ROUNDING OFF FASHION’S ‘Big Four’, with the final week in Paris, was a dream come true for Cassie. Her label was out there amongst the world’s biggest names in global fashion, and hearing the ripple of adulation and applause from the audience made up of fashion editors, writers, buyers, stylists, influencers, celebrities—all the people she needed to impress—was as joyous as exiting the Louvre on the arm of the man she loved. Her husband.
And she wasn’t just exiting on the red carpet, she was walking on air because she had a piece of news to share with the man who had helped to make those dreams come true.
‘Cassie! Hugo! Can we get a smile?’
He paused beside her, looking so very sexy in black tie. ‘What do you say?’
She pulled her shimmering silver train to one side so that she could turn and smile up at him, remembering a time many moons ago. ‘Do I have food on my face?’
He returned her smile, his eyes as wistful as hers as he cupped her cheek and swiped his thumb along her lower lip. All the love in the world shining in his gaze and she couldn’t wait to tell him. Was surprised he couldn’t read her confession in her gaze.
‘Do you think they’ll get bored of that move?’
‘Never. I told you, as much as they love to play the viper, they’re just a bunch of old romantics who love a good love story.’
‘Love story,’ she said with him.
‘Exactly.’
She kissed his thumb. ‘I love you.’
‘I love you too.’
The cameras went crazy—flashes going off, reporters cooing. Not that she was paying any attention to them—she was all about her man and the love overflowing within her.
‘Shall we go home?’
‘I thought you’d never ask.’
She led him to their awaiting car, pausing just long enough to say goodbye to all those that needed to be thanked. Good wishes exchanged. Promises to call. Meetings to be arranged passed to her very attentive PA.
He chuckled as soon as they were strapped into the rear seat of their limo, the privacy glass between them and the driver giving them the quiet they so desperately desired. ‘Thought we’d never be free.’
She scooted into his side. ‘But we’re worth the wait, right?’
‘We’re always worth the wait, mon petit chaton.’
She smiled. ‘When I said “we” I wasn’t referring to you and me... I was referring to—’ she took his hand and pressed it against her tummy ‘—all of us. Another, even littler kitten.’
He tensed and his breath caught. ‘Cassie! You’re not. We’re not.’
She nodded and peeped up at him. ‘We’re pregnant. I found out this morning, but with everything happening and we hadn’t a moment to—’
He stole her explanation with his kiss, his elation in every impassioned sweep of his mouth against hers. When finally, he came up for air, his crystal-blue eyes glistened down at her.
‘I never thought I could be happier than the day you told me you loved me. You’ve just proved me wrong.’
‘In that case, our child proved us both wrong, because I feel the exact same way.’
‘Just wait until my mother finds out.’
‘Your mother? It’s your father who keeps nagging about grandchildren.’
He gave a soft huff as he swept her hair back from her face and searched her gaze, his own filled with wonder. ‘I can’t believe he is the same man. Retirement has been the making of him.’
‘Or maybe it’s just softened him, giving him the chance to indulge that side of him that was always there.’
‘And for that I’m glad.’
‘Me too. You have a good relationship.’
‘We do now. As do you.’
Her smile quivered about her lips. ‘Thank heaven. I’m blessed to have that with both of your parents.’
‘They feel lucky to have you too. A daughter they’re very proud of.’
He’d guessed where her head was at. Thinking of what she didn’t have with her own blood, but she’d come to terms with that long ago, and she wasn’t going to shed any more tears over them. She’d reached out once, with news of her engagement to Hugo, and they’d made their ‘disappointment’ clear. She wasn’t a punchbag, willing to go back for more.
If they wanted to change their attitude and come to her, they knew where to find her. And they could bring their apology with them.
But she wouldn’t hold her breath.
She didn’t need them. She was happy with the people whose happiness truly mattered to her. With those she loved and who loved her in return. Who valued her happiness as she did theirs. Her family. Hugo, his parents, and their little baby Chevalier.
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Keep reading for an excerpt from Two Week Temptation in Paradise by Michele Renae