Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Ana?s
We sit in a small café called Le Petit Café Robuchon, and I feel immensely hungry.
Creed orders himself a coffee and a pressed juice, I order the same but ask for a latte instead of an americano. The waiter leaves us for a while, and I feel the awkwardness of last night slip by.
“Have you got much planned before you go back home?” I ask Creed as I bring my coffee cup to my lips and take a mouthful, foam coating my lip and I watch his eyes fall to them. I quickly lick it away and giggle to myself.
“Not really. I have a few work bits, and I am hoping to meet up with Luke from Montcroix and go for dinner and drinks. A few of the CEOs are over, as well as team principals.”
“Sounds good.” I bob my head and place my coffee down.
“What about you?” he asks me, his fingers wrapped around his black coffee, teasing it against his lips.
I try my hardest to focus on his eyes. And not his mouth. Try not to think of what that mouth could do, that tongue… those lips.
“Work,” I blurt out a little too quickly and he blinks at me, cocking his head to the side. “And some sight-seeing, food, shopping.” I wave my hand in front of my trying to act cool when in fact I am not acting cool in the slightest.
“That sounds nice,” he says softly, taking a mouthful of his coffee.
He is very handsome. A little too handsome. Kind eyes, soft skin, stubble, sharp jaw line.
“Yeah, I just needed to get away, needed a little vacay.” I snort a laugh.
“Are you going anywhere else after Monaco?” he asks me, and I sigh.
“No idea, I should really go back home, throw myself back into some form of routine and new life, but at the moment, it all still feels a little too…”
He gives a heavy bob of his head.
“I get it.” His voice is soft as he skates his hand across the table, his index finger lifting ever so slightly as he taps it back down. Our fingers are so close to touching, but it’s like he has second thoughts, dragging it back and dropping into his lap.
“Yeah?” My voice slips a little higher.
“Yeah,” he grunts, placing his cup down and shuffling in his seat, hands rubbing down his thighs as he looks for a waiter.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to poke.” Shame colours my cheeks and I drop my own eyes.
“Please, don’t apologise.” I hear the sincerity in his voice. “I just don’t talk about it,” he admits, and I twist my lips to find his green eyes on me.
“I get that.” I mimic his words, and a sly smile coats my lips.
He holds his hand up and the waiter gives us a chin lift before he is in front of our table.
I order scrambled eggs as well as a pain au chocolat. Creed goes for the eggs Benedict as well as a pain au chocolat.
“They look so good,” I mutter as he takes the menus, and I look across the tables at the huge pastries.
“They’re to die for.” He hums, sitting back in his chair, head tilting to the side ever so slightly.
“I can believe it” I lick my lips and look around the restaurant. I take a mouthful of coffee to wet my tongue. “What is the plan for today?” I ask just as the waiter plates down our food, and my stomach grumbles.
“Thought we would start with the big things, Fontvieille Park and Princess Grace Rose Garden. The Prince’s Palace, Monte Carlo Casino…”
I eye ball him.
“Later tonight of course… if that’s okay?”
I half nod.
“I’m meant to be having dinner with my friend Rue tonight,” I mutter.
“Well then, bring her along. The more the merrier. I can arrange for a few people to meet us there if you would like,” he says before taking a bite of his breakfast.
“Okay.” My voice is timid as I wait for him to continue.
“We can do the Japanese gardens, the Cathedral...” He trails off. “Have you done the old town?” His eyes lock on mine.
“Not sure. I have done the Provencal Market? Is that old town?”
He shakes his head; I can tell he is trying not to smile.
“No Ace, old town is not the same as Provencal Market, but maybe we can do the old town before I leave.”
“Is it worth it?”
“It’s lovely, and the views are epic, too.” He takes another bite, and I watch as he chews.
“Well, then, it’s a date.” I smile as I bring my fork to my mouth and take my first mouthful.
“It’s a date.” He winks and I feel the way my stomach coils.
My feet are tired; we have walked for what feels like days, but I have had the best time.
Creed has been the best tourist guide for Monaco.
He told me the history of most of the places and explained the tragic story of Princess Grace Kelly and I couldn’t believe I never knew what happened.
We walked around her gardens, which were truly beautiful, before walking to the Prince’s Palace.
There was something about this place that felt like comfort somehow, like home.
I didn’t feel out of place, just felt content and at peace.
Pushing through the door, I drop my bag to the floor before I face planted the sofa. Creed laughs loudly, his voice booming off the walls and I smile into the pillows.
“I am so tired.” My voice comes out muffled.
“Coffee?” His deep voice calls behind me and all I can manage is holding my thumb up which gets another chuckle.
I could close my eyes right now and I would drift off into the most amazing sleep. But at the same time, I need to call Rue and get showered for our dinner.
Sighing, I roll myself over and sit into the sofa just as Creed strides across the room and hands me a coffee, which I take with my greedy hands and take a large mouthful. He hovers a moment before I give him confirmation and only then does his body sink into the sofa next to me.
“What a day.” I sigh, but in a happy way, not a dull, bored way.
“It was something, right?” His head turns and swings towards me and I smile at him.
“It was, thank you for taking me.” My voice is low as I take another mouthful of my coffee, praying it wakes up my tired soul.
“Never have to thank me, Ace.”
My cheeks pinch pink.
“Still joining me for dinner?” He raises a brow; his lips pressed into a smile.
“I need to speak with Rue.”
“Of course.” He tucks his chin into his chest. “Where did you meet her?”
“It was on my first day here.” I shuffle slightly, tucking my hair behind my ear.
“I was wandering and I slipped down a small alley and found the quaintest book shop.” My lips pull up.
“Of course, I had to check it out, and that’s where I met Rue.
She lives her with her parents; she owns the shop.
She took me out on my first day, we ate and explored a little and yeah…
I suppose that’s it really, we just kind of hit it off. ”
“That’s nice you made a friend.” His head is still rolled to the side, eyes bouncing between mine.
“Yeah, it is.” Nibbling on the inside of my lip, I turn my face forward and we both finish our coffees in silence, eyes pinned to the wall ahead of us.
Finally excusing myself, me and my aching legs move to the bedroom where I fumble for my phone and call Rue. She answers on the third ring.
“Well, hello you.” Her voice is soft.
“Hey.” I flop onto the bed.
“Good day?”
“Yeah, Creed showed me around Monaco. Not long been home, I am exhausted.” I find myself yawning and scrubbing my face.
“Want to cancel tonight?” she asks, and I hear her keys jingle, assuming she is locking up the shop.
“No, no not at all. I have missed your face,” I admit, sighing a little heavier than intended.
“Oh, goodie, okay, still on for seven then?” Pulling my phone from my ear, I look at the time, it’s coming up to five.
“Yup, but…” I trail off and I don’t know why but I feel a little apprehensive.
“But?” She’s to the point.
“Would you like to go to the Monte Carlo Casino? Creed asked me for dinner, I told him we had plans and he asked if we would like to join him.”
Silence crackles down the line for a moment. My eyes flit over the white ceiling above me.
“Is he paying?” I can hear the faint smile in her voice .
“It’s on me.” I swallow down the thickness in my throat. I didn’t want her not to come because of money. I can cover both of our bills.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
“Okay, I’ll get lunch and drinks tomorrow.”
“Sounds perfect.” I smile. “See you at seven.”
“I’ll come to your apartment,” she says before we hang up.
Walking out the room I see Creed sitting at his laptop up the breakfast bar.
“If the invitation still stands, Rue and I would love to join you for dinner.”
He turns on the stool to face me. “Perfect.” He smiles, and I slip back into my room to have a nap and then get myself ready for the evening.
My dress is a dusty blue, with a neckline that dips and has a frill trim to it and nude heeled sandals. I step into the main area of the penthouse.
My hair is pulled in a low messy bun, a couple of curled strands frame my face. My lips are soft pink, cheeks a natural tan, eyes framed with mascara. My look is finished with a delicate gold necklace with a lock pendant.
Creed’s eyes find mine as soon as I step in the room, the air thickening around us and I swear the ground moves beneath us.
“Ana?s… you look…” He pauses, eyes sweeping over me again.
“Thank you.” I drop my gaze, eyes focused on the floor for a moment.
Stepping over to the living room, I tuck my small bag under my arm and walk towards the door. Glancing over my shoulder, I see him standing there still, one hand folded into his pocket the other hanging by his side as he stares at me.
He is dressed in a white fitted shirt, grey suit trousers, and black dress shoes. His blonde hair is messy, but styled that way, and his green eyes penetrate through mine.
“You ready?” I ask him and he gives me a tight smile then follows behind me as we make our way to the lift and into the lobby.
“Beautiful,” he says softly. His hands are locked in front of him and I furrow my brow at his works.
“Sorry?” I blink.
“You. You look beautiful.” He slices his eyes away as the doors ping open and he steps out in front of me, and when I know he can’t see my face, I blush like a damn schoolgirl.