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Why the hell had I blurted out that she was pregnant? Clearly, it had touched on something sore inside her and why wouldn’t it? What right did I have to stir up what must have been a difficult choice for Fleur to make?
Fleur was rooted in nature and from the way she looked at the picture in front of her, I’d have to be blind to miss that motherhood was a painful subject to her.
I was momentarily distracted when Justine returned to me. “You shouldn’t have let Fleur order those strawberry daiquiris,” she said. “I don’t know what recommendations the doctors make in Ireland, but here they advise pregnant women to avoid alcohol.” Her hand touched my elbow. “I just wish you’d told us before you told Pierre.”
Wetting my lips and shifting my balance from one foot to the other, I prepared myself to reveal my lie, but before I found the right words, I spotted that Pierre had found Fleur and was standing close to her with his hand on the small of her back.
Protectiveness made me react impulsively and with a quick “Excuse me” to Justine, I walked to Fleur’s side in long strides. She had asked me to be her shield against this man and I wouldn’t fail her.
They both looked up at me when I approached.
“Would you mind giving us a minute to talk?” Pierre asked.
My gazes went to Fleur, who looked so fragile and defeated at that moment.
“Sure, I just need a moment with my fiancée first.” Taking her hand, I led her to a quiet corner in the back. “Fleur, what’s going on? Where’s the strong woman I know?”
She bit her lip but looked down.
“You’re Fleur Linden. People and animals flock to you with admiration and respect. Who was the woman back there with him?”
Fleur rubbed her forehead like she could remove unwanted thoughts from her mind.
“Talk to me, beautiful,” I encouraged and let my body block her from anyone other than me in this room.
“This is why I haven’t been back here for years. I was a different person when I left Africa. We haven’t even been back a full day and I’m already feeling the patterns re-appear.”
“What patterns?”
“I was sixteen when I met Pierre. With him being so much older I accepted that he knew better in most things. We shared dreams of having children together.”
A small snort escaped me. “You accepted that he knew better? You mean he controlled you.”
Her eyes blinked and Fleur straightened up a bit. “Yes, you’re right. I don’t know why I’m reacting so strangely to his presence. It’s not like I’d ever go back to him.”
“You’d better not.”
“Would you mind if we head back to the hotel? I feel unbalanced and overwhelmed.”
“What about your parents? Should we clear up the misunderstanding about the pregnancy before we go?”
“I think it’s better if I talk to them tomorrow.”
Turning my head, I saw Pierre watching us, and it made me react in instinct when I pulled Fleur into my arms. Kissing her neck, I whispered. “Before we go, let’s show him that you’re off the market, shall we?”
Fleur didn’t respond, but her hands held on to the fabric of my t-shirt as I kissed her.
This time it wasn’t a quick peck on the lips like the kiss she’d given me in the hotel. I went full in, closed my eyes, and kissed her with all the longing I felt for her.
At first, she was a little stiff, but then she relaxed in my arms and kissed me back. A small growl sounded in my throat as I cupped her face and let my fingers run to her neck, weaving into her hair. Fleur’s lips were full and soft, and she tasted of strawberries. Licking her upper lip, I suckled on it next before pulling back to look into her eyes. “You’re a great kisser.”
She looked slightly dazed. “So are you.”
Just for good measure, I kissed her again and this time our tongues met in the middle, getting to know one another.
“Ahem.” The sound of someone clearing their throat behind us made us pull apart and turn.
With a furious expression, like he was ready to pick up the house and throw it, Pierre stared at us. “People are trying to admire the pictures in this part of the exhibition but it’s a little difficult with you two occupying the space.”
