LOGINZavian guided her across the open plaza toward the base of the monument.Emmeline tilted her head back, tracking the soaring iron lattice until the muscles in her neck began to ache from the steep angle.The crisp winter breeze swept across her cheeks, carrying the faint scent of roasting chestnuts from a nearby street cart."The Eiffel Tower is truly a sight to behold during the day, but it's even more magnificent at night when the lights illuminate the darkness."A quiet awe washed over her as she took in the geometric precision of the arches.Standing beneath something that had survived world wars and witnessed generations of lovers gave her a rare sense of peace.For a woman whose past had been defined by isolation, sharing this landmark felt like claiming a piece of the world she had previously only watched through television screens.Zavian looked up at the towering structure, his expression entirely flat."I don't understand why everyone worships the Eiffel Tower. It's just ano
Emmeline watched their feet moving in unison, a deep satisfaction settling into her bones. Yet, as her mind wandered back through the chaotic events that had led them here, a lingering question surfaced."By the way, how did Yuna find out about our relationship? How did she know we were at the restaurant and took that photograph?"The mention of his treacherous ex-wife caused an immediate, visible shift in Zavian's posture.The relaxed lover vanished, replaced by the rigid, formidable monarch.His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking beneath his skin as displeasure clouded his features. "It happened because of my carelessness."Emmeline let out a heavy sigh, gently tugging his arm to urge him to explain.For a being of absolute perfection and control to admit to carelessness was nearly unthinkable."I was caught up reviewing a case at the court until late, completely oblivious that Yuna hadn't left yet. The second I finished, I drove to your restaurant with my guard completely down. It neve
The waiter returned, breaking the moment as he carefully set the steaming plates on the table.The golden, sugar-dusted pastries and delicate cups of café au lait smelled incredible, pulling Emmeline's attention."This looks absolutely heavenly," she murmured, picking up a warm beignet and took a slow, deliberate bite.The sweet, powdered sugar melted on her tongue, and she closed her eyes, letting out a soft sigh of appreciation.When she opened her eyes again, she found Zavian tracking her every move.His gaze was fixed on her lips with an open, hungry look that had nothing to do with the breakfast spread."You make eating look sinful," he murmured in a low, rough voice that sent a visible shiver down her spine."We're in public, Zavian. Behave yourself." Emmeline tried to scold him, though the breathless, husky quality of her voice completely undercut the command."I'm always well-behaved," Zavian replied with fake innocence, the darkening blue of his eyes telling a very different
The morning sun broke through the gray Paris mist, spilling pale gold light across the floors.Emmeline woke feeling completely refreshed, the fog of jet lag lifting as eager, nervous excitement took its place.She slid out of bed while Zavian was still in the bathroom, looked over his side of the closet, and laid out dark trousers, black knit sweater, and his dark overcoat."These will match your coat perfectly, Zavian. You'll look amazing." Emmeline spoke when she felt his presence behind her.Strong, warm arms wrapped around her waist from behind and his chest pressing to her back as his chin came to rest on her shoulder. "Have you made yourself my personal stylist now?"Emmeline leaned back into him, closing her eyes, letting the scent of sandalwood and clean skin wrapped around her. "I like dressing you. It makes me feel like I actually belong in your life. Like we're a real team."Zavian turned her slowly in his arms, his sapphire eyes tracing every detail of her face. "I run th
Emmeline curled her fingers into the soft silk of his pajama top and pressed her lips to his in a desperate, breathless kiss.When she pulled back, her chest rose and fell with reluctance, her eyes locked on his. "More than all the water in the oceans. More than the stars in the sky, and more than every breath I'll ever take."The words hung in the dim room, free of pride or pretending.Zavian's brows lifted in genuine surprise. "Don't you think you're getting a little carried away, little girl? That's a big promise to make to a monster."She opened her mouth to argue, but he didn't give her the chance. He sat up, capturing her lips in a deep, hungry kiss that swallowed whatever she meant to say.The kiss shifted fast from tender to wild as his tongue slipped past her lips, tangling with hers in a rhythm that stole the air from her lungs.A rough moan broke from her throat.Emmeline gripped his shoulders while his hands slid down her back, found the curve of her hips, and slipped unde
The warm water eased the tension from Emmeline’s muscles and cleared the remaining fog from her mind.By the time she stepped out, she felt almost like herself again.She toweled her hair dry, slipped into the nightgown, and ran a comb through her damp locks.The silk felt like cool water on her sensitized skin.When she returned to the bedroom, the suite was quiet except for the rhythmic tapping of keys.Zavian reclined against the towering headboard, dressed in the black silk bottoms she'd laid out, a silver laptop balanced on his lap.Emmeline padded across the thick rug and climbed onto the mattress, crawling toward him like a curious cat. "What could possibly require your attention at this hour? Don't tell me Paris courts are holding midnight sessions."Zavian's blue eyes lifted from the display, raking slowly over the short hem of her blush nightgown before returning to her face.A dark heat flickered in the sapphire irises, though he kept his tone dry. "The judiciary never slee
Emmeline's name had never sounded like that before. On the lips of parishioners or the convent superiors, it was always formal and entirely professional. But on his lips, it sounded like a dark, desperate prayer.She shivered as her treacherous body betrayed her once again.His voice carried the eas
The world came back to Emmeline in fragments.First, there was warmth seeping into her bones, melting into places inside her that'd always felt faintly numb. It felt like coming home after wandering alone for a lifetime. Then came the scent. It was dark, masculine, and wholly unfamiliar. It was the
Zavian was beyond livid. A nun. His Emmeline, the woman who'd burned in his arms with a passion that set his very soul on fire, had become a nun. The woman who'd once surrendered everything for love had instead surrendered everything to God.He could barely contain the manic laughter bubbling up fr
The temperature in the cathedral plummeted further as the dark stranger advanced down the center aisle.Several congregation members succumbed to their terror and fainted outright, while others began to pray frantically."Hail Mary, full of grace." Whispered words tumbled over each other in despera







