Royally Screwed

Chapter 14

LOUIS

I just kissed Sylvie Ashbourne.

I still can't help but think I must be dreaming, because there is no possible way I just kissed my year long crush.

The fact she is now sitting on the couch with me, fingers curled around mine, head resting on my shoulder, is the only thing reminding me it is real. Yet it's also the one thing having my head speeding.

I have my lips sunk in her red hair, she keeps staring at our hands. As she looks up and I meet those blue eyes of her, my heart experiences yet another high.

"What do we do know?", she asks me, her voice showing me that she has no idea where to begin.

"I think I can come up with a few things we could do", I tease her. The blush immediately setting on her cheeks tells me the rest.

"I mean with us", she elbows me. Sighing, she looks back at our hands. "Edmund can't know."

Deep-down, I know she is right. The moment Edmund finds out, it is game over for us. That doesn't mean the thought of having to lie to my best friend doesn't hurt. I can't even imagine how it must be for her. Edmund is her brother.

"Do you think he'll understand?", I try my luck.

The determined way she shakes her head tells me enough. "He is still affected from what happened with me and Danny. There is no way he'll accept."

I have to cross my eyebrows at that fucker's name. I still won't forget how he looked at Sylvie that day in Deauville. How he talked about her. What he did to her.

"What's with the glare?", Sylvie must have noticed.

I lift up our hands and press a soft kiss on hers. "I could never forgive that guy from how he treated you."

"I already told you it was my fault", she mutters. "I should have never been with him."

"We can't choose the ones we fall for", I reply, drawing circles on her palm. "The only thing we can choose is how we react to how they act. And how we save ourselves from that love turning into poison." I place my fingers under her chin to lift it up, so I can meet her eyes. "It wasn't your fault, Trouble. Don't you even dare think that."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it", she shatters.

"Don't apologise", I kiss her forehead. "I hate to see you sad."

A ghost of a smile appears on her lips as I brush away one of her tears.

"Louis?"

"Yes, Trouble."

"Can I ask you something?", she whispers.

I nod, growing a bit more alarmed. The shaking in her voice tells me I might not like what's coming.

"When did you start to like me?"

Oh, I did not expect that. "I have always liked you."

"I thought you hated me", she counters confused.

"I hated how much I wanted you. I hated to know you could never be mine. But I never hated you."

"That's not true", she counters shy.

"What isn't true?" I did mean the fact I never hated her. Seeing her not believe it tears me apart.

"You could have me", she brushes over my cheek. "If you still want that is."

"Of course I want", comes a bit too quickly out of me. "Of course, sweetheart." I try to read the different emotions in her eyes as I ask: "Would you have me?"

She hesitates for a second. "I still hate you", she lets out amused. Then, pressing her lips on mine softly. "But I want you more."

"I want you too", I can't help but kiss her. Sylvie stands up straight and climbs on my lap, letting a groan out of me. "See what you do to me", I tease her, sinking my head in her neck. It tickles her, her sweet laugh filling the room.

It's then she finds my mouth with hers again and we continue kissing.

Kissing Sylvie is addictive. I don't think I could ever stop now that I had her. I want to be filled by her, her taste the only poetry I know.

"Oh, Christ", I find myself letting out. I slip my tongue inside her mouth and start exploring. Her sweet, sweet-

"Oh my God", a new voice interrupts us.

Sylvie almost jumps off me, starting to pace the room. I go with a hand through my hair as I look at the newcomer. Sylvie's best friend, Victoria, stands like frozen at the entrance, her eyes stuck on the spot her best friend and I were making out earlier.

"I can explain", I can hear Sylvie whisper, walking towards her.

"Don't need to explain anything to me, babe", Victoria is quick to assure her, taking Sylvie's hand and giving it a squeeze. "I will expect the details later though." She winks at her, before doing a small curtsy at me. "I knew there was something going on between the two of you, Your Royal Hotness."

So that's how she wanted to call me that day. Two times.

"I will give you the advice to act normal though", Victoria continues, suddenly dropping into a serious tone. "Your brother is coming and he won't be thrilled if you finds you like this."

"Edmund's coming?", Sylvie's face goes pale.

"Well, he stood behind to change", Victoria answers. Were it not for my ongoing problem, I probably would have questioned the sudden red appearing on her face.

I start to straighten the shirt that got messy during our hookup, and Sylvie starts working on her hair. Not even five seconds after we were warned, Edmund walks through the door. I can see something is up the second he walked in. His gaze seems lost, his mouth pressed in a polite smile that doesn't seem real.

"I ordered us sushi", he announces before he lets himself fall on the couch next to me. Victoria and Sylvie disappear inside a nearby room seconds after.

"Drink?", I ask him.

"Yeah, I could use a drink", he replies, smiling thankful at me.

I bring us a bottle of whiskey from a nearby cabinet and take out two glasses.

"You okay, man?", I can't help but ask him. "You seem a little...off. How was skiing?"

Edmund only scoffs. I take that as an answer enough.

And even with the alcohol burning in my throat, my thoughts still spiral about Sylvie.