She’d paused in the middle of packing and visited him in the hospital, hoping he would ask her to stay. He’d been so cold. “You told me you’d moved on.”
“Would you have left if I hadn’t?”
She couldn’t meet his eyes. “I wanted to be with you.”
“And being with me caused you to be in danger. For your own good I sent you away.”
“What would you have done if I’d told you I was pregnant?”
Christian shook his head. “I’d like to believe I would’ve done the right thing, but I honestly don’t know.”
“What would have been the right thing?”
“Marry you. Settle down. Become a good husband and father.”
Noelle couldn’t stop the wry smile that curved her lips. “Neither one of us was ready for that.”
The way his eyebrows shot up said she’d surprised him. “You were.”
“I was happy in Paris. I loved what I was doing. It was hard to manage my career and being a new mom, but I discovered such satisfaction in my ability to do both.”
“See, breaking up with me was the best thing that could have happened to you.”
“That’s not true.” But she couldn’t deny that in many ways he’d done her a favor.
“So what happens now?”
“Now?”
“I’m no longer a young, irresponsible cad. You are thriving in your career and as a mother. We’ve demonstrated that the chemistry between us is hotter than ever. I have a son that I love, and want to be a full-time father. Marry me.”
She saw what he was offering and spun the large diamond ring on her finger. He’d always been what she wanted. So, why couldn’t she just say yes?
Twelve
Christian saw Noelle’s hesitation and felt his heart tear.
“Victor convinced me to move to New York for the next six months so I can focus on the ready-to-wear line.”
“Victor convinced you?” Christian probed her expression. “Or did you have this in mind before you left Sherdana?”
“A little of both,” she admitted. “Thanks to you Marc loves it here, and I don’t know how I’m supposed to take care of all the manufacturing issues and marketing details if I’m in Europe.”
“You let me believe that I would have partial custody of Marc. Have you changed your mind?”
“No. We will figure something out about that.”
“But you and I won’t be together.”
She stared at her hands and shook her head. “Being Marc’s parents and having great sexual chemistry aren’t strong enough reasons to get married. I don’t want to get divorced in a few years because the only time we’re compatible is in bed.”
“I don’t plan to divorce.” Just the thought made his chest ache. “I intend to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Again she didn’t answer right away. If her goal was to convince him that she didn’t share his commitment, he refused to let her succeed. Pushed to fight for the woman he wanted, Christian stood and scooped Noelle into his arms. He silenced her protests with a fierce glare and marched toward her bedroom. Setting her on her feet near the bed, he shut the door and stripped off his shirt before turning to face her.
“Christian, this isn’t going to change my mind about staying in New York.” So she said, but her gaze roamed his bare torso in hungry desperation.
“I have no intention of talking you out of moving to New York.” He eliminated the distance between them with deliberate strides, letting passion incinerate his fear of losing her. “I only want what’s best for you.”
He hadn’t meant for his words to upset her, but suddenly she looked stricken. Moving with slow tenderness, he slipped the dress from her body and worshipped her soft skin with his fingers and lips. The catch on her strapless bra popped free, no match for his expertise, and she sucked in a sharp breath as he took one breast in his hand.
With his desire spiraling in ever tightening circles, Christian dropped to his knees before Noelle and hooked his fingers in her white, lacy panties, pulling them down her thighs. The vibration in her muscles increased, threatening her stability. To keep her upright, he framed her slender hips with his hands. Her flat stomach quivered as he trailed kisses across it.
He’d missed the chance to watch her belly grow round with his son. He set his forehead against her, overwhelmed by how much more he stood to lose if he couldn’t win her love. His sudden stillness prompted her to ride her palms across his bare shoulders and dragged her nails through his hair. He wrapped his arms around her and set his cheek against her abdomen.