Paris Interlude: Escape in Love, #2

Chapter One

Danton glanced around the private room at his restaurant. The table was spread for a feast even though it would be a small party, an intimate pre-wedding dinner for his older half-brother, Theo, and his bride-to-be, Zoe Alexiou. Fresh flowers—lavender, roses, and other summer blooms—both scented and beautified the room.

Henri, his best host, appeared at the doorway. Mr. Boucher, Miss Ross is here.

Good. He had looked forward to seeing Elissa again, after the dances and banter they’d shared at the gala in Chicago two weeks before.

Henri stepped aside. Elissa Ross, Zoe’s best friend, ambled in, a smile softening her classic features.

Welcome, Danton said, kissing her cheeks lightly. Her scent mirrored that of the flowers surrounding them.

Again her delicate beauty, her thin and willowy body, her dark auburn hair and porcelain skin, and her retro style captivated his attention as she had at the ball in Chicago. Tonight, her full-skirted black dress with white embroidery shaping blooms reflecting those in the room’s bouquets gave her princess looks a captivating charm. A fancifulness her behavior had not exhibited, but that he had tried to elicit. He had failed. He did not fail.

He held out a chair for her and she slid into it, giving him a ladylike nod of thanks. His chest pulsated with the intrigue of her. She’d intruded into his thoughts too much over the last weeks. No woman had so deftly played off his overtures before.

Aren’t Zoe and Theo here yet? She crossed her long legs to the side.

He walked around to face her, his legs tingling with his urge to be near her. Last minute shopping, I believe. He glanced at his watch. Elissa was a few minutes early. How has your time here in Paris been?

Perfect. I’ve found so much inspiration for my art and designs. I wish I could stay longer. Elissa freelanced as a designer and artist. He had a fondness for fine art, including beauty of all kinds.

Why don’t you? Zoe says you’re between jobs? He sat in a chair next to hers.

She laughed, a tinkling sound that made him smile. Trying to start my own business, but I’m not so practical about work as Zoe. She waited to start her magazine until she had investors. I quit the design company I was working for and have been freelancing, I suppose you could say.

Zoe’s investors had included his and Theo’s mother and her latest male friend. Danton and Theo had leveraged their knowledge of Mother’s plans to ruin Zoe’s career to force her to support Zoe’s magazine. Elissa had been a bright spot the evening that had all played out, a comfort, even. But he didn’t want to think about comfort, he wanted the thrill of pursuit, and the pleasure of success.

I admire your spontaneity. Did it extend to her personal life? Not with him, or he would’ve experienced more of her by now.

Her face seemed lit from within. I love my work.

It shows. I’d like to see some of your art. He’d like to see more than that. And he would, provided Elissa was interested. If so, he would succeed, as he always did.

She turned her body toward him. Your restaurant is beautiful, the way you’ve achieved a look of elegant comfort. I’d love your opinions of my work. I have my sketchbook at the hotel.

Had she taken his offer to stay at his home, as Theo did, he could see it later. But she and Zoe had insisted on staying in a hotel. Zoe said the groom shouldn’t see the bride the night before the wedding. He supposed there was something to be said for building anticipation.

Meet me tomorrow night for dinner? We can view it then. He leaned toward her.

I’m flying home from Athens after the wedding.

Non, stay in Paris. I’m sure Zoe and Theo would like to see you once they start the traveling portion of their honeymoon. They’ll be back in Paris next week. The two would be spending the week on Theo’s private island, as good a place as any for a honeymoon. And protected from any attempts by their mother to bother the newlyweds.

I’ve got to get home.

Why? He knew she was close to her family, something he understood because of his half-siblings, but not from his parents.

She seemed to be thinking, her head tilted. He motioned to the Champagne. She gave another regal nod. He poured her a glass and set it next to her, brushing her finger as he moved away.

He circled the base of his glass with his finger. Her skin was as smooth as the glass, but warm and vital.

You are finding inspiration, oui? Perhaps you will find work as well.

Are you convincing her to stay, Danton? Zoe said as she walked in, leaning into Theo, who held his soon-to-be bride around her waist.

Am I? Danton glanced at Elissa before he greeted his future sister-in-law with a kiss on each cheek. Elissa hugged Zoe before she sat and sipped her wine.

The two of you, Theo said. Elissa can make her own decisions.

Thank you, Theo, Elissa said. How was your shopping?

Other than my Zoe not letting me buy her whatever I want, the day was good. And you? Theo pulled out a chair for Zoe then sat beside her. To most, Theo would look fairly impassive, but Danton recognized in his brother the joy and love he’d finally found again, perhaps this time a more mature, lasting version than he’d had ten years before. Danton himself had never found such a love, nor would he. Love wasn’t on his menu. While he enjoyed risk, love was not worth the wager—too little chance of success. He preferred the simple transactions of casual dating and companionship. Did Elissa also appreciate such an arrangement?

He rolled his shoulders and poured wine for Zoe and Theo.

I love Paris, Elissa said. I went to the Musee d’Orsay today. The impressionists’ use of color takes my breath away. Her voice sang with enthusiasm, reverence, and joy.

A woman with such deep passions... Did she expend them only in her work? He crossed his legs. That is my favorite museum. Shall we eat? He motioned to the food laid on the table.

I haven’t eaten all day, Zoe said. Everything smells delicious, Danton.

He inclined his head and waited while the others served themselves from the dishes, a mixture of vegetarian—as Zoe and Theo were—and simple food. He plated himself some chicken and vegetables, similar to what Elissa ate.

Are you sure you want such a small wedding? Danton asked Theo and Zoe again. He couldn’t quite understand his brother’s insistence on such a small party, not even including their brother and sisters, or any of their friends. Their mother he could understand excluding, after the way she’d tried to sabotage Zoe and her career. But he and Theo had beat Mother at her game, and now she and her latest male friend were two of the main investors in Zoe’s new magazine. But, as usual with Mother, it was an uneasy truce.

Yes. Theo glanced at Zoe, whose smile showed she was also happy with their plans. I’ve talked to everyone who matters and they understand.

Danton nodded. He should’ve known Theo would make it a priority to check in with their siblings. Theo might seem distant, but he’d always been a caring and protective brother to them all. Sometimes too protective for Danton’s taste, but they’d overcome those battles. He’d learned from his father’s early death to resolve such difficulties whenever possible. He shook his head. With his father, such a closeness as he had with Theo wouldn’t have been possible. Still, he had the legacy of his restaurants from his father, and their home here in Paris.

Thanks again for the party in Chicago, Danton, Zoe said. I’m still hearing from my friends and colleagues what a great time they had.

The pleasure was mine. It had been another opportunity to see Elissa, talk with her, and dance with her, in a less formal setting than the gala had provided. Theo and Zoe’s engagement deserved the celebration, in any case. But still, at both events, Elissa had played him off, polite, even charming, but without true feeling. Then he’d come back home.

He looked at her. He would not let her get away so easily again. Speaking of pleasures, since you find so much in Paris, Elissa, why not stay? You’re welcome in my home, or I have a small apartment for business associates that is vacant at the moment.

You’re most generous, but I really should get home after the wedding. Elissa sipped her drink.

I thought we’d agreed to banish ‘should’ from our lives? Zoe said. Your mom said they’re doing fine, and they want you to enjoy yourself. She winked at Danton. This was a sister he’d appreciate having around.

Elissa cut a sharp glance at Zoe, who simply smiled and took another bite of her braised tofu.

Let’s not talk about me. Elissa shifted in her seat and edged her plate aside. This is Zoe and Theo’s special time.

And we want to share it with you and Danton. Zoe dabbed her lips with her napkin.

Everyone was done. Danton cleared his throat. Henri appeared and took away the plates. The cheese course was laid out by a silent waitperson. Later, he’d thank his staff, and add to their bonuses, for their extra work of late.

Would anyone like more Champagne? When everyone shook their heads, Danton nodded to Henri, who left to get dessert and coffee—and tea for Theo. None of them touched the cheese course, save Elissa, whose rapt expression over a bit of Camembert made him wonder what else gave her such pleasure.

Theo stood, holding out his hand for Zoe. They sat on the sofa. Danton waited for Elissa, who moved to one of the padded armchairs positioned near the sofa. He sat in the other, opposite her. She crossed her legs at the ankle, her long, smooth calves to the side. He rubbed his thighs. Henri appeared with strawberries and cream and coffee service and set it on the small table to the side of the sofa. He passed coffee then silently left again.

Zoe cuddled against Theo, who took a strawberry, swirled it in cream, and held it for his fiancée. Danton glanced at Elissa, whose cheeks bloomed with a pink hue. Yet her eyes held not embarrassment, but longing—until she met his gaze. Then the color suffused her neck as well, in a darker tinge. She had blushed similarly as he’d held her while they danced those weeks ago, and he’d caught her studying his face. And, as she had then, she looked away, toward the door. Why was she so adverse to his advances when clearly she was attracted to him? Perhaps she looked only for a serious relationship and she knew he wouldn’t be willing?

She sipped her coffee. He