‘Of course I won’t let you go. Not without a fight. It’s taken a lifetime to find you.’
Shock caught her throat. Sincerity throbbed in every word. But it couldn’t be.
Tilting her head, she leaned back enough to see him. Tension accentuated the planes and angles of that remarkable face. His mouth was grim, but his eyes looked lost. Surely not!
‘Don’t play games, Thierry.’ Her voice scraped. ‘It’s cruel. That’s not you.’
His arms tightened. ‘What would be cruel is losing you. I love you, Imogen. Nothing matters but that.’
Her heart thudded in her throat and there was a rushing in her ears. ‘You don’t believe in love. You told me.’
‘I was an arrogant, ignorant fool.’ He brushed her cheek with a touch so tender it made her eyes well. ‘Don’t cry, Imogen. I want you to be happy.’
She opened her mouth to tell him she’d be happy if he released her. But it wasn’t true.
‘I’m not your type. I’m not tall and glamorous or—’
‘You’re so much my type I don’t think I could live without you.’ Her heart squeezed. ‘As for me chasing blondes...’ He shook his head. ‘My tastes have matured. I never loved any of them.’
‘Not even Sandrine?’
His mouth twisted. ‘Does it make me sound old if I admit that was youthful folly? I was besotted but I’m glad she married someone else. We’d have made each other unhappy. We’re too alike, too self-centred.’
‘You’re not.’ His care for her had been anything but.
‘I am. Now I’ve found you, I’ll do anything to keep you.’
‘Like pretend to love me.’
He cupped her cheek, holding her so she couldn’t look away.
‘There’s no pretence. From the first you were different. I didn’t know how or why but I felt it. Didn’t you?’ He barely paused. ‘I told myself you were a breath of fresh air, a diversion, but you were much more. I was on the point of trying to find your address in Australia when you appeared at my office.’
‘Really?’ Her breath stilled.
‘Really. I didn’t know I was in love. Obviously I’m a slow learner. But it’s true. I’ve been falling for you since that night in Paris.’
Hope vied with disbelief, stealing her words, jumbling her thoughts.
‘But the woman you met in Paris wasn’t the real me. I’m boring and—’
A crack of laughter stopped her. ‘Boring? Anything but. You’re more exciting than anyone I know.’
Imogen shook her head. ‘You don’t understand.’
‘I understand. You’re cautious, you like to weigh your options. You love numbers and order. But there’s more. That woman in Paris is just another side to your personality, even though you suppressed her for years. You weren’t pretending, just letting her loose.’ His smile was so tender her heart turned over. ‘Your zest for life is contagious and you help me be the man I want to be. The thought of losing you...’ To her amazement, his voice cracked.
‘Thierry?’
‘Don’t ever say you’re not glamorous.’ The authoritative confidence was back in his voice. ‘You’re the most gorgeous woman on the planet, whether you’re in a ballgown, or old jeans or nothing.’ His voice dipped. ‘Preferably nothing.’
‘Now you’re lying,’ she gasped.
He smiled. ‘You’re the most extraordinary woman in the world. I love you, Imogen. Stay with me and in time maybe you’ll love me back.’
Her heartbeat snagged. He truly didn’t know?
‘But you don’t want a wife to tie you down. You want freedom. A life of adventures like the one you’re planning with Orsino.’
He shook his head. ‘Before you I pined for what I’d lost—the freedom to take off at a moment’s notice. I told myself I hated the job I’d been forced to do and it was true in the beginning. But I’ve come to realise I enjoy commerce. I like the cut and thrust of it, sizing up opportunities and making the most of them.’ His smile was self-deprecating.
‘I’ve had to do a lot of growing up recently. From self-absorbed playboy to responsible adult. It was hard but I’m happy with the outcome.’ Thierry’s thumb stroked her cheek.
‘I’d already decided I need balance in my life. Now the business is on track, I can step back a little and have a life outside the office. But I don’t want to step back totally. I want to run the business and find time for a little climbing or ballooning. But what I want most of all...’ His voice dipped to that low, earthy note that always thrilled her. ‘Is to be with you and our baby.’