“You’re a little… how do I put this? Ordinary. Average. Less than amazing.”
I had been so blind with fury that I hadn’t even realized that others had joined us. It wasn’t until I heard Macy gasp that I noticed she and Jake were standing nearby. While I had been able to just barely hold back my rage, Jake didn’t even try.
He punched Evan directly in the face without a second of hesitation.
Evan screamed and grabbed his face with both hands. As he started to double over in pain, Jake grabbed him by the lapels and pulled him close.
“You are an insignificant prick. You’re art is blasé and derivative at best. In two years, no one will even remember your name. If you ever talk to Camryn again, I’ll do much worse than this. And if you don’t take down those photos, I’ll take you down.”
Then he tossed him aside and turned to me. “Let’s go back inside. I’d like to get away from this piece of shit.”
I took his outstretched hand, no longer hiding my smile.
“Gladly.”
DECEMBER
December 13
It’s hard to believe, but Jake and I have been dating for a full month. Even harder to believe is how easy everything has been. He doesn’t play games, doesn’t hide what he’s thinking. He really is one of the best guys I’ve ever known and I’m still convinced that I’m going to screw it up.
I’m leaving Paris in a few days, and it feels like I just got here. This place was so scary and confusing at first, but now it feels like home. Maybe that’s because Evelyn and Macy are here. And Jake. How am I going to leave them?
Evelyn has offered me a position with the studio if I want to come back after graduation, but I’m not sure if I’ll take it. I guess I could always give modeling a shot, too…
Jake is going to come visit me in Chicago in a couple of weeks. I can’t wait for you to meet him. I think you’ll really like him. I’m not sure how we will keep the relationship going long distance, but we’re both willing to try. He’s having me over to his place tonight. It’s probably hard to believe, but I haven’t been there yet. He insisted we take it slow for the first month and really get to know each other. I know- what’s wrong with him, right? So far, nothing.
I need to sign off so I can get ready, but I’ll see you in about a week. Love you bunches, Scottie.
* * *
My hand was shaking as I pushed the buzzer for Jace’s apartment. He buzzed me in right away and my legs felt shaky as I took the stairs up one flight. I was wearing the dress- the one that Jake had paid so much money for and the one that I had worn on our first date. He said that he loved the way it looked on me and I wanted him to get his money’s worth.
“Whoa.” He opened the door and instantly put a hand on his chest. “You literally just took my breath away.”
“Yeah, yeah, cheeseball. Let’s move this along.” I smiled so he would know that I was just teasing him. We both knew that he was the sentimental one in our relationship.
Jake didn’t let me move things too far along. He gave me a long kiss, hands skimming the silky fabric of the dress. “We could just stay right here for a while,” he muttered into my neck.
“The door is still open,” I reminded him. I’d already had enough of an exhibitionist experience in Paris.
He kicked the door shut with his foot. “Better?”
“Are you trying to avoid showing me your place?” I asked when he resumed kissing my neck.
“I’m trying to turn you on, silly,” he said, sounding exasperated.
“News flash- you just have to exist for that to happen.” I kissed the tip of his nose, letting my body brush against his in just the right way. “At least show me the bedroom?”
“I don’t see how I can say no to that.” He smiled sweetly and took my hand. “I think you’ll like the view. You can see the Eiffel Tower.”
“I’m not here for the view, Jake.”
He laughed and led me to the bedroom. I barely glanced at the rest of his place now that my mind was distracted by other thoughts.
A month had been a long time for both of us, so we moved quickly as we undressed each other. Jake guided me to the bed, lowering me gently. He stood next to the bed, in front of the window for several seconds as he took me in.
I couldn’t take my eyes away from him. His body was amazing, yes, but the way that he was looking at me was hypnotizing.
“You were right,” I said. “The view is amazing.”
“You deserve amazing,” he replied, then lowered himself onto the bed above me. Brushing hair from my eyes he said, “Vous êtes incroyable.”
Directly translated, you are incredible. But he was really saying, you are amazing.
In his arms, so safe and so happy, I didn’t worry at all about our future. I was with Jake tonight, and that was all that mattered. Tomorrow would come and we would face it together, but tonight was our night.
“Jake,” I said, just as his lips were about to close over mine.
He froze.
“Je t’aime,” I whispered.
I love you.
It felt so good to finally say it.
His smile was the only response I needed. It warmed me from the inside out. But Jake was never one to be outdone with it came to bold proclamations.
“Je t’aime pour toujours, Camryn.”
I love you forever.
Be sure to check out the next Restless Hearts story
Luck of the Irish
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French Kissing (Restless Hearts) Page 8