Page 657 of Tease Me


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Thankfully, the Universe grants my wish.

We spend the rest of our afternoon tea chatting about everything, except my love life. Afterwards, we go shopping on Bond Street, and all thought focuses on the fashions we find. Later, we meet my father and Jasper for dinner at the three Michelin star Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester. Aside from the minor blip, it’s a fun day spent with my family.

As I lie in bed and wait for Luc’s nightly call, I wonder how much longer I can keep the truth from them. It pains me to lie, even a bit of one. We’re close knit. So, dishonesty doesn’t sit well with me.

Why can’t I have the love of my life and my family at the same time?

* * *

Luc

The doorbell rings as I check my watch. Blair arrives right on time.

She told me how much it bothers her to keep the truth from her family.

I understand. Which is why the next few days are important. I invited her to Château de Blois. Other than Carole, no woman I was involved with has ever been there. It’s my family’s seat. The residence of generations of Montaignes where the current duke raises his family. My family’s legacy is not a trifle. I respect it and will only share it with someone who will be in my life permanently. And that’s Blair.

Every day, I realize how much she means to me—not only as my little girl. But as the woman I see my future with. The continuation of the Montaigne name and the title could very well lie within her womb.

I smile as I stride from the study to the entry foyer of my seizième arrondissement mansion. The sound of her sweet voice as she speaks with my butler—Hubert Duval—carries down the hallway. My steps quicken, eager to reach her.

“That would be lovely, thank you, Hubert—”

Her words cut off as she sees me approach. Cerulean blue eyes sparkle as her smile widens.

“Luc!” She exclaims. The heels of her stilettos tap on the marble as she hurries towards me. “I thought you were on your way from the office.”

“I left early, not wanting to miss a moment with you, Chérie,” I say as my arms band around her waist. As our lips meet, I lift her from the floor and spin her around in a circle. “I missed you.”

She smiles against my mouth and whispers, “I missed you more.”

I grin with a happy heart and carry her to the dining room. Hubert opens the doors and steps aside for us to enter. I place her on her feet, then pull out the chair next to mine at the head of the table. She smiles as she lowers onto the hand-painted silk seat.

“Merci.”

“De rien.”

We stare at one another with silly grins on our faces as Hubert pours our wine. Pleasure courses through me with Blair in this home with me.

It’s important in a way different from the château. This is where Carole and I made our home. After we married, she redecorated it to combine our tastes while keeping the history of it intact. I remember our excitement when three years later, the decorator completed Lucas’ nursery.

I changed nothing except for that room. It broke my heart to pass it on my way to the primary bedroom suite. It proved too much to see his crib with his tiny clothes laid out, ready for his return from the hospital. Not wanting to sleep in the same bed I shared with Carole any longer, I moved into a guest suite on the opposite end from both rooms. Even now, my heart clenches.

A delicate touch to my arm draws me back to the present. My gaze refocuses. I glance around to find Hubert disappeared to the butler’s pantry, leaving Blair and me alone.

The gentle smile on her face provides me comfort. As I cup her cheek, the corners of my mouth lift. The pad of my thumb brushes her soft skin.

“I’m so glad you’re here in my home with me and coming to Blois. They’re very special. But you know what?”

She kisses my palm and smiles.

“What?”

“You’re even more special, Ma Chérie.”

Her eyes shine with tears at the addition of my to the term of endearment. She nibbles her lower lip and bows her head as a rosy flush pinkens her cheeks. The silky curtain of her hair falls across her face, blocking it from my view.

“Oh, no, Ma Chérie. Do not hide your beautiful face from me,” I say as my index finger lifts her chin and her hair sweeps back. With her eyes level to mine, I continue. “Blair, you mean more than you can ever imagine to me. Over these past few months, you’ve been the light in the darkness. Banished the loneliness in my heart. I want you in my homes and by my side. I love you, Blair. When we return from Blois, we will go to London and tell your family.”

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