Chaperoning Paris (Collins Brothers)

by Victoria Pinder

  “Where were you?” Gigi asked.

  “I was at work, teaching economics at the high school.”

  Gigi brushed her hand on his arm, but didn’t dare hold him. “Wow. So what happened? I thought she died.”

  “She did.” Sean stopped and took a sip of his water. He swallowed then continued. “The police informed me six months ago they found her body in Los Angeles. She’d been mugged.” He frowned. “I always assumed she was on her way to Tibet. She said she needed to go there to study with the monks, but I don’t really care.”

  “You have the family you wanted. A son.” Gigi offered him a small smile. “And she named her after your grandfather.”

  Sean gave a short, mocking laugh then ate another piece of bread. His face dark and brooding, he chewed in silence.

  The children were unaware of the tension, and Gigi kept her hands in her lap. Finally Sean said, “Jennifer signed off on her parental rights in her good-bye letter for me, where she stated she stayed in town to take my money and run, which proved to me how stupid I had been.”

  “She didn’t?” Dumbfounded, Gigi stared at him. Her hand curled into a fist as she pictured herself defending Sean. “I’m sorry.”

  His eyes hollowed, and his face masked any emotion. He shook his head then shrugged. “You should understand her reasoning,” he murmured.

  Before she could reply, the waitress arrived with the food.

  Gigi didn’t move a muscle. She tried to eat, but the food didn’t sit right in her stomach. Caring about Sean would end in disaster for him and her. And they’d already been down that road.

  Chapter 10

  Sean stared at Gigi, who wasn’t eating. He hadn’t meant to hurt her with his comment. Or maybe he had. He blew out a breath. Part of him still hoped to get far away from her and their past. But she had to eat. He nudged Gigi’s plate of untouched food toward her. She glared at him, unmoving. But she was too skinny. He leaned closer to Gigi. “The waiters do not bring the bill to the table, Gigi, until everyone is done with the food. They will think you hated it or that you’re a rude American.”

  “I know that.” Gigi stared up at him. “How do you?”

  “I came here on vacation once or twice.” He stared pointedly at her cutlery.

  “There isn’t much on anyone’s plate, Ms. Dumont,” Kendra said encouragingly. “Even if you aren’t hungry, it’s delicious.”

  With a nod, Gigi picked up her fork at their urgings and slowly chewed her food. Sean watched as she grinned and color slowly reappeared in her cheeks. Good. About fifteen minutes later, the students seemed eager to leave, but he kept them in their seats. “After dinner we have a night tour and a stop at Napoleon’s tomb.”

  “Are there ghosts?” David asked, his eyes wide open.

  The girls in the seats next to him both jumped.

  “Don’t scare the women. You know better, son.” Sean smiled at the boy.

  After she finished eating Gigi ushered the hyper teenagers to the restroom and he dealt with the check. A few of the boys waited with him and he let them talk to waiter. They explained in French that Cape Cod was not near California, and not Virginia. The waiter asked how far from Los Angeles there home was, and they answered Boston was nowhere close. His heart grew swelled. The level of comprehension the students had impressed him. Gigi had worked hard and it showed. After they returned, he’d see she was rewarded. And a smile grew on his face.

  Once outside, Sean led the group to a waiting tour bus on the side street near the restaurant. The students bounded on but Kendra sounded disappointed. “What happened to the limo?”

  Gigi placed her hand on Sean’s forearm and his skin grew goosebumps. “This has windows for everyone to see out of, and a guide to explain the city.”

  The girl’s face fell down to her shoulders.

  Sean lifted his chin and was tempted to call the town car for a personalized tour. Gigi made a noise, and ushered everyone on board. He stared and his eyes must have grown wider. Her backside made his hand itch to grab her. And her tight black skirt showed off her curves.

  Last on board, he took the seat in the front. The students spaced out. The young female tour guide winked at him, and he saw Gigi freeze in place. He would have brushed it off but the tour guide said, “Your wife is unhappy, sir. I didn’t know about her.”

  Sean must have gazed too long at the young woman because Gigi came toward him with her arms crossed. “Is there an issue?”

  “Scout, sit down next to me.” He took her hand in his and helped her sit. Before she could complain, he whispered in her ear, “The guide believes we’re married.”

  “You should have corrected her,” she scolded with pinched lips, then stood up to find another seat.

  “Gigi, I’m not looking to complicate my life. Please stay,” he asked as she blinked at him. “I need you.”

  He kept his gaze glued to her. She stared past him and toward the guide. Then she dropped her arms and settled into her seat beside him. The bus driver turned on the engine, and she whispered to him, “I don’t know if she’ll buy our act.”

  “Don’t be stupid. I’d have married you at age five given the option.” The truth rang in his own ears. Married her before she’d murdered all his hopes and dreams.

  Gigi sat there stiff and uncomfortable for a long time. The guide pointed out the Place du Chatelet describing that most of the prisons near the Grand Chatelet were destroyed during the revolution.

  Two hours later, the bus turned toward Napoleon’s Camp near the Eiffel Tower. They’d be back to the hotel in less than ten minutes. Sean’s muscles tightened. Gigi would leave for her date then. He stood up and addressed the group. “Let’s get out for a few minutes.”

  “What?” Gigi asked.

  He squelched his desire to mouth off that her favorite French man had nothing. Instead, he surprised everyone and ushered the teenagers off the bus. Gigi glared at him but he’d use this as a delay tactic till he thought of something better. Yes. He knew this wasn’t mature, and he didn’t care. With a smile, he said, “After we take pictures, we can go to a café for pastry before bed.”

  Cheers from the teenagers turned Gigi’s frown into a grin. So much for French everything. Sean kept his gloat to himself and told himself to stop. Sure, he deserved someone who loved him and a family. And Gigi would never fit that bill. But his sex drive hoped to continue where they’d left off in the elevator. Gigi Dumont used to be his everything, and now he wanted his life back.

  Chapter 11

  Gigi’s head fell to her side. Sean kept stalling her. Why? He couldn’t want to spend time with her, and he couldn’t be jealous. Gigi straightened her clothes and stalled. She had no answer, but she knew in her heart that he cared a little. She shook her head. No way would he. Then she straightened up.

  “You can see how Napoleon trained his troops to be an efficient fighting force, can’t you?” Sean, his back to her, asked one of the students. “Battle formations began over there.”

  The boys pretended to understand the ways of wars and soon the girls began to yawn. Kendra, the leader of the pack, asked, “Can we go to the café now? I want to drink a real cafe au lait and people watch.”

  Gigi suppressed her smile. Kendra would be bored in three to five minutes of ‘people watching.’ She lived her life out loud and in color. Somehow Kendra would transform a simple sit-down to some action-packed event.

  Gigi smiled and called over to Sean, “Let’s get going to the café.”

  A few minutes later, the boys rejoined them on the bus. Sean brushed his hand on Gigi’s, adjusted his body next to her, then took his seat again. Her body warmed from his simple nearness. Awareness of him made her ache. She plopped into her seat beside him, but held her body stiff. “You bring a different energy to this trip. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Scout, I came here to help you. Now let’s get that coffee.” He patted her cold hand. “Relax.”

  Her mouth opened to argue with him about th
e nickname, but the words wouldn’t form. She’d let the familiar nickname slide, though she needed to stop obsessing over him. The cute young tour guide’s shadow came over Gigi’s seat. She turned to stare up at the girl who winked boldly at Sean. He squeezed Gigi’s hand and said, “Thank you for the tour.”

  “It was my pleasure, Mr. Collins.” The girl’s French accent gave off a flirting vibe. “You are not married. If you would like a private tour of my home later, I’d be happy to oblige.”

  “I will give Sean a tour of Paris, and it won’t include your ‘home,’” Gigi added fast and shoved her hair out of her eyes. The woman glared at her, and Gigi crossed her arms.

  Sean raised his eyebrow at her. “I’ll take you up on that.”

  Wait. What happened? Gigi frowned as the girl smiled and walked away. Had she been set up?

  The bus stopped and the teenagers piled off to go to the café near the hotel. Gigi tried to stand, but Sean caught and squeezed her hand. The tour guide stepped off the bus then Sean put his hand on her shoulder and whispered, “You were jealous, Gigi. I needed that.”

  “Don’t be stupid. Why should I be jealous?” She huffed out of her seat toward the door, but knew her face must be red. She kept a fast pace and followed the teenagers who filed into the café. Sean joined her a minute later, and took the seat beside her, again. The teenagers all rearranged seats to sit in a group.

  Gigi sighed and asked, “You going to laugh at me some more?”

  “I wasn’t laughing at you. Gigi, we will talk later. Alone.”

  His seductive blue eyes sent heat inside her that made her knees melt. Damn.

  Then he raised the stakes. “Unless you want to talk now.”

  “No. Later.” She couldn’t stand being his enemy anymore. She needed to breathe. She closed her eyes, and began to practice her breathing exercises. When she finished, she opened her eyes and whispered, “I’m going to the bathroom.”

  She scurried away and the students carried on. The second the ladies’ room door closed, she stared at herself in the mirror. Her face was hollowed again. Her skin had no luster. No way would Sean ever want her again.

  He’d disappear soon enough. She’d wash her hands of their hometown and move to Salt Lake City. No one would know her there, and it would be a fresh start. Disappearing would be good.

  Erica entered the ladies’ room, and Gigi quickly fluffed her hair. “Ms. Dumont, are you okay? You’re glowing, but your eyes say something else.”

  She glanced in the mirror and stared at her reflection. “I’m fine.”

  “Good,” Erica told her. “You’re here in Paris.”

  Gigi noticed that her cheeks had color today. For some strange reason, that struck a chord. Pasting a smile on her face, Gigi said, “You’re right. How could anyone be sad in the greatest city on earth? I’ll meet you back outside.”

  Erica held the door, but the second she stepped foot out of the bathroom door, Gigi met Sean’s stare. His blue eyes warmed her. Why? After all she’d done, he shouldn’t give her a chance to be near him. He should leave her alone, fire her, and tell her off.

  She swallowed. What could she say? ‘Kiss me again? Don’t mention the past?’ Without any grace, she slid into her seat, but she kept her mouth closed. Then she sniffed and inhaled the rich aroma of the coffee. Only Parisians knew how to make great coffee.

  She took a delicious sip. Then she took stock of the students, and noticed a few of them yawning. Today had been a long day, and they hadn’t slept since the plane ride. She suppressed a yawn. “Sean, we should get back to the hotel.”

  Sean sipped his coffee and said, “Have fun on your date tonight.”

  “Not tonight. Not anymore. I’m too tired.”

  The intent way he stared at her sent a shiver of desire that rushed through her veins. The tingles grew. Deep breath. Ignore what he said. “I’ll go the day after tomorrow to see my friend,” she added. “That’s all. We’ll stay another ten minutes, then we’ll get them upstairs to their rooms.” He nodded and motioned for the waiter and the bill. The students whispered in French and opened up their wallets. Suddenly Sean handed the waiter his card.

  The students shrugged and packed their bags. Gigi blinked. Had he paid for everyone again? With her hand on her hip, she said, “The students were required to bring money for incidentals like the café. It’s not fair you’re paying for everyone.”

  “I’ve made a lot more money today than I spent. Don’t worry about it.” He didn’t look at her and signed his name to the receipt.

  Her eyes narrowed. “You made money today? How? We’ve been flying and running around since we landed.”

  He shrugged. “All I have to do is click a few buttons on my phone. Work isn’t hard.”

  “For you. You majored in business?”

  “Accounting and finance, double major. I have my MBA, a masters in economics, and a masters in teaching too. My brain doesn’t shut off when it comes to numbers. Until my diagnosis, I stayed out of the family business though I’ve been well trained.”

  “At the beginning, I didn’t care about college. I was so mad at my mother. But I always enjoyed school, and the longer I stayed, the better I became.” She stared at Sean. “You then went to work as Conall Collin’s right-hand man?”

  He brushed past her body, and the friction sent butterflies in her stomach then nodded. “After being sick, I had nothing else to do and tracked our family and business funds. Making money is easy for me.”

  “I don’t have your financial finesse.” She had worked and lived her adult life without money. Now that her mother was dead, she should get that inheritance. One year in a steady job and in her mother’s house. She’d do this. She’d prove to her mother’s lawyers she deserved the money, then leave. She straightened. “Figuring out how to get the money to do something, and what you are willing to do to achieve it can be a reason to keep on living.”

  “Ensuring my children are happy and provided for has been my motivation once I passed my rebellious stage of wanting to live like ‘normal’ people.” He added, “You used to be happier.”

  “That was a long time ago.” Rolling her eyes, she finished her coffee in one sip. “Your mother had money, and still you ran,” he whispered. “You don’t need to anymore.”

  “Had. She had money. Most of it she spent to keep up her lifestyle, and I’m fighting to get the rest.” Sighing, Gigi refused to meet his eyes. “I don’t want to talk about her anymore, Sean.”

  “Don’t go on a date.”

  Her eyes narrowed on him. “It’s not a date. Cary’s my roommate, and I owe him my life.”

  Sean shrugged and sipped the last of his drink. Then he stood up, and offered his hand to help her stand. She accepted and squeezed his fingers for that electrifying moment. Then she stared at the children. “Let’s get back to the hotel. In one hour, lights out. Tomorrow you have a practice round on the stage, and we’re fitting in more sightseeing.”

  The quick jaunt to the hotel held no more surprises, and Gigi stopped at the front desk to phone Cary. Sean’s eyebrows rose, but he moved to keep his distance. She sighed then left a message, her thoughts scrambled. How could she convince Sean that Cary had always been a friend. And why did that matter so much to her?

  Chapter 12

  Gigi’s heart beat so fast she couldn’t think, so she took off right away. Tonight she had plans. She glanced around the small subway. Her night off meant she’d see Cary tonight. Her nose twitched and she traced her arms with her hands. The Paris train system at night had a strange smell of sex in the air. Gigi’s face winced every time she had stepped foot on the line and she took in this smell. She sighed. The first time she’d had sex, she’d been young and in love. Sean’s lovemaking had been tender, sometimes intense, but always filled with emotion. Now Gigi wrapped her arms around her and her feet rocked on the ground. The sweetest of memories haunted her.

  She unwound herself the moment the train stopped at her old stomping ground.
Tonight, she’d not think or be near Sean Collins. She de-boarded and followed the exit signs.

  How would she survive the week? The man she’d loved as a teen slept one hotel room away from her, and would for the next six days.

  She clutched her purse closer to her, and went forward. Tonight she couldn’t scratch on Sean’s door, even if she wanted to. He’d be sleeping at the time she came home.

  Crash.

  Glass broke above her head from the apartment building to the right and she heard Cary’s infectious laughter. She grinned and her steps grew wider. He must be having one of his infamous parties. Good. A party for an hour or two with old friends would clear her head of Sean Collins.