Tempt Me: Tattoos and Temptation Book 5

by Mia Monroe

  “Okay.”

  “Come over? Stay the night? Wake up with me?”

  “Yes, to all that.”

  “Awesome.” My eyes shift to the white box. "What’s that?”

  “Oh. That is for you to open when I am gone.” He leans in and kisses me again. “Thank you for the gift.”

  “Thank you for the message. I listened to it twenty times I think.” I cup his face. “You know you deserve beautiful things, right? You deserve a man who wants to spoil you.”

  “Yes, I deserve you. I know this.”

  I smile. “I’m making sure I deserve you.”

  “Of course you do. You were made for me, Apollo.” He fists the hem of my T-shirt, biting his bottom lip. “Sometimes, I even wonder if you exist because I needed you to. You were created almost forty years ago so that you could be here now for me.” He smiles. “I do not believe in religious ideas. There are too many tragic things in this life that are unkind and cruel and unfair for me to believe in a god that would allow it.” He nods. “But…sometimes, I speak to the universe. Some people call it god.”

  I nod, hanging on his every word.

  “And I would say, please, universe, please make Apollo see me. Want me. Love me. I would scold myself for such fanciful desires. It made no sense to want such things when I thought you were straight.” He grips my hands, squeezing gently. “But the universe, she listened. She granted the wish and brought you to me. So maybe, these things really exist.”

  “Babe, you’re so beautiful. Your heart astounds me. I don’t know about god and the universe or how any of it works, but I know that…” I swallow the lump of emotion in my throat. “I know that you and I are meant for big things together, and whether it was fate or god or some other supernatural power that brought us together, I’m gonna cherish it, nurture it, keep it.”

  Felix smiles. “I know. It is why I trust you with my heart.” He lifts my hand and places it on his chest over his heart. “It is yours, mon amour.”

  “I will treasure it.”

  He kisses me again. “I will see you tonight. Text me when you are off, and I will meet you.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  “Me too. Have a good day, Apollo. I will count the minutes until we are together again.”

  He leaves, taking my breath with him. I shake my head, scratching my scalp as I try to compose myself again. I remember the box and open it to see a gorgeous white cake with glazed strawberries on top. It’s small, as if made for just a few people. There’s a card taped to the lid. I pull it off and open the little envelope.

  Apollo,

  Mon amour, mon chouchou, mon rêve,

  You are my love, my sweetheart, my dream. I show my love through my craft. I heard from a little bee that your favorite cake is strawberries and cream. I hope you enjoy my interpretation. Why your favorite cake? Because you deserve it.

  Kisses,

  Felix.

  My heart flutters in my chest. He heard me. He made my favorite cake. He must have called Lucien to find out what it was. It’s even cute he confused bee with birdie. I like his version better. I open my drawer and grab a plastic fork and dig right in, nearly moaning in pleasure. Oh my god. It’s incredible. So light, perfectly sweet, decadent.

  He shows his love through his craft. Well, Felix, I show mine with grand gestures. I can’t wait until tomorrow.

  I’m going to blow his mind.

  Felix

  I twist in bed to gaze at Apollo while he sleeps. I always wake up before him. Last night was much needed. A week without being in his arms was too much, but now, being with him again, I feel restored.

  My fingers crawl through his silky hair, as black as it ever was. He looks so peaceful right now, and it fills me with joy to know how comfortable he feels with me.

  His eyes flutter open and he smiles. “Morning, gorgeous.”

  “Bonjour, mon beau."

  “What does that mean? You’ve said it before.”

  “My handsome, basically.”

  “Ah, I like that. What can I say to call you pretty?”

  “Ma belle.”

  “Is it appropriate to say to a man?”

  “You can say anything you want to this man.”

  “That’s good to know. I hope you don’t mind, but I planned a little outing for us today.”

  “I think that sounds nice.”

  “Good. Want to get up?”

  “If we must.”

  After getting dressed in jeans and a slouchy blue sweater, I put on some wedge boots, and just a little makeup—gloss, winged eyeliner, and mascara. Smiling at my reflection, I release a contented sigh. I’m so happy right now.

  When I come out, Apollo is on the couch, clearly texting someone.

  “I’m ready.”

  He looks up, smiling, but it quickly fades. “Wow.”

  “What?”

  “You just look…fuck. You look so good.”

  “Oh.” I shake my head. “I thought maybe you didn’t like it.”

  “I don’t think you could do anything I don’t like, but you look super-hot. The blue is a really nice color on you.”

  “Merci. Euh, you look...good enough to eat. Which happens to be accurate.”

  Apollo laughs. “I’ll take you up on that later.”

  A few hours later, after a nice morning window shopping, Apollo stops in front of a restaurant.

  “Lunch?”

  “Yes, I’m starved.”

  “Good. Me too.” He pats my leg. “This place is supposed to have really good Greek food. I don’t know if it can compete with my mom’s, but we’ll see.”

  I laugh. “Let’s find out.”

  We walk inside, and even though the restaurant doesn't seem very busy, Apollo gives the host at the front desk his last name. Reservations on a Sunday afternoon?

  “Right this way, Mr. Onassis,” the host says with a beaming smile on his face.

  Apollo takes my hand and leads me through the restaurant to a small room. The place is all blues and whites just like Greece, and as I gaze out the windows at the beach below, I feel Apollo nudge my arm. I turn as the host opens a sliding door. My mouth falls open when I see all our friends from both shops.

  “Apollo, I hope this is not a surprise party. It is not my birthday.”

  “No, baby, it’s not. Come on.”

  We enter, greeting everyone, who seem to be acting as though it’s perfectly normal behavior to meet at a Greek restaurant in South Beach on a late Sunday afternoon. This isn’t brunch after a night out, but I decide to just go with it.

  An hour goes by of chatting, drinking, telling funny stories about various customers. I meet a new man, Mitsu. I learn he’s Nix’s friend, but something tells me he’s interested in Grey because he hasn’t taken his eyes off him since we got here.

  After our lunch plates are cleared, Apollo surprises me again by standing to get everyone’s attention. My brow furrows as I glance around the table. Luca winks at me while Jude gives me a smile and slight nod.

  “Thanks everyone for joining us here,” Apollo starts. “Felix has no idea why I wanted this, but I’m about to tell him.”

  I smile, but my stomach is a jumbled mess.

  “It’s hard to believe it wasn’t that long ago when you came back to Miami. I was excited when your brother told me about it. I had fond memories of you. I remembered you as being creative, sweet, vibrant. I wondered how you had changed in ten years. I wasn’t even remotely prepared for the man you'd become.” He laughs softly. “I think I fell hard almost from the beginning. I tried to resist, but you were the definition of temptation. It didn’t take long for me to give in to your charms.”

  I chuckle, avoiding everyone's gaze as my cheeks turn pink. “Apollo…”

  “We’ve talked about a lot of things in the past few weeks,” he continues. “We both knew it was important for me to talk to Lucien about our budding relationship. I always knew when I went to him, I wanted to be able to tell
him it was more than a crush. More than just attraction. I wanted to tell him it was love.”

  I nod, but my legs are shaking. Where is he going with this?

  “Then we talked about our past relationships and what was always missing. You told me that I was missing. The more I thought about that the more I agreed. The missing part of my love life was you. I was waiting for you.”

  Apollo takes my hand, smiling.

  “I called Lucien, Felix. I told him I was dating you, and that I wanted more with you. I told him I was in love with you.”

  My mouth falls open. “Amour…”

  “I’ve known it for a while, but the first time you said I couldn’t say it because you had just rocked my world.”

  I hear soft chuckles around us.

  “Then the second time, you were afraid I would just say it back because you said it first.”

  I nod as my eyes cloud with tears.

  “So, I wanted to make sure that when I did say it, you would know I was clear, I was intentional, and I wasn’t prompted by anything. I invited our friends because they’re like family to me, and I want them to know that you’ve changed my life. You’ve made me so happy. You filled the hole no one else could. I love you, Felix Marchand. I love you, and I want the whole world to know that you’re my man. You’re my person I was waiting for.”

  A soft sob leaves my lips. “You called Lucien?”

  “Yeah. He gave us his blessing.”

  “That is wonderful. Thank you.”

  “I’m not done with you yet, Felix.” He smiles, reaching across the table to take a small box from Luca. “I wanted to show you how much you mean to me. I don’t think we’re quite ready for proposals yet, but I do think we’re ready for this.” He hands me the box. “Open it, please.”

  With shaking hands, I open the small white box to see a key inside. I gaze up at Apollo.

  “Felix, will you move in with me? To be clear, I’m asking you to move in as my lover, my partner, my boyfriend. I want you with me every night. I’d be honored if you’d say yes.”

  I exhale as tears stream down my face. “Yes. I would love that.”

  Apollo smiles, exhaling as his shoulders relax. “Awesome. I love you.”

  I jump up and wrap my arms and legs around him. He kisses me, swinging me back and forth as our friends clap for us. When he sets me down, I cup his cheek.

  “You heard what I said about gestures. I thought I killed it with your favorite cake, but I think this wins.”

  He gently pinches my chin. “It’s not a competition, gorgeous. I just wanted to show you what you mean to me.”

  “You have done that. I feel like the most special man on the planet.”

  “You are.” He wraps his arms around me. “We’ll tell your parents tonight?”

  I nod. “Yes. They will be delighted for me.”

  “Thank you for everything, Felix. You are exactly everything I was waiting for.”

  “Ah, mon amour, you are a dream come true. Literally.”

  He kisses my nose. “When do I get to see the lingerie?”

  “Before the sun comes up, amour.”

  “Perfect.”

  We sit back with our friends, receiving heartfelt congratulations. The restaurant brings champagne as if we just became engaged, and I smile. Someday that will happen too. I am sure of it.

  A few months ago, I was alone in Paris, thousands of miles from family, burnt out and lonely. I envisioned a life full of friends and laughter and love, and here it is, with the most desired, yet unexpected, man by my side.

  Merci beaucoup, l'univers.

  Apollo

  After getting home from dinner with his parents, which went extremely well, Felix drags me to the bedroom and shoves me onto the bed.

  “Stay.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He disappears in the closet and comes out a few minutes later wearing the lingerie I bought him, and sky-high heels.

  “Fuck.”

  “You like?” he asks, tousling his wavy hair with his hand.

  “More than like. I knew the minute we saw it in the window you would look amazing in it, and I was right. You blow me away.”

  “I feel amazing.” He runs his hands over the corset. “It is so beautiful.”

  “You are so beautiful.”

  “I am free, Apollo. Untethered. I swear I could fly. For years, I hid parts of me to be more palatable for the world. For potential lovers.” He smiles. “But you gave me a space to be free. To be myself. To show my love for you. If I was ever happy before this, it was superficial. I never knew what true happiness could feel like. It radiates through every part of me now. Because of you.”

  “I love you so much, Felix. You have redefined happiness for me.”

  “Bien.” He slinks toward me. “Enough love talk for now, mon amour. I want to be ripped apart.”

  “Fuck yeah.”

  “Take off your clothes for me.”

  “You ask so sweetly, even though I know your intentions are dirty.”

  “Filthy.”

  As I strip off my clothes, I search his eyes. “I have one more gesture.”

  “What is that, darling?”

  “We should get tested together. Then we can fuck without condoms.”

  Felix grins. “That sounds nice.”

  “We’re a monogamous couple. We will be forever.”

  “Yes, forever.” He steps between my legs. “I can’t believe this is happening. I am shaken.”

  I tilt my head. “Shaken?”

  “Genesis taught me.”

  “Ah. I think it might be shook.”

  His brow furrows. “I am shook?” He nods. “Ah, yes, that is it. It does not make sense, but that is slang, right?”

  “Right. So, I got you shook, huh?”

  He giggles. “Oui. I am putty in your hands.”

  “Really? Because in bed, you’re in charge.”

  “I know. One more thing that makes my heart putty for you.”

  “Yeah?” I pull him closer, rubbing my hands up and down the silk of the lingerie. “What else can I do to keep you shook?”

  A sexy grin pulls at his lips. “Let’s find out together.”

  It’s been two months since Felix moved in, and every day when I step in the house, a smile pulls at my lips. There’s always music playing, sometimes a TV show, and it always smells good. Sometimes he’s asleep, but sliding into bed next to his warm body is one of my new joys in life. This house finally has life in it.

  When I find him, he’s in the kitchen, singing pop music as he stirs something in the pot. I lean against the doorframe, watching him for a moment until he catches me, jumping.

  “Mon amour, you startled me.”

  “Sorry. I was just enjoying the scenery. What are you making?”

  "Boeuf Bourguignon.”

  “It smells amazing.”

  “Yes, it’s coming out nicely. I hope you are hungry.”

  “Extremely. Is it almost done?”

  “Ten minutes maybe. Enough time for you to change.”

  “Great. Be right back.”

  I head to the bedroom and fire off a quick text to kickstart the surprise I have for Felix. I know he doesn’t suspect a thing, and I’m pretty damn proud of myself for pulling this off. I change out of my tight jeans and work T-shirt, throwing on a pair of gray sweatpants and a sweater. When I shuffle back to the kitchen, Felix is leaning over the pot, inhaling it.

  “We can let it rest a few minutes before we eat,” Felix says, walking over to kiss me. “I missed you today.”

  “I missed you too.” The doorbell rings, and I try to act surprised. “Wonder who that could be. Let’s go answer it.”

  “Together?”

  “I can’t let you go yet. Come with me?”

  Felix laughs. “You are so cute. I’ll come with you.”

  I’m so excited for this, I’m practically bouncing off the walls. Felix looks at me funny as he grabs the handle to open the door.
When he does, shifting his eyes to see who it is, his mouth falls open.

  “Lucien!”

  Lucien steps inside and grabs his brother in a huge bear hug. They haven’t seen each other in person in years, so I know how much this moment means to both of them.

  “Oh my god, you’re here,” Felix says, stepping back with his hands gripped firmly on Lucien’s forearms. He turns to me. “Apollo, Lucien is here.”

  “I know, baby. I told him to come over.”

  “You knew? Oh, this is wonderful. I missed you so much, mon frère.”

  “I missed you too, Felix.” He cups his face. “Look at you. You look so happy.”

  “I am.” Felix glances at me. “Very happy.”

  “I’m so glad.” Lucien comes over and hugs me. “Mon ami. So good to see you again.”

  I pat his back. “You too.”

  The three of us settle at the table for dinner. Lucien pours wine as we praise Felix for the delicious meal. As we finish, Lucien leans back in his seat, gazing fondly at his brother.

  “I have news.”

  Felix’s face perks up. “Yes?”

  “I’m not leaving again.”

  I sit up in my chair. “Really?”

  “What?” Felix says, gripping my hand.

  “I’m not leaving. I quit my job, packed my stuff, and came home. Tomorrow I’m going house hunting and setting down roots back in Miami.”

  Felix’s gorgeous face crumbles into tears. “Oh, Lucien. I am overjoyed.”

  “So am I, sweet Felix. It has been a long time coming. Instead of getting used to the distance, I felt it more and more each day. Now with you here, even more reason to come home.” He sips his wine. “I have a confession. Three months ago, I had a little scare with my health. The doctor said my blood pressure was much too high for someone my age, and if I didn’t manage my stress better, I could have a heart attack. The idea of that scared me, but mostly it made me think about what was really important. Family. That includes you, Apollo. I wanted to spend my remaining years with people I love. Romantically, things were abysmal in LA. Maybe these two things were proof that I was in the wrong place. So, I am home, and I am so happy to see your face in real life. I cannot wait to hug Maman and Papa. I cannot wait to live the life I was meant to live.”