Royally Screwed

Chapter 11

LOUIS

Ten hours ago I stormed off Sylvie's house after her father insulted her. Now I'm having lunch with her. How the world works.

"You can fucking eat the pasta, Trouble", I tell her, seeing how she has been playing with her fork all along. "I didn't poison them or something."

Blushing, meaning she probably must have thought that, she sticks her fork in one of her ravioli and puts it in her mouth. For a second, I can see her allowing herself to close her eyes and enjoy it. Until she slips back in her serious facade.

"I honestly wasn't expecting to see you til St Moritz", she says after a while, her eyes not wondering up from her meal.

"I wasn't expecting to come back either", I confess. "Yesterday, I just couldn't have it anymore. I asked my pilot to take me straight to Boston. But then I realised I didn't want you thinking I left that table because of you. And that I owe you an apology."

"It's fine", she mumbles. "Got used to it."

"Your Dad is something, isn't he?", I ask. The need to take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze to let her know I'm there for her is so overwhelming right now, I have to clench my fist under the table to keep the instinct inside.

"Last night was just a trailer of what he's like", she chuckles.

I know I need to switch the topic. Make her feel comfortable again. But I can't do it without letting her know one thing first. "You're formidable, Sylvie Ashbourne. What I wouldn't give for you to be able to see yourself from my point of view."

Sylvie stops eating, and for a second, she looks up at me. One second. Our gazes meet, and something like an electric pull seems to fill the room. I can feel her breath shaking, our hearts racing, a wave of butterflies rushing through me.

"Thank you for taking me out for lunch today", she ends our moment, looking back at her plate.

"Anytime", I add, clearing my throat. It takes a few moments to get back to the present.

Neither of us says something else during the meal.