“The camera loves you two.” Mattia moved into the water and focused his camera from below them. “Kiss her. Yes!” he called.
Mattia called for a break. Another assistant brought her and Jack bottles of water. Wrapped in a blanket, Monique dug deep for some energy.
“Final set of shots as the sun is setting. Jack, scoop her into your arms and bring her from the waves as if you are carrying her off to make passionate love to her,” the photographer cooed.
“You do realize, in the old days, that is exactly what I would be doing. But, alas, I have George.” Jack laughed.
“Hmm, I remember those days.” Monique kissed the top of his head.
“One more time,” Mattia asked. The photographic team and some people from the crowd clapped. After they completed the second set of shots, the photographer called the shoot to a close.
“Darling, I want to hear all about George. I have to tell you, if you had to give me up, I’m happy it’s for him.” Monique and Jack made plans for dinner.
“Monique, you will always be my best girl,” Jack teased.
Monique wanted to take a shower and a nap before she met up with him and George at Del Frisco’s for dinner. As Jack packed up his things and left with his chauffeur, Monique turned to Mattia and thanked him.
“You’re as beautiful as ever. I will have the proofs by the weekend.” Mattia kissed both of Monique’s cheeks.
Next, she faced Alain. “Vacate my villa. I am staying the night, and then I will be checking out first thing in the morning. On your way out, you can speak to hotel security and let them know.”
“Monique, please stop being so foolish. At least let me stay one more night,” Alain pleaded.
“Mon dieu, one more night, and then we both check out tomorrow and go our separate ways.” Together they walked up the beach to their waiting car.
* * *
He watchedhis temptress smile for the photographer. The older Italian man did not threaten him. Then he spotted the handsome man kissing her in the water. “Who is that? He does not deserve to share the same air as her. How dare he?”
He made his way down the beach and walked past security. “Excuse me, I know the model was Monique Lillier, but who was the man with her?”
The security guard did not even look at him. His eyes were scanning the area around Monique. “His name is Jack Martinez.”
“Martinez.” That was all he needed. With a curt “thank you,” he left the beach.
* * *
The soakingtub provided relief to her frozen bones. Sinking down into the warm water, she started to doze. Her lips turned up as her mind conjured up her fantasy. She watched him approach; his dark hair was cut short. Blue eyes smoldered above a sexy smile, exposing perfect white teeth. Broad shoulders and a muscled chest led to a perfect waist, stacked atop strong thighs that carried him through long, full strides.
Monique choked and sputtered as her head drifted below and then above the water line. She chuckled at getting carried away with her daydream as she climbed from the tub.
Wrapped in a towel, Monique sat at the dressing table to apply her makeup. Her heart rate increased. With care and fear, she opened her moisturizer. Staring at the open container before touching it, she took a cotton-tipped applicator and dabbed some on the counter. When nothing happened, she took a sniff. Next, she applied some to the back of her hand. Convinced it was safe, she put on her moisturizer.
“You’re getting paranoid.” Once her moisturizer was on, she proceeded to double-check everything she applied.
Her paranoia continued as she plugged in her hairdryer. Holding it away from her body, she flicked the toggle to on. It did what blow dryers did—dried her hair.
Since arriving that morning, she hadn’t taken time to unpack. After setting the suitcase on its stand, she opened the zipper. With a deep breath, she found everything as she’d left it. She decided on a pair of black ankle pants and a short-sleeve black sweater. When she switched hotels, she would unpack and iron her not-so-pack-friendly outfits.
“Meow,” a large tabby cat named Soleil, her constant travel companion, called to her.
“There you are, my boy.Viens ici.” She patted the bed. “Alain let you out of your room?”
As soon as the firefighters and police left, she found her precious cat hiding in a corner of the bathroom of the bedroom she set up for him. Her brows creased. “Alain, you knew Soleil was in the second bedroom…” her voice trailed off as she grew aware the area was silent.
She walked up the stairs to the second floor of the villa. Soleil leapt from her hands as her gaze fell upon Alain, who was lying on the floor, shirtless. He stared, lifeless, at the ceiling.
“Alain, Alain!” she cried, dropping to her knees. He didn’t seem to be breathing, so she felt for a pulse. A faint beat was present.
