“Good! If it makes you feel better, I’ll ask Bastien if he knows Ivanov well. That way you can put an end to whatever bull she’s trying to spread.”
“That would be marvelous, sweetheart. Before I go, I wanted to ask if you started that diet I told you about.”
“Not again, Mom!” she snapped, glaring at the armoire as though it were her mortal nemesis. “My weight is fine. I’m perfectly healthy!”
“Healthy doesn’t mean attractive,” came the confidence-bashing retort.
“Maybe not, but in my case, I don’t need to lose weight. Seb likes me just the way I am.”
Miranda huffed down the line. “Every man says that to his wife. He’d be an idiot not to! Don’t believe him. They’re all liars when it comes to the way they like their women to look.”
It was too early in the morning to be dealing with her mother’s bullshit. On top of that, for once in her life, she refused to let Miranda demolish her newfound pleasure in herself, her body and her sexuality. Rather than let her ride roughshod over her, she gritted her teeth. “Well, I’m sorry Dad’s like that, but I’m lucky, Mom. Sebastien isn’t. Now, if you’ve finished insulting my husband, as well as myself and the way I look, I think that’s all we need to say to each other for a little while! Good night!”
And with that, for the first time in her life, she disconnected the call and hung up on her mother.
For a second, horror trickled through her veins. It was an unspoken family rule that everyone pandered to Miranda. Devvy had no idea why, but everyone from her own father to her great-aunt Netty always treated her gently. With care. Like she was made of the most fragile of crystal.
Before the horror could stick, resolve replaced it. Her mother had no right to talk to her that way, no right to belittle her appearance or the way her husband viewed her. Every phone call with Miranda usually ended with her traipsing to the bathroom and stepping on the dreaded scales. Well, not today! She refused to let the insidious words toy with her mind, as her mother’s so-called sagacity usually did.
Enough was enough.
Whatever the repercussions of her harsh words to her mother, be it a pissed-off call from her father, or to go through a phase of Miranda sulking with her, it was worth it. She’d had enough of her mother’s bullshit. Twenty-six years of being pulled down was quite enough, thank you! Especially when she was starting to feel like she was finally settling in her own skin.
Mouth firming with purpose, she forced herself to get out of bed and to kick-start her day. She refused to think about the repercussions of her rudeness, and instead focused on the reason behind her mother’s call. The gossip about Alexei and Bastien.
Refusing to worry, she resolved to wait until Bastien returned home. He might have some idea as to why this particular piece of gossip had made it over the pond and to her parents’ circle. Until then, she’d just have to wait and there was no point in going around in circles asking herself questions she didn’t have the answer to, was there?
Chapter Seven
Devvy stretched her back, glorying in the delicious tug of muscles as she tried to loosen the tension in her shoulders. She’d been working hard on the anti-acne soap ever since Wednesday morning, when she’d returned home from Alex’s. They’d spoken on the phone since then, but she could hear the pout in his voice.
He was most definitely sulking.
The distance worked in her favor, though.
For one, she knew he missed her. The truth of it was that she missed him. It was weird how she’d grown so used to him being there, when she’d only stayed at his penthouse a few nights.
Another reason a bit of space between them was working for her, was the fact that it gave her time to think. She’d brushed off Alex’s anxiety attack when he’d promised her he’d share the reason for it when he was ready. Losing herself in her work was a natural way for her to problem-solve, and her thoughts had naturally drifted to the reason behind Alex’s behavior that first night they’d spent together.
With her mind going around in circles, she couldn’t deny she was getting very impatient. Devvy didn’t want to wait. She wanted to know what was wrong now. Not some nameless day in the future, as he’d promised.
It was only in the calm environment of her lab, with the lulling peace from her herb garden, that she realized how different she was to the Devvy who had worked at this same project a month before.
Under the care of her two men, she was starting to change. Nothing drastic. Just little things. A few weeks ago, she’d never have had the balls to tend to Alex the way she had the night of that weird anxiety attack. She’d have hovered. Uncertain as to how to act. Not wanting to disturb him for fear of him battering her with his anger.
As it was, she’d taken charge in a subtle way. Gradually getting closer to him and then cosseting him with her care. She’d enjoyed it, too. Not his anxiety, but being able to care for him. To show him how she felt. Somehow, it had been easier to show than it was to tell. Telling meant understanding and even now, days later, she was no closer to making an admission of her real feelings for Alex.
She didn’t know why she was shocked she cared so much, so quickly. Hadn’t she fallen for Bastien with a speed that had astonished her?
Six months after their first meeting and they’d been dashing into a mairie, a town hall, and making vows to one another. The cautious Devvy of old had disappeared in the face of Sebastien’s unheard-of eagerness to wed. She’d been caught up in the magic of it and even though she’d had her doubts, she’d never, not once, regretted agreeing to be his wife.
Up until now, she’d gone through her life with blinders on. Not seeing much, hiding from the rest. Then her husband had appeared and that had all changed. With his bringing Alex into their relationship, he’d simply tilted their world on its axis.
Devvy smiled at the thought that the world toppling over hadn’t been cataclysmic. If anything, it had been orgasmic.
“That smile’s devious. Should I be scared?”
“Bastien!” At his words, she spun a complete circle on her favorite ballet pumps to face the door. Spotting him there, leaning against the doorjamb in a travel-worn suit, collar unbuttoned and the knot of his tie loosened, legs crossed at the ankle and arms folded across his chest, he looked delicious.
She loved him like that, all rumpled and approachable—not the man who spent ninety percent of his life perfectly turned out. And the fact that he’d come to see her first before getting changed had her heart beating faster.
She rushed over to him and into the arms he uncrossed and held wide open for her. Tilting her head, she accepted his kiss and gave as good as she got. Within seconds, her lips had parted and his tongue was thrusting against hers, simulating the same thrust of his cock into her pussy. That ignited something in her bloodstream, like a bomb being detonated, and made her want to climb him and have him fuck her against the wall.
Devvy shuddered at the thought but knew she couldn’t be selfish. As much as he shared her desire—the urgent nudge of his cock at her belly told its own tale—the man had just come back from the airport. He’d crossed time zones and was probably swaying on his feet. Still, that didn’t stop her from shuddering as she pulled back and dotted a kiss to his cheek.
“That’s my favorite kind of welcome home,” he commented, voice husky.
“I aim to please.”
He chuckled then sighed, the sound replete as though he was really content to be there with her. “You’ve no idea how good you look.”
“Neither do you.”
He cocked a brow. “A travel-crumpled suit is the way to your heart?”
She winked, then standing on tiptoe, pressed her lips to his ear and whispered, “Makes me want to fuck you raw.”
“I shall try to always come back looking a mess if that’s what my lady wants.”
Amused, she shook her head. “Our ideas of a mess are completely different.”
“That they are. I’ll never understand women,�
�� he remarked with a wry grin, then brushed his lips against her temple. “Come on, I’ll let you fuck me raw. But I want a bed. My bed. No matter how much you spend, a hotel mattress just doesn’t compete.” As a yawn cracked his jaw, he looked around the lab, a sleepy cast to his gaze. “Do you need to finish up before we go?”
“No, I can leave everything. I just need to lock up.”
As they left the lab, she did just that and he hooked his arm around her shoulder. Together, in a comfortable silence, they walked up the lawns, through the neat pungent squares of her herb and flower patches, and toward the terrace that gave the house its name of Les Fenêtres. Only seeing all of the double-fronted panes of glass could anybody understand why the house had been given such a title. She was just relieved she wasn’t the one responsible for washing them all!
A few more steps, another staircase, and they were in the corridor leading to their bedroom.
The minute they crossed the threshold, Devvy sat down on the bed, shucked off her shoes, and lay down on top of the covers. She intended to watch the show of Sebastien stripping off. She knew from experience he might want her but his body wouldn’t let him. He’d fall asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
Every time he traveled to the US—in the two years of their marriage, he’d only done so a few times—he did the exact same thing. Only, on the very first occasion, she’d been mortified. Had thought him bored with her, or disinterested enough for him to fall asleep practically on top of her. After the second time, she’d realized it was just something he did, and she’d let him get on with it. Humoring him by always coming up to bed and taking a nap herself. He’d usually wake her up with his cock sliding home.
Just the thought had her smiling once again and as he removed his jacket, Sebastien commented, “You seem happy.”
“And you sound shocked!”
His lips twitched as he pulled off his tie and shrugged out of his jacket. “I suppose I am. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got back. I was away a lot longer than I’d intended.”
He studied her for a moment and she knew he was wondering what had happened between her and Alex. Seeing no point in prevaricating, she murmured, “I had company this time. When you go away, you’ve no idea how boring it is around here.”
“Well, I’m glad I’m useful for something, even if it is only keeping you entertained. Has Alex been the one keeping you company?”
“Yeah. I’ve been at his apartment every day.”
“That’s good. You’re enjoying being with him?”
Amused at his desire to know what had gone down between the pair of them, yet his inability to come out with the question, she told him, “I am. That first night you flew out, I went to his apartment.” She sucked in a breath, hoping Alex had been correct and that Sebastien wouldn’t be mad at his not being there that first time. “We slept together.”
Bastien paused in the act of pulling off his belt. “Ah.”
“That’s all you have to say?” she asked with a pout. She’d expected more than that for a reaction!
“It depends. Do you have any regrets?”
“None.”
His answer was a grin. A relieved and happy one. “I’d hoped that you’d take the opportunity to get to know each other when I was away. I just wasn’t sure if you’d get to that stage. I’m glad you did. How…? Did…? Zut alors.” He grunted, and rolled his eyes at his own stuttering. “Did everything go okay?”
Charmed at his fumbled question, she nodded. Unsure as to whether or not to mention Alex’s “episode,” she kept quiet about that and simply said, “It went perfectly.”
The dopey grin had returned. He swiped his hand over his jaw. The sound of his skin rubbing against stubble was audible in the quietness. “You know, I never imagined you’d accept all of this so easily. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining. I’m just…relieved.”
“I don’t understand it either, but I feel like I’ve known him a very long time. It’s made it easier to get to know him, and I didn’t lie when I said it’s because of who he is. I’ve had a crush on him for so long. Since I was a teenager. Other kids drooled over singers or actors. I drooled over Alex. And then, you offered him to me on a platter…. It has all worked in your favor.”
“It has, hasn’t it?” He chuckled.
Curious, she asked, “I know you’re tired, Bastien, too tired to talk about anything serious, but this thought has been bugging me. Who first mentioned the idea of a third?”
In the act of shrugging out of his pants and boxers, an act that had her attention switching to his semi-hard cock, he paused, a frown on his face as he contemplated her question. “It’s hard to say. We’ve talked about it for so long. Wanted it for nearly fifteen years or so.”
“Who pushed for it though?”
His eyes were distant, remembering. “Alex, at first. When we got together, he was still pretty young.” Bastien grimaced. “Both of you are far too young for me.”
“Most men wouldn’t make that sound like a complaint!”
“I’m not complaining,” he denied. “Just…I’m too old for both of you.”
Devvy snorted. “You know our backgrounds. We’re used to being around mature people.”
“Mature. Read ancient.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re wonderful for my ego.”
“Being twenty years younger than you is as big a sop to your ego as anything.”
His chagrin was swallowed up in his laugh. “I’ll stop feeling sorry for myself. I see I’ll get no pity for my antiquity from your quarter.” He climbed into bed, going under the covers, grunting with relief as his spine hit the mattress, and the duvet cosseted him in its soft, giving warmth. She maneuvered herself so she could climb underneath the sheets too, and the minute she did, he curled onto his side and grabbed her to him. He settled his face into the crook of her neck, hooked his arm over her waist, and pinned her back to his chest. They’d fall asleep like this, but as time progressed, they’d pull apart and stick to their own respective sides.
Devvy was, or so Bastien accused, a bed hog.
“Alex was about twenty-four when he mentioned it the first time.”
“How did you react?”
Devvy wasn’t entirely sure why this mattered, but she was sure it did. Two men, happily in love, whether they were bi or not, didn’t just decide to look for a third partner to complete the circle. Something had to happen to instigate the process, right? She could have been wrong, and if that was the case, there was no harm done in asking a few questions. There was something here, she could feel it. Her instincts were on red alert. Instincts that had been triggered by Alex’s behavior.
She couldn’t say for definite if the reason behind the threesome idea was in any way connected to the other night’s anxiety attack. She just felt as though it could be a possibility.
On the other hand, there was something Devvy was certain of. Alex’s style of interior decoration might be minimalistic, but he was not a minimalist creature. He amassed clutter. Alex had shown her his lab the other day. Proudly shown off his spores and other material he was researching. He’d introduced his PA, a rather harried-looking woman by the name of Kate. She’d had no time to do anything but smile a greeting before she went around clearing up after Alex.
There was a reason behind the almost manic emptiness of Alex’s apartment.
A man didn’t buy a penthouse, in Paris no less, that was the size of an entire building’s story and keep it empty for no reason.
The piano room, maybe. But the rest of the apartment was obsessively bare as well.
There was a puzzle to be solved, whether Alex wanted it solving or not.
Had he not broken down in front of her, she might never have suspected anything was amiss. As it was, she knew something was happening behind the façade he presented to the world at large and to the pair of them. He was a charmer. It was a part of his nature. But there was something else. Something he was hiding.
She was dead certai
n Sebastien was unaware of it.
Which meant Alex had been keeping secrets. For a very long time.
If Sebastien had expected Alex to break down after they consummated their relationship, he’d either have warned her beforehand, or he’d have asked after Alex when she revealed the truth.
Were she to share the news that Alex had leapt off the bed, terrified, then huddled up on the floor like a little boy seeking shelter from the bogeyman, she just knew Sebastien would be astounded by the revelation.
A part of her wondered how Alex could hide something so major from his lover for so long. The fact they lived apart probably helped. After so long together, she had imagined there were very little surprises to be had.
What the pair of them had shared together that night…Devvy wasn’t being a romantic, when she thought of it as momentous. A meeting, a clashing of two bodies that had quakes quivering their very souls. She had the feeling she’d made him vulnerable, and that weakness had allowed one of his secrets to come to the fore and wreck the perfect harmony of those moments.
Without doing some more research of her own, she didn’t intend to tell Bastien anything. Yet.
Her thoughts had carried away with her and so had Sebastien’s. At first, she thought he’d fallen asleep, because he’d taken so long to reply to her question, but his words were pensive, ponderous, as he muttered, “I’ll be honest and say I was shocked when he first mentioned it. We’d been together for nearly six years. I’d been thinking about asking him to move in with me, and almost on the same day, he brought it up. I didn’t ask him to live with me in the end. I thought, because of the difference in our ages, he must have wanted to explore still. I didn’t mind. Much. The idea turned me on.”
“Have you never lived together?”
“No. Alex lived in a sardine-tin studio at first, and even though I’d just bought an apartment, he refused to come and live with me. It was a dump, as well. But he was almost proud of it. I don’t think he was very happy at home.”
Ménage Material [La Belle sans la Bete Ménages] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 13
