Two months later
“Pinch me,” I murmured.
Gabe laughed. “Only if I can pinch your ass or your nipple.”
I smacked his arm with my free hand. “Way to ruin a moment.”
“My apologies.” Gabe released my other hand and brought his hand to my arm then gave it a gentle pinch. “There, how was that?”
“I’m still standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, so it’s not just a wonderful dream. It really is real life.”
Many, many months ago, I’d told Gabe how I wanted to eat French toast or crepes in Paris. Somehow, he hadn’t forgotten that random comment, and when my birthday month rolled around, he presented me with two first class tickets to Paris. We’d arrived the previous day just in time for my birthday the next day, and even though our hotel suite boasted the most amazing view of the Eiffel Tower, I hadn’t actually gotten to stand in front of it until this moment.
After breakfast in bed led to a lengthy sexathon and subsequent nap, it was after five o’clock before we dragged ourselves out of the hotel room. After three orgasms, I certainly wasn’t complaining about being slightly delayed in seeing the tower in person.
As I stood staring up at the intricate metal structure, I found it surreal that the girl who had barely been outside of Georgia was about to celebrate her twenty-eighth birthday in Paris. “I feel just like Carrie in Sex and the City.”
With a chuckle, Gabe replied, “Does that mean I’m your Big?”
I grinned. “Yes, except without all the douchey behavior.”
“I’ll take it.” He wagged his brows. “Especially the big part.”
Elbowing him, I said, “Don’t make sexual innuendos in front of the Eiffel Tower. It’s far too classy.”
“Babe, I’m pretty sure it’s heard much worse, not to mention what it’s seen.” As he shielded his eyes from the setting sun, he added, “Man, it must be a rush to fuck up there.”
“Only you would stand in front of the Eiffel Tower and think about sex. Besides, I seriously doubt that happens.”
“Oh, I’m sure numerous people have been caught, not to mention the ones who threw enough money at the guards to have some after-hours fun.” Gabe waggled his brows at me. “Want me to see what the going rate is for a post-sunset quickie?”
Although I normally wasn’t one to shy away from sex in public places, I didn’t think I could possibly have sex on the Eiffel Tower. I mean, what if we got arrested? How would I ever explain to Linc why I was being detained in a Parisian jail? I quickly shook my head back and forth. “No. I’m good.”
Gabe bent over to place his palm on my bare thigh. As his hand started underneath my skirt, he asked, “Maybe a finger bang in a corner?”
With a shriek, I jerked away from him. “Once again, I’m going to have to say no.”
“I’m really digging you in this dress. It’s very accessible.”
I jabbed my index finger into his chest. “That’s it—no more horny sex-talk. I don’t want to hear anything else come out of your lips that isn’t romantic.”
“Exactly how would you define ‘romantic’?”
Rolling my eyes at him, I replied, “Um, hello, you’re the songwriter. Figure it out.”
Gabe chuckled. “Fine. You win.”
I cupped my hand over my ear. “And what sweet nothings would you like to say to me?”
“That even though you’re a pain in my ass, I love you very much.”
“You’re impossible,” I huffed.
Tilting his head at me, Gabe smiled. “There isn’t another woman on earth I’d rather talk dirty to than you. You are my ultimate fantasy, live and in the flesh. I dream of your mouth against mine, your lips on my skin, the feel of your soft curves beneath my body. There is no greater heaven on earth than being buried deep inside you, our bodies joined together as one.”
His words sent a shudder through me. I didn’t know why I was surprised that he had found a way to mix in sex with the romance. He was a songwriter for goodness’ sake. Pressing myself against him, I murmured, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He dipped his head to bring his mouth to mine, his lips soft and tender against my own. Each and every time he kissed me, I fell just a little more in love with him. There was something about the way he exuded such emotion through his kisses. Even though he could pen such words of love in his songs, sometimes he still had a difficult time vocalizing them.
When he finally pulled away, I was breathless, and damn him if I didn’t have a slow ache burning between my legs. I became utterly and completely wanton when it came to Gabe, an insatiable sex fiend who craved more and more.
At what must’ve been the lust burning in my eyes, he grinned at me. “Ready to go to dinner?”
“Yes, asshole,” I grumbled.
With a hearty laugh, Gabe replied, “We can always go back to the hotel room.”
I shook my head furiously from side to side. “Oh no, mister. There’s no way I’m missing out on my VIP dinner at Jules Verne.”
Gabe held up his hands. “It was just a suggestion.”
Pointing at the elevators, I commanded, “Let’s go—now.”
“Yes ma’am.”
* * *
After emitting a moan of pure ecstasy, I lay my napkin down on my now empty plate. “Oh my God, I don’t think I’ve ever been so stuffed.”
“What about dessert?” Gabe asked.
I widened my eyes. “Are you kidding me? I’m not sure I’ll eat the rest of the trip, least of all try to eat anything else tonight.”
He chuckled. “Then how about we go up for drink at the champagne bar and take in the views?”
“As long as it’s okay that I’m waddling slightly, then I would love to.”
After Gabe paid the check, he held out his hand to me. “Come on, my little Oompa Loompa,” he teased.
I playfully smacked his arm. “While I might feel like an Oompa Loompa, I most certainly don’t look like one.”
“You are wearing a purple dress,” he remarked as he we headed to the coat check.
“Keep it up, Mr. Renard, and you’ll be able to tell Trip Advisor how well that couch in the suite’s living room sleeps.”
Gabe smirked. “Like you would really toss me out of bed.”
“You should know me well enough not to tempt me,” I countered.
Dipping his head, Gabe whispered in my ear, “But who would be there to give you orgasms if I wasn’t in bed with you?”
I flashed him a wicked grin. “Considering this is Paris, I’m pretty sure I could find many devices to satisfy me.”
“None of those devices are as good as my tongue or my dick.”
“While I might disagree, there’s nothing like you spooning me or waking up beside you.”
With a smile, Gabe said, “That’s more like it.”
After Gabe helped me into my coat, he slid his on as well, and we then took the elevator up to the champagne bar. After weaving our way through the crowd, we got in line for a glass of bubbly.
When we reached the front, a man in a crisp black suit asked, “Good evening. The rose or the white?”
After glancing over at me, I said, “The rose.”
Gabe nodded. “We’ll take two.”
Once we had our glasses, Gabe and I moved to one of the less crowded corners of the observation deck. My hair and clothes rippled in the gentle breeze, and when I shivered in the cold, Gabe wrapped an arm around me. “Are you okay?” he asked, concern vibrating in his voice.
“I’m fine.” Gazing out into the glittering night sky, I murmured, “Have you ever seen anything more beautiful?”
“Yes.”
I smiled up at him. “After traveling so much, I’m sure you have.”
“Actually, I have the pleasure seeing my most beautiful every day.”
When I got his meaning, my heartbeat thrummed wildly. “Aw, thank you, babe. I’d have to say you’re pretty impressive to look at every day, too.”
Gabe grinned. “But do I compare to this view?”
“You far outrival it.” Bolstered by both the champagne I’d been sipping along with the slight headiness the altitude brought, I leaned in to whisper in his ear. “I’d say your cock alone is far more magnificent.”
A shudder rippled through Gabe, and I wasn’t sure if it was because of my flirty words or because of the cold.
“I like your way of thinking,” he said with a smirk.
I giggled. “I thought you would.”
Pulling back from him a bit, I leaned in to get a closer look through the crisscrossing wire. “It’s amazing how many buildings are squashed into such a small area. It’s so much different than home,” I mused while taking another sip of champagne.
Suddenly Gabe wasn’t beside me anymore. When I glanced over my shoulder to see where he had gone, a screech erupted from my lips and my hands flew to cover my mouth. “Oh my God,” I murmured as I spun around to face Gabe. The man I loved with all my heart and soul was down on one knee with a turquoise box in his hands. Although I might not have been out of Georgia much, I knew that box could only be from one place—Tiffany’s. Once again, the only words I could muster were, “Oh my God!”
Gabe smiled up at me. “Reagan Margaret Hart, my muse and my love, I want to spend the rest of my life making music with you. Two months ago, I asked Linc if I could have your hand in marriage. Today, I’m asking you.” When tears pooled in Gabe’s eyes, it was my undoing. “Rae, will you marry me?”
His image blurred before me as I let myself go and sobbed openly. I couldn’t believe what he was saying. He had asked Linc’s permission to marry me. He loved my son enough to ask him if he would be okay with us getting married. Gabe loved me enough to want to include my son in one of the biggest decisions of his life. Just when I thought I couldn’t love him any more than I already did, my heart grew just a little more.
“Rae?” he questioned.
“Yes! Yes, of course I will marry you!” I cried as I lunged forward. I threw my arms around his neck and the momentum sent us toppling to the ground. As I lay there entwined in Gabe’s arms, I began kissing every square inch of him that I could reach—his cheeks, his nose, his mouth, his neck, his temples. I tried to emulate what he did with his kisses, to show him just what I wanted to say but somehow couldn’t. I wanted him to know he had made me the happiest woman on earth by loving me and loving my child.
At the sound of applause behind us, I couldn’t help laughing at the absurdity of the moment. There we were rolling around on the top floor of the Eiffel Tower while tourists clapped for us. I knew this was a moment I would remember for the rest of my life.
“I guess we better get up,” I said.
“They could just step over us,” Gabe suggested with a grin.
“Whatever. Come on.”
Once I pulled myself off him, Gabe rose to his feet. When we were both upright again, He reached into the turquoise box in his hand. I was shocked that he had managed to hold on to it after me tackling him.
Taking my hand in his, he slid the ring on my finger. “Now it’s official. You are the future Mrs. Gabriel Renard.”
Although it was dark outside, I held my hand up to gaze at the ring. “It’s beautiful.”
“You really like it?”
“I love it. It’s everything I could have hoped for.” I winked at him. “Okay, maybe it’s a hell of a lot bigger than what I ever hoped for, but I’ll take it.”
Gabe laughed. “While I normally like to think when it comes to rings, go big or go home, it was Linc who brought me down a carat.”
I widened my eyes at Gabe. “You picked a bigger ring?”
He nodded. “But Linc made the very good point that it wouldn’t be very practical in your line of work.”
I realized then that he had not only asked Linc’s permission to marry me, they had gone ring shopping together. “I’ve got to say I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when you two were looking at rings—and when in the world did you take him to Tiffany’s?”
“When you guys flew up to New York for the opening of the tour.”
I laughed. “Now I remember. You guys were acting so weird that day, and although you said you were just going shopping, you wouldn’t let me come with you.”
Gabe nodded. “I had to lie and tell you we were going to hit several music stores to shop for guitars, which I knew was the easiest way to get you to stay at the hotel.”
“You’re right, but it never dawned on me when you two got back that you didn’t buy anything.”
“Oh, trust me, we bought something.”
“I can’t wait to call him and tell him the news. Let’s see, if it’s nine o’clock here, then it’s three o’clock there. What would he be doing right now?”
“Your dad will have just picked him up from school, and they’d be heading back to the shop or to his and Stella’s house. They’ll probably make a pit stop at Harts and Flowers for Linc to get a snack and for your dad to get a coffee.”
It warmed my heart that Gabe knew the little ins and outs of Linc’s schedule. “You’re right. We’ll call him the minute we get back to the hotel room.”
“Speaking of the hotel room, what do you say we head on back?”
“But it’s only nine o’clock—the night’s still so young. I mean, they don’t call it the City of Light for nothing,” I protested.
Gabe pulled me into his arms. Nuzzling my neck, he asked, “Don’t you want to go back and make love for the first time as an engaged couple?”
As his warm breath fanned over my skin, I shivered. “Yes, I do,” I murmured.
“Then let’s get the hell out of here.”
Although I wanted to stroll the streets until the wee hours of the morning, I decided to give in to both my fiancé’s voracious sexual appetite and my own—but I wasn’t going down without a fight. “Let’s make one thing clear, Mr. Renard: tomorrow there will be no sex of any kind until I’ve toured the Louvre and seen Notre-Dame.”
“What happens if I wake up with morning wood?” Gabe asked as we started for the elevator.
Batting my eyelashes, I replied, “You can jerk it out during the shower you’ll be taking so we can leave the hotel to see the Louvre and Notre-Dame.”
Throwing his head back, Gabe chuckled heartily. “Wow, I thought the sex wasn’t supposed to wane until after the wedding, not after the engagement.”
“I only said I was momentarily withholding in order to see the sights. Once I’ve seen those two things, you can take me back to the hotel and ravish me continuously until it’s time to go to dinner, which will be at a romantic restaurant of my choosing.”
“Damn, you drive a hard bargain,” he replied playfully as we got on the elevator.
“But you love me anyway, don’t you?”
He smiled down at me. “I sure as hell do.” He dipped down to plant a tender kiss on my lips. “I love you more than I can ever say, even with the words I can string together in the lyrics of a song.”
“I think you did a pretty amazing job with the ones on Ray of Light.”
“True, but I wrote those before we were engaged, before we were really truly and completely in love. I can’t imagine how I will write now.”
When he furrowed his brows, I gasped. “Don’t tell me you think you’re going to get another case of writer’s block?”
“Are you kidding? Between getting engaged and getting married, I’ll have plenty of material to work with.”
I exhaled a relieved breath. “You had me worried there.”
“Sorry. I was only trying to think how I could possibly put everything that has happened this last year into just twelve to fourteen songs.”
“If anyone can find a way to do it, it’s you. You’re an amazing songwriter, not to mention an amazing fiancé.”
“And lover?”
“Oh yes, very much an amazing lover. You’re going to be an amazing stepfather to Linc, too.”
As we started out into the crowd leaving the Eiffel Tower, Gabe said, “I’m not so sure about being Linc’s stepfather.”
His words and tone caused my heart to shudder and restart. “You aren’t?” I asked tentatively.
Gabe shook his head. “He and I were talking, and I think it would be better if I adopted him.”
Oh. My. God. Had he just said what I thought he had? My knees gave out and I lunged forward. I would have face-planted in front of the Eiffel Tower if Gabe hadn’t caught me.
“Jesus, Rae, are you all right?” Gabe demanded as he slid a strong arm around my waist.
“I’m fine. It was just a little bit of a rush.”
Since I was still a little shaky, Gabe steered me over to a bench. After I sat down, he knelt in front of me. “Feeling better?”
“Yes.”
Frowning slightly, he said, “If you don’t want me to adopt Linc, I don’t have to.”
“You think I almost passed out because I don’t want you to adopt my son?”
“Yeah.”
I cupped his face in my hands. “I would be honored for you to be Linc’s father. Besides marrying you, nothing would make me happier.”
Gabe’s face lit up. “Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Even though I don’t easily relate to kids and can sometimes be impatient?”
I laughed. “You’ll do fine. You have so much love in your heart to give to Linc.”
“And to our children.”
Sweeping my hand to my forehead, I said, “Whoa now, let’s not get too crazy.”
“You don’t want to have five or six?” Gabe asked teasingly.
“Do you seriously want me to pass out?” I replied.
“All joking aside, Rae, I want us to be a complete family. I want you and Linc to carry my name.”
“So do I.” I smiled at him. “And I want to give you a baby. Maybe not five, but I want to see you hold a piece of yourself in your arms.”
“I’d like that very much.”
“Then let’s go back to the hotel and start practicing for the day when you get me pregnant.”
Gabe laughed. “I like that idea very much.”