By Request Collection April-June 2016. Оливия Гейтс
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СКАЧАТЬ ceremony came afterwards, at the Eglise St-Eustache, a sixteenth century church with exquisitely stained glass.

      The service itself was austere and beautiful.

      Shari had forgotten Luc’s connections in the air industry, or she wouldn’t have been so surprised to discover that a friend of Luc’s had volunteered his private jet to transport Neil and Emi, their children and two nannies to Paris for the festivities.

      As it was, Shari was overjoyed.

      Strangely, Neil and Emi were not as totally astounded by her and Luc’s falling in love as Shari might have expected, though their approaching parenthood had come as a surprise.

      As well, an elderly gentleman from Venice made the journey. When he’d first strolled into the mairie’s and sat down beside his wife, Shari glimpsed a sudden rare shimmer in Luc’s eyes.

      A magnificent reception was held at the Ritz, one of the Hotel’s last great events before it shut up shop for renovation. Everyone Shari and Luc knew in Paris was there, including some friends Shari had made at her language class.

      Even if Neil hadn’t been able to come, even if Shari hadn’t been wearing a Valentino original, cut specifically to reveal the blue bird of happiness on her shoulder, just seeing her lover’s joy would have made the day fantastic. As it was, it was sheerest heaven.

      After the dancing, the toasts, the love and bonhomie of family and friends, Luc whisked his bride upstairs for one last splendid night in their favourite suite. Then in the morning, after a long and leisurely breakfast, he flew her to Italy for their honeymoon, where they planned to explore the Amalfi Coast for some weeks while their apartment was being renovated.

      This time in palest ivory trimmed with softest aquamarine and a pale, pale, very watery blue, shades Shari knew suited her complexion perfectly.

      It was a beautiful time of life.

       EPILOGUE

      ‘HERE,’ Luc said. ‘Give him to me. We don’t want him to catch a chill.’

      They were strolling together in the Rue Montorgueil. It was late in the day, and Shari felt the sudden cool snap in the breeze.

      Although their baby boy was dressed well, the air could turn frosty in a second. Luckily Luc was wearing his padded jacket.

      Shari handed the precious bundle over and Luc positioned him carefully inside his coat while Shari drew up the zipper.

      ‘Not too far, now,’ his father warned. ‘Let him see out.’

      Shari laughed as Luc-Henri chortled and his eyes, brown now and growing darker by the day, opened wide at the sudden change in his circumstances.

      ‘There, now, isn’t it lovely being held in Papa’s arms? I quite like it myself.’ Luc laughed with her, then she noticed him glance up at a passer-by and wave, his face alight with pride and pleasure.

      Shari looked at the stranger. ‘Who’s that? Do I know him from somewhere?’

      ‘Remember? He’s the boulanger from the bakery near the fruit market.’

      ‘Oh, of course. I know. How nice of him to wave. He must have noticed that ours is the most beautiful babe in Paris.’

      ‘And he has the most beautiful maman.’

      She smiled and planted a kiss on his bristly jaw. ‘Thank you. That reminds me. Have you ever read The Outlaw Earl?’

      He lifted his brows. ‘I don’t believe so. What happens in it?’

      ‘Well, this beautiful lonely maiden is kidnapped from the home of her greedy parents by a wicked, but really hot earl.’

      ‘Ah. And then what?’ His eyes gleamed with a piercingly sensual light. ‘Tell me.’

       A Wicked Persuasion

      No Going Back

      Karen Foley

      No Holds Barred

      Cara Summers

      No One Needs to Know

      Debbi Rawlins

       No Going Back

      Karen Foley

      KAREN FOLEY is an incurable romantic. When she’s not working for the Department of Defense, she’s writing sexy romances with strong heroes and happy endings. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two daughters, an overgrown puppy and two very spoiled cats. Karen enjoys hearing from her readers. you can find out more about her by visiting www.karenefoley.com.

      This book is dedicated to our men and women in uniform; thank you for your service!

       1

      AN IMPERIOUS KNOCKING on the door of the opulent hotel suite startled Kate Fitzgerald from her disturbing thoughts. Hurrying to the door, she peered through the peephole and then opened it wide to the man who stalked inside, dragging his hand through his long hair.

      “Keep your voice down,” she said without preamble, closing the door behind him. “Tenley is sleeping in the next room.”

      Russell Wilson might look like a British rock star with his skinny jeans, necklaces and leather jacket, but he was one of the most coveted talent agents in the country. Kate could see he was angry, and she couldn’t blame him.

      “The video of Tenley’s meltdown has gone viral,” he snapped. “It’s only been three days, and every social media and video-sharing website is promoting it. Even the major news networks have picked it up. Bloody hell, what a train wreck.”

      Kate chewed the edge of her thumb as she watched him pace. Behind her on the flat-screen television, the evening news was running yet another clip of Tenley Miles’s anti-military rant, caught by several fans on their cell phones and provided to the media. Kate cringed as she listened to Tenley scream about how the military was medieval in its enlistment tactics, brutal in its treatment of new recruits and uncaring of the young men and women who gave their lives to feed its ravenous appetite. But worst of all, she’d concluded her shocking meltdown by stating she was ashamed to call herself an American. Was Tenley overdramatic? Certainly. But even knowing her sister’s tendency toward extreme emotions, Kate had to admit it looked bad.

      “I’m more concerned about Tenley than I am about her fans,” Kate said. “She’s emotionally fragile right СКАЧАТЬ