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Chapter Five

THE WATER EMBRACEDSylvain like a lover as he completed his first lap. The basement pool, heated to perfection, was one of his few indulgences—a sanctuary where he was able to think, with voices from inner demons effectively silenced by the sound of water breaking against his strokes.

His staff knew better than to disturb him when he was here.

Tonight, however, was an exception.

A subtle click reached his ears, the sound of metal against metal.

Because where his wife was concerned, Sylvain now realized there were no rules he was unwilling to break.

Another click, and it was a sound of a lock that had failed to guard the secrets it was entrusted with.

Impressionnant. Impressive.

Sylvain didn't stop swimming, but slowed his pace, calculating. It had been approximately four hours since he'd left the box in his room. She would have likely found it sometime after her dinner. Then she would have to assemble the pieces, locate the hidden door in her suite, and navigate dimly lit passageways.

All to end up here, a door of metal bars whose lock she had now successfully picked, and faster than he anticipated.

Magnifique.

His little thief continued to exceed expectations, and Sylvain was certain she would continue surprising him.

As he completed his final lap, he sensed his wife's presence behind one of the stone columns that lined the pool. Heard her catch her breath as he pulled himself from the water, droplets streaming down his naked form.

My sweet little pickpocket.

Such an innocent little thing she was, to have lived in the kind of world she lived, and yet still be so intoxicatingly untainted. Untouched. Almost as if she was waiting to surrender her everything...to him.

Sylvain took his time toweling off, his back to her hiding place. He could feel her wide eyes fixed on him, hear the way her breathing changed when she noticed a certain part of his anatomy.

Comme c'est intéressant.

Who knew his wife would be so into...son derrière?

"Are you intending to stare at me for the rest of the evening?" he asked without turning.