Odd Numbers
Page 18
When she did, a smile spread across her face. She pressed her glass to her lips but instead of drinking, dipped her tongue into the red wine, lapping like a cat. “You are what I’ve always wanted. Shall we have an early night?”
He was out of his chair before she’d put down the glass. Her libido was always intense at this time of the month and he took full advantage, no matter how exhausted it left him the following day. Their lovemaking was ferocious and her desire unquenched even after the bells rang midnight.
Her breathing grew heavier and he stared at the ceiling, spent. If this hint of success increased his sex appeal to such a degree, God help him if he actually landed the role of cellist with the Salzburg City Orchestra. Salzburg. He knew nothing about it, other than the Mozart connection. No idea as to its location to other Austrian cities, its geography or climate. Her words echoed in his head.
‘An audition? So soon? That is the best news! Na zdravie, my love! I am so happy for you! Here’s to the Windy City!’
He stretched an arm out to locate his phone on the bedside table, cautious and slow. If she woke for another bout, he wouldn’t have the energy. She slept on. He deepened his own breaths, faking a light snore and typed ‘The Windy City’ into a search engine. The results pointed to Chicago.
Chicago? Was that why she mentioned visas? Why on earth would she assume his audition would be in Chicago? He replaced the phone and closed his eyes. Some days, he had no idea how her mind worked.
Also by JJ Marsh
I have also written The Beatrice Stubbs Series, European crime fiction (tap title to buy):
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
RAW MATERIAL
TREAD SOFTLY
COLD PRESSED
HUMAN RITES
BAD APPLES
SNOW ANGEL
HONEY TRAP
BLACK WIDOW
I have also written a standalone novel
AN EMPTY VESSEL
And a short-story collection
APPEARANCES GREETING A POINT OF VIEW
For more information, visit jjmarshauthor.com
For occasional updates, news, deals and a FREE exclusive prequel: Black Dogs, Yellow Butterflies, subscribe to my newsletter.
Dedication
For Janet Davies, Simon Machin, Simon Lee, David Jones and Stephen Whiteman,
because it was a big deal.
Acknowledgements
Thank you Florian Bielmann, Jane Dixon Smith, Julia Gibbs and Chris Curran
Contents
Prologue: Gael, now
Chapter 1: Gael, 1999
Chapter 2: Gael, 1999
Chapter 3: Gael, 1999
Chapter 4: Mika, 2001
Chapter 5: Lovisa, 2003
Chapter 6: Clark, 2005
Chapter 7: Simone, 2007
Chapter 8: Clark, 2009
Chapter 9: Gael, now
Chapter 10: Mika, 2011
Chapter 11: Gael, now
Chapter 12: Lovisa, 2013
Chapter 13: Gael, now
Chapter 14: Simone, 2015
Chapter 15: Gael, now
Chapter 16: Clark, 2015
Chapter 17: Gael, now
Chapter 18: Mika, now
Chapter 19: Gael, now
Chapter 20: Clark, now
Chapter 21: Simone, now
Chapter 22: Gael, now
Chapter 23: Gael, now
Chapter 24: Gael, now
Chapter 25: Clark, Two Years Later
Chapter 26: Simone, Two Years Later
Chapter 27: Lovisa, Two Years Later
Chapter 28: Mika, Two Years Later
Chapter 29: Gael, Two Years Later
Message from JJ Marsh
Wolf Tones, Chapter 1
Dedication
Acknowledgements