Chapter 35 - In the city of love, sparks fly in unexpected ways

**Lisa**

"I never thought I'd say that to anyone," Damon muttered abruptly as he ran a hand through his hair.  His eyes were raw with emotion when he looked at me, "I suppose you just make talking easier,” He concluded. Lisa wrapped her arms about herself and grinned.

"Perhaps it's because I comprehend you, My Lord,” I joked.

He nodded slowly with a small smile then he looked at his watch and sighed.  "This ride is taking longer than I expected. A minute.” He asked, pulling his phone out of his pocket. 

“What's the progress with the booking?” He asked the person on the other end of the line. No greetings or pleasantries, straight to the point.

The next thing he said was, “Fix it,” before he hung up.

“What’s wrong?”

He let out a sigh, “The hotel I usually lodge in is completely booked and with all the gala preparations, I can't afford to stay somewhere new or unfamiliar.

“It's last minute, what are we going to do?”

“It's not my problem. I already as she's my assistant, who was incompetent enough to book ahead, to come up with a solution .

I raised an eyebrow.  "I assume that's going to solve it?" 

“Of course. If she can't handle this little issue then she would need a new job by Monday. Damon paused. He reached for his phone again.

"Just one suite?" He asked. I blinked.  

"If a single bedroom is what you could get it's fine.” Then he hung up again without any courtesy or courtesy. His poor assistant must be going through her working with him 

There was silence for a beat, and then I laughed softly.  "One room? Well, that is really convenient." 

Damon grinned, but something else flickered underneath.

"Why can't billionaire Damon summon another room with a simple snap of his fingers?" I teased.

He laughed.  "Isn’t that what I just did? I made an effort.  Paris just seems to be extremely busy this weekend.”

"I can use the couch to sleep."  Lisa's head cocked.  

I let out a loud sigh.  "I understand.  But, I will get rid of you if you snore.  

"Agreed."  

The tension between them had eased. It was gradually becoming less intense.  

Damon had some hotel staff help to roll our suitcases while we followed closely behind.

When we finally arrived at the sleek, contemporary lodge I couldn't help but gape.

Damon had called it a hotel lodge so I was expecting a room with a bed and bathroom but this lodge was so much more. With its open-concept kitchen that shone under soft lighting, the minimalist décor, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city, the room was incredibly stylish.  

Although everything was screaming “lu-xu-rey.”

Standing by the windows and absorbing the scenery, I cooed, "This place is so lovely."  

“I'm glad you like it.” he said before turning to the hotel staff to give us some privacy.

Damon used the bathroom first while I lightly unpacked some essentials from my bags. When he was out, I went in to get a warm refreshing wash. I sat in the bathtub a little longer than needed, lost in thought when I heard a knock on the door.  

“I'll be out in a minute.”

I wrapped myself in a bathrobe and exited the bathroom. In the room, Damon had an overcoat draped over his arm. He appeared oddly apprehensive as he took me in.  He finally cleared his throat and said, "I thought you might want to grab something to eat. Unless you'd prefer to get settled first?"  

"Food sounds delicious." Give me a minute to get dressed. Damon gave me the privacy I needed and I put something decent on and met him outside the room. We took a walk around the environment and found a tiny café near the hotel. Damon chose a peaceful corner table and we placed our order. 

On our walk back I said, “That was really nice. I think I'll come back here again sometime and also explore other places. Paris is so beautiful.” I gushed.

With a sharp exhale, he combed through his hair.  “Yeah, Paris is stunning but it's also foreign.  You don't know the streets, you don't understand the language, so I won't let you go anywhere by yourself. You can explore as much as you want but we'll be doing that together.”

I arched my brow and folded my arms defiantly, "Thank you for your concern, Damon, but I can take care of myself."  

He tightened his jaw, "That's not the point.  You are here because of me so you will stay by my side. 

“But what if—”

“This conversation is over.” He cut me off.

I squinted,  "Are you this controlling all the time?"  

His voice was controlled and low as he stepped closer,  "Only when it's required."  

I started to argue, but the hard, uncompromising expression in his eyes advised me to let it go.  

I let out a tired sigh and let her arms down.  "All right.  But if you start to play bodyguard, read my lips, I would rebel.  

Damon grinned.  "I'd like to see you try.”

I tsked and marched ahead of him but he easily caught up with me.

When we reached our temporary accommodation, the Parisian city lights glistened like a scattering of diamonds.  

The cab ride through twisting streets, the lengthy flight, and the weight of fatigue enveloped us like a comforting blanket.   The subtle lavender scent coming from the diffuser also made my head float.  

I slumped into the couch because my legs couldn't bear the weight of my body anymore.  

"All right,” Damon said in a stern voice, “You're not going to sleep on that couch."  

For the first time, I noticed that we were in a different room from the one we'd been in earlier. Pointing in the direction of the adjacent rooms, he said, 

“The one on the left is yours.  On the right is mine. And I did check, before you say anything.  The doors are secured by locks.” 

I gave him an eye roll and he laughed softly.  "Why are you still on the sofa?”

"It appears to be sufficiently cozy.”

He folded his arms, “Go away” I drawled. 

“Lisa.” He warned.

“Shhh. You're disturbing my beauty sleep.” I yawned, getting more comfortable on the sofa.

I thought Damon was gone until I felt strong arms swoop me off my makeshift bed.

My eyes popped open and I stared at Damon, too stunned to speak.

A few steps later, he was in his room and he lowered me into the bed with an intense gaze.

My heart was pounding heart but I calmed it down, 

“What? Do you want to join me?”

“I would love to but I know you wouldn't let me. Goodnight, Lisa.” He said, shutting the door closed.

What did he just say?