French Wanker - Victoria Pinder Page 0,22
ex-fiancé certainly hadn’t ever done anything to make my toes curl. No man ever had. Honestly, I’d thought orgasms were lies and had accepted I was too controlling to have them.
Soon, I’d have to find a new career, but for now I was here, with Quentin. He was temporary and a respite from life.
Last night, my eyes had gone to the back of my head, and I understood the term la petite mort now in a way I never really believed.
I needed this, clearly.
And I never slept so soundly next to a man. That was an understatement; I didn’t actually sleep alone in my own bed either, because I spent hours figuring out problems in my head. Or I had nightmares about the wedding that wasn’t. Part of me probably understood I never should have wanted to marry Marlon.
This bliss in my skin and soul was jarring.
As Quentin opened his eyes, I smiled, and we worked together to clean the rooms and ourselves.
No words were necessary, and this morning was like we had no secrets.
Sharing was sweet. And words might break the spell I was in.
Once we were ready, we headed out and grabbed breakfast on the veranda with other people, but I hardly noticed anyone. It was like I had this internal glow that made me forget everything except for Quentin’s nearness.
We’d dropped our bags off at the checkout desk, and we were free to head to Monte Carlo later.
As his girlfriend. The words rushed into my veins as we picked a table. I laughed to myself. A weeklong boyfriend sounded nice.
We headed to the buffet to grab coffees and fresh pastries. He took a carafe for us for refills. Quentin’s brown eyes captured my attention, and my body was on tenterhooks, aching for more.
As we returned to our seat, he drank his coffee, and his delicious lips caught my gaze. It was like the air itself had changed him. His shoulders, his face, everything about Quentin was more peaceful. As I finished my croissant and let the morning air cool my skin a little, I picked up my coffee and said, “You are so relaxed here.”
He poured more coffee from our carafe. “I’m with the sweetest woman in the world who only sees me as me. There are no expectations to be anyone else, and it’s nice. After Monte Carlo, I’m heading back to my own vineyard, so I’ll have your beauty in my heart, forever.”
Damn. What a way to start the day. I had no response to that. I imagined for a moment what leaving my home and following Quentin would be like. A vineyard was nothing like Pittsburgh where many streets were surrounded by trees and forest, but it wasn’t the sweet smell of grapes and simple life. I only knew the last phase of wine when it’s poured in bottles, but the production had a palatable component to the imagination.
“Where exactly are you moving then?” I asked.
He smiled like he relived a memory of his youth, though I had no way to know for sure. “Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer. We have a small replica of the Statute of Liberty.”
Now that was interesting. “Why?”
He shrugged. “The sculptor donated it to our town, and it’s in the square.”
How many statues were there? I’d have to google it. “That’s interesting.”
He kissed the back of my hand. “I didn’t know I’d find an American so enchanting.”
Butterflies went up my skin from his touch, like my body was ready to rock again for more of his mind-numbing sex. But we were clothed and sitting in company, so I crossed my legs and asked, “So, the Statue of Liberty is now some symbol of me flying into your life?”
He winked. “Why not?”
I was absolutely not falling in love with Quentin. At the end of the week I’d fly home and rebuild my life. I had sisters, friends, and a home. Besides, he’d made it clear he wasn’t looking for a long-term relationship anyhow.
And I’m not chasing after another guy. Now was all we had.
I pressed my elbows on the table and leaned in close. “I didn’t know you were so wistful.”
He kissed me, and I sat back, completely full.
He finished his breakfast, and we grabbed our things, checked out, and made it to our rental car. He put my bag in the trunk and opened the passenger door for me.
I scooted in like I was a princess. I took a moment to put on some lipstick and checked that my hair was good.
As he