Mary moves away from him & joins Monica to watch Veronique's performance. Nico congratulates the groom: Julie is Samuel's third wife. Already, Nico's arms ache to embrace Mary again, he hates having to keep his distance in public.

He'd like to rush up to that hotel room right now & make love to Mary for hours, but there is more idle chit chat to be endured, for the sake of appearances.

Monica finds an opportunity to speak to him alone, "You're still a playboy, Nico," she says with a phony smile that makes him nauseous, "I can see what you're up to." Nicolas shakes is head, "You don't know anything, Monica," he says defiantly. There has to be a way he can do this & keep the media from knowing: he just has to be sure they never get hard evidence.....Monica laughs, "It's all right, Nico, everyone plays, you don't have to pretend to be saint. You have a good time tonight, darling. I'll be seeing you around," she finishes, patting him on the arm before moving away.

Twenty minutes after Mary goes up to her room, Nicolas makes his farewells & leaves the hotel, only to slip back in, upstairs to Mary, moments later.

He's been waiting for this all day, sine he saw Mary was at this wedding. But now that they are alone together, her lips beneath his open hungrily for his kisses....and he's thinking of Jackie, how this betrayal will break her heart when she learns of it.

"Darling, adorable Nicolas," Mary purrs, rubbing his shoulders, "This is just for pleasure, it isn't going to interfere with your relationship...and don't worry so much about the media. Have you ever heard tawdry rumors about me in the tabloids?" Nicolas has to admit, Mary's reputation as a serious dramatic actress is untarnished by any stories of Hollywood style excess, and never heard the slightest rumor she had anything with Bernard, though he's seen her in public with him twice..."You're safe with me, Nicolas," she says, her voice low and husky, still using her Italian accent. Does she ever speak in her real voice? he wonders.

He's come too far to turn back now: Nicolas gives in to the moment, forgets everything except what is here, what is now. Once again she takes the lead, taking him down on the floor to make love in front of the fireplace.

NEXT