Chapter 1

E lla woke up, her naked body cradled in Finn's strong embrace. She noticed the sun peering through the hotel window shades, wondered what time it was, and lightly touched his hand.

"Good morning, sweetheart," he said, squeezing her.

"Good morning, my love," she replied, turning to face him.

He gently ran his finger from her brow to her cheekbone. "God, it feels so good to wake up with you."

"I was afraid to fall asleep, afraid that I'd wake up and discover it was all a dream."

He rested his hand on her cheek and kissed her forehead. "Me too. But it's real, baby. We're finally back together, the way we're meant to be."

She started to smile, but it morphed into a yawn.

Finn laughed and said, "I guess I should have let you get more sleep last night. I just couldn't get enough of you."

"Yes, you had quite the voracious appetite. Seems you really missed sex."

"I missed sex with you . The truth is, I missed everything with you, Ella."

"Me too. Besides, I wouldn't trade a night of making love with you over and over again for anything," she said.

"Hold that thought, because I'm not done with you yet," he replied, skimming her hand and slipping out of bed. "I'm going to brush my teeth, and then I'll be back to ravage you again."

"You really are the sexiest man I've ever seen," she remarked, staring at his sculpted, naked body. "I missed watching you walk away almost as much as I missed watching you walk toward me."

"Don't you move."

A few minutes later, Finn emerged with minty-fresh breath. Ella hopped out of bed and said, "My turn."

He grazed her arm as she passed. "There's an extra toothbrush on the counter."

When Ella returned, Finn was standing outside the bathroom waiting for her. She smiled coyly, and he took her hand and pulled her to him. He swept her long curls back and started kissing her ear, working his way to her neck and then her mouth. He turned her around, wrapped one arm around her, and traced the curves of her body with his other hand. When he touched between her legs, she writhed and moaned with delight. "That's it, baby," he whispered, nibbling on her earlobe. She leaned forward, resting her hands on a chair, and softly commanded, "Take me."

He slid inside her, moving slowly as they both let out small groans. "Oh, God. I need you, Finn," she whimpered. He began intensely pounding until they both screamed in bliss.

"I love you so much, Ella," he whispered as he tried to catch his breath, their quivering bodies pressed together.

"I love you too, body and soul," she said in return.

He kissed her bare shoulder, took her hand, and said, "Come snuggle me."

They crawled into bed and exchanged tender kisses, running their fingers through each other's hair.

"I've never been happier," he said.

"Me too," she replied, outstretching her hand and admiring the huge, sparkling engagement ring on her finger.

"Do you like the ring?" he asked. "They told me the oval cut was the most romantic."

"It's incredible. I love it because it's from you." She paused. "Finn, what's going to happen now?"

"Now we're going to live happily ever after."

She smiled. "I know, but . . ."

"What, baby?"

"Well, right now, we're in Cannes. My things are in my apartment in Paris. We're moving to your place in LA. I guess I'm just wondering how this will work and what's going to happen next. I feel a little adrift. This is all new to me."

He cupped her cheek. "It's new to me too, but don't worry; we'll figure everything out together. We're partners now, in everything, always." She smiled and he continued, "This afternoon, the awards will be announced at the festival's closing ceremony. Then there'll be a press conference. I'm supposed to join Jean and the others for a press panel on Celebration , but I'm sure they'll understand if I don't make it."

"No, my love. Go to the ceremony and press conference. Support your beautiful film. Maybe I can hide in the back somewhere, and then we can catch up with everyone afterward."

"After today, my work here is done. In two weeks, I'm scheduled for a string of publicity obligations in LA, which will take a few days. Then I have some voice-over work to do, also in LA, followed by more press stuff. My next film doesn't start shooting until the middle of July. It's filming on location in Boston, and I was hoping you'd join me."

"I would love that," Ella said.

"What about you? Have you finished your big project on pleasure? Is there anywhere you need to be this summer?"

"The only place I need to be is with you. Yes, I finished all four books. Delivered them to my publisher last week, as a matter of fact. When they're released, I'll need to schedule a small book tour. Maybe you can tag along."

"Absolutely. We'll make it work," Finn assured her. "What's next for you?"

"I need to develop my next project. I'm not quite sure what it'll be yet, but I want it to be something I can really sink my teeth into. I'm still chasing the big questions." She giggled. "But one of the greatest things about my work is that I can do it anywhere."

"So, we have two weeks coming up with no obligations, no demands. How should we spend them? We could stay here, soaking up the Riviera. Then we could take my jet to Paris to pack up your things and head to LA, or we could just send for your things. If you'd rather spend some time in Paris to see your friends or whatever, we could head straight there. For that matter, we could fly straight to LA if you'd like some time to get settled in before I have to work." He planted a delicate kiss on the tip of her nose and stroked her cheek. "And if you don't like any of those ideas, just tell me what works for you, baby. All I want is to make you happy."

She smiled. "Finn, I'm ready to start our life together. It would be nice to have some time to get settled into your house before you're busy. Why don't we spend a couple of days here, and then we can fly to LA? I have a neighbor with a key to my apartment; I'm sure she can pack my things for me if you can have them shipped. I don't have very much."

"I'll take care of everything."

"My kitten, Sweden, is in my room. I'll need to go check on her soon. I guess I'll grab my suitcase and just move in here. I don't want to be apart for even a minute." She looked around and ogled Finn's massive suite. "This place really is extraordinary. I barely noticed it last night after we raced down the hallway like wild teenagers. I don't know what came over me; I guess I just couldn't wait another moment to be alone with you."

"Well, you got the nicer room at the inn during the shoot. When I made the reservation, I made sure to get the best room they had. I was hoping we'd be sharing it."

"You were?"

He nodded and she lightly pressed her mouth to his.

"Should we order up some room service? We left the after-party so quickly last night that we never ate a thing. I'm just now realizing how hungry I am," he said.

"Oh, that reminds me. I don't know if I ever told you how marvelous the film is. It really leaves one pondering the big questions. Your performance was gorgeous; you should be tremendously proud. And for you all to receive a standing ovation must have made you feel good."

"I was distracted by how good it felt to have you by my side," he replied, kissing her bare shoulder. "I should probably see what the papers have to say so I don't stumble into the press conference unprepared. Why don't you take a look at that menu over there?" he suggested, gesturing to her nightstand. "I'll throw on a robe and see if the newspapers have been delivered."

"Okay, but kiss me first."

He smiled and kissed her passionately before hopping out of bed and slipping into a robe. He retrieved a matching robe from the closet, handed it to her, and went to check outside the room. Ella put on the lush garment and grabbed the room service menu. "Sweetheart," Finn said, walking back to her, holding a stack of newspapers and looking slightly dazed.

"Good reviews?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Yeah, of our engagement. We're on the front page of every newspaper around the world."