Can you feel that intoxicating fragrance of the storm approaching languidly?
It's as if the elements wanted to mark the end of summer's frivolities with intensity… thinks Henri on his way back from the beach.
Oxmo Puccino's voice rises through the air in rhythm with the sea spray, which is beginning to leave traces of salt on his skin.
The rush to hand in his manuscript to his publishing Edition before the end of summer made him forget the cherry festival, a major event in Malmousque, the little village in the Bouches-du-Rhône where he was born.
It would be wise to act as if he hadn't heard this music he loves so much… it's the 31st of August, and he has two days left to hand in that erotic novel he's been working on for two years…
And at the same time, the faces of Lorie and Jason, whom he met two days earlier, come back to mind.
Lorie and Jason are a charismatic Berlin couple who came to spend a holiday in his home town.
“They'll be at the cherry festival, for sure, they leave tomorrow,” he thinks.
The few messages exchanged following their wild dance on the worn floor of L'Archimède at 2am leave Henri with a lingering taste of “I want more, maybe even much more…”
Lorie's luscious lips passionately kissing Jason's waiting mouth while locking her piercing gaze with his. Henri replays the scene… It was an invitation to join them; she made it crystal clear in a text message afterwards.
He didn't dare, and it obsesses him… The strawberry fragrance of her lip gloss, her eyes twinkling as she looks at him, the sensuality emanating from their bodies coming together, and the barely veiled invitation they had extended to him…
This persistent thought brought him to his beach hut without him even noticing. He hops in the shower, slips on a lilac linen shirt that reveals a chest tanned by a summer under the South of France sun, and takes the same path, heading this time to the cherry festival.
"Yo on my way u guys there?" -
Henri 7.38pm
"Hey, we'll be there in 20 mins where to meet?"
Lorie 7.39pm
"Candy apple stand by the swing ride"
Henri 7.40pm
"See u soon <3"
Lorie 7.40pm
8pm. They spot him leaning against a lamp post next to the candy apple stand, rolling a cigarette, fully focused. Approaching him, Jason whispers in Lorie's ear that they find Henri magnetic and feel very drawn to him. Lorie chimes in about the effect he has on her.
Henri places the cigarette in his mouth, looks up, and hugs Jason, then Lorie, to greet them…
Quite instinctively, all three of them head over beside the swing ride, behind the notorious haunted house, slightly away from the crowd.
Henri then notices the ring Jason wears on his left middle finger. Highly aesthetic, in silver adorned with a ring, it seems to tell a story...
WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Illustrations by Merle Veau-Cahon @grandechaussette 💜
Léa ☁️
A wordsmith for 10 years across various topics, I recently pivoted towards sexology following a training course with Mathilde Magnien. Passionate about relationship dynamics, here we'll chat openly, inclusively, and with a touch of fun.
