Sorry this is so late but again life got in the way and I'm fighting a cold at the moment. No update will be posted this Friday or Saturday because my Bday is on the 14th. Words in parentheses will be used for my notes and translations for French conversations. I just got an app that translates French to English or English to French so if it's wrong I apologize.

Chapter Six

Lucas had kept his distance the rest of the flight. He allowed her to sleep in the bed while he slept on the sofa, showing her the respect that he hadn't shown her before, despite their conversation. Brooke had been somewhat surprised that nothing happened between them. Not that she wanted something to happen.

Liar, her reflection seemed to taunt as she splashed her face from the heat that entered her cheeks at the remembrance of the dreams she had suffered through last night.

Brooke had already quietly taken care of those pesky needs during her shower, not wanting him to discover that she in any way wanted him. Once she dried herself with the softest towels she ever felt she dressed for the day in a blush pink floral print wrap dress, pink pearl earrings, with two inch off white crocheted wedge sandals.

"Brooke we're about to land in a few minutes so hurry and find a seat to buckle up." He called from the outside of the bathroom.

"Okay!" she answered as she spritzed on her favorite fragrance and hurried up and finger combed her slightly wet and messy hair. She then exhaled, "what am I doing?"

Brooke then calmly walked out of the bathroom. She chose the seat closest to him and buckled in then grasped his hand. Lucas looked at her questioningly, "What—"

"I hate landing…" she explained as she began a breathing regiment to calm her nerves.

Lucas looked at her with confusion, "You flew before right?"

"Yeah but that doesn't change the fact that I hate landing and air pockets or any turbulence of any kind…" she said with a edge of nervousness. Just as she said those words the plane settled on the ground with a rough bounce that made her grip his hand tightly as she panted, her eyes closed tight.

"Brooke everything is ok…I'm right here with you." He said comfortingly as he messaged her hand with his thumb. "Fear doesn't exist anywhere except in the mind…"

Brooke nodded as she focused on the motion of his thumb on her hand, the ever present zing his touch sent through her. She heard his soothing voice telling her that she was going to be fine. When the plane came to a complete stop she still held his hand although a lot more gently than she had when they first touched ground. Brooke gave him a relieved smile and said a breathy, "Thank you…"

The tenderness in his eyes took her breath away as he said, "You don't have to thank me for anything. Are you okay now?"

Brooke nodded as she took in a shaky breath, "Yeah…sometimes I have anxiety attacks while flying."

"You were fine when we boarded—"

She nodded then replied, "I was but my mind was occupied so I didn't have time to freak out but there were moments where I had to pull myself together…" Her eyes met his as she admitted, "I just didn't want to show you."

"Why not?"

"Because I didn't want to seem weak and helpless. I want to be strong. I don't like you guys to see me like this...vulnerable."

Lucas looked at her and smiled genuinely and said softly, "Vulnerability is not weakness, far from it. When you're vulnerable you display your greatest strength." He unbuckled himself and stood to his feet then asked, "Do you still need a minute?"

She shook her head, "No…I'm fine now."

"Good. Come on we have quite a ride ahead of us."

There was a black MKT Lincoln Town car waiting for them as soon as they had stepped off the plane.

"Welcome to Paris Monsieur Scott." A medium sized man with long gelled back black hair and a goatee said with a heavy French accent.

"I got this Jacque thank you..." Lucas opened the door for her himself, his hand held hers as he helped her inside.

She sent him a small smile, "Thank you."

Lucas helped Jacque load their luggage in the trunk of the car and in the passenger side. From then on they were on their way. "You're going to love it here Brooke."

"So you keep saying." Brooke said with humor even though she was truly astonished at the sight of the scenery outside the car window, how the morning glow set the city in such a gorgeous light. She rolled down the window and took pictures as they drove through the city.

"Everyone loves Paris…There's a lot to experience and hopefully when we get some time off we all can go sailing on the Seine river."

"You have a boat too?"

Lucas shook his head and replied, "No, not here. I was thinking about renting out the Clipper Paris for one or two weekends should our work allow it…that way we all can experience Paris as it should be experienced. Sight seeing and visiting the museums—"

"And the Eiffel tower…" she said dreamily, already picturing visiting the famous structure.

"That's a given. I heard it's truly spectacular at night."

Brooke looked away from the window and met his gaze, "You've never been?"

Lucas shook his head and shrugged, "Not once. Even as a sixteen year old kid I stayed home. I figured that I would go when I met someone very special."

"Someone special huh…" she asked after turning away to hide her smile.

"Yeah…someone who is strong, brave, fiercely independent and brilliant." He said with a slight smirk. Brooke turned back as he continued on to say, "Amazing dimpled smile, hazel eyes that could break anyone down to their knees if she's angry enough. And those same eyes could soften the most stubborn heart with the slightest sparkle. And every time I'm around this woman…I have the urge to kiss her."

"Then what's stopping you?"

Lucas sighed and admitted, "Every single time we've kissed—I initiated it. I took it without giving you much choice in it. Mostly to shut you up. But now I want—no I need to show you the respect I should have shown from the beginning. Don't get me wrong I don't regret kissing you. My only regret is how I kissed you. The next time—if there's a next time—I want it to be your move."

Brooke looked at his lips and licked her lips but then the car hit a pothole, disturbing the moment and causing her to lose her nerve. She looked out the window and found that they were deep in the heart of the 5th arrondissement which made her snap more pictures.

When they finally arrived at the estate Brooke was left almost speechless at the beauty of the mansion and the manicured lawn. "This is almost worth the flight here!"

"This a five hundred square mile 18th century mansion is listed at additional Historic Monuments listing." Lucas said as the car parked in the stoned courtyard in front of the ancient facade.

Jacque helped unload their luggage as Lucas helped her out of the car.

"If you think the outside is something wait until you see the interior. Come on." He said, sounding like an excited young man as he grabbed her hand and led her inside.

Brooke was in open awe, unable to believe that she was standing in such a historic mansion in the most romantic city in the world. It was truly one—if not the most momentous moment of her life.

In the main wing of the building on the ground-floor there is a cloakroom, a music room, a small and a vast living room over a landscaped garden of five hundred square mile.

"The 19th century wing, entirely reorganized, offers a large study looking down in a monumental kitchen with dining space. Decorated staircase and an elevator leading to different stories."

"The first floor is supposed to be dedicated to parents with double bathroom and double dressing room…but I have that to myself…" he explained as he took her upstairs, "The 2nd and 3rd floors benefit of four bedrooms, with four bathrooms, four dressing rooms and kids room. The top floor is leaded as a private apartment, with a bathroom."

Lucas showed her each room including the playroom. "You can pick any room you want but I suspect that you want the top floor."

"Actually I—"

"Daddy!!" Jamie and Logan exclaimed as soon as they spotted him in the doorway of the playroom.

"My princes!" he said with a joyful laugh as they barreled into his legs.

Brooke's heart softened at the display of affection between father and sons. Lucas hugged both boys without reservation and then laughed as he blew on each child's neck, making them giggle in return. He eventually remembered that she was standing there and stood up straight then smiled apologetically, "Sorry. These are my boys." He ruffled the one that was his mirror image and said, "This one here is Jamie."

"Hi Jamie." Brooke said with a kind smile.

The other blonde boy decided to hide behind Lucas' legs causing Lucas to chuckle. "And this shy one is Logan."

"Hi Logan…"

"Daddy who's that?"

Lucas looked at her and said, "This is my friend Brooke—"

"Logan! Jamie! Where'd you run off to? Are you guys playing hide and seek again without telling me?!"

There was someone that Brooke hadn't expected to see in Ile-De-France accompanying the boys, a content smile on her face. "Sam?!"

"Brooke?!" Sam asked completely bewildered.

"Am I missing something?" Lucas asked as he held his sons hands.

Brooke ignored him and demanded, "What are you doing here?!"

"I should ask you the same thing sis!"

Lucas looked between the two women with confusion. "Sis? Hold on what is going on?!"

Brooke looked at him with a mean glare and gave him a hard shove for good measure as she demanded, "What the hell is my sister doing here Lucas?! And for the love of God you better pray that you haven't done anything inappropriate with—"

Lucas stumbled back and was taken aback by her tirade. "Whoa I would never—how could you even—why would you think that about me?!"

Brooke's eyebrow lifted in judgement as she said, "Besides being a horn dog with me—"

"You're completely different! Don't compare us with—she's a kid!" he then exhaled his annoyance then stated as calmly as he could after being accused of having inappropriate relationship with his boys nanny, "She's my new nanny Brooke! She's been promoted to full time after she's been babysitting my twins for the past two months and they love her—" his brows drew together as his brain finally registered the entire situation. "—wait I thought you were an only child—"

Sam who was flushing with thorough embarrassment, rolled her eyes and muttered, "Nice Brooke—"

"I never said that I was an only child. You assumed." She then whirled around to Sam and said, "And you—you're supposed to be in Northwestern right now enrolling for your first semester! What are you doing here?!"

Sam shrugged and admitted, "I decided that I'm not going until next semester…"

Brooke looked at her little sister and demanded, "Excuse me?! What exactly do you mean by that?!"

Sensing there may be a violent argument between the sisters Lucas bent down and said to Jamie and Logan while smiling tautly, "Logan, Jamie why don't you boys go back in the playroom…while Sam, Brooke and I have a conversation…we won't be long..."

"Yes sir…" Jamie said, queuing in on the tension in the room. "C'mon Logan let's race our toy cars!"

"I bet you I'll win!"

"No I'm gonna win!" Jamie said, their voices fading away as they entered the room.

Lucas led the two into his study which was next to the play room and closed the door. "Okay…what's going on?"

"Lucas this is my little sister Sam who has just finished high school and is supposed to be enrolling—"

"I got that part. I'm talking about the different last names part."

She looked at her younger sister in disbelief and said, "You have got to be kidding me Sam—you actually went through with it?!" Brooke shook her head and sighed then explained, "Apparently Samantha changed her name to Walker as soon as she could but she's really a Davis—which reminds me does Mom and Dad know where you are?!"

"Before you try to guilt trip me Mom and Dad knows about my decision."

Brooke snorted, "Bullshit! You can pull that act with him," she said as she pointed at him, "but I know better. You're not blowing off college because you think you're not good enough to be there—"

Sam's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Brooke! That's not—"

Brooke crossed her arms and glared at her saying, "Brooke nothing! I even bet you left the country without telling them didn't you? Didn't you?!"

She rolled her eyes again then said drolly, "Do you honestly think that they would be on board with me going out of the country with my boss to babysit for three months?"

Brooke scoffed, "I knew that you didn't tell them about this—"

Lucas turned to Sam and demanded, "Are you serious?! Sam why didn't you tell me that your family wasn't on board?! I wouldn't have insisted on you coming—"

Sam rolled her eyes, "That's exactly why I didn't tell you. You said yourself that you and the boys need me. Which is why I'm here. Jamie and Logan need me and you will be too busy working to actually be able to watch them as they need to be watched and you know it!"

"Your education is important Samantha. I never wanted to be in the way of that. And lying to your family about your whereabouts is wrong—"

"I didn't lie—"

Lucas normally warm blue eyes turned to sleet as he said, "By omission you did. I'm sorry but you have to—"

Her expressive eyes widened as she exclaimed, "You can't send me home! You can't! Working for you is the only way I can pay for college! And the rate you pay I can't find that anywhere else! Please—"

"I'm your employer so I can—"

Brooke saw the expression on her face and felt her heart squeeze, she hated seeing Sam upset. So having sympathy on her little sister she placed a hand on his shoulder and said quietly, "Lucas…don't send her home. Obviously the boys mean a lot to her. And as much as I like to forget…she is a young adult and can make her own stupid decisions…"

"I thought you were all set for her going home—"

Brooke shrugged unable to deny that. "I was—I am—its complicated…"

Sam looked at Brooke and Lucas pleadingly and said, "If it helps I also planned on listing you as part of my portfolio…I'm going into child development so this experience is very important. Please let me stay…"

"Okay…okay you can stay—" Sam smiled a little relieved smile in response to the news until he said, "But only because Brooke's okay with you staying. In addition to actually needing you."

"Thank you so much. I promise you will not regret this."

"I know I won't."

Sam smiled gratefully then walked out of the office and went back to the playroom to supervise the boys.

Brooke sighed and shook her head. "Damn Dan!"

"What about him?"

"Part of the money he had stolen from us was her college fund. I had to tell her what happened to it but I had been building it back up since you had bailed us out."

"How much did you save up?"

"Well after the bills and your cut I was only able to save twenty thousand dollars."

"And how much does she need?"

"Well with all the fees for tuition, room and board, fees for books and supplies in total is seventy-four thousand six hundred and forty-nine dollars."

Lucas nodded and walked her out of the room, "I know with the Sam situation you didn't get a chance to think about which room you wanted—"

"Actually I would like to stay on the second floor. That way we can get to the site faster."

Lucas nodded as he whipped out his cellphone, "Alright I'll just text Rosalie which room to prepare for you."

"Who's Rosalie?"

"She is your personal maid as of this moment on. Each person living under this roof has a maid on call and it'll be a lot easier for them if they had help cleaning this mammoth of a home instead of having one person do it. The butler, Gaston, however is only one man and I try not to use him because I can serve myself and his advanced age. But sometimes my privileged upbringing kicks in and I indulge in the service he offers—" he then rolled his eyes and blushed as he said with a bit of shame, "God I sound like a full blown snob."

"A tiny bit but at least you caught yourself this time. So progress." She said as they walked down the hall with no clear destination in mind.

"I sounded like a snob before? When?"

"Every time you open your mouth. You always expect things to go your way—"

His eyebrows furrowed as he pointed out, "As do you—"

"But not because of my upbringing. It's because I am a boss!"

Lucas chuckled, "Naturally."

Lucas had eventually shown her every room in the house, additionally to the beautiful living areas, the mansion has a complete basement with a wine cellar and a cinema in the home room.

The two walked through the beautiful garden after the tour, the fragrance of the different types of roses perfuming the air, heady and sweet. Lucas loved the way the light hit her curly strands of hair turning the brown an interesting mix of gold brown and reds.

"What?" she asked as they walked along, feeling his eyes on her.

"Nothing…except…" he said as he came to a complete stop, picking a pink rose from its bush, careful of it's thorns and broke them off before tucking it in her hair. "Perfect."

Brooke looked at him and smiled, "As promised I love it here! I love everything about this place, the surface, the vast landscaped garden and the architecture—everything! It's an amazing place. Thank you for convincing me to stay.

"Thank you for listening." He said with a soft smile. "Brooke…I know I said I would wait until you came to me but I don't think I can…is it ok if I kiss you?"

Her eyes flicked to his hooded ones and asked coyly, "So you give me a flower for a kiss?"

"No. I thought that rose would look good in your hair. I want to kiss you because I have been wanting to for a long time…"

Brooke's heart sped up as his hand stroked her cheek, "Yes…"

Lucas surprised her with a soft brush of his lips against hers. Then he went back for another and another, each kiss becoming more passionate but still maintaining it's gentleness, keeping his mouth closed, opening it slightly, intertwining his lips with hers. The kiss was slow and gentle, tentative yet powerful. She gasped softly, her body trembling with desire as she felt his hand settle on the small of her back, drawing her close to him while his left hand cupped her head. Lucas tilted her head and deepened their kiss, tasting her leisurely.

Before she knew it, it was over. Pulling his lips away and gently stroked her lower lip with his thumb. She opened her eyes slowly, the caress enchanting her even more especially when he looked down at her like that—with a mix of restraint and hunger but then smiled that heart stopping smile. "Lucas—"

"I know that you said we shouldn't do this—"

Brooke kissed him, taking him completely by surprise. Her soft lips melding to his effortlessly, her tongue doing her own exploration. Her thorough kisses bewitched him into a stupor, and by the time she broke away from the kiss and looked into his stormy blue eyes, with a sly smile on her face. "I may be open to reconsider my position."

"Please don't say that word right now…" he said with an ironic laugh and a grimace.

Brooke blushed and grinned as she glanced down at his situation, "Position."

She watched in delicious delight when his erection reacted with a slight movement. "Poor thing…" she whispered as she teased him with a barely there touch and heard his deep intake of breath. "One day…one day when I decide how things should go. We could have some fun but for now business first."

She then pecked him on the lips, enjoying the fact that she managed to get him unbalanced for once and walked back towards the mansion.

"I'll be there in a few. I need a minute." He admitted looking down at his persistent friend.

"Okay…"

When she went inside she was met by Jamie who was one of the cutest little boys she had ever seen.

"So you're Sam's sister?" he asked curiously.

"I am."

He cocked his head to the side and asked curiously, "How do you know my daddy?"

"Um, we work together." She answered despite fumbling a little. The little boy had shrewd eyes for a four year old.

Said eyes lit up as he asked, "Like Millie?"

"Millie?" she asked, knowing the name sounded familiar.

"She works really close with my dad. She buys us toys sometimes when she comes by our house and she did everything for us before Sam was with us. I miss her."

"I see. Well I am more like someone who makes lots of yummy food including cookies and cakes. I can even make candy."

His eyes widened with delight, "Really?!"

"Really." She said with a warm smile.

Jamie looked up at her then said, "You're very pretty."

"Why thank you!"

"Jamie! There you are!" Sam said with a relieved sigh as she carried Logan on her hip as she made her way towards them. "We were looking for you everywhere—well not everywhere because this place is huge. But still you scared me I thought you disappeared or something!"

His eyes downcast he muttered a sad, "I'm sorry Sam—"

"You can't go wondering off by yourself I don't care if this is your second home!"

"I just wanted to make sure that Daddy was okay. He hadn't spent that much time with us and I know he isn't working…" He said sadly, his eyes still downcast.

Sam looked at the boy and exhaled, "Oh Jamie…I'm sure he was just making sure that my big sister didn't get lost inside this huge place. Isn't that right Brooke?"

Sensing that the child needed reassuring she said, "Right. He made sure that I knew where to find everything. How he could remember where everything is, is a mystery."

"Daddy always has a good memory." Jamie supplied proudly.

"Yeah he never forgets anything." Logan said, just as proudly.

After getting his hormones under control Lucas walked inside and saw the four standing and talking, but remained quiet.

"Are you twins like us?" Logan asked as he looked at the two brunettes.

Brooke smiled and answered, "No… I'm eleven years older than Sam."

Jamie looked at his brother then said excitedly, "Guess what Logan she can make candy!"

Logan's eyes widened as he asked, "Like Willy Wonka?!"

Brooke chuckled and said, "I wouldn't go that far but I can make some things."

"Can you make some now?" the boys asked eagerly, as they practically bounced with the excitement.

"Maybe she can later. You don't want to spoil your dinner do you?" Lucas said, making his presence known.

Logan snapped his head toward his fathers direction and demanded in the cutest way, "Daddy…why didn't you tell us she could make candy?! And why didn't you bring her sooner? We could've had a lot of candy!"

Lucas held up his hands in a playful manner and said jokingly, "I'm sorry I didn't know. She kept her candy identity a secret from me."

Jamie's eyes widened as he asked, "Like Spider-Man?!"

Brooke hid her chuckle, wondering how he was going to explain that she was not some candy making superhero. But to her surprise he went along with it saying, "If I told you it wouldn't be a secret…" Lucas winked.

The boys winked back then went up to Brooke and said, "We understand that you have to keep your identity a secret. We promise we won't tell. Right Jamie?"

Jamie nodded solemnly, "Your secret is safe with us!"

"Alright you little monsters…time for naptime." Sam said as she grasped the boys hands who instantly pulled away.

"We don't wanna take a nap! We wanna know more about Ms. Brooke!"

Brooke looked at her sister and saw the I-mean-business stare and said, "Listen, how about after you guys take a little nap you can watch me make some candy for dessert, hm?"

"You mean it?" Jamie asked sadly, obviously not wanting to leave her presence.

"Yes. I mean it. But only if you take your naps and behave for my sister."

"Okay…" Logan turned to Sam and said as he lifted his arms for her to lift him back up, "Come on Sam! We're ready now."

Sam picked up both boys saying, "Come on spider monkeys I'll tell you a story when we get to your room."

"Yay!!!" Jamie and Logan cheered as they were carried down the hallway.

Brooke smiled and lifted her eyebrow questioningly, "Why didn't you tell them that I'm not some candy making hero? Which by the way is the best compliment I have ever gotten in my whole career by far."

"I didn't want to disappoint them and besides it makes me look even cooler in there eyes."

"How do you figure that?"

"How many dad's you know that can say that they brought the coolest hero a toddler can ask for? And also I pretty much made you a rockstar to my kids."

"That may be so but what happens when they find out that I'm a regular ol chef from Illinois?"

"You couldn't be regular if you tried, Brooke Davis. You were born to stand out."

"You're just saying that to get another kiss."

"No, I am saying it because I believe it."

Brooke shook her head, "Why?"

"Because from the moment I saw you I saw a woman that could set the world on fire—"

Brooke rolled her eyes and snorted, "You did not! You thought I was a bitch."

"That's the kind that sets world's on fire! But then the process of getting to know you…I want to be the man that you deserve. Maybe I'm coming on too strong—" he raked his hands through his blond hair and continued with a small chuckle, "As I always am when it comes to you but it's how I feel. I want you Brooke…whatever that entails…"

"I never would have thought that you were the kind that would wear your heart on your sleeve…"

"I always have been. But because of power and prestige and the constant mind games no one notices. Thank God."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because if I show my hand all the time my company would be swallowed up by the competition."

Brooke nodded then asked, "Speaking of business…when is the meeting happening?"

"First thing tomorrow morning."

Brooke nodded, "Okay… should I ask the cook whether or not it's okay for me to play around in the kitchen?"

"Its my house—"

"Yeah but that's his domain. It's sacred and I don't want—"

"To trample in someone's turf?" he supplied, remembering that was one of the things he had done to piss her off.

"Exactly. Especially in a home because you have to know exactly what's being used—"

Lucas nodded, "I'm sorry for that by the way… stepping in your turf I mean."

Brooke smiled and said, "Admitting you're wrong is definitely a step in the right direction…"

Lucas walked beside her as they entered the kitchen to find chef Mathis (pronounced mah-TEES) prepping for dinner.

"Mathis hé, ça va si mon invité emprunte la cuisine pour faire un dessert pour les enfants?" (Author note: which translates to Mathis hey, is it ok if my guest borrows the kitchen to make dessert for the kids? *At least I hope it does*) he asked tilting his head toward her.

Brooke wasn't surprised that he could fluently speak French but the sound of his already sexy voice as he spoke is what took her aback, the timbre of his voice transformed into a richer smoother sound that sent tingles through her body centering to her core.

"Bien sûr monsieur quand doit-elle commencer?" (Of course sir when does she need to start?)

Lucas looked at her then said, "He asks when do you need to start?"

"Um…in about an hour and a half." She answered.

"Dans environ une heure et demie." (In about an hour and a half) Lucas said, his velvety voice continuing to work on her hormones so much that Brooke resisted the urge to fan herself as he spoke.

"Quoi que ce soit ici, elle est la bienvenue." (Anything in here she is welcome to.) Mathis said with a smile.

"What did he say?"

"Anything in here you're welcome to."

"Merci beaucoup pour votre générosité, chef Mathis." She said with perfect pronunciation.

Both men looked at her with surprise.

"You speaking French should be illegal." Lucas said softly, her low raspy voice enchanting him as well.

"The same could be said about you."

"Why didn't you tell me that you could speak French?" he asked as they left the kitchen.

Brooke smiled, "And steal your thunder? Je voulais vivre ici un jour bien sûr j'apprendrais la langue." (I wanted to live here one day of course I'd learn the language)

Lucas groaned with pent up longing, "Les choses que je veux vous faire…" (The things I want to do to you)

Brooke sent a teasing smile, "Patience, Lucas. Patience…"

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