Alice, engrossed in her novel, saw a glimmer of gold out of the corner of her eye. She lowered her book to see a small, ornate box sitting on the coffee table in front of her. Her husband, Jacques, was just moving his hand away.
"What's this?" she asked, looking up at him with big, blue eyes. Jacques smiled and took a seat beside her on the couch.
"It's for you," Jacques said, his brown eyes sparkling. "Open it."
It was their first Valentine's Day as a married couple, well as a couple at all really. The two had met only three months earlier and she was quickly swept off her feet by his charm. So when the time came for him to return to France, she suggested they get married instead, and so they did in a small civil ceremony two weeks ago.
"I thought we weren't exchanging presents," Alice said, though she had never really believed that. Her present for him was hiding in their bedroom closet.
"Who said it was from me?" Jacques said in mock surprise.
Alice smiled and pulled one end of the red satin bow that sealed the box. It came undone easily. She placed her hand over the lid, pausing to look at him again. He looked at the box with wide eyes, urging her to open it.
Quickly, she slipped the lid off and looked inside. A folded card lay at the bottom and she pulled it out, unfolding it, careful not to rip the delicate paper. Embossed in gold lettering, was a short message, she read aloud:
Mr. and Mrs. Coutier,
"That's us," Alice added unnecessarily.
You are cordially invited to an evening at Hexton Manor. Kindly wait at the front of your residence. A car will pick you up shortly.
The password is: Butterfly Kisses
Alice couldn't help but let out a laugh. "What is this about?" she asked.
"Hmm," Jacques said, acting as though this was all news to him. "You should bring a jacket. It's cold."
Alice looked down at the dark jeans and turtleneck sweater she was wearing. She wasn't sure how formal this evening would be. "Should I change?" she inquired, already thinking about what clothes she had to wear.
"No time," Jacques said, getting up from his seat and walking towards the front door. "They'll be here any moment."
Alice bit her lip, not sure of how to respond, then hurried after him.
~
"It's freezing," Alice said, clasping her jacket tightly around her. Jacques rubbed her arms with his hands. "Maybe we should wait inside?" Alice suggested.
Jacques silently brushed freshly fallen snow off her hair and kissed her gently on the cheek. He had a tenderness that she couldn't help but adore. She sometimes wondered if their relationship was too rushed, but subtle gestures like that made her realize how much she cared for him.
"Ahh," he said, looking over her shoulder. "Here they are."
Alice turned to see a black armored car turning into their driveway. It wasn't a limousine, but mysterious nonetheless. Alice looked at Jacques suspiciously from the corner of her eye. What was he up to?
Jacques met the car and opened the back passenger door. "After you," he said, holding the door open for her.
"Thank you," she said, flashing him a flirty smile as she slid into the car. Jacques crawled in after her. He closed the door and the car pulled away immediately.
Alice instantly noticed the darkly tinted window separating them from the driver.
"What are we doing?" Alice asked.
"Do you want to ruin the surprise?" Jacques inquired.
Alice didn't respond. She wanted to know what he had planned, but the secrecy was intriguing, it was one of the things that attracted her to him. After all the planning and organizing she had to do in her last relationship, it was almost a turn on to be kept in the dark like this.
Jacques pressed a button on the seat in front of him, opening a small compartment. He reached his hand inside and pulled out a bottle of champagne and two glasses.
Alice smiled. She wondered how many other women he had wooed like this. He popped the cork effortlessly and filled the tall flutes with golden liquid, handing one to her.
"Happy Valentines Day," he said, clinking her glass with his own. The dim light reflected off his eyes.
"Happy Valentines Day," she replied.
She took a sip from her glass, savoring the champagne in her mouth, letting the bubbles dissolve on her tongue before swallowing. Jacques leaned in, kissing her gently on the lips. She opened her mouth, allowing his tongue to slide across her teeth. Her eyes closed, so she could concentrate on his every movement.
He kissed along the nape of her neck, while one hand traveled down her chest, slipping beneath her coat.
"Mmm," she murmured, as his hand cupped her breast. She moved her hands through his hair, pulling his kiss towards her. He pressed his body against hers, letting her feel the lump in his pants grow. Her hand traced over the outline of his trousers, before slipping below them, feeling the silkiness of his boxers and the swelling of his cock. She gently bit the side of his neck.
The car stopped.
"We're here," Jacques said, "Stay right there." He swung open the door and hopped outside. Alice slouched back into her seat and adjusted her hair. She wasn't expecting that.
"Mon Cherie," Jacques said, opening her door and holding a hand out to her ease her from the car.
Alice stepped out. She looked up to see a tall, ominous building standing in front of them. It was a beautiful structure, yet unlike the usual homes in the area. It was dark and gothic with richly carved bricks and intricate stone trim.
Jacques took her arm and lead her up the front steps. The doors swung open before she had placed her foot on the first step and a large man in a tuxedo and black eye mask stood before them, blocking the doorway.
"May I help you?" the man inquired.
"We received an invitation," Jacques said, looking at Alice.
"I'm not aware of any invitation," the man said staring back at them.
"Butterfly Kisses?" Alice said, recalling the phrase from the invitation.
"Very well," the man said moving out of the way. The couple moved past him vigilantly, arriving in an enormous foyer. A chandelier hung overhead and a majestic fountain cascaded before them.
"Your coat?" a woman's voice said from behind them. Alice turned to see a woman with a blank white face mask and grey hair tied tightly in a bun, her arms were outstretched, ready to take Alice's coat. Alice tried not to look startled as she stepped back.
"Thank you," Alice said, slipping off her jacket and handing it to the woman.
"Oh dear," the woman said, holding Alice's coat. From behind the mask, they could see her eyes move from Alice to Jacques, then back to Alice.
"We have a very strict dress code here," the woman's voice echoed in the large room.
Alice could feel her cheeks turn red with embarrassment. "I didn't have time to change from when I got the invitation," Alice said, stumbling over her words.
"I see," the woman said, looking Alice up and down, "Follow me."
Alice glanced at Jacques, he must have known she was underdressed for the occasion. He looked sheepishly at the ground, an apologetic look in his eyes.
"Make yourself comfortable," the woman said to Jacques, "I trust you know what to do". He nodded and the woman turned, walking down a hall. Alice obediently followed, but turned back to see a woman in a long gown leading Jacques through a set of double doors.
A pang of jealousy swept through her, before she quickly tossed the thought aside. She knew Jacques would never be unfaithful to her. Would he?
The woman opened a door and Alice walked inside. It was a small room, lavishly decorated, with dark upholstered walls and cherry wood furniture. What stood out the most, was the queen-sized, four poster bed in the centre of the room.
It was a bed and breakfast, Alice realized. Jacques must have packed a bag for her so she wouldn't have guessed the surprise. He was so sneaky.
Alice walked towards the bed. Carefully placed upon it was the most beautiful gown she had ever laid eyes on. It was made of dark satin fabric and detailed with gold trim. Alice lifted the dress off the bed, letting her hands run over the silky material. A thick ribbon laced through the back of the dress.
