Page 40 of Madam Alana

“You’ll have to catch me first,” I tutted, then turned aroundand bolted down the hallway. Christophe’s laughter filled the air at my back ashe chased after me, flinging his clothes off along the way.

I’d made it all the way to the kitchen before he caught me,planted me on the counter, and devoured me whole. Then I rode him hard and wildwhile he sat in one of our dining chairs and worshipped my breasts, my neck,and my lips.

In the months since we’d first made love, our passion hadn’teven come close to dimming and I didn’t think it ever would.

* * * *

Six months after the auction…

I pressed the phone closer to my ear and I heard a strangebeeping sound as Celine hissed, sounding pained.

“What’s the matter?” I asked. The last several calls with mybest friend had been strange. For some reason she could never talk for long,and when she did, it was always her asking about me and Christophe. What was hepainting? What had we seen of France? How were my French lessons going? Was Ienjoying my business classes? Then, when I’d ask about her and Darren, she’dsay everything was fine and change the subject.

“Excuse me, Ms. Holt. The doctor is ready to see you now,” astrange voice stated through the line.

“Doctor? Where are you?” I asked.

“I’m using this new phone Darren bought for me. It’ssooooocool!” she tried to deflect.

“I didn’t ask how you called me, Celine, and you know it. Iasked why you are seeing a doctor.”

“Um, I accidentally broke my arm and leg,” she confided.

“What!” I screeched. Christophe dropped whatever tool he wasusing on his art and raced over to my desk where I sat clutching the phone.“Why didn’t you tell me? Do you need help?”

“Darren has assigned me a nurse. She comes in every day tocheck on me. It’s no big deal. I fell down the stairs. It was stupid. My heelswere sky high and the dress train too long, and whoops! Down goes Celine. Ithurt like abitchtoo,” she claimed.

“My God. Do you need me to come and be with you?” I glancedat Christophe who nodded instantly. He too adored Celine and often talked withher by phone after I did. The two of them had found common ground in food, ofall things. They talked incessantly about what new dish they’d tried or wantedto learn to cook. It was cute, and since I got to eat the food Christophe made,I counted it as a win.

“Jeez Louise, no! You’re such a mother hen. I’m fine. I’llbe good as new in six more weeks. But Ihave togo.The doctor wants to go over my X-rays. Love you. Call soon.Byeeeeeee.”She let the word draw out before hanging up.

I groaned under my breath. “She claims to have fallen downthe stairs wearing high heels and a long dress. Last month she missed a photoshoot because of a fat lip and bruised chin and cheek.” Celine had taken upmodeling to pass the time as a rich man’s wife and had found she loved thedrama of it all. I figured she was beautiful and it suited her well, so whynot?

“And…?” he pushed, knowing there was more.

“She claimed this was yet another accident. Same as the timeshe said she slipped in the shower and crashed into the tile face first.”

Christophe slumped against my desk, resting his bum to thewooden surface. “Do you believe her?”

I shook my head. “Not in a million years. I’ve spent endlesshours watching her walk a mile in the tallest heels possible. She never hurtherself a single time when we were together. I was always considered the clumsyone between us. Now, every time we chat, she’s got a new wound she’s healingfrom. This time a broken arm and leg.”

“Putain!” he cursed.“What do you think is happening?”

I pressed my lips together and firmed my jaw before lookingChristophe straight in the eyes. “I think her husband is abusing her, and she’slying to protect him.”

He nodded. “Do you want to go there and check on her?”

“Yes, but I don’t want her to be angry with me for it. Letme talk to her about a visit, and we’llmake a plan.”

Christophe cupped the back of my neck warmly, leaned down,and kissed the crown of my head. “Whatever you wish to do I will support. Youknowthat,Alana.”

“I do know that.Merci.”

* * * *

Eight months after the auction…

The phone ringing in the middle of the night woke me from adead sleep. Christophe shot up to a seated position as though an alarm had goneoff.

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