12. Chapter 12
Albrecht
S he fell asleep.
My father kept me on the phone way too long, and by the time I said goodbye, Giselle was completely passed out in her bed. Once again, she had a book in her lap, and looked too peaceful to wake.
God, she’s so exquisite. It’s hard for me to take my eyes off of her. Kissing her tonight was mind blowing. Never have I ever felt so unraveled by someone. I just want more, but I know this thing between us is delicate, so I’ll happily take it slow and enjoy every moment I have with her.
I make my way upstairs and after getting ready for bed, I curl my body into a fetal position to make myself fit on this tiny couch bed. My thoughts race with how I can make this work with her, despite how impossible it may seem. All I know is that our kiss changed everything and tomorrow I’ll figure out a way to do it again.
Oh god, my back hurts.
I’m pretty sure I stayed stuck in the same position all night and it’s now painful to unravel myself as I stand up. How am I going to survive sleeping on this thing for another couple of weeks? Checking my phone, I find it’s only five in the morning, so I quietly make my way downstairs to shower. Hopefully some hot water will soothe out the aches.
I barely slept last night, between the cramped bed and figuring out how to tell my parents that I’ve met someone I’d like to date, but can’t because of this ridiculous betrothal. My father is a good man and I respect him, but his stubbornness can really take its toll. Maybe I’ll call my mother later and see if she can get through to him to call off the betrothal to Bathilde.
I was willing to go through with my father’s ludacris plan, because I truly had no other prospects and it seemed like the right thing to do to honor our families’ traditions. But now that I’ve met Giselle, I could never be with anyone else. And it’s not like Bathilde will mind; she was as frustrated with her parents as I was mine. Arranged marriages are far too archaic in this day and age.
Stepping into the shower, the hot water pours over me and my thoughts turn to Giselle. Her luscious brown locks that elegantly frame her face. Her warm ocean eyes I want to drown in. Her plump rosy pink lips that beg to be kissed and bitten. My dick grows impossibly hard imagining those lips around me. I can’t help but palm my cock at the thought of her and how I’d like to worship every inch of her lithe body. Minutes go by and with every stroke I think of her joining me in the shower, getting on her knees and sucking me off. Before I know it, I’m moaning her name and coming all over my hand. I have to brace myself on the titled wall as I try to come down from that high.
“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” Giselle squeals, and I look up to find her in the doorway, facing away from me, before she slams the door closed behind her. Shit. I must have woken her up.
By the time I finish my shower and get ready, I head back downstairs to find no signs of Giselle. Way to go, fucker . Now I’ve scared her off. Desperately in need of coffee, I head into the kitchen, only to find a note left out with a coffee mug.
So sorry about walking in on you this morning. I’m headed to go see my mom and then into the office. My dad said for you to meet with him at 9 a.m. Call me if you need anything.
XO,
Giselle
She left her number below, and I immediately text her.
Giselle, it’s Loys. I got your note—you have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry I startled you. Please let me make it up to you this evening.
What do you have in mind?
A surprise. Meet me on the terrace at 7 p.m.
Okay.
The sun is setting, casting a warm, golden hue over the vineyards. I lay out a checkered blanket under a grand oak tree, its branches providing a canopy of rustling leaves. The air is filled with the sweet scent of grapes and the distant chirp of crickets.
I see Giselle arrive on the terrace, her smile shy but curious, and I feel my heart quicken at the sight of her. She waves at me and I make my way over to her, greeting her with a kiss on the cheek. As usual, her cheeks flush. Dressed in a long, flowy yellow dress, she looks as stunning as a sunrise as her golden brown hair frames her lovely face that I see every time I close my eyes.
“Perfect evening for a picnic,” she says, her eyes sparkling as she takes in the blanket I’ve set up, along with a basket full of champagne and wine flutes.
“I thought we could enjoy the view and continue getting to know each other.”
“Sounds good,” she says, taking my hand as I guide her over to the blanket.
She sits down, tucking her legs beneath her. I join her, feeling a bit nervous to break the ice after this morning's events. There’s so much I want to say, but I need some liquid courage first. Grabbing the champagne out of the basket, I open it, the cork twisting off with a loud pop.
“One of my favorite sounds,” Giselle says with a smirk as she holds out one of the glasses for me to fill up.
I fill up mine next and just as we’ve both finished our first few sips, we say each other's names at the exact same time.
“Please, let me go first,” I plead, giving her my best puppy eyes, and she nods with a smile. “I’m not sure how much you saw or heard, and I should be embarrassed, but I’m not, because the truth is, I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“Honestly, I’m flattered. And… it was hot to watch.” Ahh, so she was standing there awhile. “And for whatever it’s worth, I can’t get you out of my mind either.”
I lift her hand up to my lips and rub my thumb over her knuckles before kissing them. “Well, I’m glad we got that cleared up.”
She laughs, the sound like music to my ears. “Yeah, me too.”
“Do you think your father will mind us being together?” I ask, genuinely curious.
She shrugs, smiling softly. “Honestly, I don’t think so, although you might get another threatening conversation like my aunt gave you.”
We both laugh at that. “I’m happy to handle whatever they throw my way, because you’re worth it. I… I hope you know I’ve never been this into someone so quickly before. There’s something special about you, Miss Moratti.”
“Same. And I know you’re leaving, so I don’t want us to put any pressure on each other to define our time together.”
“Agreed.” We clink our glasses, sealing the deal that whatever this is, we’ll enjoy it.
“If your company ends up investing in ours, do you think you’ll come back here often?”
“Perhaps. I’d definitely like that. Hell, I’d be willing to relocate here altogether. I’m ready for a change; I just have to convince my boss to allow it. Maybe I could focus solely on North American investments for a while and they could hire someone else to take over our European portfolio.”
“Sounds complicated,” she says, twisting her lips to the side.
“Complicated, yes. Impossible, no.” I’d like to believe that if my parents truly want me to be happy they would agree to the idea.
We continue to talk, our conversation flowing effortlessly. She makes me laugh, something I don't do often enough, and I feel a lightness in my heart that I haven’t felt since I was much younger.
As we’ve talked, our bodies have inched closer and closer, needing the nearness of each other. The evening is chilly and so I eventually pull her between my legs, bringing her back against my chest so I can keep her warm. She fits perfectly nestled against me, and the longer we sit here, the more I want to reveal who I am so she can know me fully as I’m starting to know her. I can't resist any longer.
“Giselle,” I say, my voice low and earnest, “there's something I need to tell you.”
She looks at me, her eyes wide with anticipation. “What is it?”
I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of my secret pressing down on me. “I… well, my boss, he’s actually?—”
“Ouch!” Giselle shouts as she jumps up from the blanket. “Ow, shit. I just got stung by a bee.” I stand quickly and take her hand as she inspects her ankle.
“Let me see if the stinger is still in you.” I kneel down and use my fingernail to scrape over the bite, not feeling or seeing anything but a tiny hole prick. “I don’t think it’s there. It must have stung you and flew off. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, it just burns.”
“Let’s put some ice from the champagne bucket on it.” I guide her back down to the blanket and wrap some ice in a napkin, setting it gently on top of the sting area. “Better?”
“Yeah, thank you. Gosh, I haven’t been stung by a bee in ages.”
“I’m so sorry. Maybe a picnic wasn’t the best idea.”
“No, it’s lovely. Please don’t feel bad. It’s really no big deal, I’ll be fine. Now, what were you saying before?”
I pause, thrown off by the interruption, and now the moment to tell her feels off. “I honestly don't remember. It couldn’t have been anything important.” Except that it was…
She shrugs her shoulders and flashes me the sweetest smile, and I can’t stop myself. I lean in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. The world seems to melt away, leaving just the two of us, bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
As we pull apart, I make a silent vow to myself. I will break off my betrothal to Bathilde. Giselle deserves the truth, and I don’t want to start off our relationship without being open and honest. I really should have told her tonight, and now I regret letting the moment pass me by.
I’ve only known Giselle for three days, but everything about her is what I’ve always wanted. Someone family oriented, ambitious, kind, sweet. I’m not sure I’ll ever meet anyone like her ever again, so I don’t want to waste the time we have. It’s a risk to put myself out there so fast with her, but one I’m willing to take. I just hope that when she finds out I’m a prince, she doesn’t freak out and think I’m a fraud.