The Temptress

by C. J. Fallowfield

  ‘Are you jealous, ma belle?’ he chuckled. ‘We live in separate parts of the house, but sometimes I return to my old apartment, it held fond memories for me, of you. One day I would like to take you back there again.’

  ‘I’d like that too,’ I smiled. I moaned as he carefully lifted me off him.

  ‘I must go now, or I will never leave,’ he sighed. He clasped my face and kissed me again, as I clung to the material of his shirt. ‘When I know when I will be back, we will make plans, but do not deny me your company for a whole night at least.’

  ‘I can see you Saturday or Sunday, after I’ve put him to sleep,’ I confirmed. ‘Luc, thank you. For being so understanding, for taking me to see your beautiful home, for my stunning pendant and for … everything that you’ve said. It means so much to me.’

  ‘As do you to me. Au revoir, ma belle. Je t’aime.’ He replied, with a final kiss before he quickly undid the door and strode off to his car. I immediately spotted the PI with the camera, jumping to attention in the car parked on the opposite side of the street and flicked my head to signal to Luc. He hesitated for a moment, then quickly strode back, grabbed my hand and pulled me outside. Before I knew what was happening, I’d been dipped into an old fashioned Hollywood kiss, which lingered, taking my breath away. He finally righted me and guided me back indoors. ‘There, now she has something to get her knickers in a twist over,’ he chuckled.

  I watched him driving away with a heavy heart. Was it normal to miss someone so soon? I locked up and headed for a much needed shower, finally curling up in bed at three a.m. For the first time since he came back into my life, I felt as if things were weighted in our favour.

  Cards on the Table

  Lulu

  Friday

  I browsed the stunning gemstones, all protected behind toughened glass display cases, spotlights angled on them to show them off at their best. None had prices on, a sure sign that they were out of even my price bracket. I reached up to touch my diamond from Luc, smiling as I did, turned around and bumped into someone standing at my side.

  ‘O my God, I’m so sorry,’ I exclaimed, gripping his toned bicep to steady myself.

  ‘Don’t worry about it, one often gets lost in the moment of true beauty,’ smiled the handsome guy, kitted out in a sexy navy three piece suit.

  ‘They are stunning diamonds,’ I agreed as I released him.

  ‘I wasn’t looking at the diamonds,’ he replied with a cheeky wink. I narrowed my eyes at him. Dirty blond hair, piercing blue eyes and a build to rival Luc’s? I knew exactly who I was looking at.

  ‘For someone who seems intent on bedding my best friend, Mr. Donovan, I would suggest hitting on me is not one of your smarter moves.’ I smirked as he looked startled.

  ‘I’m sorry, have we met? You seem to have me at a disadvantage.’

  ‘Lulu McQueen, best friend of Coco Barrella,’ I replied, offering my hand. He broke into a wide smile as he took it in a firm handshake.

  ‘Hunter Donovan, but then you already knew that. And for the record, when I said I wasn’t looking at the diamonds, it’s because I was looking at one, the exquisite piece around your neck that was purchased directly from me for one of my new clients. He has excellent taste in diamonds and the recipient.’

  ‘Nicely saved,’ I smiled. ‘You’re still holding my hand.’

  ‘Did you consider that in today’s equal opportunity world it might be you still holding onto mine?’ he retorted quick as a flash, as we released our grips.

  ‘Then in the spirit of equal opportunity, I feel it only fair to warn you that I hold a black belt in kick boxing.’

  ‘I’m not sure I understand your implication.’

  ‘I’m not implying anything, Mr. Donovan, I’m stating facts. If you persist in pursuing Miss Barrella and were to be lucky enough to hit the mother of all jackpots and have her agree to go out with you, and quite frankly I fancy your chances of a quadruple lottery win this week more, hurt her and I’ll show you equal opportunities in a boxing ring.’

  ‘It seems my chances have a higher possibility of a return than you think, if you feel the need to warn me. If I didn’t stand a chance at all, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,’ he grinned.

  ‘Given you’re wrapped up in such a handsome package, your chances with any woman are greatly improved, but regardless of how pretty the jewellery box, it’s the contents and their longevity that carry the greatest weight in a woman’s mind. I’d suggest you remember that. Though part of me really hopes that you won’t, the idea of seeing you in boxing shorts, begging for surrender is rather appealing.’

  ‘You have no idea how good I look in boxing shorts,’ he chuckled. ‘Though I think it would be you doing the begging.’

  ‘Trust me, I’ve every idea, but having seen the man who bought me this diamond, you think I’d be looking at your body or begging anyone else? You overestimate your appeal to womankind, Mr. Donovan.’

  ‘Who said I was interested in womankind? Maybe it’s just woman. Singular,’ he replied, as his eyes strayed over my shoulder. I looked back and smiled to see Coco appear, pushing her statement black rimmed work glasses up her nose as she brushed some lint off her pencil skirt.

  ‘Then I sincerely hope it is, or we’re back to laying bets on that boxing ring. I’ll be seeing you around, Mr. Donovan.’

  ‘I’ll look forward to it, Ms. McQueen,’ he replied with a smile, before casting a last lingering look over at Coco as she approached us, then turned on his heels and left. I grinned, Coco definitely had a not so secret admirer.

  ‘I see you met the arsehole,’ she whispered as she kissed my cheek.

  ‘Seriously hot arsehole, you downplayed that big time,’ I laughed as I slipped my arm through hers and we headed for the exit.

  ‘Urgh,’ she groaned. ‘He so is, isn’t he? I hate him. Damn him for being hot, arrogant, cocky and chauvinistic.’

  ‘I liked him,’ I shrugged.

  ‘Seriously?’ she raised her eyebrows as we stepped out into the fresh air.

  ‘He’s quick witted, a charmer, gorgeous and seriously buff.’

  ‘Hot, arrogant, cocky, filthy mouthed and chauvinistic,’ she repeated.

  ‘Well I have me one of those and trust me, it’s not all bad.’

  ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘We’re having incredibly hot telephone sex, but thank God he’s back tomorrow lunchtime. Mum’s having Tristan Saturday night until Monday morning, to give Luc and me a bit of time together.’

  ‘Have you told Tristan yet?’ she asked, as she held up her hand to wave down a passing taxi.

  ‘It’s just the two of us tonight, I’m going to test the water. Can I ask a favour?’

  ‘Sure,’ she replied as we climbed in. ‘The Ritz please,’ she instructed the driver, who nodded and set his meter. I’d promised her a champagne afternoon tea to celebrate the end of the first week in her job and given she’d had to go to New York overnight with Hunter on Wednesday, they’d told her she could have this afternoon off, so I’d booked us into the beauty salon for mani-pedis as well, before I had to dash to pick up Tristan from school.

  ‘I’d like to just talk about you. I want to hear all about your first week, what fabulous designs you’re working on and what you did to get Hunter’s boxers all in a twist over you.’

  ‘I did nothing,’ she spluttered, turning pink.

  ‘Exactly! I need your rejection of him word for word, because that boy tried it on and you knocked him back. You’ve thrown him. He reminds me of Luc, say no and they see you as an instant challenge.’

  ‘Well I’m one challenge he won’t be winning.’

  ‘I think the lady doth protest too much,’ I grinned and earned myself an elbow in the ribs.

  ‘Thank you, darling,’ I smiled as he helped me fill up the dishwasher after dinner. ‘Have I ever told you what an amazing boy you are?’

  ‘Yes,’ he nodded, a serious look on his face.

  ‘Ok, we’re
all done here. Come with me, I want to show you something.’ I held out my hand and he took it straight away as we headed upstairs into my bedroom. I lifted him up and sat him on my bed, then reached up to take the elephant picture he’d painted off the wall. I’d had it framed and put above my bed. I sat down next to him with it on my lap. ‘You know how much I love this picture you did for me?’

  ‘My elephant picture?’

  ‘Yes. I love you telling me all about it. Who’s this one?’ I asked, as I pointed at the little purple one.

  ‘Me,’ he beamed.

  ‘He’s so cute, just like you,’ I smiled and kissed the top of his head.

  ‘And this big pink one?’

  ‘That’s you Mummy, you know it’s you,’ he giggled.

  ‘Do I have beautiful long eyelashes like this?’ I asked.

  ‘Yes, Bryce says you’re the prettiest Mummy in the whole playground.’

  ‘Bryce is nearly as sweet as you,’ I laughed, battling the dry mouth that had suddenly claimed me. ‘So who’s this big blue elephant?’

  ‘That’s my daddy.’

  ‘Your daddy?’ I asked and he pulled a frown with his bottom lip out and nodded. ‘Why are you pulling a face?’

  ‘Everyone in my class has a daddy.’

  ‘Is that why you drew one, because everyone else has one?’ I watched his face as he nodded and reached out to hold my hand. ‘Having a daddy is nice, I love mine.’

  ‘Who’s your daddy?’

  ‘Grandpa is mine.’ I giggled at his shocked face.

  ‘He’s much older than Bryce’s daddy,’ he responded, with a serious look on his face.

  ‘He is. So what does Bryce’s daddy do with him?’

  ‘They play football and stuff and he carries him around on his shoulders. A lot,’ he mouthed.

  ‘Would you like a daddy to play with? One who’d carry you around too? Like Uncle Dom does?’

  ‘I like Uncle Dom,’ he grinned as he bounced on the bed.

  ‘I know you do, but he’s so busy travelling around the world he can’t come and play with you as much as he’d like. Would you like someone else to play with, when Uncle Dom can’t be here? Another man?’ I waited as he bit his bottom lip, the way I did when I was thinking, with a serious look of concentration on his face before he spoke again.

  ‘Would he like elephants?’

  ‘I think he’d love anything you loved. You remember asking me why you didn’t have a daddy and I told you that I’d lost him a long time ago and couldn’t find him?’

  ‘Did you drop him in the park? Like Eric?’

  ‘Yes, something like that,’ I smiled, remembering how devastated he’d been when we’d realised his treasured toy was missing and he’d sobbed his eyes out. We’d retraced our steps and found him on the roundabout. Tristan had been over the moon, hugging him so tightly I was worried he was going to decapitate him. ‘I lost him just like you lost Eric, but guess what?’

  ‘What?’ he asked looking up at me wide eyed, like I was telling him the most exciting story in the whole wide world.

  ‘I found him, just like we found Eric.’ I grinned, clapping excitedly, making him laugh and bounce on the bed again.

  ‘You did?’

  ‘I did and he’s so excited to come and meet you. Would you like that?’

  ‘Is he coming to play tonight?’

  ‘Not tonight, darling, he’s … on holiday at the moment. But if you’d like me to ask him to come and play with you when he comes home, I can. Maybe when I ring him in a while, you can say hello and tell him that you’d love for him to come and have dinner with us and play with your Lego?’

  ‘Can he read?’

  ‘Yes,’ I laughed. ‘He can read. Would you like it if I asked him to buy that Elmer book you wanted for your birthday? He could bring it with him when he comes to see you.’

  ‘Yes please!’ he yelled and kicked his legs excitedly.

  ‘Then we have a plan,’ I beamed as I put the picture to the side and hauled him up into my arms and kissed his face repeatedly, as a few stray tears leeched from my eyes.

  I sat on the sofa as he played with his Lego on the floor and sent Luc a text.

  How are the negotiations in China going? Do you think you can still make it back tomorrow night? Mum’s having Tristan for me if so, until Monday morning. I’ve spoken to him about you and he took it much better than expected, though of course I’m not sure he really understands fully. I’ll order one of his favourite books and wrap it up so I can give it to him and say it was from you. He was very excited to hear you could read! I’d love to speak to you if you have a moment. I miss you. Lulu x

  I pressed send and sighed. I did miss him. A few hours in his presence was so intense that it left a gaping hole when he left. I jumped as my phone rang and looked down, smiling to see it was him.

  ‘Hello.’

  ‘Ma belle,’ came his purring tone. ‘I have missed you too and this is exciting news. Do you think he’s ready to meet me?’

  ‘One step at a time,’ I warned. ‘Though what we discussed will be a good start, as will the thing I just texted you about.’ I was trying to speak in code. Not only did he love elephants, but he had ears like one as well. As if on cue, he looked up at me.

  ‘Who are you talking to, Mummy?’ he asked. I didn’t like lying to him and the more I mentioned his father, the more it may start to feel natural to him.

  ‘Your daddy. Would you like to say hello?’ I asked. He shrugged, so I patted the seat next to me wondering if he’d come. He hesitated for a moment, then wandered over and clambered up beside me. I tucked my arm around him and could hear Luc heavy breathing down the phone in anticipation. ‘Why don’t I put him on speakerphone and we can carry on talking and if you want to join in you can, ok?’ I asked and Tristan nodded, so I quickly activated it and put it on my knee. ‘So Luc, how did the …’

  ‘Who’s Luc,’ came Tristan’s voice.

  ‘That’s your daddy’s name and who I’m talking to now.’

  ‘Hello, Tristan,’ called Luc. I blinked back some tears to hear the waiver of emotion in his voice. Tristan giggled.

  ‘He talks funny.’

  ‘He does doesn’t he. Do you know why?’ I asked and he shook his head. ‘Because he’s French. Dire, bonjour,’ I suggested.

  ‘Bonjour,’ he sang, his accent almost perfect, making my heart melt.

  ‘Bonjour, Tristan. What are you doing?’

  ‘Playing Lego.’

  ‘I love Lego. Do you have the Big Zoo kit with the elephants?’

  ‘No! Mummy there’s an elephant one?’ Tristan gaped up at me, excitement all over his face.

  ‘Maybe there is. Why don’t you ask Luc if he’s seen one,’ I suggested. Luc had asked me if he could buy him a present when we’d spoken on Tuesday night and I’d suggested this, knowing Tristan would be overjoyed.

  ‘There’s an elephant one?’ he asked again, his mouth close to the microphone, not quite getting the concept of the speakerphone.

  ‘There is. Maybe I could buy it for you and give it to Mummy to give to you,’ Luc suggested and Tristan looked up at me expectantly.

  ‘That would be lovely wouldn’t it, Tristan?’

  ‘Yeah,’ he nodded vigorously and shot off the sofa.

  ‘Where are you going?’ I asked.

  ‘To make room in my toy box,’ he replied, giving me a look that said it should have been my first thought.

  ‘Well say goodbye and thank you to Luc first please.’

  ‘Goodbye and thank you to Luc first please,’ he repeated, making us burst out laughing, as he looked at me with a puzzled face, not sure what was so funny.

  ‘You’re welcome, Tristan. Goodbye, au revoir.’

  ‘Au revoir,’ he called, as he raced up the stairs and out of sight. I put a hand on my chest and swallowed a lump of emotion before taking the phone off speaker.

  ‘So, I’d say that went well.’

  ‘Il parle français?’ cam
e Luc’s surprised voice.

  ‘We practice every night, since he started learning to talk. I’m not the best, but I wanted him to learn, even if he never met you. I was going to take him to Disneyland Paris and sightseeing for his seventh birthday next year.’

  ‘I cannot wait to meet him,’ he sighed. ‘It is driving me crazy being away from you and knowing he exists and I can’t pick him up and hug him.’

  ‘I can only imagine, I honestly didn’t think he’d even want to talk on the phone, so be patient, let it sink in for a while and I’ll ask if you can come for dinner one night, ok?’

  ‘Yes,’ he sighed.

  ‘Talk to me, what’s been happening, how did your meeting today go?’ I snuggled down on the sofa as I listened to him talking animatedly about what plans he’d put in place. His voice was like the softest sensual caress. I filled him in on my progress, as confident as I could be that what I’d pulled together should help, but I was dreading the meeting with her again on Monday. ‘When will you be back?’ I asked.

  ‘Do not hate me, I have some business that I must attend to in Paris, in case Myrtille proceeds with her plans on Monday. I had hoped to leave Hong Kong tonight, to come straight back to England, but c’est impossible.’

  ‘I understand,’ I replied quietly, surprised at how disappointed I felt.

  ‘You are cross with me,’ he observed.

  ‘No, not cross, what you’re doing is very important, I get that. I just … I was looking forward to seeing you. We still have so much to learn about each other.’

  ‘What do you want to know? Ask me anything. I am, how do you English say, an open book.’

  ‘You’ve never mentioned your parents or any siblings.’

  ‘Because I have none,’ he stated, factually. ‘I was abandoned as a child and passed from one foster home to another. When I was old enough to fend for myself, I lived on the streets.’

  ‘Luc, I’m so sorry.’ I didn’t know what to say, I’d never have imagined this well-spoken, intelligent and successful man would have had such a background. I’d assumed he came from a wealthy and privileged family. ‘How old were you?’