Seductive Affair (Bend To My Will #2) (3 page)

Chapter 4

The night wasn’t kind to Jacob. The prospect of seeing Vivienne the next day should have buoyed his spirits, but he was a long way from having her. He tossed and turned, plagued by the dark dreams that refused to release him.

Before dawn, Jacob woke up sweating, taking a moment to reorient to his unfamiliar surroundings. Trying to go back to sleep was useless, so he got up and took a hot shower. As the spray pounded on his shoulders, he was overcome with visions of the woman he craved.

Wearing her skimpy dress, Vivienne had aroused Jacob to the point of obsession. He wanted to rip if off, hold her voluptuous body, and give her the pleasure she deserved. Soon he would. Jacob was used to having what he wanted, and expected this would be no different.

For weeks, Jacob wavered in his intention, knowing that the lovely woman he wanted might be better off without him. Yet he couldn’t wipe her from his mind, or repress his urges. Until Jacob had Vivienne in his playroom, he would not be satisfied.

Thus far, the easiest thing had been to annoy Vivienne. Her ire was quick to rise when she perceived that his manners were lacking, or he invaded her privacy. No woman had complained before, so this was a new twist.

Yet Vivienne was not like other women, which made Jacob want her more. And if it took a softer touch to entice her, then he was up to the task. She hadn’t outright refused to see him, which gave him reason to hope. He couldn’t have blamed Vivienne if she had denied him, considering his behavior in New York.

If only Vivienne understood that Jacob was thinking of her best interests, or at least he had been. Now he couldn’t say that with confidence, because he had no other way to placate his need than to take the woman he desired. So forgetting her just wasn’t an option.

Jacob got out of the shower and dried off. As he dressed, he pondered how the day would unfold, and hoped that what he had planned wouldn’t be objectionable to Vivienne. He didn’t claim to understand her, but Jacob had learned that a little romance was the best approach. It was outside his comfort zone, but Vivienne was worth it.

Jacob turned on the lights and booted up his laptop. Since it was early, he could get some work done. He answered a few emails, then sent the details of some purchases to his marketing manager. Traveling to wine regions was often handled by his staff. But Jacob liked to find some undiscovered gems on his own. Importing a new wine to offer to his distributors was good for expansion.

And in this case, it brought him to France and close to Vivienne, which was the real reason for the trip. He’d arrived a day before she had, although he hadn’t contacted her right away. Jacob had business to attend to first.

As an importer, he had a reputation for conscientious and honest dealings. Small wine producers didn’t have the same protections as the famous producers. They were often too busy with harvesting to keep up with accounting, and payments for merchandise could be delayed without them raising an objection.

Some unscrupulous wholesalers might order a second shipment before paying for the first. A family winery might comply, not wanting to cut ties, and possibly losing out on the first payment. But Jacob paid upon delivery, thus gaining the loyalty and cooperation of small growers. His father had built Rinaldi Imports based on fair dealings, and Jacob stayed true to that ideal.

The sun lit the windows of Jacob’s room, and he stood up to stretch. Lunch was a long way off, so he went downstairs to satisfy his rumbling stomach with breakfast. During the meal, he answered several texts. One was from his finance director regarding an accounting issue that couldn’t wait.

The other was from his assistant Megan, wanting to know how long he would be in France. That was a good question. It partly depended on Vivienne, so he replied:
Undetermined. Will let you know
.

Jacob had no plan to return to New York until Vivienne did so. The days and weeks without her had been pure torture, and he had no desire to revisit it. If he had his way, he would win her over, ending the pain of being apart. He hoped that Alfred wouldn’t be a problem, and she had said he was a
friend
.

How the relationship with Vivienne developed was up to Jacob, and he vowed to make it right this time. He texted Vivienne, pleased that she immediately replied.

Hi, Jacob.

I didn’t know if you’d be up.

Yes, I got up early and went to the gym here.

How does your day look?

Alfred had some business, so I’m free.

I’ll pick you up at ten?

Yes. What should I wear?

Dress casual. We will be on a boat
.

*****

When Vivienne opened the door, Jacob’s mouth went dry. She wore leather boots with beige jeans that hugged her hips and thighs, paired with an ivory-colored cashmere sweater. Her blond hair framed her lovely face, and her pouty lips were a deep red.

“You are stunning,” Jacob said, watching Vivienne as she stepped into the hall and closed the door behind her. He put two fingers under her chin and looked into her green eyes. “Absolutely. Stunning.”

Vivienne gave him a coy smile. “You can turn on the charm when you want to.”

Jacob took her arm. “As long as it works.”

“It works on me.” Vivienne glanced away. “So where is this boat?”

“It’s a riverboat on the Seine and it will take us to lunch. And along the way, we’ll pass some of the city’s top attractions.”

Vivienne looked vibrant. Jacob hoped that
he
was the cause. “Jardin de Plantes, the Eiffel Tower, and other sights. You’ll see.”

“We couldn’t drive?” Vivienne said, teasingly.

“What’s the fun in that?” Jacob took her hand. “Plus, you might see things from the river that you’d miss when walking around or driving.”

They got to the boat and secured seats on the upper deck. The weather was comfortable, with a light breeze. Jacob was glad to see Vivienne enjoy the ride. They passed museums, art galleries, and historic cathedrals along the way. He pointed out the chic neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, filled with bustling boutiques and prestigious art galleries.

Passengers hopped on and off at each stop. “Maybe next time we can do some sightseeing.” But right then, Jacob wasn’t interested in any of the cruise sights except one. When the boat stopped at the riverbank by Notre Dame, he guided Vivienne off the boat.

Jacob wrapped his arms around Vivienne, and she looked up at the massive cathedral. “It’s absolutely…heavenly.”

The Gothic architectural style with pointed spires and flying buttresses was awe-inspiring. “That’s the best description I’ve heard,” Jacob said, admiring the circular rose window on the front of the building, where the Virgin Mary stood with an angel on each side.

The restaurant wasn’t far. At Le Petit Chatelet, they were shown to a table on the second floor with a view of Notre Dame. “This is so…
romantic
,” Vivienne said.

“I hoped you’d think so.”

The quiet restaurant had the ambience of a French chalet, with a stone fireplace and tile floors. It was an oasis in a very touristy area. Jacob chose it because of the atmosphere, and was pleased to see Vivienne liked it.

When the waiter came by, Jacob ordered a bottle of Bordeaux from Saint-Emilion. “I’m taking your advice,” he said.

Vivienne tilted her head. “What advice?”

“That since I’m a wine importer, I should drink more wine.”

“I don’t think I said it quite that way.” Vivienne fingered her napkin. “But it does kind of make sense.”

Jacob wasn’t prepared to tell her the reason for his attraction to the stronger stuff, so he changed the subject. “You’re in Paris on business?”

“Yes, Alfred has made me a good proposition.”

I’ll bet he has
. “A new prospect for your perfume shop?” Jacob knew she was in the city for business reasons, and that she’d visited many of the shops. But he hadn’t been able to discern the details of her relationship with Alfred Dunham.

“It looks like a pretty good opportunity,” Vivienne said.

The waiter arrived with the wine and bread, interrupting them. Jacob was anxious to hear what she had to say. As soon as the wine was poured, he said, “You were saying…”

“Alfred wants to sell perfumes online. I’d be the perfumer, and a consultant. I’d choose the scents, plus blend some unique ones for us.”

Jacob didn’t like the sound of the word
us
. “So Alfred would handle the business side of it?”

“He can do all the technical stuff.” Vivienne took a sip of her wine, making Jacob want to touch her full lips. “Plus, he’s very business-minded.”

Jacob bristled. “I could do all of that for you,” he said. “I oversee all the technical functions of our company.”

Vivienne stiffened. “Well…
you
haven’t been around. Have you?” She looked across the table at him. “And you know perfumes?”

“I was educated by one of the best.” Vivienne’s cheeks flushed, turning Jacob on. The memory of the after-hours interlude in her shop was still vivid. “I’m not trying to anger you, Vivienne.”

“Then what are you trying to do, Jacob?” Once again he had rubbed Vivienne the wrong way, even with the best of intentions. “What are you doing in Paris?”

“I thought I’d pick up some wine.”

“Yes, I’m sure.” Vivienne took another sip of wine, as if for fortification. “You kept track of me, didn’t you? I know how you like to investigate, and know all about me. You came to Paris because you found out that I would be here.”

Jacob shrugged. “You’re getting mad again, Vivienne.”

“What did you expect?”

What do I expect? That if you were mine…you’d respect my wishes. But you’re not yet
. “What if I told you that I thought of you
every day
?” Jacob reached across the table and took Vivienne’s hand. “Because I did.
Every minute
. Of
every day
.”

Vivienne’s eyes glistened with tears. “I don’t know what to think, Jacob.” She twirled her wine glass, and he waited. Jacob looked into her green eyes, and it was as though he could see all the way to her soul.

“I can handle the sex,” Vivienne said, lifting her chin. “Crying isn’t always bad, you know. But I am angry at you. Very angry. For not giving me a chance to tell you what I was feeling. For leaving me with no explanation.”

Jacob had nothing to say.

“But what I can’t handle,” Vivienne said, “is your moods. One minute you are romantic and charming, the next you are hotter than sin. But it hurts me when you shut me out, Jacob. Whatever is inside of you, the darkness you hide from me, don’t turn me away. I’m not afraid of it.” She paused. “Are you?”

Chapter 5

Vivienne’s brave expression made Jacob’s self-restraint evaporate. Her green eyes met his, and Jacob knew she was a woman who would bend, but not break. He could have warned her about what she was getting into, but he was past that.

“No, Vivienne…I’m not afraid.” That wasn’t entirely true, because Jacob didn’t intend to share the darkness within. There was no reason to. But was Jacob afraid of taking her, of making Vivienne
his
? Not for a second. That was something he looked forward to.

Vivienne’s admission that she could handle the sex unleashed the animal inside Jacob. From the encounters so far, he tended to believe her. “You are right,” he said. “I should have talked to you. Caring for you after sex is up to me. I won’t fail you again.”

Jacob’s words seemed to throw her off. “What does that mean, exactly?” Vivienne said.

“It means we will talk. As much as you want to,” Jacob said. “I want to understand. You aren’t like any woman I’ve known, and I seem to have botched things at every turn.” He reached for her hand. “But no more.”

“That’s a big promise to make,” Vivienne said, but for once she wasn’t angry with him.

“If you give me the chance, I’ll keep it.”

The waiter arrived with their food, interrupting them. A restaurant wasn’t a place to get into this further anyway. “
Merci
,” Jacob said to the waiter, who bowed and left them alone again.

“Let’s enjoy our meal. But I would like to continue this conversation.”

“So would I,” Vivienne said, and he knew she meant it.

The crawfish served over cucumber noodles was fresh with sweetness, and had a hazelnut crunch to it. The homemade pesto on the side was the finishing touch. The chef was talented. “The meals here are extraordinary.”

“Mmm, this is delicious,” Vivienne said.

When the seared sea bass arrived, it was just as good. “The fish is so tender,” Vivienne said. “And this cream sauce on the vegetables is so light and tasty.”

Watching her was a greater pleasure than the meal. Vivienne was quick to express her pleasure, and made no effort to hide her enjoyment. It stirred a sense of pride in Jacob, and he was pleased that she was having a good time. It was a step in the right direction.

They ordered dessert with coffee to complete the meal. Vivienne made little purring sounds as she ate the poached pear with lavender ice cream, reminding Jacob of how she looked on the verge of orgasm, which aroused him.

As they finished eating, Jacob found an opportunity to make his request.

“Do you visit France often?” Vivienne said, between bites.

“Yes, I have a villa in Provence, where I often stay.”

“That must be lovely.” Vivienne put her spoon down. “But you are in a hotel now?”

“Only for some business I had to attend to in Paris.”

“I see.”

“I want you to stay at the villa with me,” Jacob said. “At least for one evening.”

Vivienne’s cheeks flushed. “That’s tempting.”

“Do you have plans later?”

Her expression clouded. “Unfortunately, I’m meeting with Alfred. And I can hardly cancel, considering I’m only in Paris due to his generosity.”

Jacob tensed, but he let it go.
For now
. “Okay. Tomorrow, then?”

“Yes, tomorrow.” Vivienne spoke a little breathlessly, turning him on. “Our business here will be concluded, so that should be fine. After breakfast, I’ll be free.”

“Then I’ll come by around ten.”

*****

The next morning, Jacob hired a car to take them to the train station. It was a warm day, so he wore lightweight pants and a short-sleeved shirt. Once again, when he knocked on Vivienne’s door, she stunned him.

The pale green silk dress floated around her body like the air. The skirt was respectable, yet ended high enough to reveal Vivienne’s silky thighs. The white leather high heels showed off her long legs. Her golden hair was casually pulled back, and she wore very little makeup.

Vivienne’s skin glowed with a light blush, and her lips were au naturel. A thin gold necklace dangled over her collarbone, sparkling in the afternoon light. “You’re staring again,” she said.

Jacob stroked his fingertips along her jaw. “I’ll stare…as much as I want to. You are gorgeous.”

Vivienne glanced away. “I don’t know how you do that to me.”

“Do what?”

“It’s like you can see inside me. Like you know…everything.”

I wish I did
. “I hope that’s a good thing?”

Vivienne’s soft laugh warmed his heart. “I think so. It’s just that I get so flustered around you.” She took his arm. “Shall we go?”

The driver dropped them at the Gare de Lyon station, where they boarded the high-speed train. “The train is better than driving?” Vivienne said.

“It’s faster. It’s an eight- to ten-hour drive, but this train will get us there in about three and a half.” Jacob put his hand on her bare knee. “There’s a shuttle bus from the station to the center of Aix-en-Provence. But I’ve asked my driver to pick us up.”

“I must say, the station is very posh and futuristic. I feel like I’m traveling into the future in this streamlined train.”

Jacob laughed. “I like how you describe things. Yes, this is different than the old, local train station. This train is the fastest way to travel between major cities in France. It’s not like driving. The scenery will whizz by, but you’ll be able to enjoy the countryside once we are there.”

Talking with Vivienne made the trip seem shorter, although she acted a little nervous. Jacob hadn’t yet won her trust, but that would change. She shared her experiences since being in France. Even though Jacob had been to the places, her enthusiastic descriptions held his interest. While she spoke, Jacob admired her beauty, anxious to be at the villa.

Philip waited for them at the station. He’d driven the silver Mercedes, as Jacob requested. After stowing their bags in the trunk, the driver ushered them into the back seat, and they were on their way. “The villa isn’t far,” Jacob said, sensing Vivienne’s excitement.

When they arrived, Jacob took her hand for a stroll through the manicured gardens. The country hamlet was secluded, a place where he felt at home. The gentle spirit of the countryside soothed his soul. He’d taken care in decorating the interior with antiques and cherished works of art, to make it as welcoming as the outside.

“It’s so beautiful here,” Vivienne said.

Jacob agreed that Southern France was idyllic, a reason there were so many vacationers there. But only minutes from the city, his home was very private and quiet. “There are two swimming pools, but the season isn’t warm enough for swimming yet.”

“I smell oranges and flowers.” Vivienne said, and breathed in.

Jacob put his arm around her. “Would you like to see inside?”

Upon entering, the aroma of herbs and spices filled the room. Jacob had informed Clara that they’d be staying for dinner, so he was sure the cook had something special planned. Vivienne stepped inside, and ran her hand over a red velvet chair, gazing at the artwork that adorned the walls. Many paintings were of scenery, depicting the beauty of Provence.

“It’s a palace,” Vivienne said.

“It’s a villa.”

“Well, it’s…amazing.” She stepped gingerly over the patterned area rug, her eyes roaming over the terra cotta tile, the French Provinçale furniture, and the bronze sculptures on display near the bookcases. “Are you trying to impress me?”

Jacob smiled. “How am I doing?”

“Suitably well.” Vivienne spread her arms. “Is there anything here that didn’t cost a fortune?”

The way she said it was very disarming. “I buy what I like.” Jacob walked over and put his arms around her. “Shall we have some wine out on the patio?”

“Let’s do,” Vivienne said. “I need some time to take all of this in.”

And this is only the start
. “We’ll go through the kitchen and ask Clara to bring the wine out.”

Jacob led Vivienne out the back door, after requesting the Chateau Margaux. The occasion called for a special wine, and the Merlot would be suitable. From the terrace, one of the pools, the stone terrace, and the stairway to the lower level were visible. The area was lush with tall greenery and trees, as was the rest of the property.

In the quiet of the late afternoon, Jacob sat across from Vivienne, admiring her. Deeper urges wouldn’t long be repressed, now that he was so close to having the woman he wanted. After Clara poured the wine, they sipped and enjoyed the peace that surrounded them, letting time drift by.

Jacob reached for the bottle and refilled their wine glasses. “Tell me, Vivienne. What did I miss? Why did you cry?”

Vivienne took a sip of wine, looking out at the trees, as though she hadn’t heard him. But when she turned to face him, emotion filled her eyes. “I’ve thought about that…since that night.” A light breeze rustled her filmy dress, making Jacob want to slip it off to reveal her full beauty.

“I was confused,” Vivienne said. “It was an emotional release for me, so sudden and unexpected. But I wasn’t afraid, Jacob.” Her green eyes were dark. “I was not afraid of you, or anything we did together.”

Jacob was deeply moved at her next words. “You gave me pleasure, instead of only taking yours. You crossed boundaries I didn’t know were there,” Vivienne said. “And once I experienced what only you can give…or so it seems…I couldn’t go back.”

Under the table, Jacob rubbed his foot against hers. “But you’ve had sexual encounters before…orgasms?”

“Not like that.”

For a moment they were silent.

“I might as well have been a virgin,” Vivienne said. “What I’d experienced, before being with you, wasn’t the same thing at all. There is no comparison. And I sense that it’s only the start of what we could have together.”

Jacob hoped she wasn’t going sentimental on him. “There’s something you should know,” he said. “I should have told you before, but I didn’t.”

Vivienne looked crestfallen. Did she think Jacob was going to send her away?

“I’m a dominant. I have unique sexual tastes.” Jacob was relieved to see that Vivienne wasn’t alarmed. But then, she might have no clue what that meant.

“I thought what we did was
different
. It hedged into the forbidden, or at least it made me wonder if other women had such desires.”

“Like what?”

Vivienne blushed. “I think you know. There are things you do that a voice inside me says I shouldn’t like.”

“But you did?”

“Yes. Very much. And that surprised me,” Vivienne said. “You can’t blame me for being confused.”

There was one way to find out if Vivienne was agreeable to what Jacob had in mind. What she’d just said indicated that she would be. But she didn’t know everything yet. And she hadn’t reacted to his confession of being a dominant, which meant she didn’t know the full impact of that. If the sex she’d experienced prior to meeting him was nothing like what they did together, then there was no chance Vivienne had any familiarity with being submissive.

“I’d like to show you something,” Jacob said. He stood and she followed him inside, then up a long staircase. At the end of the hall was an ornate wooden door. After withdrawing a key from his pocket, Jacob unlocked it then shoved it open.

Vivienne went inside and he closed the door behind them, relocking it. The room was soundproofed and temperature controlled. It was a beautiful room, if dark and possibly threatening on first inspection. She spun to face him.

“What is this, Jacob?”

“It’s my playroom,” he said. “Take a minute to look around.”

Vivienne stepped cautiously across the wood floor, fingering a long padded table. She looked up at the implements hanging on the wall, and walked over to sit on a satin-covered bed by the back wall. She studied the whips and the crops, lingering over other items she probably didn’t have a name for.

“What do you do in here, Jacob? Torture women?”

Jacob strode over to the bed and sat beside her. “It’s not called torturing,” he said. “It’s called sex play. There are so many things we can do together, Vivienne. The pleasure you’ve experienced so far is but a taste of what’s possible.”

Vivienne stared at him.

“There is pain involved. I won’t deny that,” Jacob said. “But it’s controlled. It’s really for your benefit, although I doubt you see that at this moment.”

Suddenly, it didn’t seem so easy to explain. Demonstration would be more effective.

“Vivienne, I want you. I’d like for you to be my submissive, to experience what we can do in here,” Jacob said. “I understand if you refuse. But I hope you won’t. I’d like you to try it.”

He wasn’t doing so well at winning Vivienne over. “We will talk about it first, and I’ll explain it all…how it works. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to. And we’ll start slow. I’ll guide you.”

Vivienne’s skin flushed, and her green eyes glistened. But she didn’t speak. Jacob saw the pulse beating in her throat, a tiny throb giving away her arousal. Her breathing was shallow, and her muscles relaxed. If only she would say yes.