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Chapter Eleven

The heavy bass is thumping, the hall heaving with dancing bodies as we celebrate the latest Bomber Derby. I stand at the edge of the dance floor, sipping a cocktail, as I watch everyone else losing themselves in the music.

Over by the double doors leading outside, I see Lucas deep in conversation with Isabella. Whatever it is seems serious, because Lucas glances over at me, then takes Isabella by the elbow, hurrying her outside.

I frown and make to go after them, when Romy appears by my side.

“Where are you going?” he asks.

“I wanted to have a word with Lucas.”

“Why would you want to talk to him when you could hang out with me?”

He treats me to one of his winning smiles and I am lost. Whatever Lucas is involved in can wait until later.

“It’s a little too loud to talk in here,” I tell him, having to yell to be heard.

“So let’s go somewhere else.”

I nod.

Romy takes my hand, leading me in the opposite direction to where Lucas and Isabella had gone. I know I shouldn’t let him hold my hand in public, especially not when there are spies for my father everywhere, but I don’t care. We’re just holding hands. It is perfectly innocent.

As we walk out of the doors to the hall, we almost bump into a couple kissing.

“Looks like Ally’s moved on,” I murmur, as Romy leads me round the two teens and upstairs.

“Which one’s your room?” he asks, faced with a number of identical looking doors.

“This way.” It’s my turn to lead as we head down the corridor to the suite I share with Lucas.

“This is nice,” says Romy politely, looking round.

“I prefer the suite I had at yours,” I tell him. “At least there I had some kind of say over the décor. This is all my father’s idea of what a married couple would want in their home.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything…” Romy flops down on the couch and pats the space next to him. I move to sit next to him and he put his arm around me, drawing me close.

“This is nice.” I sighed.

“Any time with you is nice,” Romy says, dropping a light kiss on the top of my head. I close my eyes, trying to pretend we are just a normal couple, enjoying some alone time.

I turn to face Romy, wanting to tell him how I feel, but he anticipates the movement so his lips meet mine. He runs his hand down my front, lightly caressing my breast.

“No. Don’t.” I push his hand away.

“What’s wrong?” Romy frowns. “Don’t you like me kissing you anymore?”

“I love you kissing me,” I confess. “But it doesn’t seem right to do it right next door to where Lucas and I share a bed. I know we’re just keeping up appearances, but even so. It feels wrong to do anything here when I’m supposed to be married. I know that doesn’t really make any sense, but I can’t help it.”

“And that’s one of the reasons I love you.” My heart lurches when I hear Romy use the L word. “You put on this front like you’re a tough girl, but you’re one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. You care so deeply about the people you love.”

“Isn’t it a big assumption that I love you?” I keep my tone light, but I know that this is a conversation that has been a long time coming and I can’t put it off any longer. We are going to have that talk.

“Don’t you?” Romy looks at me all vulnerable, and I can’t risk hurting him by teasing him.

“Of course I do.”

Romy can’t help himself. He kisses me again. “I knew it!” He pumps his fist.