“I’d like to see the pendant I noticed in the window.”
The woman smiled. “You know about the Miracle of the Firs?”
“Yes. From someone very special.”
“Just a moment and I’ll get one from the back.”
While Rachel waited, she wandered around until she came upon an Alsatian cookbook that was a first edition from the nineteenth century. She knew a certain chef who would love it. Without hesitation she pulled it from the shelf and carried it to the counter.
But another guest had gotten there ahead of her.
A certain tall, dark-haired male dressed in a dusky blue sport shirt and beige chinos, whose very presence had the power to turn her inside out.
Luc.
His bold gaze wandered up her jean-clad hips and body to her face, not missing a square inch of everything in between. He might just as well have set a torch to her.
“Bonsoir, Rachel.”
Shock at seeing him here tonight rendered her speechless.
The saleslady reappeared behind the counter. “Here’s the pendant you asked for. The green of the firs against the white background makes it a lovely piece of jewelry.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Luc concurred, sounding self-satisfied.
Rachel had not only been caught looking disheveled, she’d been caught in the act of making this particular purchase. It gave Luc tangible proof that his time spent with her had made an impact.
His eyes held a heart-pounding gleam. “Let me put it on you.”
In a lightning move, he took it from the satin-lined box and stepped behind Rachel to place it around her neck.
He smelled wonderful. He was wonderful, and exuded too much sex appeal.
When he lifted her hair to fasten it, she swayed from the sensation of his hands against her hot skin.
“She’ll take it,” he told the woman, “and the book.” Before Rachel could credit it, he’d drawn it from her arm and had put it on the counter.
“No, Luc—I’ll pay for everything,” she cried. His gesture had brought her out of her dream-like state, but it was no use. Ignoring her, he reached for his wallet and handed his credit card to the woman.
Rachel knew better than to make a scene. Later when they were alone, she would repay him.
The woman put the book and box in a bag.
After taking possession of it, he ushered Rachel into the lobby as if it were perfectly natural to treat her as if they were a couple.
The second she felt his hand grip her arm, the contact made her breath catch.
He steered her toward the staircase.
“Remy is sending up something special for our dinner. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t eaten all day and now I’m starving.”
Rachel was feverish over this unexpected opportunity to be with him. In fact she felt close to a faint. If he hadn’t been supporting her once they started up the stairs, she would have embarrassed them both by falling.
Her room was midway down the second-floor hall.
She fumbled in her purse for the key, which he took from her hand and inserted in the lock.
He opened the door, then waited for her to enter before shutting it behind them.