CHAPTER 1
Mark
Onemoment you’re living through the grind of life, and the next moment, your wildest dreams come true.
My heart was still racing from the meeting I’d just left. Head of Marketing for Beauté Éternelle—the world’s leading cosmetics company? I should’ve pinched myself just to be sure I was not dreaming. A mix of excitement and joy leaped like waves at the pit of my stomach. I smiled like a lunatic, staring out at the New York skyline from my corner office window.
And not just that. I’d be leading the Paris lipstick campaign. Six months in the City of Light, spearheading what could be the most revolutionary product launch in the company’s history.
Amelia was going to be so proud when I told her about the promotion. The raise alone would change so much for our family. We could add that pool she had been secretly dreaming of, put more away for Noah and Brook’s college funds, and maybe take an additional vacation in the year.
This was everything I’d worked for since grad school.
But six months in Paris? How was I going to tell her I’d be gone for half a year?
The sharp trill of my computer interrupted my thoughts. A video call request flashed on screen.
Simone Mercier - Paris Office.
The sexy, devastatingly beautiful, and famously flirtatious assistant to our CEO. She’d be coordinating my transition to the Paris team. Which meant more face time with her. On calls, andsoon, in person.
I clicked accept, and my screen filled with the image of the gorgeous woman I only occasionally interacted with in the past.
“Mark! Congratulations!” Simone’s voice was warm and throaty, her English flavored with a French accent that made every word sound like a blissful invitation.
“Thank you, Simone. I’m still processing everything.”
She laughed, a low sound that seemed to vibrate through the speakers. She was in what looked like her office in our Paris headquarters, a rich plum floral wallpaper behind her desk. It must be late evening in Paris, which meant she worked after hours too.
She lifted a coffee cup to her lips, took a sip, and when she lowered it, there was a faint outline of foam on her upper lip. She looked right at me and darted her tongue out, slowly licking it away.
Then she smiled, and I saw the gleam of red lipstick making her lips look full and glistening.
“Paris will be very good for you,” she said, leaning back in her chair. “The nightlife here, it’s so exciting. So... freeing.”
She was wearing a silky blouse in a pearly pink shade that looked translucent under the clear ceiling lights in her office. The top three buttons were undone, revealing the hollow of her throat and the beginning of her cleavage.
“Freeing?” I managed, trying to keep my eyes on her face.
“Oui. Away from routine, away from the everyday. You can be anyone you want to be here.” She adjusted her position, and I caught a glimpse of a tight black bra struggling to contain soft curves. “You know, many expat spouses, they have... arrangements.”
“Arrangements?” My mouth felt dry.
Simone leaned forward dramatically, her blouse falling open just enough that I could see more of her breasts pushing against the lace. She had to know what she was doing.
“When people move to Paris for work assignments, they understand that six months is a long time to be apart. Or even together. But in a new place, with new possibilities.” She smiled knowingly. “People get creative with how they handle things.”
I shifted in my chair, very aware that I shouldn’t be looking where I was looking.
She noticed. Of course she noticed.
“When you arrive in Paris,” she continued, her voice dropping lower, “you can reach out to me for anything. Anything at all.” She paused, her eyes locked on mine through the screen. “Any time of day, or night.”
She emphasized that last word—night—and winked.
“I’ll... I’ll keep that in mind,” I stammered.
“I look forward to working closely with you, Mark. Very closely.”
