Working for Love

Chapter Eight

Nadia's POV

Did he just say "I love you"? I turn to look at him, my eyes wide with shock.

"What?" I ask in hushed tone. He looks a little embarrassed and I can tell he's trying to think of something to say.

"Nothing. It's time to sleep now. We have a big day tomorrow." He pulls me tightly against him and kisses my neck one last time. I sleep incredibly well. I wake before Jimmy and I call to order room service. When it was arrives,I put on robe and retrieve the cart.

I brush a stray lock of hair from jimmy's forehead. Then I lean down and plant a few light kisses on his checks and forehead.

"Time to wake up." I whisper softly. He starts to rouse.

"Good Morning." Turning away from me, he yawns and looks over at the clock. "It's almost 1 o'clock! I haven't slept this late in years." He laughs.
I hand him a cup of coffee. We eat our breakfast and share a shower. Then we dress and he calls for a car.

"What would you like to see first?" He asks with a smile.

Jimmy's POV

"I want to go to the Louvre." She beams.

"Alright, to the louvre please." I instruct our driver.

She chatters about all the things she wants to look at and the other sites she's like to see but I'm only half listening. The red dress she's wearing is loose but some how it manages to highlight ever curve. I put my hand on her thigh, gently stroking it. She crosses her legs and giggles. Her laughter is infectious.

"No." She says trying to be stern but failing miserably. We both erupt in to fits of giggles. We don't notice the car has come to a stop. The driver clears his throat and I look up to see a rather annoyed Frenchman staring back at us.

We make a hasty retreat from the car and thank him. We walk through the louvre rather quickly spending the most time admiring the hope diamond and the Mona Lisa. Her face says it all, she's absolutely ecstatic to be in Paris. We see a few more sites then head back to the hotel to change. We order lunch and eat it in our room. She puts on a robe and starts to apply her make up. I'm transfixed by her beauty and graceful movement. I sit on the bed and watch as she finishes. She slips in to the ivory beaded gown, I bought her in London.

Nadia's POV
I felt Jimmy's eyes on me while I dressed.

"Aren't you going?" I ask with a laugh. He seems confuse then begins to change in to a suit.

"When are we leaving, baby?" I say as I straighten his tie.

"The car should be here any minute." He says looking out the window. "You look gorgeous." He says putting his my waist. I blush, I can't believe this is happening.

"Ah, it's here." Jimmy says pointing to the window. We start downstairs and get in the waiting Limo. I suddenly feel sick, I've just remembered that this is a public press event. There will be tons of people, I can feel the color drain from my face. They'll be taking photos and Journalists will be present. We'll be in that tiny theater, packed like sardines. I clutch Jimmy's hand, he turns to look at me. I feel my chest tighten and my palms sweat. Oh my god, please don't let me have a panic attack tonight. Jimmy will think I'm nuts. He'll leave me, he'll think I'm weak. My racing thoughts make it worse. I feel tears form in my eyes.

My breathing becomes shakey and labored.

"Please not now." I mutter to myself. Why does my anxiety ruin everything.

"Nadia..." He says softly. "What's wrong?" I can't answer him, my jaw tightens. He continues talking, I can barely hear him. It's like I'm underwater, his voice sounds garbled. "Clam Down!" He whispers in my ear. He sounds far away. It's just getting worse. I can't think, I just feel an intense sense of fear and impending doom. Jimmy pulls me to his chest. "Shhhhh....." He whispers. "It'll be alright, I promise." I start to shake. He's just pitying me, tomorrow, he'll be gone as soon as we land.
The driver opens the door, I cringe. "Park." Jimmy instructs him curtly.