Epilogue
New Year’s Eve
“Have I thanked you for wearing that dress tonight? Especially since I know it’s really not meant for New Year’s Eve weather in Paris.”
Julia smiled and took a sip of her French champagne. “You haven’t thanked me but the look in your eyes is all the thanks I need. And yes, it’s a little lightweight for winter in France, but you’ll just have to make sure you keep me real warm.”
Nathan chuckled. “Oh, baby, you have no idea how hot I’m going to make you tonight. We’ll probably have to turn the air conditioner on to cool off.”
She raised a dainty brow. “Mmm, I hope our suite is suitably soundproofed. We might get kicked out of the Plaza Athenee for making too much noise.”
He clinked his champagne flute against hers. “If you’re trying to challenge me, you should know better by now. Especially when it comes to making you scream during sex.”
Julia’s cheeks pinkened and she glanced around the restaurant uncertainly. “Shhh. I know we’re in Paris but I’m guessing most of the people here understand English. Especially the S-E-X word.”
Nathan leaned over the table, tipping her chin up and giving her a lingering kiss. “Don’t worry, baby. I promise I won’t embarrass you in a three-star Michelin restaurant.”
They were dining at Le Meurice, one of the top dining establishments in Paris. Julia’s head was still spinning at the blatant luxury he’d been showering on her with this surprise trip – the trip that had been part of her Christmas gift. They had arrived two days ago – via a first-class flight, of course – and would be spending a whole week in the fabulous suite at the Plaza Athenee.
God knew they needed this time away, given everything that had happened over the past two months. Fortunately, the office was closed for two weeks over the holidays so they would only be missing a few days of work.
Physically, Julia had recovered from the bullet graze quickly, returning to work after just a few days. There was still a scar from the wound, though it was continuing to fade. With the cool fall and winter weather she’d been wearing dresses or blouses that covered the scar, which she was quite self-conscious about. And even though Nathan insisted he hardly noticed it, she was still contemplating having some minor plastic surgery done to erase the scar.
Predictably, Cameron’s father had gone to great lengths to have the real story behind his daughter’s fatal accident covered up. There had been no mention in the news of the fact that Cameron had tried to kill Julia, or that she’d crashed her car while fleeing the crime scene. Nathan had been furious that the truth had been buried away, wanting people to know what an evil, twisted bitch Cameron had really been. But Julia had felt quite differently, convincing him that all she really wanted was to forget the whole awful mess.
Her parents had arrived for their scheduled visit just a few days after the incident, and both had hugged her tight, Natalie visibly weeping. They had spent the first day and night of their visit just hanging out at Julia’s flat, not wanting to be separated from their precious daughter whom they’d come too close to losing.
Julia had indulged them for one day, and then insisted on sticking to their original plans after that. Going out and having fun had been the best medicine, taking her mind off the trauma she’d suffered.
With Robert’s input, Nathan had finalized the plans for the Tiburon house, and just a few weeks earlier had decided on a contractor. Groundbreaking on the house was due to start sometime in February, and by this time next year they would hopefully be celebrating New Year’s Eve at the new place.
They’d flown out to Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with his family, though Nathan had seen very little of Julia during their visit. His overjoyed mother had monopolized a great deal of Julia’s time - taking her shopping, introducing her to friends, and spending hours just chatting. Julia had loved meeting the rest of Nathan’s family – his sister-in-law Brooke and young nephew Damien, and his younger brother Greg. There were also a host of other relatives who stopped in for a visit during their stay –grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins as well as neighbors and old friends from school. Julia’s head had been spinning from meeting so many people in such a short period of time. It was evident that the Atwoods were a very sociable, funloving family, and some of the larger gatherings were a bit overwhelming for her at times.
December had been a crazy month, between the demands of their jobs, a round of holiday parties, and Christmas shopping. They had set up two Christmas trees – one at each of their places. Nathan had decided to hold on to his condo for now, given that the Tiburon house would be ready in about a year’s time, and they would just continue to split their time between their two residences until then.
They left for Carmel the day before Christmas Eve, having agreed to exchange their gifts before departing. Nathan had been touched by the things she’d chosen with such care for him – an Omega watch he’d looked at several times during shopping excursions, a pair of gold and onyx cufflinks, a black wool overcoat, and – his favorite – a charcoal sketch she’d drawn of him without his knowledge when they had visited her parents back in October.
He’d given her a lingering kiss. “You are so talented, Julia. I swear you missed your calling. You could be as successful as your mother if you really wanted to.”
She’d shrugged. “That is not possible, but I must admit I’d love to find the time to draw more often. But, you see, I’ve got this employer who just works me like a slave.”
“Mmm, especially after hours,” he’d told her suggestively. “I’m not surprised you don’t have more time or energy to draw. I hear that boss of yours is very demanding.”
“Oh, he is,” Julia had agreed mischievously. “Most days he’s so demanding I can barely walk the next morning.”
Nathan had grinned, drawing her onto his lap for a cuddle. “Thank you for such wonderful presents, baby. Now it’s my turn.”
Her first present had turned out to be a brand new silver BMW sedan. With Angela’s help, he’d managed to smuggle it into the garage downstairs. Julia had been speechless upon seeing it, and he’d had to open the driver’s door and urge her inside.
As they had taken the car for a test drive around the neighborhood, Nathan had told her, “I got tired of all the excuses you kept giving for why you didn’t need a car. But when you move in with me to the new house, you’ll definitely need wheels to commute back and forth every day.”
That had provoked a raised brow from Julia. “Is that right? And here I wasn’t sure I’d even be invited to this new place, much less live there.”
Nathan had snorted in derision. “Oh, please. Your father made sure that the damned walk-in closet was big enough for all your stuff. It’s certainly way too big for my paltry wardrobe. So you have to move in. Besides, you promised me free decorating advice, so the least I can do is give you free rent in return.”
Stupidly, Julia had felt her eyes fill with tears, and had impatiently brushed them away. “I would love to live with you in your dream house.”
“Correction, baby. Our dream house.”
As over-the-top extravagant as the new car had been, it was his next gift that had really made her swoon.
“Paris!” she’d squealed in delight. “You’re taking me to Paris for New Year’s Eve?”
Julia had studied the itinerary – with the flight and hotel information – as well as the hotel brochure carefully, and this time the tears had indeed spilled from her eyes. She’d flung her arms around his neck, kissing him thoroughly, before resting her head on his shoulder.
“I can’t imagine a more perfect way to celebrate the New Year than with my lover in the City of Love,” she’d murmured. “Aunt Maddy took me to Paris when I was eighteen for Fashion Week, but I hardly got to see any sights. And seeing Paris with your aunt isn’t anywhere near the same as being there with your man. Thank you, Nathan. I think this is the best gift ever.”
He had grinned in delight. “Oh, I can think of a better gift. In fact, I’m holding it in my arms right now.” He’d dropped a kiss on the tip of her nose. “Merry Christmas, baby. I love you so much, Julia. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t give you if it was in my power.”
Her arms had tightened around his neck. “Well, since the only thing I really want is you, then I suppose your shopping list is complete.”
The Christmas holidays at the McKinnons were a somewhat quieter but no less joyous affair than Thanksgiving in Michigan had been. There had been neverending dishes of some of the best food Nathan had ever tasted, lots of wine and spirits, and nonstop conversation. In addition to being one of the top architects of his generation, Robert was also an impressive vocalist, and kept the family entertained with his piano playing and singing.
Nathan met the much-mentioned Aunt Maddy at last, and it was quite obvious that Julia had acquired her exquisite fashion sense from the older woman. It was interesting to notice that Lauren more closely took after Natalie with their casual, semi-bohemian style, while Julia and Maddy both loved high end fashion.
Madelyn Benoit was a very attractive, poised and sophisticated woman, and quite probably what Julia would look like in about twenty-five more years. She arrived at her sister’s home with no boyfriend tagging along, and when Nathan had asked Julia very casually if her aunt had ever been married or engaged, Julia had given a rather brusque shake of her head.
“That’s not a topic we discuss with Aunt Maddy,” she’d explained. “There’s definitely a story there but not one she or my mother have ever shared.”
It was hard to imagine that a woman as beautiful as Madelyn had never been seriously involved with a man at some point, so Nathan surmised there had been some ill-fated love affair at one time or another. Not to mention the fact that someone with a job as high-profile and demanding as hers must not have had much time to devote to a relationship. Her career was very likely the reason she’d never married or had a family of her own.
They had flown to Paris three days after Christmas, and had spent their first day mostly recuperating from jet lag. But yesterday they had done a whirlwind tour of the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Champs-Elysees. Not to mention browsing in a variety of boutiques and buying rather large quantities of French pastries.
Julia had grinned as she’d licked whipped cream off her fingers. “This is such a great city. It has all of my favorite things in the whole world – incredible art, beautiful clothes, delicious food, and you. I think I would be very happy living here.”
Nathan had grown pensive while sipping his espresso inside the little bakery café they’d escaped into after a chilly walk back towards their hotel. “And to think you might have had that opportunity if you’d pursued that job with Gregson Hotels. I’m sure Ian would have found the right spot for you here.”
Julia had picked up his hand, running her thumb over his knuckles. “Is that why we aren’t staying at the Gregson hotel here? You think I might change my mind or something?”
“Maybe. No sense putting thoughts into that pretty little head. Because you aren’t moving to Paris, baby. The only place you’ll be moving is into our new home in Tiburon.” He placed his hand over hers. “I made the huge mistake of letting you go once. That isn’t going to happen ever again.”
And now here they were, celebrating New Year’s Eve with a romantic dinner in one of the best restaurants in Paris, if not the entire world. Nathan had intentionally worn the suit and tie he’d had on that magical evening in New York, even though the suit was admittedly a bit lightweight for wintertime in Paris. Fortunately for both of them, it would only be a matter of walking between the restaurant’s front door and a warm, waiting taxi. At least until their next stop of the evening.
The dinner was sumptuous, each course more delicious and beautifully prepared than the one before it. Julia relished each bite, closing her eyes in appreciation as she smacked her lips.
“Ohh, I could get used to eating like this every day,” she told him with a satisfied smile.
He chuckled and pinched her cheek. “Baby, if you ate like this every day – not to mention what you’ve already put away for breakfast, lunch and coffee break – you’d need a whole new wardrobe. And that would be a real shame, because I’d be very upset if you couldn’t fit into that beautiful pink dress any longer.”
Julia pouted playfully. “Are you trying to tell me I’m getting fat?”
“Hell, no. After all, I’m planning on getting laid tonight. Several times. So I would never imply that you might put on a few pounds if you keep eating two pastries every afternoon.”
The mischievous twinkle in his light blue eyes did not amuse her, and she gave him a little kick beneath the table.
“Ow.” He grimaced. “Guess I should be grateful you aren’t wearing a pair of those pointy-toed things. I’d have a bruise for sure.”
Julia looked guiltily at her empty dinner plate. “You’re right. I’m making a pig of myself. No dessert tonight and definitely no pastries tomorrow.”
“Silly girl.” He caressed her cheek gently. “How often are we in Paris? Have dessert. We’ll figure out a way to burn off those extra calories later.”
She made a little face at him. “But it’s too cold to go for a long walk after dinner.”
“Brat.” He stuck his tongue out at her. “Let me clarify. The physical activity I had in mind was of the indoor variety. And I guarantee you’ll work up a sweat.”
Julia smiled impishly. “Okay, you twisted my arm. Let’s have the waiter bring us the dessert menu.”
They were both pleasantly full from the gourmet dinner, and more than a little tipsy from both the champagne and the fine French wine. They bundled up into their new winter coats – Nathan’s the black wool one that she had bought him for Christmas, and Julia’s a chic white cashmere that Maddy had shipped to her a few months ago. He kept an arm wrapped around her as they ducked into a waiting taxi, but she frowned in bemusement as he asked the driver to take them to the Eiffel Tower.
“I thought we were going there tomorrow,” she reminded him.
He smiled mysteriously. “Change of plans. Trust me. And I know it’s freezing outside but we won’t be there very long.”
Julia was intrigued now but decided to indulge Nathan and sit back for the short drive to the world famous landmark. He had, after all, been pampering and spoiling her rotten these past few days, so she could certainly cede to his wishes now.
There were throngs of people already gathering near the Eiffel Tower in anticipation of the fireworks display scheduled for midnight, even though it was barely nine o’clock. Julia began to have her doubts about this, given her overall dislike of large crowds. She’d always avoided Times Square on New Year’s Eve during her time in Manhattan, and now Nathan was drawing her out of the taxi into an ever-growing sea of humanity.
Somehow, Nathan convinced the taxi driver to wait for them, and then grabbed her hand, tugging her along until they were standing as close as possible to the Tower.
And it was then, as he pulled something out of his coat pocket, took her hand, and sank to one knee, that she realized his purpose in dragging her here. The tears were already starting to well in her eyes even before he began to speak.
“Julia Elizabeth McKinnon,” he began, in a less than steady voice. “I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you on a crowded New York street. You took my breath away then and every single time I’ve seen you since. You are the most beautiful, talented and loving woman I’ve ever known, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want you to cook incredible dinners for me, to create amazing artwork, to decorate our dream home, and one day to give me babies – even if they’re twins. But mostly, I just want you.”
Nathan opened the small black velvet jewelry box with shaking fingers and held it up for her inspection. The diamond was exquisite, flawless; the square cut the perfect size and shape for her dainty fingers.
“Will you do me the greatest honor I can imagine and marry me?” he murmured hoarsely, his own eyes now shiny with tears.
Julia clapped a hand over her mouth, her legs trembling and the tears streaming down her cheeks in earnest. “Oh, God, Nathan,” she whispered. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you! I love you so much.”
He slid the ring onto her finger, then rose and swept her into a fierce embrace. It was only then that they realized they’d attracted quite a crowd who’d been watching the romantic scene unfold before their eyes. As Nathan captured her lips in a long kiss, the crowd of people around them erupted into applause and shouts of encouragement and congratulations. At least that’s what Nathan assumed they were all shouting, given his very limited command of the French language.
“Are those shouts of approval?” he whispered in Julia’s ear, “Or did I spur a riot?”
She laughed, snuggling into his embrace. “They were definitely shouts of approval. Peppered with a few cruder suggestions, something like the French equivalent of ‘get a room’.”
He burst into laughter. “Well, we’ve already got a room. And I suggest we head there posthaste before this crowd gets much bigger.”
They hurried back to their waiting taxi amid the continued shouts of congratulations. Once inside the taxi Julia launched into a stream of rapid French, and the rather dour driver grinned in response.
“I told him you finally decided to make an honest woman out of me,” she whispered in Nathan’s ear. “He approves.”
He whispered back to her naughtily,” Ask him if he approves of me bending you over the sofa in our suite, and lifting that pretty pink dress up so I can fuck you from behind. Or would he be more likely to approve of you riding my cock?”
Julia gasped and gave him a playful swat on the chest. “Would you stop that? We don’t know if he understands English or not. Now behave yourself.”
He grinned broadly as he cuddled her close. “But I thought you like it when I misbehaved.”
She nipped his earlobe. “Not in a taxi, lover boy. Keep that bad boy under control until we’re in our room, okay? Then he can be as bad as he wants to be.”
They laughed and snuggled during the drive to their hotel. Once at their destination, Nathan paid the driver, giving him a generous tip, and thanked him for his good wishes. They hurried inside the hotel, which was a warm and cozy contrast to the chill air outside where sleet was beginning to fall.
The elegantly appointed elevator was empty as they rode up to their suite, and Nathan took full advantage of the opportunity, pinning Julia against the back wall and kissing her senseless. By the time the elevator doors opened on their floor, they were both panting and fully aroused.
He kept his arms wrapped around her as they walked the short distance to their room. “You’re sure you want to go back to our room already? It’s barely ten p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Shouldn’t we be out dancing or partying somewhere?”
Julia shook her head as he unlocked the door to their suite. “It’s too cold to be outside, you know I’m not much into crowds, and I figured we could have a much better party with just the two of us.”
He locked the door behind him and hung up his coat. “I like the way you think, baby. May I take your coat?”
She winked at him suggestively. “For starters.”
“Well, that goes without saying,” he murmured, drawing the soft white coat down her arms, and hanging it up in the entry closet next to his. “Now, come here, future Mrs. Nathan Atwood. I need to hold my fiancée.”
Julia went willingly into his embrace, twining her arms around his waist. “Should we be calling our families and sharing our happy news?”
His lips clung to her forehead. “It’ll keep until tomorrow. If I call my folks now, my mother will keep you on the phone for over an hour, and that is definitely not on the agenda for this evening. And your parents already know.”
She gasped, staring up at him. “How is that possible? How could they know before I did?”
He smiled, smoothing her long curls off her shoulders. “Because my mother raised me to be a gentleman and part of that includes formally asking my beloved’s father for her hand in marriage. He said yes, by the way, but insisted I had to okay it with your mother, too. Apparently they have a very equal marriage.”
Julia nodded. “That’s for sure.” Then a sudden thought caused her to sober. “Did you ask Mr. Tolliver for his approval?”
Nathan grimaced. “No. I told you how the whole thing went down. And considering I was Cameron’s third fiancé, asking for her father’s permission seemed a bit silly. Now, I thought we agreed to never mention her name again.”
She caressed her cheek. “We did. I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do on this lovely evening is ruin it with bad memories. So, let’s make some good memories instead.”
Slowly he unzipped her dress, nuzzling her neck. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Julia wore the same pink and cream lingerie she’d had on the first time they’d been together, including the infamous pink lace panties that he’d finally returned to her. And tonight she’d added the matching lacy pink garter belt and sheer, sexy stockings.
He ran his fingertips up and down her arms, causing her to shiver in reaction. Then, without further preliminaries, he shoved his hands into her hair, titling her head back and kissed her savagely. Julia whimpered beneath the force of his kiss as he held her head still.
“You are so fucking sexy,” he growled in her ear, as his hands caressed the curve of her hip. “My favorite time of the whole day is watching you put all these tempting bits of lace and silk on this perfect body. Because then I get to think all day long about how hot you look, and how much I’m going to enjoy undressing you at the end of the day.”
“Ahh,” she panted, as he cupped her breast, his thumb teasing her nipple through the fragile lace covering it.
He kissed a slow, seductive path down her throat and across the high, upper curves of her breasts before tugging a bra strap off her shoulder. Julia groaned as he pinched her nipple, and then cupped her full, swollen breast as he suckled her hard. He repeated the action on her other breast until both nipples were wet and glistening, her breasts achy and tender.
“Have I told you how much I love your tits?” he muttered hoarsely, burying his face in her cleavage.
“Hmm, maybe three times a day or so,” she giggled, running her hands through his hair. “I don’t think that’s anywhere near often enough.”
“Oh, I agree Mrs. Atwood-to-be.” He kissed his way down her cleavage, dropping to his knees as his mouth dipped to her navel. “But that’s probably because I’m too busy telling you how much I also love your ass. And your legs. And especially this sweet, juicy cunt.”
“Nathan.” His name escaped her lips on a long, drawn-out moan, as he pushed aside the crotch of her panties to slide two fingers deep inside her.
“Always wet, always ready for me,” he crooned as his thrust his fingers in and out. “And once again you got these pretty panties soaked. You know what that means.”
He slid the pink lace boy shorts down her legs, and then carefully set them aside.
“We don’t want to lose them again, do we?” he asked with a smirk. “After all the trouble I went through retrieving them the first time.”
“N-n-no,” she agreed shakily, as he licked at her moist folds. Her legs were trembling, unsteadily in the sky-high stilettos as he proceeded to savor her with almost maddening slowness. He ate her out with exquisite care, opening her for his tongue and fingers, stimulating her clit until her hips began to rock against his mouth and he could feel her core convulse.
Nathan wrapped his arms around her knees, resting his forehead on her thighs, holding her steady as her body quivered with the long, drawn-out release he’d brought her to. He slid back up her body, unhooking her bra, and then led her over to the sofa. He bent her over the edge, her ass sticking up in the air, and he gave her buttocks a lingering caress.
“Don’t move. And leave the shoes on.” He ordered. “Stay exactly like that or I’ll spank you.”
In response, Julia wiggled her butt back and forth, drawing a chuckle from him as he swiftly undressed. When he was naked, he stepped behind her, his foot wedging its way in between hers.
“Spread them.”
She obeyed instantly, recognizing the command in his voice, and feeling the surge of excitement shimmer through her. She groaned as he rubbed his rock hard erection between the cleft of her buttocks.
“Mmm, I’d love to slide inside this tight, delicious little ass,” he breathed. “But not tonight, baby. We’d need to take that real slow and gentle and I need to fuck you hard and fast.”
Julie cried out as he suddenly thrust fully inside her wet, clenching pussy, and then commenced to ride her with deep, rapid strokes. He held her immobile, bent over the sofa, his hands on her hips and his thighs pressed against the back of her legs. Her breath escaped in short, audible gasps, overwhelmed by his total possession, and half-afraid she’d faint from the intensity. With each deep stroke of his cock, she whimpered with the near-painful pleasure, felt him butting against the entrance to her womb.
He reached his hand between her legs, his thumb finding her tender, swollen clit and flicked over it again and again until she felt her orgasm building.
“Oh, God, Nathan, yes, just like that. Ohhh, I’m so close, so close. Just – ahhh!” she cried, as her body was wracked with the strong spasms of her climax, even as he continued to pound into her fiercely.
“Christ, I love you, Julia!” he called out just seconds before he came, filling her with his hot seed. He wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close against his chest as his body shook over and over again.
He carried her still trembling body – sans the stilettos - into the huge white marble bathroom. A short time later, the sunken tub was filled with hot, fragrant water and the room lit with a dozen vanilla scented candles. Nathan sat with his back against the tub, and Julia nestled in between his spread legs. She’d hastily piled her hair atop her head with a clip but several errant curls tumbled down her back to tease the surface of the water. He picked up one silky strand and wrapped it around his finger.
“We should order a bottle of champagne.”
She shook her head at his suggestion. “I think we indulged plenty at dinner, between a full bottle of champagne and another one of wine. Any more booze tonight and I’ll fall asleep right here in the tub.”
“You’re right. I’ll call room service for a pot of coffee instead. Or a few espressos. I plan on keeping you up for hours yet.”
Julia snickered, reaching between his legs to squeeze his semi-erect cock. “I believe that’s supposed to be my line.”
And then her snickers turned to gasps as he cupped her breasts, his fingers twisting the nipples.
“I haven’t fucked these beauties for awhile,” he murmured, licking the side of her neck. “Maybe we’ll get around to that before sunrise.”
“Hmm.” Her head had lolled back against his shoulder as he continued to pluck her nipples. “If you’re serious about having sex until dawn, maybe that pot of coffee isn’t a bad idea.”
Nathan laughed heartily, his arms wrapping around her waist as he nuzzled behind her ear. “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll allow you short naps in between. And last time I looked you had a stash of pastries inside the fridge in case you need nourishment.”
She swatted his playfully on the forearm. “Fiend. Considering I’ve probably already burned off like a thousand calories I probably will need to replenish if you’re going to ravish me all night long.”
He pinched her ass, drawing a yelp of protest from her. “Let’s get dried off. It’s almost midnight and we should watch the fireworks from our balcony. Then we’ll come back inside and set off our own fireworks.”
Despite the frigid temperatures and the freezing sleet, they wrapped themselves in the thick, fleecy hotel bathrobes and stepped out on the balcony.
“Should be any minute now, baby. Watch just over there,” he said, wrapping her tight in his arms to keep her warm.
“Hmm, this is much better than being out there with thousands of other people getting pushed and shoved. Best seat in the house,” she joked.
And then they could only ooh and ahh at the majestic display of fireworks that lit the Paris sky far above the Eiffel Tower.
“Happy New Year!” they told each other simultaneously, and shared a long, deep kiss.
“I love you, Nathan,” she murmured. “This is the most wonderful New Year’s Eve of my life.”
He kissed her sweetly. “Mine, too. And next year’s will be even better because we’ll be ringing in the New Year in our brand new home. As husband and wife.”
Julia tugged on his hair teasingly. “Married that soon, huh? And here I figured we’d have a very long engagement.”
She squeaked when he slid his hand inside her robe and gave her a pinch on the ass. “Brat. If you think I’m waiting more than a year to marry you, guess again. What’s the weather like in Carmel in June?” he asked.
She laughed as he swung her around, lifting her bare feet off the chilly tiles of the balcony. “A lot warmer than Paris in January.” Her eyes were shining as she planted a smacking kiss on his mouth. “And absolutely perfect for a wedding.”
The End