“I don’t know … do you?”
“Lila, I’ve got Lena and Elin, you, and the dogs, so I’m a happy man. I’ve never thought much about having kids, because, well, you know I never thought I’d settle down … until you. You changed everything. So, if you want babies, let’s have ‘em. And, if you don’t, well, I’m a blessed man already.”
My eyes filled and I brought my hands up to cover his.
“I don’t know if I want more kids or not, but figured you might.”
“Then let’s say it’s open for discussion, and if it happens, it happens.”
“Cade, I only have so many child-bearing years left,” I told him.
“And if we decide we want them, there’s more than one way to have them, yeah?”
I nodded and tip-toed up to press my lips against him.
“You’re amazing.”
“Right back at ya, darlin’.”
Chapter Four
Everything they say about Paris is true…
It’s a beautiful city, with incredible architecture and history. The sidewalk cafés were to die for and I’d never eaten so much bread, cheese, and chocolate.
The only thing missing … cupcakes.
Sure, they have them, but they aren’t the same as Amy May’s and every time I bite into one, I feel a little homesick.
The Macarons on the other hand… well, let’s just say if anything could get me to curb my addiction to cupcakes, it would be these little bites of heaven.
“Are you ready to go to the apartment?” Cade asked, his eyes darkening as I licked the sugar from my lips.
We hadn’t spent too much time at his friend’s place, even though it was a gorgeous little flat within walking distance of museums – we’d gotten a museum pass – restaurants, and the Seine River.
“Yes, I could use a nap before we have to get ready,” I replied.
This was going to be our fancy night in Paris, where we got all dressed up and went all out. We had reservations at one of the restaurants in the Eiffel Tower tonight. We were also planning to stop at the Champagne Bar and the Macaroon Bar for dessert.
“A nap wasn’t really what I had in mind,” he growled as we made our way to the Metro.
We used our Metro passes and checked the map to make sure we found the correct line back to the house.
Once we boarded, I wrapped my arms around Cade’s waist and held on.
“What time are we leaving tomorrow?” I asked him, my cheek pressed against his muscled chest.
I loved listening to the strength of his heart.
“The train leaves around eight twenty, so I was thinking we should be ready to go by seven.”
We were taking the high-speed train, which would get us to Venice in about seven hours. I’d never been on a train that traveled across countries before, so I was excited about the trip, and thrilled about the destination.
Italy was number one on my bucket list, although, it was hard to think of any place being as wonderful as Paris.
“Don’t let me forget to drop the postcards in the mail today. I want to make sure they are post marked from France.”
I’d bought souvenirs for everyone, just little trinkets I’d picked up here and there, and I’d also decided to send everyone a postcard from each country. I thought it would be a fun little memento.
I’d even bought one to send to our dogs, Rufus and CB, so I’d have postcards from each stop to pin on the corkboard in my office.
When we got to the street, I tapped Cade on the shoulder and said, “Give me a lift.”
Cade chuckled, but bent his knees so I could jump on his back.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist, and off we went.
Heads turned as we walked, but with my flaming red curls and Cade’s massive Cadeness, we were used to standing out in the crowd in Paris.
As we rounded the corner, I saw a young man pickpocket a much older man, and sneak off down an alleyway.
“Cade,” I said, slapping him on the shoulder and wiggling to get down. “That guy just had his wallet stolen. The kid ran down that way…”
Cade let me down, but when I would have taken off running after the kid, he stopped me by placing his hand on my shoulder and saying, “I’ve got it. You stay here.”
Normally, when anyone told me what to do, my back went up and I immediately did the opposite. But, since we were in a foreign country, and I’d promised Cade I’d try and stay out of trouble on our honeymoon, I stood there, tapping my foot, my eyes rapt on the entry to the ally where they’d both disappeared.
About ten seconds later, I muttered, “Fuck it.”
I was ready to beg for forgiveness rather than wait behind, but, before I could follow, Cade came strolling back out, holding up the wallet.
With a grin I took it from him and ran after the elderly couple, who hadn’t gotten that far down the street. I told them what happened, accepted their thanks, and jogged back to Cade.
“Did he put up a fight?” I asked when I reached him.
“Nah, I pretty much told him to stop and give me the wallet, and he did.”
I’m sure there was more to it than that, although Cade was known for scaring the bejeezus out of bad guys.
“My hero!” I cried, throwing my arms around him.
Cade chuckled, his arms going around my waist, and said, “Darlin’, I’ll be anything you want me to be.”
Le sigh.
Was it any wonder we’d been going at it like rabbits all over the city of lights?
“Well, in that case, I’d like you to be inside me … in about two point five seconds,” I murmured, placing my lips on the base of his neck and sucking lightly.
“Down this alley, or back at the flat?” he asked, not even joking.
I’d never thought of myself as a voyeur … no, wait, a voyeur likes to watch … What do you call it if you like to be watched? Hmmm.
Anyhow, we’d been having sex all over the city … in semi-public places, as well as in the flat, and the possibility of being caught was a huge turn-on for me.
But, rather than a quickie against a city wall, I found I wanted to spend a little more time enjoying the big hunk of man before me, so I said, “The flat,” then let out a deep belly laugh when he swung me up into his arms and took off down the sidewalk.
Chapter Five
So much shopping!
I’d bought so many cool trinkets for everyone over the last few days. Chocolate turrón for Amy May, leather wallets for Jason and Bran, espardenyes for Bea and Shannon, a modernist tile coffee table book for Cynthia, and a Picasso poster for Carmen. Lena and Elin were going to think it was Christmas with all of the gifts I’d bought them. And, I’d even gotten myself beautiful painted pottery and a long flowing sundress.
Every morning Cade and I went to Zara for coffee, and then spent the day doing something new and exciting.
One night we did a walking food tour, where we spent four hours stopping for tapas and learned about the different regions.
We spent a couple days at the beach, which was of course my island-born man’s favorite thing to do. This meant we were both bronzed, and I have to say, Cade looked especially yummy with his naturally tanned skin even darker, and his long hair curly and textured from the saltwater.