Page 80 of Her Inconvenient Groom (French Conquests 4)

“Anything.”

“No more secrets between you and me. Ever. I will forgive you, if you can promise me that.”

“Is that all?” he joked weakly.

“Dustin!”

He lifted her to him, her breasts to his chest, and pressed his face against her cheek, as if he wanted to squeeze her against him until she melted into his skin. “I promise. Over and over. No lies or secrets. Only love, faith, commitment. Now and always.”

They kissed for a long time, and when they finally broke apart, he had another question. “Babe?”

“Mmm?” Her eyes felt heavy-lidded, her lips gently curved.

“I don’t know my way around your house—”

“Bathrooms down the hall,” she said automatically.

He gave a surprised bark of laughter. “Forget that. Where’s the bedroom?Ourbedroom.”

A delighted glow of understanding spread through her. She waved weakly in the direction of the upper floor. “Top of the stairs. Mahogany doors. Can’t miss it.” Her excitement was already rising.

He lifted her and she squealed, warning him just in time that Minerva had positioned herself at the foot of the steps to either welcome him or trip him up. He negotiated the hazard expertly, and when they were inside, he lowered her onto the bed, then kneeled above her in an attitude that almost felt like worship.

Kisses are great,Chantelle thought, but I want more. She reached up, pulling at his shirt, signaling her desire. Swiftly, he removed his clothes and then hers. They were naked and bare to each other, both physically and spiritually. His hands roamed, seeking and touching as curiously as if this were their first time.

And in a way, it was, because this was their first time making love in complete honesty and commitment. Without withholding anything, without shielding themselves from each other. Wholly vulnerable.

Dustin took his time, kissing her from tip to toe and back up again, letting his fingers follow the trail burned by his lips. She reached for him to do the same, give as good as she got, but he stilled her with his hands.

“This is for you.”

He sank his head between her thighs and the pleasure began. A slow build that climbed and climbed. When he knew she couldn’t bear it any longer, he slid up so he could look into her eyes, kissing her so she could taste her own salty sweetness on his lips. Focus on her face so he could penetrate her soul as he penetrated her body.

She’d never been so filled, or so fulfilled. And the happiest part of it was, she knew it would happen again and again, whenever she desired it, for the rest of their lives.

Epilogue

Two Years Later

“You’re the most amazing woman I know,” Dustin said affectionately as he sat next to Chantelle’s bed in a large armchair. In his arms, he held his newborn son, Renaud Arthur, who was wrapped in a blanket, brown eyes closed. Chantelle was nursing his twin sister, Ivy Elodie, who was already looking like she would be the bossier of the two. Their children had been named after box sets of grandparents.

He couldn’t believe it had been a mere three hours since she’d delivered their twins, determinedly refusing any drugs because she wanted “the full experience”. He had to give her kudos; there was no way he’d have that much courage!

She looked up at him and smiled sleepily. The labor hadn’t been terribly long, but it had been exhausting. “Iamamazing, aren’t I!” she joked back. Her eyelids fluttered shut.

His precious Art began wriggling, probably smelling his mother’s milk and insisting that he have his share, so Dustin tenderly placed him at Chantelle’s other breast, where he latched instinctively. They’d decided to refer to their children by their middle names. Art and Elie.

Dustin sat back, surveying the perfect scenario, just a tiny snapshot of his perfect life. He couldn’t believe how much had happened in the past two years. Couldn’t believe that he was finally a father. Predictably, Jen’s baby had turned out not to be his. Further proof that she had been cheating on him with multiple men throughout their relationship. It hadn’t hurt as much as one would have expected, because by the time he received the proof of what he already knew for a fact, he’d already allowed his mind to be completely consumed by the life he and Chantelle were planning.

In his pocket, his phone buzzed. It had been vibrating all day, as their many friends messaged to find out how things were doing. He glanced at the screen; this time, it was Liam and Naisha. Comment on va, là? How is it going?

He tapped out a response, mighty pleased with himself that he was doing so in French. Since he and Chantelle had returned to Aix for the long term, he’d signed up for conversation classes, and was doing rather well, if he did say so himself.

Liam and Naisha’s message was immediately followed by a text from Sienna, who had camped out in the waiting room throughout Chantelle’s labor until he’d sent her home. Dustin responded to it, feeling overwhelmed with gratitude that Chantelle had such good friends, such loyal support.

After all, they’d helped catch Samantha, who was now looking at fifteen years in prison. Dennis had promptly divorced her, and recommitted himself to serving at the family business. The relationship between the siblings was much stronger now, with the three of them sharing more of the responsibilities. The risk of scandal brewing over the family that had unfolded back then had been quickly squelched, and their standing in the eyes of the public continued to be stellar.

As if the Clark’s had sensed his thoughts, another message came in on his phone. He read it and then tilted the phone in Chantelle’s direction. “Your brothers are flying over tomorrow. They’re dropping in as soon as they land to see their new niece and nephew.”

---