Stolen Skye (Book One, The Skye Trilogy) (25 page)

Chapter
20. City of Lights

It was just after midnight in Paris as we began our approach to Le Bourget Airport.
The flight had been enjoyable with Ari. He was very good at making conversation and keeping any incriminating information out of it. During part of the flight, he questioned Kelly more about the day of my accident. Kelly told him basically what he had told me, adding that I arrived via cab and tipped the driver when he helped me with my luggage. Nothing had stood out to him as being odd.

“Tell me about the Isle of Skye,” I requested tentatively after Sara placed our lamb chops in front of us and returned to the galley.
After a moment, he began.

“Imagine a Scottish countryside from centuries ago; imperfect stone walls, green and purple hills, castles overlooking the deep blue sea.
That is what it looks like today, frozen in time, in a way.” He gazed into my eyes with a smile.

“Have I been there?”

“Yes.” He quickly returned to carving into his lamb.

“When?”
I felt like I was trying to coax a wounded animal closer.

“You and the others accompanied me on a trip to check on the estate once, about three months before the Edinburgh job, while we were planning it.
I toured everyone through the countryside and we stayed there for the night.” He broke off after that and pushed some meat around on his plate.

“I don’t remember it, of course.”
I drank some of my red wine as I considered all the memories that still lay dormant within me.

“Well, you can start over when you see it again, after Paris.”
He smiled as he raised his own glass as if toasting to a new beginning. We ate silently after that and then he went back to scribbling in his pad, which he had explained to me were details for the Louvre. With all that Brinks had put together he was feeling very confident about their chances of pulling it off.

As we soared over the
City of Lights, I turned my attention to being with Finn in the immediate future. Although it was late, I was sure he would come see me. We had talked often during my time at home, and, although neither of us had mentioned it, it appeared like our current relationship had stretched as far as it could, as is. I wasn’t sure what the future held for either of us, but I felt my excitement escalate as Paris came into view.

“Evelyn, I have no right to this, but I have a favor to ask, if you’ll permit me.”
Ari looked out onto the shimmering skyline.

“Of course, what can I do?”

“What we are going to try in Paris, it is going to take some real focus from all of us. We won’t be as carefree as we were in London, or as the night you remember here, on your birthday. I’m asking that you consider all the consequences of your actions while we’re here, with Finn especially.” He kept his eyes on the blurring night.

“You’re asking me not to distract him?”

“Precisely. Your assistance to that end would be much appreciated.”

“I’ll do my best.”
His meaning was clear, but I was too embarrassed by the discussion to press further. I had just been thinking the same thing before he spoke. Was my dilemma over listening to my brain or my libido written on my face?

Soon, we were in a taxi on our way to the hotel.
Paris at night was breathtaking, its golden lights sparkling like jewels.

Hotel Venc
ome was abuzz with activity, despite the hour. Ari handled our arrival while I watched the crowd pass by. I remembered the well-adorned lobby and caught a glimpse of the gray walls in the restaurant. It felt incredibly good to arrive to a place that I could actually recall. As I smiled at Ari, I noticed more than one woman stare at him with interest. He was tall, dark, and handsome personified. It would be hard
not
to notice him. He approached me with our keys and a bellman, but he didn’t share my good humor.

“Finn has requested you call him after you are settled.”
Ari handed me my key without commenting further. Anticipation and apprehension each took a side of my heart and pulled. I knew I was going to call him, but I wasn’t sure what I was going to say. I thought of all my options as we rode the ornate elevator car. Ari escorted me to my room first, inspecting it to make sure it sufficed. It was romantically decorated in deep red tones, golden fixtures, and an enormous crimson covered bed with coordinating, tasseled pillows.

Ari lingered for a moment and then bid me goodnight, sharing that we were to meet downstairs for a late breakfast tomorrow at 10
AM. I thanked him for the last couple of days as I closed the door, returning to the task at hand. I unpacked all that needed to be hung up and waited for any other possible distraction to present itself. There was nothing. Excitement won out over nervous procrastination and I called Finn. He was knocking on my door two minutes later. After a quick check in the mirror, I let him in. He rushed in, taking me up in his arms before I had a chance to speak. His warm, firm embrace caused all the passion I had been feeling for him in London to flood back to me. It was wonderful, but overwhelming all at once.

“Welcome to Paris,” he said as he ended our embrace.

“Thank you.
It’s good to be with you in a place I kind of remember. It makes everything feel more real.” I let go of one of his hands and brought him into the room toward the conversation area. I sat across from him, drinking him in. The way my whole body responded to him was almost animalistic. He was so physically present, so undeniably attractive sitting there, smiling at me.

He inhaled deeply and inquired, “Did you have an interesting Christmas?”

I laughed in response as he already knew the answer.
“Yes, it was unprecedented, that’s for sure.”

“I assume Ari got along with the family,” he continued with a fading smile.

“Ridiculously so, yes.” I shook my head in amusement, but Finn didn’t seem to think it was as funny.

“Evelyn, tell me about what Kelly said.”
He leaned toward me with acute interest. I told him everything I had learned. He sat considering it for a minute with his head bent in thought. “Whatever it means, we’ll find the answer.” He lifted his head and smiled at me confidently.

“That’s what Ari said.”

In response, Finn shifted forward in his chair, staring inquisitively at me.
“What else did Ari say?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, for a start, explain how you became his employee.”

“He invented a
need for one and it got me here easily. That’s all that matters right now.” Ari had shared his plan with me, but he hadn’t spoken with Finn in detail yet, I didn’t want to say anything I shouldn’t.

“And, just so I understand, you had a memory with him in it and called him?
From that, he got the idea that he needed to go to Boston?”

“Yes, he could tell I was hiding something and he wanted to help.
Is that a problem?” I started to become defensive. As far as I knew, I could call anyone I wanted to, and I was thankful for Ari’s intervention.

“No, it’s not.
I’m just trying to understand where Ari is coming from. In a month, he has gone from pretending you were dead to showing up on your doorstep and flying you to Paris. The drastic shift… interests me.” He looked past me, frowning in thought.

“Well, if you figure it out, let me know.
I have decided that when it comes to Ari, I am grossly outmatched.”

“If there was more, you would tell me?”
He focused back on me, searching my face.

“Finn, if you’re asking if I’m keeping anything from you with regards to Ari, the answer is no.”
As I said it out loud, I realized it was a lie. There was something, but what could it mean now? The memory of a wish in Paris. A flash of heat for someone that obviously didn’t share the attraction. That was all it was. Why would I ever share that with Finn? It certainly would do none of us any good.

“I just need to know what I’m up against.
I don’t stand a chance against someone I don’t see coming.”

“What are you talking about?”
In answer, he came and sat next to me, brushing a strand of my hair back over my shoulder.

“I don’t know.
I feel the need to protect you, I just don’t know from what. Possibly myself, if that makes any sense. My mind tells me you best be rid of me; go back home and take up with a nice doctor. Everything else fiercely disagrees.” Without waiting for me to respond, his lips were on mine, warm and commanding. My own answered his instinctively, tasting him as I had wanted to for days. So much had been buzzing around in my head, but as soon our lips met, I finally allowed my body to take the lead.

Slowly, he advanced on me, causing me to shift on the couch and lean back into the overstuffed pillows.
His body was on top of mine, but his muscular arms kept his weight from being a burden. I strained against the distance it caused, pulling him down closer to me so that our kisses could become deeper. I curled a leg around him to make room and felt his hard body press against mine. I ran my hands up his back and neck, raking through his short hair and across his strong shoulders. His lips began moving harder against mine, thrilling me, causing my back to arch to get even nearer to him. His mouth found my neck, ravaging it. Too soon, he pulled back, staring down at me with his jaw clenched tight from strained self-control.

“Evelyn, is this what you really want?”
He waited, breathing heavily. I felt every part of me opening for him in response. I had lost any ability to deny him and all of my fear. I didn’t have the power to stop and talk it out. I wrapped my arms around his neck and brought him down to me, kissing him fiercely while moving my hips against him to get as close as I could.

He moaned deeply in my ear, causing me to have a physical reaction as well.
I tried to pull off his shirt, wanting nothing more than to feel his skin against my own. He stood to take it off over his head and I marveled at the sight of him. His defined upper body, rising and falling as he drew breath. Those light eyes, flashing with need. All of him pulled me in closer, like a magnet, as I stood, unbuttoning my own shirt, and moving toward him.

His eyes washed over every part of me as I cast my shirt aside.
He took me into his arms with a force that almost knocked me off my heels. His strong hands steadied me as his kiss deepened. I felt him unclasp my bra and he bent to take my breast into his mouth. His fiery lips against my tight nipples made me shudder as he continued, unrelentingly. His hands found ways to extend the pleasure, brushing against wherever his lips weren’t. I threw my head back to give myself up to him, taking all the sensations in until I felt I couldn’t hold anymore.

He unbuttoned my jeans and I kicked out of them quickly.
He scooped me up, placing me across the bed as he kissed me. He stopped to gaze down at me, raw need burning across his face. I suffered the same. This was not a time to explore and get to know each other’s bodies. What was beating within me was close to shattering. As he balanced himself over me, I unbuttoned his pants and slid them down his muscular thighs, boldly taking all of him in with my eyes in the process. He was as ready as I was.

For a moment, we stretched our naked bodies against each other, his hands holding mine over my head.
He kissed me slowly, long and deep, with a rhythm that couldn’t be mistaken. I arched against him, letting him know I was ready. He didn’t have to deny himself anymore. I wanted it more than anything, feeling like my insides had melted from the heat. I felt his legs bend, pushing mine apart. He entered me slowly, filling the void that ached for him.

He moved slowly, delving farther with each thrust.
I opened my legs wider, thrilling in the ecstasy of it. I moved with him, matching his advance. He quickened and I felt my own passion driving toward the relief it yearned for. Our bodies pulsed faster, harder, until I heard myself cry out in ecstasy. I relished each vibration that ran through me as my body strained for more. Finn watched my face as his final thrusts took me over the edge. He drew me closer into his arms as he let himself go, groaning as his own orgasm erupted.

Our bodies slowed, luxuriating in the after-shock, as we lazily kissed until our need subsided.
Finn regarded me for a long time, propped up on one arm as he lay beside me. He traced the length of my upper body with his finger as he smiled contentedly.

“Finn, that was amazing.
I don’t know what to say.” I shook my head in disbelief. He kissed me quick on the lips and went back to watching my face.

“Just say you’ve not had enough.
Five years is a long time to wait.” He laughed lowly as he splayed his hand across my stomach. I laughed as well, almost giggling really, as I lay against him. I turned into him and brought my face up closer, kissing him. Having him with me that way was an incredible feeling. Nothing between us to uncover. He bent to kiss me back, and then again. As he continued, each kiss became more intense than the next, and he began to get my attention. I felt his arms encircle me, pulling me in closer to him. Soon, he brought me on top of him, caressing me as I lay across his warm body. I could feel him grow and become ready for me a second time. I ended our kiss and pulled up to look into his sweet face, darkened with passion.