Weddings: The Proposals: The Brooding Frenchman's Proposal / Memo: The Billionaire's Proposal / The Playboy Firefighter's Proposal

“It’s not fully formed in my mind yet. Maybe later you can help me brainstorm.”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Mind what?”

The interjection of a silky male voice sent a small shiver through Laura. She didn’t have to turn her head to know who’d come out on the patio.

“Bonjour, Raoul. What’s going on around here? Doesn’t anyone have to go to work anymore? After being in Switzerland, I would have thought you’d be in your office at the crack of dawn. Instead here you are and Guy’s still on the phone in the den.”

Laura watched him move around the table to kiss his sister-in-law’s cheek. Dressed in a black silk shirt and gray trousers that molded his powerful legs, he looked incredible. “I’m on my way to Antibes on business and thought maybe you and Laura might like to go with me. You could do a little shopping. We’ll pack your wheelchair.”

“Not today. I have other plans, but I’m sure Laura would enjoy getting out.”

Laura’s heartbeat sped up at the mere idea of being alone with him. “That’s very thoughtful of you, Chantelle, but I’m perfectly happy here.” Guy was counting on her.

“Nonsense. You won’t be gone all day, will you, Raoul?”

“That depends.”

Laura had a feeling he’d said that just to get under her skin. Nothing had changed since last night. She could still feel his antipathy.

“Go with him, Laura. The drive might give you more ideas. Paul and his friends will be around. I’ll be busy keeping an eye on them.”

For some reason Chantelle wanted to be left alone and she didn’t care if she pushed Laura on to her complicated brother-in-law. Maybe Laura had offended her by saying what she had about Guy. It probably felt like she was pressuring her.

If any progress was going to be made with his wife, she needed to refrain from talking about her husband in front of her. No matter how anxious Guy was to bring his wife around to her normal self, Laura’s grandmother would remind her of the old adage about eating an elephant one bite at a time.

“By your silence, one would assume you’re afraid to go with me,” Raoul mocked before devouring a croissant. “I promise not to drive off into the sunset with you, Mrs. Aldridge. Whatever would Mr. Aldridge say.”

“Assez, Raoul! If you keep this up, she’ll get the wrong impression.”

“What impression?” His hooded gaze swerved to Laura. “Is that true?” After asking the question, he proceeded to eat a small bunch of purple grapes.

For some perverse reason he enjoyed needling her. Unfortunately, Chantelle wasn’t being any help. Laura had the distinct feeling she enjoyed the repartee. The two of them shared a unique relationship she couldn’t begin to understand.

Making a decision not to be a part of it, she stood up from the chair and reached for her sketchpad. “How soon did you want to leave?”

From the gleam in his dark eyes, her question had pleased him. “Right now.”

“Then give me a minute to change.”

His gaze traveled over her in lazy appraisal. “You look fine as you are.”

“Thank you, but if I’m going to do any shopping, I’d feel more comfortable in a skirt. Where shall I meet you?”

“I’ll bring my car around the front of the villa.”

“Give me five minutes.” She looked at Chantelle. “While I’m out, is there something I can pick up for you? A book you’ve been wanting to read?”

“Nothing for me.”

“A special treat then?”

Chantelle flashed her a smile. “That’s very sweet. Thank you for offering, but non merci.”

Laura planned to bring her back something anyway. Her gaze flicked to Raoul who was eyeing her strangely. “I won’t be long.”

His lips twisted. “Did you hear that, Chantelle?”

She chided him without rancor, “Not all women are as impossible as you choose to believe. A woman as lovely as Laura doesn’t need to primp.”

Not wanting to hear any more, Laura left the patio to change into her wraparound skirt in a taupe color with white trim. Before coming to breakfast she’d caught her hair back in a ponytail with a white scarf. Because she thought she’d be in the house with Chantelle all day, she hadn’t bothered with makeup.

She wouldn’t bother now. Raoul Laroche would have to take her as she was. Hopefully her demeanor didn’t reveal her highly emotional state. It wouldn’t do for Raoul to know how much his nearness affected her.

After filling her tote bag with supplies, she made her way to the front of the house before the five minutes were up. No sooner had she closed the door behind her than she saw a white cabriolet Porsche wheel around the drive.

A cry of alarm escaped her lips. How had Ted found her? How did he get past the security guard? For a moment she felt sick to her stomach.

CHAPTER THREE

RAOUL was surprised to discover Laura waiting for him. To find a woman ready on time had to be a first. He coasted to a stop.

However, the sight of her champagne hair and unmistakable figure made him slow to realize she had a pallor that hadn’t been there when she’d left the table. He had a suspicion she’d seen Guy on her way out and they’d had words. To learn Laura was leaving the villa with Chantelle’s blessing in order to go with Raoul must have upset his brother.

Pleased to have foiled another attempt for Guy to be alone with her, Raoul reached across the seat to open the passenger door for her. She looked good. Most women past their teens couldn’t get away without wearing makeup, but she carried it off perfectly.

Beneath the attractive skirt, her gorgeous long legs were bare. Much to his chagrin he could find nothing artificial about her. The more she underplayed her looks, the more she stood out like a fresh peach warming in the sun, all pink and golden.

Her arm brushed against his as she fastened her seat belt. His body quickened at the contact. The recurring sensation wasn’t supposed to happen. Once she closed the door, he put the car in gear and took off without saying anything. He followed the winding drive flanked by cypress trees until they passed the guardhouse and came out on the coast road.

After a few minutes he said, “If Chantelle had come with us, I would have brought the sedan. Do you mind the top down? I can always put it up.”

“That’s up to you. Frankly I like being able to see all around,” she responded without looking at him.

The women he knew didn’t want to be blown about, but as he was finding out with Laura, she wasn’t your typical female. She didn’t talk incessantly, a quality that should have pleased him since they were going to be together for as long as he felt like keeping her away from Guy. Yet the fact that she appeared so relaxed with him actually irritated him.

“This area isn’t that much different from your coast in Southern California.”

“It’s completely different,” she countered. “The ocean and the sea can’t be compared.” Having been to California on several occasions, he privately agreed with her. “All those ancient little villages I saw from the helicopter tucked away high in the Maritime Alps create a charm like no place else on earth.”

He hadn’t realized Guy had flown her here in the helicopter. That was an unprecedented move on his part. His brother was in deep.

She recrossed her legs, probably on purpose. Among other things it drew his attention to the bone-colored leather sandals encasing her feet. No toenail polish. Everything au naturel. So far he couldn’t see anything he didn’t like and he’d been trying!

“You’ve traveled in Europe before?”

“Some, but not along the Riviera. It’s breathtaking.”