Page 88 of The Duchess' Ultimatum

It was just the second day of their honeymoon also, and they were yet to do anything with it that existed outside of their room. Penelope had never been to Paris – she had never left England! She wanted to explore. She wanted to see and smell and taste the city. And she wanted to do it with Dorian by her side.

“Come…” She reached for his hand and fixed him with a look that warranted no argument.

Dorian pouted. “Why do I feel like I am being punished?”

“Is that what it is to spend time with your wife?”

“I didn’t mean it like that!”

She laughed. “I know you didn’t. But we can’t stay in the room forever. I wish to be shown a good time by my husband…” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Outside of this room, thank you very much.”

Dorian relented and took her hand, giving the back of it a soft kiss. “As you wish. Supper, and perhaps a carriage ride after. Shopping. Strolling. Whatever your heart desires.”

“Much better…” She stepped in quickly and planted a kiss on his nose. “And fear not, if all goes well, you’ll have me back here within a few hours.”

“And if all doesn’t go well?” Dorian frowned.

She shrugged. “Then I will likely be on my way back to London. Alone – joking,” she hurried when she saw his face drop. “Just joking.”

“Don’t even tease me.”

Further laughter, which Penelope ended when she stepped into Dorian, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him into a deep kiss. His hands found her waist, held on tight, the kiss growing deep and passionate as if it might never end.

They stood by the doorway to the balcony, the city of Paris glowing under the stars behind them. And yet… it mattered little next to the emotions glowing within her.

Penelope did not care where she kissed her husband. She did not care where they took their honeymoon. All she cared about was that she was with Dorian and that he was with her. They had wasted so much time not being together, ignoring how they felt, not wanting to admit it because neither had known what they wanted.

They knew it now. No more lies. Love found in the truth. Penelope adored her husband, and she knew beyond a doubt that they would spend the rest of their lives together. And from the way he kissed her right then and there, she knew he felt the same way.

It was not an easy thing to do, but she broke the kiss eventually, her stomach rumbling. As much as she loved Dorian and wantedto keep kissing him… a girl had to eat, and there would be time for kissing later. The rest of their lives, in fact.

“Come…” She took his hand and started to lead him across the room and toward the door.

“Where you go, I follow,” he crooned.

She laughed. “And it’s about time.”

“Three years late by my count,” Dorian said.

“Three years you need to make up for,” she responded with a coy smile.

“Just watch me.” They reached the door, he kissed her on the back of the hand, she beamed her love for him, and together they stepped outside and into the city of Paris.

The End?