Marine’s mouth shut with a crooked line, reminding Hattie of a closed Venus fly trap.
‘Luc,cherie. Mamanhasn’t seen you for ages. Perhaps we could join you,’ suggested Marine, with a winsome smile.
Hattie’s fingers closed around one of the knives in front of her and she sat totally still.
‘I’m sorry.’ Luc lifted Hattie’s hand, the one he’d been caressing with slow circles of this thumb, and lifted it to his lips, kissing it. Without looking at Marine he gave Hattie a warm smile. ‘We’re on a date this evening.’ There was a brief silence and Marine stiffened before turning to Hattie and saying with a charming smile, ‘That explains why you’re hanging about.’ She paused and then added, ‘When no one wants this wedding held here.’ Her smile widened, her red lips reminding Hattie of the Joker. Marine would not have liked the comparison.
‘You don’t have to worry about that, those problems have all been solved,’ said Hattie with a guileless smile. ‘It’s going to be a lovely day for everyone.’
She saw Luc’s shoulders shake. Marine tossed her hair, said something in very polite French to Luc and towed her mother away.
Hattie watched her go, a little pink in the cheeks at Luc’s very public declaration.
Luckily the food arrived just then, served with a flourish by the waiter. Hattie had ordered the starter ofasperges blanches habillées, white asparagus wrapped with crepe and Bayonne ham.
‘Oh that is seriously good,’ she said, closing her eyes and savouring the flavours, licking the butter from her fingers. When she opened them Luc was staring at her, disconcerting appreciation written all over his face, and it didn’t take a genius to guess what he was thinking, especially not with that slow smile of his.
‘Don’t say it,’ she said, remembering his comment in the restaurant.
‘Why not, if it’s true? I like watching you take pleasure.’ The softly spoken word vibrated through her.
‘Do you?’ she asked, provocatively lowering her voice and looking at his lips.
There was a long pause as he gave her words careful consideration.
‘Yes,’ he said, with a very direct gaze and there was no mistaking what he meant. A fierce blush heated Hattie’s cheeks but she managed to hold her own, looking back at him.
‘Will you come to bed with me, Hattie?’ he asked softly.
ChapterTwenty-Two
‘Shall we take a glass of wine up to my balcony?’ asked Luc as they entered the château on their return from the restaurant. He gave her an easy smile. Hattie nodded, too full of nerves to speak.
She watched as he opened the bottle, the coil of tension in her stomach twisting tighter. When she took the glass from him, her hand shook. She gave him a stricken look.
He leaned down and kissed her. ‘There’s no hurry. Let’s drink our wine and enjoy the night air.’
She closed her eyes. ‘Sorry, Luc. I’m rubbish at this. I’ve only slept with one person and not for a long time. I’m not really the sort of girl men want to sleep with. I help people plan dream weddings but really, I’m very boring and I’m not sure I believe in romance anymore.’
‘I definitely want to sleep with you … and more. I think I have since the moment I opened the door and found you there.’
She almost melted on the spot.
‘There is no pressure. If not tonight then perhaps another night.’ He took her hand and led her up the stairs.
Entering Luc’s bedroom, despite the rapid pumping of her heart, she managed to smile at him. Apart from a few discarded clothes on the chair near the balcony and the pile of change and keys on the bedside table, it was still very tidy, although it had a comfortable, lived-in feel to it. She remembered the first time she’d been in here. Hattie smiled at the sight of his childhood books, making a mental note to ask about them later … much later.
Luc who was also examining the room, sprang forward and with one hand hastily tugged at the white broderie anglaise duvet cover on the bed, which was already quite neat. ‘Sorry, I wasn’t planning …’
His honesty was endearing and just the reassurance she needed. She took the wine glass she realised he was in danger of spilling – evidently he wasn’t quite as sure of himself as she’d assumed. When she placed it along with hers on the dressing table, she caught sight of her bright, flushed eyes in the mirror. She smiled back at herself, pleased that she didn’t look like some inexperienced girl. She looked like a woman who was desirable and attractive. She wanted Luc Brémont, wanted to have the touch of his skin and muscle against her body and to know what it would be like to feel again.
She moved into his arms and their mouths fused into a kiss. When they came up for air, he murmured against her hair. ‘Are you sure about this?’
‘Yes,’ she whispered, her voice fierce in the quiet of the room.
He undid the top button of her dress and stroked her collarbone, ducking his head to kiss the sensitive skin there. She sighed with pleasure, as he trailed kisses back up to her mouth. It had been so long since she’d been kissed properly. She was going to enjoy every minute of this. She tipped her head back, giving him access to her neck, her knees almost buckling at the delicious sensations that his roaming lips were evoking. Suddenly it wasn’t enough, and she tugged him closer and opened her mouth, kissing him more deeply. He responded immediately, his mouth opening, his tongue stroking and tangling with hers. Sensing her growing desire, his fingers undid another button and he slid a hand into her bra and cupped her breast. The sensation almost felled her. It was like being on a runaway train and she was sticking with it, for the ride of her life.
‘Luc,’ she whispered, pulling back and looking up at his glittering eyes.
