Eventually, they stumbled over to a hill of rocks that stretched out into the Mediterranean Sea to relax for the first time since they awakened early that morning. Watching the waters roll in and out beneath them, January clutched his waist, knowing how quickly these moments could be swept away.
“So, you must be excited about your next project,” Nigel said. “It must be fun to do something different with each film. I suspect it doesn’t get dull.”
“Oh, no, it’s deadly boring,” she said. “Same directors. Same studio execs. My co-star is a former colleague from my sketch comedy days—so I’ll enjoy seeing him and his family while I’m in Los Angeles. But it’s not as thrilling as it appears in the magazines. And some days, you’re just waiting in your trailer for something to happen.”
“Really?”
“Equipment breaks down. Actors refuse to come to work. There can be any number of delays,” she explained. “But you always have to look like a star in case the film’s publicist brings in a reporter for a sneak peep. And films are shot completely out of sequence. Half the time I’m not sure what really happens until the premiere.”
“Come on…” he pulled on her hand. “How do you get your inspiration if you don’t know where the character is coming from?”
“Oh, I read the whole script, but cuts and changes are made along the way. You just never know.” She pursed her lips, thinking that she was probably boring the hell out of him. “At one time, I thought it was fun. But I realized quickly that I really don’t like Los Angeles. It’s all fake boobs, fake tans, fake hair—fake people who overrate their own sense of importance.”
“You’re a New Yorker at heart?”
She cocked her head to think for a moment. She’d had so many homes over the last decade that she wasn’t so sure where she belonged. “I suppose,” she said thoughtfully. “I connect with the people there—with the vibe. But New York is also one of the most exhausting cities in the world. You know that. It’s a rush to everything. And I never understood why. Another train will come. There are thousands of taxis on the street. Why the fuck are you in such a god damn hurry?”
Nigel chuckled. “That leaves us with Paris,” he reminded her. “Any warm and fuzzy feelings there?”
“I used to have them,” she admitted softly. “It’s calmer. The city caters to the hopeless romantic in my soul. My time there afforded me a bit of escapism. But…”
“But we both left huge pieces of our hearts there,” Nigel finished her sentence. “And I think we’re still fighting that battle to some extent.”
“Yeah…” January’s voice was barely a murmur—as if she couldn’t even admit that to herself. “You’re right. But I love that we can say that out loud…to each other.”
“Without reservation,” Nigel added.
Like a passenger on a sinking ship clinging to her life preserver, she held on to Nigel’s collar. “Without reservation,” she repeated. “But I think we can both agree on Provence…”
“Ah, yes, my darling.” He pecked her lips with a quick kiss. “We’ll always have Provence…”
Just as the sun began to set against the blue and orange sky, the lights of the Marseille skyline illuminated along the hillside behind them. The volleyball match ended in cheers and boos, and suddenly all was quiet on Plage du Prophète but for the echoes of traffic from the highway.
Conversation lightened, and they tentatively mapped out the next couple of days. January couldn’t remember the last time she’d taken a true vacation, but neither could Nigel. Etienne always preferred to travel to the Greek Isles every summer, but his time usually revolved around the girls. Although she never complained, January would have loved some time alone with just him.
Looking back now, January told Nigel, she wondered if that, too, figured into Etienne’s fear of intimacy. He always had to have his children around to keep January at arm’s length. A vacation alone might have forced him to show some emotions.
“I’m glad he was so aloof,” Nigel said. “In a smug, self-serving way.”
January turned in his arms. “You’re not…jealous of him, are you?”
“Not in the least,” Nigel insisted. “If he made you happy, you wouldn’t be here with me right now.”
“You mean that, don’t you?”
“I’m nothing, if I’m not honest...” He shook his head and turned away. “And what about Charlotte? Does it bother you that I still talk about her?”
“Oh, Nigel, that’s a completely different ballgame here.” She took his hand and held it to her lips for a kiss, then snuggled it against her cheek. “You loved her, and you lost her in such a horrific way. I don’t expect you to ever forget her memory or to stop talking about her. She was an important part of your life that was taken away from you.”
“You know, this past week, I’ve…I’ve thought of her less than I usually do.” Nigel squinted his eyes closed as if he were in pain. “And when I realized that she wasn’t constantly in my thoughts, I felt guilty for a bit.”
“I would think that’s a normal reaction.”
“It is,” he said. “And then I reminded myself that Charlotte wouldn’t want to see me so unhappy. And I think she’d tell me that I was being unfair to you.”
“In some ways, I really believe that Etienne and Charlotte were both in our lives for a purpose.”
As darkness settled over them, he noticed January shivering, and he placed his jacket around her shoulders. Nigel always planned ahead. “We needed them to teach us to appreciate what we have in life.”
“We have each other now…” As soon as she spoke the words, she held her breath, waiting for his reaction.
“We do have each other.”
Before it got too late, Nigel helped her to safer ground. The beach was well lit, but he didn’t want to take chances. On the sand beneath the moonlight, they talked and kissed, languishing in each other’s arms. Their suite, the butler and dinner had all been forgotten.
All the while, though, throughout the quietude of the night, Nigel wondered if this was just the beginning…or the calm before the storm.
Chapter Twenty-One
Morning delivered another beautiful day, but Nigel had forgotten to close the curtains. January didn’t mind the strong sun streaming through, though. In fact, she got up to open the windows to fill the room with that salty air, and then she crawled back into bed beside Nigel to tickle him awake.
Thoroughly rested, she burned with boundless energy, and January dragged Nigel from his slumber to the bathroom. She wanted to make use of that huge tub.
While they lingered in the sudsy water, Nigel’s sleepy hands made their slippery journey over her body. For once, they didn’t feel rushed. Conversation was just as important as touching. Once more, January appreciated the calm. Certainly, they would play later since she did have her entire stash of toys with her, but now, she was more than content with a quiet lazy morning of lovemaking.
After showering and dressing for the day, they retreated to the terrace for breakfast. A new day brought a new butler, and January decided she liked him immediately. His sense of warmth added a bit of frivolity to the lazy morning, and he didn’t seem to care that she was an actress. In fact, he teased them about “young love” while he poured their coffee.
January found their server’s observation amusing, considering that she didn’t feel so youthful, but his pleasant presence was a welcome start to their busy day.
“Too many churches; too little time…” Nigel said as the parking attendant pulled up with his car in the front of the hotel.
They both had a list of sites they wanted to see, and as they drove through the city, January tried to make sense of where to go first.
The downtown center of Marseille reminded her of a miniature Paris. The buildings and monuments looked similar in architecture with grand structural details and Juliet balconies but on a much smaller scale. Marseille even featured its own Arc de Triomphe, which amused Nigel.
Hell,
she didn’t even really care where they went, just as long as she could hold his hand as they explored something new together.
They parked the car as close to the harbor as they could since most of the area was closed to traffic. The display of yachts along the water left them both gasping. Although January made a considerable amount of money, she couldn’t fathom wasting her cash on boats and unnecessary toys of the rich. In truth, she could have afforded a bigger apartment in Paris, but she loved the building and the neighborhood. History and location were far more important to her than status symbols.
“What would Ms. Gallimore like to do first?” Nigel asked as they stopped along the waterfront to watch one of the huge cruise ships make its stop. “We could see if they have any cabins available—perhaps in Steerage?”
January turned in his arms and shook out her ponytail dramatically. “Maybe we could get into a wild and crazy game of naked shuffleboard?”
Through their laughter, his lips kissed her. “What would the Captain say?”
“He’d probably want to watch.”
When they broke apart, he still held her hand. It was a hot, sticky day, and the sun burned above them.
Giddiness rushed her, as they strolled the harbor and tugged at each other’s hands. She’d forgotten how wonderful the nuances of a brand-new relationship could be. Nigel made her feel like a hopeful twentysomething again. Sometimes, he could even make her forget there was a world of life happening around them.
They decided to take a short ferry trip to gain a better view of the city from the water. Marseille seemed to rise from the sparkling Mediterranean Sea in tiers, with each level climbing higher up the mountain. Nigel stood close beside her and kissed her neck while she snapped pictures with her phone, capturing the perfect selfies of them against the backdrop of the city.
“You’ll send me those?” Nigel asked her softly. “I’d like something to look at while you’re away.”
“Me, too…” she said, kissing his lips with each word. However, she had to hold on to her heart for a moment. Beneath the surface, sentiment ran deep. Now, Nigel wanted to see her face every day. Although he hadn’t replaced Charlotte in his mind and memories, he knew now that he could open his emotions to accepting someone new.
All she could do for now was hope that he recognized her sincerity, too.
Lunchtime had arrived by the time they disembarked, and they sauntered back through the quarter. Of course, January sweet-talked the maître d’ at L’Épuisette, one of the toughest reservations to snare along the Mediterranean. However, she didn’t have to say much before he happily led them along to the best seats in the house. The wall of windows brought the sea to their table, affording a vista of the calm azure blue water gently splashing the rocks while they dined on lobster salad.
They shared a bottle of wine after their meal, and January relaxed. Between the breathtaking setting and the quiet conversation, she wanted to sit at that table with Nigel forever.
Every sip enhanced the intoxicating arousal between them. He kissed her as his hand rested upon on her thigh and then drifted daringly close to her panties. She adored the way the sun struck his face, as his low laugh tickled her ears. Tenderness had evolved quickly between them, but the notion didn’t frighten her.
Nigel’s caresses continued to tease—her face, her hands and her neck. Dizzy now, January glanced out the window and imagined they were on board one of those yachts in the harbor, frolicking on the deck. She swayed from the tickle of his fingers over her skin. If they didn’t leave soon, she knew she’d just fuck him right there on the table.
“How about we see that museum tomorrow?” he suggested and passed the waiter his credit card. His finger pressed against her lips as she began to protest. “They’re probably glad to be rid of us.”
“What do we do with that butler?” she wondered out loud. “I’ve never had this issue before.”
Pondering their problem, Nigel raised his coffee cup to his lips. He had to sober up a bit to drive. The walk to the car with the fresh sea breeze would certainly awaken him. “Neither have I,” he said finally. “But don’t worry. I’ll take care of him.”
A dramatic sigh rippled through her lips. “My Dommy…”
“Don’t make me laugh, January!” Desperately, he tried to gulp his coffee and considered having a second. “And don’t make me go Dommy on you.”
“I have a trunk full of toys back in that gargantuan suite…”
Wrinkling his linen napkin, he tossed it on the table. “Oh, let’s just get the hell out of here…”
Weaving through the pedestrian traffic on the crowded cobblestone street, January molded her body to his side. “So, what do you want to do with me when we get back to that room?”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ve got something stashed away…”
“The trunk is locked,” she told him. “Only I have the key.”
“I’ll break the damn thing open in that case.”
“Oh, I love it when you swear.”
“Well, bloody hell!”
“One of these days, I’m going to get a nice FUCK out of you…”
A few heads did turn, as her voice carried. “Oh, January…”
Not far from the parking lot, they stumbled upon a camera crew. Marseille was actually a popular spot for filmmakers. Squinting, she noticed the actors off in the distance. They were recognizable French celebrities, but January couldn’t remember their names. She was also too busy kissing Nigel with every other step to care.
“We’re going to end up in the backseat again,” Nigel groaned. “I just know it.”
“Nothing wrong with that…”
“It’s daylight!”
Just as her lips caught him again, the blinding flashes of cameras surrounded them, and January knew instinctively that they could be in for some trouble.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Shit!” she whispered. “Well, Dommy, welcome to my world…”
“Are we in the middle of a paparazzi storm?”
“Yup…” And January just covered her head with her scarf and pushed on through the crowd of photographers.
They must have been lurking to try to get some shots of the movie set, but someone had recognized her. She didn’t want to run because she didn’t want to draw any more attention to herself. She also didn’t want Nigel’s first experience with her reality to be a terrible one.
“Are you alright?” Nigel asked while the swarm continued to follow at their heels. “Do you need me to do anything?”
“No, I’m fine, but you’re so very sweet,” she said, her eyes looking straight ahead to the parking lot. She could clearly see his car. Now, she just hoped that they’d be able to actually get inside. “Dommy.”
“Never going to live that down, am I?”
“Nope!”
Somehow, Nigel managed to shove her into the passenger seat and made his way over to the driver’s side. The scene unfolding around them seemed surreal to Nigel. He just didn’t share the same appreciation for celebrity culture that his father had.
“January…” He turned and took her hand once he’d strapped himself in for the ride. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
Clasping his pinky finger with her own, she gripped him tightly. “I’m used to this. Are you okay?”
A hesitant smile almost formed on his lips, but he stopped himself and then shook his head. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“That’s nothing,” she assured him. “You should have seen the mess outside my apartment building when I got outed for BDSM. Xav had to sneak in and haul me out a back exit. They can be vicious, the paparazzi and press.”
Of course, she never had to have this conversation with Etienne. He knew the media all too well from his own career. January just hoped she didn’t ruin things with Nigel.
“Are you warning me?”
“Maybe I am.” Suddenly sober, she looked into his eyes. “I want you to have a clear picture of my life—and what it involves.”
“I’m not afraid,” he told her. “And you’re convincing me more and more each day that this is all worth some minor inconveniences.”
“Nigel?”
“Yes, darling?”
“Plow those motherfuckers down!”
Hightailing out of the parking lot, they drove off with the flash of cameras erupting again like sparks of fire from Mount Vesuvius. At least they could leave it all behind them. January just couldn’t deal with a chase back to the hotel.
“Um, I didn’t hit anyone, did I?” Nigel asked as an afterthought.
“I didn’t feel the crunch of bones beneath the car,” she told him. “We should be clear of all charges.”
“So, let’s return to the conversation at hand,” Nigel said, forcing himself to calm down. “That trunk of yours—is that where you keep the bodies?”
“Just body parts.” Folding her lips together, she watched him in the rear-view mirror.
However, Nigel refused to be shaken by her humor. “You mean dildos and vibrators and probes for various orifices?”
“Only you could use the words ‘dildo’ and ‘orifices’ in the same sentence.”
“Well…” Stopping at a light, he turned to her with a shrug. “Isn’t that where you use the aforementioned dildos?”
“You are one cute Dommy, you know that?” As she moved to try to pinch his rosy cheek, the light changed, and he jerked away. “I still make you blush.”
“I think that’s a punishable offense.” He stuck his chin out with confidence.
“Now, we’re talking business!”
Once they returned to the hotel, they scooted through the lobby and retreated to the private elevator, where January just hiked her legs up and wrapped them around his waist. Steady in his strong arms, she grabbed his face and kissed his lips, but Nigel held firm.
“You need a Naughty Chair,” he nagged against her seeking mouth.
The suggestion only motivated her, and she kissed him harder, nearly taking his breath before the elevator finally opened on the top floor.
SMITTEN (Paris Après Minuit) Page 30
