Page 51 of Love in Bloom

Camille worked hard not to take in the sights of the opulent rooms as Tristan guided them up staircase after staircase to ascend to the dome.

“Made it. All in a day’s work.” He brushed off a nonexistent piece of lint from his suit coat.

“Oh, Tristan.” Camille rested her arms on the balustrade and took in the view. “It’s stunning. A total work of art.”

He leaned up against her. “Yes, it is.”

She felt his eyes on her and stole a sidelong glance. “You’re not even looking at the gardens.” She felt warmth in her cheeks.

“What are trimmed grass and hedges compared to the work of art next to me? She’s flesh and blood. I can hold her, touch her, kiss her.” He brushed his lips below her ear. She felt the warmth of his breath on her neck. “Are you flirting with me, husband?” She cocked an eyebrow.

“You said to live in the moment. Look at all those candles stretched out in perfect lines nearly to the horizon. They don’t hold a flame to you. I like your lines and your curves, especially your curves.” His hands ran along her sides down to her waist, leaving ripples of heat through her.

“You sound much more like the man I met on the beach.”

“How so?”

“Self-assured, charming, and flirty.”

“Now that you’ve seen more of the real me, do you wish you could go back to him?” His expression turned serious.

“No. I like knowing you better, seeing you vulnerable, seeing beneath the façade to the man underneath. Don’t misunderstand, I like all of you, but seeing you raw and real is what really sets my soul on fire.”

“Are you sure you can love all of me? There are some fairly dark places in my soul.”

“What makes you think I don’t love you already?” she asked.

“Are we in love?”

“If not yet, then soon. I think I’m certainly falling for you. When I agreed to be your fake wife, I had a schoolgirl crush but that was only the beginning. My feelings have developed into something more.”

“But we’ve only been together a few days.”

“I know. It scares me too.”

“How do you know I’m scared?”

She placed her hands on his cheeks. “I can see it in your eyes.” Camille brushed his wavy bangs off his face. “But I’m a girl who faces down her fears instead of succumbing to them.”

“How do I do that? Can you teach me?”

“You taught me meditation. I can teach you fearlessness.” She brushed her lips across his three times.

Tristan groaned and pulled her tight.

She felt his heartbeat through his shirt.

“You’re such a tease,” he growled.

“Are you going to take the bait?”

He kissed the smirk off her lips, leaving her head swimming and her knees trembling. His fingertips pressed into her hips. She ran her hands through his hair and locked them behind his neck.

“Enjoying the view?” Mrs. Chan’s Asian accent cut through their moment.

Camille frowned at her. “We were,” she said pointedly.

“I see.” Mrs. Chan shoved between them, scowling at Tristan. “You’ve had it to yourselves long enough. Allow the rest of us, who have a real interest in seeing the gardens, have a turn. You two can go find a hedge somewhere or, perhaps, a forest of bamboo.” She gave a significant look at Tristan, who paled.

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