He drove ten minutes, then lowered the anchor. Once he’d pulled some drinks from the mini fridge, he walked over to the sculptured couch that ran the length of one side of the room to join her. He handed her a can of soda and sat on a chair opposite her.
“Thank you for coming with me. I wanted you to hear the whole truth from me in case something comes up during the days ahead that could worry you while you’re on vacation.”
Cami couldn’t stand it any longer. “Was it hard telling your father?” Heavens—how could it not be? Her heart ached for him. Though he and his parent had never gotten along, there had to be love deep down.
“Your compassion is extraordinary, but the truth is, I’ve wanted to break with my father since my preteens.”
She winced. “You’re serious.”
“Afraid so. I fought his demands for as long as I can remember. There’s no flexibility in him, no room for another avenue of thought. He was a virtual taskmaster who expected total obedience.
“When I was ten, he did something I couldn’t forgive. I kept a hamster in my bedroom. Jerome secretly bought it for me and taught me how to take care of it. My father didn’t allow animals of any kind. One day after school I found it dead and asked the maid what she knew about it. She was on my side and said my father had been in there earlier. From that day on I made preparations to run away from home.”
Cami couldn’t prevent tears trickling out of her eyes. His father’s cruelty shook her to the foundations. “Where did you go?”
“I borrowed a friend’s sleeping bag and stashed a lot of food on the top floor of the Tour de l’Est.”
She leaned forward. “What is that?”
“A massive round tower on the property I’ve been wanting to show you. Alain would love it. The land itself was deeded to our family and contains battlements from the fifteenth century.
“Years ago someone cleared out the old weapons and munitions from the east tower. Now its eight-foot-thick walls with rooms on four floors are used to store wine. During those days I was in hiding, I’d fill my thermos with water from the main floor sink when the guard did rounds outside.”
“I can’t believe it. How long were you gone?”
“Ten days.”
“Oh, Raoul. Your parents must have been terrified something horrible had happened to you.”
“They called the police who looked for me, but they didn’t find me. It was Jerome who figured out where I might be hiding. He was the one who’d shown me around the Tour when I was younger. Sure enough he came one night when the guard was patrolling the perimeter and called out to me. He talked me into going back to the château with him. Of course, it wasn’t hard to coax me.”
She smiled. “You ran out of food, right?”
He chuckled. “That, plus I admit I was happy to see him. He was always kind and told me I had to let my parents know I was safe. He backed me up and talked my father out of punishing me. Jerome knew what had happened to the hamster and understood how I felt. He counseled me that when I turned eighteen, I could go away legally if that was what I wanted.”
Cami stirred in place. “Why didn’t you take his advice?”
“I wanted to. In fact I would have joined Dominic in Paris. He broke with his father when he turned eighteen. I was a year younger and would have gone to Paris after my eighteenth birthday. But by then Jerome was diagnosed with lung cancer.”
“Oh, no—”
“He swore me to secrecy and didn’t even tell his wife. Because he was a scientist, he handled his health care in his own way and turned to alternative medicine.”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “What did he do exactly?”
“Jerome used holistic interventions of supplements, herbs, enzymes. He changed his diet and he prayed. Knowing he would eventually die, I couldn’t leave him because I loved him too much. Unfortunately I couldn’t even tell Dominic until the other day when we went shopping.”
She let out a moan. “So you’re saying your cousin had struggles with his father too. How heartbreaking.”
Raoul nodded. “Our fathers are clones of each other and pretty impossible. The reason Dominic took off to Paris was because his relationship with his father was so toxic. He worked at different jobs and put himself through college. Afterward he got in with a prestigious investment firm and became wealthy in his own right.”
“That’s incredible. You and your cousin are both alike.”
“Hardly. He stayed in Paris until last year.”
“That long?”
“Yes. Of course he came home for major events and vacations, but never to live. Then my aunt begged him to return because my uncle was ill with pneumonia and they thought he might die. So Dominic took over the funds department in the family until my uncle recovered and was made vice president of the company. I begged Dominic to stay on, which he did.”
She pressed a hand to her throat. “And you remained all these years because of Jerome.”
“Yes. After he died, I vowed to leave the family business altogether, but I had to make sure I could support myself when the time came. Jerome had talked to me about his many business ideas and what he’d do if he were only forty years younger. His ideas became mine and I began to see light at the end of the tunnel. But by then my life had turned upside down.”
“Because of the phone call from Sabine,” she murmured.
Raoul suddenly stood up. “That’s all in the past. Last night I told my father I was building a new life and memories. If he wants to be a part of Alain’s life, he’s welcome at the villa.”
Cami stared at the wonderful man who could still find forgiveness inside his soul. She adored Raoul. “What did your father say?”
“It stunned him when I told him I’d resigned. There was nothing more to say and I left the office.”
“I take it he didn’t run after you.”
“That’ll be the day.”
Cami might have lost her father early, but she’d always known she was loved to death. She hurt for Raoul who would never know that feeling. His father didn’t deserve him. “I’m glad you’ve told me what happened. It’s better to be forewarned.”
She didn’t know what the future would hold, but at least she knew he’d be happy at home with his son and running his new business. No one could have fought harder through his agony for what he wanted. If his father did anything to bring him more pain, she couldn’t bear it.
For once in her life, she couldn’t follow her mother’s advice. There was no way she could tell him about her heart condition now. He was building a new life and didn’t need anything else to worry about. As she’d once told her mother, his life was full of heartbreaks. The last thing she’d want to do was add to them.
* * *
Raoul glanced at the woman he loved. It always helped when he talked to her. Cami looked beautiful in a soft peach-toned sweater and jeans. Today she’d worn her hair back with a clip. It made him want to undo it and run his fingers through its glossy blackness again. But he’d do it later after they’d talked.
Raoul walked over to the open kitchen area and made coffee before putting it on the table. “I hope you’re hungry because I am. Shall we eat?”
“That sounds good.”
After pouring the steaming brew into mugs, he put out the cartons of Chinese food. They started eating before he handed her a fortune cookie, which she opened.
“A big event is going to change your life,” she read aloud. “What does yours say?”
He smiled at her before opening his. “First comes the rain before you can expect sunshine. I don’t know if I like the sound of that.”
“I agree neither fortune is very reassuring.”
“Let’s forget them. I want to talk about a week from Saturday.”
Her gaze flew to his. “What’s so important about it?”
/> His black eyes impaled her. “Dominic and Nathalie have invited us to a party. They want us to spend an evening with them.”
She bit her lip. “That’s sounds lovely, but by then I’ll be on vacation with my mother.”
He stopped chewing. “I realize that, but you won’t be away from Vence, will you?”
“No, but I’ll be busy.”
“The whole time?”
“Yes.”
Raoul put down his fork and reached for her hand. “What’s going on with you, Cami? Don’t tell me it’s nothing. I’ve been around you long enough to know something is wrong. Why are you putting me off when you know I’m dying to be with you day and night?
“The only reason I haven’t tried to make love to you is because you’ve been in my employ. But that’s over and now that you’re going to be on vacation, there’s no reason why we can’t be together all the time. I know in my heart you wouldn’t be with me if you didn’t feel the same way I do. Surely you realize by now that I want to marry you.”
She eased her hand away, refusing to look at him. “You couldn’t possibly mean that.”
“You think I don’t? Trust me. I fell for you the first day we met. Don’t tell me it’s too soon. I know what I feel. Sometimes love happens at first sight and it happened to us. You can’t deny it.”
“There is no us. There can’t be.” She jumped up from the table and moved over to the couch.
He followed and sank down, sliding his arm around her shoulders. “What do you mean there can’t be? There’s something you’re not telling me. You’ve been elusive from that first amazing day. I’ve been waiting for you to tell me how you feel, but you’ve held back. I’ve spilled my guts to you, but maybe that isn’t enough. Is it because I have a son?”
“How can you ask me that?” she cried out. Her cheeks had gone hot with color. “I’ve loved every minute he’s been with us. He’s the most precious thing on earth!”
“Then what am I missing here?”
She lowered her head. “You and I come from different worlds. You’re the son of a duke and a duchess. I’m the daughter of a taxi driver and a cleaning lady.”
“Come on, Cami,” he bit out. “Don’t pull that nonsense on me. The ridiculous business about people being born on the wrong side of the tracks has always been absurd, and I don’t buy it for a second. That’s not honest. I want the truth from you. If you only knew how I felt about you.”
Without conscious thought he put his hands on her upper arms and heard a cry escape her lips. She fought him, but he refused to let her go and pulled her against his chest.
“I’ve been desperate to get close to you. That first week I used work as the only ploy I could think of to keep us together. It couldn’t be any surprise that I’ve fallen deeply in love with you.”
Her body was trembling. “You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“Then why have I been in agony every time you’ve had to leave and go home? You have no idea what I went through when I had to leave town. It was pure torture for me not to be able to see your exquisite face and hold you in my arms.”
“Don’t say anything else.”
“I can’t help it.” He turned her so she would look at him. “You’re all I can think about, and I know you have the same problem. When I caught you in my arms that first day, we both recognized something glorious had happened. After Antoinette, the last thing I ever expected was to fall in love again, but I did.”
“Y-You don’t know what you’re talking about.” The words came out halted.
“Oh, but I do.” He slid his hands to her flaming cheeks. “Before we do anything else, I’m dying to kiss you. Don’t deny me what I’ve longed for.”
He lowered his head, needing her kiss like he needed air to breathe. After moaning in protest, the mouth he’d been craving to taste again finally opened to the pressure of his. Her response electrified him and they clung to each other. He’d been wanting this for so long.
No kiss could satisfy him. It wasn’t long enough or deep enough. Raoul never wanted it to end. Their hunger for each other caused him to lose track of everything but loving this divine woman who’d come into his life. He hadn’t expected to feel love like this again, not after what he’d been through.
“You’re so beautiful, and I love you so much. Marry me, Cami, just as soon as it’s possible,” he whispered, covering her face and throat with kisses. “We belong together and need each other desperately.”
“Raoul—” she cried, but he smothered the sound and pulled her down on top of him.
“Let me love you, mon tresor. I almost died when I had to leave you last night to go to the office. Don’t put me off now.”
For a while longer they tried to appease their longing for each other. But far too soon his ecstasy was cut off when she pulled away from him and raced to the kitchen area.
He hurried after her, but she’d backed up against the counter. “Please don’t touch me again. We can’t do this, Raoul. I can’t. I stopped believing in love a long time ago. Let’s agree that we’ve found ourselves attracted and vulnerable, nothing more, but it mustn’t go on.”
“Cami—” He was frustrated out of his mind.
“I mean it, Raoul. I treasure the time I’ve spent with you and Alain and all the wonderful things you’ve done for me, but it has to be over.”
“Has to be over? Can’t? Mustn’t? You’re not making sense!”
“Please will you take us back,” she begged him. Tears poured from her eyes. He’d never seen her like this before. Something was terrifying her, but he couldn’t get answers from her right now. She’d closed up on him for the time being.
“I’ll take us back, but you have to promise me you’ll come to the villa tomorrow. It’s a special day, Jerome’s birthday in fact. I want to honor his memory at the cemetery and would like to take you and Alain with me. If you’ll come at noon, I’ll fix lunch and we’ll leave.”
She swallowed hard. “If I come, will you promise not to press me about marriage?”
“I didn’t realize how much your divorce still pains you,” his voice grated. Why hadn’t she told him everything? “But yes, I promise.”
In deep pain, he reluctantly let her go and walked forward to the console. After raising the anchor, he drove the boat back to port. When he pulled in the slip, he turned to see her tear-splotched face. “This isn’t the end, Cami. I can promise you that.”
She refused to look at him while she removed her life jacket.
Raoul would give it through tomorrow. After that, he’d do whatever it took to break her down, even talk to her mother.
* * *
Cami arrived at the villa at noon on Sunday looking gorgeous in a red sweater and black skirt. He’d left the back door open for her. Today she’d worn her hair tied back with a black-and-red print scarf. She was stunning. A flowery fragrance clung to her.
She was a vision, but Raoul didn’t try to kiss her. “I hope you like steak for lunch.” They were sizzling on the grill.
Cami flashed him one of those sunny smiles, but he knew she was hiding a secret from him. He had a hard time believing she hadn’t recovered from her divorce. What else it could be he had no idea.
“First an Olympic swimming champion, now a cordon bleu chef!”
Laughter burst out of him. “Anything to impress you.”
“Cam—” Alain called out pointing to her.
“Bonjour, Alain!” She hurried over to kiss him.
Raoul had put his son in the high chair by the table and had wrapped a bib around his neck.
She sat down next to him. “Um. Junior chicken and noodles in the jar and a banana.” Cami looked up at Raoul. “Can I feed him?”
“He’s waiting for you.”
He watched her get busy cutting the banana into bite-size pieces. “Do you want so
me bananas too?” she asked Raoul.
He chuckled and watched her find ingenious ways to feed him his chicken.
“Bana—”
“Yes. You want more of those, don’t you?”
While she fed him, Raoul put the salad and brioches on the table with their plates of steak. Lunch was an incredibly happy affair. When it was time to leave, she wiped Alain’s hands and mouth with a moist cloth.
“Lunch was delicious, Raoul. Thank you.”
He had to get a grip on his emotions that were bursting inside of him. After finding his son’s little coat, he put it on him and they walked out to the car. Alain was making happy noises as he fastened him in his car seat in back. Then he drove them down the drive to the main street. Cami talked to his son while Raoul took them to the estate and wound around to the cemetery.
The headstone for his grandfather hadn’t been placed yet. Raoul kept going until he came to Jerome’s grave and stopped the car.
“Will you come with us?”
“Of course.”
She got out while he opened the back door and pulled Alain from his car seat. Holding him in one arm, he reached for the tin of flowers on the floor and carried everything to the site.
“Cam—” Alain called out and reached for her. To Raoul’s delight she pulled him into her arms. He played with the ends of her scarf. Raoul put the daisies at the base of the monument.
“Aren’t the flowers pretty?” She let Alain get down but held on to his hand. “Those are marguerites. Can you say mar-guer-ites?”
He listened, then said, “Marg—” emphasizing the hard g. It made her chuckle.
“That’s right. Your papa sent my mother marguerites. She loved them. I think they must be his favorite fleur.”
“Fleur.”
“Yes!” Cami cried excitedly. “You know that word and are so smart.” She leaned over to give him a hug. Though Raoul’s thoughts were on Jerome, he watched her take Alain on a little walk, talking to him the whole time. Her tenderness with his son touched him to the core.
Falling For His Unlikely Cinderella (Escape To Provence Book 2) Page 11
