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“Madame?”
Gemma turned to Remy, and he came over to help with the translation. She gesticulated at various items on the shelves behind the assistant while Remy explained what she sought to buy. The assistant laid out the selection on the countertop. Gemma carefully touched them each in turn, running her tattooed fingers over the surfaces and picking up the smaller items within. She studied each one in detail. Finally, she chose one of the most expensive and asked it be gift wrapped.
Gemma used her private credit card. She paid off this card from her own bank account. She didn’t want Jason to know about the cost. Remy carefully picked up the purchase in both hands, tucking it under his arm.
Having achieved her goal, Gemma took the opportunity to peruse other shops and stores as they descended toward the harbour. She didn’t wander and indicated clearly to Lubinsky which ones she wished to enter. By the time the little group reached the yacht, she had also acquired a deck of playing cards bearing the name of the casino—a memento.
Remy deposited Jason’s gift on the glass table in their stateroom. Jason wasn’t in his study, and Gemma was pleased to find him reclined on a sun bed, resting and listening to music on her iPod. She paused under the mast arch and took in the unusual sight of her husband unoccupied and enjoying music. He wore cut-off jeans and a sleeveless vest. A baseball cap sheltered his face from the glaring sun. The sundeck was swathed in a balmy early summer warmth, and the white yacht reflected the heat back around the deck.
Gemma felt loathed to disturb him, at least not abruptly. She approached quietly and slipped down on to her knees, next to his sun bed. His hand reached out and touched her face. He surprised her with his wakeful blue eyes under the baseball cap. His finger traced down her cheek, under her chin, and around to the back of her neck. Slowly, he drew her towards his face, and she parted her lips for his kiss. A brief touch of moist mouths and he lay back.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” he asked.
“Yes. It’s waiting for you in the stateroom.” She tapped the side of her nose.
He swung his legs round and, taking her hand, helped her stand. “I’m intrigued. Show me.” He led her towards the steps.
***
An oblong box shape, squidgy to touch under the metallic wrapping paper. He guessed the object was thirty or so centimetres at its widest. He lifted the present. Heavier than he had expected. He heard a slight rattling noise. Jason gave her a bemused grin, and Gemma bit her lip.
He ripped off the wrapping to reveal bubble wrap. Removing the protective plastic, he unveiled the ornate gift. Jason gave a gasp of genuine delight. He traced a finger over the exquisite leaf-like decorations on the surface and judged the workmanship to be of high quality. He opened the hinged lid and laid the two sides flat on the table.
“Wow! Gemma, it’s exceptional. Thank you.” He admired the contents of the box.
Gemma breathed a sigh of relief. “Marquetry and inlaid mosaic woodwork made from walnut and birchwood.” She picked up a counter, placing it on a point. “The wooden counters are lacquered. Very sleek and smooth don’t you think?”
“Now we have no excuses for not playing backgammon do we?” He shut the lid carefully. “You bought nothing for yourself? No clothes or jewellery?” He would be surprised if she had refrained from buying something for herself.
Gemma twisted her hands behind her back. “I bought a pack of playing cards.”
He struggled to stay straight-faced. “Seriously, I’m banning you from gambling.” He shook his head. “If I find out you have been on any online gambling websites, I will punish you.”
“Punish me?” she said with a mock expression of horror.
“One strike of the cane for every penny you lose.” Jason folded his arms.
“Penny. Don’t you mean pounds?” she bristled.
“Pennies. My final word on the matter. Stick to cribbage.”
“Permission to sulk, Sir,” she said with a petulant face.
He shook a finger at her. “If you want to be suspended again, babe, I’m sure I can find a better way to entice you into being strung up!”
After a long embrace, he took her to bed and let her touch him with her hands, kiss him, and unzip his fly to repeat the morning’s performance of fellatio. He didn’t mind that she was leading him and directing his body to please both of them. She deserved the reward after giving him such a magnificent gift.
***
After a lunch of cheese, cold meats, and baguettes, Jason received a long-awaited phone call.
“Excellent! We’ll keep an eye out for them,” he said to the caller.
“What?” Gemma asked, wiping her fingers on her napkin.
“Sundeck.” He cocked his head upwards. “Come on.”
Gemma stood, as Jason had told her, by the railings and kept her eyes on the comings and goings of traffic around the marina. There were other opulent yachts to behold then the layers of buildings forming the vista of Monte Carlo. The tall apartment blocks, red tiled roofs, and the rock-faced mountains rising above the principality.
