Chapter Fifteen #2
“ Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.” She ran her fingers lovingly over the writing.
“It’s one of my favorites. My père used to read it to me before bed.
Our copy belonged to his sister.” She closed the book and hugged it to her chest. “She passed away when they were young. He has a lot of the classics, but not in French. He’d love this. ”
“Then you should keep it.” Ethan ran a hand down her arm.
“Oh, I couldn’t.”
“Don’t be silly. You’ll get much more use and pleasure out of it than either of us.”
Zayne wrapped an arm around her and looked at the book. “But while we’re here, maybe you can read it to us at night. Teach me some French.”
“ Little Women ?”
He shrugged. “Well, it’s not like I’m going to understand most of it, and I could listen to you say anything in French and be happy.”
“Thank you for this. It means the world to me, and Papounet will love it.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Ethan said, then gestured behind them. “Come, let me show you the rest of the floor.”
He took them into the kitchen and powder room, and then the third floor, which had two guest rooms and a bathroom with a tub the size of a small pool. Then they got back in the elevator and took it up to the fourth floor—and the sight that greeted them made Chloé gasp.
Unlike the first few floors, which were full of rich colors and thick fabrics, this one was bathed in soft sunlight and flowy materials.
Magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the same breathtaking view as below, and again there was a set of beautiful doors that opened out onto a large balcony.
Zayne wasn’t exactly the type who needed candlelight and romance. But the wide king-sized bed that took center stage was making a romantic out of even him.
They walked into the main suite to get a better look, and it wasn’t until they were halfway across the room that they realized Chloé hadn’t moved.
Zayne stopped and turned to see a flash of vulnerability cross her features, but when he said her name, she blinked and it vanished.
“One sec,” he said to Ethan, and went to her. “Something wrong, Red?”
“Not wrong, no.” She shook her head. “I just… This feels very intimate.”
“It is intimate. It’s our bedroom.”
“Exactly. So maybe I should let you both enjoy this while I go and—” She gestured over her shoulder, and Zayne reached for her hand.
“What are you talking about?”
She looked at Ethan. It was obvious this place had stirred something that they needed to address, and they would. But first, Zayne needed to reassure her that she was exactly where she belonged.
“This is our bedroom, Red. As in yours, mine, and Ethan’s.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but Zayne put a finger to her lips.
“All you need to say right now is ‘yes, sir,’ and believe it.”
Hope filled her eyes as she nodded and said softly, “Yes, sir.”
“That’s better. But don’t think we’re done talking about this.” He took her hand and turned back to Ethan. “Come on. He looks lonely without us.”
* * *
ETHAN WATCHED ON as Zayne reassured Chloé, and marveled at the gentle, caring way he reminded her that she was theirs.
As a boy, he’d thought he’d be alone forever.
But then Zayne had come along and shown him that that was not the way his life was to be.
They’d found a connection they’d both been missing, a love they both desperately needed, and now here they were, discovering a brand-new kind of connection and a love they didn’t expect.
This love—Chloé’s love—was nurtured from birth, and it felt different. It was warm and genuine and enveloped you in a joyful embrace whenever she was near. It was unlike anything either of them had ever experienced, and they had a choice to make now—they all did.
It was time to see where Chloé saw things going with them. She’d said she was theirs and wore their bracelets, but what were her hopes and wishes for the future? And did they include them?
A wave of protective possessiveness washed over him as Zayne led her over.
Ethan reached out to run the back of his fingers down her cheek. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah. I just got a bit…overwhelmed. I think I might be a little tired, that’s all.”
“Then we’re in the perfect spot, aren’t we?” He looked around the room. “What do you think? Will it do?”
“It’s gorgeous. The windows, the view, and that bed looks like a cloud.”
He chuckled. “I bet it feels like one, too. Why don’t you go and test it out?”
“If I do that, I might not get out of it.”
“I don’t see a problem with that. Zayne?”
“Won’t get any complaints from me. Hell, I might even join you.”
That sounded like an excellent idea. They hadn’t planned anything for the afternoon, knowing they’d be tired. So what better way to settle in?
Ethan opened the doors to let in a light breeze that made the curtains billow. When he turned back to the bed, it was to see Chloé and Zayne climbing in under the covers, their clothes tossed over the end, as they settled back against the cloud-like pillows.
“Comfortable?” he asked, walking to the bed.
“It’s like heaven.” Chloé’s grey eyes found his, and that flicker of insecurity from earlier still lingered. He undressed, moved in under the covers, and rolled to his side.
“Hmm, you’re right. It does feels good.”
Chloé was stretched out on her back with Zayne mirroring him on her opposite side, and Ethan had an idea.
He didn’t want her first day here to be uncomfortable. He didn’t want her second-guessing herself. So he looked over at Zayne and took hold of the duvet, then flashed a conspiratorial grin.
Zayne knew exactly what he wanted, and on a silent count of three, the two of them whipped the covers up and over their heads until they were cocooned inside the white clouds of material.
Chloé gasped and giggled like a schoolgirl—the exact reaction he’d hoped for—as they snuggled in deep and the two of them placed a kiss to each of her shoulders.
“Would you look at that?” Ethan said. “It is just like a cloud.”
She turned her head on the pillow to look him in the eye. “If only we were floating.”
“I think we could manage that.” Ethan lowered his head to ghost a gentle kiss across her mouth.
She softly sighed as he traced the tip of his tongue along her top lip.
He teased and tasted her, savoring every sweet sound that left her.
When he raised his head and Zayne took his place, Ethan stroked her hair and watched her sink in to the moment.
This was what she needed, to connect with them here in this house, to feel as much a part of this moment as they were, and she needed to understand that this place was for all of them—for as long as she wanted.
“Chloé?” Ethan trailed his fingers down to her bracelet, and Zayne did the same. “I’m not sure what’s going on in that head of yours right now. But we want you to know that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.”
“I’m sorry.” Chloé swallowed and blinked at him. “It’s silly, and I know that. But this is your new home, and—”
“Stop.” Ethan placed a finger over her lips.
“Stop apologizing for your feelings. You’re allowed to feel however you want, but before you go any further, you should know that this is your home too.
I’m a big believer in fate, petite fille , and I don’t think for one second that our meeting you is a coincidence. ”
“I’ve gotta go with Ethan on this one, Red. You are meant to be here with us. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Her eyes grew misty. “Do you really mean that?”
“We do.” Ethan smiled at her. “We closed on this home the day before you walked into our club. I’d gotten home from Paris and came down to see Zayne to let off some…steam.”
Her cheeks flushed at the reminder.
“And who do we run into? A beautiful redhead who’s half French. Fate, Chloé. I don’t give her much credit, but I’ve got to let her have this one. You are meant to be in our life. You are meant to be here .”
A tear escaped and rolled down her cheek, even as a beautiful smile curved her lips. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
They lowered the covers across their chests, then Ethan rolled her to her side and tugged her back into his arms. She snuggled in, fitting her sweet behind to his groin. Zayne moved in and slid a leg between hers, then leaned down and kissed her lips first, then Ethan’s.
“ This is how I’ve imagined this bed,” Ethan whispered. “This room? This house? It’s exactly how it should be now.”
He reached out to touch both their cheeks. “Now go to sleep, you two—that’s an order.”