Chapter 3

Her door opened and a familiar head appeared through it, "Knock knock."

"Hello you. You're late."

Pulling a large bouquet of flowers from behind him, "Because I stopped for these." She smiled as she took the flowers from him, "Does that smile mean I am forgiven?"

She shrugged, "It means I am thinking about it."

His other arm swung around, holding a bottle of champagne. "Will this help with the decision?"

Raising an eyebrow, "It doesn't hurt. To what do I owe this extravagance?"

Taking a step closer to her, he smiled down at her. "I missed you." He glanced down at her dress, pupils dilating with desire, "You take my breath away."

"Keep talking like that and we won't make our reservations."

"Tempting, my love. But I wouldn't want that dress wasted."

Taking the champagne from him, she turned looking teasingly over his shoulder. "I'm sure it would look equally good in a pile on my bedroom floor."

His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against him. "I love you, Laura Hobson." His lips gently brushed the bare skin of her neck, "And when we get back from dinner, I plan on showing you exactly how much. Now go put the champagne on ice."

Curling into him, enjoying the feel of his body against hers. "Something to look forward to." Pulling away, she walked to the kitchen. She put the champagne in the refrigerator then pulled down a vase for the flowers. "Where did you make reservations?"

"Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons."

Dropping the flowers into the vase, she laughed, "You weren't kidding when you said somewhere fancy." Walking around to him, she wrapped her arms around his waist, "Is there some special reason?"

Lowering his head, he kissed her lightly, "I'll tell you all about it over dinner." Taking her hand, he led her to the door.

Over the span of five courses, they shared the minutiae from the two weeks they'd been apart. It was an easy conversation, two people who loved one another sharing their lives. As she finished the last bite of her dessert, she smiled at him.

"Are you going to tell me what's really going on?"

Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips. "What makes you think something is going on?"

Tilting her head, she raised an eyebrow. "I know you, Franco. Tell me."

Nodding once, "I had very good news. The company likes what I'm doing. The earnings report for the first quarter was well beyond their expectations. If things continue like this for the remainder of the year, they want me to take over the Paris office."

She blinked, stunned. Trying to cover her surprise, she smiled. "That's fantastic. I'm so proud for you."

Seeing her concern, he squeezed her hand. "Thank you but there's more." He looked down, smiling shyly, "I want you to come with me."

"What?"

"You don't have to answer now."

"You're not planning on pulling out a ring are you?"

Twining their fingers together, "Not now, but Laura, I do want to marry you. I want to build a life with you. Whether it's here or in Paris."

She shook her head, "I don't know what to say."

Stroking his thumb over her knuckles, "Don't say anything. Just think about it. I know you have a life here but tell me you haven't thought about chucking it all. I know how much your job frustrates you. You wouldn't have to work or if you wanted to work that would be fine too. I just want us together."

"I love you."

He smiled, "And I love you." Leaning forward, whispering into her ear, "How about we go home? Open that bottle of champagne and see how good that dress looks in a pile on the floor."

Turning her head, she captured his lips in a kiss filled with promise. "An offer I can't refuse."