Julien chuckled softly, a deep, warm sound that rumbled through his chest as he watched Camille struggle with Amélie's limp, weight. "Allons, laissez-moi faire," he murmured, his voice a low, commanding purr. Without waiting for her to protest further, he stepped closer, his large hands coming around to gently but firmly take over Camille's slender ones, taking Amélie from her arms.
Julien slid one muscular arm beneath Amélie's knees, his other arm wrapping around her back, his hand splaying across her shoulder blades. He lifted her effortlessly, as if she weighed nothing at all, her lithe, curvy body molding perfectly to his broad, hard chest. Amélie's head lolled against his shoulder, her chestnut hair spilling over his arm, the silken strands tickling his skin.
Camille gasped, her hazel eyes widening in surprise as she felt Julien's hands take the weight of her friend's body. "Monsieur Deneuve!" she exclaimed, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Ce n'est vraiment pas nécessaire, I can manage..." She pouted prettily, her full, glossy lips pushing out in a fetching display of annoyance.
Julien glanced over at her, a look of apology softening his handsome features. "Pardonnez-moi, Mademoiselle Auclair," he murmured, "but I couldn't stand by and watch a lady like you strain yourself with my... with Amélie's weight." He adjusted his grip on Amélie, his fingers flexing slightly against the soft, pliant flesh of her thighs and back.
Camille's eyes narrowed, a glimmer of suspicion and something more heated flashing in their hazel depths as she watched Julien cradle her friend so protectively against his muscular chest. Without a word, she reached into Amélie's purse, which hung like a satchel over her friend's shoulder, and rummaged around until she found Amélie's keys.
"Here," Camille said, holding the keys out to Julien with a look of grudging acceptance. "I suppose you'll be needing these to get into her apartment." She paused, her gaze drifting over Amélie's peaceful, slumbering face, a look of quiet concern creasing her brow.
Julien chuckled, a deep, rich sound that resonated through his broad chest as he held Amélie close. "Vous vous moquez de moi, n'est-ce pas?" He asked, a note of incredulity coloring his deep voice. "A man cannot simply waltz into a woman's house in the middle of the night, all alone with her... in such a compromising position." He arched one dark brow, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes as he glanced down at Amélie's slumbering form, her curves pressed intimately against him.
Camille's eyes widened, a look of incredulous surprise flashing across her beautiful face. She opened her mouth to retort, but then a slow, mischievous smile curved her lips, a hint of wicked enjoyment glinting in her hazel eyes. "You say that, Monsieur Deneuve," she purred, her voice a low, teasing murmur, "yet here you are, about to enter a house with not one, but two.... two women." She arched one slender brow, a hint of unspoken meaning behind her words.
Julien had to admit, there was a certain twisted logic to Camille's teasing accusation. He cleared his throat, a slight flush coloring his chiseled cheeks as he held Amélie a bit closer, her lithe body molding perfectly to his muscular frame. "Touché, Mademoiselle Auclair," he murmured, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "I suppose you have a point. Though I assure you, my intentions are entirely honorable."
Camille giggled, a sound that seemed to dance in the cool Parisian air. "Of course, Monsieur Deneuve," she agreed, her voice a low, sultry purr. "I'm sure they are. Entirely." With that, she turned and made her way to the ornate, wooden door, her hips swaying slightly with each step.
Julien watched as Camille rummaged in Amélie's keys, her slender fingers deftly sorting through the contents until she found the right one. He shifted Amélie's weight in his arms, his hand slipping slightly as he adjusted his grip on her thigh, his fingers accidentally brushing against the bare, silken skin beneath the dress.
Amélie murmured softly in her sleep, nuzzling into the crook of Julien's neck as if seeking comfort and warmth. Her breath, still tinged with the scent of champagne and desire, ghosted over his skin, sending a shiver down his spine. Julien's heartbeat quickened, a sudden rush of protectiveness and something more primal coursing through his veins as he felt Amélie's trust, her vulnerability, her need. He tightened his grip on her, pulling her closer, shielding her from the cool night air and the knowing gaze of her friend.
Although, Camille had already noticed the subtle shift in Julien's grip, the way his hand had brushed against the bare skin of Amélie's thigh, the way Amélie had instinctively nuzzled closer to him in her drunken slumber. A sly, knowing smirk curved Camille's lips as she glanced back over her shoulder at the two of them, her hazel eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something more heated.
"Well, well," Camille purred, her voice a low, teasing murmur, "it looks like someone might just wake up at any moment, Monsieur Deneuve. I hope you're ready for whatever... consequences that might entail." She arched one slender brow, a hint of unspoken meaning behind her words.
Julien felt a sudden rush of heat flood his cheeks, a mix of embarrassment and a sudden, sharp surge of desire warring within him. He cleared his throat, his voice a low, slightly strained rasp as he met Camille's knowing gaze. "Je suis prêt, Mademoiselle Auclair," he assured her, a note of wry humor coloring his deep tone. "You need not worry."
Camille merely smiled, a look of wicked amusement playing across her beautiful face as she turned back to the door, slipping the key into the lock. With a soft click, the door swung open, revealing a dimly lit, elegantly appointed entryway. Camille gestured for Julien to step inside, her slender hand sweeping out in a graceful arc.
Julien stepped over the threshold, his heart pounding in his chest as he crossed the boundary into Amélie's private domain. He felt a sudden, sharp pang of anticipation, a mix of curiosity and something more primal as he wondered what other surprises the night might hold.
Camille followed close behind, her hips swaying softly as she passed by Julien to lead the way down the narrow, candlelit hallway. She glanced back at Julien over her shoulder, a mischievous glint in her hazel eyes. "Follow me, Monsieur Deneuve," she murmured. "I'll show you the way to Amélie's room. It's just down the hall, on the left." She glanced back over her shoulder at him, a mischievous glint in her hazel eyes.
"Do try not to get too... distracted on the way," she teased, a hint of double meaning coloring her tone. With that, she sashayed down the darkened hallway, her lithe, toned legs and the sway of her hips illuminated by the moonlight streaming in through the windows. The click of her heels on the hardwood floor echoed in the stillness, a staccato rhythm that seemed to punctuate the charged, electric tension between them.
Julien followed Camille down the narrow, candlelit hallway, his heart pounding in his chest as he took in the intimate, personal details of Amélie's home. The walls were lined with framed photographs and abstract art, each one a window into Amélie's life and her unique perspective. The air was filled with the soft, subtle scent of her perfume, a fragrance that seemed to cling to every surface, a lingering reminder of her presence.
As they reached the end of the hallway, Camille paused before a closed door, her hand on the knob. She glanced back at Julien, a look of quiet anticipation softening her beautiful features. "Here we are," she murmured, her voice a low, gentle rasp. "Amélie's sanctuary."
Julien nodded, his dark eyes meeting Camille's in the dim light. Together, they stepped into the room, the soft glow of a bedside lamp casting a warm, inviting glow over the space. The room was a perfect reflection of Amélie - elegant, yet playful, with a mix of traditional and modern elements that spoke to her unique sensibilities.
Julien carried Amélie to the bed, her lithe, curvy body molding perfectly to his muscular frame with each step. As he reached the edge of the bed, he paused, his heart aching with a sudden, sharp surge of tenderness and a fierce, protective instinct. Gently, carefully, he lowered Amélie down onto the plush, velvet duvet of her four-poster bed, his movements slow and careful, as if handling something precious and fragile.
Amélie stirred slightly, her chestnut lashes fluttering against her cheeks, a soft, breathy sigh escaping her glossy, parted lips as she nuzzled into the pillows, her chestnut hair fanning out around her face. Julien's breath caught in his throat, a sudden rush of emotion welling up inside him as he gazed down at her slumbering form, the moonlight casting a soft, ethereal glow over her beautiful features. Her dress rode up slightly as Julien settled her on the bed, exposing a tantalizing expanse of creamy, toned thigh that made his breath catch in his throat.
"Elle est si belle," Julien murmured, his voice a low, awestruck rasp as he gazed down at Amélie's slumbering form. "Even like this, she's breathtaking." He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his fingers lingering on the silken strands, marveling at their softness.
Camille nodded, a soft, fond smile playing at her lips as she gazed at her dear friend, her eyes shining with affection and a hint of envy. "Always the belle of the ball, our Amélie," she agreed, a note of gentle teasing in her voice.
Julien's gaze flicked up to meet Camille's, a look of surprise and a hint of embarrassment coloring his handsome features. He cleared his throat, a slight flush deepening on his chiseled cheeks. "I should go now," he murmured, a note of reluctance in his deep voice. "I've already imposed enough for one night."
Camille's lips curved in a sly, knowing smirk as she watched Julien make as if to leave. She stepped closer, her hazel eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something more heated. "You're not thinking of leaving me alone with sleeping beauty here, are you Monsieur Deneuve?" she asked, a hint of challenge in her tone. "What if she wakes up and needs... assistance?"