‘This is Mark,’ said Justin. ‘A friend of my daughter Bella’s.’

‘Bella,’ said Stefan with a lascivious gleam in his eye. ‘Pretty name, and I hear she’s a pretty girl too. Don’t think I’ve had the pleasure though … Is she with you?’

‘No, she’s at home in London. And don’t you go getting any ideas, you old bastard; she’s my little angel and I wouldn’t let you within a hundred yards of her with a bargepole.’ Justin took a large swig of his cognac as he mixed his metaphors, then laughed. ‘She’s way too old for you anyway.’

‘OK, OK, man, I get it. Daughter’s off-limits. But if you want to meet some hot chicks younger than your sweet little girl, come to my party tonight. The Linda Lovelace boat, moored in the vieux port, can’t miss it. Hey, babeeee!’ His attention was distracted by a very young Eurasian girl with shiny black hair that hung in a sleek curtain down to her waist. She was wearing an olive-green string-thong bikini bottom and matching tiny cropped T-shirt with HOT STUFF written across the chest. As Stefan snaked a proprietorial arm around her, he was joined by another girl who made Mark catch his breath. She had to be the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

Probably in her early twenties, the girl had a cat-like face, with large, slanting, deep turquoise eyes, framed with thick dark lashes and beautifully arched brows. Her wide, mischievous smile revealed perfect white teeth that gleamed in her smooth brown face. Long, streaky light brown hair swished around her shoulders, and a short dress made entirely of gossamer-fine white crochet teasingly revealed a lithe brown body with the exquisite muscle definition of the natural athlete. Underneath the dress, she was wearing only the briefest of white bikini bottoms; her bare, tip-tilted breasts pushed alluringly against the white lace.

‘Hi,’ she said, smiling up at him through sooty lashes. ‘I’m Karolina.’

Down boy, down boy, think of Sam. Mark willed his cock not to stiffen.

‘Hi, Karolina. I’m Mark.’

‘And I’m Justin.’ Justin eagerly thrust his hand out. ‘Great dress, babe.’

Stefan roared with laughter at their reactions.

‘See? All my girls are HOT. Catcha later? Fun and games you won’t regret.’ He winked again and slimed off, dragging both girls with him.

‘Fuck me,’ said Mark. ‘Did you see that girl?’

‘Uh-huh.’ Both men were still gazing after the threesome.

‘Who’s the geezer then?’ asked Mark, when they’d managed to drag their gaze away and were once more sitting nursing their cognacs.

‘Stefan Rafael, the porn king. Not his real name, of course. He is bad news.’ Justin laughed. ‘But if those two chicks are anything to go by, his party might be worth a look.’

‘Better count me out,’ said Mark with regret. ‘I’m practically married these days.’ He did love Sam, and for the first time in his life had been faithful the entire time they’d been together. Her sweet nature and phenomenal body brought out his manly, protective instincts. But he wasn’t sure he could trust himself at a porn party full of babes like Karolina. He took out his phone and looked at his screensaver: a photo of Sam’s smiling young face. It was more to strengthen his resolve than anything else.