Page 124 of Irresistible

I straightened, clearing my throat. My heart was currently lodged there, and I wasn’t sure I could even say the words, despite wanting to.

In the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, sitting on a balcony in one of the most romantic cities in the world, I looked him in the eye and said, “Je t’aime.”

I’d never said those words to a man before, never felt any desire to, and I finally understood why. Cheesy as it sounded, I’d been waiting all my life for Hunter. For a man who showed me the meaning of love and trust on a daily basis. A man who—like me—wasn’t perfect but was trying. A man I couldn’t imagine spending my life without.

“Bien fait,” he said, praising my pronunciation with a phrase I knew meant “good job.”

“ThoughJ’aime, or ‘I like,’is probably more appropriate for most of your needs.J’aimeis great when shopping. You can couple it with words such asJ’aime ce sac. I like this purse. OrJ’aimerais ces petits pois. I’d like those peas.”

I laughed, the sound bubbling out of me, floating over the rooftops and spreading my joy.

“No.” I sat on his lap, straddling him. The fabric fell aside so our bodies rubbed deliciously against each other, his cock straining for me. “Je t’aime, mon cœur.I love you, my heart.”

He stared at me in wonder, his icy blue eyes hesitant yet hopeful. “You love me?”

“I do.” I searched his gaze for answers.

He’d told me he loved me once before—and I wasn’t counting the night I’d left. But he hadn’t said the words since. I couldn’t say I’d regret taking the risk. But damn, I wanted it to pay off. I wanted to know I wasn’t the only one with my heart on the line.

“Je t’aime.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek, and I felt as if I could breathe again. “Je t’adore.”Another kiss, this time to my neck. “Pour toujours.”A kiss for my lips with the promise of forever.

A lingering, searing kiss that left no doubt in my mind. This man loved me, and I loved him.

Our happiness was honest and hard-won. And instead of regretting our previous mistakes, I was grateful for them. Because I’d long since realized that no relationship was perfect. But when you were with the right person, the happiness was worth the pain that sometimes came with giving your heart to someone.

We deserved a happily ever after as much as anyone else—our own version anyway. And though our story wasn’t perfect, it was ours.