Page 53 of Love in Bloom

CHAPTER TWELVE

Giverny

Tristan had slept better than usual and felt confident Camille had too. He was fairly certain he hadn’t woken her with a nightmare. But he had the idea that had more to do with the fact that he’d slept on the bed, above the covers, next to Camille.

Her hand rested on his chest.

As he lay next to her, his eyes trailed up her arm, to her shoulder, up her slender appealing neck, momentarily sidetracked by the hollow at her collar bone, and on to her serene face. So much of the intensity in her features by day was washed off her face while she slumbered. His heart was full, brimming with an emotion he considered deeper than love. He didn’t have a name for it. He wasn’t even sure there was a name for it. He’d fibbed a little when he confessed he was falling for her. That had already happened. He was in free fall with no idea where the bottom was or even caring if he ever found it. The vastness of his capacity to love her overwhelmed and frightened him. He laced his fingers through hers.

Her breath paused, and then resumed its rhythm.

With his other hand, he ran his fingers through the ends of her hair spread on the pillow, savoring the feel of the softness against the rough pads of his fingertips.

The familiar guilt assaulted him. He didn’t deserve her. She didn’t know the true monster he was. To distract himself, he focused on the slight upturn of Camille’s nose, the curve of her kissable lips, the arch of her brow, and the length of her lashes in his attempt to shove the guilt away. He almost succeeded. Almost. A tentacle held steadfastly onto his thoughts and heart, whispering how unworthy he was of her. How he needed to end this sham of a marriage and not comply with Camille’s wish that they act as the happy newlyweds they weren’t. It was so hard to resist her though. He allowed himself to indulge in the daydream of what life would be like if they were truly married. He visualized waking with Camille by his side each morning, talking over their research and companies, going on vacations and adventures together.

“I could get used to waking up to that smile every morning,” Camille said in a lazy voice. Her hand stroked his cheek. “What were you thinking about?”

“You. Us.” He turned his head to see her smiling at him. He got lost in her gaze. His heart tugged at him, begging him to build a future with this brilliant and beautiful woman.

“Pleasant thoughts indeed.” She scooted closer, though the covers prevented them from truly touching. “Tell me.”

He shook his head. “It’s unwise for us to talk about the future. It will ruin the present. How did I do last night?”

“So much better. No full-on nightmares. A few whimpers around two, but nothing like what it’s been. When you seemed on the verge, I stroke your hair and face until you calmed or put my hand over your heart. Only needed to do it twice in about half an hour. How do you feel this morning?”

“Better. I haven’t slept that well in a long time. Thank you.” He kissed her forehead.

“You missed.”

“On purpose. It’s dangerous to kiss a beautiful woman when you’re in a hotel room alone together. Best to keep that activity limited to candlelight and fireworks.”

“Your kiss was better than the fireworks.” She smirked and stretched, and then sat herself up, the covers slipping down to her waist.

Definitely time to get out of bed. Tristan disentangled himself from the blanket and swung his legs over the side of the mattress. “Morning meditation in fifteen.”

“Yes. I have great expectations for today. The flora should be elegant and spectacular.”

“Giverny?”

She grinned. “Giverny.”

♥ ♥ ♥

With her sun hat placed firmly on her head, Camille slipped her hand into Tristan’s. “We must see the water garden. It’s my number one priority.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” Tristan saluted her.

She tittered. “Then you must be my first mate.”

His smile slipped before returning to its place. “Aye.”

Camille wondered what was behind the slip. Was it the word mate that caused it? She tapped her hand against her thigh.

“Patience. We’re seeing the house first.”

“Dash the house. I want to see the lilies.”

“You are so cute when you’re childishly determined. I keep expecting you to stamp your foot or hold your breath.” He grinned.

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