Royally Screwed

Chapter 26

SYLVIE

I'm in the bathroom, removing the makeup from my face. Louis and I just came back from the Opera, where we watched a performance of Romeo and Juliet. I left the water running in the hot tub, since I really can't feel my feet anymore. After breakfast at Carette, we spent the day trying to see as much as we could from Paris. The Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées where I couldn't stop myself from going in all the shops and going out with at least one souvenir. Memories of the make out session Louis and I shared in the fitting rooms of Dior as I tried on a nice silk dress will forever remain in my mind. Said silk dress now finds its place in one of the shopping bags on the coffee table in our suite.

Louis had to get some work done on an assignment for school, so I proposed he does that while I FaceTime with Vicky. I've been in this bathroom for the past few hours now. I actually had planned to remove my makeup while talking, yet my bestie asked for too many details for me to have the chance to do anything else.

Hence why I am left to do it now, after we hung up for her Dad asked her to come to dinner.

I take a small cotton pad and put some cleanser on it, softly wiping away the colour from my face. My mind can't help but spin around today. I have never thought I'd be this happy. I have never thought I'd thank Louis for it.

But turns out people can really surprise us.

After washing my face, I unzip the red gala dress I wore, free my hair from the bun I had it in and let the strands fall free down my back, take off my underwear and dive in the bath tub. The small bubbles smelling like a spring bouquet tickle my skin, and I can't help but take some foam in my hand and blow it away, just like a kid. I then relax and lean my head against the bath tub, taking in the peace and quiet.

"Sylvie?", I can hear someone knock at the door.

I recognise it is Louis' voice. Not thinking much about it, I answer "You can come in."

I don't know what Louis planned on telling me, but I bet that he still thought I was wiping away my makeup, for his eyes land first on me, then on the clothes on the floor, then back on me. He then looks flushed at the ground, trying to keep his eyes anywhere but on me.

"What's up?", I ask him, trying to help him find his train of thought. I'd lie if I'd say my voice isn't a bit shaky. Or that I'd wish him in the tub.

"Uhm, just wanted to show you...", he points to his phone, where I can see the cover of a magazine and on said cover a picture of us in Paris, but he doesn't finish that sentence, for he quickly adds: "But I'll leave you to your bath. I'll just..."

"Louis?", I find myself stopping him, just as his hand went to the doorknob.

He freezes in place, not daring to look up. "Yes, baby."

"Would you like to join me?", I whisper.

It's then he does look up. And I notice the different emotions in his eyes. Excitement, curiosity, nervousness...lust.

"Would that...would that be okay?", he tries to stay in control over his feelings for a little longer.

"It's still hot", it's all I'm able to answer.

Louis doesn't need me telling him twice. He places the phone on the counter at the sink. Then starts unbuttoning his shirt. Slowly. Each and every one of the small buttons. He takes his sweet time, keeping me in suspense. It's only as he lets the shirt fall on the floor that I get a look of his chest. Worked out. Sculpted. He rivals a Greek statue. I can't help but think how that chest might feel under my tongue, if I'd start tracing the contour.