Page 84 of Whispers in the Dark
After Alina found as many books as possible to keep her heart content, I gave her a tour of the city, wanting to experience everything we could in the short time we were here.
Her eyes sparkled beneath the Arc de Triomphe. Her laughter echoed through the winding streets of Montmartre. And now, as we sit across from each other inside a softly heated enclosure aboard a private dinner cruise on the Seine, she’s practically glowing.
She gazes dreamily out the window beside her at the lit-up city around us. “It’s so beautiful here. It’s not hard to see why my mother loved it so much.”
I stare at her, completely enraptured by her.
Could this be our life? Traveling the world together, collecting moments and memories. Seeing every wonder with Alina at my side. But when I catch our reflections in the glass, the thought quickly dims.I’m not good enough for her.Not the kind of man she deserves to spend the rest of her life with.
I’m only her temporary husband.
Nothing more than that.
I glance at her, and the realization strikes like a sharp stab to my heart. But I’ll be damned if I don’t intend to savor every second I have with her.
She faces me, smiling softly, her head tilting to the side. “What?”
I lean forward, taking her hand in mine, kissing the back of it as my eyes stay locked onto hers. Heat rushes to her cheeks, her blush unmistakable even in the soft glow around us.
She peeks around the space, then lowers her voice once she’s satisfied no one is close enough to hear. “Is it…” She hesitates, then asks, “Is it time to go to our room?”
A grin spreads across my face. I love that she’s just as eager as I am. But we still have one stop left.Not yet.
She frowns. “Where are we staying? A hotel nearby?”
I shake my head.My cousin’s villa.
Her brow lifts. “Are they home?”
Out of town. It’s the safest place in the city.
I would never risk Alina’s safety by staying at a five-star resort where anyone could gain access. Not when my cousin’s home has more security than the President’s residence.
She lifts her wineglass, draining the last sip before setting it down. “This meal was delicious. The French certainly know how to eat.” She removes her napkin from her lap and places it on the table. “So,” she asks, eyes bright with anticipation, “if we’re not going to bed, then where to next?”
I check my watch, then stand and offer her my hand.
It’s time for the biggest surprise of the night, wife.
Chapter twenty-one
Alina
“Ican’t believe I’m standing next to the Eiffel Tower,” I whisper aloud dreamily.
My lips part as I tip my head back to take it all in. The iron lattice stretches endlessly into the night, lit in a warm golden glow that spills across the sky, wrapping Paris in something almost magical. “I feel like I’m dreaming.” I chuckle as I look back over at the sign that reads “fermé”strung before the gate. Years of high school French make the meaning unmistakable. “Too bad it’s closed. I would’ve loved to see the views from the top.” A cool breeze brushes past us, and instinctively, I tuck myself beneath Mauro’s arm.
Everything about today feels like a dream.
One I never want to wake up from.
Mauro steps in the direction of the gate, guiding me along with him. “Wait.” I lightly tug on his arm. “Where are you going?”
He tips his chin toward the ticket booth.
“But it’s closed.”
Is it?
