Chapter 80

As the lingering heat between us finally settled, a new sensation made itself known—hunger.

Monique’s stomach let out a loud grumble, followed almost immediately by mine. She giggled, rolling onto her side and resting her head against my chest. “I think our bodies are telling us something.”

I smirked. “That if we stay in and order room service, we’ll probably end up eating cold food hours from now?”

She propped herself up on her elbow, grinning. “Exactly. We need a proper meal.”

I brushed my fingers along her cheek. “Shower first?”

She stretched languidly, then sat up, sighing dramatically. “Fine. But this will be the quickest shower of our lives.”

I raised an eyebrow. “No teasing?”

She pursed her lips. “I make no promises.”

The bathroom was still warm from our earlier time together, steam clinging faintly to the mirrors. Monique turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature before stepping in first. I followed, the hot water cascading over us as we moved efficiently.

She reached for the soap and lathered her hands but, true to her word, didn’t immediately drag things out with her usual playful teasing.

I chuckled as she quickly scrubbed her skin, then handed me the soap. “I’m impressed,” I said.

She grinned. “You should be. It’s taking everything in me not to press you against the glass right now.”

I smirked, running the bar over my shoulders. “Restraint looks good on you.”

She huffed. “Don’t get used to it.”

With an efficiency that was rare for us in a shared shower, we rinsed off, stepping out and wrapping ourselves in plush towels.

Monique disappeared into the bedroom while I ran a hand through my damp hair. When I joined her, she was standing by her suitcase, pulling out a delicate black lace camisole and a matching thong.

I exhaled slowly. “Are you trying to kill me?”

She smirked, slipping the lingerie on, the sheer fabric barely concealing her curves. “I figured since I was so well-behaved in the shower, I deserve a little fun.”

I watched, utterly captivated, as she reached for a short black dress—the kind that was designed to make heads turn. It hugged her in all the right places, accentuating the curve of her hips and the length of her legs.

She slid her feet into a pair of black heels, adding an extra three inches to her height, then picked up a small black leather clutch. Her dark hair tumbled effortlessly over her shoulders, and she fastened a delicate gold necklace around her neck, the pendant resting just above the neckline of her dress.

I let out a slow breath. “Mon amour, you are breathtaking.”

She turned, doing a slow spin. “Do I pass inspection?”

I stepped forward, running my fingers down her bare arm. “You always do.”

As she adjusted her earrings, I made a quick call to the concierge. After a brief conversation, he assured me that he would secure a reservation at an excellent restaurant nearby.

By the time I hung up, Monique was watching me with a curious smile. “Making plans?”

I nodded. “A dinner reservation, and a car is waiting downstairs.”

She looped her arm through mine. “You think of everything.”

I kissed her temple. “Only because you deserve it.”

As we stepped into the hotel lobby, the concierge spotted us immediately, his face lighting up with recognition. “Monsieur Moreau, welcome back. Your reservation has been confirmed, and a car is waiting for you outside.”

Monique squeezed my arm, smiling at the impeccable service. We thanked the concierge and stepped outside, where a sleek black sedan idled at the curb.

The drive through Geneva at dusk was enchanting. The city’s elegant architecture bathed in golden light, and the lake shimmered under the soft glow of street lamps. Monique pressed her hand to the window, taking it all in.