Page 23 of The Passion

“Nice try. You aren’t getting out of going out tonight. You need to find some hot Parisian man to take your mind off the British playboy. I mean, you can tell me all you like that you hate the man, but it’s me, who has the Felisha bullshit radar installed. So, I’m just going to make sure we find a bigger dick and a man who knows how to use it so you can totally wipe Flynn off the top of the best-sex ladder.”

Standing up off the bed, I let the towel fall and reach for my robe. I’m not worried about my naked body on display to Harper. She has seen it so many times it’s just normal to her. My mind was too busy thinking about Flynn now that she has brought him up again that I wasn’t thinking clearly until her panicked voice jolts me out of my daydream again.

“Seriously, cover up. Who the fuck knows what photographers are lurking around here with long lenses. We already have one naked problem we are hoping has been buried, can you not give us another?” Harper stands in front of me still wrapped in her towel, covering me as I’m pulling the robe around myself.

“Ughhh. You won’t ever let me forget that, will you.” I hand her the robe that was still lying on the chair next to where she was lying. “Fucking Flynn Taylor.” I sigh, exasperated at the thought of that video.

“Yep, that’s exactly what you were doing. I didn’t watch more than a few seconds, and can I just say, that man has one fine tight ass. I can understand the reason you rate him so highly.”

“Oh my God, stop it. I thought we were here to forget about him. And don’t lie, you watched more than a few seconds.” Turning and walking into the house, I feel that deep sense of shame that always haunts me when I think about the people I know watching it. Sometimes I think it would be easier if it were only strangers that had seen it because I don’t know them and don’t care what they think.

Harper is right. I need to move past thinking about all this. It’s not healthy and is a distraction I can’t have right now. It’s only ten months until my fortieth birthday. The day my life will change forever.

I will become the new CEO of Kentwall Estates, and much to my father’s disgust, he will be retired from his position as the head of the business.

The old company bylaws set up by my grandfather state that once the oldest child of the current Kentwall owner reaches the age of forty then they take over control. It was to ensure that there is always someone of sound mind and youth running the company. This all came from my great-grandfather apparently being mentally unstable, and the family business was in jeopardy. My guess is he developed dementia, as he was in his seventies, but nobody ever diagnosed it back then.

So now this is the way our family functions, but the problem is that I don’t have any children yet, which is my father’s argument to the board. I need to be spending more time looking for someone suitable to procreate with, and my father should continue to run the company until I have a child born and the succession plan can continue. I know the truth behind it is that he doesn’t care if I have a child because he never really cared about me as his child. Although the truth is if I had a son, maybe that would all change, and I might get to see a different side to my father.

But since there is no man on my horizon, then I don’t even need to think about that.

“You know it’s dangerous taking me to a nightclub when I have had this much to drink.” Harper is giggling as the doorman moves the rope aside for us to walk straight inside.

Not sure I have ever lined up to get into any place or event in my life.

“Why would that make any difference? I have seen you be the spider to every fly in the room on too many occasions to know that it has nothing to do with the alcohol.” Linking my arm in hers, we walk into the darkened room.

The music is loud enough that you can feel it in your chest, while the lights are flashing over the dance floor where bodies are molded tightly together. You can smell the mixture of high-priced perfume, cologne that makes you take notice, and sweat from the high energy happening on that dance floor and not just from the dance moves.

Leaning close to her ear, I say, “It’s been a while since we have been here, but nothing has changed except the décor. It’s still the classiest pick-up place in the south of France.” Looking at each other, we just burst out laughing. Harper might not be the only one who has had a little too much to drink.

“Why do you think we are here, babe? Now let’s get you a man to play with tonight.” Harper drags me toward the bar to get another drink which may not be the best idea, but hey, we are here now, so why not.

I knew one more drink was not a good idea, but when I start on the third one after already deflecting a few men who have made their interest known, my rational thought leaves me.

I’m watching Harper out on the floor in front of me, making that poor Frenchman basically beg her to let him kiss her, while she’s letting him seduce her with his dance moves. With the private show in front of me, I don’t notice the man who has taken the seat next to me at the bar, until I feel his breath on my neck.

“Your friend is a prick tease. Are you too?” His voice is so deep and not French but instead American, which is no surprise. St. Tropez is the playground for the rich from all over the world.

I jump slightly and almost scream at being so startled but manage to hold it in and keep my composure.

“Depends on who the prick is.” Not wanting him to get the upper hand, I turn around on the seat straight away and look into a set of deep dark eyes, strong jawline covered in a five o’clock shadow, and long wavy brown hair.

“Interesting.” He is waiting for me to respond, but instead, I look toward Harper who is now leading her little puppy behind her back to where we are sitting.

“Who’s your handsome friend?” She raises her eyebrows at me, letting me know she approves already. She would, she loves a younger man and one with long hair. Not sure I’m into a cougar chaser, but I can’t hide that this one has piqued my interest.

“We haven’t quite got that far yet. She’s still deciding where I rate on the prick scale.” He stands to offer Harper the seat, although his eyes haven’t left mine.

“Okay, seems I’ve missed something here.” Harper takes my drink from my hand and starts to drink it. Quicker than she should, but she has obviously worked up a thirst.

“I don’t think you have missed out on anything tonight, my friend.” Lifting my hand, I signal to the barman. “Two still waters, please.” I deliberately don’t offer either man a drink until I decide if I want to take this any further.

“I think a British accent is one of the most beautiful on a woman.” My smooth American stranger pulls out his best shot, and if that’s it, then he has a lot of work to do to make it past this glass of chilled water I’m drinking.

“As opposed to a brash American one,” I reply, wanting to see how good at this game he is.

“I like to think of the word cocky when describing myself. Wouldn’t you agree?” He leans forward a little to add to his comment, “I’m happy to be that prick you want to tease tonight. I promise you won’t have to work too hard to get what we both know you want… my cock.”

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