Page 81 of Monsters in Love

He smiles at me, a big bright grin that shows off his perfect teeth and gleaming fangs. “I don’t want you to give up your plans either. I would never ask you too. To be honest, I was simply curious what you would say. I suppose I can get used to work crews and guests. After all, I got used to you. And it’s not so hard to stay out of sight of humans when I need to.”

“Are you…what are you saying? What about France?” I don’t dare get my hopes up.

He gives one of his Gallic shrugs. “I might return one day, to visit. Perhaps you would even join me. But Mabon Manor is my home.” He tucks a finger under my chin and meets my gaze. “You are my home. We have just found each other and there is no way I will leave you.”

“Are you serious? You’re staying? This isn’t a joke?”

“Not a joke,mon coeur.”

My heart gives a little thrill. I’d been preparing myself for his eventual departure, maintaining that everything between us was casual. Friends with benefits and nothing more. Not willing to admit to myself how I was feeling. Or how devastated I would be when he was gone.

“You’re really going to stay?” Tears are threatening, and touches my face tenderly.

“Yes. I’m staying. After all, with people coming and going, you might need some extra protection around. And I’ve developed a soft spot for the hedge maze.”

I give a watery laugh. “I’m going to convert one of the third-floor studies into a bedroom and keep the other for the office. That story will be just for us. Our room, our library. Well, us and the cats. The visitors can use the first two stories, but those will be only for us. We’ll make a good home here, Luc. Together.”

“I know we will. I can’t wait to see what you do with the place. But I should tell you something. I don’t think we’re friends anymore.”

“No?”

He shakes his head. “The way I feel about you isn’t friendly. I love you, Annie Winslow. I intend to spend the rest of our time together showing you exactly how much.”

I laugh. “That works out nicely, Lucien Lafitte. Because I love you too. I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re staying. I’d have put on a brave face and let you go, but it would have broken my heart. Real heartbreak this time, not that silly teenage stuff.”

“I will never break your heart. I will spend all my life being worthy of it.”

He leans forward and gives me a long, deep, drugging kiss, and I send a silent thank you to Aunt Celeste for somehow giving me everything I ever needed, even when I had no idea what that was.

THE END

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