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‘You’re quiet tonight,’ Damon commented as he led her onto the dance floor, pulling her in close to the heat of his body. ‘Are you feeling unwell?’
‘I’m fine,’ she assured him. ‘I’m just enjoying the wedding. I never thought I’d be here again.’
‘I’ve never wanted somebody as badly as I wanted you that night. I’d never wantedanythingas much as I wanted you. And from that moment to this one that’s never changed.’
His actions constantly told her that, but to hear it from his lips was an altogether different kind of delight, and Carrie felt herself blush.
‘When we get back to California, I want you to look at properties with me,’ he told her.
‘Okay. I’d love to.’
‘Good. Because I was thinking that you might have some interest in living there too.’
Stunned, she stopped moving and could only stare up at him. ‘You’re... Are you asking me to live with you?’
‘Well, we are having a baby together,’ he said with a deep smile. ‘And I know what I said before...but it’s different now.’ He dropped his mouth so it brushed her ear and said, very intently, ‘I don’t want to miss a second of any of this, Carrie. And I don’t want to be apart from you if I don’t need to be.’
His admission gave her the freedom to speak some of her truth. ‘I don’t want to be without you either.’
‘So that’s a yes?’
It was everything she could want. Her heart felt close to bursting.
‘Yes!’ She beamed.
When Carrie woke the next morning she was curled up in Damon’s arms. His fingers were absentmindedly stroking down her hair, and beneath her ear she could feel and hear the steady beats of his heart.
Memories of the previous night filtered through her mind: the way he’d held her as they watched the fireworks display at the chateau, how he’d carried her up to the penthouse from the car, the slow and sensual way he’d undressed her, kissing every single inch of her, and how her feelings of safety and happiness had deepened, settling across her like a blanket.
‘I know you’re awake. Your breathing’s changed.’
She smiled, pressing a kiss to the warm skin of his chest. ‘Good morning. Is it late?’
‘It’s a little after ten. What do you say to breakfast on the terrace and then a leisurely Sunday wandering around the Marais? You said you wanted to explore it a bit more.’
Resting her chin on his chest, she gazed up at him. ‘That sounds perfect.’
She bestowed a kiss upon his lips, and then another. And as the taste of him was so good she couldn’t stop herself from stealing another. But they could never stop with a single touch. Within seconds their limbs were tangled, their bodies curved into the shape of each other.
Carrie trailed kisses over his torso, scratching her teeth against his nipple and drawing from him that groan she loved so much. Her hands explored his taut, hot skin, seeking his hard length, and as she found it she stroked over him, feeling brave and bold and sure, and smiling as he bit out a ragged curse. Damon punished her laughter with a hard kiss, rolling her onto her back and moving her hands above her head, pinning them with his own. Teasing her body with his, he made her wait until she was squirming before sinking his length into her.
They made it to the Marais a short while later. One of the oldest districts in France, its narrow cobblestoned streets, hidden courtyards and tranquil gardens offered a glimpse of what Paris had been centuries ago, and Carrie was immediately enthralled by its beauty. They explored the maze-like streets and Damon was in his element, admiring the stunning architecture of the ancient aristocratic mansions. He showed Carrie the intricacies of the designs and she relished his enjoyment, his passion.
Hand in hand, they strolled through the Place des Vosges, the sunshine on their faces, before investigating the boutiques and galleries lining the square. With help from Damon, Carrie selected gifts for her grandmother and Marina, to thank them for taking over for her at the bakery whilst she’d been away, and Damon sought her opinion on works of art that he liked as he considered adding to what she learned was an extensive collection.
When their legs were begging for relief they stopped for an early dinner at a restaurant on the banks of the Seine and, closeted at a secluded corner table, they watched as the fading light sent its last sparkles across the slow-moving river and the city became illuminated as darkness descended.
It had been the most wonderful day, Carrie reflected later, when they were back at the penthouse. For the first time in weeks the future seemed clear. Like seeing far-off mountains on a cloudless day, she could see the life that lay ahead of her: making a home with Damon, welcoming their child in less than six months, becoming the type of family she had always wanted for her child. And for herself.
So what if he hadn’t actually told her that he loved her? After everything he’d been through Carrie knew it wouldn’t be easy for Damon to say those words. But all his actions showed how much he cared for her, and actions spoke louder than words, didn’t they?
But if she truly believed that, why could she feel small frissons of apprehension skittering through her mind...?
Damon couldn’t sleep, and the glowing numbers on the clock showed him just how long his tormented thoughts had kept him awake. Unable to stand it any longer, he extricated himself from Carrie’s arms and slid from the warm bed, pulling on his clothes and heading for the building’s luxury pool.
One hour and well over a hundred lengths later, Damon’s muscles pleaded for a respite, but he continued to cut through the water, pushing himself harder, determined to excise the anguish from his mind.
The path before him had once been so straight and simple. Everything had been about organising Sterling Randolph’s undoing. But now there was Carrie and their baby, and life with her was so good and easy. Every time she’d looked at him that day it had been with stars in her eyes and a smile brighter than the sunshine, and that had caused his heart to twist. Because he wanted to bask in the love she so readily offered, to take her hand and run into the future with her. But how could he when seizing that future with her would demand he abandon his revenge, let go of everything that had driven and anchored him for all his adult life?
