Page 33 of All the Gossip from Paris
“Yes, but it’s not just about wealth. Or even clothes. Haute Couture is an art form. A craft passed down through the generations. There’s history in every stitch, every bead, and every thread. I’ve been working in my father’s atelier since I was a child, and I’m still learning.”
Heat blossomed on Liam’s cheeks. He’d been disrespectful in not paying attention at the Yves Saint Laurent museum. The garments that Sophie and her family made were not just clothes—they were the result of a level of career expertise he could barely imagine.
“I’m grateful that you’ve given up some of your valuable time to teach me, Sophie. I really appreciate it.”
He’d learned from her. If only he could teach her something in return.
An idea slipped into his mind. He could keep trying to teach Sophie that she was beautiful.
“Could I please take your photo in here? This space is impressive, but if I’m being completely honest, you’re what makes it truly amazing.”
Oh god, do I sound like a suck up?
She held his gaze for a moment, and Liam wondered if Sophie was thinking the same thing. That he wasn’t being sincere.
“I mean it. You’re gorgeous, Sophie. And having a stunning woman who can hold her own in the vastness of this exhibition space, is something which has to be captured on film.”
Her head dipped to one side. She was studying him. Probably wondering if he was worthy of her time. The relief he felt as a slow smile crept across her lips was palpable.
“Where do you want me?” she asked.
Naked in bed. Beneath me. Crying out my name as you come.
Liam cleared his throat. “Maybe dance around a little bit. Show me your electro punk pop moves.”
Sophie slowly shook her head. It was going to take more than that to get her dancing.
Pulling his cell from his coat pocket, Liam opened up his music app. Since that night in New York he’d developed a bit of a taste for 90’s pop.
The smile on Sophie’s face when the opening strains of Macarena filled the air, had Liam swallowing down a lump of emotion. Did this girl have any idea how amazing she was? When Sophie sat her tote bag at her feet, Liam quietly claimed victory.
She shrugged out of her coat and dropped it on the floor. Her hips began to sway, as she moved in time to the hypnotic beat. She held out one arm, followed by the other. Then raised her palms in turn.
Liam grabbed his camera from out of his satchel. He moved closer. Sophie was humming along with the song.
She faltered for a moment, and he feared she might stop. “No, keep going. You really are a nineties girl,” said Liam.
He snapped off a dozen or so shots, reveling in the vision of Sophie as she was lost in the joy of the 90’s era Spanish megahit. When he finished taking the last of the photos, Liam slung his camera over his shoulder and came to stand alongside her.
Right hand. Left hand. Right palm up. Left palm up.
“You need to move your hips,” she said.
Liam forced himself to sway just a little, but he held back on his killer dance moves. The closer he was to her, the harder it was to get his lust filled body to behave. When it came to the part with the full hip sway and the leap to the next move, he came to a sudden stop. A line from the catchy pop song openly taunted him.
‘I’m not trying to seduce you.’
The singer might not have had those thoughts, but he certainly did. He wanted Sophie. And if she wanted him too, then what was stopping them from repeating the amazing night they’d spent in each other’s arms? No strings attached. Secrets kept.
She kept dancing for a moment longer, then finally halted. Picking up her coat, Sophie said. “You should see the rest of my disco ball moves. When I get started on the sprinkler you want to stand well back. I’ve been known to take people out on the dancefloor with it.”
The joy in her voice was that of the Sophie he’d met in New York. A free spirit who embraced life. When she’d spoken about haute couture her words had been flat. Like she was reciting something she’d been forced to learn. Something she endured.
“Did you get some good photos?” she asked, slipping on her coat.
Liam picked up Sophie’s tote and handed it to her. “I did.”
She moved to take hold of the camera, but Liam held it teasingly out of reach.
