I cross my arms in front of me and continue, “Is this embarrassing? I don’t know, I don’t have a dick, but it’s no different than women being photographed with their nipples showing through their clothing. No one can see anything, it’s just an outline. But guess who everyone is talking about? Yes, that’s right, it’s Louis Marchant, not Yves Blanc. I bet everyone is wondering why your ex left you after seeing that picture…” Oh damn! I didn’t mean to bring up the ex and his protégé, but I’m on a roll.
I brace myself for impact, but it doesn’t come.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” Those blue eyes stay firmly on me, burning into my skin.
“Of course, I am. I did a good job. This is the reason I was hired… to help get you out there on social media. Have I achieved this quicker than anticipated? Yes!”
“That photo has nothing to do with art.” He shakes his phone at me rather vigorously.
“I don’t know… most comments are saying it’s a work of art.” I give him a smirk, one I probably shouldn’t have. Don’t push the beast, Emily.
“You… are… so… frustrating.”
“I know. Aren’t you glad I’m not your muse?” I throw his words back at him, and he starts pacing again, then stops.
“I’m sorry about that…”
Um, what? There’s sincerity in his voice, and that more than shocks me.
“Gabriel, he gave me a few home truths before he left today.” Louis looks a little sheepish. “I haven’t been the most pleasant to be around since…” I notice him wince while trying to force himself to say her name. “I guess I’ve been a little self-absorbed, I think that’s the word Gabriel used.”
“Okay, see… even you agree.” I laugh while he rocks on his feet. “I’ve been a dick. A big one.” Our eyes meet, and we both burst out laughing at his use of words. “Okay, we’re not going to stop with the dick jokes anytime soon, are we?” I shake my head in answer. “Anyway, what I want to say is…” Louis moves closer to me, and the air between us changes the closer he gets. “I’m truly sorry. I’ve been wallowing in self-pity for far too long and making everyone around me as miserable as I am. I promise no more feeling sorry for myself. I need to concentrate on my art and re-establishing myself. I’ve given Elisabeth too much already… she doesn’t deserve any more.”
I give Louis a warm smile. “I’m glad to hear it. Can we start again… for a second time?” Holding out my hand, I greet him, “Hi, I’m Emily Chapman, your new assistant. I am a big fan of your work, Mr. Marchant, and I look forward to helping you prepare for your next exhibition.”
Louis takes my hand and gives it a firm shake but doesn’t let go, while his thumb lazily runs circles under my wrist sending white-hot heat through my veins. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Chapman. I’m always delighted to meet someone with impeccable taste in art.” I chuckle. “I look forward to spending the summer with you.”
22
Louis
I’m nervous about tonight, it’s the first public art event I’ve attended since my divorce. There’s a chance that Yves and Elisabeth could be there, which has my anxiety at an all-time high. I’m not sure if I’m ready to run into them. But if it happens, I need to suck it up. It’s inevitable I’ll run into them at some point—the art scene is an incredibly small world.
I’m downstairs anxiously waiting for Emily to head down. I organized hair and makeup for her for tonight because she’s been so worried about this event all week. Plus, I’ve been a pain in my pretty awesome assistant’s ass, so it’s the least I can do.
“She’s ready,” Felix, the stylist, tells me as he walks down the stairs and waits patiently at the bottom with me. Emily is a naturally beautiful girl, so I know she’ll be gorgeous, but I wasn’t prepared to see how stunningly attractive she really is. Standing at the top of the stairs, she looks like an angel dressed all in white. Her hair is cascading around her creamy skin like wavy ribbons of golden silk. She glides down the stairs like she’s royalty, utterly elegant and regal.
The couture gown appears as if the white vine embroidery is crawling over her body, the sheer nude panels giving an elegant allure of skin without showing anything. There’s a deep V, but you can’t tell what’s her skin and what is the dress. A full embroidered skirt falls from her tiny waist.
As she slowly makes her way toward me, I watch in awe. When she reaches the bottom of the stairs, she lets out a sigh as if she was holding her breath the whole way down.
“You look…” I’m lost for words, but I can see she’s waiting to hear something, anything from me because she’s a bundle of nerves. “Stunning.” But even then, that word doesn’t encompass how truly beautiful she looks. I lean in and place a kiss on her cheek, and she smiles. I watch as those creamy cheeks turn the perfect shade of pink.
Felix and his team are clapping their appreciation of how good she looks, and this embarrasses her more as the tips of her ears have gone a bright red.
“Mademoiselle Chapman, you’re a vision,” Felix gushes.
“It’s all your magic,” she compliments him while he shakes his head.
“Tell her, Louis. She’s the perfect canvas for me to work my magic.”
My eyes don’t move from hers. “She’s exceptional.” Those emerald eyes sparkle at my compliment.
“You pull off a tuxedo well.”
I run my hand nervously down my suit wanting to look good for her.
“You two will be the most beautiful and talked about couple at the event.”
“We’re not a couple,” Emily and I say in unison.
Felix looks between us, chuckling, then tells his entourage to move out.
Emily nervously fiddles with her dress.
“You really
