had drizzled upon her breasts,
rubbing them into her flesh.
“I guess you were hungry,” said
Cameron.
“I cannot help myself, this food
is so good. I did not know I had
spices on my shelves.”
“Only cinnamon and sugar.”
Her eyes went wide again, her
head wobbled side to side, “Only cinnamon and sugar? I would not know the first thing to
do. You my love are in the wrong
line of work.”
Cameron took in a slow
breath. The flat was shielded from
the morning light by shadow and curtains of lace, yet Christine’s green eyes
lit bright. To him she embodied
beauty. Her physical beauty was
undeniable, her long chestnut hair wildly flowing over her bare shoulders. No man could resist the charms of
perfectly formed pert breasts slathered in shining droplets of honey. Certainly, they shared lust. To Cameron though Christine held the
beauty of innocence, happily rocking side to side as she ate, now humming a
song, most likely one of her own creation. Most of all Cameron believed , wanted to
believe, that Christine did not know the work he did when he was away from
her. When Cameron
was by her side, that man was someone else.
“Cameron,” said Christine.
“Oui, l’amour,” said Cameron.
“I am so happy that today I have
you all to me.” Christine tilted
her head to the side and gazed into Cameron’s eyes. He could become lost in those eyes and
never go back to Corsica, to the regiment. Maybe one day.
“Today,” said Christine. “I want to look at puppies.”
“You want to look at puppies?”
“Yes, puppies. One of the girls has this beautiful new
Labrador. She says he is a
Chocolate Lab. He is very cute and
keeps her company when…”
Christine shifted her eyes down
to the table and bit off a small piece of bread. She chewed the piece more slowly than
needed. Cameron waited for her to
finish her sentence and when she did not he prompted her, “When…”
Christine sighed and then sat
upright in her chair, still peering at the table. “I do not want to think bad thoughts
today. I need you to go with me to
find a puppy to keep me company for when you are not here.” She slid her eyes up from the table to
meet Cameron’s again, at the same time grasping his fingers into hers. Playfully pleading she said, “Would you
do that Cameron. Would you go with
me to find a Chocolate Lab puppy?”
Cameron leaned forward and
responded in the guise of a playful lover, “Oui, of course I will go with you
to find a Chocolate Lab puppy.”
Christine lurched forward and
planted a kiss on Cameron, wrapping her hand around his head so that he could
not escape. When she sat back into
her chair, the toothy smile returned to her face. “Fabulous,” she placed her hands flatly
together, “I know just the place in the country and then we can have a picnic.”
Seeing Christine so satisfied
and joyful, Cameron could not help feeling the same. To simply make her happy made him
happy. Cameron again imagined a
world where he could easily stay here in Paris.
Again Christine’s face became
serious, “Cameron.”
“Oui, l’amour.”
“Thank you for being here with
me.”
“Where else would I be?” Cameron placed his arm across the table
and Christine rested her hand in his.
Christine smiled. Then a brief moment later, “Cameron.”
“Oui, l’amour.”
“Thank you for making this
lovely breakfast.” Christine
offered her cup to Cameron, and then sheepishly asked, “May I have more
coffee?”
* * * * *
Chapter
23
Al Marmoom Camel Racetrack,
Dubai
From his seat in the grandstand
the stringy twelve year old flung his naked arm down toward the starting gate
pit. From the sea of owners,
trainers, and entourages packed tightly behind the twenty-three painted camels,
the boy singled out one man. “That’s him in the full body thobe and ghutra.”
“Very funny little one,” said
Pepe.