Page 32 of Trapping His Angel

I shook my head. “No, I want to know.”

“Paris. There’s a nice luncheon spot I think you’ll love.”

I felt like my heart was fluttering in my chest. He was takingme to one of the most romantic places on Earth. What did that mean?

“How long will the trip take?”

Benedikt shrugged. “Three hours.”

I thought it would be longer. “I don’t remember if I’ve ever had French cuisine.”

“That’s alright, we are making fresh memories.” He kissed my cheek.

I couldn’t help but feel a swell in my chest. This man could wreck me. “I want my old ones though.”

“Live in the moment with me, mymalen'kiy angel.”Benedikt lifted my hand and kissed the back of it.

“I can try,” I murmured, mesmerized by his movements.

We spent the flight nibbling on crackers and cheese. I drank entirely too much champagne, which made me giggly. Just like Benedikt said, the flight landed three hours later. We debarked and headed out into the streets of Paris.

We walked, holding hands, down the narrow cobblestone street, and I felt like I had entered a different world. The small sign forLe Jardin de Mademoisellewas almost hidden under the ivy cascading over the entrance, like a secret only a few lucky souls knew about. My heart skipped a beat when he glanced at me, smiling as he gently took my hand, guiding me through the wooden doors.

Inside, it was as if time slowed down. The cafe was tucked away like a well-kept secret, its charm unapologetically intimate. We passed through the cozy indoor space, lit softly by hanging lights that reminded me of starlight, and out into the garden. It took my breath away. Lush greenery surrounded us, flowers in soft shades of pink, lavender, and white climbed over wrought-iron fences and stone walls, creating a private little sanctuary in the heart of Paris.

The sound of gentle laughter and clinking glasses filled the air, but nothing overpowered the tranquility of the garden. Itwas like we were hidden away from the rest of the world. The server led us to a small, round table nestled beneath a flowering tree, the scent of fresh blooms filling the air. I sat down, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin as it peeked through the leaves. He sat across from me, eyes never leaving mine, as if he knew the magic of this place had already worked its spell on me.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” I said over our menus.

“Do you want me to order for you?” Benedikt put down his, like he knew it by heart.

“I’d like that if you don’t mind.” I closed my menu and took a sip of my water.

The server came right along and Benedikt ordered in flawless French. I wish I knew another language. I could remember fragments of Spanish, but not enough to hold a conversation, I don’t think. I wasn’t sure.

Our service was swift.

We sipped on wine that tasted like summer, and each bite of the meal felt like a celebration. Time seemed irrelevant as we lingered over lunch, our conversation flowing as naturally as the gentle breeze that brushed through the garden. It wasn’t just the beauty of the setting that made my heart race, it was the way he looked at me, like I was the only person in Paris.

As we finished,I leaned back in my chair, looking up at the canopy of leaves and flowers above us, wondering if I’d ever experienced a moment more perfect. Paris had always been a dream, but sharing it with him, in this enchanting little garden, made it unforgettable.

“Would you like to walk off the food?” Benedikt got out of his chair and held a hand out to me.

I took it. “I would be a fool not to agree.” If there was another man in my life who’d treated me the way Benedikt did, I doubted it.

As we walked, we learned about each other. Or rather, I learned about him.

“Where are your parents?” I hadn’t heard him mention them, nor had I seen them.

“They died a long time ago.” His inflection didn’t change.

“I’m so sorry for your loss.” My heart ached to think of a young Benedikt all on his own.

“It was a long time ago.” He shrugged.

“That doesn’t make it hurt any less,” I whispered.

We turned on another narrow cobblestone street and Benedikt turned to face me, stopping us in our tracks.