Chapter 30

I woke slowly, feeling the lingering warmth of the bed and the faint scent of Monique on the sheets. The room was dimly lit now, the sun beginning its descent outside. I stretched carefully, wincing slightly at the dull ache in my bruised ribs and the stiffness in my limbs.

Before I could sit up, Monique appeared in the doorway, a soft smile on her lips. She had changed into a classy yet simple dress, her hair neatly styled, looking effortlessly elegant.

“Good evening, sleepyhead,” she teased, walking over to sit beside me on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

I sighed. “Better, but I think I overdid it earlier.”

She smirked, leaning in to press a light kiss to my lips. “I’d say we both did.”

Her fingers moved to my shirt, helping me sit up and unbuttoning it with practiced ease. “Let’s get you into something comfortable. I don’t think you’ll need a suit and tie for this evening.”

I arched a brow as she pulled a soft cotton T-shirt over my head. “This evening?”

She hesitated a moment, then flashed me a grin. “I may have ... invited my parents over for dinner.”

I froze, my arms halfway into the sleeves of the shirt.

Monique bit her lip, waiting for my reaction.

I groaned, running a hand down my face. “Monique...”

She giggled, tugging the fabric down over my torso before kneeling in front of me to help me step into a pair of loose-fitting sweatpants. “They’ll be here in about thirty minutes.”

I winced, suddenly very aware of what I had been doing with their daughter only hours ago.

Monique must have read my expression because she suddenly burst into hysterical laughter, clutching her stomach as she doubled over.

“Oh my god, John, you should see your face,” she wheezed, gasping for breath between laughs. “You look like a teenager caught with his hand in the cookie jar.”

I scowled, though I couldn’t help the grin tugging at my lips. “I was doing unspeakable things to their daughter this afternoon.”

Monique howled with laughter, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. “And you think they haven’t done the same things?”

I let out a groan, rubbing the bridge of my nose. “That doesn’t make this any better.”

She snickered, wrapping her arms around my neck, still kneeling in front of me. “Relax, mon amour. They adore you. They’re coming to have dinner, not interrogate you about our sex life.”

I let out a long sigh, finally shaking my head. “Fine. But if your father gives me a look, I’m blaming you.”

Monique kissed me quickly before standing. “Deal.”