Page 104 of The Exception

We spent our days restoring the château, and I was constantly in awe of my wife. She always had dust in her hair and a smile on her face, and she was the most beautiful woman to me. Then, after a simple dinner on the stone bridge that spanned the dry moat, we’d go for walks through the grounds with Prince Albert and Queen V, brainstorming ideas for the gardens. We spent the nights in bed, talking as we held each other.

It was the first time in a long time that I could remember being content. I thought about Lily, and how it no longer felt like an act. It felt…real.

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

“Hey.” Graham linked his hand with mine. “I have something I want to show you.”

“You do?” I asked, intrigued. “What is it?”

He’d been stripping paint again all day, while I’d been finalizing the preparations forles Journées du patrimoine.The culture festival would be here before we knew it, and I wanted it to be a successful and fun event—both for the château and for everyone who came to visit.

Plus, it was good to keep busy. Graham and I were headed back to LA tomorrow, and I was apprehensive. Both about leaving the château, though I knew it was in good hands with Luc and the artisans. But also because of what it would mean for Graham and me.

Back to work at the office for him, obviously. But would we go back to our separate rooms? Separate beds?

The new mattress had been delayed, so we’d continued to share our small, lumpy bed. It might not be the most comfortable, but I didn’t mind because I liked sleeping in his arms. And he seemed to enjoy it too.

He was different here. Calmer. More relaxed. More approachable. I liked it. Liked him, and I didn’t want this version of Graham to disappear when we left.

Queen V and Prince Albert tagged along as always, content to explore but careful to stay close. They were so sweet and mild-mannered, and I loved having them around. Growing up, I’d never had a pet. My parents had always joked that our house was already too much of a circus, and they were right. But I’d always,alwayswanted a dog.

Don’t get too attached,I reminded myself.

This marriage. These dogs. Everything about it was temporary. And I was merely kidding myself if I believed otherwise.

Graham dragged my hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the back of it. He’d done that more lately—touched me. Linked his fingers with mine. Pressed kisses to my temple. Held me in bed at night.

“You okay?” he asked, brushing his thumb over my skin.

We’d spent so much time together that he knew how to read me. Then again, he’d always been very observant.

“Yeah.” I brushed my hair away from my face. “Just tired. Lots to do before we leave.”

“I know.” He gave my hand a squeeze. “I don’t want to leave either.”

“You don’t?” I asked. I’d suspected that he’d fallen for the château, but I found myself wishing he’d fall for me.

Which was silly.

Graham had always been very upfront about what this was—a business arrangement, nothing more. Wanting more would not only be greedy but foolish. And yet I couldn’t help wishing for it anyway.

The more time I spent with Graham, the more I wondered how anyone could ever accuse him of being heartless. He was protective and loving. Thoughtful and generous. Or maybe that was the side he only shared with me.

I’d seen Graham Mackenzie the CEO in action countless times, and I felt privileged that he trusted me enough to show me his soft inner core. He was a lot like Queen V and Prince Albert in that way. At first glance, their large size made them seem imposing and threatening. But they were really so sweet and just wanted to be loved. Like Graham.

He shook his head. “I love it here.”

The sincerity in his tone filled me with liquid warmth. I leaned my head against his shoulder, giving his arm a squeeze. “I’m so glad.”

“And I’ve enjoyed my time off. But when we get back, it will no longer be our honeymoon. And I’ll need to work.”

“Right,” I said. Everything was about to change, perhaps more than I’d even realized.

“Plus—” He wore a pinched expression, and I tried to brace myself for whatever was coming. “The board is being a pain in the ass.”

“About the luxury yacht line?”

“Among other things.” He was being cryptic, and I didn’t like it. Already, I could feel a change in him, as if he was rebuilding his shields to prepare to be Graham Mackenzie, CEO. And not the man I was coming to know and love.

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