Page 48 of All the Gossip from Paris (Royal Fashion #2)

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

Liam might have thought her driving skills were insane, but her brother made Sophie’s efforts behind the wheel look positively sedate. éliott only braked to change lanes and slot in behind another car. The rest of the time his foot was hard on the gas pedal.

“Thanks for letting me drive, Soph. Message me when you sort things out with the American. I can’t believe both my sisters have fallen for the charms of the Collins brothers. Tell me something. Do the guys from New Jersey know some sexy tricks in bed?”

He got a thump on the arm for being cheeky, but Sophie’s face burned. She would take the secrets of what Liam Collins could do between the sheets, to the grave.

“Where are you off to? I thought you were going to the airport,” she said.

“I’m meeting a friend who has a private jet.

You didn’t think I was going to fly all the way to Australia on a commercial flight, did you?

Say hi to Cami and Ryan for me,” said éliott.

He grabbed his travel bag, and climbed out the car.

By the time Sophie had come around to the driver’s side, her brother had already disappeared into the crowded Paris street.

She had to hand it to him—he knew how to milk the rich billionaire lifestyle. But one day, probably sooner rather than later, éliott Royal would be forced to grow up. Francois’ patience with his youngest son was clearly wearing thin.

Observing the speed limit, Sophie drove the short distance to the gate of the apartment complex.

She punched in the code to the small courtyard which sat behind the building.

It was an older development which didn’t have an underground parking garage.

Sophie found it easier to park in the open air space.

She sat and waited for the wrought iron gate to slowly swing open. She was impatient to get out of the car. The wait was agony.

I just want to go find Liam.

She wasn’t normally someone who had an irritated bone in her body, but today was seeing a whole raft of changes within her. Changes that hopefully heralded a new life.

Once the gate had finally opened, Sophie drove into the yard. She parked the car in one of the designated owner spots.

Turning off the motor, she glanced at the seat behind her. At the two huge suitcases. Did she leave them in the car, or did she haul them upstairs?

If I leave them down here, he might not believe that I am serious.

Her father had taught her to never hold back on adding the final piece of flair to a garment. A special button or added trim could make or break a couture gown.

After wrangling her cases from out the back of her car, Sophie closed the door. She paused for a moment, car keys in hand. If she went through with her plans, there would be no going back.

I really should have told him how I felt the moment Julia Roberts’ character snapped up Hugh Grant in Notting Hill.

But what if Liam didn’t want her? She might well be an impediment to his life. An inconvenience.

And if he didn’t... well she’d deal with that. No matter what happened today she wasn’t going home.

Her sister had done it. Packed her things and left for the US. Camille might well be married now and expecting a baby, but she’d been on her own when she’d walked out of the family business almost five years ago.

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world if Liam doesn’t want me.”

But it would kill me.

With one satisfying click of her key Sophie locked the car, then headed for the staircase. There was a big wide world just waiting for her. And if she had to set out on her own that was exactly what she’d do.

At the door of her sister’s apartment, Sophie paused once more. Trying to find the right words was harder than she’d thought it would be. So much of her future was riding on the outcome of the next few minutes.

Just say what’s in your heart, and let him decide if that’s enough.

She knew the code to Camille’s apartment, but for some reason she didn’t feel right in using it. Her finger settled over the button on the security pad.

The sound of the buzzer sent a shiver down her spine.

When the door opened, it was Ryan standing on the other side. He gave her a half smile, then ushered Sophie into the apartment. “We’ve been waiting for you.”

Camille appeared from down the hall. Her sister was rugged up in a coat and scarf.

She took one look at Sophie and a gentle laugh escaped her lips.

“I’m having a bit of a déjà vu moment right now.

I know exactly how it feels to be standing in an apartment waiting to have a possible life-changing conversation with a Collin’s male,” said Camille.

Ryan grabbed his coat and scarf from the hook behind the door. He slipped them on, then offered his wife his hand. “And look how amazing that turned out. Come my beautiful bride. Let’s go find somewhere to eat, and leave these two to talk.”

Her sister and brother in law left the apartment. Sophie stood alone with her suitcases in the foyer. How long would it be before she got tired of lugging two oversized hardcases around the world?

“You look like you’ve got your whole life in there,” said Liam, stepping out from the guest bedroom. His gaze went from the suitcases to Sophie. “Planning on going somewhere?”

“Um. I think so. Though where that is, I’m not entirely sure.”

Could this be any more awkward?

She sucked in a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “Where I go today will depend on you. If you want me to leave France with you, then I will.”

She dropped her gaze to the carpet, fighting back the almost overwhelming urge to burst into tears.

“But if I’m not what you want…” she said. It took some effort, but she managed to force a smile to her lips. If he didn’t want to be with her, she would respect his decision. It would crush her soul, but she’d do it.

“If I’m not what you want, then I will find somewhere else to go. The one place I won’t be going back to any time soon is Marly-le-Roi. I’ve quit the atelier. I’m not going home.”

As Liam moved closer, hope rose in her heart.

It died a little when he stopped moving forward, and came to stand just out of arm’s reach.

Liam tucked his hands into his jeans pockets. He looked as nervous as she felt, but there was a calmness in his voice when he finally spoke.

“What about Patrice? Your father seems pretty certain that the two of you have a future together.”

Sophie shook her head. “I’m sorry about the interview. I don’t know what Papa was thinking. He’s just set in his ways about these things. Patrice must have read it and figured I’d said something to my father.”

The whole messy situation by the river this morning had been truly awful. She’d even felt sorry for her ex. For him thinking he still had a chance. Since she’d met Liam, there hadn’t been anyone else she wanted.

“I can’t be your fallback position, Sophie. Been there. Done that. Have the heart broken scars to prove it. If you are in, you have to be all in.”

This might well be the hardest conversation she’d ever had with a guy, but Sophie was oddly happy that it was taking place. Both of them knew what was being risked here. The pain of abandonment, of future heartbreak. Before they took a step forward, they had to know the other was ready to commit.

“You’ve never been second in my thoughts Liam. From that first night in New York, I knew the path that lay before me. It just took a little time to find it.”

She nervously raked her fingers through her long locks, taking the time to tease a knot free when she reached the end.

“When you first came to Paris for the wedding, I felt I had to stay away from you. Not because I didn’t want you.

But because I couldn’t handle the thought that you only saw me as a one night stand. ”

He chuckled softly. “Is this the part where you say you are just a girl standing before a guy asking him to love her?”

Sophie nodded as tears filled her eyes. Trust Liam to have been paying attention during that wonderful scene in Notting Hill .

“But with the promise that you would never be cast aside. That you will always be first. I love you Liam.”

There, she’d said it. Told him how she felt.

In one swift move Liam closed the distance between them, taking Sophie into his arms. As he wrapped her up in his embrace, holding her to him, he whispered. “I love you too Sophie. You made me believe in love again.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. You have been at the front of my thoughts and heart from that first night we met in New York. The second I laid eyes on you. When you were doing such a terrible job of trying to convince the security guy to let you in. I didn’t know who you were, but I knew you were special.”

She lifted her head, and through a sheen of tears met Liam’s gaze.

“If you’re willing to put up with a pampered princess as your new travelling companion. Then I want to go with you.”

He laughed. “If I recall correctly, you never handed in your notice as my assistant. Which means you’re still contractually bound to come travel the world with me.”

“Just as long as my duties include kissing you whenever I want,” she teased.

Liam brushed a kiss on Sophie’s lips. “That goes both ways.”

He kissed her again. This time his lips lingered. Sophie melted into Liam’s embrace. When he deepened the kiss, she was with him. Tongues tangled in a delicate dance.

She loved Liam when he was unleashed in bed. But this tender side of him held her heart. It always would.

“I do want you with me Sophie. But you don’t have to come on every trip. Your design work is important. You get to choose how you live this new life.”

He kissed her ever so sweetly on the brow. “Though we might need to rethink the lease on my apartment in New Jersey. Even I think it’s a dump.”

She lay a hand on his chest. Over his heart. “Did I forget to mention that I own the apartment next door to this one? We could use that as a base.”

“Paris would be a perfect location for us. I do a lot of work in the UK. It’s only an hour by plane from here. It would also mean you are close enough to see your family when you want.”

She imagined that after today, things with her parents were going to be strained for some time. But when tempers and expectations eventually cooled, she’d be ready to talk.

“Speaking of planes, I’m still on standby for a coach seat to New York tonight. I don’t suppose you’re able to fly that soon, are you?”

“How about you cancel that standby ticket. We can take the morning flight tomorrow. I have my passport. My credit cards. My back up credit cards. And the phone number of the First Class concierge service at Charles de Gaulle.”

Liam chuckled. “Loving the plan but I’m not sure if my travel dollar stretches to First Class. I’m usually stuck at the back of the plane.”

She raised her eyebrows, and gave him a ‘don’t give me any of your nonsense’ look. Their first argument was not going to be over travel arrangements.

“Part of my job as your assistant will be to sort out the flights, and hotels. If I say we are traveling in style, you’ll be a good boy and take all the indulgence you can handle.”

“It sounds like a tough gig. Though I should warn you that some of my photographic assignments involve having to go off-road. Some places don’t have a five star or even a three star hotel.”

Sophie shrugged. She’d learn to adapt to this new life. The prospect of finally breaking free from her cage was both thrilling and scary.

“As long as I’m with you, I’ll be fine. Who knows? This grand adventure might change me from being a pampered princess to a real world traveler.”

He glanced at her suitcases. “If you’re hauling those cases up and down stairs, you’ll soon have the muscles to prove it.”

Sophie laughed. She wasn’t sure if it was at Liam’s joke or in pure relief. She really was about to blow up her life. To see where loving this man would take her. And for the first time in her life, she was content with that. With just being Sophie.