Chapter 19

Summer's warmth had settled over the countryside by the time Alexander whisked Vivienne away to his estate on the Loire for a much-needed respite. The sprawling manor was far from prying Parisian eyes, surrounded by gentle hills, vineyards, and the lazy roll of the river. Here, Vivienne felt truly free—no masquerades needed, no gossip to dodge. She was simply herself, basking in Alexander's devoted company.

One golden evening, after a cheerful dinner with just the two of them, Alexander took Vivienne's hand. "Come with me," he said, eyes twinkling with mischief. They slipped out of the house and wandered into the estate's gardens, strolling past rows of blooming jasmine and rose bushes heavy with scent.

Vivienne laughed as he led her further, down a path toward a small private lake that mirrored the pastel hues of sunset. "Are you kidnapping me, Your Grace?" she teased.

Alexander grinned. "If I were, you'd be a willing victim." He drew her toward a quaint wooden gazebo perched at the water's edge. Its lattice was entwined with night-blooming flowers. Beneath its roof, a low cushioned bench awaited. It seemed Alexander had prepared this little escape—the bench was strewn with silk pillows and a chilled bottle of champagne sat in a bucket of melted ice.

Vivienne's heart swelled at the thoughtful romance. "You planned this," she murmured, touched.

"Only a bit," he admitted, pouring two flutes of champagne. They sat together on the cushions, watching dragonflies skim the lake's surface as the sky deepened from pink to purple. Fireflies began to wink in the dusk.

They sipped and spoke in low voices of everything and nothing—the shape of clouds, childhood stories, dreams for the future. Vivienne found herself leaning into Alexander's side, her head on his shoulder as the stars appeared one by one. Contentment wrapped around her like a warm shawl.

After a while, Alexander set aside his glass and tilted Vivienne's face up with gentle fingers. "Do you know how much I love you?" he whispered, his thumb caressing her lower lip.

Vivienne's breath caught. He had said it before, but each time sent a thrill through her. "Show me," she whispered back daringly, her eyes bright in the twilight.

A low growl of desire rumbled in Alexander's throat. He took her glass and placed it aside. "My pleasure."

He claimed her mouth in a slow, searing kiss. Vivienne melted against him, the taste of champagne and the promise of his devotion intoxicating her senses. She slid her arms around his neck, fingers playing in the dark waves of his hair as their kiss deepened.

There, under the veil of night and surrounded by nature's choir of crickets and distant nightingales, their passion ignited. Alexander's hands roamed down her back, gathering the skirts of her light summer dress. Vivienne arched into him, hearts already pounding in unison.

They broke the kiss only long enough for Alexander to lift Vivienne onto his lap. She straddled him on the bench, her knees sinking into soft cushions on either side of his hips. Her dress rode up to her thighs with the motion. Alexander's large warm palms glided up her exposed legs, causing her to shiver in delight as the evening air kissed her skin.

With a playful smile, Vivienne reached behind her neck to undo the simple pearl buttons of her bodice. Alexander watched, enraptured, as inch by inch she bared her creamy shoulders and the swell of her bosom. He pushed the fabric down eagerly, freeing her breasts to the open air.

"You are a goddess," he breathed, dipping his head to capture a rosy nipple in his mouth. Vivienne gasped at the sudden jolt of pleasure. She held his head to her chest as he lavished her with attention—licking and suckling one sensitive peak, then the other. Heat coiled low in her belly, spreading molten through her veins.

She rocked her hips instinctively against his lap and felt his arousal straining beneath his trousers, solid and hot even through the layers. Alexander groaned around her breast at her teasing motion. In one fluid move, he grasped her waist and stood, turning to lay her down on the cushions where he'd sat, her back against the pillows.

Vivienne gazed up at him, chest rising and falling rapidly with anticipation. The outline of his erection was prominent against the fine linen of his pants. She bit her lip, her thighs rubbing together in need.

Alexander knelt between her legs, sliding her dress fully up to pool at her waist. In the dim starlight, he could see the dark, damp patch on her silk panties betraying her arousal. He let out a pleased growl and leaned down, pressing hot kisses along the inside of her thigh. Vivienne whimpered, fingers clutching the pillow beneath her.

He hooked his fingers into her delicate undergarment and drew them down her legs, discarding the scrap of fabric. Vivienne's core was now exposed to the night air—and to his hungry gaze. She felt wicked and wanton and utterly safe all at once.

Alexander parted her knees, settling himself and draping her legs over his shoulders. Before she could beg, he lowered his mouth to the slick folds of her womanhood. Vivienne cried out softly as his tongue found her swollen bud and circled it with languid, torturous strokes.

The world spun. She grasped at his shoulders, then the wooden slats of the gazebo, desperately seeking purchase as he pleasured her. His tongue delved between her folds, tasting her essence, then returned to flick and suckle at her clit with perfect pressure. Vivienne's heels dug into his back as she writhed. The stars above blurred; every nerve in her body sang with delight.

"Oh, Alexander," she moaned freely, no need for silence here. He answered only with a deeper groan into her flesh, the vibration sending shock waves of ecstasy through her. He feasted on her with devotion, and Vivienne felt the tension building swiftly. It had never been like this—so unrestrained, so filled with love.

Within moments, she was arching off the cushions, her release crashing over her in a rush of heat and light. She gasped his name into the warm night, thighs quivering around his head as he lapped her through the waves of her orgasm, drawing out every last tremor.

As her climax ebbed, Alexander rose over her, his lips glistening with proof of her pleasure and a triumphant smile curving them. Vivienne tugged him down into a fierce kiss, tasting herself on him. It only inflamed her desire anew. She reached between their bodies and deftly unfastened his trousers.

Alexander hissed in relief as she freed his rigid cock into her hand. She stroked along his velvety length, marveling as always at the contrast of satin skin over steel hardness. "I need you inside me," she whispered against his lips, voicing her want shamelessly.

"My love, take all of me," he answered, positioning himself at her slick entrance.

Vivienne wrapped her legs around his waist and tilted her hips. With one slow thrust, Alexander buried himself to the hilt. They both cried out at the exquisite joining. He filled her completely, stretching her tight heat around him in the most intimate claim.

They moved as one, a steady rhythm of love and longing. Alexander braced himself on one arm beside her, the other hand entwining with hers above her head. Vivienne met each of his thrusts eagerly, her body still sensitized from her recent peak. Every slide of his cock against her inner walls ignited sparks anew.

The cool night air caressed their heated bodies as they rocked the bench with their passion. Moonlight now danced on the lake, and fireflies swirled around the gazebo as if blessing their union. Vivienne felt tears of joy prick at her eyes; she had never imagined feeling so utterly complete.

Alexander's breaths turned ragged, his rhythm growing urgent. He released her hand to grip her hip for leverage. Vivienne dug her fingers into his flexing buttocks, urging him deeper. "Yes…harder," she panted, losing herself in sensation.

With a husky groan, he obliged, driving into her faster. The sound of their flesh meeting—his low grunts, her rising cries—filled the night. Pleasure coiled tight in Vivienne once more, unbelievably fast and fierce. Alexander angled his thrusts to hit that secret spot inside her and reached between them to rub her sensitive pearl with his thumb.

Vivienne shattered. She clenched around him, her climax crashing even more powerfully than the first. She sobbed his name, nails dragging along his back as ecstasy wracked her.

The sudden squeeze of her body around his sent Alexander over the edge. He thrust deep, spilling himself with a hoarse shout, his warmth flooding her core. He collapsed onto his elbows, cradling her head as they both shook with the aftershocks of bliss.

For a long moment, they remained entangled, hearts thudding against each other, faces damp with exertion and tears of joy. Vivienne peppered soft kisses along Alexander's jaw and murmured, "Je t'aime, I love you," between each one.

He smiled, brushing a sweat-damp curl from her forehead. "And I love you, Vivienne. More than life."

Gently, he rolled them to their sides, still joined, not ready to let her go. Vivienne draped a leg over his hip and nuzzled into his chest, listening to his heartbeat slow from a gallop to a tender trot.

Above, the vast sky was freckled with countless stars. Vivienne gazed upward past the curve of Alexander's shoulder and felt a profound peace. They had walked through fire and emerged into this paradise of night and love.

Alexander followed her gaze to the heavens and chuckled softly. "Look at that, my dear—the universe is putting on a show for us tonight."

Vivienne smiled lazily. "It's only fair. We gave it quite a show ourselves."

He laughed, rich and unguarded, the sound vibrating through her. In that private Eden by the lake, they eventually disentangled and dressed with languid, playful movements—stolen kisses, whispered promises of forever.

Hand in hand, they wandered back toward the manor under the canopy of stars. Vivienne's body hummed with satisfaction and her soul brimmed with hope. Desire and danger had brought them together; now desire and love would carry them forward.

As they disappeared into the darkness, a lone firefly hovered where they had lain, flickering brightly before flying off across the water—a tiny beacon in the night, much like Vivienne herself. Once a hidden courtesan navigating shadows, she now shone openly, free and triumphant, ready for whatever new dawn awaited.