CultOfTheBlackVirgin by Serena Janes Read Free Book Online Page B

body, today in the river, and he’d caught a glimpse of hers.
    I wish I could show him more. I’d love to watch his eyes when he looks at me.
    As she remembered the way he’d jumped out of the water onto the riverbank, rivulets of water coursing down the muscles of his beautiful back, her nipples began to harden. She rubbed them, letting her hands linger to cup the heavy fullness of her breasts. She imagined what the mirror would show her if Luc were to come up behind her and wrap his arms around her naked body.
    A head taller than me. His skin brown in contrast to mine, his arms twice the size of mine, able to surround my entire body…
    Stop it! Get dressed, you fool!
    She rolled her eyes at herself for being so ridiculous, and began to examine her clothes carefully, rejecting two or three of her limited number of outfits before choosing a clinging black and white skirt and a sleeveless black top that revealed just a hint of décolletage . Her open-toed sandals showed off pink painted toenails. Then she took extra care with her hair and make-up. She couldn’t help it if she wanted to look pretty.
    For Luc.
    Jo was not stupid. She knew perfectly well she was dancing on slippery ground, but she wanted to push herself a little—to experiment with her new feelings. She wanted to flirt with Luc. Just a little.
    No, I have no intention of doing anything foolish or embarrassing with our married tour guide. I’m not that kind of girl. Besides, I love James. I do.
    But , I’m a woman, after all. A woman who also happens to be a healthy, lively animal.
    She hadn’t felt like flirting with anyone for a long time. It would just be fun, nothing more than a delightful way to pass the evening. And the rest of the week.
    Flirting with Luc will be like stretching muscles I haven’t used for a long time. Even though I haven’t used them for a while, it’s always good to know they’re still in working order.
    She rationalized that she was a woman who would soon enough embark on a life-changing—life-shattering, her sister told her—commitment to marriage and motherhood. She should enjoy her freedom while she still had it. It might not last long.
    I want to be myself for just a little while longer. I need to feel sexy and desirable, maybe for one of the last times in my life—who knows what changes a wedding ring and maternity will bring?
    And I want to have fun , she finally admitted to herself.
    As long as I don’t make a fool of myself, what’s the harm in indulging in a good, healthy, and innocent sexual fantasy? None, right?
    Right! Just be discrete. Just don’t drink too much, like last night. Play nice .
    All heads turned when Jo walked out onto the patio. Iris appeared to be scowling at her, but the others greeted her warmly and Duncan jumped up and pulled out the chair beside him. As she sat down, Peter said, “Well hell -o, darlin’. Aren’t you a lovely sight”?
    Luc said nothing, but she was well aware of the signals his body was sending her way, and she smiled in acknowledgement as she sat down.
    Glenda and Edward were drinking cooled white wine and offered to pour her a glass from their bottle. Some of the others had beer, but Duncan, Peter, and Luc were drinking something else. Jo had never seen anything like it, and was too shy to ask what the unpleasant-looking whitish drink could be. The wine was refreshing and very good, and as she drank and nibbled on local walnuts, she began to feel quite gay.
    She seemed to be popular this evening. Almost everyone wanted to talk to her, and she was happy to comply. She loosened up enough to enjoy them all—except Iris.
    Again, Iris was seated to her right, and again Jo tried to engage the English bulldog in conversation.
    “Have you been to this part of France before?” Jo inquired politely.
    “No.”
    “What made you choose this particular trip?”
    Iris just shrugged, avoiding her eyes.
    “I managed to book at the last minute and I’m so glad I did, because I