PART 13 - "Passport Drama & Paris Nights"
Scene: The Announcement
The email hit at 9:01 a.m.
Subject: Executive Leadership Retreat - Paris, France.
Only ten employees were invited.
Devon and I made the list - of course.
The perks?
Five-star hotel. Eiffel Tower gala. Champagne tasting on the Seine.
I leaned back in my office chair, sipping matcha from a crystal tumbler.
"I told these girls I was global," I whispered with a smirk.
Scene: The Catch
One week later, we arrived at the Hôtel de Crillon - dripping in wealth, style, and luxury. Gold chandeliers hung like royalty above our heads. The air smelled like roses and old money.
But when the concierge read the reservations?
"Only one king suite left... for Mr. and Mrs. West."
I raised a brow.
Devon raised both.
Jordan's name was mysteriously still on the room list.
But mine had been "accidentally removed."
How convenient.
Especially since Jasmine showed up at check-in - not invited, not welcome, and definitely not pregnant anymore.
Scene: Paris Streets - Late Night
We weren't about to let sabotage ruin the trip.
Devon pulled me through the streets of Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower glittering in the distance.
My trench coat flew open slightly as the wind kissed my thighs.
He gripped my waist like I was something expensive he wasn't sharing.
"I swear," he whispered, lips against my ear, "if you weren't walking, I'd have you up against this building."
I turned, unbuckled his belt slowly. "And what's stopping you?"
Scene: Hotel Balcony - Heat Rises
Back in the suite, champagne glasses clinked.
I stood in black lace, framed by the open balcony, city lights kissing my skin.
Devon approached from behind, shirtless, warm palms sliding along my hips.
The sound of traffic far below… the moan I let slip even softer.
"You make Paris worth more than gold," he breathed.
And then he was inside me, slow and deep - until neither of us remembered who we were pretending to be during the workday.
Scene: Breakfast Scandal
At the next morning's leadership brunch, Jasmine waltzed in - in a silk robe from our hotel.
"Oh honey," I whispered, "you bold and broke."
Devon stood. "She wasn't authorized to be here."
Security removed her mid-bite.
Cameras rolled. Gossip exploded.
And HR? They posted a formal termination on the company page within 24 hours.
Scene: Final Paris Night - Fireworks & Forever
We attended the gala in matching black:
Devon in a tailored tux, cologne strong enough to haunt dreams.
Me in a backless velvet gown that shimmered with every step.
He leaned in, breath warm against my shoulder.
"You ready for forever?"
My heart fluttered.
"Define it."
He slid a velvet box into my hand.
Inside, a diamond that caught the reflection of every Paris light.
"You. Me. No more 'after hours.' Just... always."