Boxed Set: Dominated by a Billionaire - Part 10-12: Irresistible Billionaire (23 page)

Hopefully there are no cameras here.

The bed, twice as big as the one I have in Paris, is made up with linens that match the cream and taupe curtains framing the room's immense windows. The head of the upholstered bed is a pinkish beige colour, adding a designer's flair that's also rather romantic. The sheets are incredibly soft and the pillows, all six of them, are so artfully arranged that I don't dare touch them. Finally, I discover a last detail confirming the place is truly exceptional: the bed frame, made from a high-quality wood, bears the Diamonds coat of arms, embellished with touches of gold. I jump to my feet, dying to discover the rest of my “lodgings”. A small door leads to a bathroom worthy of the finest palace, with a transparent jacuzzi that looks like an enormous aquarium. It makes me want to dive right in. As it fills with hot water, I go to the window to take in the view over the gardens. The late-afternoon light gives a magical aura to the weeping willows in the distance, on the backs of the Charente.
In my hot, foamy bubble bath, I can only think of one thing: what am I going to wear to the concert tonight? I congratulate myself for remembering to bring both of the dresses I own, although I hadn't the slightest idea that I'd wind up in the court of King Diamonds the first. I need a really classy dress, but one that's not, too extravagant. I start thinking that maybe my shimmery red dress would work, although I've never worn it before.

I still wonder why I bought it in the first place.

The image of Gabriel Diamonds' face flashes through my mind, and a shiver of excitement travels through me. Will he be there tonight? Will we meet? Will I dare to approach him? I know that the answer to the last question is a pathetic little 'no', but I take pleasure in thinking that perhaps I will exchange a few words with the rich stranger. I get out of the bathtub and put on my simple yet stylish little black dress, which goes well with the black pair of Louboutins Emilie insisted on lending me. We'll see if I can manage to walk in them. I slide my favourite silver bracelet onto my wrist, and put two small shiny black pearl earrings into my ears. I debate whether to put my hair up or leave it down. I decide to sweep it up into a high chignon that gives a little shape to my boring layered cut. A little cherry red on my lips and I'm ready to go down to the ballroom for a classical concert. The programme, which someone kindly placed on the newly restored Louis XVI desk, announces we'll be hearing the Quintet for two cellos by Schubert. I'm no expert, nor particularly interested in classical music, but nonetheless I'm dying to go to this party.

Walking down the large staircase, I hear the musicians tuning and the buzz of voices from the guests who've already arrived. I'm slightly nervous, so I gladly accept the first glass of champagne a waiter offers me. I end up downing it in one gulp. Hmm, I must be a little stressed. As I look for a seat with a good view of the orchestra I feel someone staring at my neck. I spin around and find the handsome face of Gabriel Diamonds looking at me. He holds a flute of champagne as two women and one man talk to him. Agitated, I turn right back around, but I can't forget the glance exchanged with the billionaire. There was a strange glow in his eyes but I can't decipher it. The lights dim and, before the orchestra starts playing, I feel him looking at me again.

He's everywhere!

At the other end of the room, to my left, Gabriel Diamonds is leaning against the wall and staring right at me. I feel both annoyed, extremely annoyed when I think about it, but also flattered and, I have to admit it, a little excited. I feel echoes of the euphoria from my daydream on the train, but I'm still surprised to see how much he affects me. Even more handsome in real life, he seems taller than he did in the photos, tougher too, with that impenetrable gaze and a very square jaw. The fantastic quintet isn't able to get my mind off of him, and I try not to look too much over towards my left.

Resist, Amandine, resist!

Despite my best efforts, our eyes meet again and again, and I melt each time. Incredibly wound-up, I decide to go freshen up in the bathroom to hide my agitation, fearing that everyone will notice when the lights come back on. I weave through the guests and sneak out of the ballroom like a little mouse. There's nobody in the hall. I push open a door that looks like it might lead to the bathroom, but instead I'm surprised to find the backstage area. I brush past the heavy black curtain as I tiptoe around in the darkness, looking for the doorknob. The Schubert transports me, and I stop for a few minutes, frozen in the darkness, listening to the enchanting music. Suddenly I sense a presence nearby and, as I try to escape, someone grabs me by the wrist. I let out a cry of surprise, trying to understand what is going on. I feel a long and heavy breath very close, my wrist still caught in that iron hand and, strangely enough, I'm not afraid. My eyes, now adjusted to the darkness, are able to make out the face of Gabriel Diamonds right in front of me. I blubber out a few incoherent words but his free hand flies to my mouth to hush me up. “I've finally got my hands on you,” his warm voice murmurs in my ear.

Before completely succumbing to his suave voice and his clear eyes, which are looking me up and down, I break free from his spell. His reaction says a lot about his character. He stands as still as stone, his eyes boring into me. He's full of so much confidence, he seems so at ease, that I feel incredibly small next to him! There are just a few feet between us, which allows me to look at him closely. I don't think I've ever seen such a handsome man. His lips are even more marvellous than in my dream! When I realise that I've been gazing at him for a long time, I can't help but blush like a schoolgirl. My embarrassment seems to amuse him, he smiles at me mockingly, which gets to me even more. I try to put him back in his place but, for fear of disturbing the musicians, I'm forced to whisper, which makes me lose all credibility.

“Do you enjoy terrorising defenseless young women?”

No, but really, who does he think he is?

“Only when they're in the wrong place at the wrong time.” He speaks in a low voice, but his impeccable enunciation makes his words echo in my head.

“I didn't see the sign prohibiting me from going back stage. I don't think I'm breaking any law, am I?”

My voice isn't as calm and assured as I would like, I have a hard time taking control of my emotions. To top it all off, my eyes dart about and I can't stop myself from fidgeting.

I probably look like a little twit.

“That's absolutely true, and I must say that I'm delighted to have you all to myself.”

Am I dreaming or is he making a pass at me? That little smile is driving me nuts!

“You don't 'have me', sir. I don't belong to anyone.”

What am I saying? I need to get out of here before I make a complete fool of myself!

I start to turn around and leave with my dignity still intact, but he positions himself so that he's blocking my path.

“I haven't finished with you, this discussion's entertaining me greatly. And I'd like to inform you that, generally, my desires are fulfilled. I always get what I want.”

His lips are laughing, but his eyes are intractable.

Uh-oh, he's not joking!

I'm at a loss for words. How do I respond to this gorgeous and impressive man who is clearly playing with me and doing everything he can to provoke me?

“Don't go so far with your threats, sir. I'm young and yes, I may not be as wise as you, but I don't give in easily, May I go now?”

Don't give yourself away, Amandine! He won't get the last word. God, is he handsome. And that intoxicating cologne...

I see a little spark in his eyes as a smile spreads across his face. I surprised him!

Amandine, one point. Mr. Perfect, zero.

“You're treating me like a decrepit old man, young lady. That's not very polite.”

Normally I would be confused, perhaps embarrassed. My words could in fact be interpreted as insulting. But the vibrations he's giving off encourage me to go a little further. Without thinking about what I'm about to say, I let out the first sentence that comes to mind.

“Surprising a young woman in the dark and placing your hands on her, you'd call that proof of your good manners?”

This time, I'm the one who smiles. The situation is so funny, me giving a piece of my mind to this high society man, so much more charismatic and polite than myself.

Suddenly, the door to our right opens. A gorgeous, elegant woman turns to my sparring partner.

“Gabriel, I've been looking for you everywhere! You didn't say hello to the Mayor.”

She speaks rather loudly. Disturbing the musicians seems to be the last of her concerns. She glances over at me and doesn't seem at all impressed by what she sees. She turns around and Gabriel takes his leave.

“Excuse me, duty calls. But don't think I've finished with you or your lack of manners, not to mention your tongue. It's certainly exquisite but much too loose for my tastes.”

Full of his characteristic confidence, the billionaire exits the scene. As he passes through the door, I find myself admiring his muscular back, biting my bottom lip.

Bloody hell, my feet are killing me!

A little shook up by this interrogation, which was both thrilling and distressing, I head towards my room through the winding narrow corridors decorated with armoury and tapestries from past eras. The chateau is a work of art, an incredibly sumptuous building, but this evening I don't have the energy to be amazed. My priority, as I climb the last steps leading to my luxurious suite, is to take off these bloody awful heels that are literally ripping up my feet. I have to remember to thank Emilie for her poisonous gift.

Trading in my little black dress for an anthracite-grey cotton nightgown, I think again about his piercing gaze and his sensual, mocking lips. Gabriel Diamonds is a very handsome man, but it's his intensity, his charisma, his merciless comebacks that both blow me away and aggravate me. I don't have much experience at twenty-two years old, but a man has never impressed or stimulated me so much. Not to mention infuriated me. I could have stood up to him all night long, played cat and mouse with him for hours, just to put him back in his place and teach him that he can't get away with everything.

Your cover was blown miles ago, Amandine!

Yes, okay, and also to feel his blue eyes drilling into mine, to amuse myself with his fiery reactions and feel his heat radiating towards me. My phone's ringtone interrupts my daydreaming. My heart starts to beat faster. I grab my phone, hoping without admitting it, that the billionaire was able to get my number and that he wants to spend some more time with me. I can't stop myself from frowning when I see my sister's photo display on the touchscreen.

“Is everything okay? You usually don't call me after midnight!”

“Oscar's decided at six months old that he's big enough to party all night long. And I just had an argument with Alex, he's stormed out slamming the door behind him. I need to talk to someone.”

It feels like deja-vu. I've already heard this one before. Amandine, the compassionate sucker at your service!

“Camille, I'm sorry to hear about what happened, but I'm exhausted and I need to go to bed. Can we talk about it tomorrow?”

“You could at least give me five minutes! I guess this is what happens when you hang around with snobs, they're rubbing off on you!”

“I'm not hanging around with snobs, I'm spending time with exciting billionaires, of course it's going to change me a little. Good night, kiss my nephew for me.”

This time you didn't get me, my dear!

Lately our relationship has been tense. My sister has a hard time accepting that our paths in life have gone in such different directions. For twenty years, she was my role model. Now the roles have reversed: she wants to have my life, my freedom, my carefree existence. She's been trying to bring me down, constantly badgering me with annoying phone calls so she can complain and criticise my choices and my lifestyle. Tonight she didn't get the last word in, and I don't want her to ruin an evening that was so...special.

I decide to ignore her furious text messages and slide into my deliciously soft and comfortable bed. Turning off the light, I start to get flashbacks of my face to face encounter with Gabriel. Gabriel. I already called him by his sweet, first name. In my mind, at least, because I would never be so bold as to do it in real life. He doesn't even know my name and, a priori, that's the least of his worries. I don't get a chance to replay the scene over in my mind, I fall asleep before getting to his remark about my tongue being “certainly exquisite but much too loose for my tastes.”

I wake up with the roosters at seven-thirty am. When I realise where I am, a large smile spreads over my face. I slept like a baby, I feel fantastic, ready for the day, ready to see him again, to devour him with my eyes. I slowly stretch and pull myself out of my royal bed, then jump up and down like a little kid. I've never been much of a morning person, but today I'm overjoyed, impatient. I take a quick shower, brush my teeth, untangle my hair, put on a little bit of makeup. Coming back into the room I slide on my nicest pair of jeans, a pale pink scalloped sweater and my flat ankle boots. No sense in wearing any jewellery at this hour, I don't think I'm going to run into too many people at breakfast.

Before going down to the large veranda and drinking half a gallon of black coffee, I decide to send Emilie an email confirming that I received the return train ticket. I hope I get a chance to interview Gabriel Diamonds before I leave. I don't know exactly when we could get a chance to do it, but I intend to listen to him carefully and grill him on his favourite wines. After all, that's what I'm here for, and Eric would kill me if I came back empty-handed.