Page 1 of All the Gossip from Paris (Royal Fashion #2)

CHAPTER ONE

Outside an office building,

A warm September evening.

“I still can’t let you in,” said the security guard. He closed up Sophie’s passport and handed it back to her. “It doesn’t matter who you say you are, miss. If your name isn’t on my list, there’s nothing I can do about it. Sorry. Rules are rules.”

Sophie gritted her teeth. She didn’t need an apology—she needed to get inside the building. She had to see her sister, Camille.

I can’t believe this is happening.

She was Sophie Royal. The mere mention of her name was usually more than enough to have any door opened to her.

The only time she ever needed to show some sort of ID was when she was being VIP ushered through international customs, and even then, it was little more than a formality.

A polite glance at her passport followed by a ‘welcome Ms. Royal, your driver is waiting for you’.

But this was New York City; and the man on the door seemed determined to stick to the rules.

If only I was able to call Camille and tell her, I’m here. I’m such an idiot.

The battery in her cell phone had died on the flight over from Paris, and she hadn’t remembered to charge it on the drive into the city. She had no way to get in touch with anyone.

I don’t even know Camille’s phone number. Sigh. First-world problems.

She was about to ask the guard if he could radio someone upstairs, when a stranger appeared at her side. The guy was carrying a large sports bag, and had a leather satchel slung over his shoulder. Whoever he was, he was all business.

And I’m clearly in his way.

Sophie stepped back as the man moved quickly toward the door. She caught sight of the large black and white security pass which he flashed to the security guard. The words New York Fashion Week were printed in bold letters on the top.

“Hi, I’m Liam Collins, the photographer for Camille Royal’s runway show. It’s in the Really Big Space upstairs,” said the stranger.

The guard’s demeanor changed from chilly to warm in an instant. He even smiled. “Feel free to head on up, Mister Collins. Take the bank of elevators to your right once you get inside.”

Sophie saw an opening. A chance that was going begging. If she could get this photographer guy to let Camille know that her sister was downstairs, she still might manage to make it into the building.

“Um. Excuse me,” she said.

The stranger turned to her. “Yes?”

She took in his brown eyes. The mop of gorgeously ruffled dark hair. But it was his disarming smile which sent a shiver of hot lust suddenly racing down her spine.

Camille had been right. These American guys were dangerous. And if anyone should know it was her sister. She’d already fallen for one. And was now having his baby.

Sophie pushed away the foolish thought of getting hot and heavy with a complete stranger, and focused back on the problem at hand. Getting upstairs to see Camille.

“I couldn’t help but overhear you say that you’re going upstairs to Camille Royal’s fashion show.” She held out a hand. “I’m Sophie. I’ve just arrived from Paris, and I’m here to see Camille. She’s, my sister.”

He shook her hand. “I’m Liam. I’m taking the photos for Camille’s runway launch. Nice to meet you, Sophie.”

Producing her phone from out of her tote bag, Sophie showed Liam the blank screen. “Unfortunately my cell phone battery is dead. I can’t call anyone. I was wondering if you could possibly help me.”

She glanced quickly in the direction of the security guard, then turned back to the photographer. “I wasn’t meant to be in New York tonight, so my name isn’t on the door. That man won’t let me upstairs.”

The hot stranger’s alluring smile broke into a full on grin. “Let me call my brother Ryan and see if we can sort something out. He works for Camille as her personal assistant. Does all sorts of things for her.”

Yes, Cami has told me some of the wicked things your brother can do.

Ryan certainly did do a lot for her sister, including getting her pregnant. For a moment Sophie wondered just how much Ryan’s brother knew of the connection between Camille and her personal assistant.

Maybe I should keep that to myself.

It would be reckless of her to go spilling the tea about her sister’s love life. Especially to a guy she’d only just met.

Which means I definitely won’t be saying anything about a small bundle of joy which is due to arrive in the new year.

Liam pulled a cell phone out of his jeans pocket and made a quick call.

“Hi, I’m downstairs right now. Were you expecting Camille’s sister Sophie to arrive this evening from Paris? She’s downstairs with me, but her name isn’t on the list.”

He nodded, and hummed. “Are you able to get in touch with the security people and ask them to put her name on the door?” His brow furrowed and he hummed once more. “Ok, I’ll try something else.”

After hanging up the phone, Liam turned to the guard. “Camille’s assistant says he will make a few calls and try to get Sophie’s name on your list. But it’s late and I have work to do, so how about we do this instead?”

Slipping his satchel from his shoulders, Liam handed it to Sophie. She could have sworn he winked at her. “Hold it with both hands. Its heavy. As my personal assistant I expect you to be very careful with my camera and lenses.”

Sophie turned and offered the guard an expectant smile.

Please. Please.

“Nicely played,” said the man, flipping his clipboard over.

He hastily added Sophie’s name next to Liam’s then pointed to the entrance.

“Have a good night, folks. If Ms. Royal is coming back in the morning, can you please make sure Camille’s assistant gets a security pass organized for her.

There are a lot of runway shows on tomorrow, and it will be nuts down here.

If she doesn’t have a pass by then, she won’t be getting anywhere near the front door. ”

“Good to know. Will do. Thanks,” replied Liam. He headed for the front door, with Sophie following closely on his heels.

As soon as they were inside, she set the bag carefully on the foyer floor. Liam hadn’t been wrong about the weight. The camera equipment was heavy. But she’d made it into the building, and that was what counted.

Liam turning up when he did was a pure stroke of luck.

Sophie raised her hand in the air. “From what I understand the correct phrase in American English is ‘Don’t leave me hanging’.”

Her heart gave an unexpected little pitter patter of delight when a grinning Liam slapped his palm gently to hers. “Trust me, Sophie—I would never leave a girl like you hanging.”

Oooh. Smooth talker.

He went to pick up the satchel, but Sophie beat him to it. “You told the security guard that I was your assistant. Now we have to live out that lie for the rest of our entire lives.”

She slung the heavy bag over her shoulder once more. “Urgh. Or at least until we get into the elevator.”

A matter of minutes ago she’d been struggling with trying to get into the building. Now she’d met the handsome Liam, and was on the way to the elevator with him. She was going to see her sister. Sophie Royal’s night was finally on the up.