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Rising to his feet, he gently lowered her back against the large four-poster bed. He pulled off her high heels, one by one, kissing the insole of each foot before he tossed the designer shoe to the floor. Moving over her, he slowly stroked her, pulling off first her bra, then her panties.
Backing up, he removed his platinum cuff links, placing them carefully on the nightstand with a clink. His dark eyes never left hers as he kicked off his gleaming leather shoes, unbuttoned his tailored shirt, removed his trousers and silk boxers, dropping it all to the floor.
Her husband stood in front of her, naked and unashamed. Emmie’s mouth went dry as her eyes roamed down his powerful chest and arms, to his muscled thighs, laced with dark hair, all the way to his scarred ankle. Then the sacred place in the middle, hard and ready for her. Aching with need, she wordlessly held out her arms.
He made love to her passionately in the mansion overlooking the Seine, carefully pulling her up to ride him. He overwhelmed her with pleasure as he’d done every night from the moment they’d wed.
But this time was different.
Afterward, Theo held her in the moonlight, their bodies sweaty in the warm breeze off the river from the open balcony. Her head rested against his bare chest as he caressed her hair.
And she quietly wept.
Now she knew she loved him. And worse.
Emmie wanted him to love her back, for their marriage to be based on more than just parenthood, more than partnership, more than even sex. She wanted love that lasted forever.
Theo’s hand froze as he stroked her wet cheek. “What’s this?” He frowned down at her in the dim light. “Tears?”
“No,” she lied. Turning, she pressed her face to his skin.
“Emmie?” Sitting up, he sounded worried. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re overtired. I’ve been working you too hard.” She didn’t answer. He took a deep breath. “You’re missing your family,” he said quietly. “You’re homesick.”
Their bodies were still entwined on the shadowy bed, but she’d never felt so far apart.
Emmie lifted her head from his chest. His black eyes pierced her soul, whispering of the pain waiting for her, loving someone for the rest of her life who’d never love her back. She looked toward the open balcony, toward the lowering dark clouds shrouding the Parisian night sky.
“Yes,” she whispered. She looked at him. “Don’t you want to go home?”
Home.
Theo stared at her in the faint lights of Paris from the open window. They were still naked in bed. Just moments before they’d been lost in ecstasy.
Now, he felt... He didn’t even know how he felt. Except that it wasn’t good.
All month they’d been in Paris, he’d felt that same relaxed, joyful sensation he’d had in Santorini, only more so. Was that happiness? He didn’t know how else to describe it. Working long days with a team he respected on his dream property deal, and feeling the satisfaction of watching it take shape and knowing,knowing, he would finally win, was exhilarating. His work this past month had demanded every bit of his attention. It relaxed him, helping him forget everything he didn’t want to remember, shutting up the voices inside him that told him he should have been the one to die.
He’d had his Miss Swenson back. Emmie had been in top form, organizing and collating everything from the geologic survey of the plat site to the percentages of different investors in yen versus euros to the visual impact of the marketing materials.
In spite of her advancing pregnancy, Emmie was tireless, running everything with style, grace and flair. Her new wardrobe, with its tasteful luxury, indicated her as a woman of power in her own right. She was the most incredible second-in-command any CEO could hope for, spending every hour of her day in pursuit of one objective: helping Theo achieve his dreams.
Oh, and at night, she suddenly turned into his wife, the sexiest woman in the world, and set his world on fire.
Happiness. Yes.Happinesswas the word.
Was it any wonder as the day approached when he’d promised to return with her to live in New York, that Theo might wish they could keep living this wonderful life?
Why would he ever want this to end?
The winning property developer would be expected to remain in Paris to oversee construction, perhaps for years. Theo had people who could do that, but what if he preferred to do it himself? Or what if he wanted to jump into a new, exciting project far from New York? The world was full of empty lots, just waiting for him to build cathedrals of industry, palaces of housing, skyscrapers and shops and parks. The future had no limit.
Especially with Emmie by his side.
So he’d had an idea he’d meant to propose to her tonight: that they’d continue to travel the world securing new property deals, moving from place to place. She’d keep working sixteen-hour days at his side. A nanny could travel with them to take care of their child. Perfect.
