Page 15 of All the Gossip from Paris (Royal Fashion #2)
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Royal Resorts Hotel
Central Paris
“Oh Ryan, I thought I’d pee my pants when I saw it!
” exclaimed Brenda. Liam couldn’t help but smile as he listened to his normally poker-faced mother explain how excited she’d been at seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time.
He’d had been busily checking emails in the car when his mother’s squeals of delight had interrupted him.
The closer they got the more excited his mom had become.
Ryan was waiting for them when they arrived at their suite at the Royal Resorts hotel. Liam had thought the hotel in New York, the one where he’d stayed with Sophie had been luxurious, but this suite was something else. Luxury on an entirely different level.
There were real crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. And on the wall were paintings which Liam suspected were originals rather than copies. His entire earnings for a year wouldn’t cover the cost of the various ornate vases let alone the stunning flowers which filled each one of them.
Now, he met his father’s eyes as they both turned on the spot taking in the sheer opulence of the grandly named Royal Suite Royal Resorts Paris. Liam was almost lost for words. “Fuck me,” he muttered under his breath.
Pete Collins chuckled softly in reply. “Second that.”
This was more like a palace than a hotel room. He’d gone on line and checked the price of the Royal Suite in New York City, and been stunned to discover it cost thirty two thousand dollars a night.
What must this place cost?
It seemed rude to ask, so the second he got a chance, he’d be looking this hotel up on line.
How did we end up here?
But if he was finding it hard to take it all in, Ryan seemed to have settled quite comfortably into the billionaire lifestyle. His brother was about to marry an heiress. In a matter of days, Ryan Collins would become Ryan Royal.
Apparently, there was some strange tradition that when you married into the Royal family, you had to become a Royal. From what Liam understood that interesting little bit of news hadn’t gone down all that well with their father. Ryan’s children wouldn’t be carrying on the Collins family name.
“How was your flight?” asked Ryan.
Liam shrugged. His attention was still fixed on taking in the luxurious suite. The cream French doors which led out onto a private balcony were framed by a pair of extravagantly fringed gold curtains. “How was the flight? Caviar. Champagne. Ten course meals. Complimentary PJs. Nothing special.”
Brenda let out a gasp. “Liam! How can you say such a thing?” admonished their mother. The look on her face was pure mortification.
Ryan simply laughed. “Yeah. Slumming it in First Class. I don’t know how you survived the flight. I couldn’t do it. Once you’ve been on a private jet, you’ll never go back to lining up to show your boarding pass.”
“I’ll remember that next time I’m in cattle class. When they make me pay extra for a small packet of spiced peas I’ll think of you,” replied Liam.
Ryan laughed a second time. “Hey, you’re the one who loves to see how cheaply he can fly. You do realize that once they add in all those extra charges it’s not a bargain after all.”
He couldn’t fault his brother’s words. Liam was always looking for the ultimate in flying deals.
“So how do we feel about a bit of sightseeing today folks?” asked Ryan.
“I have a car waiting downstairs to take us on a tour of the city. In the early evening we can go for a walk along the River Seine and visit Notre Dame cathedral before it closes at seven. My beautiful fiancée will then be joining us for dinner at Ralph’s. ”
“Who’s Ralph?” asked Liam.
“Ralph Lauren. They have a restaurant at the boutique. I figured since the next few days will be a steady diet of rich French cuisine, an American menu might help everyone ease into things,” explained Ryan.
His brother had been in Paris for well over a month now.
Partly so he could get to know his future in laws a little better, but also because he had to be a resident for at least thirty days to comply with the legal requirements for a French marriage license.
Ryan seemed to be settling well into the Parisian way of life.
“It sounds like an action packed day ahead of us. Before we head out could your mom and I have some time to freshen up and change? We didn’t get a lot of sleep on the plane,” said Pete.
“Yeah, well that’s what happens when you decide to work your way through the entire menu, and sit up to watch movies. The adults among us actually managed to get some shut eye,” said Liam.
Pete chuckled. “Your mom and I felt obliged to conduct an extensive test of the champagne and food menu.”
Ryan pointed toward the main bedroom. “I’m sure you did, dad. Take as long as you need. I’ll call the driver when we are ready to leave.”
The sound of a cell phone pinging echoed in the room. Ryan pulled his phone out of his pants pocket, and checked it. “Oh ok. Camille’s sister Sophie is coming into Paname shortly to catch up with Liam. She’s going to take you to some other places that are not filled with tourists.”
“Paname?” asked Liam.
“It’s what the locals call Paris,” replied Ryan, not looking up from checking his phone. The way he explained it was as if he’d always lived in the French capital, rather than having arrived mere weeks ago.
He’s settling into his new life, which is great.
Not so great was the news that Sophie was on her way to see him. Liam had been hoping that the first they saw one another would be across a crowded room. There they could offer a quick wave in greeting but not actually have to be in one another’s company.
Now she was going to be spending time alone with him. Depending on how she viewed things after New York, this could either be a little bit tricky or seriously problematic.
Don’t panic. Play it cool. She’s probably keen to forget that it ever happened.
He was still trying to figure out how he would deal with Sophie when his parents disappeared into their bedroom, and closed the door behind them.
“How on earth did we end up here?” asked Ryan, his gaze tracking around the room. “The main living area of the suite is bigger than our entire apartment back in New Jersey. In fact I think at a pinch, it might just squeeze into the master bedroom.”
He caught the sense of wonderment in his brother’s voice. The slight tone of being a bit overwhelmed. Liam hoped that no matter how much change happened in Ryan’s life, underneath it all he would always be just a guy from Bloomfield, New Jersey.
“It was nice of Sophie to offer to play tour guide for you. Cami said they figured since you’ve been to Paris a few times, you wouldn’t be interested in going to see the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe.
But if you still want to come with us, you’re welcome.
I can always message Sophie and tell her not to worry. ”
Ryan was giving him an out. And Liam was sorely tempted to take it.
But if he and Sophie were going to be related by marriage, it made sense to face her now.
Clear away any possible weirdness between them.
If they addressed things today, then hopefully they would both be able to relax at the wedding.
It would make Ryan and Camille’s big day all that more special.
And wasn’t that what truly mattered?
“It’s very generous of Sophie to offer to show me some of the less visited places in Paris. Or what was it you locals call it — Paname.”
“I wouldn’t dare call myself a local after such a short time. My French is improving, but I’m still too scared to use it when I visit the stores. Shop assistants take one look at me and know I’m American. So at the moment I’m still firmly playing Emily in Paris.”
But without the relationship drama or the daring designer wardrobe.
Liam kept those thoughts to himself. His brother was dressed in the subtle luxury of the wealthy. Tailored pants and a cashmere sweater that likely didn’t come from any department store. Camille’s billionaire fashion makeover of her future husband was well underway.
“Which of these rooms is mine?” asked Liam.
If Sophie was enroute to see him, then he’d better hit the shower and try to make himself presentable.
Ryan pointed to the hallway which led off the main living area. “You’re down there at the end of the hall.”
“Ok. Well I might just go freshen up before Sophie gets here.” Liam headed off to his room.
A few minutes alone to get his head together was needed. To be mentally prepared to greet Sophie Royal. Anything to convince himself that she hadn’t remained in his thoughts these past three months.
And certainly not to think about the times he’d pleasured himself in the shower just dreaming of her. Or how hard he’d become whenever he recalled the softness of Sophie’s skin. And don’t get him started on her delicate enticing scent.
No, he wouldn’t do that. He couldn’t. He…
Liam closed the door to his room, and stripped off his clothes. In the bathroom he turned on the shower, and took a deep calming breath.
I won’t think filthy thoughts about Sophie. I won’t.
The second he stepped under the hot flow of the water, an unbidden image of Sophie’s naked breasts sprang to his mind. Liam’s hand was on his cock, his fingers gripping tight, as his willpower disappeared in an instant.