The Arrogant Artist : A Billionaire Boss Romance (International Bad Boys Set Book 2), стр. 56
“What would I say?”
“Maybe ‘hello’ would be a great start, followed by ‘how have you been.’”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It can be. I’ll be by your side.”
“I like this Louis.” She waves her finger in the air and smiles. “He’s much nicer than that other one.”
“That’s because he’s crazy about some English woman.” I pull her chair toward me, so she’s almost sitting on my lap.
“Is that so? You’re crazy about her?”
I nod with a smile on my face. “Yep, and I have a feeling she might be crazy about me, too.”
“That’s a little presumptuous, don’t you think?”
“Well, she did tell me I have a big ego as well as a big…” She kisses me silencing my words before I can finish.
“Yes, this woman is crazy about you.”
“Good. Now let me help.”
“Fine.”
“Perfect. Now can I take you home and fuck you?” A huge smile falls across her face.
“I’m all yours.”
33
Emily
There’s a knock at the front door. The staff is still on extended vacation while Louis and I explore each other, and I’m really glad we have had this time together with no interference because I feel closer to him. Not because we hate leaving the bed, but because we laze around and talk and paint. I don’t think my life can get any better than what I have at the moment.
“Daniel, hi.” I’m surprised to see him at the front door. Louis told me he had spoken to Daniel and told him we’re a thing, but actually seeing him here makes it real, I guess. We’ve been living in our own little bubble, just the two of us for a while now.
“You look happy.” Daniel smiles, kissing both cheeks.
“Um…”
He chuckles. “I’m not upset, Emily. I’m happy that the two of you are together. I think you’re good for him.”
“He’s come a long way by himself without my help, though.”
“I know my brother. He wouldn’t be making a comeback if it weren’t for you.” Tears begin to well in my eyes as I think about just how far Louis has come since when I first met him. “Anyway, I actually came here as I have a surprise for you. Well, no, Louis has a surprise for you. I can’t take all the credit.”
What’s going on?
“Come.” Daniel takes my hand and pulls me out the front door, and that’s when I notice a limousine parked out the front. The door swings open, and I scream because my three best friends jump out of the car and rush straight into my arms. We’re all crying tears of happiness at seeing each other once again.
“We missed you,” Georgia tells me.
“I missed you girls, too.” I hug them all.
“Wow, that’s loud.” Louis comes out resting his shoulder against the door.
I’m a mess. There are tears rolling down my face. I untangle myself from my friends’ arms, run to Louis, jump into his arms, and kiss him multiple times.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” I kiss him again but more passionately this time, much to the hollers of my girlfriends behind me.
“You’re welcome. I thought you might be missing them.”
“I was. I just…” The smile on Louis’ face says it all. “Tomorrow we’ll take you to my Paris apartment, and you can have a girls’ weekend there. I’ll stay with Daniel and get some overdue business stuff done.”
This man. I adore him.
I untangle myself from him and go back to my girls.
“This is the life.” Georgia lays back on the sun chair as we laze by the pool.
“Seriously, Emmy, that man is fucking hot,” Rosie whispers beside me.
We have had one too many bottles of champagne catching up with each other, but who’s counting, anyway?
“His brother is hot, too.” Ava lifts her sunglasses as she ogles Daniel, who’s walking back with Louis from his studio.
“You look happy, though,” Rosie adds. “France suits you.”
“I’m painting again.” The girls are all shocked into silence. “I know. I know… I started in Ibiza, and then Louis took me on a date to this castle in the countryside which was surrounded by lavender fields, and he set up private painting sessions. We talked and painted for hours. It was great.”
“I can’t believe he’s gotten you painting again. This is phenomenal news,” Ava adds.
I’ve known these girls all my life. We all moved to London from our tiny little town seeking adventure and fun, and we found it with each other’s experiences.
“I know. It took me a little while to warm up, but once I lost myself in the stunning views, plus the great conversation and maybe a couple of wines, it felt good to be painting again.”
“He’s your muse.” Georgia winks.
“Maybe he is.”
The girls all ooh and aah and then burst out laughing, which sends us into fits of giggles.
Maybe we have had way too much champagne.
I’m surprised to see Gabriel back. Louis has had the staff on leave since we have been together, wanting us to have some alone time together, which is code for screwing me on every surface of his home. I walk over and give Gabriel a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. I’ve missed him.
“Long time, no see.”
“Bossman has been keeping you busy.” Gabriel looks over my shoulder. I can just imagine the looks he’s giving him. “And he looks mighty jealous, too.” He chuckles, flipping Louis off behind me.
“Ignore him.” I giggle. “How are things with the girl?”
Gabriel’s cheeks flush. “Good. She’s good, but I have to finish getting dinner ready. We’ll catch up when you get back from Paris.”
“Okay, but I want all the details.” Gabriel gives me a salute and heads back to the kitchen. I make my way to where everyone’s seated and take one beside Louis.
“Everything okay?” he whispers in my ear.
“Are you jealous, Mr. Marchant?” My hand moves across his thigh, grazing his lap. He lets out a frustrated huff, those blue eyes glaring at me. “We’re just friends.” Louis holds my