Chapter 83

John woke early, the soft morning light filtering through the sheer curtains of their suite. Monique was still sound asleep beside him, her hair a wild mess against the pillows, her lips slightly parted as she breathed in slow, even rhythms.

Not wanting to wake her just yet, he carefully slipped out of bed and reached for the room service menu. If there was ever a morning to indulge, this was it.

He picked up the phone and ordered an extravagant breakfast—fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, a selection of fine Swiss cheeses, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs with herbs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit, and, of course, strong coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice.

As he hung up, he heard Monique, who was beginning to stir.

“Mmm,” she murmured, as she walked out of the bedroom, her body wrapped in a sheet rubbing sleep from her eyes.

“Good morning, mon amour,” John greeted her with a smile.

She yawned, rubbing her eyes. “Morning...” Then she frowned slightly. “What are you up to?”

He smirked. “Just arranging a little breakfast.”

She arched an eyebrow but didn’t press further. Instead, she walked seductively towards him, watching him with a lazy smile. “Come back to bed.”

“Tempting,” he admitted, “but breakfast should be here soon.”

At that, Monique let the sheet slip down her body. “What did you order?”

“Everything,” he said with a grin.

She laughed. “That sounds dangerous.”

As she stood, fully nude and stretching like a cat, there was a knock on the door.

John looked at her, amused. “Well, that’s perfect timing.”

Monique’s eyes went wide in horror before she gasped and bolted toward the bedroom. Just as she reached the door, she glanced over her shoulder and whispered furiously, “You planned this, didn’t you?”

John chuckled as she slammed the door behind her, then made his way to answer the knock.

A uniformed waiter wheeled in the elegant breakfast spread, setting the trays neatly on the table by the window. After confirming everything was in order, John signed the check, giving a polite nod as the waiter departed.

Moments later, Monique reemerged from the bedroom, now wrapped in the plush hotel bathrobe. She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes playfully. “I thought you liked me being an exhibitionist.”

John grinned as he poured them both coffee. “Oh, I do. But I see now—you’re only brave when it’s just me watching.”

She blushed, then gave him a smirk. “There’s a difference between teasing you and flashing the hotel staff.”

John chuckled, shaking his head as she plopped into the chair opposite him and began piling her plate with food, not saying another word.

He watched her, amused. “That’s it? No more witty comebacks?”

Monique simply took a slow sip of her coffee, raising an eyebrow before biting into a croissant.

John laughed. “Alright, alright. Let’s eat.”

As they enjoyed their breakfast, John told her the plan for the day. “I figured we could spend today sightseeing—maybe walk along the lake, visit the Old Town, and grab lunch somewhere nice. But we should be back early enough to go over everything for tomorrow’s meeting.”

Monique nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds perfect. I want to see everything.”

John smiled, watching her excitement as she sampled everything on the table. He couldn’t wait to explore the city with her.