Page 120 of Je T'aime, Actually

“And your place?”

Chloé gave a small shrug. “The perfect summer house,non?”

Monroe laughed, a soft sound of both disbelief and delight. “So you’re really moving here?”

“What I realised, is that where we live doesn’t matter. Here, France, we will work around it, but without you beside me, it doesn’t matter where I am, it’s no longer home. You are my home now.”

With a slow, deliberate shift, Monroe leant in and slid one leg over Chloé’s lap, settling onto her with ease. Her hands found the hem of her own T-shirt, lifting it inch by inch as her gaze locked with Chloé’s.

“I think…” she murmured, her voice low, teasing, “I’ve missed you too.”

Chloé’s hands came to rest on Monroe’s hips, her smile curving with anticipation. “Really? And now you’re going to show me just how much?”

“I might,” Monroe whispered, letting the shirt fall to the floor, “but only if you’re very, very good.”

Chloé chuckled, tugging her closer. “Oh,I’mexcellent.”

Monroe leant in lower, her breath warm against Chloé’s skin, lips barely grazing hers. “Prove it.”

Chloé smiled against her mouth, hands tightening at Monroe’s waist as she closed the distance fully, their lips finally meeting—slow, lingering, full of promise.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t desperate. It was the kind of kiss that said, “Home.” That said, “I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.”

Monroe sighed into it, melting into Chloé’s touch, the weight of days and distance lifting with every second their mouths moved together.

When they broke apart, just barely, Chloé rested her forehead against Monroe’s. “Still want me to prove it?”

Monroe’s grin was soft and wicked. “Oh, I’m going to need a lot more convincing.”

one hundred two

The sheets were already tangled around their legs, the room warm with the scent of skin and closeness. Monroe lay on her side, propped up on one elbow, trailing her fingers slowly across Chloé’s bare stomach, just watching her.

“You’re staring,” Chloé said softly, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

“That’s because I can’t quite believe you’re here,” Monroe replied, voice hushed. Her hand stilled, fingers splayed against Chloé’s ribs. “And naked in my bed.”

Chloé turned her head, their noses almost touching. “I could say the same. Though I prefer you this way.”

Monroe laughed quietly, her mouth brushing against Chloé’s. “You planning to stay a while?”

“Mm,” Chloé murmured, her hand slipping up to cup Monroe’s cheek, “long enough to make you forget I was ever gone.”

Their lips met—slow, exploratory, full of promises. Chloé shifted beneath her, a soft sound escaping her throat as Monroe deepened the kiss, hands already roaming, relearning.

Monroe pulled back slightly, breath catching. “I missed this. I missed you.”

Chloé looked up at her, serious now. “Then take your time. I told you, I’m not going anywhere.”

Monroe’s breath warmed the curve of Chloé’s neck as she trailed slow, open-mouthed kisses along her collarbone. Chloé’s fingers threaded into Monroe’s hair, tugging gently, guiding her, skin to skin, their bodies pressed together, a familiar rhythm already beginning to pulse between them.

“I want to feel everything,” Chloé whispered, voice low and aching.

“You will,” Monroe promised, her words feathering over Chloé’s skin like a gentle touch.

She kissed a path down, tasting the soft curve of Chloé’s breast, her tongue flicking gently before her mouth closed around her nipple. Chloé arched, her breath catching, one leg slipping between Monroe’s as her muscles flexed and tensed.

Monroe moved with unhurried focus, as if she were reminding them both what it meant to belong—here, like this, with no screens between them, no hours lost to distance.