Page 69 of Signed, Sealed, Married

A month later Adam’s life had settled into a new routine. Early morning runs with Gisèle, if they had any energy after dawn lovemaking. Leisurely breakfasts before she left for Fontaine’s while he worked from home, rarely needing to be elsewhere to run his enterprise.

After their discussion he’d thought carefully about what drove him and had to concede his relentless push for success after success wasn’t necessary. He was trying to reprioritise and take time to enjoy all he had.

Living with Gisèle made that easier. They socialised but enjoyed evenings in, preparing dinner together, making love or watching films. Weekends saw them on the yacht, swimming and lazing in their private garden, or exploring mountain villages in his sportscar.

He couldn’t recall ever feeling so contented.

They stayed in the Cap Ferrat villa rather than Gisèle’s apartment, but Adam had found a house he thought she’d like. It sat in the hills near the Fontaine premises with magnificent views over the coast. It was a remodelled farmhouse that retained its traditional bones but with modern refinements. Sympathetic extensions provided space for entertaining, an enticing mix of luxury and cosy comfort and, should they need it, space for a family.

The prospect excited him. He itched to show it to Gisèle. If she liked it he’d show his mother too. She’d stopped in after her travels to visit them before returning to Sydney.

‘I’m so happy for you both,’ she gushed when they were alone, her smile the widest he’d ever seen. ‘I had doubts in the beginning about the pair of you and how quickly you married. People from different countries, different cultures, who hadn’t known each other long. And at the wedding I thought there was some constraint on Gisèle’s part.’

Adam’s smile faded. Of course there’d been constraint. Things hadn’t been right between him and Gisèle. But he’d hardly admit that to his mother. ‘I’m glad you’re satisfied now. Believe me, we’re very happy.’

He couldn’t remember feeling better. Life with Gisèle was beyond anything he’d imagined. As lovers, partners, friends and even occasionally opponents in some argument, they were well-suited.

She made life richer and more satisfying. And she was happy too. He tried hard to be a good husband and she was thriving, being back with her team. Each day their understanding of each other, their respect and enjoyment, grew.

In the early days he’d thought with his libido and his business head. Somehow they’d led him into a relationship that went far beyond sex and work. With Gisèle he felt content. He could be himself and increasingly she let him into parts of her life that had hitherto been hers alone. That was a privilege and a joy.

‘I can see that,’ his mother said. ‘I watch your expression when you look at Gisèle and it reminds me so much of your father when we were together. And I see the way she looks at you. It’s obvious that you’re both deeply in love. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.’

In love?

Adam struggled to hide his shock.

He’d never been in love. Never even thought about it.

He’d always been too busy. His focus on building success left him no time for establishing a relationship. Instead he’d enjoyed passing liaisons.

Until Gisèle.

It was true he cared for her deeply. But love?

And as for her loving him...

He discovered the idea was strongly appealing. His pulse thudded, a frisson of excitement rippling across his flesh and down to his fingertips.

‘Adam?’ He swung around to see his mother grinning. ‘It’s good to see you’ve finally found someone who can distract you from building an ever-greater commercial empire.’

‘There’s nothing wrong with focus and hard work.’

‘Of course there’s not, darling. But some things are far more important.’

His mother gathered her bag and rose from the sofa. ‘My taxi will be waiting. Gisèle is finishing work early to help me choose a new outfit for your cousin’s wedding. But don’t worry, I won’t keep her late.’

It was a measure of Adam’s shock that he didn’t argue about his mother taking a taxi. Usually he’d insist on driving her.

Instead he watched her bustle out, his head spinning.

He had a conference call soon to discuss the American acquisition, but for once business couldn’t hold his attention.

Adam drew in a ragged breath and turned to pace the sitting room, trying to digest her words.

Love! Could it be?

An image filled his mind, of Gisèle, flushed and sweating after their morning run, her hair in a damp ponytail, eyes bright from exertion. Gisèle, chewing her lip as she pondered a report she’d brought home. Gisèle standing in the bow of the yacht, laughing as they skimmed over the dark sea. Of her in his arms, hugging him as they took each other to the edge of bliss and beyond.

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