From Pemberley to Manhattan [COMPLETED]

Chapter 61

            SIX HOURS IN PARIS

Nat

I hadn't been able to rest that morning, even though I'd told Darcy I needed to sleep for a few hours before we could begin the day. It wasn't for sharing that small-yet-amazing space with the man who'd lied through his teeth to me since I'd met him. It was the overbearing sexual tension between us. It was so thick I could almost touch it, smell it, freaking hear it screaming Come get me! If I could eat it, it would taste bitter and sweet, I was sure. It was tempting and frustrating at the same time, driving me crazy.

After a sleepless night on the plane and a restless morning in my new bed in Paris, one might think I wouldn't have any energy left in my body to feel anything other than exhaustion as I saw his I-didn't-sleep-either adorable face once I decided to get off the bed and go to the kitchen. Well, apparently I was back in my teens, with my hormones blasting all over the place, because I did feel a lot, alright. His flushed cheeks and enthusiastic eyes made me want to jump on him. There was an alarming amount of blood traveling to my lower parts, by the way.

HOTNESS ALERT!

"I went for a walk earlier and found a lovely bakery a few blocks away", he offered as explanation for the amazing smell of fresh bread and croissants in the apartment. I looked out the balcony and understood his excitement. Yes, it wasn't enough to have an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower; we had two small balconies, too. One was accessed through the tiny living room and the other through the bedroom.

He'd bought breakfast for us, and had arranged it on the table of the living room balcony. I hadn't even heard him leaving, meaning I had probably slept a little that morning. My stomach rumbled angrily, reminding me I hadn't eaten in over twelve hours, not since the late dinner on the plane. I glanced at the vintage wall clock on the living room wall, and saw it was a little past noon.

"Miss Nathalie, may I remind you we are in Paris, therefore you are in no way late for anything", he expressed with a knowing smile, and I couldn't help smiling back. I was about to mentally chastise myself for sleeping late, and he knew it. As he pulled a chair for me (yes ladies, there are some advantages in having a gentleman from the nineteenth century for company), he suggested, playfully, "Perhaps we should take that clock off the wall, so you shall no longer worry about nonexistent delays."

That made me laugh. Yes, I was still mad at him. No, I hadn't forgiven him yet. But he was finding his way there, the arrogant ash. "So", I said, my mouth dry and my stomach full of butterflies, "what did you get us?"

Apparently, almost everything, I learned moments later. Since he had trouble choosing one baking good and a simple drink, Darcy had decided to bring a little of all. He'd brought us croissants, bagels, pies, about five different flavors of jam, three types of cheese, and a lot of butter. To drink, one could have some hot chocolate, or a cappuccino, or even an orange juice.

Before one in the afternoon, I was fuller than I had ever been and had the most self-indulging smile on my face, my eyes closed, welcoming the warmth of the sun on my skin. Darcy laughed, a sound as rare as delicious, and accused me, "You look very happy."

"That I am, sir", I pleaded guilty. I opened my eyes briefly to see his face transformed by his smile, and was mesmerized by the sight; his eyes were filled with cheerfulness and desire, making my insides do the Gangnam Style. "I need some fresh air", I blurted out.

"Yes", his voice was hoarse, and he cleared his throat a few times before agreeing, "I believe I need it too, Miss Nathalie."

Unsurprisingly, the armoire in the bedroom was overflowing with clothes, all our sizes. Darcy shyly chose a pair of jeans, a classic wine long-sleeve cotton Polo shirt, black sneakers (at which he couldn't help turning his nose) and a black windbreaker jacket; he then asked me politely (and completely blushed) where I'd prefer to get changed. Since he'd already showered earlier, and I had not, I decided to have a shower and get changed in the huge bathroom.