Chapter 30
Whitney
“This is insane,” I say with a laugh as I look out over the balcony of our hotel. Right in front of me is the Eiffel Tower, standing tall and proud, lit up so beautifully that I can’t seem to take my eyes off of it. “I still can’t believe we’re here.”
Theo comes up to stand behind me, his arm wrapping around his waist. Another laugh bubbles out of me at the crazy realization that this is my life.
Theo and I have been together slightly over a year, but still, sometimes his privilege surprises me.
I know the depth of the Hurst wealth, but it always feels a little surreal when I’m on the receiving end of the benefits of that wealth.
Just last week, Theo announced that he had booked us a flight to France, where we’d be spending time in Paris, hitting all the must-sees like the Louvre and the Cathedral of Notre Dame. All things I always wanted to do but never imagined I’d get the opportunity.
I was more than shocked, given that with this trip, we’d be missing his mother’s annual gala.
I had been so relieved at the event last year when his mother finally welcomed me with open arms. I’m not sure what changed for her to finally realize that Theo was never going to go back to his ex-girlfriend, and that I was around to stay, but regardless, I was grateful that she had a much warmer welcome for me than in the past.
When I asked Theo why he picked Paris so suddenly, his blunt response was, “Well I love you, and Paris is the City of Love so why not?”
I hadn’t pushed him, finding that answer to be perfectly satisfactory.
It still hadn’t felt real, until we checked into our hotel room today and I saw the Eiffel Tower right outside my window for the first time.
We spent the day exploring, trying out some cafes and visiting some of the shops.
We ended the night at a gourmet restaurant, toasting champagne flutes over a delightful dessert.
I was so stuffed as we made it back to our hotel, but I couldn’t resist another look out at the Tower before we call it a night. As I stare out at the landmark, I decide that I don’t think I could ever get tired of that view.
I sigh whimsically and lean back against Theo’s chest. The hand wrapped around me holds me tighter, his thumb rubbing small circles over my hip bone.
We stand together in a comfortable silence, only the sound of the city beneath us breaking through the quiet.
In this moment, I feel more content than I think I ever have before.
There’s no thought of work or responsibilities lingering in the back of my mind, only Theo’s presence, and the realization that I’m in a beautiful city.
“I met almost every single one of your requirements,” Theo says into the night. I blink a few times, still looking out over the balcony.
Somehow, though, the urge to look at Theo is greater than the twinkling lights.
Slowly, I drag my eyes away from the Tower and over to him.
He’s watching me with such a gentle expression that it makes my chest ache.
I’d always dreamed of having a man look at me like that, never would I have imagined that it would have been my former boss.
“You know I’m not doing that anymore,” I whisper.
A smile threatens on Theo’s lips and he leans forward to press a kiss to my cheek. Instantly, my skin heats under his touch and my breath hitches. “I know. I just think it’s somewhat disappointing that I didn’t meet all ten.”
“Which one didn’t you meet?” I ask him, still breathless from his proximity.
It continues to blow my mind that even though our relationship isn’t new or exciting anymore, Theo can bring this type of reaction out of me.
Every time he touches me is like the very first time.
He still makes my stomach clench and my skin prickle with even the simplest brush of his fingers.
“Hmm,” he murmurs, in a low rumble which makes goosebumps erupt on my forearms. “I think it was something about being spontaneous.”
Number 3: Spontaneous
I look up to meet his eyes, now confused. “You don’t think a random trip to Paris is spontaneous enough?”
“I think I could do better.”
Before I know what is happening, Theo is stepping away from me. He reaches into his back pocket and gets down on one knee, in such a smooth motion that I have to blink a few times to make sure I am seeing things correctly.
“Theo,” I whisper as my fingers flutter up to my lips.
When he’s solidly down on his knee, he holds out a black, velvet box. My eyes widen and I suck in a breath. He opens the lid of the box for me and the world spins a little as I stare down at the ring he’s chosen for me.
Sitting on a beautiful, white gold ring is an Asscher cut amethyst stone, surrounded by two small, round, and marquis shaped diamonds on either side of the band.
My jaw goes slack as I continue to stare at it, getting lost in the dimension and the complexity of the purple stone.
“Whitney, I know I don’t need to keep telling you how much I love you, but that doesn’t mean I’m ever going to stop,” Theo says.
I notice his voice is shaky and I tear my eyes away from the glittering ring to gaze at him.
His eyes are teary as he stares up at me, nothing but pure love emanating from his eyes.
“Somehow, I find more and more reasons to love you as each day goes by, and I want to spend my whole life doing exactly that—loving you endlessly.”
I take a shaky breath and feel my eyes start to burn with the intensity of this moment. “Is this really happening?”
Theo chuckles and nods his head. “Well, I thought you’d might like some new jewelry to sport around while we’re exploring Paris,” he says, his voice now teasing. “What do you say, Whitney? Will you be my wife?”
I don’t hesitate even a bit in my answer.
“Yes of course,” I gush. Theo stands up and wraps me up in a hug, picking me up and spinning me in a circle right there on the balcony. I laugh out loud, pure joy circulating through my body.
When he puts me down, he holds out the box again, plucking the ring from its little nest and holding it out for me. I extend my left hand, watching in awe as he slides the ring onto my finger, where it belongs.
I hold it out, testing the way the statement looks on my finger and my heart swells with love for this man. “I love it.”
“I love you,” he says, firmly, making sure there is absolutely no questioning that fact.
I squeal as Theo scoops me up in his arms, carrying me bridal style from the balcony into our room. He drops me on the mattress and crawls over me, looking positively starved for me. I squirm under his heated gaze, loving the way that his eyes caress every square inch of my body.
Slowly, Theo helps me out of my clothes, and I do the same, unbuckling his belt and pushing the waistband of his pants over his hips. When I’m bare to him, Theo trails his lips over every divot and swell of my body, paying special attention to the places he knows drive me absolutely mad.
I shiver when he nibbles at the small spot under my ear and arch up into him with an aggravated moan. “Don’t tease,” I whine.
He laughs huskily, which sends another shiver across my body. “If you don’t like my teasing, then why are you moaning?”
He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he’s sliding down my body again, pressing kisses everywhere.
“Well, I guess you’ve done it,” I say, squeezing my eyes shut and enjoying the pleasure Theo is delivering to me. “You’ve officially hit that perfect ten.”
I can practically picture the satisfied smirk on his face, but that quickly goes away when he presses a firm kiss to the center of my thighs.
My back arches off the mattress and I moan again.
When he pulls away, letting me catch my breath, I notice his eyes are still gleaming with amusement. “Was that ever even a question?”
“No,” I say, surely, as my heart rate starts to settle slightly. “Even without that stupid list, you’re perfect. Far more perfect than I ever could have dreamed up.”
“I’d say the same about you, but I feel like it’s not enough,” he murmurs, thumb stroking over my hip bone reverently. “Perfect doesn’t begin to describe you.”
My cheeks warm. “I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“I love the way that sounds on your lips.” He leans down and kisses my belly, making me squirm all over again. “I can’t wait to worship you every day of our lives.”
“I could probably get used to that.”
His lips twitch and his eyes darken just a smidge. “Yeah, I bet you could. So, Future Mrs. Hurst. How do you feel about consummating this newfound engagement on every surface of this room?”
A full body tingle travels down my spine and into my toes and I nod my head. “I think that’s a perfect idea.”