Page 31 of All the Gossip from Paris (Royal Fashion #2)

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The following morning

Sophie cracked open a sleepy eye. No, she hadn’t been dreaming. Liam was in her bed. That thought had her opening the other eye, and fully taking in the sight of him as he slept. He really was a handsome man, his numerous tattoos only adding to his allure.

It would be so easy to get used to waking up next to him.

Liam stirred from sleep. “Good morning. Or rather should I say Joyeux réveillon de Noel .”

His French was terrible, but she couldn’t fault him for trying. He’d shown her his language app last night, and it currently stood at a twenty day practice streak. He could now ask a stranger the way to the train station.

“I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas. I’m not used to being in Paris at this time of the year,” she replied.

Warm arms wrapped around her. Sophie snuggled into Liam’s embrace and gave a happy sigh. She had enjoyed a well sated sleep. The things this man could do to pleasure a woman were incredible.

“What do you normally do on Christmas Eve?” he asked.

“I usually greet the sunrise sitting on the beach, sipping a cocktail. The Royal family shares a huge seafood banquet late in the evening. We exchange gifts and get pretty drunk. Then we tend to sleep though most of Christmas Day.”

“Sounds fantastic. Last year I was in Australia. It was weird to be in a t-shirt and shorts on Christmas morning. But it was much better than digging my dad’s car out from under six feet of snow.”

Wriggling out of Liam’s embrace, Sophie rolled over onto her stomach. “You should come to the island next Christmas. Hang out with the extended family. You’re an honorary Royal now.”

He kissed her softly on the lips. “I shall put it in my diary.”

The ornate antique clock on the mantelpiece softly chimed nine o’clock. When Liam glanced up at it, Sophie laughed. “Do not judge me for my taste in furnishings. My clock might be ugly, but it’s an original seventeenth century Boulle.”

“No one could judge you for your taste Sophie. It is impeccable.”

“Hmm,” she replied, not sure as to whether she was comfortable in accepting the compliment. Compliments were rarely handed out in her family home.

“Speaking of taste, we’d better get up soon. We have a yule log to make this morning. Preparing the ganache and then decorating the cake, will take a few hours,” said Sophie, licking her lips.

She went to rise from the bed, but in one deft move Liam had her flipped onto her back. He climbed on top, pinning her to the mattress. Sophie let out a squeal.

He ignored her protests. “Your clock is magnificent; it tells the time perfectly. Which means we have the whole day to get the cake made before we head into the village tonight.” He nuzzled against her neck. “You can’t lick your lips like that and then expect me to do nothing about it.”

She suffered his kisses, then paid him back twofold with her own. Any plans she might have had for heading into the shower quickly evaporated.

Liam lifted her sleep tee and dragged it over her head.

“I think this one needs licking for a start,” said Liam as his gaze settled on one of her breasts.

“Then the other one should get some attention. After that I might work my way down your belly to the top of your legs and see what other things I can taste.”

Sophie’s clit pulsed with anticipation. Last night Liam had teased her swollen bud to the point where she’d thought she might go mad. And when he’d slid his cock inside her and the first rub of his piercing had hit her g-spot, she’d begged him to fuck her hard and deep.

“I want to feel your piercing with my tongue,” she said.

Liam bit her nipple gently, then licked over the pained bud. “You can do that, but maybe later. Lie back for me now. I need to hear you scream my name when I make you come the first time this morning.”

As his mouth closed over her hardened nipple Sophie spread her legs. The moment Liam’s thumb pressed into the opening of her sex, she gave up the fight, and let her wicked man have his way.

He stroked her deep, flicking the edge of his thumb over her clit. Sophie’s back arched.

“Liam,” she breathed. “I need you inside me. Please.”

“I want you to come on my tongue.”

No. Not this time. She was prepared to beg if she had to, anything to have him ride her like he’d done last night.

“I promise, I will let you do whatever you want to me in the middle of the ballroom. But I need your cock.”

A deep, dirty chuckle reached her ears. “Anything? Now that sounds promising. I saw that lovely big couch in one of the ante rooms. I can just imagine having you naked in the ballroom. Bending you over the back of the couch. Holding you firmly by the hips while I thrust deep into your pussy. It will be hard and punishing. I promise you’ll like it, sweet Sophie. ”

He had such a filthy delicious mouth.

Liam magicked up a condom out of thin air, and handed it her. “Take it slowly, and work it over my cock. If you get it right first time, I promise I won’t spare you.”

Oh god. Sophie swallowed deep. She carefully tore the packet open. Her fingers trembled as she slid the condom over the head of Liam’s cock. Slowly. Carefully. Working and earning her reward.

When it was done, Liam kissed her gently on the mouth. “Well done. My perfect straight A student. Now spread your legs, and hold on tight. I’m going to show you just how fucking good I can make you feel.”

* * *

Liam carefully separated the eggs then put the yolks into one bowl, and the whites into another. There’d been a time when he’d been able to do this one-handed without thinking. His culinary skills had slipped over the past couple of years.

This was his second time in the Royal family kitchen in as many days, and he was pleased to discover that this morning he wasn’t on the verge of having a panic attack.

A night of wild hot sex had calmed his nerves. She’d given him back his passion for life. He’d never imagined that tangling with a woman in the sheets could heal him the way being with Sophie had.

Cracking another egg on the side of the bowl, Liam separated the yolk from the white. Then set the egg shell aside.

“Now we need to make the sponge sheet first. Then after it comes out of the oven, roll it up while it’s still warm,” said Sophie.

She clearly knew what she was doing in making such a detailed dessert. He’d seen her amazing couture work, with its delicate hand beading. Sophie Royal was a woman with a unique set of creative skills.

So why did no one seem willing to give her a chance at taking on a bigger role at the family atelier?

He’d just finished separating the last of the eggs, when the door of the kitchen opened, and in strode Patrice. He was carrying a festively decorated gift bag.

Oh great, here we go.

Patrice had arrived on Christmas Eve to gift bomb his ex.

“You are a hard woman to find Sophie. The kitchen is the last place I would expect you to be on Christmas Eve. Don’t you have staff to handle the catering?” announced Patrice.

It was good thing that he’d finished cracking the eggs, because if he hadn’t there was a good chance Liam would have smashed one. Then he’d be left to pick bits of shell out of the bowl. Patrice had a way about him. It instantly set Liam’s temper on edge.

“Joyeux Noel, Patrice,” replied Sophie, not missing a beat. She motioned toward Liam. “We are making B?che De Noel. Liam has just finished separating the eggs. I’m getting the cake flour, cocoa, and baking powder ready.”

She glanced at the gift bag in his hand. “If you were looking for Papa, you’ve missed him. My parents left for Switzerland yesterday afternoon.”

A sly smile appeared on Patrice’s face. He held the bag out toward Sophie.

“I caught up with Francois and Marina before they departed. This is for you. Just a little something.”

After washing and drying his hands, Liam picked up his cellphone and began to check his emails. He didn’t want to be a part of whatever this gift giving business was today. Knowing Patrice, Sophie’s present would be well out of Liam’s budget range. Likely hideously expensive.

I just hope it doesn’t sparkle.

His gift which he planned to give to Sophie later this evening was neither expensive, nor did it glitter. But it was made from the heart.

Sophie took the bag from Patrice, and held it in both hands. Liam sensed she wasn’t sure what to do with it. “Um, thank you Patrice. I didn’t realize we were exchanging gifts this Christmas.”

“Open it,” said Patrice. A request, but a firm one that expected compliance.

After setting the bag carefully on the bench, Sophie slipped her hand inside. She pulled out a lump of bright red tissue paper, then a dark green one. Whoever had wrapped the gift, had leaned heavily into the festive color theme.

Her hand went back into the bag. A bright orange piece of fabric now appeared. Patrice chuckled at the sight. “Go on unfold it. Read what it says on the front.”

Sophie met Liam’s gaze for a moment. He caught the silent plea of ‘save me’ in her eyes.

She unfolded what appeared to be an oversized t-shirt. Then stood staring at it for a second, before turning it around. On the front, printed in bold yellow letters, were four words.

Hot mess in heels.

The fuck?

Patrice’s chuckle became a full on laugh. “It’s absolutely hilarious. I saw it in the window of one of those cheap clothing stores and immediately thought of you.”

Of course her ex would think such a gawdy thing would be funny. But Liam saw it for what it truly was—a sly way to put Sophie down.

Sophie folded the shirt up, and put it back into the bag. “Thank you, Patrice. It was clever of you to think of me when you saw it.”

He and Patrice exchanged a brief look. It was clear the Frenchman expected Liam to react to Sophie receiving such a heartless gift. To call him out for his behavior. Any sort of response would do.

But he wasn’t going to play that game.

I’ve dealt with plenty of assholes in my life. You don’t even make the top 10.

This was Sophie’s home. Her refuge. Liam was not going to take the bait. No. He was quietly enjoying the fact that Patrice had felt the need to come all the way out from Paris to try and humiliate Sophie. She was finally moving on, and her pig of a former boyfriend couldn’t stand it.

Don’t let him get to you Sophie.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get you a gift Patrice. I didn’t expect to see you until after the atelier reopens in January. I shall have to find something suitable for you too.”

He was so proud of her in that moment. Her back was ramrod straight, but Sophie held herself with grace. There was not a single sign that the gift had hurt her. That it had achieved its intended goal.

Fuck yeah! Go Sophie!

Liam wanted to shout those words from the rooftop.

Sophie turned away from her ex, and back to the ingredients for the cake.

“You’ll have to excuse me Patrice, but this is a time sensitive project. Liam and I have to get on with it. You won’t mind finding your own way back to the main house, will you?”

Patrice glared once more at Liam. When he got no response, he moved closer to Sophie. He held out his arms to her. “I thought you’d appreciate the joke, but maybe not in present company. Here.”

From his coat pocket he produced a small red square box. Liam held his breath. It was bigger than a ring box—at least that was one thing.

But it was real gift.

“Patrice, you didn’t have to. You’re really too generous.”

“Of course I had to give you a proper gift. It’s Christmas.” He handed her the box. “Open it. I think you’ll like it.”

She opened the box and as she did, Liam’s heart sank. Diamonds and silver glittered in the mid-morning light. Patrice took the bracelet out of the box, and slipped it onto Sophie’s wrist. “I knew it would look lovely on you sweetheart.” He bent and went to place a kiss on Sophie’s lips.

Liam’s back teeth ground so tightly together his jaw ached. This really wasn’t his fight. But if Patrice didn’t leave and soon, he was going to break his own rule about not throwing punches.

Sophie turned her head and politely offered Patrice her cheek. Liam’s hands which had begun to close into fists relaxed.

Oh burn!

When Patrice placed a hand on her face in an attempt to turn Sophie’s head back to face him, she shifted.

Rising up on her toes she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then stepped back.

“Thank you for the bracelet, Patrice. It’s absolutely beautiful.

I shall wear it often. Have a lovely Christmas.

Give my best wishes to your family,” she said.

As soon as they were alone again Sophie made her way back to where Liam waited at the kitchen bench. “He still thinks he is in the family club,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

She pointed at the gift bag. “Each year we are all sent the name of a Royal family member who will be on the island over Christmas. The tradition is to buy a cheap and loud gift for the person whose name you have been given. Patrice came to the island a couple of times at Christmas.”

“Ah. So he’s still trying to get back in. And the bracelet?”

“I don’t honestly know what he was trying to achieve, but there is one thing I do know. When it comes to Patrice. There is always an agenda.”

Liam took comfort in knowing that Sophie didn’t trust her ex. That an expensive gift would come with its own price. It bothered him far too much to wonder what would have happened if he had not been present. Would Patrice have pressed his luck and forced the kiss on her lips?

The fact that it bothered him, also concerned Liam. He was beginning to experience the sort of feelings for Sophie that he hadn’t felt for a woman in a long time. Not since Brooke.

Don’t let jealousy turn your head.

“Right, so we have the eggs. Now we need to whip the egg whites before folding them into the yolks,” announced Sophie.

Her words snapped Liam out of his green tinged haze. He remembered Brooke teaching him this trick with sponge cakes.

“To make the cake light and airy. Let me try and handle the eggs,” replied Liam.

Along with thoughts of how much he loved being with this stunning delightful woman, he was rediscovering the joy of cooking. It wasn’t yet Christmas, yet Sophie had already given Liam such precious gifts.