Feeling the warmth of his body against her own recede, Eva opened her eyes, knowing that the dream was over. It was time to wake up. It was morning already, and she turned to look at Alexander, only to see him rolling over to his side of the bed. Wasn’t he sleeping on his side? She watched him swing his legs to get down and go to the en-suite, unaware that she was wide awake.
The washroom door closed and Eva touched her lips. She could feel her swollen lips, still throbbing, branded by Alexander’s hungry kiss. Was that a dream, or was it real? Confused, she got up to check in the mirror, gasping at her disheveled state. Her lips looked thoroughly kissed!
Her eyes went towards the living room bathed in the pale morning sunlight and she walked out towards it. Everything looked so refreshing and beautiful that it took her breath away. She walked onto the adjacent, spacious terrace commanding a panoramic view of the city’s major sights, including the iconic Eiffel Tower.
“Good morning! Did you sleep well?” asked Alexander, coming out to join her. Even with her back towards him, Eva could feel his gaze upon her, making her feel suddenly self-conscious and shy. She couldn’t erase the memories of the dream and they still confused her. Was it a dream at all? She could feel him quite close behind her and it made her tingle all over. ‘Get a grip on yourself, Eva. You can’t afford to react this way to him! He isn’t yours,’ chided her inner voice.
“Good morning! Yes, very well. So when are we going out today?” she asked, turning to look up at him, glad to think of something to ease the tension in the air.
“Now!” He looked down at her, his mouth lifting upwards into a grin at seeing the horrified look on her face. She looked down at her disheveled state and grimaced. How did he always look so irresistibly hot?
“Now? What about coffee?” He chuckled at her reaction, but she scowled at him. “I can’t function without it. You know that!”
“Yes, I’m aware!” He still gazed at her, and it was then that she noticed his lips. They were as swollen as hers. What the hell! Was it all real then? She was dying to know, but how? She couldn’t ask him outright!
“Umm, I’ll freshen up while you order.” She moved away from him and headed inside to shower and get ready for the day.
“We’ll be going out for coffee and breakfast,” he yelled over his shoulder, making her smile. She hadn’t expected him to do anything ordinary!
In twenty minutes, she was ready, and they headed out of their hotel, walking hand in hand towards the Eiffel Tower. “We’ll taste the local breakfast here and check out the Eiffel Tower first.” He led her to a cozy outdoor cafe that was quite popular amongst the locals.
“Is this your favorite cafe here?” asked Eva, sitting down and looking around at the crowded place. The friendly atmosphere, and the delicious aroma of food, relaxed her. She preferred these types of places more.
“No, I prefer grabbing some delicacies from one of the bakeries and having a picnic in the open gardens nearby,” he chuckled, picking up the menu card.
“Sounds fun to me. We could try that out too,” she said, peering into the menu card. Alexander smiled at her with appreciation since she was more down-to-earth than any female he knew.
“We will! There’s so much to do here. I wish all my meetings get canceled!” Eva grinned at his candid admission but didn’t reply. Obviously, she, too, wished the same. They ordered French toast roll-ups with roasted grapes, Creamy scrambled eggs, French breakfast Strata, and cafe au lait. Despite the crowd all around them, the fresh, delicious food and Alexander’s company excited her. He told them about his first visit to Paris and how he ended up eating Cuisses de Grenouille.
“Oh, what’s that? Did you like it?” asked a confused Eva.
“Yes, it was delicious. Would you like to try?” he asked, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
“Sure, if it’s that good.” Alexander laughed and shook his head.
“Do you know what it is?” Eva shook her head, not knowing anything about French cuisine. “Cuisses de Grenouille is fried frog’s legs, and it’s the traditional food here.”
“Then you’re welcome to have it. I’ll stick to what I like.”
“You’ll like it if you try,” he coaxed her, but she shook her head vigorously.
“No, thanks.” After breakfast, they left for the iconic tower. Alexander had already procured the tickets in advance and they headed straight towards the forecourt. With Alexander explaining the details of the wrought-iron structure, Eva gazed up, amazed at the spectacular four pillars supporting the enormous tower rising above her. They took the elevator to the first floor, and it took her breath away, just as Alexander had promised it would. He held her hands as they walked on the glass floor and stood by the thick glass balustrades to soak in the view. Eva could feel him right behind her! His arm wrapped around her from the back and he clicked a photograph of them together. It was their first and Eva wanted it.
“Please forward the picture to me, Alexander!” she pleaded, looking up at him.
“It comes with a price,” said Alexander while his eyes lit up with excitement.
“I know! I’ll take a picture of my own.” They walked hand in hand around, checking the exhibits on the external passageway till Alexander led her to the second floor.
It was more beautiful than the first floor, with the famous observation deck offering them unobstructed views of neighboring Parisian attractions like the Seine River, Montmartre, the Louvre, the Grand Palace, Notre Dame, Champs-Elysees, and more. She took many pictures but none of them were with Alexander as he refused to click pictures with her, making her frustrated.
“Alright, name your price,” she said, surrendering to his demand. Alexander’s eyes glittered while he leaned down to graze his lips against her ear, sending a tremor down her spine.
“One kiss after we return to the hotel!” Eva’s eyes widened, knowing how dangerous that was. She didn’t know where it would lead to. Should she give in?
“No, one kiss here, right now!” she conditioned, looking around at the busy place. This was the safest place where she could just give him a friendly peck and get away easily.
“No, not here. Can’t you see families with children around? At the hotel when we return. I will take our pictures and forward them to you only when the condition is fulfilled. Agreed?” He grinned at seeing the confusion on her face.
“Only a kiss!” she argued, just to be safe.
“Sure!” His grin widened, making her immediately suspicious, but what was the use? This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and she needed the pictures to last her a lifetime. She couldn’t forget him even if he did, and the photographs would be the only things she could fall back on later.
For an hour, he took beautiful photographs of them together, in different poses, and they had her overwhelmed. He asked others to take pictures of them together and the outcome was amazing! She could kill to get her hands on them!
Finally, after a spectacular ascent in a glass-walled lift, Alexander led her to the summit. With the noises of the city disappearing, all they can hear was the wind lashing around them. Eva grasped his hand as her heart raced as fast as the wind outside.
Alexander took more photographs of them, and they toured the place of promises of eternal love. It made the emotions well up inside her and she turned to look up at Alexander. He had a fierce and brooding look on his face as he clamped her tightly to his body while he looked at the grand view all around him. She wondered what was going on in his mind and placed her hand over his.
“What are you thinking about, Alexander?” she asked breathlessly.
“We’ll come here again one day!” he said, looking down at her, his eyes holding her gaze. His promise made her heart skip a beat. Did he mean he would fight for her?
“I’ll wait for that day for the rest of my life!” she said. Alexander held her closer, and they stood in that position for a long time, hearing each other’s heartbeats. Eva didn’t know what the future held for them, but her heart melted at Alexander’s promise. This was a moment she would cherish for the rest of her life!
They left the iconic tower and checked out a few of the attractions nearby until lunchtime. “Shall we go back to the hotel to grab lunch?” Eva smiled, knowing what was going on in his head. Her legs were aching and needed a little rest before they could go further.
“Fine,” she agreed, but couldn’t help the blush from spreading all over, remembering her promise to him.