Page 97 of When Fashion Turns Deadly

Cole’s words caught up with him. Had he really just said theLword? He straightened and turned to face her, sheer panic streaking through him.

Would admitting his feelings scare her off? Or would it complicate their relationship?

The vulnerability in her expression pushed him to share the truth he had kept buried since the moment he’d discovered his true feelings. “Not just right now.” He forced his gaze to meet hers. “I always love you.”

Isabelle blinked twice, as though not sure if she was awake or dreaming. “Really?”

Her dazed expression gave him hope that his feelings weren’t one-sided. “Yes, really.”

Unable to resist, he lifted both hands to her cheeks and leaned in until his lips met hers. The familiar spark ignited between them, and his heart swelled. Isabelle settled her hand on his shoulder, and he indulged himself by deepening the kiss.

For so long, his focus had been on the next mission, on simply staying alive. With his lips warm on Isabelle’s, he now knew that there was more to living than simply keeping his heart beating.

His fingers slid into her hair, the silky strands brushing against his skin. He changed the angle of the kiss, and his love for Isabelle flowed into it.

When he drew back, he kept his face close to hers. “Is this too fast for you?” he asked. “I can pretend I never said I love you.”

Isabelle shook her head, her eyes fixing on his. “It’s not too fast, because I love you too.”

Pure joy filled him, and he leaned in for another kiss. “I’m really glad you came to Paris.”

“Me too.”

Chapter 34

Isabelle felt like a princess.Her silver Ralph Molenaar gown flowed down to the floor, and her hair was teased into a sophisticated updo. The diamond necklace and earrings she wore cost more than her annual salary, which was evidenced by the guards standing at the far end of the runway and backstage.

Cole had taken position opposite the backstage security guard, his weapon hidden beneath his suit jacket.

She caught his gaze out of the corner of her eye, and he winked at her.

The smile she had pasted on for the cameras widened. She still couldn’t believe Cole had declared his love, especially in such an unexpected way, or how those three little words had become such a common phrase between them over the past five days.

Beside her, Marit turned her head slightly, no doubt to find Lars in the photographer’s area. The love between the two was palpable, but the little seed of envy Isabelle had experienced when she’d first arrived in Paris had died, leaving only happiness for herself and her friend.

Lars took several shots of Marit, Isabelle, and Nadia before redirecting his camera toward the three models mirroring their position on the other side of the runway entrance.

Lars had barely lowered his camera when Ralph stepped through the curtains and took his place beside Marit.

Applause erupted, the crowd coming to their feet.

Ralph bowed, and the applause only increased. He waved one hand toward the models on his right and then repeated the gesture toward Marit, Isabelle, and Nadia.

After bowing a second time, he lifted a hand in the air to acknowledge the crowd and stepped back through the curtains. Isabelle fell in line as the models filed off the runway and into the backstage area.

Cole appeared at her side an instant later. So did the security guard.

“Mademoiselles, please wait here while we collect the jewelry,” the guard said.

“Better wait for Lars,” Cole said.

Lars approached before the guard had a chance to respond. Apparently, he wasn’t willing to walk around to the backstage entrance, instead following the models’ path through the curtains.

“Let me photograph the pieces as we pack them,” Lars instructed the guard.

One by one, the models removed their necklaces, earrings, and bracelets, Lars documenting each piece with his camera.

As soon as Isabelle handed over the pieces adorning her neck and ears, she placed her hand on Cole’s arm. “I’m going to change.”

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