Page 30 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

“True, I did tell her we’d have some girl time. Guess our libidos will need to calm down.”

“Not exactly. Which leads me to the good news.” I waggled my brows suggestively. “After dinner, you and I are going to spend two full days alone in a quaint Parisian hotel.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Really? Won’t that upset Em?”

I shook my head. “Actually, it was her idea. She knows we’d like a little bit of private time, and Alana and Christo apparently promised to take her to a few castles in the French countryside. One of them has converted a portion into hotel rooms, and they’re planning to stay.”

“Oh, I bet she’s ecstatic about that,” Maia agreed.

“Absolutely. So let’s head back and get ready for your big night.”

“You meanourbig night,” she winked.

“God willing,” I whispered under my breath and subtly adjusted my package while I heard Maia softly snicker next to me.

“Minx,” I taunted, and she squeezed my hand and laughed out loud.

* * * *

“Beautiful isn’t it,” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around Maia’s small form and looked out over the Parisian horizon.

“It’s unbelievable, Rhodes. I can’t thank you enough for bringing me here. Dinner was phenomenal, the Louvre wasincredible, and being able to spend it with people I care about…” Her voice caught. “It’s been the best night of my life.”

I kissed the ball of her shoulder. “It’s not over yet,” I tightened my hold around her, pressing my front flat to her backside. “Lots more celebrating to be had at our hotel.”

She placed her hands over mine and leaned against me. “How can this be real life?”

“What do you mean?” I hummed and kissed up the length of her neck. She had her hair pulled up into a complicated mess of curls that I suspected Alana had created.

“All of it. Having a family to eat dinner with on my birthday. The closest thing I’ve had to that since I was a teen was a burger and fries, a few beers, and a night of playing pool with my best friend.”

“Sam?”

“Yeah. He knew birthdays were hard for me, so usually, we’d just eat at this pub we liked, toss back a few cold ones, then I’d kick his ass at pool.”

“Ah, so you’re a pool shark. Noted.”

Maia laughed, then sighed. “He called me today. Told me I never had to worry about those guys that broke into my place, which we already knew from Alana’s contact. But he also said the place had been cleaned. He salvaged what he could and was going to leave it ready for me if I ever needed to come home.”

“That’s because I sent him three years’ worth of rent to keep the place available,” I admitted.

“What?” She spun around. “Why would you do that? Are you planning to get rid of me before the three years are up?” Her eyes went wide, and I could feel her tremble against me.

I shook my head. “No, not even close.”

“Then why would you do that if you weren’t planning on staying married to me?” Her tone was panicked. She gasped. “Are we even getting married?”

I cupped her neck, and gently stroked her jawline with my thumbs. “Sweetheart, I did it because things can get intense in my world. When we go back to Los Angeles and make a home, there may be times where you want some space to yourself, or to see Sam. I know you were kicked out of the only home you had with your mom and siblings. My hope in holding onto the space is that you will always have a home to go back to if things get tough. Emily and I have Alana and Christophe’s place as our home away from home. I wanted you to have the same.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” She gulped.

“I’m a sweet guy.” I wiped away her tears.

“You’re not planning on divorcing me early?” Her breath hitched.

“Maia, I’m not planning on divorcing you ever. And that’s the God’s honest truth.”

“But, the three-year rule…”

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