Page 272 of The Heart You Kept

“Edward.”

I glance up as she pulls me from my daydream. “Yes.”

“Nel’s going.”

“Oh.” I nod, embarrassed. “Lovely to see you, Nel. Today was very productive.” I lean in and kiss her cheek.

“Goodbye.” She toddles off across the restaurant but I don’t dare look after her.

Alora’s temper is spicy as fuck and she has no problem ripping me a new asshole.

“Alone at last.” She smiles over at me as she takes my hand in hers; she lifts it to her lips and kisses the back of it. “Did you hear anything we were talking about?”

“Every single word.”

“You’re such a liar.”

I throw her a wink.

“Are you ready to go and buy saucepans, Mr. Prescott?” She widens her eyes in excitement.

“Yes.” I smile, her joy is infectious.

“Are you as excited as me?”

“No.”

She giggles. “Can you at least act excited?”

“No.”

“And then we can get some dinner on the way home.”

“I’ve booked a table at my favorite restaurant.”

“Okay.” She bounces out of her chair. “Do you think we should get new cutlery too?” She pushes her chair in.

“If you like.”

“Well, what would you like?”

“I would like to be naked.”

“Of course you would.” She rolls her eyes as she takes my hand in hers. “Find me the right saucepans and you might have half a chance.”

ALORA

“Doe,” Edward calls from the balcony.

“Coming.” I pull the fluffy white robe around my shoulders. The bathroom is steamy, we’ve just soaked in the sunken tub for over an hour. We talked and laughed, made sweet gentle love and after the dreamy three days we have just had, Paris may be my new favorite city.

We aren’t staying in the hotel, this time we’re at his penthouse.

My hair is in a messy topknot and I walk out onto the balcony to see Edward in his white robe standing at the rail looking out over the twinkling Eiffel Tower. His dark hair is messed to perfection and his broad shoulders make that robe hang in all the right places.

This man….

There’s a silver bucket with champagne sitting on ice and two crystal flutes and music is playing in the background.