Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet 1)

“Yes.” He continued to hold me.

“We do

n’t know very much about each other.”

“We’ll learn.” His hands moved up and down my back.

“I’m an average cook. Okay, barely average,” I murmured.

He laughed softly. “I can’t cook at all. Good thing your mum’s about.”

I laughed a little, my breath hitching. “She is. And she’ll stay, because she’s family.”

“I know.” He pulled back, waiting for my next argument.

My voice was a whisper. “I can’t give you children.”

His brow was deeply furrowed now. “You already have.” His voice was soft.

I shook my head. “It’s not the same. You’ll want a part of you.”

He kissed my nose. “Then I’d have to share you.”

“You might change your mind.” I knew I was grasping, looking for things to chase him away before I let myself believe what he was saying.

“We’ll figure it out then.” He tilted my chin up and kissed me, a sweet gentle kiss. “I’m not worried, Claire. I know this is right.”

He wasn’t just saying this, he meant it. I could see it on his face. I tried not to, but I sniffed as my eyes began to tear again. His smile turned somewhat tortured as I sniffled. “I’m trying to stop, really.”

He gave an uncertain laugh then, concern clear on his face. “I want to make you happy, not sad.”

“I’m crying because I am happy. I feel like I’m having a…a wonderful dream. I’m only afraid that I’m going to wake up.”

His face revealed myriad emotions before he settled on joy. His lips curled into a sweet smile and his hand rested against my face, cupping my cheek and pulling my lips to his. His kiss was warm, a smile against my lips.

“What’s your favorite color?” I asked between kisses.

He whispered against my lips, “Blue.” He kissed my lower lip softly. “You?” His lips traveled to my ear, sucking my earlobe.

My breath caught and my voice wavered as his lips moved down my neck. “Blue…cobalt blue.”

He kissed my cheek and asked, “Favorite movie?”

I shook my head. “No, that’s not a simple question for me. It’s a mood thing, remember? More of the ‘mental’ charm.”

“Ah.” He smiled then froze. “I suppose there’s only one real concern. Do you like Monty Python?”

“My favorite is the Holy Grail.”

“Excellent. You see? We’re ideally suited.”

I laughed. “What about you? What’s your favorite? Or favorites?”

“Anything with Nicholson in it. The Godfather films. Tim Burton.” He shrugged before he added, “I suppose I agree with you. It is a mood thing. What about a favorite dessert?”

I wrinkled my nose. “Honestly? I gave up eating fun food a year ago. So I’d have to say a pear is my single favorite sweet food. It’s a bit indecent, the amount of enjoyment I get out of a really juicy pear.”

“I’ll have to remember that.” His eyes were amused as he searched my face.