He grazed his pelvis against her thigh and felt himself growing hard. She turned herself toward him as if she wanted the contact.
Julian watched his own actions intently, pushing the triangles of fabric away from her breasts, first one and then the other, exposing her nakedness. He swallowed hard; he’d been wanting to do this from the first moment he’d laid eyes on her. Cupping her breast in his hand, he leaned down and teased her playfully, running his tongue over her nipple. She moaned and arched her back, trying to find him.
“Patience, Chéri.” He gave her a smile born from affection, wanting to taste her lips now. He seized her mouth, kissing her hard and long. Watermelon. She tasted like watermelon.
Breathlessly, she locked her arms around his neck and pressed her naked breasts against his chest. Her nipples brushed firmly against his own bare skin. Urgent desire swept through him, catching him off guard.
He drew a deep breath, the sweet scent of her perfume—the Dior he’d bought her—invaded his senses. Julian grazed his fingertips over her stomach and down between her legs.
Camille let out a delightful gasp and a slight moan escaped her lips as his fingers touched her. She arched her hips, encouraging him to explore further. He danced playfully and she moved quickly trying to match his pace.
Encouraged by her, Julian’s own desire throbbed inside his briefs, desperate to be let loose. As if instantly aware of the bulge pulsating against her thigh, she reached out and touched him, running her hand along the outside of his boxers.
She quickened her pace under his touch. She was too close to the edge. He stopped abruptly, pulling away.
He stood and removed his briefs. Her eyes sprang open and her surprise got tangled in her throat, escaping in a gritty groan.
Julian climbed back on top of her and paused, gazing down upon her angelic face. She flushed crimson. Their eyes locked and their breathing merged in unison.
“Do you want me to go on?” He gave her one last opportunity to back out, to be sure this was what she really wanted.
She smiled, pulling him closer. “Don’t you dare leave me hanging now,” she whispered, opening her legs.
Clearly an open invitation, Julian ripped the bikini bottoms away from her body and pushed his way inside her. She wrapped her legs around him, and he began gliding in and out, slowly at first, until his desires took over and he pumped faster.
Wave after wave of her delight burst rhythmically around him. “Chéri...” Julian muttered the endearment as he filled her instantly with his own satisfaction.
Feeling as though she’d claimed every ounce of energy that he had to give, he relaxed lifelessly on top of Camille.
“Wow...” she said softly, breathlessly.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” He genuinely hoped he hadn’t.
“No.” She giggled slightly. “You didn’t hurt me.”
“That’s good,” he said with a bit of aloofness. He knew he should get up, but she felt so good. So right.
His manhood pulsed and slipped out of her as if it knew retreating was the best course of action. She moaned, as if disappointed.
“I’m sorry, Chéri.” He paused for a moment, drinking in the striking afterglow shining on her face. “I shouldn’t have let it go that far.” He pushed himself off the couch, torn between culpability and contentment. “You’ve been more than vocal that this wasn’t to be part of the bargain.” He scooped his shorts off the floor and slid into them, positioning them comfortably around his waist. “Just say the word and it won’t happen again.”
“Look, I know this is not real. It’s a business deal.” She acknowledged. “But there’s no reason why it can’t be a business deal with benefits.”
That wasn’t exactly what he wanted to hear, and once he realized it, he found it disturbing.
Not to worry, though. In six months, he would have had his fill of her and be happy to see her go.
Julian had breakfast brought into their stateroom the following morning. He’d anticipated, and was pretty sure Camille was in complete agreement, that they’d spend much of this day in bed. Not having to venture far for food was advantageous.
She been eyeing the plain black box, larger than the average jewelry case, with its gold ribbon tied around it in a neat little bow. It’d come in with the breakfast cart.
“Come here.” He scooted his chair back and motioned her over with a lazy wave.
She sauntered around the small table and straddled his lap, awakening his loins.
He slid the box toward them and presented it to Camille. “This is for you.”
She took it, giving him a narrowed glance and eased it opened. Finding a wallet-sized leather-bound checkbook and a credit card, both stamped with the name Camille de Laurent, she shot him a twisted smile. She opened it and fanned the checks before stopping to look at the check register.
Camille’s mouth dropped open and she stared wordlessly. He’d guess she’d seen the amount on the liberal credit line.
She looked at him, her face etched with shock and surprise. “What is this?”
“You’re going to need some cash at your disposal.”
“A credit card isn’t cash.”
“It’s pretty close.”
“Why do I need this much cash available to me?” She paused, her look of surprise giving way to suspicion. “This has nothing to do with last night, does it?”
“No.” He adjusted her in his lap, running his hands beneath her satin robe. She was naked underneath it. He enjoyed the feel of nothing but his silk boxers between them. “It has nothing to do with last night, this morning, or tomorrow.”
“Good.” She panted, her chest heaving. “Because I don’t want to start feeling like a kept woman.”
“Kept women aren’t, by definition, wives,” he said, exploring further beneath the soft, silky robe.
“What am I supposed to do with the checkbook and credit card?” Her arms enfolded him.
“Whatever you want. It’s your money to spend.” He pressed her against him. “I’m sure Claudette and Lecie will insist that you accompany them on regular shopping sprees. Buy whatever you want.”
It’s what was expected of his wife. And above all else, Julian couldn’t forget the marriage needed to look authentic.
That’s all it was. It just needed to look that way. And the sex? Well, like she’d said—it was a business transaction with benefits.