French Wanker - Victoria Pinder Page 0,32
better to just privately remember. I’d be fine. “I don’t know,” I said slowly, “but thank you.”
The waiter came with the bill, and Simon grabbed it. “We’ll see you tonight?”
I took my girl’s hand and pushed my seat to stand. “Kara and I are going to stay in our rooms.”
Simon’s blue eyes were steely when he said, “Breakfast then. I insist.”
A good time to say goodbye then. I nodded. “Fine.” I stood and asked, “Kara, are you ready to go?”
She joined me, let me go for a moment, and shook hands with everyone around her. “See you all tomorrow.”
We walked in silence out of the restaurant in the hotel and headed toward the elevator. As we neared the bank she asked, “Can I ask how your brother died?”
And there he was, like a ghost wanting life again. I pressed the up button. “He was in a boating accident. He didn’t pack enough life vests and decided he was invincible. Simon and Calliope were in the boat.”
“That’s sad,” she said.
“I had taken the vest and left it in our garage. I forgot to tell him as I was more interested in finishing my homework when they left that day. I’d thought he’d see it on his way.”
I’d killed him. I should have called out or mentioned it. As a result, I lived my life in hiding until I’d finished school and moved to Paris on my own.
“Things change fast, Kara,” I continued. “The day I met you I hadn’t expected another life changing moment.”
The words had just come out again. Maybe she’d been right about my country character traits because I might be falling in love with her. I had no right. I was a horrible choice for her.
I blinked and realized I was in love already. I’d never tell her. Hopefully, she was right that I’d fall out of love, too, but my gut twisted; that wasn’t likely.
“You had that?”
I’d not talk about it more. She didn’t love me back, and she was leaving. I caressed her cheek and said, “Let’s not talk about it. Let’s get you naked in the room.”
The elevator came, and we were alone. As the doors closed, she said, “You’ll have to win my clothes off.”
My eyebrow went up. She had my full attention. “Win?”
She nodded. “I have an idea.”
“I’ll prove my worth then,” I said as the doors opened.
The faster I get her to the room, the faster I get to find out what I needed to do to get her clothes off her. I’d never thought a woman’s essence might cure anything, but Kara was everything I needed. Now.
Chapter 13
Kara
Finally, we were alone. My hair stood on end. I learned so much about him tonight. Quentin brought me back to our room—or, more specifically, to our private balcony.
As a good man, he set up everything I’d told him.
Tonight, we gambled, but just us. With the city lights and ocean around us, this scene was paradise already.
After a little rearranging, we saw the sunset over the Mediterranean around us, from our small table overlaid with a white tablecloth, a bottle of wine, and cards. To get naked here was daring as I wanted to hide. For him, I’d be willing to try.
Quentin dared me to be different.
He dealt the cards, and at first, we were just having fun. But after the sun disappeared, the game grew heated. I’d lost my shoes and might soon be losing my dress—if he called my bluff.
Truth be told, I wanted to lose, but I would never, ever tell him that.
“You got a text earlier from Simon.” I took my cards and moved them around like I was making pairs that I didn’t have. “So, what are we doing tomorrow with your friends after breakfast?”
He showed off those dimples of his now as he took his cards. “Going to the casino.”
“Why?” I asked and my heartbeat grew faster.
He then knocked on the table. I picked up and actually made a match of sevens and discarded.
“His wife wants to see it, and you want to, too.”
“I do?”
“They filmed a few Bond movies there, and there is some fundraiser, so we need to dress formally.”
“Formal? I don’t have anything in my bag,” I said and showed my cards.
He then showed me his triple, so I stood and unzipped my dress.
“We’ll get you something in the hotel shops,” he said, eyeing my every movement.
“You’re buying me a dress?” I asked as I dropped mine entirely on the ground.
My phone rang on the