“Ready?”
Elise spun around and her breath caught in her throat. He was so handsome. And thoughtful. Giving her a box of chocolates would have been sweet, but pen caps…? That was the sweetest, most thoughtful thing anyone had done for her in a long, long time. If she thought he was a considerate boss, then she suspected he’d be even more thoughtful as a husband. She nodded and Luc escorted her out to his car. As they passed by her co-workers, there were a lot of knowing smiles and winks. Apparently everyone in the building was under the same impression that Elise’s family was. That and everyone in the building seemed to think that they had a personal hand in getting Luc and Elise together.
His hand rested at the small of her back, propelling her through the office building and toward the front door, and Elise shivered. It was a small thing, but it felt as if he were branding her with his touch. The same thing had happened when she’d slipped on the engagement ring. It was as if suddenly she became his. His woman. The thought of Luc having a possessive streak was oddly tantalizing. Elise had never pictured herself as the submissive type, but… she kinda liked the notion of being labeled as Luc’s woman.
At the entrance, he reached around in front of her and pushed open the door.
Elise paused and glanced up at him. “Thank you,” she murmured. She wondered if he knew how much she cherished the little things like this. Opening the door. Pulling out her chair. All the little things that the men her mother dated never did unless specifically asked to do them.
“My pleasure.”
Outside, Elise slipped on her sunglasses and stole a few glimpses of him from the corner of her eye. She’d had nearly a week to ponder his qualities—the ones which would make him into her idea of the perfect husband.
First of all, she loved him. What had started out as an infatuation had slowly blossomed into love. Elise smiled. There was something to be said for taking things slow, she thought. He was the most attractive man she’d ever known. The most compelling. He could draw her eye time and time again. And each time she looked at him, she learned—or rather, she realized—some new facet of his personality.
Such as, Luc was a gentleman. He was a rogue when he teased her, but he never mocked her. He hadn’t mocked her for her old-fashioned nature. And for that, he’d scored more points than bone-melting kisses could ever gain him. Sexy men were a dime a dozen and Elise knew that—with one phone call to her mother—she could have a drop-dead gorgeous hunk waiting on her doorstep when she got home from work. But Elise didn’t want that. Elise wanted the man who could make her sigh with his thoughtfulness. A man who would understand and treasure everything she had to offer. Luc was that man.
He unlocked the passenger’s door and opened it for her.
“Thank you.” Elise sent him a dreamy smile and slid into the seat. “I could get very used to this.”
His smile was rakish and warmed her to her toes. “That’s the plan, darlin’.” He closed the door and her eyes followed him as he walked around the front of the car.
Oh yes, she thought, he is definitely that man. The man she could respect and trust with her fanciful dreams of the future. Someone she could confide in. A strong shoulder she could lean on. A warm and very masculine body to curl up next to at night. Oh yes, he was definitely that man. And in six days he would be her husband.
Luc climbed in behind the wheel and glanced at her. “Do you get the feeling that someone has planned a surprise for us?”
“You mean in the office?” He nodded, starting the engine, and she said, “Probably.”
“You know, we don’t have to go back in.” He backed out of the parking space. “We could play hooky for the rest of the day.”
“What and ruin their fun?” Elise laughed lightly. “You know as well as I do that the party they’re planning has nothing to do with us.”
“It doesn’t?”
“No. They’re giving your lucky pen a farewell party.”
Luc grinned. “You mean my staff of masculinity.”
Elise kept her face averted and blushed deeply. “How you managed to restructure the company without laying off a single person is beyond me.”
“Darlin’, they’ll need all their employees to fill the vacuum of your leaving.”
Elise glowed from his words. “Oh really?”
“Yes, really. Didn’t you notice the tear in Roger Dill’s eye when he heard about you leaving? Poor guy. His work hours have increased and his productivity has decreased since I stole you from him.”