AN: Thanks so much for the reviews...Sigh!...This is something I have always wanted to do...Did it on the top of the Empire State Building, but...that's just not the same. And happy thanksgiving to all of you out there...Love, Kricket & Naidoo
It was the end of a perfect day in Paris. Twilight was falling across the land, casting the city into shadows and blushes of pink and purple fading sunlight. The lights were beginning to twinkle, along with a few early stars in the sky.
Penelope held Derek's hand, walking towards the restaurant they planned on eating at for dinner. Henri was able to direct them to a nouveau-French place that blended Mediterranean cuisine with French cooking techniques and ingredients. It was a very expensive restaurant, but they decided since it was their last night in Paris, they would do it up in style.
Three stars on the Michelin list, Salute even had a gorgeous atmosphere. The room was nearly a greenhouse. Massive glass windows overlooked the city, including the Eiffel Tower. Glass ceiling panels let in the moon and starlight. Each table had white tablecloths, fresh rose and candle centerpieces, and comfortable looking chairs. It was dimly lit, Penelope thought on purpose, to let in the near heavenly glow of the outdoors.
"Bonsoir, Madame et Monsieur," the matire' d welcomed them. Derek noticed this time Penelope didn't correct the misinterpretation of her marriage status. He held her hand a little bit tighter as his heart skipped a beat.
Today, more than ever, he'd realized exactly how much Penelope meant to him. She was everything to him. When she was injured, he felt his heart wrench out of his chest. He would've put himself in her shoes, in the hospital bed, over and over again. He would've taken the bullet; he would've died for her. When she was so happy in England, so excited and giddy in London, he was happy just to watch her. When they fought earlier, his heart ached every moment he was away from her.
His emotions were raw and sensitive when it came to her. He could barely control them; he'd never been so out of control in his life, and he loved every second of it. He tripped over himself to please her, loved seeing her have pleasure over his own happiness. He saw red when other men flirted with her, an inexplicable tide of anger flowed over him. The need to claim her as his came to the forefront and wouldn't leave. It was passionate and heated, so much more than anything he'd ever had before.
Looking up across the table from where she sat, looking over the menu, he knew it even more. All of those things he had been feeling, all of those thoughts and emotions that were so new to him, equaled one thing.
He was in love with her.
There was a joy to loving someone as beautiful and kind as Penelope, but a great amount of fear and responsibility, too. He wasn't sure she loved him in the same way, and he was even less sure that he was deserving of her love. He just knew he couldn't live without it, and it was worth fighting for.
"Ooh, Derek," she said. "There is a dish, a Coq au vin, that is chicken with wine and all sorts of tasty herbs and vegetables from Provence, and a good Beef Bourgenion, and tonight's special.." she made a face. "No. It's Veal Provencal."
He smiled. She was so animated. "What's wrong with that?"
"Veals are not treated nicely," she answered, her warm brown eyes earnest. "Those poor baby cows!"
"Alright, sugar. No veal for me."
She grinned, looked back at her menu, then started talking again. "I need to know, chicken, fish, beef, so I can order us a wine."
"Beef. Red, right?" He arched a brow in question.
She nodded. "Yes, sir. I will get us something good."
Penelope ordered them a good burgundy from the burgundy region of France. She was getting spoiled on the rich wines of the European countries, although her home state of California had some damned good wines, too. She loved wine in general. She would've made an excellent sommelier.
Derek, on the other hand, was obviously not the biggest wine drinker. He drank whatever she ordered, but she knew he would much rather have had a beer. For instance, he took a big sip of the burgundy, like he'd gulp a budwiser.
"Ah, cupcake?" she questioned. "You're supposed to let the flavors rush over your tongue. Can you taste the hints of violet in that?"
"Hell, no."
She giggled. "Okay... you know? We should've planned a couple days in Germany. You could've had some excellent beer over there."
"Next time, okay?" he replied, smiling at her in such a way, her heart pounded harder. All day he'd been doing that to her, making her realize how she felt just a bit more.
Penelope knew she was falling in love with Derek. She missed him when he wasn't nearby, watched other couples and wished he was there, missed his smile and his laughter when they'd argued, and was jealous as hell over Luca. She knew the potential was always there; now, spending 24 hours a day with him, there was no mistaking how she felt. The sun and moon rose Derek Morgan; he was quite possibly the finest man she would ever know.
Derek wasn't just another pretty face, that would belittle what a truly good man he was. He was caring and giving, seeing to her happiness at all times. He was warm and funny, cheering her when she needed cheering, comforting her when she needed comfort. He protected her, cherished her, and made her feel like a better woman just for knowing him. He gave her strength, and allowed her to comfort him, too. He was her best friend, the one person she knew she couldn't live without.
As the plates arrived, they chatted and laughed, reliving their trip to date.
"Do you miss Luca?" she asked, but gently. She needed to know exactly where she stood, now more than ever.
He smiled and reached over the table to hold her hand. "Luca and I were a long time ago. I didn't know she still harbored feelings for me, or I never would've put us in that situation. I didn't realize until after the first two days exactly what she'd wanted." He looked up at her, and said quietly, "I would've moved us, but you seemed so happy with Cosimo."
"Cosimo is a very nice, charming man. He kept me company and reminded me a lot of you," she said, then added with a smile, "but I would rather have the real thing over a replacement."
His eyes twinkled, and he kissed her hand. "Can you forgive me, angel, for not giving you all the attention you deserved in Italy?"
"Nothing to forgive," she replied. "But keep up the good workyou started here over in Spain, please!"
He chuckled, and ran his thumb over the inside of her wrist. "Baby, is there anything you wish to do here in France before we go?"
"The Eiffel tower," she answered quickly. "I never made it there."
His eyebrows shot up. "Really? You'd said that was the first thing you'd wanted to see."
"I know," she answered with a shrug. "I just didn't want to see something that monumental alone. I couldn't do it."
"Well then," he replied. "After dinner, we'll go."
After a decadent dessert of crème brulee, Derek and Pen headed to the Eiffel Tower. They got their tickets for the observation deck, and took the elevator, before climbing some flights of stairs. There was a restaurant in the middle, which surprised Penelope. She wasn't expecting it to look quite like that close up. There were many light projectors and strobe lights, giving the tower an ethereal appearance. It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.
The tower was much less crowded at night. Only a few other couples were making the climb up the stairs with them. She was getting a little out of breath, but she was excited enough to see the top she forged her way upward.
Once they reached the very top of the tower, there was an observation deck with a 360 view of the city. It was striking and panoramic; the lights of the city lay like a carpet below them. They were both quiet, taking in the landscape and the incredible feeling of being in an iconic landmark.
"It's beautiful," she breathed, as Derek looped an arm around her waist.
"Yes," he replied, although he wasn't looking out one of the windows. He was looking straight at her, his eyes shining brightly in the darkened room. He reached his long, tapered fingers up to her cheek and brushed a tendril of hair from her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.
"Derek," she murmured, meeting his glance with her own, feeling some uncertainty and a lot of excitement. Her lips parted and and her lashes lowered.
It was all the invitation Derek needed. The next moment, he had his hands on her lower back, he was pulling her against the muscular wall of his chest until there was no space at all between them and he was kissing her.
It started off soft and gentle, very pleasant and warm, his mouth brushing against hers in the barest of contacts. He tasted, tested, feeling her lips beneath his, with reverent beauty. It was like he was memorizing each little contour, each crevice, each plane. It was surprising, really. He was such a passionate man; she'd been expecting more heat from him.
And then it all changed.
Derek slanted his mouth over hers and took her lips with a fierce ardor that made her head spin and her legs unsteady. The pure, hungry pressure of his lips caused hers to open, and his tongue dipped inside to touch hers. She held on, shaking like a leaf in the wind, her arms winding up to wrap around his neck. She clung to him, as the two of them became combustable.
His lips and tongue were urgent, demanding so much from her, and she willingly gave back to him whatever she could. Derek brought his hands up to cradle her face, giving her a few more light, nipping kisses, before he plunged his fingers into her hair and began to kiss her again with a depth and fire she didn't know existed. She'd been kissed many, many times in her life, but never like this.
She moaned against his mouth as she leaned against him, her palms splayed against his back. "Derek..."
Pulling his mouth away from hers, he began to kiss the side of her face, the tip of her nose. "God, Baby Girl..." He shuddered, saying the words intensely, the feelings erupting between them.
"I know," she replied, understanding exactly how he felt.
He chuckled lightly and rested his forehead against hers, while his thumbs brushed against her cheeks. A moment later, he said, "Damn."
"Mmm hmm," she answered. "Damn."
The loudspeaker began. "Mesdames et Messieurs: la terrasse d'observation sera la fermeture, en quinze minutes."
Derek gave her a questioning look.
"They're closing this area in fifteen minutes," she answered.
He gave her a crooked smile that took her breath away. "Not nearly enough time for what I want to do with you." He brushed his thumb over her lips, before lowering his hand. "My next kiss is going to last hours, sweetness."
She smiled, but shivered at the intensity of his words. It was so much, so overwhelming. "Derek, I'm..."
He held her close again, bringing his hand under her chin. "I'm not going to rush you, angel. I promise."
"I know," she said, hugging him tightly.
He kissed the top of her head and took a deep breath. Then said, "Come on. Let's go home."