“I actually have work,” Drew tells me after the girls have left. “I think I’ll head back to our suite for a while and hammer some of it out.”
“I can get on board with that,” I agree. “I have some things to see to myself. I’ll see you at dinner.”
“See you,” Drew replies and lets himself out of the suite.
I open my computer and am in the middle of replying to an email when there’s a knock on my door.
With a frown, I set the computer aside to open the door to replace both of my security details here.
“We have a situation,” Mark, the head of my European team, says.
“Come in.” I step back, glad that Polly isn’t here for this. When both men are inside, I close the door and turn to them. “What’s going on?”
“We got word that Claudia Dubois is here in Paris,” Mark replies.
I narrow my eyes on him, not thrilled, but also not surprised. “She’s a runway model. Of course she’s in Paris.”
“This isn’t ideal, sir,” Mark says with a sigh. “I can replace out which shows she’s working and make sure you and Polly don’t attend those.”
“Fuck that.” I push my hands through my hair, frustrated. “I’m not about to let the likes of Claudia Dubois intimidate me or keep Polly from experiencing anything she fucking well pleases on this trip.”
“We know she’s unstable,” Mark says with a shrug. “And could very likely make a scene.”
“Then she makes a scene.” I brush it off. “It’ll be her own reputation she hurts, and I don’t give a rat’s ass. Just make sure that Polly isn’t hurt in any way.”
“Understood,” Mark says with a nod. “One of us will be nearby twenty-four seven. I’ll have a man outside this door, and we will go with you when you’re on the move, just in case.”
“Is someone on Polly now, while they’re shopping?”
“Affirmative. She didn’t bat an eye. She must assume it’s normal for you to have detail at all times.”
“Good. If she asks, I’ll tell her it’s the norm. Keep her safe. She’s the only priority.”
“Sir, I hate to disagree with you, but you’re our priority.”
“Fuck that. I can protect myself. If anything happens to Polly, I’ll have your heads.”
Mark nods, understanding in his eyes, and then the two men leave.
Two hours later, Polly and London return, carrying shopping bags with smiles on their faces.
“We’re back,” Polly announces and holds up a sack and a garment bag. “I got some loot.”
London frowns down at the floor, but Polly doesn’t notice. She hurries over to me and offers me her lips, which I happily kiss, before she steps away again.
“I have to run to the ladies’ room,” she announces before rushing off.
“What’s up?” I ask London. “It doesn’t look like she got much.”
“She didn’t,” London confirms. “She looked at a lot of beautiful things, but she just wouldn’t take the plunge. She ended up with a nice blouse and a scarf.”
I blink at her and scowl. “That’s it?”
“Yep.” London sighs. “I know there were bags and shoes she was practically salivating over. And when we went to Dior, there was a dress that would have been divine on her—was divine on her because I talked her into trying it on. But when she saw the price, she declined it.”
“Fuck,” I mutter and drag my hand down my face. “Okay. I’ll take her tomorrow.”
“You’ll have better luck with her,” London says. “And maybe she’s tired. It’s a long travel day, jet lag, and all that jazz.”
“You’re right.” I nod as Polly walks out of the bathroom.
“I’m hungry,” she announces. “When’s dinner?”
“We have reservations in,” I check my watch, “fifteen minutes. You two are just in time.”
“Should I change?” Polly asks.
“You look great,” London assures her. “No need to change.”
“Good.” Polly’s shoulders fall in relief. I can see the fatigue in her face. I would rather stay in, have room service, make love to her, and then sleep. But I know that she wants to spend time with our friends, too. Polly smiles at me. “Let’s go eat.”
“Now this is a breakfast,” Polly says the next morning after room service has set up the table and left us alone. “Are those chocolate croissants?”
“Yes.” I grin as I pour her coffee, add the cream and sugar she likes, and deliver it to her in bed. Then I put the croissant, some berries, and yogurt on a plate and bring it to her, as well.
“This china is gorgeous,” she says, holding the cup up so she can check it out. “So dainty and sweet.”
“I believe they sell it,” I reply and take a bite of my own croissant. “If you ever want some for yourself.”
“I’ll enjoy it here,” she says and bites into her pastry. She moans and closes her eyes, not unlike the way she did when I was inside of her less than an hour ago. “Jesus, the food here is so good.”
“French food is amazing,” I agree. “Do you want some scrambled eggs? Bacon? They brought a little of everything.”
“Bacon,” she agrees. “And more coffee. So, what are we doing today? I don’t think that any of the shows or parties start until tomorrow.”
I refresh our drinks and food and then decide to bring the whole table closer to the bed.
“We’re shopping. Just you and me.”
That makes her eyes light up. “We are? I’d like that.”
“Didn’t you have fun with London yesterday?” I pass her the coffee, and she takes a sip and then frowns down into her cup. “You can tell me; I’m a vault.”
That makes her smile, and she leans over to kiss my shoulder.
“I know. It’s not that I didn’t have fun. I did. London knows so much about the brands, and she already knows the sales associates in the stores, so it’s nice to already have a contact there.”
“Okay.” I watch her face as she seems to choose her words carefully.
“I love the blouse I got,” she continues. “And yes, there were some other things that caught my eye.”
“But?”
“But I want to go to Chanel,” she says and cringes. “And I didn’t want to sound difficult because I know she made those appointments for us. I love the ready-to-wear clothes at Chanel. And yes, there were some things at Dior that I liked, but I didn’t want to spend the money there until I’d seen what Chanel has to offer first, because I don’t want to go crazy until after the shows when I can buy the new seasons’ stuff. Does that make sense?”
It all starts to make perfect sense, and I sigh in relief. She’s not freaking out about the money; she’s trying to be thoughtful and mindful of her choices.
And I can respect that.
“I get it. I’ll arrange for an appointment at Chanel first thing so you can choose what you want, and then we’ll make our way back to Dior so you can pick up anything else you’d like.”
“Thanks.” She grins, obviously excited about that idea.
“What about jewelry?”
She blinks. “What about it?”
“Well, I’d like to buy you some. Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Chopard…is there anything you prefer, or should we go to all of them? They’re right here, so it’s not out of the way.”
She’s staring at me with those green eyes, and then she bites her lip.
“All of those are amazing brands.” Her voice is soft, and it makes me smile.
“Do you have a preference?”
“Not really.”
“Then we’ll go to all of them.” I take a bite of bacon. “We’re going to shop until we drop today. We’d better hydrate.”
Polly laughs and then shakes her head. “Why does this feel like a Pretty Woman moment?”
“In what way?”
“You know…the rich guy takes the poor girl shopping on Rodeo Drive.”
I shake my head, not particularly liking that comparison. “I’m just a man crazy about a woman who likes to shop, and I want to spoil her senseless. Plus, we’re not on Rodeo Drive. We’re in Paris.”
Polly’s shoulders shimmy with excitement.
“We’re totally in Paris. I can be ready to go in less than an hour.”
“Then I’ll start making those appointments.”
By the time she comes out of the bathroom, looking fucking amazing in a black dress that I know she got at her shop, her thick hair swept up in a high ponytail, and her makeup perfect, I’ve managed to secure a full day of appointments.
And, just as she wanted, we’re starting at Chanel.
“Holy shit,” Polly whispers as we come down to the lobby and see all the paparazzi gathered around the front of the Ritz. “What’s going on?”
“It’s fashion week,” I remind her. “They’re hoping to catch glimpses of celebrities.”
“Well, I’m about to disappoint them,” she replies as we walk outside.
The shutters immediately start to go off, and someone calls out to me.
“Mr. Wild, can you pose for us, please?”
I shake my head as security flanks us, and we set off down the block, over to the Chanel store.
“This is insane,” Polly breathes. “I know I keep using that word, and it could get annoying, but I don’t have any other words for it. We’re going to the original store?”
“Yep, the one on Rue Cambon.”
“I might cry,” she says and squeezes my hand, practically skipping with her excitement. “You’ve been warned.”
“So noted.” I lift her hand to my lips as we walk into the store. We’re immediately greeted by the sales associate that’s been assigned to us and shown into a room upstairs where we can shop privately.
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you. I am Stephan, and I’ll be with you today.” She smiles at Polly. “What is it that you would like to see?”
“Clothes,” Polly says immediately. “Particularly dresses. I have shows and dinners and maybe a party or two to go to while I’m here, and I’d like to dress mainly in Chanel, if possible.”
“I’m quite sure we can make that happen,” Stephan says with a wink. “You can leave your things in here—it’s secure—and come with me. We’ll pick some items out for you to try on, and I have some things in the back that I think will be beautiful that I’ll pull for you.”
Polly turns to me, all smiles and practically glowing. “She has things in the back.”
I laugh, happy that my girl is having fun, and I hang back, watching as Polly and Stephan discuss clothing and the colors that Polly’s interested in. Before I know it, we’re back in our private room with champagne on hand, and Polly’s in the dressing room, changing.
By the time we leave, she’s bought three dresses, a coat, two bags, and three pairs of shoes. The color is high in her cheeks when we walk out of the boutique; all of her packages were sent ahead to the hotel, where they’ll be waiting for us.
“Okay, that was fun,” she says and takes my hand in hers. “That green dress—”
“Is fucking incredible,” I finish for her. “Now we’re off to Dior.”
“Oh, I think I have plenty—”
I turn to her, right here on the sidewalk, and kiss the hell out of her, and when I pull back from her, I brush my thumb along her lower lip.
“You’ll have everything you want,” I reply, leaving no room for argument. “London said there is a dress there that suits you.”
“It’s a nice dress,” Polly concedes.
“Then it’s yours. Let’s go.”
Watching her shop, interact with the sales associates, try on things, and get excited about the things that make her happy is like crack to me. I’d buy her everything in the store, if that’s what she wanted.
We make our way through the jewelry stores, where she chooses pieces that are tasteful and beautiful on her, and when we finally make our way back into our suite, all of her replaces are waiting on the table in the main sitting room.
“Ryan,” she says as she stands before the small mountain of boxes and bags.
“Yes, babe?”
“This was quite possibly the best day of my life.” She turns to me, and I’m stunned to see tears in her eyes.
“Hey, don’t cry.”
She shakes her head as I scoop her into my arms, sit on the couch, and settle her in my lap. I use my thumb to wipe away the tears running down her cheeks.
“Talk to me, babe.”
“I’ve dreamed of shopping like that since I was a teenager,” she says as her chin wobbles with emotion. “And it’s always been just that: a dream. And that’s okay. But today, this whole week, you made it happen for real. I can never pay you back for that.”
“Ah, sweetheart.” I kiss her cheek and then her lips and brush her hair back from her face. “I already told you, you don’t owe me anything. I had a fantastic day, too.”
“I think you actually did,” she says with a watery laugh. “You got excited about stuff and smiled a lot. You never looked bored once.”
“I wasn’t bored. Watching you shop is sexy. And there’s a particular pair of heels from Dior that I’d like you to wear later with nothing else on.”
She raises an eyebrow. “I know the ones you’re thinking of, and I assure you, that can absolutely happen.”
“Good.” I kiss her softly, but she wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me tightly.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, babe. I have a question.”
“I’ll tell you anything.”
“There was a bag at Chanel that you wouldn’t let me buy for you. You paid for it. Why was that so important to you?”
“I’ve saved for that bag for years,” she admits. “I wanted to buy it for myself. I worked hard for it, and it might have come a little earlier than I’d planned or saved for, but I’m in Paris, in Coco’s original store, and they had my dream bag. I had to buy it.”
“I’m glad you did.” I brush her hair off her neck. “I know you’re going to want to show London all of your new things.”
“I will,” she says, but doesn’t make a move to get up. “But this is nice, especially after all the hustle and bustle of today. The quiet, being here in your arms, is exactly where I want to be and what I want to do right now.”
“I can get behind that.” I sigh and kiss the crown of her head.
“Have you talked with Jake?” she asks me.
“I was texting with him earlier,” I confirm. “He’s probably asleep now, or just waking up to take care of the horses.”
“Is he okay?”
“He’s great. Told me to stop pestering him and to pay attention to you.”
Her head comes up at that, and she laughs. “He did not.”
“He did. He’s glad that we’re having a good time.”
She smiles and settles against me once more. “When is Jake’s birthday? We should get him something while we’re here.”
“He turns sixteen in December.”
“We definitely need to get him something fun. There are some hip fashion places here in Europe that are popular that the kids can’t get back home. I’ll replace him some things.”
“The fact that you’re thinking about my kid when we’re on vacation together is incredibly sexy, you know.”
“I like him a lot,” she murmurs. “I have a soft spot for him.”
“Me, too.” I skim my hand down her back, then back up again, and plunge my hand into her amazing hair. “We have a couple of hours before dinner.”
“Really? What should we do?”
She grins as I lift her and carry her toward the bedroom.
“I have some ideas.”
“My shoes are back there,” she says, pointing over my shoulder toward the room we just left.
“Later,” I reply. “You can wear them for me later. Right now, I just want you.”
She sighs as I undress her, and when we’re both naked and sweaty, panting and humming from an intense orgasm, I pull her to me and kiss her long and deep.
I’m in love with her. I feel it in every fiber of my being. And I want to tell her exactly how I feel.
But before I can, my phone rings, and it’s Jake’s ringtone.
“Sorry, babe.”
“It’s okay. Talk to him.”
I kiss her nose and then roll over to get my phone. “Hey, buddy.”
“Dad?” I immediately sit up, every muscle on high alert.
“Are you hurt? What’s wrong?”
“I’m okay.” He sniffs on the other end of the line. “Dad, we lost Blossom. I had to call Dr. Randolph, and she came right away, but she couldn’t save Blossom.”
“Whoa, take a deep breath, buddy. I’m right here. Deep breath. What happened?”
“She—” He sniffs again as I pull a T-shirt over my head and push the button for FaceTime, and Jake accepts it. “Hi.”
“Hey. It’s going to be okay. I’m not mad at you. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Jake starts to cry again, and it tears at my heart.
“She had colic,” he says when he can catch his breath. “When I went out there this morning, she was in pain. I could tell, so I called Dr. Randolph, and she came. Mac was here, and I called him, too, and he came to help me. I wasn’t by myself.”
“Good.” I nod, feeling so fucking guilty that I’m not there. “That’s good.”
“She was in pain, and there wasn’t anything we could do for her, Dad. So, I held her head and kissed her and stuff while Dr. Randolph put her down. Dad, she was in pain all night, by herself. I wasn’t there to help her.”
“You didn’t know.” I shake my head and wish I could hug him to calm him down. “You couldn’t have known, buddy. It’s not your fault, and you were with her in the end, when she was hurting and scared. That’s important.”
“We should go back,” Polly says, and I glance up to see that she’s dressed and has tears of her own. “You should be there with him.”
“No,” Jake says and wipes his eyes. “Don’t come home. I’m okay. The other horses are okay, too. Dr. Randolph checked everyone to make sure. It was just a freak thing, that’s all. Mac’s here, and Aunt Millie’s coming out, too. She said Grandma and Grandpa might come with her. I have lots of people.”
“Can I please have the phone?” Polly asks, holding her hand out for it.
I oblige her, and she stares down at Jake.
“You are more important than this trip,” she tells him, leaving no room for argument. “If you want your dad home, you just say the word, and we’ll be on the plane. Be honest, Jake.”
“Really,” he insists. “I’m doing better now. I’m just sad, but coming home doesn’t bring Blossom back. I just wanted to talk to you guys, you know?”
“Of course, I know, and that’s why I’m telling you that we’ll come home if you need us.”
“No.” I can see him shake his head adamantly. “I’ll call Dad if I change my mind, but I’ll be okay.”
Polly narrows her eyes on him, and it seems she’s satisfied with what she sees because she nods.
“Okay, then. I’m sorry, Jake. I really am. Here’s your dad.”
“Polly’s kind of bossy,” Jake says with a half smile when I come back into view. “It’s kind of scary.”
I laugh and give him a shrug. “I think you’re right. Call me if you need me, day or night. Promise?”
“I promise,” he says with a sigh. “Thanks. I feel better.”
“Good. Go take a nap, or kill some zombies.”
“That’s a great idea,” he says. “I’ll kill some zombies. Have fun. See you later.”
With that, he’s gone, and I look over at the woman who just finished sending me straight into complete and unconditional love with her.
“I’m sorry that I intervened, I just—”
I cover her mouth with mine and kiss her long and slow, and when I pull back and look down at her, those green eyes are round, and her plump, swollen lips are parted.
“You were looking out for Jake, and I appreciate it.”
“I guess so.” She covers her lips with her fingers. “I’m glad you didn’t hate it.”
I laugh and pull her to me and lie down on the bed with her. “No, I didn’t hate it. I’m damn grateful for you and the way you care about my kid. Now, let’s nap, babe.”
“That sounds nice.”
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