IntheArmsofaLover (10 page)

It wasn’t every day one was dropped off at work by a lover. Particularly
when one’s rear end was still tender from said lover’s ministrations. But with a
bit of luck there would be more times when her body sang and ached from his
attentions.

“We had a wonderful time last night, didn’t we?” he’d asked,
as they got in the car.

“Yes.” What other reply could she give? It had been utterly incredible.

‘‘Tomorrow I will plan another amorous adventure.”

“‘No more spanking. Not for a while at least.” Better put
that out in front.

“You still hurt? You are not marked.” No, she wasn’t. He’d
made a point of checking when they got up.

“I’m still tender and I think too much spanking would spoil
things.”

“I agree. Once a week then?”

“Yes.” Sounded fine to her. “But we agree on implements
beforehand.”

“Agreed. I will take you shopping soon so we can pick out an
instrument of correction we will both enjoy.”

“Okay, but I have power of veto.” If he fancied using a bullwhip
or a cane he was going to be disappointed.

“Of course, that is how it should be and here we are. “ He
stopped on the corner, not far from the opera house. “I will see you Sunday.”

“Yes.” Part of her rather hankered after a nice romantic
Saturday-night dinner. But to be honest, her body still needed time to get over
last night. “Sunday it is. I’m looking forward to it.”

“So am I.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles, then
sucked on her index finger as he looked up and met her eyes. A thrill rippled down
her spine. He was good, an expert at the tease and the unspoken promise. “Perhaps,”
he whispered, “next time, you will permit me to bugger you.”

He was also expert at leaving her bereft of words. “Perhaps,”
she managed to reply. “Must go.” As she closed the door, she leaned in and
smiled. “I think it might be yes. I’ll let you know.”

She looked back when she was a few meters away and he was
watching her. She waved. He waved back and drove off.

And now, after that parting, she was going to have to think about
being nice to tourists. The shutters were already down and Claudine, another
assistant, was wheeling out the racks of lavender bags and place mats.

“Ah! Poppy! A word, if you please.” Poppy stopped in her
tracks as Didier stepped out from behind a van and blocked her path. She didn’t
“please” and hadn’t she been clear enough last time? “I need your help. A
favor.”

“What is it?” The moment the words left her lips, she wished
them back. Hadn’t she already told him she was no longer interested? She’d been
a bit rough, she admitted, but darn it. He’d been pretty casual at first.

“Would you have brunch with me tomorrow? There is place in
Monaco. I know you will enjoy it.”

He did, did he? “No thank you.”

His face fell like a little boy being told there was no
Father Christmas. Rather sweet—or pathetic depending on how you saw it. “Please.
I was counting on it. I am going there with friends. I would like you to meet
them. They will be disappointed.”

They’d just have to live with it. “Sorry, Didier, it’s not
possible. I’m busy Sunday.”

“What are you doing?”

This was getting ridiculous. “That’s hardly your business.”

“You are seeing someone else.”

She was but that wasn’t his business either. “Didier. I
don’t want to have lunch or brunch with you again.” Or dinner, come to that. “Please
give my regards to your grandfather. Goodbye.”

Since he still didn’t budge, she pushed past him, daring him
to grab her. Luckily for him he didn’t. She refused to look back and hoped that
was the last she’d see of him. It was a pity he knew where she worked but she wouldn’t
be here much longer.

Didier cursed to himself as he watched Poppy stride away.
Damn! She’d been perfect but he hadn’t survived this long without recognizing a
final refusal when he saw one. They were expecting a woman and he’d bring one.
Caroline would never turn down a meal at a private club like
Cent-vingt-cinq.
She was neither as elegant nor as intelligent as Poppy and certainly didn’t
possess her presence and style but she was an independent witness and he was
certain she’d say whatever she was told to in the affidavit. Poppy might not
have been as amenable.

* * * * *

Once her shift was over, Poppy made use of the remaining
light to drive up to
Les Coquelicots
and see progress. Workmen were
packing up for the day but she was impressed at what they’d achieved.

Her mobile rang, just as she was thinking of moving some
things up here in the morning.

It was Stéphane. “How are things?”

“Pretty incredible, all things considered. I can hardly believe
how much work’s been done. The roof and shutters are fixed and the kitchen
functions. The bed needs putting together but I thought you’d enjoy doing
that.” He chuckled. She’d been right there.

“When will you move in?”

“In a few days. I don’t have much to move, just a couple of
suitcases. I’ll stay in my room in Nice until the job finishes on Friday. I
brought up everything I bought for the house and, I have to tell you this as
I’m so excited. They’ve already cleared several fields. I think some of the
bushes are dead but most seem fine, if a little neglected. The men Vito hired
are incredible. They’ve even been working today. They said Monsieur Prioux had hired
them to clear the fields and they’d keep working until they finish.”

“Will they be there tomorrow?”

“They almost seemed prepared to, but I insisted they take
Sunday off. I thought they might be scandalized if they glimpsed us running
around naked.”

“You are so right. I look forward to tomorrow.”

“So do it.” She had several bottles of local rosé sitting in
the brand-new fridge, along with fruit, salad and fresh ravioli she’d bought
that morning in the old town. “What time can I expect you?”

“Ah,” he said. “‘What do you have planned?’

“I thought perhaps a bit of furniture assembly then we could
test the bed to see if it meets our needs. Afterward we can refuel over a late
lunch.”

‘‘I will be there are at eleven.”

* * * * *

Adele drove up at nine, stopping on the way at the estate to
pick up several boxes of items she’d ordered online.

“By the way,” Adele said, as she helped load Poppy’s car,
“we’re all coming up late this afternoon. Branko and Luc thought it would be a
nice surprise but Helen and I decided you should be warned. “

“Thank you.” She meant it from the bottom of her heart. At
least she could be prepared. Having them all arrive on the doorstep unannounced
would have been a surprise but perhaps not of the nice variety. “Any idea what
time?”

She gave a rather dirty laugh and surprised Poppy. “We won’t
be early, I promise. We’ll give you time to enjoy each other. We’ll bring
champagne to celebrate your joining the Prioux conglomerate. And I plan a
rather splendid cake to mark the occasion.”

“Just be sure we have enough time to get our clothes on.”

“I thought it might be like that. Want me to call as we’re
leaving?”

“Yes please. I’m the only one gets to see Stéphane with his
trousers off.”

Adele smiled to herself as she watched Poppy head up the
drive. There was no mistaking it, there had to be something about the air down
here that paired people off.

Meanwhile, she had hazelnut meringue, Genoese sponge and
coffee buttercream to make, to say nothing of breakfast. Although Helen and Luc
appeared to be still fast asleep, or maybe not sleeping. Darn, if she’d known
they’d be this late, she’d have asked Branko to stay the night.

* * * * *

Poppy hummed as her little Mini climbed the road toward
La
Turbie
before turning onto the still pretty rough track toward
Les Coquelicots
.
Ever since she’d learned the name of the farm, it had seemed it was Providence
had led her here. She should probably call her sister and tell her how things were
but didn’t feel up to coping with her anxiety and concerns. She could hear them
already. Are you sure it’s wise? What do you know about these people? Why not
come home and try to sort things out with Tommy’s family?

No, this was where she wanted to be. She belonged here now
and knew she could do this. Heck, she already knew the pitfalls to avoid and
she was darn well going to make a roaring success of it. Maybe one day Madame
Coquelicots
’s
products would sell throughout Europe.

That was great name too! She’d better run it past Monsieur
Prioux. After all she was just the manager here.

Two hours of hauling and unpacking boxes and putting away
left her sweaty and hardly alluring. A quick shower took care of that, helped
by scented body lotion and a splash of perfume. Soon she was sitting, listening
for Stéphane’s arrival. She was behaving as if she were needy. Well, she was,
no two ways about it. Damn, she wanted his touch, wanted his lips, wanted his
cock—really wanted his cock between her lips and his hands on her body. She was
turning into a sex-obsessed woman and it was fantastic.

She met him at the door as he pulled up in front and he as
good as leapt out of the car. So she wasn’t the only one feeling a trifle
desperate for it.

“Poppy!” He dropped the bag he’d been carrying and enveloped
her in a massive hug.

She pressed into him, happy to feel he was aroused already. Would
they last to assemble the bed? They’d have to. She was not fucking him on the
floor. “Wonderful to see you.” It was even more wonderful to feel his lips on
hers. “If you’ve got a few spare minutes, I have a bed that needs putting
together.”

“I brought my tool bag.” He picked up the bag he’d dropped. “Show
me what you need.”

“Let’s get it put together and made up first.”

The bedroom seemed much smaller once he was through the
door. Odd really, it was a fair-sized room and he wasn’t that tall but he
filled the space with his presence, his powerful masculinity and his smile,
that seemed to promise everything she was hoping for and maybe a little extra
to boot.

‘‘Which way do you want it facing?”

She’d give this some thought. “I’d like the head under the
windows. That way I’ll get the breeze in summer and morning light.”

“And risk getting moonstruck?”

“I’ll take the risk.”

“Ah, my dear, you like to take risks, I see.”

“Only calculated ones.”

He laughed as he blew her a kiss, putting his bag on a chair
as he took off his jacket and shirt.

Whoa! That was a sight for sore eyes. She knew she was close
to drooling but it didn’t seem to bother him. Not if the smug expression was anything
to go by. Stéphane clearly knew just what effect his nice, naked torso had on
her. Hell, she had to ball her fists to stop herself from running her hands
over his chest. She itched to nestle her fingers among the dark sexy hair, but
that would have to wait. They had a job to do.

“Here we go.” He propped the head against the wall and had
her hold up the foot as he joined the side supports. It didn’t take long,
though she’d have happily watched his biceps and shoulders for far longer.

Frame put together, they ripped off the protective plastic
from the box springs and mattress and hefted them into place. Poppy looked
across the mattress at him. “Thank you. Couldn’t have done it by myself. And I
didn’t want to ask Vito or one of the hands to help me.”

“You’ve better not.” His eyebrows shot up and he put a
severe note in his voice. “You have bedclothes I hope.”

“Of course, I did some shopping. If you give me a hand,
we’ll get it done faster.”

“I’ll be happy to, but only if you’re naked. Completely and
totally naked. Although you can keep your earrings in.”

“All right, but you’d better be naked too.”

“Are you telling me what to do, Poppy? I will have to do
something about that.”

Get naked, she hoped. “If you insist.” She kicked off her
shoes while he watched. If that was what he wanted, fair enough. She shimmied
out of her jeans, taking her panties down at the same time. Then, very slowly,
she pulled off her T-shirt and paused, shaking her head. “I’m not sure I can
manage to undo my bra. The hook’s really stiff.”

“I’ll take care of it later. Where are the sheets?”

Damn him! He was playing back at her, particularly since she’d
almost forgotten they still had a bare mattress. “Here.” She shook out the
mattress pad and together they smoothed it out and tucked it in at the corners.
Didn’t take long to do the rest, and then he came around the bed to stand very
close. “So, you need help with that bra?” His hand settled in the small of her
back and slowly eased up to rest over the hooks. He’d have it off soon and then
she’d insist his trousers came off. “Here we go.”

Instead of unhooking it, he propelled her facedown on the
bed, his hand between her shoulder blades, as he undid her bra with the other.
She was completely vulnerable as his hand stroked her bottom. He’d better not
bet getting any ideas about that part of her. “No more spanking until Friday,
we agreed.”

“We did indeed and that is not what I have in mind.” What
then? He’d mentioned bigger butt plugs and fucking her there but surely not
without any buildup? Definitely not without buildup. “I have an idea I want to
show you. Just a minute.” He reached into his tool bag and brought out a long
scarlet silk scarf. “I remember you specified no bondage,” he said, “and I will
respect that but I have a proposition. If you agree.”

“What?” Did he want to gag her? Blindfold her?

“Simple really. I tie one end to your wrist then thread the
scarf through the bed head.” She had wondered who’d picked out the slatted bed.
“You hold the other end. At any point you choose, all you have to do is let go
and you release yourself. Do you agree?”