by Vicky Dean
Maybe I should invent an excuse to cut the holiday short, he thought. Back in Avalon Bay, he’d be busy and be able to avoid being in such close proximity to Cassie. But that thought didn’t appease him because he was having so much fun in France and enjoying the trip immensely. It was the first real vacation he’d ever taken. Cassie was a big part of that joy. She was enthusiastic, energetic, and so much fun, but more than that, she was an intriguing puzzle of innocence and pure sensuality.
Sick of torturing himself, Richard decided that he needed a nice cold shower. He ran his hands through his thick hair as he shampooed it under the cold jet stream and vowed to keep a tighter range on his primal feelings.
***
The following morning, just before sunrise Richard knocked on Cassie’s door. Climbing out of the shower and wrapping a towel around her wet hair turban style, and a large super-soft bath towel around her body she went to open it. Richard stood there in khaki shorts and a white cotton short sleeved shirt.
“Just checking that you’re awake…and you are,” he said. She saw him looking at her in the eyes, trying not to avert his look elsewhere. “We leave for the balloon ride in forty minutes,” he said.
She stood there, feeling the need to challenge him with her body in some way. She wasn’t sure why, but it felt important that she know exactly what he was thinking. Finally, his eyes broke from hers and his gaze traveled down from the turban on her head to the towel wrapped precariously around her, and then down to the length of her bare legs.
She felt his intensity as surely as if he’d touched her everywhere, and it made her cheeks turn pink and the tension in her body rise. “I’ll just dress and meet you downstairs in ten,” she said quickly, closing the door with trembling fingers.
They arrived at the hot-air balloon departure point and were greeted by a crew of white uniformed men who ushered them to the balloon. They watched the balloon being prepared for lift off and then climbed into the basket with their pilot. As the balloon gently rose above the earth, the pilot handed them both a glass of champagne as the landscape unfolded beneath them; verdant fields, vineyards, forests, rivers, romantic little villages, architectural masterpieces, and emerald green forests that were home to wild boar and deer and hunting grounds to the past kings of France. It was a novel sensation, rubbing shoulders with clouds, floating over the countryside guided by the winds that determined their flight direction. The pilot was only able to control the altitude of the balloon. At a low level, the pilot pointed out the various chateaux like Blois, Chambard, Cheverney and Chinon, and told anecdotes about the royal inhabitants.
Suddenly the balloon lurched to one side. Cassie fell against Richard and into his arms.
“Sorry,” the pilot said, “just a bit of wind. Nothing to worry about.”
Richard’s body had tensed up with her invasion onto it and she mumbled, “Sorry.”
“No problem,” he said tensely.
Cassie realized that her hands were pressed against his muscular chest and that her face was close enough to him that she could hear his heart beat. It was fast and strong. She took a deep breath and moved out of his arms.
Nearly two hours later the balloon was back on the ground. Its captain said, “A romantic balloon ride is a perfect way to bring people closer.”
Cassie smiled, but his words made her realize that no one had even commented about them being a couple the entire vacation. That was actually a bit annoying.
“It was fun,” Richard said.
Cassie wondered if he’d grown allergic to the word romance.
Then the captain called out, “Your lunch is over there.” He pointed and the two made their way over to a simple but delicious picnic that had been laid out on the grass on a large table-cloth with cushions. They sat down on the soft grass and breathed in the fresh air full of the sweet scent of the country side. The picnic spread out before them consisted of an assortment of pates, and cheeses, a bacon and leek quiche, French loaf and a Salade Nicoise, a bottle of crisp local white wine and for dessert, strawberries with crème fraiche.
Cassie felt her nose getting tingly and she knew that she must have a slight allergy to something that was around them in that beautiful country air, but she had no idea what, exactly, so she tried to put it out of her mind.
“I thought I’d be more nervous up so high, but I really wasn’t,” she said to Richard.
“That one wind thing scared me a bit, but otherwise, it was awesome,” he replied. Then he stretched out on the cushions, yawned and closed his eyes.
Cassie took the opportunity to study his face, the high cheekbones, the lines in his forehead, every crease around his full and sensual lips. She wondered about lying down next to him, curving her body along the length of his, kissing him. She leaned over until she was mere inches from his face and could feel his breath on her chin. Before she lost all control, she caught herself and sat up straight.
He obviously wasn’t interested in her that way, as had been obvious by the way his body had stiffened against her when she fell into his arms on the balloon. She sighed and tried to tear her eyes away from Richard and look at the surrounding landscape.
One of the balloon ground crew came over, diverting her attention away from Richard, and informed her that their ride back to their car was ready to go. She woke Richard and they made their way to the car waiting for them.
“I didn’t realize we had drifted so far,” Richard said breaking the silence between them in the ninety minute drive back to their car.
“Me either, but wasn’t it an incredible experience. I’m glad I took plenty of photos.”
“It’s definitely unforgettable. In fact, this whole vacation is one I will never forget,” he said. She couldn’t understand what his expression might imply when he said those words. It almost looked like he was a tormented soul.
THE DORDOGNE
They drove out of Amboise mid-afternoon to begin the four-hour drive to Sarlat, two hundred miles away. Once out of the town and on the auto-route Richard placed in the CD player Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. After two hours Cassie adjusted her seat and put her head back and within a few minutes fell asleep.
Richard glanced at her occasionally, noting the way her hair curled around her cheek, the way her lips parted. The way she leaned against the seat with mere inches between them, and half hoped that she would rest her head on him. When she’d fallen against him in the balloon basket, he had so wanted to hold her, put his arms comfortingly around her. Instead he had instinctively put up all his emotional barriers. He’d trained himself to do that on purpose and it was a hard habit to break. Up until that point, he’d loved the habit, but with Cassie, he kind of wanted to break free of it.
Then he made sure he got lost in other thoughts, like the ranch and his latest construction project.
“What have I missed?” Cassie asked, her voice still a bit sleepy.
“A lot of wonderful scenery, and my speeding, which I’m sure you wouldn’t have approved of,” he said smiling.
“Where are we?”
“We are just about to take the turn off to Sarlat. If you don’t mind, can you get the directions to the hotel,” he said, pointing down between her legs.
She reached into her bag and took out the information. As they entered the small town, she read out the directions to Richard as he maneuvered the small narrow one-way streets and arrived at the parking lot of the hotel.
The hotel was in the center of town and although housed in an historic building the amenities were ultra modern. They had two spacious double rooms next door to each other, each having queen-sized beds and roomy bathrooms with bathrobes, slippers, and designer toiletries and Juliet balconies with views of the town. Downstairs amongst other facilities were an indoor pool and a health club that also offered massages and beauty treatments.
After checking in they retired to their respective rooms to freshen up and change for dinner. Richard had a quick shower and went for a quick wander. Rather than
knock on Cassie’s door, he texted her: Gone for a walk. Call me when you’re ready and I’ll tell you where I am. R
Then he left the hotel and walked up the pedestrian Rue de la Republique, looking at the map the hotel concierge had given him. There were mazes of narrow golden cobbled streets with beautiful buildings on both sides and he randomly chose one and toured the small town, checking out the menus of the restaurants he passed. This area was known as the gastronomic center of this part of France, which meant he was certain that there would be another great meal in the near future. One place in particular caught his attention, though—Le Bistro.
This restaurant had an attractive terrace to eat out on and offered a tasting menu. He went in and made a reservation for two and then continued on his explorations until he came upon the main square, Place de la Liberté.
He selected a café and ordered Pernod, a drink he frequently saw French men order. It was a brilliant yellow and smelt of anise, carnations, fennel, fresh garden herbs, and liquorice. To Richard it tasted potent and bittersweet; an odd reminder of what his new marriage was to him.
***
Back in her room, Cassie filled the tub and chucked her clothes on the bed. While submerged in hot water and aromatic French Lavender bath salts she stretched her legs out and rested her head on the rim, and gradually the stiffness from the long drive left her body. After clambering out of the tub she stood and briskly dried of with one of the thick luxurious towels provided by the hotel. Dressing in a short blue silk dress, she brushed her hair, put some make-up on, and slipped into a pair of sandals.
She saw that Richard had sent her a text and after reading it phoned him.
“Hi, where are you?”
“Hey Cassie, I thought you’d never call. This town is wonderful. You’re going to love it.”
She thought that she detected a slight drunken slur to his voice, but maybe she was mistaken. “Where are you and I’ll come and join you.”
“In the main square, Place de la Liberté.”
As Cassie reached the square her eyes scanned the sidewalk café’s before she spotted Richard sitting at a table talking to a striking auburn-haired woman sitting across the small table from him, leaning across it as if she couldn’t get close enough to him. Cassie felt a pang of jealousy, not at her attempts, but at his enjoyment of them. When Richard looked up and waved to her, she forced herself to smile as she went to join them.
“Cassie, this is Janet from Miami.”
The woman, who was about her age beamed at her and held out her hand.
“Hi Cassie, nice to meet you,” she said.
“You too,” Cassie replied.
“I hear you’re on honeymoon, so am I. We rented a car and we’re doing the touristy thing like you and your husband.”
Richard smiled and winked at her.
“Mark is on his way. He’s gone to reserve a table at the restaurant your husband recommended. I hope you don’t mind, but Richard invited us to join you two for dinner.”
“No, of course not,” Cassie lied. He must be more bored with me than I realized, she thought.
“This Bistro sounds fab and it will be fun to eat with someone else,” Janet said.
“What can I order for you to drink?” Richard asked her.
Cassie noticed that Janet was having a glass of champagne that looked inviting.
“Champagne please. And what is that you’re drinking?” Cassie asked him.
“One of France’s favorite aperitifs, Pernod. Would you like a sip?”
Cassie took the glass from him, took a small sip, and wrinkled her nose in distaste.
“Yuck,” she said.
Richard laughed. “It’s an acquired taste.”
At that moment Janet’s husband, Mark joined them and introduced himself to Cassie.
They all sat and chatted a bit and ordered more aperitifs. Janet and Mark had been in Sarlat for three days and were returning to Paris the following morning. They advised Richard and Cassie to check out the Cathedral that dated back to the Middle Ages.
“This is the only town in France lighted with gas lamps,” Mark told them. “And if you’re not scared of heights you must take the glass elevator up through the center of the bell tower of Church Sainte-Marie, which also has a superb market,” said Mark.
“Yes, the elevator is fab. It’s completely made of glass and you get the sensation it’s going to fly out and beyond the roof tops! You get 360° views of the town and the limestone roofs—its fab,” Janet said.
“How fab,” Cassie said. Yes, she knew she was being a bit of a snit, but she didn’t care.
Once they’d finished their drinks the four of them ambled off to the restaurant together. On the way, Richard took Cassie by surprise and put his arm around her waist. Her heart beat in double time. She decided he must really be quite drunk to do that, but she was enjoying the experience, nonetheless. Now that they were with real honeymooners, they best look the part.
“Nice couple,” he said. “I thought you’d like eating with them. It can get boring just the two of us, right?”
His words crushed her. “You’re definitely not boring,” she told him in a quiet voice, but failed to tell him that he entertained her, amused her, and attracted her like crazy.
“I’m glad to hear that,” he said, giving her waist a squeeze.
The restaurant was delightful. While they were perusing their menus, they were each given a glass of vin de noix, a walnut aperitif. They all decided to go for the Perigord tasting menu. Mark, who seemed to be a bit of a wine connoisseur, ordered the wine, which was superb.
Then the conversation and feasting began. Richard, throughout dinner, was being particularly charming and amusing. Cassie found herself stealing lustful glances at him across the table. He insisted on paying for the dinner. He said he was celebrating.
“What are you celebrating?” Mark asked.
“The best honeymoon any man could wish for, of course,” Richard said as he turned and smiled at Cassie.
Mark and Janet raised their glasses and they all toasted. Cassie went through the motions, but internally she was completely dumbfounded. What was Richard playing at?
“To Honeymooners the world over,” Richard said as he raised his glass and grabbed hold of Cassie’s hand, making her giggle at Richard’s obvious intoxication. She might as well play along with it, she figured. This might be fun…kind of like playing make believe as a kid. He really was celebrating marrying her because of her, not because of his grandfather’s will.
Eventually, everyone was tired and three out of the four of them were drunk. Cassie had cut back, wanting to ensure that one of them was in proper condition for their walk back to the hotel.
After protracted farewells to Mark and Janet, Richard took hold of Cassie’s hand, causing a hot current to zip up her spine as they strolled along the cobbled streets, their arms pressing tightly against each other.
Sarlat in the evening
“I love the way the gas lamps cause the warm sandstone to glow,” Cassie said, looking up at the historic houses.
“Me too. This is my favorite place we’ve been,” he said. Then he tripped and nearly fell over.
“Oh my,” he said, accompanied by a deep baritone laugh. Putting his arm around her shoulder and sagging gently against her, he began to sing. “Show me the way to go home, I'm tired and I want to go to bed, I had a little drink about an hour ago, and it's gone right to my head.”
Cassie joined in the singing, unable to resist this relaxed side of Richard. It was the most his guard had been down since this whole adventure started and it was so endearing. His vulnerability at that moment appealed to her and she just wanted to be there for him. And the welcome affection of his body pressed against hers made her feel safe, like everything was absolutely perfect in that moment.
Back at the hotel outside their bedroom doors Cassie slipped the room card into her door and opened it. As she turned to look at Richard, he moved closer to her.
“A kiss goodnight, Cassie,” he said as he pulled her into his arms. She tilted her head as he moved in and allowed his mouth to move over hers. She knew he was drunk and he might well regret it in the morning, but she wasn’t about to analyze what she was so eager to accept. He pulled her closer, so that her breasts pushed against the hard plane of his chest. He angled his head to deepen their kiss. She gasped and his tongue slipped inside her mouth. Electricity zapped her brain and wriggled down the length of her body. He walked her into her room and toward the bed as his hand glided down her back and rounded over her bottom. She sensed her arousal and as desire swept up her spine; her hands began to explore her husband’s body, eager to learn more about it.
That voice in her head, the one with all the questions, was shut out. Who cared if this complicated things? So what if sex and alcohol were a bad combination. This was temporary; why not make the most of it. Cassie was all in and it might lead to trouble, but she was willing to take the risk. As for Richard, only he could answer that. At that moment, they’d both elected to allow their bodies to speak for them…all night long.
END OF PART ONE
If you enjoyed this sweet romance please leave me a review. Thank you.
Part Two of this story will be released on July 14th 2015
It can be pre-ordered here
Part Three of this story will be released on July 21st 2015
It can be pre-ordered here
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