Designed by Desire. Pamela Yaye

but Brianna’s thunderous heartbeat drowned out the noise. The kiss ended much too soon, and when Collin pulled away, Brianna felt a profound sense of disappointment.

      “I’ve been wanting to kiss you all day.”

      “Then what took you so long?” she asked, breathless.

      Wearing a rueful smile, Collin leaned in and gave her a peck on the lips. “We better go. Our ride is here, and I don’t want our driver to take off without us.”

      Dozens of taxi cabs were parked alongside the curb, but Collin bypassed the queue and strode over to a red double-decker bus flashing its lights. “Have you ever been on a night tour through the streets of downtown Paris?”

      Brianna laughed and shook her head. “No, I can’t say that I have.”

      “Then climb aboard, Brianna, because we have much to see and do tonight.” Stepping aside, Collin bowed chivalrously at the waist and extended a hand toward the bus doors. “After you, Mademoiselle.”

      Seconds later they were off on their private tour. Sitting on the open deck provided a striking view of the city, one Brianna had never experienced before. They sat together, holding hands, as Collin pointed out the Musée d’Orsay, the Pont Alexandre III and the Arc de Triomphe. Brianna showed him the best cafés for people watching, boutiques that carried her designs and her favorite chocolatiers.

      When traffic crawled to a stop, Brianna noticed a large, young crowd and pointed at the sleek, modern nightclub at the end of the block. “Wow, look at the line outside of Nouveau. It’s down the street and around the corner.”

      “I’m not surprised,” Collin said. “Rashad J always draws a huge crowd wherever he goes, and tonight’s his one and only show in Paris.”

      “I wish I had known. I would have loved to see him perform.”

      Collin raised an eyebrow. “You like Rashad J?”

      “Of course I do. He’s incredibly talented.”

      “Most women I know think his music is raunchy.”

      “I don’t. I was so anxious to get my hands on his latest, The Bedroom Maestro, that I harassed my friend at Billboard until she sent me an advanced copy!”

      “Do you like his single, ‘Between Your Thighs’?”

      Brianna leaned into him and brushed her lips against the curve of his ear. “I love it,” she whispered, resting a hand on his leg. “In fact, it’s my favorite track.”

      Collin surged to his feet. “We’re going to that concert,” he announced. “I’ll get the driver to drop us off in front of the club.”

      “There are already hundreds of people waiting in line. There’s no way we’ll get in.”

      “Don’t worry. We will.”

      “How can you be so sure?”

      “I know people,” he said, winking at her. “And, they’d never dare turn me away.”

      Brianna stared down at her ruffled scarf, fitted sweater and boot-cut blue jeans. “The bouncers aren’t going to let me in like this,” she said, shaking her head. “Paris nightclubs have a strict dress code.”

      “You’re stunning, Brianna, and I couldn’t be more proud to have you on my arm.”

      His words floored her. All night Collin had been showering her with compliments, and even though Brianna knew she’d never be permitted inside in her casual attire, his praise made her confidence soar.

      “Let’s get going. I don’t want you to miss the show.”

      But Collin didn’t lead her off the bus. He kissed her hard on the lips with such heat and passion Brianna felt her body tingle in a hundred different places. He stroked her cheeks, the length of her neck, her shoulders. And when he cradled her tightly to his chest in a passionate lover’s embrace, Brianna knew.

      Tonight, when she returned to her cozy seventh-floor suite at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, she wouldn’t be returning alone.

      Chapter 5

      “Collin, darling, how wonderful to see you again,” gushed the hostess standing at the entrance to Nouveau, her slender hands outstretched in greeting. Smiling from ear to ear, she leaned in and kissed Collin on both cheeks. “The VIP area is jumping tonight.”

      Collin addressed the hostess, but his eyes were glued to Brianna. “We want to be alone. The farther away from the crowd, the better.”

      “I could set you up in one of our themed party rooms, if you’d like,” she proposed. “Would you prefer the disco room or the safari room?”

      “The disco room sounds like fun,” Brianna said, raising her voice above the music playing in the lounge.

      The hostess led them past the bar, down a narrow corridor to a door left of the coat check room. She opened it and pushed aside the beaded curtain. Brianna stepped inside, took one look at the strobe lights and shag carpeting and felt as if she’d stepped back in time. Amused, Brianna moved slowly around the room, taking everything in.

      A glittering, metallic disco ball hung from the ceiling and large potted candles cast a soft glow across the room. Glass bowls filled with condoms sat on one end table, and a bucket of Cristal sat on the other. Incense sticks were burning inside a boot-shaped vase, and the heady eucalyptus scent overwhelmed her senses.

      I hope incense is the only thing that’s burning, Brianna thought, admiring the framed poster-size photographs on the wall near the pool table. I am way too old to be getting high for the first time.

      “This is some room.” Collin opened the minibar, grabbed two wine coolers and, after unscrewing the cap, handed one to Brianna. “I’m glad you talked me into coming here. I would’ve hated to miss all this.”

      Brianna raised an eyebrow. “Oh, is that what happened?”

      “It sure did. I was perfectly happy sitting on the tour bus sightseeing, but you just had to see Rashad J.” Mischief glimmered in his deep-brown eyes. “I didn’t have the heart to disappoint you.”

      “You’re as noble as a saint. I wish there were more people in the world just like you.”

      Collin tossed his head back and chuckled a hearty laugh.

      “I still can’t believe we’re here.” Brianna shook her head. “This is crazy and so not me. I haven’t been to a club since I was a teenager—”