Zach held the door for Kendall to enter the small, non-descript building. She had looked at him questioningly, but he had not replied. It did not even look like a place that served food… much less the exquisite meal that Zach had promised. However, once she entered, she found herself quickly enticed by the delicious aromas wafting from various tables.
Zach was greeted by name by the maitre d' and asked to wait a moment before the owner arrived to personally escort them to a table. After being seated in a secluded corner, the owner conversed with Zach in an amalgam of French and English that Kendall only half understood. Amazingly, though, she was not the least bit irritated even when she knew they were discussing her. Finally, Zach asked if she had any preferences… or if she would allow him to order for her. She rolled her eyes, and Zach turned to the owner, "Mademoiselle would prefer…"
"Mademoiselle would prefer that Monsieur Slater select the menu for the evening," she interrupted sharply.
Zach glanced at her quickly before continuing to order a bottle of wine and several items that she could not pronounce. They sat quietly until the wine had been brought to the table, uncorked and tasted. After placing glasses in on the table, Zach waved off the waiter and poured it himself. As he passed Kendall a glass, "Shall we toast to unexpected alliances?"
She smiled and nodded as they touched their glasses, and she was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the wine he had selected. He noted her look of appreciation and lifted the bottle for her to read the label, and she was even more impressed at his choice.
"Well… you didn't order me cow's brains or something equally disgusting did you?" Kendall asked, only half in jest.
"No… I promise that it will be wonderfully made, but nothing exotic. My friend told me that the chef would be inspired by your beauty… and I have to agree… you look quite lovely this evening, Kendall," Zach said.
"No way... uh-uh… you are not going all charming on me now… we're past that… I know who you really are…" Kendall said laughingly.
"Dear, sweet Kendall… you don't have a clue who I really am… but I'm willing to let you see a little bit of me… in exchange for… hmmm… maybe a small glimpse at the real you?" Zach retorted with a smile.
"You… Zachary Slater… are a very dangerous man… and not to be trusted…" Kendall answered, taking another sip of her wine. "Oh, what the hell! We are in Paris after all… and I can always deny it later… just don't come complaining to me when you don't like what you see," Kendall answered him.
"Oh, Kendall… I already like what I see," Zach laughed as he topped off her wine glass.
Throughout the meal, Zach was witty and charming, showing Kendall a side of him that she didn't even know existed. She realized that he was truly a man of the world, sophisticated and urbane… and also realized that he was actually a man who inspired deep loyalty and trust. The deferential treatment he received from the hotel and restaurant staff was not punctuated by fear, but by admiration. And when she considered a moment, she realized that his casino staff—both in Las Vegas and on the east coast—was just as loyal. Zach was right, she didn't know him at all… but unfortunately it was becoming obvious that he knew her very well.
As they were enjoying their coffee, Zach regaled her with tales of some colorful casino patrons… and they laughed together. Kendall found Zach to be a relaxed and genial host, and found herself wishing that the evening would never end. She had always been impulsive… and she really didn't know why she said it, except for the shock value… but once she did, she didn't want to take it back either…
"Zach… you once told me that if I was ever feeling lonely… that… that you'd make me feel like a woman… were you serious?" Kendall asked him quietly.
"And are you feeling lonely?" Zach said, his eyes dancing.
"Well… since I found out… that… that Ethan… that he was lying…" Kendall stammered.
Zach held up a hand and shook his head, "Remember… no talk of Pine Valley… or of anyone else…"
"You're right… but… yes, I have been lonely… and sad…" Kendall answered, surprising herself with the response.
"And I've been holding my breath…" he said softly against her ear. She shivered at his closeness, her breath catching ever so softly. Zach took a finger and traced her jaw line before placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.
She let out her breath slowly, and looked at him, reading the naked desire in his eyes. She breathed, "… so have I…"
Without another word, Zach signaled for the check, and quickly took care of the bill. Just as attentive as the staff had been throughout the meal, they were suddenly absent and their exit was quick and unobstructed. Zach quickly hailed a cab and had them at the door to their hotel in a matter of minutes. He escorted her through the lobby and directly to the elevators, all the while casually caressing her arm and tucking a curl behind her ear as they waited for a car. Once the elevator arrived, he pushed the button for his floor and looked at her questioningly. When she didn't answer, he pulled her close to him until the doors closed and he kissed her lingeringly with just a taste of the passion she would experience if she stayed with him.
Zach released Kendall from his embrace as the elevator doors opened, stepping out and holding his hand to her. She smiled softly and placed her hand in his, a gesture of trust she rarely made. He smiled in reply, his eyes smoldering with the banked embers of his desire… she held his hand and followed as he led the way. When they reached his suite, he pulled her close as he unlocked the door… lifting her in his arms to carry her in and then kicking the door closed behind him like a swashbuckler of old.
Without releasing her from his arms, he kissed her thoroughly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself even closer to him. They stood in that embrace for a few minutes until he allowed her feet to gently slip to the floor as he worked the zipper at the back of her dress. She pulled out of the kiss and loosened the tie around his neck before unbuttoning his shirt. Once all the buttons had been undone, she pushed shirt, jacket and tie over his shoulders and onto the floor as her own dress slipped down her body. Zach pulled her tightly against him as he plundered her mouth with his, invading her mouth with his tongue and twining his hands in her hair.
Slowly they inched their way to the bed, leaving a trail of each other's clothing in their wake. As Zach backed against it, he allowed himself to fall pulling Kendall down with him, their laughter mingling with the passion they had ignited. He explored her body with his hands and mouth, just as she explored his… igniting a passion more powerful than either one had experienced before.
As they recovered from the glory of their union, Kendall relaxed in Zach's arms. "Well…" he whispered.
"Oh… I definitely feel like a woman…" she said with a sultry laugh. "And now I'll make you feel like a man…"
Zach groaned aloud as she reached under the covers while kissing him with a rising passion. When he tried to pull her into his arms, she only pushed him back shaking her head. Trying to lie still, he enjoyed the sensations of her making love to his body… until he could stand it no more and pulled her to him… reveling in their re-ignited passion.
Once again sated, they drifted to sleep in each other's arms… no thoughts or cares about what tomorrow might bring. Zach woke as the first rays of sunlight penetrated the room, and quietly watched the woman asleep in his arms… feeling both surprise and guilt for the time they had spent together. He would have to tread very carefully with this complicated woman…
Kendall woke and lifted her eyes, catching Zach watching her sleep. "What? Is my mascara smeared?" she asked as she pulled out of his arms.
Zach's arms tightened automatically before he released her and smiled warmly, "No… it's just been a very long time since I've woken to such a pleasant sight. You certainly kept your word last night… although I believe that I've had much more than a glimpse of the real you."
Kendall giggled in response, "… and you kept your word, too."
Zach suddenly looked at her with a serious expression, "I hope you don't regret… anything that we… uh…"
Kendall shook her head, "No… no regrets… we deserved this night… but… but… I'm not… I'm not going to…"
"Shh… shh… there are no strings attached to last night… we were just two sad and lonely people who found comfort in each other," Zach answered softly. "I know how much my son hurt you, and my brother before him… the last thing you need in your life is another Cambias."
Kendall looked at him in surprise, "Thank you… that's very decent of you."
"Well… I'm a decent man… or haven't you figured that out yet?" Zach said matter-of-factly. "I hope that we can remain friends… we are, after all, neighbors."
"That we are. Yes, I believe that friendship is an excellent option for us," Kendall said as she held out her hand to shake on it.
Zach shook her hand in response and smiled, "Do you want to shower here? Or shall we sneak you back to your room?"
Kendall laughed and leaned forward to kiss him, "I don't believe that the night's over quite yet…" Zach growled in response and pulled her against him before surrendering to the passion that once again blossomed between them.
Edited to remove song lyrics.
