The smile faltered, a slip in his carefree mask that spoke volumes.
He didn’t answer. Awkwardness filled the space between them until all she wanted to do was escape the car and disappear down one of the little cobblestone streets she spied. They continued on past Gordes as the sun rose in the sky. Surely they were close to wherever Alejandro was taking them. She needed to get out, stretch her legs and have some time to think.
Why was Alejandro hiding behind this pretense of being spoiled? In the years she’d known him, she would have described him as one of the most confident, self-assured men she knew. Yet she’d seen the cracks in his persona this week, as well as views of a man who intrigued her, who made her long for more than just a hot tryst in a hotel room.
Or on a yacht, her mind taunted.
She thrust that thought away and reflected on what she’d seen of Alejandro this week. The man she’d seen onboardLa Reinawith a deep passion for his work. The man who stood up to his father on her behalf even after she’d hurt him. The man who watched classic movies with his mother and wanted to go into business with his brothers because he respected their work. In the moments he’d tried to impress her with his wealth, the similarities with her father and her genuine disinterest in having anything in common with his previous paramours had helped her stay aloof.
It was the moments when he hadn’t tried that had broken through her resolve to keep him at arm’s length. When she’d seen the man he was beneath the money and glamour.
The hill on the right sloped down, and the sight before her drew her out of her reverie. She gasped.
“Oh!”
She’d heard of the legendary lavender fields of Provence. But she wasn’t prepared for the stunning beauty of it in person. A stone church sat at the base of tree-covered hills, surrounded by thick bushes nearly bursting with violet-colored flowers lined up, one after another.
“Sénanque Abbey,” Alejandro said. “Built in 1148.”
They drove by the front two lavender fields, the first a large open area with at least a dozen rows of thick, bushy lavender plants. Across a small bridge and behind a line of trees lay another field, smaller but still boasting the same vibrant purple flowers.
“This is incredible,” she breathed.
“One of my mother’s favorite sites.”
“Thank you, Alejandro. For sharing this with me.” She tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear. “I never would have gone to a place like this on my own.”
He pulled his sunglasses off and gave her one of those genuine smiles that made her heart flip in her chest.
“Calandra Smythe, are you thanking your arch nemesis?”
His joking tone teased a reluctant smile from her. “I wouldn’t describe you as a nemesis. Just a thorn in my side.”
“A thorn? How flattering. I would have hoped I might compare to something a bit larger.”
“No comment.”
He chuckled. “You’re certainly good for bringing a man down a peg or two.”
“So I’ve been told.” She grabbed her purse off the floor, surprisingly eager to see the abbey and the lavender fields up close.
They walked up the drive, the walls of the abbey growing larger as they neared. She found herself entranced by the ancient stone, the elegantly carved windows and the tower that stood proudly against the backdrop of the tree-covered hills. The soothing scent of the lavender surrounded them, floral and sweet.
“It doesn’t seem real,” Calandra finally said. “Like a fairy tale.” She glanced back at the almost empty parking lot. “I guess not many people know of it.”
“They do. Peak tourist season for Provence occurs in July.” He shot her a smug smile. “Hence why lavender field excursions forLa Reina’s guests will occur in late June. Two weeks of exclusive access to some of the most beautiful fields in France, minus the elbowing and clamoring for space among the crowds of tourists.”
“Smart.” Her eyes softened as she gazed at the abbey. “It’s the kind of place you’re so grateful to discover, but you don’t want too many others to know.”
When he slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her back against his muscular chest, she gave in to temptation and leaned against him.
“I’d like to share something with you.”
The seriousness in his tone made her freeze. For a moment she said nothing, her breath caught in her chest. If she said no, she’d be doing what she’d been doing from the beginning—staying safe inside her little fortress of solitude while taking away his chances of proving himself.
If she said yes, the door she’d slowly been opening all week as she’d spent time with him, confided in him, would be flung wide-open. The potential for so much joy. So much heartbreak.
She breathed in deeply and leaned deeper into his embrace.