Page 51 of Bound By Her Shocking Secret

It was seriously distracting. But Mia focused as best she could and eventually the assistant called out, ‘That’s a wrap on Delphine, everyone! Great job!’

Mia felt wrung out, but also exhilarated, if she was honest. She’d never worked with this calibre of crew and it had been a whole new experience, demanding things of her she hadn’t been sure she could deliver. But she had.

Adele came over and hugged her impulsively. ‘You were fantastic, Mia. Seriously, you need to prepare yourself for global attention once people see these pictures.’

Mia hugged her back. ‘Well, I hope so, for your sake, but I really don’t mind.’

Adele slid an expressive glance to where Daniel was handing Lexi back to Odile. She said with a wry smile, ‘I guess I can’t blame you. You have a beautiful family, Mia. I wish you all the luck in the world.’

Family.It would be up to her if they were actually to become a family.

Trying to block out the sense of impending pressure, Mia went with the stylist to the tent, to change out of the last outfit and back into her jeans and a shirt. She wiped off as much of the make-up as she could.

When she emerged nearly everyone was gone. She saw Odile walking back up the beach with Lexi, towards the house. Daniel was standing looking out to sea. A safe distance from the incoming tide. That detail made Mia’s silly heart clench.

She knew this was it. He’d be expecting an answer.

She went and stood beside him, her body humming with awareness just to be near him.

He said, without looking at her, ‘We’ll fly to New York tomorrow for a couple of days, before returning to Paris.’

Mia barely heard him. Her answer was rising up inside her, and she was afraid if she didn’t get it out she might change her mind.

‘Okay,’ she blurted out.

Daniel turned to look at her. ‘Okay...to New York?’

Mia looked at him. ‘No, I mean, yes...whatever. I mean, okay, I’ll marry you.’

He went still. ‘Are you sure?’

No!

But she nodded. ‘Yes, it’s the best thing...for Lexi.’

‘What about you?’

‘Like you said, we have chemistry, respect...’

‘Is that enough for you?’

No.

Mia searched Daniel’s expression to see if she could see even a smidgeon of something...but he just looked genuinely concerned. Which was even worse.

Without answering him directly, she said, ‘You’re right. I want more for Lexi too, and she deserves two loving parents, together.’

But just not in love with each other, hissed a little voice.

She pushed down her misgivings.

Daniel closed the distance between them and cupped her face in his hands, tipping it up to his. He smiled, and for a moment Mia could almost pretend that maybe—

‘You won’t regret this, Mia. I’ll do my best to make you and Lexi happy. I promise.’

He covered her mouth with his and Mia stretched up, wrapping her arms around his neck, bringing her body as close to his as possible. The familiar fire raced along her veins, heating her blood. She could feel his body responding to hers and she felt that if she could just have this effect on him...and if he could just never stop kissing her, making love to her...then maybe she could pretend that it would be enough to sustain her.

‘You want us to get married in New York?’

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