Temples wet with sweat or tears, and heart thundering, my fingers soothed up the damp skin of his throat and around to the back of his neck, pulling him down to me. “Come here,” I whispered. He offered no resistance, his arms weak and trembling, folding down until his body covered mine, his face turning into my neck.

Chapter Fifty-Four

I became slowly aware of daylight behind my eyelids and the tickle of small finger pads walking slowly up my arm. The bitter and delicious aroma of coffee hit me next. Then the sound of a soft rustle of paper turning over as if someone was reading the paper.

Then a whisper. “When will she wake, Papa?”

“Dauphine, let her sleep.” Xavier’s low voice came from behind me. I was still in his bed. Oh my God, and Dauphine had found me here!

I inhaled sharply. I’d slept so deeply it was an effort to open my eyes. They focused slowly on Dauphine’s face not three inches from mine and bearing a huge smile.

It was impossible not to return that smile, even if my body felt boneless and heavy like a sack of potatoes.

“Dauphine, leave her.”

“She’s awake.” She clapped her hands together. Then she leaned closer and whispered to me. “You fell asleep in Papa’s bed.”

“Mmm,” I managed, then stiffened. Was I naked? Was I covered? I took stock and concluded that though my arm and one foot was exposed, the rest of me was warm. I rolled onto my back, careful not to dislodge my modesty and turning my head to see the other side of the bed. Xavier, shirtless in just his jeans, leaned up against the headboard, a newspaper open and hiding his head. He folded a side down and peered at me, his blue eyes ringed with a pair of black reading glasses.

“Bonjour, you are awake.” He gave a small smile.

“And you wear glasses?”

“I don’t like to travel with my contacts.” He lifted a shoulder.

“I didn’t even know you wore contacts.”

“Is it going to be a problem?”

“God, no, you look inc—” I bit my lip, glancing toward Dauphine who was watching my every move and word. “Um. You look lovely.” I cleared my throat. “Very distinguished. Hot and nerdy. Um, it, ah, does it for me.”

He smirked. “Is that right?”

I nodded. “You should, you know, wear them a lot.” I bit my lip.

He inhaled noisily.

“Papa. Now that Josie is awake, what about the plan—”

“Dauphine.” He dragged his eyes from mine. “Not now.”

“What plan?” I looked back to Dauphine.