All the unpleasantness was behind them. The night everything had come to a head, they had spent hours at the police station giving statements. After, he had taken her home to her apartment. He spent the rest of the night explaining to her why he would always have a special spot for Heather. They had both lost their virginity the night of the senior prom, and though it had been special, he had not told her he loved her or promised any future. He hadn’t seen her since. A car accident had taken Heather’s life two weeks after they graduated from high school.
Now he and Katie had the rest of their lives to show each other how much they loved each other. He couldn’t wait to begin. What would he do if she turned down his proposal? Had he waited too long? He had wanted time to heal everything, and had purposely waited for spring. Spring in Paris—even the sound of it was romantic.
Katie started to stir. She sat up, stretched, and turned to Adam. He pulled her back into his embrace. He didn’t kiss her because he was afraid if he started, he wouldn’t stop.
“Did you have a nice nap, sleepy head?”
“Yes. I hope your arm didn’t go to sleep.” He felt her snuggle a little closer.
“Nope, seems to be just fine. Are you hungry? I think we have time before we land.”
Jamie’s voice interrupted his offer, announcing they were preparing to land. No time to eat. The two of them buckled their seatbelts in preparation.
* * * *
The view of Paris at night was a fairyland of lights. Adam had somehow reserved the Le Jules Verne restaurant, the highest viewing point on the Eiffel Tower, for their use. Soft music floated over the air. The restaurant was cleared except for one table covered in a white tablecloth, with a vase with roses and a bottle of wine.
Adam took her hand, led her away from the rail, and held a chair out by the table. After she sat, he walked around to the other side. He made a ceremony of plucking a rose out of the arrangement and holding the bloom out to her. Then he leaned down and gave her a soft kiss. He opened the bottle of wine. He poured some in each of their glasses and then sat.
He raised his glass and waited for Katie to raise hers. He toasted. “To the most beautiful woman in the world.”
His eyes never left hers as he brought it to his lips and took a sip. He set the goblet down and reached into his pocket. Katie set hers down, suddenly nervous. She watched in amazement as he slid from the chair on to one knee. He lifted her hand off the table and brought her fingers to his lips. He handed the little box he had in his other to her. He kept a hold of her hand while she struggled to flip the box lid with only one hand. Her shaking made it almost impossible to accomplish the small task.
Adam finally let go of her hand, took the box out of her quivering hand, and popped the lid. An antique ring snuggled in satin. The white-gold band held an emerald-cut diamond surrounded by tiny rubies. It was by far the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. He took the band out, and he waited until her finger started to slip through. He stopped the movement of the ring and asked the question she had been waiting for her whole life.
“Katherine Elizabeth Sinclair, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Katie pushed her finger through the ring. The warmth of tears streaked down her cheeks. “Yes.”
She launched herself from her chair and into his arms. The momentum sent them both tumbling to the floor.
When they were both breathless from kissing, Adam helped them both to their feet and to the table. Katie hadn’t noticed the array of covered plates on a side table. The romantic setting had been too impressive.
Adam picked delicacies from each platter and put a little of each on her plate. He didn’t stop there though, after her plate was full, he picked up his fork and speared a piece of tender fish and held it to her lips. He didn’t stop until she pleaded she was too full to continue. Only then did he fill his own plate and eat. While he did, Katie wandered over to look at the view of Paris again. The diamond twinkled as brightly as any star and dazzled brighter, thanks to the view over the city.
She felt a tap on her shoulder and Adam held his arms out. She stepped into them. The music grew a little louder as if on command and they began to twirl around the cleared floor. Katie felt butterflies fluttering around her stomach as Adam bent to nibble at her ear as they danced. She wondered if she would ever grow used to him, or would she have this awareness of him until the day she died. It was the most wonderful evening of her life.
“Katie Did.” Adam’s voice broke into her thoughts.
She smiled up at him dreamily. “Yes?”
“I have another surprise for you, come on.”
He gathered up Katie’s flowers and led her to the elevator where the attendant, who’d taken care of all their needs throughout the meal, waited. Adam handed him something, but Katie was too preoccupied savoring the feelings and sensations of being in love to care.
Adam handed her into the waiting limo, and once they settled in and the car was in motion, he poured her some more champagne. Katie looked around for her next surprise, and, not seeing anything, she turned to Adam. After all, she’d been in more limos than she could count during her courtship with him.
“What’s the surprise?”
“This.” Adam pressed a button and the top slid from the back of the driver’s window and folded back behind them, leaving them in the open air. It seemed as if they were in an open carriage. The sky twinkled and Katie couldn’t tell where the stars ended and the city lights began.
“It’s beautiful.”
“I thought you’d like it. Our driver is going to drive around the city until we tell him to take us to our hotel.”
Katie held her glass out for more of the sparkling wine they’d been drinking all night. She stared at the moonlit sky and marveled at how clear it was.
“You know when we get home our parents are going to want to know when we are going to get married. You aren’t going to make me wait too long, are you?” Adam asked.
“Not any longer than you made me wait for you to propose.”
Adam groaned. “Come on, I wanted it to be springtime in Paris. We had winter in Paris. I thought it would be perfect.”
Katie threw her arms around him and found his lips. She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes. “I can’t wait another six months. If I thought we could get away with it, I’d suggest eloping. The parents would kill us, though.”
“So when?” Adam nuzzled her neck and then kissed the corner of her mouth. When a honk sounded to the side of them, they both looked over and smiled when the driver of the car winked at them.
“My mom is going to want a huge affair, you know that?”
“What do you want?”
“I want to get married now.”
“I think, between the two of us, we will be able to keep the festivities simple.”
Katie smiled at him and settled back against his arm. All of her dreams had come true. Maybe she should pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming. She had an idea the wedding would be the social event of the year. After all, the notorious “Mr. Romance” was about to be put out of circulation.
THE END
www.marymartinez.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary has lived her entire life in the Salt Lake City Valley, where she has raised a family of three boys and three girls. One of her favorite things to do is spend time with her seven grandchildren.
Mary is a member of the Romance Writers of America and several sister chapters. Though she loves romance, writing suspense is her favorite.
Mary and her husband love traveling, their favorites are the Caribbean for relaxation and Italy for the wine. Their experiences have given her valuable insight for her stories.
Also by Mary Martinez
Chick Magnet
Watching Jenny
Romance and Misconceptions
Available at
BOOKSTRAND.COM
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Mary Martinez, Martinez, Mary - Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (BookStrand Publishing Romance)
Martinez, Mary - Classic Murder: Mr. Romance (BookStrand Publishing Romance) Page 30