But they all turned to ash on her tongue because she knew she couldn’t ask them. Cassian had never promised her anything. If she hadn’t precipitated making love, they could very well have not seen each other since the wedding if they’d embarked on IVF. And so, if this was all she was going to get…this desperate hungry need, then she would take it.
Lili twined her arms around Cassian’s neck and revelled in the feel of his hard body against hers and as their mouths met and as he joined their bodies, she told herself this was fine. She would survive this when it was over. She’d survived a lot worse.
* * *
‘And I really like this look, showcasing the original features but with a more modern touch in the decoration.’
Cassian responded by gently biting Lili’s bottom. She dropped her phone and turned around. ‘Hey, you’re not taking this redecoration stuff seriously.’
‘Oh, I am,’ he said, nipping at her flesh again and moving back up so they were side by side, on their elbows. She’d been showing him online mood boards of inspiration for the redecoration. ‘Very seriously. I trust your judgement, Lili. Go for it.’
She looked at him. ‘You have no thoughts on what you’d like?’
Cassian flopped onto his back. ‘This place hasn’t been decorated since before my parents’ time. Anything would be an improvement.’
‘Thanks,’ she said dryly, ‘I think.’
He looked at her. ‘I leave for Monte Carlo later this morning.’
Lili pushed down the trepidation she felt when he said that. Not only fear for his safety but also because she had a foreboding that Monte Carlo was going to be some kind of watershed for them. He’d be back in his world, reminded of all the reasons why coming home to Lake Como was vastly more boring than what he was used to.
Lili had been a diversion. A novelty.
‘Come with me. I have an apartment there.’
It took Lili a second to understand what he’d said. Her eyes widened. ‘You want me to come with you?’
Something flashed across his face but it was gone so fast she couldn’t decipher it. She was afraid it had looked like regret. But he nodded. ‘Sure, why not? You’ve never been to a motor race before and Monte Carlo is the most dramatic arena in the world.’
‘And,’ he went on, ‘there’s a charity event hosted by the racing governing body in the Hotel de Paris the night before qualification. We could use it as an opportunity to appear in public together again.’
Her fizzing insides deflated a little. It was just an opportunity. But even so, she wasn’t strong enough to resist. She shrugged and echoed his words. ‘Sure, why not?’
He reached for her, putting his hands on her waist and urging her closer so that she lay over his body. They were welded together. Chest to chest, hips to hips. She could feel him, between her legs, growing harder. Again. Her heart sped up.
‘Now, what was it you wanted to discuss about chinoiserie on the walls in the bedrooms?’
Lili rolled her eyes and pressed her mouth to his. He gripped her hair, angling her head so he could plunder her deeply and Lili pushed everything else deep down where she would ignore it for as long as possible.
* * *
Monte Carlo was an assault on the senses. Stunning location, built into the hills with the Alps on one side and the Mediterranean on the other. There were scores of people everywhere. More sleek yachts than Lili had ever seen crowding the marina. Structures set up along the race route which took place on the narrow winding streets of the municipality where Cassian was driving them in an open-top sports car. Shades on, wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt. He was every muscular inch the elite sportsman and as people spotted him they called out, ‘Cassian Corti! We love you!’
Lili was glad she was wearing shades too. To hide her scowl at all the women screaming for Cassian.
They wound their way up into the streets away from the circuit and Lili could see that every building and street oozed with luxury and wealth. Tall buildings, old and new towered over them. Honey-coloured stone adding to the overall impression of extreme luxury and wealth.
Cassian slowed down and turned into an underground car park under one of the older buildings. An attendent met them and took their bags while another attendant jumped into the car to park it.
They got into an elevator and it went all the way to the top. Cassian’s apartment was the penthouse and an outdoor terrace had spectacular views all the way down to the marina and over to the royal palace, at a little distance away. Designer stores lined the streets below and there were small lush green spaces. Tourists wandered around taking it all in.
‘Good afternoon, Monsieur Corti.’
Lili turned around from where she’d been looking at the view to see a man dressed in a butler’s uniform greeting Cassian who said, ‘Marcel, how are you?’
‘Very well, ready for the race on Sunday?’
‘I’m always ready, Marcel, you know that.’
