become friends and sorority sisters in college, and five years later, they were tighter than ever. A few months ago all the planets had been aligned for this trip. Theyd found a killer plane fare and had spontaneously booked the trip. Then Val had been unlucky enough to get caught in a bomb scare during a concert. Shed suffered a broken arm and two broken ribs. Although those had healed, she now avoided crowds and wouldnt be traveling anytime soon.
Melanie had adjusted to having Val stay home. Astrid was a great traveling companion and theyd still have fun, even without Val. Then, a couple of weeks ago, one of Astrids clients had developed a problem with a pregnant mare. With the mares life on the line, Astrid had reluctantly canceled her trip, too.
Melanie had almost given up once her friends had bailed. The hotel theyd booked was way too expensive for her to handle alone, so shed canceled that reservation. But shed held on to her airline ticket because she couldnt bear to think of not going. An online search had yielded a cheaper hotel, although it was also far from the main attractions.
Her boyfriend, Jeff, had said she was crazy to consider traveling alone, but he wasnt about to go with her to someplace where he didnt speak the language. His provincial attitude had pounded the nail in the coffin, and shed ended their relationship. It had been on the skids anyway.
Now that she was actually here, though, shed better get busy and take some pictures with her phone. Shed left her suitcase with the hotel desk clerk because she couldnt check in until noon, but she had her backpack with all her sightseeing essentials crammed inside. Shrugging it off, she unzipped a side pocket and reached for her phone.
Without warning, the backpack was ripped from her hands. At the same moment, someone else shoved her from behind, knocking her to the ground with such force that the breath left her lungs.
Hey!” A deep male voice from behind her issued a challenge.
She raised her head in time to glimpse a dark-haired man in jeans and a brown leather jacket dash after the thieves. Then folks who were obviously worried about her hurried over and blocked her view. An older gentleman helped her to her feet while two women clucked over her in what sounded like German.
She wasnt hurt except for a couple of scrapes on the heels of both hands, but if the guy in the leather jacket didnt catch the thieves, she was in deep shit. Her backpack held almost everything of valueher phone, both credit cards, and two hundred dollars worth of euros. Her passport, thank God, was tucked in a pouch under her shirt, but thinking that she might have lost everything else made her sick to her stomach.
Members of the German tour group patted her shoulder as she stood up and dusted off her clothes. They offered words of comfort she couldnt understand but appreciated anyway. She made the effort to smile her thanks as she scanned the crowd for signs of a tall, broad-shouldered man wearing a brown leather jacket. Hed looked athletic, so maybe hed be able to tackle the guys who took her backpack.
On the other hand, she didnt want some stranger risking his safety for her. At least two people had been involved in the mugging, which meant the guy was outnumbered, even if he should catch them. She crossed the fingers of both hands and waited, heart pounding from a delayed adrenaline rush.
At last she saw him coming toward her. His eyes were hidden by sunglasses, but his angry strides and the tight set of his mouth told her all she needed to know. Her hopes crumbled. The backpack was gone.
Despair engulfed her, but she was determined to thank him properly for trying. She hoped he spoke English. All shed heard was his shout of hey, which might be one of those universal expressions used by everyone. She hadnt traveled enough to know if it was or not.
When he was about ten feet away, he shook his head. Im sorry, maam. They got clean away from me.”
She gasped at the familiar accent. Oh, my God! Youre from Texas.” Hearing a voice from home made her want to hug him. She restrained herself, but the world brightened considerably.
Yes, maam.” He drew closer. Are you all right?” He took off his sunglasses and gazed at her with eyes the color of bluebonnets.
Im fine.” He must have known taking off his sunglasses would help. Seeing the concern in his gaze, she didnt feel quite so alone. Thank you for chasing them. That was brave of you.”
He shrugged. Not really. Anyone could see they were yellow-bellied cowards if theyd attack a woman. Speaking of that, they knocked you down. Are you sure you didnt get scraped up?”
Just a little.” She showed him her hands.
Lets take a look.” Tucking his sunglasses inside his jacket, he grasped her wrists and examined the heels of her hands. Damn it. You should put something on that.”
His touch felt nice. His big hands were gentle, and she found that sexy. Although it would be totally inappropriate, she wished hed kiss her scrapes and make them all better. I have Neosporin in my suitcase back at the hotel.” At least shed have a place to stay. Shed given them her credit card number. That card was gone, but she hoped to get a replacement before she checked out.
Are you traveling with someone? I can call them.” He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a phone.
She shook her head. I came by myself.”
Then lets start with the police. Did you get a look at those old boys?”
Not really.”
Never mind. I did.” He punched in a number and spoke in French.
Melanie listened with great admiration. He no longer sounded like a Texan as he carried on a conversation without stumbling. Prior to this trip shed enrolled in an online course and had learned enough to find a bathroom and order a meal. But this guy was fluent, which was her good luck.
If she was super lucky, he had an international plan and shed be able to borrow his phone to call Val, who could help her straighten things out with the credit card companies. Maybe it was cheeky to ask, but she was in desperate circumstances.
Although he was dressed casually, his jacket looked expensive and his watch might even be a real Rolex. Judging from his ease with the language, he could be a businessman who traveled to Paris regularly. If so, he wouldnt mind loaning her his phone for two minutes.
He disconnected the call and tucked the phone inside his jacket. Theyre sending someone over, so we need to stay put.” He gestured toward a stone bench a few feet away. Lets sit a spell.” He was once again her guy from Texas.
Sounds good.” She wouldnt mind sitting down. She felt a little shaky. Im afraid Ive ruined your plans for this morning.”
No, maam, you certainly havent.” He waited until she sat down before joining her on the bench. Youre the one with ruined plans. When did you get here?”
This morning.”
He swore softly under his breath. I figured that might be the situation when I saw you eyeballing Notre Dame as if youd never seen it before.”
I hadnt, except in pictures.” Then she realized the significance of his statement. Hed noticed her before the mugging. Did I stick out that much?”
He smiled. Lets just say I pegged you as an American.”
How?” She liked the way hed managed to smile without appearing to patronize her. And he had a great smile, one that made the corners of his eyes crinkle just enough to add character. As the shock of being mugged wore off, she registered the fact that her rescuer was drop-dead gorgeous.
White gym shoes, for one thing. French women dont usually wear gym shoes unless theyre working up a sweat. But the whole getupthe jeans, the hoodie, the backpacktold me you were from the States, probably a new arrival.”
She grimaced. Ill bet the muggers figured that out, too.”
They might have.” He held out his hand. Im Drew Eldridge, by the way.”
Eldridge. Shed heard that name, and she thought it might have been from Astrid, whose family was rich. Did that mean her Texan was wearing a real Rolex? His handshake was warm, firm, and gave her goose bumps. She was really sorry when the handshake was over. Im Melanie Shaw.”
Pleased to meet you, Miss Melanie. I wish it had been under different circumstances.”
Me, too.” If he was related to the Eldridge family Astrid knew, Melanie wouldnt have been likely to meet him under any circumstances, unless she was with Astrid, who moved in those circles. Are you from Dallas?”
Yes, maam.”
Then you might know a friend of mine, Astrid Lindberg.”
Astrid Lindberg?” He chuckled. I havent seen her in a coons age. We were at the same equestrian camp one summer, although she was with the younger kids. Some old horse tried to run off with her and I was handy. I was worried shed swear off riding, but she didnt.”
She sure didnt.” Melanie noticed that although Drew had come to Astrids rescue, he downplayed his role by saying he was handy. Shes a large-animal vet now.”
Is she? Thats great.”
So are you here on business?” Melanie imagined multinational deals involving millions. From what she could recall, the Eldridge family was loaded.
Some business. Some pleasure.”
Ah.” So the multinational deal-making was followed by glittering parties and sophisticated French women who never wore gym shoes with their regular clothes. Yet hed interrupted all that to help a stranger from home. Listen, I really appreciate all youve done. Im sure Ive screwed up your morning, and youre too polite to say so.”
Nope. Its a sunny day and Id decided to” A soft chime interrupted whatever hed been about to say. Excuse me.” Taking out his phone, he glanced at the readout. I should take this.” He stood and walked a few feet away.
Hanging out with such a good-looking guy was a heady experience that kept her adrenaline pumping, so she was relieved for a few moments alone to gather her thoughts. If not for her friendship with Astrid, she might have been intimidated by someone like Drew Eldridge. As it was, she was simply grateful. And a little turned on, which served as a great antidote to worrying about losing her stuff.
Having Drew show up was a stroke of luck. Someone with his wealth would have an international calling plan. If she didnt pay him back until she got home, he probably wouldnt care. Once he was off the phone, she would ask to make a call. Val had a key to her apartment and could retrieve her credit card information.
The police arrived right after Drew ended his call, so she didnt have a chance to borrow the phone. Thank God Drew was there to guide her through the process, though. After the officers left, she glanced up at him. Do you think theyll recover my backpack?”
Theres always a chance.”
But not a very good one, right?”
I wont lie to you, Melanie. They may find your backpack, although I figure its in a Dumpster by now. But the contents . . .” He shrugged. Not likely.”
Speaking of those contents, could I please borrow your phone to call my friend Valerie back home? She can access my credit card info so I can cancel my cards.”
Yes, maam, you sure can. Tell you what. Ill give you a lift to your hotel so you can doctor those hands. You can call your friend on the way there.”
You have a car?”
I do.”
Silly of her to think hed be on foot, like she was. You know, thats a lovely offer, but my hotel isnt very far away.” That wasnt quite true. Shed walked at least ten blocks to get here. Ill just borrow your phone for a minute. Ive taken up too much of your valuable time already.”
Sorry. But my mama raised me better than that. Youve suffered a shock, and I intend to see you safely back to your hotel.”
Oh, wow. He not only looked like a god, he knew the right things to say that would make a girl melt into a puddle. Shed be a fool to resist a display of gentlemanly manners by a heroic figure like Drew, especially when shed just been mugged by two guys from the shallow end of the gene pool. Thank you. That would be wonderful. Where are you parked?”
In a garage.” He pulled out his phone, punched a speed dial number, and said something in French. Then he tucked the phone away again. Henris on his way.”
Henri?”
My driver.”
Oh.” Of course hed have a driver on call. Shed have to remember all the details of this adventure to tell Astrid and Val over drinks next week. Are you here for long?”
Two weeks. How about you?”
Five days.”
Thats all? Five days will go by like lightning.”
I know, but this was supposed to be a girls trip with my two friends, and thats all the time we felt we could manage for now.”
And they didnt come, after all.”
No.”
He studied her. I admire your gumption, Melanie Shaw.”
She basked in the warmth of that gaze. She even imagined that she saw interest there, but she didnt know him well enough to tell for sure. He might give everyone that same warm glance.
In truth, she did feel proud of herself, even if she had managed to get her backpack stolen within two hours of landing. Thank you.”
And theres Henri.” Drew gestured toward a black Mercedes sedan that had pulled up to the curb. Immediately a uniformed driver hopped out and opened the back door.
Where was he, around the corner?”
More or less. Hop in.”
She slid onto the soft leather and wondered if Henri had ever chauffeured a woman wearing white gym shoes. Probably not. She buckled her seat belt.
Drew climbed in beside her and Henri closed the door. Inside the car, Melanie became more aware of the scent of Drews aftershave. She didnt recognize the spicy aroma, but then again, she didnt hang out with rich guys. Plus he might have bought it here.
Drew glanced at her. Where to?”
She gave him the name of the hotel.
Never heard of it, but Henri probably knows.” He leaned forward and spoke to his driver in French. The chauffeur nodded, and Drew settled back against the seat. Hell get us there.” Reaching inside his jacket, he took out his phone and handed it to her before buckling his seat belt.
Thank you.” She dialed Vals cell and got her voice mail. Damn it. She didnt want to leave a message that would worry Val. So she left a cheery greeting saying that shed arrived and was having a great time. Then she disconnected and sighed.
Not available?”
Unfortunately not.”
Ill be happy to go online and look up the number for the credit card company if you want to go that route. They should be able to wire you some money to tide you over, too.”
Oh.” She blinked. Right. Ill need money until the new card gets here. I must be jet-lagged, because I didnt think of going online for the number. If youll look it up, that would be awesome.”
The Mercedes drew alongside the curb in front of her hotel and Drew peered out the window. Is this the place?”
Yes. If you wouldnt mind getting that number for me, Ill make the call and then you can be on your way.”
He glanced over at her. Melanie, you cant stay here.”
Itll be fine. I gave them my credit card number earlier, and although that card will be canceled, I can probably get a new one by the time I check out.”
I wasnt thinking about that. I dont like the looks of this place.” He studied the hotel again before turning his blue gaze on her. You need to stay somewhere else.”
Her chin lifted. This is what I can afford. Besides, I dont have a new credit card yet, so I cant book a different hotel. I have to stay here.”
Have you inspected the room?”
No, but it doesnt matter. I can deal with whatever. It wont be the first lumpy mattress Ive slept on.”
What about bedbugs?”
You think they have bedbugs?” Those grossed her out. For some reason she hadnt anticipated bedbugs in the City of Light.
I wouldnt be surprised.”
If they do, Ill demand a different room. As I said, this place fits my budget.”
I understand that, but theres a better solution.”
Like what?”
My town house.”
She stared at him, blindsided by the suggestion. But . . . I thought you were in a hotel.”
Nope. I have a house here with several bedrooms, and youre welcome to one of them.”
Her pulse kicked up. My goodness, thats way too much of a favor.” And she wondered if he wanted something in return. Thinking of what that might be made her pulse race even faster.
Not the way I see it. You need a room and I have one available.” He met her gaze. And to clarify, this is not an indecent proposal.”
Dear God, could he read her mind? Heat rose in her cheeks. I know its not.”
Do you? Because you were looking sort of wary.”
I didnt mean to.” She had to get a grip. This was a guy who didnt have to drag women in off the street. She flattered herself if she thought he was interested in her. I just dont think its right for me to accept your generous hospitality.”
Its not all that generous. The rooms are sitting there empty. Maybe youll use a little water and electricity, but thats it. No big deal.”
She glanced over at the hotel with its peeling paint and dirty windows. She shouldnt accept his offer, but damn, she wanted to. He might be a stranger, but he didnt feel like one. First chance she got, though, shed call Astrid and confirm what Melanie felt in her gut, that Drew could be trusted.
Growing up on a ranch with salt-of-the-earth parents, Melanie had been taught not to take advantage of people, but shed also been told never to look a gift horse in the mouth. This was a gift horse if shed ever seen one.
She took a deep breath. All right. And thank you.”
Two
Youre more than welcome.” The tension eased from Drews shoulders. He couldnt leave her here, but he couldnt exactly kidnap her to keep her out of that fleabag hotel, either.
She had no idea how vulnerable she looked with her big gray eyes and freckle-faced innocence. In her red sweatshirt, with any makeup worn off during the flight, she seemed like a teenager, even though he guessed her age to be mid-twenties. No wonder the bastards had targeted her. He had the urge to wrap her in his arms, stroke her glossy brown hair, and protect her from every danger, both real and imagined.
But any woman whod climbed on a plane by herself for her first trip to Paris wouldnt appreciate an overprotective attitude. Hed keep that in mind. Somehow he had to watch out for her in a way that wouldnt get her back up.
Ill fetch my suitcase.” She reached for the door handle.
Might as well let Henri get it.” He deliberately made it sound like a casual suggestion.
But I can do it. Oh, wait.” She looked over her shoulder at him. My claim check was in my backpack.”
Then why not let Henri handle it? Hes good at these things.”
She opened her mouth to argue, and then closed it again. Okay.”
Drew leaned forward and spoke to his chauffeur in French. He hoped Melanie didnt understand the language well enough to know that hed told Henri to bribe the desk clerk if there was any question about the missing claim check. Because Melanie had yet to utter a word in French, Drew thought he was safe on that score.
The chauffeur exited the car and headed toward the hotel lobby with the brisk stride of a man who would not be denied. Drew smiled. Henri lived for this kind of drama.
He probably will have better luck than I would.” Melanie watched Henri walk into the hotel. He looks very official.”
Dont think he doesnt realize that. He plays it to the hilt.” He pulled out his cell. Whats your credit card company?” When she gave him the name, he looked up the international contact number and keyed it in before handing her the phone.
Thank you.” She settled back in her seat and put the phone to her ear. Moments into the conversation, her body visibly relaxed and her tone was no longer anxious.
He enjoyed watching the transformation and was glad he could be part of putting her dream vacation back on track. From that first glimpse of her in front of Notre Dame, hed instinctively known how much this trip meant to her. Unlike most of the women in his circle, shed had to scrimp and save to get over here. Hed never had to scrimp in his life, and he was fascinated by how much that raised the stakes for her.
Her resilience in the face of potential disaster impressed him, too. She had character, and he responded to that almost as much as he responded to her curvy figure and full pink mouth. He wanted her, but hed meant what hed said. Inviting her to his town house wasnt a proposition.
Still holding the phone, she glanced over at him. I dont know the address,” she said to the representative, but I have someone here who can give it to you.” She gave Drew the phone. They need an address for shipping the new credit card.”
You bet.” He provided the necessary information and handed the phone back so she could complete the call, which didnt take long.
After disconnecting, she returned the phone. Thank you. Theyre wiring money to a Western Union office near your town house.” She sighed happily. I feel so much better.”
Good.”
So where is your town house? I dont recognize street names yet.”
Its on the Île de la Cité, about three blocks from Notre Dame.”
Her eyes widened. Wow. Prime real estate.”
I like being in the heart of the city.” Hed paid a ridiculous amount of money for the place, but he was buying a piece of history, and that usually cost more.
So you werent far from home when you saw me this morning.”
No. I had tickets for the Louvre, so Id decided to walk down there for the exercise and get my fine art fix.”
The Louvre.” Her expression grew dreamy. I can hardly wait to see it.”
Maybe we could go later. I” His phone chimed again. Excuse me.” He checked the readout. Not critical. They could leave a voice mail.
Im sure youre busy.”
Everyones busy these days.” Especially him. As the only son of Stephen Eldridge, hed felt obligated to succeed, and in a big way, too. He hadnt wanted to ride on his fathers coattails. At thirty-two, he was a billionaire in his own right. Hed gotten there by taking risks, and for the most part, theyd paid off handsomely. But wealth without social responsibility was, in his estimation, immoral. So hed devoted himself to several causes.
The one currently in the works was especially dear to his heartaid to orphans in war-torn areas of the world. Although hed been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he well knew many children hadnt been so lucky. So he was working on organizing a dinner featuring many A-list performers, which would bring in a hefty amount if all the stars arrived.
But Drew had learned that working with famous people meant dealing with a few flakes. His staff could put the event together, but only his personal attention would get the famous faces he needed to actually show up.
Yet he was glad to do it . . . most of the time. This morning, though, he longed to give his attention to a certain tourist from Dallas. He hadnt been a superhero and successfully recovered her backpack, but he had the resources to make up for her crummy introduction to the city and he intended to use them.
After listening to his voice mail, he texted a reply. By that time, Henri was back with Melanies plain black rolling bag. Her presence in his town house was closer to becoming a reality, and that stirred his blood.
He liked the fact that shed resisted his invitation to stay there. Despite knowing that he was a member of the wealthy Eldridge family and that hed met her friend Astrid, she hadnt leaped at the opportunity to stay under his roof. Hed known several women who, given similar circumstances, would have moved heaven and earth for such an invitation.
A man in his position couldnt afford to be naïve. Gold diggers were real and they circled him constantly. Melanie, however, didnt seem to give a damn. She might even consider it a point of honor not to care whether he was King Midas.
With a loud thump that jiggled the car, Henri loaded the suitcase in the trunk.
Drew looked over at Melanie. What do you have in there, rocks?”
She laughed. Almost as bad. Books. Ive been collecting books on Paris ever since my friends and I booked the trip. I brought them all. When I packed, I had to sacrifice clothes for books, so I dont have a lot with me.” She stuck out her foot. These are my only shoes.”
Theyre practical.”
Yes, but as you pointed out, they label me. I dont look French.”
Do you want to?” He thought she looked perfectly fine as she was.
She seemed to consider that. I guess not.”
He liked that answer. In his mind, people should be who they were instead of pretending to be someone they werent.
Henri climbed into the drivers seat. Cest bien?”
Belatedly Drew remembered her scraped hands. Do you want the Neosporin out of your suitcase before we take off?”
Thats okay. My hands dont sting anymore. I can get it later.”
Then were off.” Drew nodded to his driver. As the car pulled away from the curb, he blew out a breath. Mission accomplished. Hed succeeded in scooping up his lady fair and carrying her out of harms way. Of course, part of him realized that Melanie would have probably spent her nights at that hotel without encountering a problem. But Drew wasnt dealing in logic right now.
His need to get her away from that depressing hotel with its peeling paint and cracked cement steps had been a visceral thing not to be explained. She was alone in the city, and hed appointed himself as her watchdog. He had the urge to surround her with a fence labeled KEEP OFF. An electrified fence would be even better.
Whats your town house like?”
He turned toward her. Old.”
Her forehead wrinkled. How old?”
Old enough that the first residents used chamber pots. I have a collection of them.”
Oh! Is that what you use?”
How refreshing that shed come right out and asked. No. The place has all the modern conveniences now. The last owner even installed an elevator, but I like taking the stairs.”
And walking to the Louvre. Thats why you almost caught those muggers.”
I would have, too, except for a busload of kids. They piled out right in front of me and I had to put on the brakes or Id have run them down. By the time I worked my way through them, the muggers had disappeared.”
I wouldnt have wanted you to run over any little children to get my backpack.” Shed leaned her head against the seat.
I wouldnt have.”
No.” She covered a yawn with her hand. Youre a nice guy.” Her eyelids drifted down.
Mm.” Some of his business associates might not agree with her. If hed caught the muggers, they wouldnt have thought so, either.
The steady sound of her breathing told him she was asleep. He could hardly blame her. Shed been on a plane all night long, and then shed been assaulted. The good news was that she must feel safe with him or she never would have dropped off so easily. Apparently she trusted him.
And she had every reason to. He had no intention of taking advantage of this situation. But he had to admit she was damned appealing. And sexy in a subtle way that really got to him. Hed felt a connection from the moment hed seen her standing in front of Notre Dame. And it wasnt just because she was Texan. What he really noticed was that her face had reflected the same awe that had struck him when hed first seen the cathedral twenty-five years ago.
From a distance, hed sensed a kindred spirit. When hed drawn closer, hed been captured by a primitive tug of sexuality. Her snug jeans and red sweatshirt outlined the body of a flesh-and-blood Venus de Milo. Just as he decided to strike up a conversation, shed been attacked.
He hated that, but considering how much closer it had brought the two of them, he couldnt hate it too much. He would have spared her the trauma if he could have, but now . . . well, hed have to see how things turned out.
Henri drove more sedately than usual, as if he didnt want to jostle his sleeping passenger. Consequently she was still sleeping when the Mercedes stopped in front of Drews town house.
Speaking in a low voice, Drew instructed Henri to open Melanies door before getting the suitcase out of the trunk. The click of the door opening didnt rouse her. When Drew walked around the car and crouched down to shake her awake, she murmured something he couldnt understand and sleepily wrapped her arms around his neck. Apparently hed be carrying her inside.
If he hadnt felt like the great protector before, this maneuver would have done the trick. As he lifted her into his arms, he breathed in peppermint and wondered if she had a roll of them in her sweatshirt pocket. But under that scent he detected a sweet, womanly aroma that sent an urgent signal to his groin.
Cradling her soft body with one arm under her shoulders and the other behind her knees, he started up the walkway. She sighed and snuggled closer. Dear God, he was getting an erection. Not cool. Fortunately her cute little fanny covered his crotch, but that was part of the problem. Every step caused more friction between her bottom and his cock.
Henri had beaten him to the door with the suitcase. He opened it and stood back so Drew could turn sideways and ease through the doorway without bumping either Melanies head or her feet. Once inside, he glanced at the staircase. Not happening. Not three flights.
Smiling, Henri walked over to the elevator and pushed the button. Drew stepped inside and vowed he wouldnt make fun of the contraption ever again. Initially hed scoffed at the idea of an elevator for a three-story building, but then hed never imagined hauling a sleeping woman up those stairs, either.
Moving with the silent grace of a cat burglar, Henri entered the elevator behind him and brought the suitcase along, too. Drew decided that Henri needed a raise. The driver had the rare quality of anticipating correctly what his employer needed.
The gilded elevator was beautiful but slow. Considering the circumstances, Drew appreciated the easy ascent. Now that theyd made it this far, hed like to deposit Melanie on a bed without waking her. Shed probably be embarrassed as hell to find herself in his arms. Besides that, if she insisted on getting down, his arousal wouldnt be a secret anymore.
When they left the elevator, Henri turned to Drew. Bleu?” he said softly.
Oui.” Drew had decided on the way up to put Melanie in the Blue Room. Other than his own bedroom, he liked the Blue Room the best. The other two on this floor were niceone in shades of gold and the other decorated in greenbut the blue was prettier.
In the five years hed owned this place, hed mostly entertained business associates here. Whenever hed given them a choice, they picked the Blue Room. Hed brought one girlfriend here, thinking shed enjoy Paris. Hed been wrong and shed been miserable.
He couldnt understand why anybody wouldnt love this ancient city with its centuries-old buildings and the Seine winding past all that historic architecture. Sure, the native language wasnt English, but he liked the sound of French in his ears. Of course, it helped that hed learnd to speak it so easily at school. Maybe hed been Parisian in another life.
Henri opened the door to the Blue Room and stepped back.
Drew glanced down to check whether Melanie was still asleep. Yep, out like a light. He edged through the doorway with the same care hed used getting into the house and the elevator. Bonking her head at this stage would be criminal.
The Blue Room was at the front of the house with a view to the street, whereas his was at the back with a view of a small formal garden and courtyard below. That put Melanie all the way down the hall from him. The bulge in his jeans told him that was a very good idea.
The canopy bed held center stage and was draped with blue brocade trimmed with gold fringe and tassels. Matching curtains hung at the window. The antique furniturean armoire, a writing desk, and an upholstered chaircould have come straight from Versailles. It hadnt, but it had been purchased from an estate nearby.
Drew leaned over and laid Melanie on the brocade bedspread. Her eyelids didnt even flicker. She was down for the count.
He stayed by her bedside, his back to Henri, and willed his erection to subside. He didnt dare look at her lush mouth or hed be tempted to kiss her, like some prince in a fairy tale. Except the kiss he had in mind didnt belong in a kids storybook.
When he imagined kissing Melanie, it wasnt some chaste brush of lips. Tongues would be involved, and heavy breathing, and unfastening of clothing, and . . . this wasnt helping his condition at all. Taking a deep breath, he glanced across the room at a painting of fruit and flowers.
Technically, a still life created by some artist he couldnt remember should have calmed him. Instead he pictured Melanie opening her petals to him and himself as the banana in the fruit bowl.
Behind him, Henri unzipped Melanies suitcase and began quietly putting her clothes in the armoire. The slide of drawers was the loudest sound in the room, but it wasnt enough to wake the sleeping beauty. Drew couldnt stand beside the bed too much longer without looking like an idiot. He decided to take off her shoes. Nobody should sleep in their shoes.
Shed double-knotted them, and he struggled with the laces. That was good, though, because concentrating on her shoelaces took his mind off sex, and he was in much better shape by the time he eased one shoe from her foot. As he fiddled with the second shoe, she woke up.
She wasnt slow about it, either. She sat straight up and glared at him. What are you doing?”
He almost laughed, because her angry question was in sharp contrast to the gentle cuddle shed given him while she was asleep. He stepped away from the bed. I was taking off your shoes so you could be more comfortable.”
She frowned and surveyed her surroundings. Oh. Now I remember.” Her gaze softened. I didnt mean to be rude. I forgot where I was.”
You fell asleep in the car, so I carried you up here.”
You did?” Her cheeks turned pink. Thats embarrassing.”
You were exhausted.”
Yeah. Guess so. Still, I feel bad for conking out on you. I must have been heavy.”
No.”
Did you climb the stairs?”
He smiled. Elevator.”
Thats good.”
Henri cleared his throat. Cest tout?”
Drew glanced over his shoulder. Yes, thats all for now, Henri. Merci.”
Henri nodded and left.
This is nice.” Melanie glanced around the room. Very nice. Thank you.”
Theres a bathroom through that door.” Drew gestured toward it. Ill leave you alone so you can get some rest.” He hesitated. Or are you hungry? I could have some food sent up.”
No, Im not hungry. They fed us constantly on the plane.”
Then all you really need is sleep.” He backed toward the door.
Her gaze found his, and she looked uncertain. Where will you be?”
His heart squeezed. In her dazed condition, hed become her lifeline and she didnt want him to leave. Just downstairs. I have an office on the first floor. Its not hard to find.”
Okay.”
If you need anything, come and find me.”
I will.”
He forced himself to walk out of the room and close the door behind him. But he felt as if he should be in there, holding her while she fell asleep again. How crazy was that?
Three
After Drew left, Melanie eased off the bed and prowled around the room. What a room it was, too. She fingered the thick fabric draping the bed. Marie Antoinette would have been thrilled with something like this.
The floor was hardwood and the blue-patterned carpets looked like vintage Aubusson. Once again, if she hadnt known Astrid, such things would have been lost on her. She should take a picture of this room to show her friends.
Then she remembered. She couldnt take a picture of anything because she didnt have a phone. She also hadnt called Astrid to get the lowdown on Drew. Besides that, she should notify someone back home that she was not at the hotel shed booked. If she called Astrid, that would accomplish everything at once. Astrid could attest to Drews character and also spread the word that Melanies plans had changed.
Much as she longed to climb under the covers in that beautiful canopy bed, she couldnt do it until shed borrowed Drews phone and made that call. She smiled as she imagined Astrids reaction to the news that she was in a historic town house within walking distance of Notre Dame, and the house belonged to none other than Drew Eldridge, whod rescued her from a runaway horse.
But no matter how lovely the accommodations were, Melanie didnt intend to sponge off Drew for the next five days. Once she had a credit card, shed move out of Drews town house and then treat him to a nice meal as a gesture of gratitude.
Then she remembered her clothing situation. Drews idea of a nice meal would undoubtedly involve dressing up, and she hadnt planned for that. Shed expected to explore Paris on her own, and elegant restaurants hadnt figured into her wardrobe choices.