Page 107 of Arianna

Grabbing Ella’s hand, I concentrate on her, not wanting the man who’s taking over my heart to notice how affected by everything he does I am. “You are going to France, mon amour,” I tell her, and she laughs so much as if I am the funniest person in the world to her. As if she understands every piece of me. The good and the ugly, and she still loves me.

“You are too, darling.” Sebastian’s rough voice makes me look away from Ella and meet his stare. Blue eyes meet green. My breath hitches when his words sink in.

He wants me to go to France with them.

“Wh–” he cuts me off before I can even get a word in.

He steps closer to my body, the heat of his stare setting me aflame. Sebastian hands me Ella and then turns around, walking the same way he came in.

Holding my girl, I watch him leave with my heart in my throat.

Before he exits the room, he says. “You are coming with us. So, pack your bags and try not to give me lip. You wouldn’t want to break a little girl’s heart, would you?”

The clever, beautiful bastard.

And because the little hellion is a little traitor when it comes to her father, Ellaiza proceeds to smack her chocolate-covered lips on my cheek, giving me wet and messy kisses, melting my insides one sweet kiss at a time.

This is it, then.

I am going to my dream country with the humans of my dreams.

Dreams.

They were only myths, and now they’re everywhere.

BASTIAN

Paris

“Do you see me for me, or are you

just infatuated with the flawless exterior?” – A

When we stepped into the suite of one of my three hotels in Paris, pure joy lit up Arianna’s face. The used-to-be-dead organ in my chest did a little jump, as corny and unrealistic as it sounds, at the sight of her rare smile. It never ceases to amaze me since she does not smile often, but when she does…fuck. I stop and stare, memorizing every angle of her flawless face.

We landed in Paris, then drove an hour to get here.

To the Kenton Plaza Hotel.

My family’s legacy.

It’s no ordinary hotel. It is located on the prestigious avenue Montaigne, the tree-lined boulevard of French fashion, and has a partial view of the Eiffel Tower from the huge balcony with its gold double doors.

This hotel offers my guests the very best of Paris.

My father chose this location for the couture address. The famous avenue of couture, where a century of designers and artists have pursued boldness and passion. Here, our guests are to seize, enjoy, and celebrate the city.

My mother used to go on for hours about how our hotel was the definition of Paris. Dior, Dietrich, and diamonds.

Where icons and trends were born.

Where love stories have played for years.

Where you continue legacies and write stories.

It is magic.

With the help of our Parisian splendor and our famous art of hospitality.

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