Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
He’s quiet for a moment, studying me, and then his face softens. “Okay, yeah, I get it.”
He reaches for a shelf near him and pulls out a small, delicate silver pendant in the shape of a lily. “For my mom,” he says simply. “She’ll appreciate something simple and classic.”
I watch him surreptitiously as he wanders off to pay for his gift, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint grin. There’s something so undeniably him about how he does everything. He’s careful, precise, but with that undercurrent of warmth he rarely lets slip.
I go back to browsing the shelves and find a pretty brooch in the shape of a butterfly that I think my mum will like. I add it to my basket and head up to the counter, and pay for my items. The small purchases somehow feel like the perfect cap to an incredible day.
Axel waits for me near the exit, and as I walk towards him, I’m already thinking about him, about the day we’ve shared, and about what tonight might hold.
Axel holds the door open for me, and I step outside. Outside, the streets of Paris are bathed in the warm glow of the late afternoon sun. Axel falls into step beside me, and we begin walking back towards the hotel. The city is alive with the hum of traffic, the scent of fresh bread, and the distant laughter of café patrons. Axel reaches into his pocket and pulls something small from it. He holds it out to me, a subtle grin on his face.
“For you.”
Curiosity sparks through me as I open it. With delight, I realize that it’s a tiny replica of the sculpture I loved earlier, the one with the flowing skirts and the delicate lines. It is just as perfect in miniature. My fingers trace its edges, and I look up at him, my eyes wide.
“Axel, thank you. This is perfect.”
He shrugs, a faint teasing glint in his eyes. “I thought you might like it. You seemed invested.”
“I love the Louvre. Every single thing about it,” I admit, sliding my hand into his as we continue walking as though it’s the most natural thing in the world. He intertwines his fingers with mine. “And tomorrow, it’s only fair that you get to choose anything you want us to do. I’ll go along with it.”
He raises an eyebrow, giving me a slow, deliberate once-over. His gaze is calculating and suggestive, and I feel the heat spike between us.
“Hey,” I say, smacking his arm lightly, laughing. “I’m not wasting a day in Paris for that.”
He smirks. “Fine. I’ll think of something other than that then.”
I bite my lip, a small, dangerous smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “But we can do that tomorrow night.”
He freezes, just for a heartbeat, and I see pure lust flicker in his eyes. I know I’m treading on unfamiliar ground, but the day has been so intoxicating, so full of laughter, teasing, and the magic of Paris. And right now, with him beside me, I don’t care about anything but the fresh breeze and the feel of his hand against mine.
Chapter
Twenty-Four
AXEL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulay2FvUEd8
-joe le taxi-
The hotel dining room is warm and small, the kind of place that looks like a Parisian brothel of old. There are dark red velvet curtains and oil paintings with gilded frames on the walls. Soft amber light spills from the candles stuck into dark wine bottles and bounces off the white tablecloths. For a fully booked hotel, the dining room is strangely empty. A sole waiter scuttles out of the room at my arrival.
Jo is already seated at the table by a window as I pull out my chair. Her hair catches the light and frames her face perfectly. She looks up as I scoot my chair out, her eyes sparkling with the excitement and energy she’s carried all day. My cock pulses without warning.
“Look at you,” I murmur, taking my seat across from her. “Still glowing after a day of running through the Louvre.”
She smirks, resting her chin on her hand. “Me? Glowing? You, on the other hand, look like you’re trying very hard to scare the waitstaff with your brooding.”
I let out a soft laugh. “This is not my brooding face. This is my ‘Wow, look at that beauty across the room’ face.”
She rolls her eyes, but her grin betrays her amusement. “Flattery again, Axel? You’re persistent.”
“Persistent pays off,” I say smoothly, leaning back slightly, enjoying the playful tension.
The waiter comes back with menus, and I take a moment to glance over the options. It’s a three-star hotel, but their dinner menu can’t be faulted. I let my eyes wander back to Jo. I’ve seen a lot in my life and encountered a lot of people, but she is unlike anyone else I’ve ever known. There’s something magnetic about her energy, her intellect, and the way she makes even a simple moment like this feel electric.