Page 10 of Only You

Paris

Damien did his best not to seem more energised than usual when they returned to the house, forcing himself to relax as they were informed of a last-minute dinner party.

He made sure to seem almost bored when Sabine came down hours later, dressed beautifully in a green gown and ivory jewellery.

He made sure not to spare more than a cursory glance when men tried to whisper in her ear during dances and dinner.

And he most definitely did not appear smug when she would inevitably dismiss them.

He ignored how every inch between them felt like torture and how every look out the corner of her eye was a small victory.

He knew the penalty would be high should someone discover what had transpired in the gardens, but he felt a surge of pride at how dazed Sabine appeared after their kiss.

Yet. He couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps he had read her reaction wrong when, after they arrived at the house, she kept distance between them.

She didn’t dare to converse with him even when there was a perfect opening to do so.

Perhaps the moment was supposed to be fleeting, buried over time.

Damien grimaced as he walked through the halls of Roulet’s home, taking a small break from the party.

He didn’t want to cause her discomfort – and he should know better.

Sabine was beautiful, but there were plenty of stories where a beautiful woman was the downfall of a man.

He had a good life. Did he need to risk his position or comfort for one person?

‘Damien.’

He stopped short of the doorway to the sunroom and peered inside, barely making out Sabine’s silhouette as he stepped towards her cautiously.

What was usually a prism of light over an intimate living room surrounded by tall, leafy plants was now mere shadows.

Sabine herself was almost invisible to him even from a few feet away.

‘Personally, I didn’t take you for one that enjoyed the dark,’ he commented as he approached the chaise she sat on.

‘It’s the best way to see the moon.’ She pointed out the window.

He walked over to the glass, peering out. Sure enough, a crescent moon peeked just above the towering hedges that surrounded the backyard.

‘I see,’ he said, lingering on the twinkling night sky before he turned his attention back to her. ‘What…’ He lost his train of thought as the moonlight caught her eyes.

Her face looked soft and inviting, her mouth forming a natural pout, eyes clear and bright.

Yet, there was a furrow in her brow. He reached out to smooth it without thinking.

Sabine gasped sharply, the sound loud in the silent room.

He pulled back instantly and cleared his throat. ‘We should head back.’

‘Right, um…’ She swallowed nervously, looking at him. ‘You…’ Sabine’s eyes flickered over his face and to his mouth before looking away.

Damien waited before stepping back, figuring he should leave first. ‘Why did you do it?’ she asked suddenly.

He paused, standing in the doorway. The light beckoned him to go. Leave the mystery behind and join the party. Find a girl that he could forget about. The old comfort was tempting. And yet…

He stepped back into the shadows until he was only a few feet from her. ‘Come here, and I’ll tell you,’ he dared.

Sabine slid from the chaise, the swaying of her hips accentuated by her silk dress as she walked towards him.

Her hair was twisted into an elaborate pleat instead of her brunette waves she had this afternoon, leaving her neck and shoulders bare.

Closing the distance, she stopped mere inches away, lifting her chin defiantly.

Damien wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

Her hands shook but she balled them into fists, never looking away from him.

Always the fighter , he thought before leaning down. Her eyes darted over his face quickly, her body tensed as he closed the meagre distance between them.

‘Sabine,’ he called gently.

Her eyes met his, bold. He almost chuckled but doubted she would take it well. Instead, he cupped her face, running his thumb over her cheekbone. She sighed, her body relaxing under his touch until her eyes closed. Only then did he lean forward.

Their lips met softly, and Damien stayed still until he felt Sabine stretch up to press her lips firmly against his.

He kissed her slowly, coaxing her lips to part.

She did so, sighing into his mouth as he took her bottom lip between his.

She slid her hands up, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Sabine moaned quietly, the sound still filling the room and Damien smiled against her lips.

He gave in to one more lingering kiss before pulling away.

Sabine rested her cheek against his, her eyelashes tickling him as they fluttered open.

Damien memorised the look on her face, how she swayed towards him for more, before reluctantly letting her go. ‘We should go back, princess.’

He turned before she could ask him for anything, like stay in the darkness with her, but he had already crossed enough lines for the night.

‘Are you all right?’

Sabine looked up from where she was picking at her breakfast and to her father. General Roulet and his wife were visiting a friend, so it was just them in the dining room for once.

‘I’m fine. Just a little tired from the party,’ she told him, but he didn’t look convinced. He leaned forward and took her hand.

‘If any of the guests made you uncomfortable…’

She shook her head before he could finish the suggestion. ‘No, not at all.’

She ate a couple of berries before her thoughts started to wander back to last night.

Her lips still tingled whenever she thought of Damien, reliving the kiss all over again.

It felt like torture waiting to train with him, much less looking at him.

She popped a strawberry in her mouth before peering at her father from the corner of her eye.

This was an awful situation. Her father was looking for her husband and she was sneaking off to kiss soldiers!

Well, not yet – not at all , she reprimanded herself.

She couldn’t do this. To think if someone caught her…

a shiver went down her spine and she had to close her eyes for a moment as a face from long ago popped into her mind.

She remembered running her fingers over the wide bridge of his nose, his broad smile as he told her to quit messing with him, not meaning a word he said.

She couldn’t do this. ‘ Mon trésor .’

Eyes snapping open, she looked at her concerned father. ‘Do you feel ill?’

‘No. I… I’m just contemplating the future. Everything seems to be changing so fast. I don’t think I’m ready for what’s coming.’

‘My dear, no one is ever truly ready for change. As long as we find the strength not to cower before it, we will come out stronger.’ He took her hand. ‘And who knows. Maybe you will welcome these changes.’

‘But what if it’s not something I want?’ She felt childish asking the moment the words left her lips.

‘Wants pass. Needs do not. Do you know what you need?’

Sabine bit the inside of her cheek. Of course she did.

She needed choices. She needed sunlight against her skin.

She needed a chance to be herself. Every time she thought of the upcoming months, they were grey and filled with shadows, like Paris.

Yet, when she thought of what made her happiest, her thoughts always wandered back to the garden…

Her lips tingled.

‘Yes,’ she answered.

‘Good,’ her father said. He kissed the back of her hand. ‘Focus on that. Then, all the strength you need will come to you.’

‘Yes, Father.’ She smiled at him before continuing her breakfast.

Hours later, Sabine walked with Damien through the Luxembourg Gardens. She waited until they were by the fountain again, alone once more, before she took his hand. She pulled him behind a tree, away from the prying eyes of other visitors. Damien followed her willingly.

‘Kiss me again,’ she demanded.

Damien looked at her, his shock at her confidence melting into a knowing smile. ‘Your wish is my command.’