Serendipity (Inevitable) (57 page)

Her arms had tightened around his neck. “Well, since the only thing I really want is you, then I suppose your shopping list is complete.”

The Christmas holidays at the McKinnons were a somewhat quieter but no less joyous affair than Thanksgiving in Michigan had been. There had been neverending dishes of some of the best food Nathan had ever tasted, lots of wine and spirits, and nonstop conversation. In addition to being one of the top architects of his generation, Robert was also an impressive vocalist, and kept the family entertained with his piano playing and singing.

Nathan met the much-mentioned Aunt Maddy at last, and it was quite obvious that Julia had acquired her exquisite fashion sense from the older woman. It was interesting to notice that Lauren more closely took after Natalie with their casual, semi-bohemian style, while Julia and Maddy both loved high end fashion.

Madelyn Benoit was a very attractive, poised and sophisticated woman, and quite probably what Julia would look like in about twenty-five more years. She arrived at her sister’s home with no boyfriend tagging along, and when Nathan had asked Julia very casually if her aunt had ever been married or engaged, Julia had given a rather brusque shake of her head.

“That’s not a topic we discuss with Aunt Maddy,” she’d explained. “There’s definitely a story there but not one she or my mother have ever shared.”

It was hard to imagine that a woman as beautiful as Madelyn had never been seriously involved with a man at some point, so Nathan surmised there had been some ill-fated love affair at one time or another. Not to mention the fact that someone with a job as high-profile and demanding as hers must not have had much time to devote to a relationship. Her career was very likely the reason she’d never married or had a family of her own.

They had flown to Paris three days after Christmas, and had spent their first day mostly recuperating from jet lag. But yesterday they had done a whirlwind tour of the Louvre, Notre Dame, and the Champs-Elysees. Not to mention browsing in a variety of boutiques and buying rather large quantities of French pastries.

Julia had grinned as she’d licked whipped cream off her fingers. “This is such a great city. It has all of my favorite things in the whole world – incredible art, beautiful clothes, delicious food, and you. I think I would be very happy living here.”

Nathan had grown pensive while sipping his espresso inside the little bakery café they’d escaped into after a chilly walk back towards their hotel. “And to think you might have had that opportunity if you’d pursued that job with Gregson Hotels. I’m sure Ian would have found the right spot for you here.”

Julia had picked up his hand, running her thumb over his knuckles. “Is that why we aren’t staying at the Gregson hotel here? You think I might change my mind or something?”

“Maybe. No sense putting thoughts into that pretty little head. Because you aren’t moving to Paris, baby. The only place you’ll be moving is into our new home in Tiburon.” He placed his hand over hers. “I made the huge mistake of letting you go once. That isn’t going to happen ever again.”

And now here they were, celebrating New Year’s Eve with a romantic dinner in one of the best restaurants in Paris, if not the entire world. Nathan had intentionally worn the suit and tie he’d had on that magical evening in New York, even though the suit was admittedly a bit lightweight for wintertime in Paris. Fortunately for both of them, it would only be a matter of walking between the restaurant’s front door and a warm, waiting taxi. At least until their next stop of the evening.

The dinner was sumptuous, each course more delicious and beautifully prepared than the one before it. Julia relished each bite, closing her eyes in appreciation as she smacked her lips.

“Ohh, I could get used to eating like this every day,” she told him with a satisfied smile.

He chuckled and pinched her cheek. “Baby, if you ate like this every day – not to mention what you’ve already put away for breakfast, lunch and coffee break – you’d need a whole new wardrobe. And that would be a real shame, because I’d be very upset if you couldn’t fit into that beautiful pink dress any longer.”

Julia pouted playfully. “Are you trying to tell me I’m getting fat?”

“Hell, no. After all, I’m planning on getting laid tonight. Several times. So I would never imply that you might put on a few pounds if you keep eating two pastries every afternoon.”

The mischievous twinkle in his light blue eyes did not amuse her, and she gave him a little kick beneath the table.

“Ow.” He grimaced. “Guess I should be grateful you aren’t wearing a pair of those pointy-toed things. I’d have a bruise for sure.”

Julia looked guiltily at her empty dinner plate. “You’re right. I’m making a pig of myself. No dessert tonight and definitely no pastries tomorrow.”

“Silly girl.” He caressed her cheek gently. “How often are we in Paris? Have dessert. We’ll figure out a way to burn off those extra calories later.”

She made a little face at him. “But it’s too cold to go for a long walk after dinner.”

“Brat.” He stuck his tongue out at her. “Let me clarify. The physical activity I had in mind was of the indoor variety. And I guarantee you’ll work up a sweat.”

Julia smiled impishly. “Okay, you twisted my arm. Let’s have the waiter bring us the dessert menu.”

They were both pleasantly full from the gourmet dinner, and more than a little tipsy from both the champagne and the fine French wine. They bundled up into their new winter coats – Nathan’s the black wool one that she had bought him for Christmas, and Julia’s a chic white cashmere that Maddy had shipped to her a few months ago. He kept an arm wrapped around her as they ducked into a waiting taxi, but she frowned in bemusement as he asked the driver to take them to the Eiffel Tower.

“I thought we were going there tomorrow,” she reminded him.

He smiled mysteriously. “Change of plans. Trust me. And I know it’s freezing outside but we won’t be there very long.”

Julia was intrigued now but decided to indulge Nathan and sit back for the short drive to the world famous landmark. He had, after all, been pampering and spoiling her rotten these past few days, so she could certainly cede to his wishes now.

There were throngs of people already gathering near the Eiffel Tower in anticipation of the fireworks display scheduled for midnight, even though it was barely nine o’clock. Julia began to have her doubts about this, given her overall dislike of large crowds. She’d always avoided Times Square on New Year’s Eve during her time in Manhattan, and now Nathan was drawing her out of the taxi into an ever-growing sea of humanity.

Somehow, Nathan convinced the taxi driver to wait for them, and then grabbed her hand, tugging her along until they were standing as close as possible to the Tower.

And it was then, as he pulled something out of his coat pocket, took her hand, and sank to one knee, that she realized his purpose in dragging her here. The tears were already starting to well in her eyes even before he began to speak.

“Julia Elizabeth McKinnon,” he began, in a less than steady voice. “I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you on a crowded New York street. You took my breath away then and every single time I’ve seen you since. You are the most beautiful, talented and loving woman I’ve ever known, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want you to cook incredible dinners for me, to create amazing artwork, to decorate our dream home, and one day to give me babies – even if they’re twins. But mostly, I just want you.”

Nathan opened the small black velvet jewelry box with shaking fingers and held it up for her inspection. The diamond was exquisite, flawless; the square cut the perfect size and shape for her dainty fingers.

“Will you do me the greatest honor I can imagine and marry me?” he murmured hoarsely, his own eyes now shiny with tears.

Julia clapped a hand over her mouth, her legs trembling and the tears streaming down her cheeks in earnest. “Oh, God, Nathan,” she whispered. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you! I love you so much.”

He slid the ring onto her finger, then rose and swept her into a fierce embrace. It was only then that they realized they’d attracted quite a crowd who’d been watching the romantic scene unfold before their eyes. As Nathan captured her lips in a long kiss, the crowd of people around them erupted into applause and shouts of encouragement and congratulations. At least that’s what Nathan assumed they were all shouting, given his very limited command of the French language.

“Are those shouts of approval?” he whispered in Julia’s ear, “Or did I spur a riot?”

She laughed, snuggling into his embrace. “They were definitely shouts of approval. Peppered with a few cruder suggestions, something like the French equivalent of ‘get a room’.”

He burst into laughter. “Well, we’ve already got a room. And I suggest we head there posthaste before this crowd gets much bigger.”

They hurried back to their waiting taxi amid the continued shouts of congratulations. Once inside the taxi Julia launched into a stream of rapid French, and the rather dour driver grinned in response.

“I told him you finally decided to make an honest woman out of me,” she whispered in Nathan’s ear. “He approves.”

He whispered back to her naughtily,” Ask him if he approves of me bending you over the sofa in our suite, and lifting that pretty pink dress up so I can fuck you from behind. Or would he be more likely to approve of you riding my cock?”

Julia gasped and gave him a playful swat on the chest. “Would you stop that? We don’t know if he understands English or not. Now behave yourself.”

He grinned broadly as he cuddled her close. “But I thought you like it when I misbehaved.”

She nipped his earlobe. “Not in a taxi, lover boy. Keep that bad boy under control until we’re in our room, okay? Then he can be as bad as he wants to be.”

They laughed and snuggled during the drive to their hotel. Once at their destination, Nathan paid the driver, giving him a generous tip, and thanked him for his good wishes. They hurried inside the hotel, which was a warm and cozy contrast to the chill air outside where sleet was beginning to fall.

The elegantly appointed elevator was empty as they rode up to their suite, and Nathan took full advantage of the opportunity, pinning Julia against the back wall and kissing her senseless. By the time the elevator doors opened on their floor, they were both panting and fully aroused.

He kept his arms wrapped around her as they walked the short distance to their room. “You’re sure you want to go back to our room already? It’s barely ten p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Shouldn’t we be out dancing or partying somewhere?”

Julia shook her head as he unlocked the door to their suite. “It’s too cold to be outside, you know I’m not much into crowds, and I figured we could have a much better party with just the two of us.”

He locked the door behind him and hung up his coat. “I like the way you think, baby. May I take your coat?”

She winked at him suggestively. “For starters.”

“Well, that goes without saying,” he murmured, drawing the soft white coat down her arms, and hanging it up in the entry closet next to his. “Now, come here, future Mrs. Nathan Atwood. I need to hold my fiancée.”

Julia went willingly into his embrace, twining her arms around his waist. “Should we be calling our families and sharing our happy news?”

His lips clung to her forehead. “It’ll keep until tomorrow. If I call my folks now, my mother will keep you on the phone for over an hour, and that is definitely not on the agenda for this evening. And your parents already know.”

She gasped, staring up at him. “How is that possible? How could they know before I did?”

He smiled, smoothing her long curls off her shoulders. “Because my mother raised me to be a gentleman and part of that includes formally asking my beloved’s father for her hand in marriage. He said yes, by the way, but insisted I had to okay it with your mother, too. Apparently they have a very equal marriage.”

Julia nodded. “That’s for sure.” Then a sudden thought caused her to sober. “Did you ask Mr. Tolliver for his approval?”

Nathan grimaced. “No. I told you how the whole thing went down. And considering I was Cameron’s third fiancé, asking for her father’s permission seemed a bit silly. Now, I thought we agreed to never mention her name again.”

She caressed her cheek. “We did. I’m sorry. The last thing I want to do on this lovely evening is ruin it with bad memories. So, let’s make some good memories instead.”

Slowly he unzipped her dress, nuzzling her neck. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Julia wore the same pink and cream lingerie she’d had on the first time they’d been together, including the infamous pink lace panties that he’d finally returned to her. And tonight she’d added the matching lacy pink garter belt and sheer, sexy stockings.

He ran his fingertips up and down her arms, causing her to shiver in reaction. Then, without further preliminaries, he shoved his hands into her hair, titling her head back and kissed her savagely. Julia whimpered beneath the force of his kiss as he held her head still.

“You are so fucking sexy,” he growled in her ear, as his hands caressed the curve of her hip. “My favorite time of the whole day is watching you put all these tempting bits of lace and silk on this perfect body. Because then I get to think all day long about how hot you look, and how much I’m going to enjoy undressing you at the end of the day.”

“Ahh,” she panted, as he cupped her breast, his thumb teasing her nipple through the fragile lace covering it.

He kissed a slow, seductive path down her throat and across the high, upper curves of her breasts before tugging a bra strap off her shoulder. Julia groaned as he pinched her nipple, and then cupped her full, swollen breast as he suckled her hard. He repeated the action on her other breast until both nipples were wet and glistening, her breasts achy and tender.

“Have I told you how much I love your tits?” he muttered hoarsely, burying his face in her cleavage.

“Hmm, maybe three times a day or so,” she giggled, running her hands through his hair. “I don’t think that’s anywhere near often enough.”