Seductive Affair (Bend To My Will #2) (2 page)

“You may wonder how Frenchwomen
waft
, or leave an enticing trail of scent. The trick is to spray perfume on your scarf or jacket, not only on your skin,” Mr. Hénin said.

Vivienne smiled. “Good tip. I’ll try it now.” The owner sprayed one of his unique blends over her scarf, and she breathed in. “Wonderful.”

“Thank you,” Alfred said. “We’ll be in touch.”

The day had been fruitful. After leaving the shop, they stopped for lunch, and spent time discussing business. Later that afternoon, Alfred had a meeting, but he didn’t leave Vivienne unattended. He hired a guide to show her more of Paris while he was away, and invited her for a late dinner.

“We’ll meet at Le Cinq, in the Four Seasons. Lots of old Paris charm,” Alfred said. “And great food.”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” Vivienne said. When he slid into a taxi, she turned to Lorraine, her new guide.

“What would you like to see?” Lorraine said.

“I’d love to see Luxembourg Gardens,” Vivienne said.

“Good choice. All the flowers are in bloom.” Lorraine ushered her into a small car. Vivienne watched out the window, taking in more of the sights, while the guide narrated.

It was a good trip so far, and had only just begun. It was so exciting that Vivienne had nearly forgotten about Jacob, but not quite. In a moment of fancy, she wished Jacob was the one escorting her. He was the only thing missing in an otherwise perfect holiday. But Vivienne wasn’t mad at him anymore; she just missed him.

Chapter 3

Swept up in the magic of Paris, Vivienne excitedly anticipated each new experience. The lovely parks filled with colorful flowers, the classic architecture, and the succulent cuisine embodied the unique spirit of the city. Some attractions, such as the Louvre Museum, required more time to appreciate.

The next morning was devoted to touring the museum, and even then, Vivienne could have spent a week there. After making their way through the main entrance, an enormous glass pyramid, Alfred guided her around the huge interior. Still they got lost, discovering many hidden rooms and exhibits. It was like being in another world.

“I’m so impressed,” Vivienne said. “I’ve seen the
Mona Lisa
, which was so much smaller than I expected. And the
Venus De Milo
sculpture. Even
Winged Victory
.” She learned it was one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world, created to honor the goddess of victory after a sea battle.

“I marvel at that sculpture, the way it conveys a sense of action and triumph, as well as portraying her flowing robe, as though the goddess was descending upon the prow of a ship,” Alfred said. “Seeing such works makes a lasting impression. There is something so timeless about the art.”

“Too bad we can’t see it all in one visit,” Vivienne said. “The sheer volume of art housed in this building is daunting.”

“Yes, it’s a beast of a museum. We can only see the highlights, but I knew you wouldn’t want to miss it,” Alfred said. “There are so many thousands of works from Mesopotamian, Egyptian, and Greek antiquities it would take months, even years, to do justice to it…if one could.”

“I’ve seen Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, and so many more.” Vivienne smiled. “It’s turned me into an art groupie.”

Alfred laughed.

“I mean it,” Vivienne said. “Seeing these works is unbelievable.” She worked her way through the sea of people in the halls. “I don’t even mind the crowds. It’s worth it.”

Looking up, Vivienne gazed at the frescoed ceiling, depicting the legend of Icarus. He flew his chariot too close to the sun, melting the wax in his wings, and falling to his death. The painting was rich with vibrant blues and deep reds. “It’s so moving,” she said. “It’s like a story painted in color across the ceiling.”

Outside in the courtyard, they visited one of the sculpture gardens. It was good to be out in the fresh air, since the museum was hot and stuffy. Vivienne lifted her camera. “I can get some photos now.” Flashes damaged the paintings, and
No Flash Photography
signs were posted throughout the building. So inside she hadn’t been able to get any decent pictures.

“I don’t know about you, but I worked up an appetite in there,” Alfred said.

“Lunch sounds great.” Vivienne was thirsty, more than anything, because of the warm museum.

“I know just the place, and service should be quick,” Alfred said, “So we’ll make it to our afternoon appointments.”

*****

After eating, Alfred took Vivienne to more shops, introduced her to some of his contacts in the perfume industry, and refocused on business. Later over dinner, he proposed a business arrangement. It sounded good, and Vivienne said she would review the details with an attorney before concluding the agreement.

The evening promised to be yet another treat, because Alfred had tickets to the theater. The performance had
surtitles
, so the English-speaking attendees could understand what the actors said in French. Alfred explained that surtitles were similar to subtitles, but different because the words were projected on a screen
above
the stage, as opposed to written
below
the
film like in movies.

The show was
Cyrano de Bergerac
at Théâtre Michel, in the heart of Paris. It was a play Vivienne was familiar with, having seen it before in New York. A brilliant soldier in the French army was riddled with self-doubt because of his extra-large nose, which hampered his love life. Cyrano, also a talented poet, provides a handsome fellow soldier with the words to woo Lady Roxane, the beauty they both love.

Seeing the classic tale performed in Paris was special. Vivienne wore one of her skimpy, sparkly dresses. She was in a festive mood, and preferred dressing up, although she saw people in much more casual attire. It reminded her of attending the theater with Jacob, when he’d said it wasn’t the same if he didn’t dress well.

Despite its location off the main boulevard and the building’s unimposing appearance, the theater was elegant inside. The interior looked Roman, with red seating and gold balconies. Alfred assured her that the venue had an exceptional reputation in the arts.

They had balcony tickets that enabled them to see the English surtitles. Plus they were the best seats in the house. Before the play started, the announcer welcomed the audience as if they were old friends, and provided background about the theater. Then he gave an overview of the storyline, to further enhance their enjoyment of the performance.

Alfred leaned over to whisper in her ear. “In the old days, they used to keep the lights on in theaters so that everyone could see each other. The theater was a place to see, and to be seen.”

“A source of major gossip, I assume,” Vivienne whispered back. She imagined handsome Frenchmen in tights, and ladies in corsets discreetly watching each other during the evening.

The lights went down, and the show began. Vivienne was immediately drawn into the story. During the performance, the actors meandered through the aisles and up into the balcony, making her feel very much a part of the action.

This particular adaptation of
Cyrano de Bergerac
used a violinist who followed Cyrano throughout the performance, and played to express his emotions. He blended seamlessly with the actor as if the two were one, adding an enchanting dimension.

At intermission, Vivienne sat on a velvet seat in the crowded lobby, while Alfred went to the restroom. Sipping some fruit punch, still absorbed in the play and not back to reality yet, she looked around at the other attendees. A stunning woman with platinum hair smiled at the man she was with. He had dressed up for the occasion in a tailored suit.

The man turned and walked toward Vivienne. She blinked, and for an instant it seemed like she hadn’t left home, that Paris had been a dream. Yet the soft cushion was still beneath her, and as before, the audience milled about the ornate lobby.

But the hunky guy walking toward Vivienne was definitely…
Jacob
.

Vivienne stood up, and Jacob closed the distance between them. The scent of his cologne made her dizzy, and at the sound of his voice her heart skipped a beat. He wore a white satin shirt under a well-fitted jacket. Vivienne’s gaze fell to the dark blue tie around his neck, one she recognized.

“Hello, Vivienne.”

Spellbound, she could only stare. But even before the initial shock wore off, Vivienne spoke. “Jacob. You’re in Paris?”

“I’ve been here for several days,” Jacob said, his blue eyes captivating her. “Tonight, I’m in the balcony on the other side of the theater.” He paused. “It’s a pleasure to see you, Vivienne. You look beautiful.” His eyes roamed over her body, making Vivienne wish she’d worn something less skimpy.

Now Jacob is polite? What is with him?
He had pulled the rug right out from under her, dumped her at an emotional moment, and now
it was a pleasure
to run into her…in Paris of all places.

Without hesitation, Vivienne blurted out, “Are you following me?” There was no other explanation. She glanced across the room to see the platinum blonde chatting with another well-dressed gentleman.

Vivienne narrowed her eyes. “I’m keeping you from your date,” she said, borrowing one of Jacob’s lines. “She seems to have already found another man. If she’s lucky, he will be more attentive than
you
are.”

Jacob looked puzzled, then turned to see where Vivienne was looking. He smiled at her.

“You think it’s funny?”

“No, not at all.” Jacob rubbed his chin, suppressing another smile. “She’s not my date. I don’t know her any better than you do.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I was standing in the lobby, and she said something to me about the play,” Jacob said.

Vivienne wanted to hide under the velvet bench.
And there’s that smile again
.

Jacob’s eyes sparkled. “However…I think I like you jealous.”

“You wish.” Vivienne was insulted.

Then Jacob’s expression grew serious. “What about the guy you’re with?”

“I came to Paris with Alfred. I’ve known him for a while.” Vivienne got perverse pleasure in making Jacob jealous. It was only fair.

Jacob’s jaw stiffened, his gaze intense. “I hope that’s your way of jacking me around.”

“I don’t see that it matters,” Vivienne said, then rubbed it in more. “It’s my life, and I can see any man I want to.” She lifted her chin. “You have no right to be jealous, anyway.”

“Because?”

“
You
left
me
…remember?” Vivienne was annoyed. “You can’t have it both ways.”

Jacob’s sexy look melted her, but Vivienne held firm.

“I’d like to see you, Vivienne. Will you have lunch with me tomorrow?” Jacob waited.

Flustered, Vivienne sighed. “I don’t know if I can. I’m here on business, and I’m not sure how the day will go.”

“I’ll call you,” Jacob said.

He hadn’t asked where Vivienne was staying, so she assumed he knew. She had come to expect his rude behavior, and his assumption that he had the right to violate her privacy. Jacob probably knew why she was in Paris, and had kept track of her activities. Vivienne wasn’t as annoyed as she should have been. She was getting used to his strange ways.

Alfred strode up to her. “We better get back to our seats,” he said. “I ran into a guy I know, and talked too long.”

Yeah, me too
. “It’s okay,” Vivienne said. “I see the lights going down now. We’ll make it.”

With the lights dimmed, Vivienne gazed at the stage, refusing to look across at Jacob. He was probably watching her, but she didn’t care. He’d ruined her trip to Paris. Everything was going so well. She hadn’t even been thinking about him…too much.

And now Jacob appeared and wanted to what? Make up? Vivienne wasn’t sure how much more she could take. But she did a lousy job of saying no. Jacob was impossibly sexy, and she was weak-willed around him.

The play continued, and Vivienne tried to pay attention. But she couldn’t resist contemplating lunch with Jacob, and was looking forward to it. Butterflies fought in her belly at the prospect of being alone with him.

Jacob was the man for her. But no matter what, Vivienne couldn’t let him know that. He was arrogant enough. If he thought he had her in the palm of his hand, it would be a disaster. She had
some
pride.

Vivienne looked across the theater, but it was too dark to see Jacob. When the performance ended, the lights went up. The actors came out on stage and made the effort to speak English, shouting out to the English-speaking crowd up in the balconies.

The audience erupted in applause, and Vivienne looked across to the other balcony, just as Jacob got out of his seat and walked toward the exit. It appeared he was alone. Although he was unusual in many ways, it didn’t lessen Vivienne’s attraction to him. When Jacob disappeared from sight, desire swamped her, making her pray that he really
would
call.