Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 91887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 459(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 306(@300wpm)
“Careful,” she teases suddenly, nudging me with her elbow as we pause in front of a particularly delicate miniature. “You almost tripped over your own feet while staring at me.”
I shrug. “What can I say? You’re too distracting.”
She shakes her head, her eyes sparkling with amusement and something softer. “I’m a menace, I know.”
“An exquisite menace,” I murmur under my breath.
She freezes, a faint flush spreading across her cheeks. “You …” she starts, then cuts herself off, smiling instead, as if that’s the only appropriate response.
I take that as my victory. Small, perhaps, but enough to fuel the tension coiling tighter in my chest. I want to grab her hand, pull her close, make her forget the Louvre entirely, make her forget we’re in public. I want to feel her pressed against me again, the heat of her body, the sharp inhale when I enter her body. I’m already imagining how tonight will be, what I’ll do, how I’ll make her feel every inch of the desire she’s stirring in me right now. I am going to give her the sort of memories of Paris she will never forget.
“Axel?” she calls, and once more, her voice, sweet and clear, pulls me back to the gallery.
“Huh?” I grin at her, trying to appear casual, though my pulse is racing.
“You’re staring, again,” she says softly, a faint laugh in her voice. “Stop it.”
“Stop what?” I counter innocently. “Looking? Appreciating? Learning?”
“Axel,” she says, rolling her eyes, but there’s a tremor in her tone. “Just … don’t.”
I smile, leaning slightly toward her, letting my hand brush hers once more. “I can’t make any promises.”
Her breath hitches just slightly, and I know for certain then that she feels it too. The electricity in the air is undeniable, and for the first time in a long while, I don’t care about control.
Not entirely.
We continue to wander through the gallery, me watching her more than the artwork, and I realize, quite starkly, that I’m done pretending. The art is incredible, the Louvre is wonderful, but Jo … Jo is by far the most priceless thing in here today. And I want her. More than I’ve wanted anyone in a long, long time.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
JO
The Louvre is quieter now, the last visitors shuffling toward the exits as we make our way through the final galleries. My legs ache a little, but in that satisfied, full-of-life way, and I feel a light buzz of excitement and fatigue. Axel is beside me, moving with that powerful, confident ease I can never stop noticing, even when I try.
His green eyes glint in the light streaming in from the tall Louvre windows, all the time I’m pretending to be completely immersed in the art. But all the while, I can feel that pull, the magnetic current I can never quite resist.
We round the final corner and see the gift shop, tucked in a corner by the exit. Immediately, my eyes light up.
“Oh! Gifts,” I exclaim, heading toward the shelves. “I need to get something for Jenny, Serena, and Olivia. And maybe something for my mum too.”
Axel follows me into the gift shop, amusement dancing across his face.
“And let me guess,” he says, his eyes scanning the displays. “You’re going to find the perfect little trinkets for each person?”
“See, you get it. Perfection is important,” I say firmly, grinning at him. “Especially when you’re choosing for friends.”
I pick up a basket and drift along the shelves, my fingers brushing over delicate replicas, art-themed bookmarks, and little ornamental trinkets. I pause at a small, whimsical sculpture of a cat, sleek and playful.
“Jenny would love this,” I murmur, placing it gently in my basket.
Next, I spot a set of hand-painted coasters with swirling green and gold designs.
“Serena would get a kick out of these. They’re just her taste, elegant but fun.”
Finally, I find a delicate scented candle in a glass holder, etched with intricate floral patterns.
“Olivia would adore this,” I say softly, holding it up and smiling as I imagine her reaction.
Axel watches me carefully, silent for a moment before he speaks.
“And your mum? You wanted something for her too, didn’t you?”
His voice isn’t exactly sharp, but there’s an edge of curiosity, maybe a little incredulity to it. I nod and try to explain.
“Yes. I … I can’t hate her forever, Axel. Even after everything she did, I have to forgive her. She’s the only person I’ve had my whole life. All said and done, she loves me more than anyone else will or ever will.”
He frowns slightly, thoughtful. “But she hurt you big time, didn’t she?”
I sigh. “I know she did. I’m not excusing it, but I can’t stop loving her. My love for her is pretty unconditional. I can’t turn it off. She’ll always be my mum, Axel, and that … that doesn’t just go away.”