Flaneur ✅💋

12. Le Lendemain Matin

April 14, 1942

The sun was so bright when she awoke that she had guessed it was close to noon. She sat up and yawned, stretching her arms over her head and letting her sheet slip down to reveal her naked form beneath. For a moment she forgot everything from the night before, but the black trench coat on the bedpost had her mind flooded with memories. She glanced around, looking for a sign of him. The bed was empty save for a note on her pillow.

Good morning, Bärchen. Breakfast is waiting for you. You looked so beautiful while you slept that I didn't want to wake you.

She smiled like a smitten little girl at the handwritten letter. She hopped out of bed and quickly slipped on her ivory robe, tying the silk sash around her waist and padding barefoot down the stairs to the kitchen. Breakfast was indeed waiting for her. The colonel had outdone himself.

A bowl of cream sat in the middle of the counter surrounded by fruits, croissants, pastries, and cheese. She grabbed a pastry and nibbled on it while she searched the house for him. She was just about to check the cellar, wondering if he would be so brash as to go back down there, when she ran smack into Bruno coming up with a bottle opener.

Panic flashed across his face as he tried to steady her from falling over. "Forgive me, Genevieve! I wasn't watching where I was going."

She waved away his apology and giggled. "No need to apologize, my mind was elsewhere. Have you seen the colonel?"

Bruno nodded and pointed to his right down the hallway. "He and the dog are in the back," he answered, a touch of contempt in his voice at the mention of the Gestapo officer.

"Merci." She took another bite and found her way outside. The glass doors that lead to her back patio gave her a view that made her heart flutter. Nicolas was throwing a ball for Waltz, laughing as he would fetch it for him and run back and forth with his tail wagging wildly. She hovered at the door for a moment, pushing down her emotions and burying them deep inside where they couldn't affect her job.

Taking a deep breath, Genevieve opened the door and walked onto the already warm patio. Her toes curled as she took in the image of the colonel from behind. He was wearing his white undershirt, void of any insignia, and his dark trousers with his boots. He looked almost normal in the sun, playing fetch with a puppy, out of uniform. Visions of the previous night made her shiver deliciously.

"You certainly like your beauty sleep." She gasped lightly, unaware that he had heard her come out.

"Yes, well, one doesn't achieve looks by lack of sleep," she quipped. He spun on his boot and walked toward her. She could see the little golden hairs on his chest sticking out of the top of his shirt. He closed the gap between them in only a few strides once he took the steps up to the patio. His arms encircled her waist and he bent to kiss her.

"I had a wonderful evening with you," he said once he pulled away and tucked a curl behind her ear. He didn't let her go, just holding her and swaying dreamily for a few moments. A sigh escaped his lips and caught her off guard. "I'm afraid I can't stay long. I need to leave."

"Why?" The words left her before she had a chance to think it through.

He smiled at her eagerness. "I am needed back at the headquarters. I've been tasked with securing a venue and organizing a security detail for our leader's birthday. He likes things to go smoothly."

Our leader.  She figured as much. "I see."

"I'll be unreachable for a few days at least, but," he tilted her head to look up at him, "I'll return with a gift." Her lips pulled up at the corners. Another gift from the colonel.

"You spoil me," she cooed, resting a hand on his chest.

"I suppose I do," he admitted proudly. "You seem to inadvertently bring it out in me." He took both his hands, cradling her face, and kissed her lips with a hunger she wasn't ready to feed. One hand lowered to snake around her waist, pressing her up against him where she could feel his excitement growing against her belly. She let out a muffled giggle at his transparency. "One more thing, before I go." He pulled back to look her in the eyes. "Would you do me the honors of accompanying me to the party? I rather enjoyed being the envy of every man in the room, and I'm sure you didn't mind being the source of jealousy yourself."

"Is that what you think?" She raised one perfect brow. "I'll have you know that where you may have been envied, I most certainly was not."

"No?" he checked, a bit disappointed by her response.

"On the contrary, anyone looking in my direction didn't have jealousy in their eyes." She rose up on her toes to reach his ear, nibbling at his lobe. "It was pure lust." A low growl rumbled from within his chest at her words.

"Are you trying to make me late?" he challenged playfully. She batted her eyes innocently. "Say you'll attend the birthday event with me." His tone switched to a more serious one as his hands gripped he shoulders.

She smirked at his shift in demeanor. "I suppose I can make an appearance." She feigned boredom.

He kissed her forehead lightly before stepping around her. "Excellent." He paused at the door and glanced back over his shoulder at her on the patio. "I'll be in touch." His choice of words seemed deliberate. A devious smile and a wink, and he was gone.