[Invitation to Eden 24.0] How to Tempt a Tycoon by Daire StDenis

obey?
    “I can’t.”
    “You can’t see me or you can’t answer the question?”
    “I...” My words trail off as Christophe starts to approach. I wave him away but he doesn’t stop.
    “Do you want me to come—”
    I press end on my phone just as Christophe stops in front of me.
    “Is everything okay?”
    I nod, not trusting my voice.
    He touches my cheek. “Everyone I know hides their true self. Wears a mask. Except you. You show every expression, everything you feel. Joy, excitement, laughter, distrust, dislike...” He uses the back of his knuckles to stroke my cheek and temple. “Sadness.” Now his hand is beside my eye, as if he’s wiping away tears.
    But there are no tears, I’ve got them too firmly in check.
    “Do you want to talk about it?”
    I try to laugh but instead a small sobbing sound escapes.
    “Or not.”
    Normally after speaking to Chase, I feel on the verge of a panic attack. For some reason, Christophe’s presence calms me. Not completely, but enough so that I can eventually speak.
    “Have you ever been married?”
    “No. But you have?”
    “Yes.”
    “That was your ex-husband?”
    “Yes.”
    “He broke your heart?”
    “We broke each other’s.”
    I hazard a glance into Christophe’s eyes to find the decadence and sin has vanished, replaced by concern and...compassion?
    Shit.
    The quivering in my lips becomes more than I can bear.
    He does not speak. He does not make stupid empathetic remarks about how difficult relationships can be. When I turn away because I can’t bear for him to witness the emotions that are wrestling wildly to break free, he turns me back to him and pulls me against his chest, holding my rigid body against his warm breadth.
    Just holding me.
    A tear escapes, trickling down my cheek as I squeeze my eyes shut.
    “Tessa!”
    I’m startled by the sound of my name. Christophe releases me and I turn to see Tal striding across the terrace. He looks angry. Upon closer inspection, I see it is probably more heartbreak etched across his forehead than anger.
    “The car will be here soon.” He reaches for my hand, glaring at Christophe like he really is upset with him for having his hands on me. Like I really am Tal’s girlfriend.
    Everything is happening too fast. There are too many weird emotions circling like startled birds inside of me at the moment. As Talal drags me away, I turn and wave to Christophe. Regret adds its feathered fury to the myriad of emotions making their home in my rib cage.
    He nods. “Until we meet again, Tessa Savage.”

Chapter Six 
    I leave Tal at the airport in Monaco and grab a quick flight to Paris where I’ve got a short layover. Now, I’m sitting at the Café Voltaire, across from the Seine, waiting for a freelance writer named Noelle Davis. I don’t know what I was thinking, agreeing to do this interview for Modern Woman Magazine . I’m a private person, discreet about my business dealings and even more discreet when it comes to my personal life. What’s bizarre about the whole situation is that I don’t remember agreeing to the interview in the first place and would have forgotten all about it except that the calendar app on my cell phone beeped three days ago while I was in Monte Carlo, reminding me of the appointment with the writer. When I checked for correspondence, I found a few emails that had been sent between us six weeks ago, arranging the meeting.
    Weird.
    However, while privacy is important, I’m also a woman of my word, which is why I’m here, drinking a lovely Bordeaux, sipping it slowly, savoring it while I watch droves of tourists stream across the bridge toward the Louvre. I would be lying if I said my thoughts weren’t continually returning to a certain French billionaire. Thoughts of Christophe make me feel restless. I don’t know if it’s because it’s been a while since my last love affair, a crazy, intense relationship with a bad ass biker who has a thing for leather and law enforcement. He’s