From Daredevil to Devoted Daddy

by Barbara McMahon

Matt looked at Jeanne-Marie. “Why not?” He could think of a dozen reasons to go, all starting with his motivation for the swim.

  “Okay, let’s do it.”

  “Yippee!” Alexandre yelled and took off running for the inn.

  In less than ten minutes they had changed and were at the water’s edge. Suddenly shy, Jeanne-Marie hesitated to take off her cover-up. The swimsuit she wore was the one she wore all the time. It maintained her modesty, but she felt exposed wearing it in front of him. She knew she was self-conscious because of Matt. Good heavens, it was almost pitch-dark out.

  “Hurry, Mama,” Alexandre called, already up to his knees in the water.

  “Last one in’s a rotten egg,” Matt murmured, dropping his towel and walking toward Alexandre.

  In one movement, she drew off her top, dropped it and ran by Matt, splashing into the water seconds before he did.

  She kept going until the water was up to her waist.

  “Wait for me, Mama.”

  Alexandre swam out to her and grabbed hold of her shoulders. “This is fun.”

  There was enough light now from the stars and the establishments along the shore to give some visibility. It was an adventure, however, to find the water so dark. Normally it was as clear as crystal with the bottom clearly visible.

  Matt walked over. “Refreshing.”

  “Cold, you mean,” she said. It was cool, but pleasant. And the delight of her son made it well worth it.

  “Since he can swim, why don’t we paddle a little out and then back?”

  “Okay.”

  “I want to swim next to Matt,” Alexandre said.

  Me, too, was Jeanne-Marie’s immediate thought.

  They swam a short way, and because of the gentle slope Matt could stand when they stopped. Alexandre clung to him while Jeanne-Marie trod water beside him.

  “If you get tired, you can grab hold of me,” he offered.

  She was tempted.

  “It’s scary out here,” Alexandre said, looking around.

  “No different from being here in the daytime except we can’t see,” Matt said.

  Jeanne-Marie brushed against Matt’s arm as she was moving around. He caught her and pulled her close. Resting her hand on his shoulder, she felt the warmth of his skin even though the water had cooled the surface.

  Clinging, she smiled at her son.

  “We’ve never done this before, have we?” She dared not look at Matt for fear she’d forget Alexandre was here and be caught up in Matt’s spell. Would he kiss her again?

  “I want to go back,” Alexandre said.

  When Matt put his arm around Jeanne-Marie’s waist, she gasped. He drew her against his sleek body, the cooling effect of the water evaporating. She stared at him, wishing she could see him better. Her heart pounded as every inch of her became attuned to him. Heat matched heat and had her aware of him like never before. Her hands skimmed against his bare chest, feeling the muscles, his skin heating when she rested her palm against him.

  For a moment she wished Alexandre was home in bed and just she and Matt were swimming in the darkened sea. Touching, kissing.

  “We should go back,” she said in a low voice. If it had been the two of them, she knew nothing would have stopped kisses and caresses.

  So slowly she knew it was an effort, he released her, trailing his fingertips across her bare back, sending shivers up her spine.

  “Race you, Alexandre,” she said to cover her confusion. In a moment she was splashed by the little boy’s wild swimming technique. This was her reality.

  When they reached the shore, Matt right beside them, Alexandre ran onto the sand. “I beat!” He danced around and laughed. “That was fun!”

  As Jeanne-Marie slowly climbed out of the water, heading for her towel, she could feel Matt’s gaze on her and wished she dared turn around to feast her eyes on him. A spotlight on the beach would have been perfect. But first things first. She had her son to think about.

  “No warm sun to dry us off,” Matt commented, standing near her, watching her as she toweled off her body. She glanced his way, captivated by what she could see of his broad chest and muscular arms. He needed a lot of upper body strength to lift his body by his hands on climbs. She wished she had the courage to reach out and feel that strength. She looked away, yearnings firmly squashed.

  “Can we do that again?” Alexandre asked.

  “Not tonight. Time you got to bed. Tomorrow will be a big day,” she said, pulling on the short cover-up. She wrung water from her hair and then looked at Matt again, vaguely disappointed he’d pulled on a T-shirt. So much for fantasies in the moonlight.

  The next morning Alexandre bounced on the backseat of Matt’s car. He seemed almost more excited to be in Matt’s car than about his visit. Going to Marseilles with Matt felt like a big adventure to her, so she could empathize with her son’s excitement. They’d deliver Alexandre to his grandparents after lunch and then she’d spend the rest of the afternoon and evening with Matt. Anticipation built. She wanted to rein it in, but no matter how much she tried, she couldn’t squelch her excitement.

  It was not a date. Not precisely. They’d have Alexandre with them for part of the day. It was the kindness of a guest to his hostess.

  She didn’t believe that for one second.

  After lunch at a family-style restaurant, they arrived at the small home on the outskirts of town where the senior Rousseaus lived. Matt parked in front.

  “Shall I carry his bag in?” he asked, turning slightly in the seat to look at the house.

  “No. I’ll just be a minute,” Jeanne-Marie said. She could just imagine what spin Adrienne would put on seeing her with Matt. She didn’t want to force her into acting like a gracious hostess. She’d deliver Alexandre and let his grandparents spoil him. While she went on her own adventure. “Tell Matt goodbye.”

  In seconds she took her son’s hand and headed up the short walkway to the front door. She rang the bell. When she and Phillipe came to visit, he’d always walked right in, but she didn’t feel comfortable doing that, though the Rousseaus had told her time and again she didn’t need to stand on ceremony.

  “Ah, Alexandre, you’re here!” Adrienne threw open the door and greeted her grandson with a bright smile and big hug. “I thought you might be here earlier. I called the inn to get an exact time and your clerk said you’d already left.”

  “We ate lunch with Matt,” Alexandre said, turning to wave at the car.

  Adrienne looked beyond them to the car, her smile fading. “I see. I thought he was a guest at the inn.” She looked at Jeanne-Marie with worry in her eyes.

  “He is. He offered to drive us here today. He has a friend in Marseilles also vacationing,” Jeanne-Marie said, feeling guilty.

  “So you don’t wish to come in,” Adrienne said.

  “I don’t think I should keep him waiting,” Jeanne-Marie said. This was more awkward than she’d anticipated. What if Adrienne thought she was dating again?

  In a way she was.

  Her mother-in-law looked at the car again and then shook her head. “Well, we’ve planned such fun things to do, Alexandre. If your mother’s made other plans, we need to tell her goodbye.”

  Jeanne-Marie looked at her closely. “It’s not a date,” she said, not wanting to hurt her mother-in-law. She did, however, have the right to see anyone she wished. And if she did start dating again, it didn’t mean she’d ever forget Phillipe.

  Jeanne-Marie heard a car door shut and she looked back to see Matt standing by the car. She drew in a breath. This was harder than she wanted.

  “I’ll pick him up tomorrow around four if that’s a good time for you,” she said.

  “Yes. Do you want to stay for dinner tomorrow?”

  “Thank you, but I’d better return to the inn. It’s full and I’ve already taken today off.” Jeanne-Marie leaned over and gave Alexandre a hug and whispered she loved him in his ear. “Be good for Grand-mère,” she admonished. She’d miss this lit
tle guy. But it was important he visit often. She started back for the car.

  “Bye, Mama,” Alexandre called. She turned and waved.

  Adrienne urged Alexandre into the house and shut the door.

  Matt opened the passenger door for her. “You okay?”

  “I should have thought this through. I expect she has me married off with a bunch of other children, just seeing me in the presence of another man. It was harder than I thought. I don’t want her to get the wrong impression.”

  Once he was behind the wheel again, he looked at her. “Would that be so bad? If you married again? You’re young, could marry and have more children.”

  “She’ll have no other grandchildren but Alexandre,” Jeanne-Marie said. “Though if it ever did happen, she’d still have a part in Alexandre’s life. I would never take him away from them—that’s one reason I’m still living here rather than back in the States. I hope she’d love any other children I had. A child can’t have too many people love them.”

  “She probably only sees the potential of your moving away, taking her only link to her son with you.”

  “That’s the very reason I didn’t return to the States when Phillipe died. I wanted to stay where he’d lived, let Alexandre know his father’s family. And mine. But mine are more likely to come to visit here than the Rousseaus are to venture to America. Anyway, I didn’t mean to burden you with family situations.”

  “It’s still early—want to stroll through the Prado Seaside Park?” he asked.

  “Yes. Fresh air and no worries.” It had been a long time since she had had a day solely devoted to her own pleasures and she planned to enjoy it. And her companion.

  They walked along the broad pathways, dodging inline skaters, dogs and kids running and yelling. The park felt festive with colorful awnings and canopies, all manner of items for sale at the edge, from clothes and jewelry to fresh fruit and fish. Exploring each stall didn’t give time for introspection or much conversation, which suited Jeanne-Marie perfectly. By the time they were ready to find a restaurant for dinner she was feeling carefree and happy.

  Waiting for a table, she glanced around. She’d never eaten in this establishment, no memories to detract from her time with Matt. Soaking up the atmosphere, she committed it all to memory—to pull out in the winter months when she might be feeling blue. She’d have this happy afternoon to remember.

  The maître d’ seated them at a small table to the side. Perusing the menu, Jeanne-Marie was delighted with the choices of fresh fish. She loved fish, but didn’t especially like the cleaning necessary to serve it at home. She smiled when she looked at Matt.

  “What’s that for?” he asked, putting down his own menu.

  “You’ve given me a wonderful day. One to remember down through the years. Thank you.”

  “Nothing much.”

  “But perfect as it was.”

  “Perfection is hard to reach in this day and age.”

  “Not always. Where will you go next on holiday?” she asked, not wanting to dwell on the future, but curious if he’d say he’d come back.

  He was staying another day or two. Then he’d be returning home. Next time he took a vacation, it likely wouldn’t be to a sleepy town along the Med.

  “I’ll go skiing this winter in Gstadd,” he said. “Do you ski?”

  “I used to, but haven’t since Alexandre was born. I was pretty good. Skiing’s popular in California.”

  “I enjoy it.”

  “No desire to climb the peaks instead of skiing down them?” she teased.

  He caught her gaze and held it. “I’m not completely devoted to climbing as I think Phillipe was. I like a variety of sports. Besides, climbing in winter could be very dangerous.”

  “Instead of only sort of dangerous?” she asked.

  “Exactly.” He shrugged and leaned back slightly, his gaze firmly on her.

  The waiter came to take their order. When he left, Matt asked about her own plans for the rest of the summer.

  “I have full bookings through August. Once school begins, visitors taper off. Until the Christmas break.”

  “Will you take a holiday in the fall?” he asked.

  “Maybe, but just for a weekend. Last year we went up to Paris. I wanted to show Alexandre where his mother and father met. Now I’ll be one of the families limited to traveling around a child’s school schedule.”

  “Tell me your favorite place in Paris.”

  She smiled and told him about the Tuileries Garden and how often she and Phillipe had gone there. How last fall she’d shown her son all their favorite spots so he’d have some knowledge of his father’s life. That led to reminiscences about their respective childhoods. The meal was served. The conversation continued, with each learning more and more about the other.

  When it was time to leave, Jeanne-Marie did so with reluctance. Her special day was ending. She wished she could hold back time.

  The drive back to St. Bartholomeus was quickly made, with little traffic on the highway. The inn looked especially welcoming with lights spilling from the large French doors onto the veranda. Her student employee had his nose in a book, as usual, when they walked into the lobby.

  Rene looked up, blinking as if not sure where he was. “Home already?” Glancing at the clock, his eyes widened slightly. Jeanne-Marie looked as well; it was almost midnight. Much later than she expected.

  “I’m sorry we’re so late. No problems?”

  “None.” He put a bookmark between the pages and stood.

  After he left, Matt looked at her. “I’ll be leaving early on one last climb tomorrow. Breakfast at six-thirty?”

  “Yes. Thank you again for a lovely day.”

  “I enjoyed myself, as well,” he said. Then he kissed her.

  She had been half expecting it—or hoping for it? She hoped all her guests were already in and not likely to walk through the lounge as she moved closer, thrilled when his arms came around her to draw her against him. His hard body pressed against her while his mouth wreaked havoc with her senses. She encircled his neck and kissed him back, reveling in the sweet sensations that seemed to lift her from the present into a dream time. A wonderful ending to a wonderful day.

  She would not think about tomorrow being his last day. She would not think about the empty days ahead. She would not think about anything but the way his kisses made her feel.

  Time seemed to stand still. The lights in the lounge faded. She was floating on passion and desire, hungry for more, buoyed by the waves of ardor of his kiss and the fervor of her own.

  When he pulled back a scant inch, it was to ask, “Do you have to go to bed right now?”

  She looked up at him. “What do you have in mind?” Her heart pounded. What would she say if he asked her to his room? She wasn’t sure she was ready for that. Yet the way she felt, she was equally uncertain whether she could refuse.

  “A midnight swim?”

  The cool sea might be what was needed to keep her blood from boiling. This time there would be no little boy to chaperone. She smiled dreamily. “I think that sounds very daring and unlike me. Twice in a week! Yes, I’d love to join you there.”

  “Meet me back here in five minutes.” He gave her a quick kiss.

  “Okay.” Another quick kiss.

  She stepped back but he wouldn’t let her go until he’d given her another kiss.

  “Hurry,” he urged.

  Jeanne-Marie didn’t need any encouragement. She didn’t want to miss a minute with Matt.

  Wading out into the water a few moments later, she felt young and carefree. Around the curve of the beach, close to the heart of the village, other revelers were playing in the water. Their laughter and shouts could be heard in the otherwise silent night. All the establishments along the beach were brightly lit as the celebration continued far into the night.

  They swam side by side until the sound of the merriment in town faded. The gentle breeze refreshed. The water was cool, but not unduly so.
It felt silky against her sensitized skin. Every sense was heightened just being with Matt.

  “I don’t have this at home,” he said when they stopped swimming, lazily moving their arms to keep upright in the buoyant sea.

  “And I don’t usually come out after dark. It’s magical. I love looking at the lights on shore and seeing them reflected on the water.”

  “You make the evening magical,” he said, swimming closer.

  Tentatively she reached her foot down. It was too deep to stand. If she could, would he kiss her again?

  “Let’s head back,” she suggested, hoping when they reached standing depth he’d want to do more than return to the inn.

  They swam toward the beacon of the inn. When she reached waist-high water, she stood up and began wading toward the shore, leaning to one side to wring the water from her hair.

  When she straightened, Matt was there. He brushed some of the hair back from her face, then cupped it and leaned in to kiss her. His palms were warm against her cheeks and his mouth a delight against hers. Stepping closer, she pressed against him, feeling the coolness of his skin heat where hers touched until it instantly turned hot. He wrapped her in his arms and held her closely. Skin to skin, mouth to mouth, she was in heaven. She felt the gentle movement of water move to shore and retreat, but only in an abstract way—her entire being was enveloped by Matt.

  Longings and desire rose. She wanted this man. She didn’t question falling for someone so fast. She could easily fall totally in love with Matt and be heartbroken when he left. But she couldn’t stop their kisses if she tried. She couldn’t stop her heart from opening to him, and wanting him with an intensity that startled her.

  His mouth trailed kisses along her jaw and she tilted back her head to give him access to her throat. Hot kisses along the pulse point at the base, then back up to her mouth again. Her tongue danced with his. The heat seemed to escalate until she vaguely wondered if the sea temperature would rise.

  His chest was muscular and hard against hers. His arms held her securely, firmly, lovingly. He was no more immune to the passion rising than she.

  A passing speedboat raised a wake that washed them up to their shoulders, breaking the moment as they struggled for footing against the water’s surge. She stepped back, laughing and breathing hard. Trying to see him in the dim light was difficult. He was merely a silhouette. But she knew he was there. Where did they go from here?