Free Lost In France (Firebird Trilogy) by Jani Kay Page A

children. I’d be loyal and faithful. A good wife. He’d be the axis around which my world revolved.
    Is that asking too much?
    Maybe for me it just wasn’t meant to be.
    Was I destined to be ‘the other woman’—the one who understood when his wife didn’t? The one who laughed at his jokes, pampered him, who restored his confidence, and stroked his ego. The one he fucked long and hard, but never slept a night with. The one who was showered with expensive gifts to placate her because she could never have what she really wanted—the man himself.
    No. That’s not for me. My man must hold me at night when we sleep after making passionate love and kiss me lovingly when we wake in the morning.
    I wanted the fairy tale, I wanted forever…
    Goddammit. Why is it so fucking hard?
    Maybe Alain would be the one to finally give me all that I desired. Maybe he wanted me that way too. My heart quickened at the thought.
    At the conclusion of the conference, I had six free days before I had to start the workshops. Six glorious days to explore Paris, and, hopefully, the possibilities with Alain.
    But, at this moment my soul was bruised, my spirit crushed. Alain was right; Maxwell Grant did want to fuck me. I shuddered at the thought. Shuddered at how close I came to giving in to the carnal desire he had stirred in me. I wasn’t sure what to do.
    Confused, yes.
    Should I declare the contract void?
    I was sure Maxwell wouldn’t stop me. Hell, most likely he’d want me to leave since I had so blatantly refused him. A powerful man like him, rejected by a woman like me. His ego was probably crushed when he left to go home. Back to his beautiful wife.
    Alain would never know how right he was, and would go crazy if he knew what had happened tonight. It served no purpose to stoke his jealousy. After all, I wanted to see where this relationship with Alain went.
    As far as I knew, Alain was free to love me back. Unencumbered. That was what I wanted. A man that was only mine.

Chapter 20
    When Alain invited me to breakfast the next morning. I decided to shake off what had happened, to put it behind me, and to make the most of the next few days. After all, Maxwell was back in New York by now. Far away. I wouldn’t need to see or speak to him for at least a week. By that time, we both would have simmered down.
    Hopefully he got the message loud and clear and never attempted to touch me again; in which case, I am a reasonable person, and was willing to forgive and forget if he behaved appropriately in future. He seemed a proud and arrogant man, I was sure he wouldn’t risk rejection by the same woman twice. Besides, there were plenty of other women he could shower his attention on and fuck if he liked.
    Just. Leave. Me. The. Fuck. Alone.
    Having had a surprisingly good sleep, I was eager to get out there and explore. Who better with than my naughty French tour guide? I giggled as I remembered our last outing, how hot and daring he had been, even in public places. I was ready for more of that.
    Bring it on.
    Alain smiled warmly when I entered the breakfast room. “Ah, ma cherie, you bring sunshine to my day.” My poetic French man. I loved it. I playfully batted my lashes at him and acted coy. I hoped that a little flirting would get the day off on the right foot, and help me forget the previous night.
    I was starving; I’d gone to bed without dinner last night. Alain smiled when he saw my full English breakfast, topped with a croissant and coffee.
    “You’re so different to all the other women I’ve known. I can’t wait to cook for you at my chateau. I know you are going to love my food and truly appreciate it.” He winked at me, his naughty grin filled with promise.
    I was really looking forward to the next six days, getting to know Alain better. In more ways than just his cooking skills. I felt my blood warm and surge through my body at the thought of his touch, and I longed for Alain to finally make love to me. He promised it would