The Glass Secret (Chain of Secrets) (41 page)

I felt the blood rush to my cheeks, slightly embarrassed. My moment in the spotlight had ended. He embraced me for only a fraction of a heartbeat although, in reality, it was only time enough for him to brush the hair from my eyes.

It all happened so fast. My feet left the ground. He lifted me with such ease, upward slightly, and put me back on my feet again. He held on to me until I regained my equilibrium. I could have played this one out a moment longer. I should have.

“A comet...I have never heard that before.” I admitted as I wrangled my fingers through my hair trying to tame the random strands that stuck to my flushed cheeks.

“Please, know it’s a compliment of the greatest kind.”

“Well, then, thank you. As long as I don’t catch you on fire though, right?” The question nonchalantly rolled off my tongue without thinking.
But then again,
I thought.
That may not be so awful.
As soon as the words spilled from my mouth I held my breath waiting for his response.

“Brielle, I would burn if it meant being closer to you.” His words were precise and serious.

Be still my beating heart
. There was no mistaking what he had said, and meant. Suddenly, I questioned if I heard him correctly.

My mind felt as if it was playing tricks on me. Was he just great with comebacks, or did I set him up good? The most important question is, did he mean it, or was he just being cheeky?

His tone was very unreadable, likewise, so was his expression. He could have meant it as a total joke or in its literal meaning. I recalled my dad saying 50% of jokes are true. In a fraction of a second, I could have had many responses without thinking.
You need to think Brielle!
I scolded myself. I wanted to say “
You look burning hot to me, already.” 

I softly said, “Don’t worry, I would never burn you.”

God, that was so unoriginal and lame. Besides, I didn’t possess the power to burn him. He was the one in control with nerves of steel. Then again, maybe he wanted to burn for me. That was what he said.

Oh, forget it Brielle! Don’t over think this, or you’ll burn your own brain cells up.

“Brielle, I want to burn for you in all the ways you would want me to.” He placed both hands on my arms and just held them there. I inched in closer to him.

Did he just read my thoughts?
Did he know I was brain fucking myself over every detail since I had met him.
In shock, I had no response in the moment.

Rain stared intensely into my eyes, and his hands settled around my waistline. He leaned forward and lowered his head as if he were going to kiss me. His scent was intoxicating. My knees fell weak. Heat raced from his hands, penetrating through my body to my most private places. The goddess of love, Aphrodite was working her magic. I felt it the second I laid my eyes on him. Hopefully, his feelings were mutual.

Flustered and over stimulated by our closeness, I leaned slightly backward.

“I think I’m burning up right now.” I waved a hand at my over-heated face.
Why did I stop him?

“You make me smile, Brielle. Your cheeks do seem a little pink.  Maybe we should slow down a bit,” he said, pushing back from me, maintaining his confidence. Me, I wanted to kick myself in the ass. “So, tell me Brielle, what brought you to Paris?”

“I’m an author and I came to Paris to write.”

“How wonderful. What are you writing about?”

“Well, it’s nonfiction.”

“I would love to hear about it.”

“Okay...it’s a love story.” I turned to him and paused. That’s all I had at the time.

Rain nodded, “Those are some of the best stories.”

“Yes. That’s right. But this one is a complicated story.” I winced feeling flustered again.

“How so?” he asked. I was at a loss for words. I couldn’t tell him I was writing a novel about two real-life characters, and I didn’t even know their names.

“Hmm. Would you be terribly offended if I didn’t expose who they are right now? It’s kind of in the works, and well, you know, it’s confidential. All the legal things are being sorted out still,” I lied, losing my confidence.

“I am not offended at all. I’m sure you want to wait until the last brick is laid before you unveil your masterpiece.”

I half-laughed. “Yes...something like that.” I nodded.

“So, would you like to see what I have chosen for you?” he politely asked.

Back to business. Damn it.

His eyes traveled to my blouse, then back to my face. I flashed down at my breasts. The thin fabric of my top had absorbed the mist, revealing the outline of my bra.

My nips strained against the chill in the air. I bit my lower lip, bashfully, trying to hold my composure. Fidgeting and crisscrossed my arms over my chest, I was a damp mess, inside and out. His gaze could have been mistaken for as lewd, but I knew better. He was more than a perfect gentleman. After all, he was from a noble heritage; I assumed with a last name like de’ Bluche. I felt our time would come when it was right.

“Are you cold?”

“I guess I’m a little wet,” I said, pulling at my blouse. Immediately, I caught my sexual faux pas. I could feel my face turning shades of red. I tightened my arms in front of myself. Rain, being the perfect gentleman that he was, didn’t flinch nor did he comeback with an offhanded comment.

He slipped off his jacket and tenderly draped it around my shoulders. “This should take the chill off.” The jacket did the trick in warming my flesh, but inside I shivered vigorously.

“Thank you.” My teeth shattered.

“It’s my pleasure, Brielle.” Rain rubbed my outer shoulders trying to warm me. His eyes fell into mine for a quiet moment then kissed my forehead.

-49-

Touched by Rain

He led me deeper into the chamber. The room was much larger than what I had originally thought. In a curious illusion, it seemed as if the floor manifested before us with each step we took. We approached a set of closed dark velvet curtains.

As he drew back the curtain, I first noticed a dim halo of light shining down on us. Below the light, displayed on a black pedestal, was the most gorgeous ivory antique bath that was embossed with gold details and silver clawed feet.

The water gently circulated a layer of perfectly shaped white rose petals that appeared to have silver linings.

Rain spoke just above a whisper, “This is a very special spa. It’s one of a kind—like you.”

Wow, you’re good!

I couldn’t wrap my brain around why he was going to such great lengths just to sell me a spa...I mean there was definitely a mutual attraction between us. But he knew I couldn’t afford something of this magnitude, unless, he had a layaway plan.

I was certain there were not any merchants in Paris who offer that. It’s an old American payment-plan, unlike credit cards, and you don’t get to take it home until it’s paid in full.

What was he up to? Was this some new sales technique,
“seduce the girl and make a sale?”
Of course, I was an eager window-shopper.

“Really, so you think I am special?” I said in facetious tone. I needed to regain my usual sassy confidence back because his mysterious demeanor was melting me in everyway. Unexpectedly, I wanted to break all my rules with him.

“I believe so, more than you know,” he replied with a sureness of a god and went on, “You are the falling star that I have wished upon many nights long ago!”

Wow, he was more than good!

“I’ve never heard that one before. Are you for real?” I challenged him, asking with an edgy tone, “Do you say that to all the girls?” The snarl in my voice rang out, even to me.

My confidence is coming back.
At the time I thought so. Boy was I wrong. Actually I behaved as if I was jealous, or more like it, a teenager, which I was far from being one. In my defense, do we ever really grow up when it comes to meeting someone that makes your heart do cartwheels? 

Rain tenderly took my hands and held them between his palms. “I am,” he whispered, answering the first part of my question.

Wow, he didn’t react to my accusation like my ex would have, shooting back something rude, and off color, or in the flavor of; “
No, what are you accusing me of?”
Becoming a defensive asshole!

Rain was not that kind of man. He showed me that a truly confident man would not react to a woman’s insecurities by making a snide comment back to her. His confidence was that of a steel Trojan. Did I say
Trojan?
My mind wandered for a split second into the gutter.

With my hands in his hands and standing so close, he felt real enough to me. Too real. Although his hands were ice cold, his energy was sizzling and intoxicating. I knew his heart had to be steaming hot! Damn, I wanted him to touch more of me than just my hands. I felt overwhelmingly drawn to him.

“Would you like to know how I ended up with the spa in my possession?”

“Yes, I would love to.” I was so close I could smell his cologne mingling with his natural pheromones. It was delicious, too good to be the scent of a human.

“There’s also a great love story behind it that I am sure you will enjoy.”

“Really, a love story? Sounds intriguing.
I’m all ears.”

“Please, excuse me one moment.”

“Sure.” I nodded as I watched him retreat into the misty gray chamber.

When he returned, only seconds later, in his hands were two long-stem glasses filled with champagne. Rain walked so light-footed with pure elegance. It seemed like he almost floated across the floor.

Out of the dark, behind Rain, the white haired gentleman that I had seen earlier appeared. He was pushing an antique serving cart. I mentally laughed at the sight of this seven-foot giant hunching over the tiny, elegant cart. Adding to the humor was the fact he made me look like a dwarf.

Upon the tray were the largest chocolate-covered strawberries, small sandwiches and sorted pastries. The details were exquisite! I especially adored the dainty embroidered linen napkins. What a fine touch. They looked antique too.

Why was he doing this for me? Should I ask?
All I could do was stand there in awe.

“Thank you Pierre,”
Rain said with such politeness.

The man nodded and then disappeared without a word.

Rain turned to me and said, “I thought you may be hungry.”

“Oh my, this is so lovely.” I stared down at the magnificent spread. “But it’s getting late.” I flashed into the space of the dimly lit chamber.

“Do you have somewhere to go? I am sure you haven’t eaten all day—it looks like you did plenty of shopping, so I thought this would give you a boost.”

What kind of boost do you have in mind?
I giggled inwardly
.

“I don’t have any plans, I just didn’t expect—

He interrupted. “Are you getting nervous again?”

“I’m not nervous...never,” I gushed lying my ass off, realizing I had been inadvertently knotting my fingers together. I didn’t think he had noticed since the sleeves of his jacket hung far beyond the length of my arms.

He lifted a single brow at me. “Never, huh?” he asked pointedly, putting me in the hot seat. “Life is short Brielle, and we don’t have forever to figure it out, but we have more time than you know. I will take my time with you...I will follow your lead this time around.”

He spoke as if he was making some kind of confession. There was an intonation of an apology laced into words.
What the hell is he talking about?
I felt stumped. I didn’t know how to respond to his riddle. He was over the top eccentric, but the most gorgeous man I had ever seen.

For a moment, I wondered if he had some kind of mental illness? Either way, I knew I didn’t want to leave his side. I wanted to stay with him
forever
.

I liked how he made me feel, even though, some things came across weirder than weird. Like my receipt falling from inside my wallet, and how he disappeared for a second, returning with items that would’ve taken longer than a few seconds to retrieve. The entire situation was peculiar. Of course, who was I to judge? I had followed a stranger, a god more like it, to a backroom chamber of the beautiful gallery. Not to mention in a different country. And, no one even knew I was here.

What I was doing was everything I learned not to do growing up. My behavior was foolish, perhaps, even dangerous. Yet, I did it anyway. What was I thinking? I was explicitly breaking all my rules with him. The thought of my naivety made me rethink my poor judgment.

“I’m not good with riddles, Rain. However, I appreciate all your thoughtfulness. Thank you.” I paused, gazing into his face, avoiding eye contact.

He stared back at me with a strand of melancholy lingering in his eyes, waiting for my response. “Are you going to stay for a while longer? I know you want to,” he said with self-assurance, placing his finger under my chin, and lifting my eyes to his. His words washed away my good sense. Then, there it was, a look in his eyes, something painful staring back at me. I hadn’t been able to read him all afternoon, but this was unmistakable pain, yet unreachable. I could feel the strong walls that guarded this man’s heart. I blinked, breaking eye contact. I couldn’t disappoint him.