Free The Greek's Acquisition by Chantelle Shaw Page A

champagne?’
    ‘No, thank you,’ she assured him quickly. Her appetite had disappeared and she had struggled to eat the first two courses. As for champagne—she had already drunk way too much. That had to explain why she felt so peculiar. It was as if the bubbles had exploded inside her and filled her with a wild, reckless energy.
    But deep down she knew it was Dimitri, not the champagne, that was making each of her nerve-endings feel ultra-sensitive. She felt fiercely alive, and was so intensely aware of him that throughout the meal she had kept darting little glances at him, drinking in his handsome features.
    It was a relief when they left the restaurant and she took deep breaths of fresh air, grateful for the gentle breeze thatcooled her hot face. The Eiffel Tower dominated the skyline, its giant metal structure illuminated by light projectors so that it appeared to glow gold against the inky-black sky.
    The famous landmark was a popular attraction, even late at night, and there was a short queue waiting for the elevator. The young couple standing in front of them had clearly been caught up in the romantic atmosphere of Paris and were wrapped in each other’s arms.
    It must be wonderful to be so in love, Louise thought wistfully. The couple’s unrestrained passion reminded her of those few days on Eirenne years ago, when Dimitri had kissed her with fierce hunger and she had eagerly responded to him. Heat surged through her and she could not bring herself to look at him or at the kissing couple. In desperation she stared at the ground, as if she was utterly fascinated by the tarmac beneath her feet.
    They rode the lift to the second level, and then another elevator whisked them to the top of the tower. Louise heard Dimitri catch his breath as they stepped out onto the walkway.
    ‘I hope you have a head for heights. We’re over a thousand feet up.’
    He laughed. ‘It feels as though we are in the sky. The view is amazing.’ He stood close beside her and stared through the wire cage that enclosed the walkway. ‘Is that the Arc de Triomphe down there?’
    Louise nodded. ‘The lights of the city sparkle like jewels, don’t they? I love the way they are reflected in the river.’
    The night-time view over Paris was breathtaking. But there was another reason why she was finding it difficult to draw oxygen into her lungs. The few other visitors who had come up to the top level had walked around the other side of the tower, and it felt as though it was just her and Dimitri standing on the top of the world. She had never feltso aware of a man in her life. Her eyes were drawn to his sculpted profile and a tremor ran through her, making the tiny hairs all over her body stand on end.
    The breeze was stronger this high up and the air cooler. She drew her pashmina round her shoulders and caught Dimitri’s attention.
    ‘Are you cold? Do you want my jacket?’
    She shook her head. ‘No, I’m fine.’
    ‘Liar,’ he said softly, ‘you’re shivering.’ His eyes were shadowed in the darkness, but Louise could feel his intent gaze. Far below the lights of Paris blazed, but for Louise nothing existed but the sultry heat in Dimitri’s eyes. All evening she had been agonisingly aware of him, and now she could no longer fight the fire surging through her veins.
    ‘Come here.’
    His voice was suddenly rough and deep, caressing her senses like crushed velvet. Her breath caught in her throat and she could not move when he slid an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest. The warmth of his body immediately enfolded her and the sensual musk of his aftershave swamped her senses. She could feel the thud of his heart beating at the same frantic pace as her own and she stared up at him, her eyes wide and unguarded.
    Dimitri muttered something beneath his breath. He had wanted to kiss Louise all evening, and now the temptation of her moist, slightly parted lips was too strong for him to resist. He dipped his head