Page 75 of Signed, Sealed, Married

‘What if I decide to stay?’

The sudden brilliance in his eyes gave her the answer she needed. Gisèle pressed her fingers to his lips before he could speak. She had no interest in prolonging his agony and she was done with trying to hold in her feelings. It felt like she’d been damming her emotions for a lifetime and finally they were about to burst free.

‘You’ve never been one to do things by halves, have you? You stormed into my world and behaved outrageously. You pushed and demanded but somehow I’ve never felt stronger than when I was pushing back. Then when I got to know you...’ She shook her head. ‘The fact is I love you too, Adam Wilde. I want us to build a life together.’

That had stunned her. ‘I’d always thought romance wasn’t for me.’ Not after seeing her mother so lost after her husband’s death. ‘But now I understand some things aren’t a choice. Love is one of them.’

It was a beat in her blood, a tenderness she’d never known before Adam. It was hope and strength and a need to share everything with him.

He lifted her hand from his mouth, keeping it in a firm grip.

‘Truly? You love me? You forgive me, Gisèle?’

‘As you astutely pointed out, I turned up for the wedding. I could have walked away but didn’t. It wasn’t about Fontaine’s by then, it was about you. The challenging, surprising, wonderful man I want to be with always.’

Next thing she knew, strong arms lifted her and his mouth was on hers, full of tenderness and the sweet promise of love.

When he lowered her to the ground they were both shaky.

‘My precious Gisèle.’

Everything she’d never dared let herself expect or hope for was in those three words. Tenderness. Love. Respect. Even adoration. She felt them like a warm tide, filling her to the brim.

‘My demanding, wonderful Adam.’

Gisèle stroked his stubbly cheek, enjoying the friction on her palm. But nowhere near as much as she adored his ardent expression.

‘I can’t believe you love me,’ he said. ‘It’s miraculous.’

‘You want proof?’ The sudden release of tension made Gisèle laugh as she slid his jacket off his shoulders. ‘I can give you proof.’

‘It might take a while to convince me. Days. Weeks.’

Adam’s voice was endearingly unsteady but his hand was deft as he reached for the zip on her sundress.

Gisèle nuzzled his throat as she slipped open the top button of his shirt. ‘How about a lifetime?’

‘That sounds absolutely perfect.’

EPILOGUE

‘INEVERTHOUGHTI’d say it, Adam, but it was a good day when you came into our lives.’

Adam turned to survey his brother-in-law. ‘Don’t tell me you actually like me now?’

Julien grinned. ‘I’ve liked you for a long time,mon ami, but I had to be sure you’d make my sister happy.’

‘That I can understand.’

Adam turned to admire Gisèle, in animated conversation with some guests. She wore a stunning party dress with tiny straps over the shoulders and a froth of skirts. The pale blue material matched her eyes and her delicate necklace of aquamarines and diamonds.

She was so lovely, so dear, she stole his breath.

As if aware of his regard, her gaze met his across the terrace. Her hand went to the necklace he’d given her an hour ago, an anniversary gift.

Julien sighed. ‘You two are ridiculously in love.’

Adam raised an eyebrow, following as Julien’s attention shifted to the brunette talking to Adam’s mum. Instantly, Noemie’s head turned and she met Julien’s stare with a smile.

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