Let's Talk About Seb Baby

Meanwhile, Lloyd sat in his hotel room, sipping whisky as he relaxed in the room's imposing Eames Lounge Chair. The sound of his phone's notification caught his attention, and he retrieved it from his pocket. A smile lit up his face as he read Lilly's message. Quickly typing a reply, he sent, "Are you tired?"

Lilly glanced at his response and felt a flutter in her chest. "A bit... I need a shower and some rest, I guess," she admitted.

"Is dinner with me out of the question?" Lloyd inquired, his text carrying a hint of anticipation.

"No," Lilly replied, her heart rate increasing.

"I don't want to tire you out. We can meet at your hotel's restaurant if you prefer," Lloyd suggested.

"Yeah, that would be nice," Lilly agreed, excitement tingling in her veins and her thoughts racing as she stood to take a shower. She couldn't deny the flutter of excitement mixed with apprehension that danced in her stomach. Part of her felt a bit overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events, going from a chance encounter at the Louvre to a dinner date with a captivating stranger.

As she stood in front of the mirror, Lilly debated what to wear. She wanted to strike the right balance between casual elegance and not trying too hard. Finally settling on a white boho dress that accentuated her features without being too revealing, she styled her hair in loose waves and added a touch of makeup to enhance her natural beauty.

While she got ready, her mind wandered to Lloyd. She couldn't shake off the intrigue he sparked in her—the way he spoke, his confident demeanor, and the mysterious aura that surrounded him. Despite her nerves, Lilly couldn't deny the thrill of going out with someone who seemed to embody adventure and intrigue.

Meanwhile, in his luxurious hotel room, Lloyd took his time preparing for the evening. He wasn't one to rush, especially when it came to moments like these. He wanted everything to be just right, knowing that tonight could be the start of something intriguing with Lilly.

As he dressed in  that exuded sophistication, Lloyd's mind wandered to Lilly. He found himself drawn to her sweetness, her genuine curiosity about life, and the way she blushed at his playful remarks. There was something refreshing about her, something that made him want to unravel the layers and discover more.

Deep down, Lloyd knew he wasn't the typical romantic partner. His life was often filled with danger and unpredictability, but there was a part of him that yearned for a connection, even if just for one night. He wanted to see where this evening would lead, to explore the possibilities that sparked between them at the museum.

With a final glance in the mirror, Lloyd adjusted his appearance, ensuring every detail was impeccable. He couldn't deny the anticipation building within him. Tonight, he decided, would be a night to remember, for both of them.

Lilly is still in her room, putting on her shoes when there's a knock at the door. Lloyd had mentioned he would be at the hotel at eight, so she still has ten minutes to spare. Expecting to find the cleaning lady, she is surprised when she opens the door and finds the handsome man standing there.

"Hey! Hello..." she stammers, caught off guard by his early arrival.

"You look amazing," Lloyd says, his eyes scanning her from top to toe appreciatively.

She smiles in return. "You look very good too. I didn't think you would come up here... the room is a mess, I'm sorry."

"It's okay," he reassures her. "I came a bit earlier and couldn't wait to see you. But I can wait downstairs, it's fine."

"Oh, nonsense, please, just don't mind the mess. I didn't have time to clean up properly," Lilly insists, gesturing for him to come in. Lloyd steps into the room, glancing around casually. "I like a bit of chaos. Makes things interesting," he comments with a charming smile.

Lilly smiles back, feeling a rush of nervous energy mixed with excitement. "I'll just be a minute, then we can go."

"Take your time," Lloyd says, settling into a chair by the window. As Lilly disappears into the bathroom, he takes out his phone, typing a quick message for one of his men.

"I hope you don't mind a change of plans. The restaurant downstairs looks a bit crowded. How about we try a quieter place? I know just the spot."

He sends the message and leans back, his mind already mapping out the evening's itinerary. This deviation from the original plan is intentional, a subtle move to gauge Lilly's adaptability and to create a more intimate setting for their first dinner together.

“Is it close to here?” Lilly says from the bathroom.

Lloyd hears Lilly's voice and replies, "It's not too far, but don't worry, I know you must be tired. I've arranged for a car to take us there." Lilly asks, "Is this outfit alright? I can change..."

Lloyd reassures her, "Don't you dare change, gorgeous. You look amazing."

"Thanks. You look very good, too... I’m ready if you are?" she responds.

"Ok, let's go then," Lloyd agrees.

They head to the elevator, where Lloyd compliments Lilly, saying she smells delicious, which makes her blush.

After leaving the elevator, they pass by the restaurant, and Lilly notices that it's almost empty, with only 2 or 3 tables occupied. However, she doesn't pay much attention to it and continues following Lloyd to the hotel's entrance. As they step outside, he nods to an older man who quickly opens the door of a big SUV for them to enter.

"So, what are the plans for tomorrow?" Lloyd asks as they settle into the car.

"Monet! I'll go see his house, the gardens, and his tomb..." 

"So you'll be out all day?" Lloyd inquires.

"I think so, at least until 6 pm I guess," she replies.

"I'm glad you'll have a good day. I'll be working, but if you're free at night, we can meet again," Lloyd suggests.

"Yeah, that would be nice. Will you tell me where we're going now?" Lilly asks curiously. "Do you have something against boats?" Lloyd asks casually as they enter the elevator.

"No, not at all," Lilly replies, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"Then we'll have dinner at the Seine river," Lloyd announces with a smile.

"Really?" Lilly's eyes light up with excitement at the unexpected suggestion.

"It's a beautiful spot. I thought we could finish the day with something special," Lloyd explains, his tone warm and inviting. The SUV glides smoothly through the Parisian streets, heading towards the Seine river where a delightful dinner awaits. As they arrive and step out, Lloyd offers his hand for Lilly to hold. When she does, he smiles warmly and kisses her forehead.

After enjoying dinner, filled with conversation and laughter, Lloyd signals for champagne from the waiter. As the champagne arrives, he stands up, taking Lilly's hand and leading her to a private area.

Raising his glass, Lloyd makes a toast, "Cheers to you, beautiful girl."

"Not to us?" Lilly whispers, a hint of playfulness in her tone.

"If you want it to be 'us'..." Lloyd's words trail off, his eyes locking with hers.

"Oh my god, am I being childish? Sorry..." Lilly blushes slightly, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

"Hey, come here," Lloyd says softly, sliding a hand around her waist and pulling her closer. "Can I kiss you, gorgeous?"

"Yes," Lilly replies, her heart fluttering with anticipation.

Their lips meet in a gentle yet passionate kiss. Lilly's hand glides over Lloyd's chest through his shirt, and he pulls her closer. 

”I knew you would taste delicious" he says with his lips still touching hers. “My heart is racing a bit too fast…” she says, Lloyd's playful chuckle fills the quiet space between them and he gives her a peck on the lips, making Lilly playfully protest, "Don’t laugh, it’s your fault!"

With a soft smile, Lloyd teases back, "I’m sorry, little starlight, I can’t be blamed for this. You made me lose a day of work only to leave me, and I’m not complaining."

Curious, Lilly questions, "How is that my fault?"

Leaning in closer, their eyes locked in a gentle dance of emotions, Lloyd confides, "I went to the Louvre for work, but then I saw you…" His voice trails off, a hint of admiration and fondness lingering in his words.

As they share this moment, the evening air carries a sense of affection, and Lilly's heart beats even faster.

"Would you come to my hotel?" Lloyd's voice was a soft murmur against the evening breeze.

"I can’t. I need to get up early tomorrow and I’ll have to change and grab my things," Lilly replied, her tone tinged with a hint of regret.

"Are you trying to drive me crazy?" Lloyd teased, a playful smile dancing in his eyes.

"Well, it wasn’t in my plans to find a handsome stranger…" Lilly's laughter was light and infectious.

"Now that you have, you should be more responsible," Lloyd countered, a hint of mischief in his voice.

She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "You can stay with me if you’re okay with waking up early."

"Yeah?" Lloyd's eyes sparkled.

"Yeah," Lilly confirmed, a smile tugging at her lips.

As they left the cruise, the anticipation between them palpable, Lloyd's driver was already waiting to take them to his hotel. Lilly hadn't expected him to be staying at the Grand Hôtel Du Palais Royal, much less that he would stop at the reception to get her an extra key. She stood there, momentarily dumbfounded, until they entered the elevator.

"Why... you didn’t have to... I don’t need a key…" Lilly's words trailed off, surprised by his action..

"Tomorrow I’ll be working till late, and I’m not sure when I’ll get back, but maybe you can wait for me here? I’m sure you’ll be back from your Monet tour way before me," Lloyd suggested, his tone inviting.

"It would feel strange to come here without you," Lilly admitted.

He slid his hand to the back of her neck and kissed her again, whispering softly into her lips.

"Keep the key. I have some hours to make you feel more inclined to it."

As the elevator doors opened and they entered his suite, Lloyd took off his shirt as he headed towards the bedroom, telling her he'd be right back. Lilly watched him go, her heart racing at the sight of his back. "I'm in trouble," she murmured to herself as she sat down on the couch.

When Lloyd returned to the living area, he asked if she wanted something from the mini-fridge, but she declined, lost in her thoughts and the anticipation of the night ahead.

As Lloyd kept a safe distance from his target, his attention was momentarily diverted by the presence of a group of art enthusiasts engaged in a guided tour. Amidst them, a young woman stood out like a beacon, her passion for art evident in the way she absorbed every detail around her.

Unbeknownst to Lloyd, his target slipped away amidst the museum's bustling activity. With a slight shake of his head, Lloyd reached for his phone and made a quick call, rescheduling his plans with his contractor. Before moving closer to the group, he discreetly took a picture of the captivating young woman and stowed his phone back in his pants pocket.

Staying one step behind her, Lloyd followed along as the group admired various paintings, including "The Battle Between Love And Chastity" by Pietro Perugino. Lloyd couldn't help but inject a touch of humor into the moment. 

"Chastity always looks as if it's wondering if it's fighting the right battle," he mused, a smirk playing on his lips.

The young woman turned, her eyes meeting Lloyd's with a mixture of surprise and admiration. A faint blush tinted her cheeks as she found herself captivated by the handsome stranger before her. As the group moved away from the chastity painting, Lloyd subtly adjusted his pace to fall into step beside Lilly. With a casual yet confident tone, he remarked, "You know, I provide the best guided tour of the Louvre. If you rather have it, I'm available."

Lilly smiled appreciatively but shook her head. "I appreciate the offer, but I can only afford one guide for now."

Lloyd's response was quick and playful. "Who says anything about money?" he quipped, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Lilly couldn't help but laugh at his boldness. "Will all your observations be historically accurate?" she teased.

Lloyd chuckled, his charm shining through. "Absolutely not," he admitted with a grin, enjoying the banter between them. Lilly was momentarily taken aback by Lloyd's boldness, her thoughts momentarily scattered by his charming demeanor. She stopped walking, her gaze dropping to the floor as she tried to regain her train of thought.

Sensing her hesitation, Lloyd took a step closer, offering his hand with a warm smile. "Come on," he urged gently, his voice carrying a hint of invitation, "they can show you what's written in the books, but I can help you see more."

Lilly hesitated for a moment before accepting his hand, a small smile playing on her lips. As they walked toward the closest painting, Lloyd took the lead, positioning himself in front of it. "I'm Lloyd, by the way," he introduced himself.

"Lilly," she replied softly, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.

"Lilly and Lloyd," he mused with a grin, "sounds like a romantic comedy from the 90s. I had to point that out."

A soft chuckle escaped Lilly's lips. "I won't be able to disagree with that," she admitted, feeling a sense of ease in Lloyd's presence.

"Okay, look at this one," Lloyd said, pointing to a painting depicting Liberty.

Before he could say anything further, Lilly interrupted with a playful smirk. "Oh God, not this one. Please, we don't have to point out how Liberty is surely not a prude."

Lloyd grinned, leaning in closer to her and whispering in her ear, "Are you?"

Lilly looked down, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as Lloyd's playful whisper registered in her ears. Sensing her reaction, Lloyd smoothly changed the subject. "So, is this your first time in Paris?" he asked, his tone light and conversational. "Yes, it's my first time," Lilly confirmed, her eyes curious as she looked up at Lloyd. "Do you live here in Paris?"

Lloyd chuckled, shaking his head. "Hell, no. I'm here for work."

Curiosity piqued, Lilly asked, "What do you work with?"

Lloyd's smile turned enigmatic. "Security business," he replied, keeping the details vague.

"And what about you? Are you here on vacation?" Lloyd inquired, shifting the focus back to Lilly.

"Kinda," Lilly admitted with a small shrug, "it's just a short trip, three days actually. I'm an art student, so I couldn't resist visiting the Louvre."

Lloyd raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his expression. "Oh, an art student? How old are you?" he asked, a flicker of concern crossing his features.

"28," Lilly answered with a chuckle, noticing Lloyd's momentary hesitation. "You looked a bit scared for a moment," she teased, her laughter infectious. "Don't worry, I'm legal. You're fine."

Lloyd's gaze softened as he spoke, his voice low and sincere. "I'm not sure this smile is legal," he murmured, his eyes lingering on Lilly's face. "I bet we can't find in any part of the Louvre a smile more beautiful than yours."

Lilly's expression shifted, a hint of uncertainty creeping into her features. "Are you like... playing with me?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with a touch of apprehension.

Lloyd met her gaze, his own eyes reflecting a mix of amusement and seriousness. "Tell you what," he proposed, his tone taking on a playful challenge, "if you can show me a smile more beautiful than yours in this museum, I'll leave you alone. But I swear, this is the only play I'm on."

As they strolled through the museum, Lloyd seamlessly transitioned into sharing intriguing facts and stories about the art pieces and the history of the place. His explanations were laced with humor and curiosity, making the tour not just informative but also enjoyable.

Lilly listened intently, her eyes lighting up with fascination as she learned about the intricate details and hidden meanings behind the artworks. From classical masterpieces to contemporary pieces, Lloyd's insights added depth to their exploration.

Every now and then, Lilly would point out a smile in a sculpture or a painting, prompting Lloyd's playful responses. "Your smile is way more beautiful," he would quip with a grin, earning a chuckle from Lilly. Other times, when Lilly joked about a particularly joyful depiction, Lloyd would tease, "Do you have a mirror? You must be kidding," his playful banter adding a lighthearted touch to their conversation.

Amidst their discussions about art, Lloyd also shared tips on places in the city where Lilly could experience the vibrant culture of Paris and have a memorable time during her short stay.

As Lilly mentioned needing to use the restroom, Lloyd couldn't resist a playful remark. "Do you want me to wait for you, or is this your way of getting rid of me?" he teased, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

Lilly laughed, shaking her head. "I had a great time; I would never end the day without a proper goodbye."

"I'm glad to know that," Lloyd replied with a smile. "I'll be waiting right here for you."

While Lilly headed towards the restroom, Lloyd took a moment to glance around and saw the museum's boutique. Spotting a charming souvenir, he quickly made the purchase, knowing it would make a thoughtful gesture.

Just as Lilly emerged from the restroom, Lloyd returned, a small gift bag in hand. "Were you running away?" Lilly asked with a playful grin.

Lloyd chuckled, offering her the gift bag. "I was buying you a little souvenir," he explained, his eyes warm with sincerity. "You didn't have to... but thanks," Lilly said, accepting the gift bag from Lloyd.

"Wait till you're at the hotel to open it, okay?" Lloyd suggested.

"Okay, if you want me to," Lilly replied with a smile.

Lloyd handed her his card. "And take my card. It would be awesome to get a text from you tonight," he said, his eyes holding a genuine interest.

Lilly took the card and read the details - Lloyd's name, "security specialist," email, and phone number. They had talked about her plans to meet a friend in the city after leaving the Louvre, and Lloyd asked her to let him know she's safe at the hotel later that night.

"Want me to walk you there?" Lloyd offered.

"You don't have to; she's going to meet me here at the pyramid," Lilly explained.

"Okay. I'll go then. Have fun, gorgeous," Lloyd said with a charming smile.

"Thank you for the tour. And the souvenir. I had an amazing time, really," Lilly expressed her gratitude, feeling a tinge of reluctance as they prepared to part ways.

As Lloyd prepared to leave, he gently took Lilly's hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss against her skin. Lilly's heart fluttered at the unexpected gesture, a rush of warmth spreading through her as he goes.

Feeling a bit flustered yet exhilarated, Lilly managed to compose herself and focus on retrieving her phone to text her friend. She tried to ignore the urge to go after Lloyd, reminding herself of her plans and getting the phone to call Sophie.

Unbeknownst to her, Lloyd glanced back before turning the corner, his gaze lingering on Lilly for a moment longer. A subtle hint of longing crossed his features, hinting at his desire to stay by her side.