Falling For Her Boss

by Tracy Reed

  “I asked him why, and he said once I observed the two of you, I would understand his request.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Opening that door would have been detrimental to your destiny.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means you made the right decision.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  gabriella

  * * *

  The day seemed like a fairytale. It felt like I was in a French film. I apologized to Phillippe for flying off the handle like I did. I think my mother’s words affected me more than I knew.

  After the morning at the Louvre, we had lunch at this amazing bistro. The food was incredible and the wine was spectacular. I think Phillippe plied me with wine so I would be a little more affable when we got to Chanel. I hate to admit it, but his plan worked.

  He said I couldn’t leave Paris without a little something from Chanel. What he failed to mention was that he wanted me to spend the afternoon trying on clothes and modeling for him. It all felt very decadent. Phillippe has a friend who works in Public Relations at Chanel, and she arranged for us to tour Coco Chanel’s apartment. I’m not a big fashion girl, but stepping back in time like that was amazing. Knowing he went out of his way to do something so generous, impressed me.

  I was very pleased he kept his word, and only bought me a little something…a pair of earrings and a compact mirror. To mend things with my mother, I bought her a pair of earrings. The perfect little somethings from Chanel to commemorate my first trip to Paris.

  When we returned to the apartment, I went to my room to freshen up. When I opened the door, I noticed a few familiar things from my afternoon at Chanel. The black suit and black cocktail dress I tried were lying on my bed. Along with a gorgeous large, black classic handbag, and a small black and gold evening bag. I was speechless. I tried not to think about the money, although I knew Phillippe had spent several thousand dollars…I mean euros.

  I immediately went searching the apartment for him. I found him in the living room reading the paper. I tried to contain my emotions. I stood in front of him with my arms crossed in front of me, tapping my foot.

  I cleared my throat and he looked up and put the paper down. “Oui?”

  “I thought you said all I needed was a little something from Chanel.”

  “That is correct.”

  “I thought we agreed the compact and earrings were the little something.”

  “That is also correct. They are a little something.”

  “Then what is that on my bed?”

  He stood up, uncrossed my arms, wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. “That is another little something.”

  “Babe…”

  “Oui…”

  “You don’t have…I mean…that’s a lot of something.”

  “I know.”

  “So the trip to Chanel was the thing you mentioned you wanted to do?”

  He crushed his lips against mine as he pulled me closer. I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave in to the kiss. Phillippe’s hands slid down my back, pulling me deeper into his space. A soft moan passed between us, and I knew I was sinking deeper into a world I wasn’t prepared for. He pulled back and brushed his thumb along my bottom lip.

  “Please, let me spoil you?” I nodded. “Was that a yes?” He smiled.

  “Oui.”

  “Thank you.” He kissed me again. “Do you like your gift?”

  “Oui…that dress and suit were my favorites. Merci.”

  “Avec plaisir.” He kissed me. “Now get a nap and then, put on your new dress and meet me here in two hours.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “That’s a surprise.”

  My quick nap and hot bath were just what I needed to invigorate me. I put on my new dress and met Phillippe in the living room. I wasn’t sure where we were going, but from the looks of the expensive dress I was wearing, it must be amazing. But then again, this was Paris…fashion capital of the world.

  I walked up behind Phillippe and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned around and I almost fainted. He looked incredible. I have never met a man that looked like this. My body was doing things on the inside that I had never experienced.

  “Wow! You…look…beautiful.” He kissed me on the neck. I slowly turned around.

  “Mademoiselle Gabriella, you look very French.”

  “Merci, Marie.”

  “I don’t know if I want to share you with anyone tonight. Maybe we should stay in.”

  “No,” Marie jumped in. “You are taking this beautiful young woman out, and letting her enjoy Paris.” She walked over and air kissed me on both sides of my face.

  “Mon amour, let’s go.” He grabbed my hand and we started toward the elevator.

  “Do you have your phone and wallet?” Marie asked.

  Phillippe patted his pocket and pulled out his phone. “Phone oui, wallet no. Excuse-moi.” He disappeared up the stairs.

  Marie stepped closer. “Mademoiselle, he’s very nervous and excited.” She revealed in a low voice.

  “I’m the one who’s nervous.”

  “Oui, but not like him.”

  “He doesn’t picture me as the nervous type.”

  “Il a hâte de vous impressionner. Please forgive. He is anxious to impress you. Let him.”

  “Oui.” I smiled.

  “I have it.” He came down the stairs waving his wallet. He took my hand and we headed toward the elevator. “Marie, we will be late. Don’t worry about breakfast. We will probably sleep in.”

  “Excuse-moi.”

  He smiled at my French comment. “I mean it will be very late when we return and we will sleep through breakfast.” He kissed me. “Come, we don’t want to be late. Bonne nuit, Marie.”

  “Bonne nuit.”

  “Bonne nuit, Marie,” I kissed her on the cheek.

  “Amuse-toi bien…much amuse.”

  “Definitely.”

  * * *

  phillippe

  * * *

  I was having difficulty not staring at Gabriella. I lifted her hand to my mouth and gently kissed the back. “You are stunning.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.”

  “I hope I didn’t offend you with the gifts.”

  “No. I’m just not used to such extravagant gifts. I come from a world where you work hard and save for the things you want. You asked that I be patient with you. I ask that you be patient with me.”

  “I will.” I sipped my wine. “I don’t want you to think I’m ashamed of the way you dress.”

  “I didn’t…”

  “I like the way you dress. I especially like that black dress you wore to dinner on our first date.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. I like the way it hits every curve. It has just the right amount of sexy allure.” I winked.

  “Phillippe…” She looked shocked by my comment.

  “You are a very beautiful woman, and the way you move is breathtaking.”

  “You’re embarrassing me.” She sipped her wine.

  “I’m being honest. Mon amour, you are very sexy and I know I’m not the only man who sees that.” I leaned over and kissed her neck. I could tell she was a little embarrassed. “Relax, Mon amour, this is Paris. No one is paying attention to us.”

  “I’m not used to…” Her smile was contagious.

  “I will try to contain myself.”

  “Merci. What do you suggest for dinner?”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty of pre-ordering.”

  “Très bien.”

  “Seems someone has been studying French.” I smiled.

  “I want to learn French. Marie gave me a few words and phrases.”

  “She did?”

  “Oui. She said you like speaking your other language.” She sipped her wine. “Besides, the next time you say something to me in French in the heat of the moment like you did before, I want to know what I’m objecting or agreeing to.” She smiled
.

  I brushed the side of her arm. “Did you enjoy the Louvre?”

  “It was incredible. It’s one thing to read about it and see it on the internet. But it’s completely different when you see it in person. Now the things I studied make sense.” Listening to her talk and seeing the city through her eyes was refreshing. “What do you have planned for tonight?”

  “Something very French.”

  “Really?”

  “I thought you might like the Moulin Rouge.”

  “What?” The smile on her face was all the approval I needed. “Are you kidding?”

  “No. I thought you might enjoy it.”

  “Could the day be any more exciting? I’m sorry, did I say that out loud?” She looked around. “First the Louvre, then Coco Chanel’s apartment, shopping at Chanel, dinner at the Eiffel Tower, and Moulin Rouge later…it’s like a fairytale.” Then she got quiet.

  “What’s wrong?” She shook her head. “Is it too much?”

  “It’s…very thoughtful.”

  I leaned over and kissed her. “You deserve it.”

  I don’t know where Gabriella gets her energy. After the Moulin Rouge, we went dancing. It was around three thirty when we finally made it back to the apartment.

  I don’t think either of us was tired. We only came home because the club closed, and the driver was tired. I would have put him in the back and driven, except I’d had too much to drink. In all the times I’ve brought a companion to Paris, I have never enjoyed myself as much as I have with Gabriella.

  We stepped into the elevator, not looking at each other. I reached for her hand and felt like a scared French schoolboy in the presence of his crush. I stepped closer to her, and she looked at me with those gorgeous brown eyes, biting the edge of her bottom lip. Man, that look was dangerous and she didn’t even know she was doing it. The elevator stopped and opened to a partially dark space. The only lights on were the one in the hall near Gabriella’s room, and the one at the bottom of the staircase leading to my private rooms.

  I wasn’t ready for the evening…morning to end, but it was late and we both had had a lot to drink. Mixed with a sea of emotions and the aurora of the city, I needed to play it safe. I walked her to her room and stopped next to the door. She leaned against the wall and I stood in front of her. She looked at me with half opened eyes and those full lips begging me to kiss her.

  “Did you have a good time?”

  “I had an amazing time.” She began playing with the buttons on my shirt.

  “What are you doing?” I braced my hand on the wall. God, she looks delicious. I kept telling myself, “go to bed, alone” .

  “I was wondering if you’re going to kiss me good night.”

  I smiled. We had been kissing most of the evening, but this kiss seemed very dangerous. Almost like the doorway to something more. “Do you want me to kiss you?”

  “Only if you want to.”

  I stepped closer and the heat encircling us was dangerous. I brushed the side of her face. “One kiss?”

  I wanted to carry her across the threshold and make love to her all night, but that wasn’t an option. However, my body wasn’t listening. She dragged her hand along the front of my shirt and I almost cracked. I bit my lip, hoping the pain would break the fog of desire and arousal I was fighting.

  She looked up and smiled. “One kiss.” I brushed her lip with the ball of my thumb. “Don’t tease me.”

  “Tease you?”

  She nodded. “All I want is a simple good night kiss.”

  “Simple?”

  “Oui…” She hummed.

  I leaned in closer, slipped my hands around her waist, pulled her to my chest and the swell of her breasts pressed against my body mixed with her parfum. The heat and emotions were intoxicating. I lowered my mouth to meet hers, barely grazing her lips. She slipped her delicate hands around my neck, and pulled me closer as I gently pressed my lips against hers. She was drawing me in, taking control, but making me think I had the control. She pulled me closer to her as she opened her mouth, inviting me to take the kiss further, deeper.

  I leaned her back against the wall and invaded her mouth. She tasted like port wine and chocolate. We traded soft moans as we pulled each other deeper into the kiss. My hands slid down her back cupping her behind and she didn’t flinch. Instead, she kissed me harder, her mouth and tongue demanding.

  I pressed myself against her and she cried out. I could feel her heart beating against my chest and her body was shaking. The kiss started to turn into a passionate war, each of us demanding more. I could barely breathe. My tongue dove deeper inside her hot mouth. I felt a deep moan pass from her mouth into mine, traveling down to my core. I fought off the desire to bust the door down and live out the fantasy that had be plaguing me for the past few weeks.

  Her moan grew deeper and familiar as she pulled me closer. I knew what I was feeling, but it didn’t seem possible that she was on the verge of…I pulled back and looked at her. She was flushed, breathing hard, and her breasts were swollen. I desperately wanted to fill my mouth with…I looked further down her chest and saw just how aroused she was. Oh my God. Then she sucked on her bottom lip. I tried to move, but I couldn’t. My eyes were focused on her swollen breasts. She exhaled and that just made it worse. She looked sinfully delicious and tempting. I smoothed my shirt and patted my chest. I needed to leave, but I couldn’t move. She reached up and grazed my lips with her tongue, before picking up where we left off. I couldn’t resist her. She pressed her body against mine, and when my tongue hit the back of her mouth, she cried out and pulled back.

  She opened the door and stood in the doorway. For a brief moment, I thought she was going to invite me inside.

  “Good night.” She closed the door, and I stood there wondering what just happened.

  I fell against the wall feeling as satisfied as if I’d just made love for the past few hours. I was breathless, my legs were weak, I was drained, and my body was shaking.

  I lifted myself off the wall and started towards the stairs. Suddenly, my phone started vibrating and I looked at the screen.

  Gabriella: You didn’t say good night

  Is she kidding me? The sub-text in those words could have easily sent me back to her room.

  Phillippe: Good night, Mon amour.

  I am in way over my head.

  Chapter Seventeen

  gabriella

  * * *

  I rolled over and grabbed my head. It was pounding. I remember everything about last night, except getting into bed. I looked down and saw I was naked. I looked around for my robe and saw it lying on the edge of the bed. I started to climb out of bed, and noticed the silver tray on the bedside table. The smell of fresh coffee traveled up my nose. I reached for the white card and read it out loud.

  “Drink some water, then sip some coffee. Eat the croissant, sip more water, take both aspirin, drink more coffee and water. Wait a few minutes before trying to stand up. Then get dressed and meet me in the kitchen. Phillippe.”

  I looked down at what I wasn’t wearing and hoped he hadn’t seen me. I followed the instructions and an hour later I stumbled into the kitchen. The aspirin helped some, but my head was still very angry with me.

  “Bonjour, is there any more coffee?” I stood in the doorway holding my head.

  Phillippe stood up. My eyes were barely open, but from what I could see, he looked rested. “Bonjour, Mon amour.” He walked over, kissed me and took the tray. “Seems the wine hit you hard.”

  “Just a little.”

  “Is this your first hangover?” he teased.

  “I am not hung over,” I protested.

  “My Sweet, when you can barely open your eyes and you’ve been asleep for,” he looked at his watch. “over ten hours, I think it’s safe to say you’re hung over.”

  I sat down. “What time is it?”

  “A little after two.”

  “I slept half the day. I’m sorry. We were supposed to continue our mus
eum tour.”

  He hugged me. “Bébé, it’s okay. I’ve only been up a couple of hours myself.”

  “Really? I tried to look up, but my eyelashes hurt.

  He kissed me. “Really.”

  Marie walked into the kitchen. “Bonjour Mademoiselle Gabriella. I see you have become very French.” She teased.

  “Marie, I thought you were on my side?”

  “I am.” She laughed. “Did you take the aspirin?”

  “Oui.”

  “Care to try some fruit and yogurt?”

  “Oui, merci.” I rubbed my head.

  “Cela a seulement enlevé une nuit pour que vous deveniez très Français.”

  “English, s’il vous plaît. Merci.”

  She and Phillippe laughed. “Bébé, she said it has only taken you one night on the town to become très Français…very French.” He kissed me on the forehead. “I need to make a call. I’m glad you had a good time last night.” He left Marie and me in the kitchen.

  Marie placed a cup of black coffee on the counter in front of me. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

  “Oui.” I sipped my coffee. “Marie, do you…the tray in my room…”

  “I did.”

  I sighed and patted my chest. “I was a little concerned, Phillippe had…I mean we have…”

  “Un arrangement.”

  I didn’t need that translated. “Oui. As you heard the other day, we are not sleeping together.”

  “I know.” She continued making me something to eat. “He never has women here.”

  “What? But you said with Mademoiselle Chantal there were a lot of deliveries.”

  “True. All packages came here, but she stayed downstairs.”

  “Like me?”

  “No. Downstairs in the guest apartment.”

  “Guest apartment? I don’t understand?”

  “Monsieur, never have women stay here.” She placed a bowl of berries and yogurt in front of me.

  “Merci.” I bowed my head and said a soft prayer. “Amen.”