“So do you sell them or what?” she asked him. She realised that she had not asked him what he did with all those boats.
“Sell and rent,” he replied
“Amazing,” Francesca responded. She wrapped her arms around herself; she still had the blanket on her shoulders and she was grateful for the warmth. “I am guessing the one we dined on was your favourite,” she added. He smiled at her.
“It was indeed.”
“Well, thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
“I should get going.”
Jacques nodded and walked her to the car. The driver was already standing there waiting for her, but he dismissed him with his hand. He opened the door for Francesca. “I must say, I was surprised that you came,” he said to her.
“Were you? Why would you assume that I would not come?”
He smiled. “I do not simply assume things about you,” he said to her.
“Yes you do,”
“You are just that obvious.”
Francesca frowned. “Are you calling me transparent?” she asked him.
“That is not what I said.”
“It is what you implied.”
Lord Jacques raised his eyebrows. Conversation with Francesca was never smooth sailing. One minute they were cordial and the next, they were arguing. Lord Jacques had heard the LeBlanc sisters were hard to deal with, but he hadn’t expected this. “I implied nothing. I say what I mean. I do not need to imply things,” he said to her.
“Goodnight Olivier.” Francesca turned to get into the car but she paused. She turned to look at him. “There will not be another dinner date,” she said.
Lord Jacques frowned and tried to hide his disappointment, “I did not say anything about it.”
“But you were thinking it.”
“Who is making assumptions now?” Once again, she amused him.
“I am letting you know.”
“Okay. Just to let you know, there will be another date.” Lord Jacques smiled.
“Don't be so sure.” Francesca was convinced that she was not going to go out with him again. There was an awkward moment where they were staring at each other. She could see the confident look on his face. He looked so sure. He was so sure about many things in regards to her and it annoyed her. “You can wipe that smug look off your face too,” she said.
Lord Jacques let out a laugh as he tipped his head back. “You should address me with a little more respect.”
“I do not need to address you at all.”
“Is that so?” He moved closer to her.
“Yes. I do not want to even address you.” She was not convinced with her reply and neither was he.
“Your body language says otherwise.”
“Then ignore it.”
“I cannot.”
Francesca was feeling increasingly uncomfortable with his close proximity. “Whatever, Olivier, goodnight,” she said.
“It's Lord Jacques to you.”
“Olivier.” She repeated it as if it was a challenge she was accepting. He grabbed her by the shoulders and crushed her body against his as he trapped her between him and the car. “What are-” Before she could finish her question, he lowered his head and pressed his lips against hers. Francesca was caught off guard by his response and even more surprised at her own. His lips felt so good against hers. She desperately wanted to touch him to see if his body was as hard as she suspected. As the same time, she wanted to push him away and slap him.
Just when she started kissing him back, he abruptly pulled away. “Miss LeBlanc, you are a terrible kisser. Goodnight,” he said before walking off. Francesca was left standing at the car speechless. She could not believe that he could be so cruel as to say something like that to her. She wanted to slap him but she also wanted to pull him closer to her and keep kissing him. She was so conflicted.
“Take me back to the palace,” she told the driver, as she sank into her seat and closed her eyes.
“Oui, mademoiselle,” the driver replied.
Chapter 10
Francesca woke to find her sisters sitting in her room waiting for her to open her eyes. “What are you doing here?” she asked them as she sat up.
“Finally, you are up,” Macee said and grinned at her.
Frowning, Francesca got out of bed and stumbled to the bathroom where she washed her face and brushed her teeth before joining her sisters again.
“How was dinner?” Liane asked her. Francesca's jaw dropped open.
“Did the two of you come this early to ask me about last night?” Francesca asked.
“Yes!” Both her sisters replied and crawled onto her bed. Francesca rolled her eyes and threw herself back on the bed.
“Well? How was it?” Liane asked. She was curious about Lord Jacques, what kind of a man he was and where he would take her sister on a date.