The first colors of the sunset were in the clear sky above Paris, as Dominic and Marianne crossed the city limits. He headed north, towards the hill of Montmartre, desperate to show her his favorite view of the romantic city.

As soon as he parked his car, they began to wander through the narrow, winding streets. Marianne seemed to love the experience. She didn’t expect to find anything like that on the outskirts of a big city like Paris. There were small cafes and shops, right under old, yet well-preserved buildings everywhere. He was so excited that he would not stop talking about his favorite painters and even showed her where their studios used to be. Still, as he glanced out toward the horizon, Dominic realized that his short tour would soon have to come to an end. Daylight was quickly fading away. The sun was minutes away from setting, as he took Marianne by the hand.

He led her to an empty hotel, high up on the Montmartre hill. Unwilling to reveal to her what he had in mind, he ignored her questions. Marianne finally understood his plan, when the two of them stepped onto the terrace. The Basilica of the Sacré Coeur glowed on the hill, surrounded by hundreds of flickering city lights. The background was just as breathtaking, as the Eiffel tower stood tall among hundreds of thousands more city lights. Taking a few steps towards the edge of the terrace, Marianne opened her mouth wide, stunned by the sheer beauty of the scenery.

“Oh, my God…” she whispered, covering her mouth with her hands, as Dominic sauntered towards her. “This is…”

“I believe the word you’re looking for is ‘majestic’.” He interrupted, stopping right behind her. “I bought this hotel last month, because of the view.”

“Thank you.” Marianne uttered, in a voice thick with emotion, as she turned around to face him.

“Not just yet.” He smirked, pulling a red, business card out of his right pocket. It read:

“Jonathan Green is one of the best marketers money can buy. Call him when you get to New York. He’ll help you promote your books online. Don’t worry about his fee. I got it covered.”

Marianne’s hand trembled, as Dominic handed the card over to her. She glanced down at it and then back up at him, unable to utter a word. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer, gazing deep into her watery eyes, as she took the card in her hand.

“Go get them, little bird.” He whispered, sliding his hands up her arms. “Go spread your wings. I’ll help you, every step of the way.”

“Oh, Dominic…” She heaved a long, deep sigh, bending her head down, as he cupped her cheeks in both of his hands.

“Look at me.” He urged, running his thumbs across her cheekbones, as a tear soaked his skin. “I want you to succeed. I want you to find happiness, even if we’re an ocean apart.”

“I can’t.” Marianne sniffled, as she looked up at him. “Not without you.”

“Yes, you can.” Dominic put a little force in his voice, as tears rose up in his eyes. “Promise me you’ll try.”

“How?” She whispered, lightly shaking her head. “How can I do that, when I know I’ve left the best thing that’s ever happened to me behind?”

Dominic could not come up with an answer. The sight of her reddened eyes broke his heart into a million pieces, as two tears streamed down his face. His hands shook, as Marianne bent her head towards him. Circling her arms around his waist, she put her head on his chest, the sound of her sniffles becoming louder, as he embraced her. Burying his face into her hair, he held her tight, as her body trembled in his arms. He kissed her on the top of her head, interlocking his fingers behind her back, more tears rolling down his cheeks, as a powerful gust of wind blew through their hair.

“You’re going to be big someday, Marianne.” Dominic said, his voice thick with emotion, loosening his grip around her. “People are going to love your work.”

“You’ll always be my king, Dominic,” Marianne whispered while opening her eyes, as she slowly leaned back. “The king of my heart. Who knows…? Maybe someday, we can get our happy ending.”

“Write that book, baby.” He encouraged, removing his right hand from her back. “Write it and send it to me.” He went on, tucking tendrils of hair behind her ear.

“I can’t do that.” She sighed, running her hands up his body. “Not yet, anyway.”

“Why?”

“Because it will hurt too much.” Marianne’s painful whisper added to his already profound pain. “I love you, my king. I’ve loved you since the moment you came to my bedroom. You talked to me, you comforted me…”

“I love you, too,” Dominic declared in his low, deep voice, as he held her face in his hands. She shut her eyes, as he tilted his head down; he kissed her closed eyelids, as a more powerful breeze tugged at her hair, “now and always.”

“God, I’m going to miss that kiss,” Marianne breathed, opening her eyes. “I’m going to miss everything about you.”

“So am I, little bird,” he confessed, his baritone dropping down an octave. “So am I.”

“Hold me tight tonight,” she whispered, leaning forward. “Kiss me, touch me…”

“You’re never going to forget this night.” Dominic spoke, his tone wobbly as he pressed his forehead against hers. “Ever.”