Chapter 35 One bed.
CHAPTER 35
One bed.
SCARLETT – POINT OF VIEW
Dinner slowly ends as the storm intensifies, coming down with a vengeance. There’s a chill in the air. I can’t bring myself to eat anymore. Roman’s words feel like acid sliding down my throat.
“Don’t you like the dessert, Scarlett?” Stella asks, concerned.
My cheeks heat, and I don’t know what to say. Roman cuts in effortlessly, “She’s exhausted.”
“Perhaps you should retire now. We can continue in the morning.” Harold decides.
Stella stands and urges, “Come, let me walk you to your bedroom.”
Roman helps me up, and Stella links our arms. I force a smile as she leads me up the stairs, chatting away about everything and nothing. My heart is pounding as we draw closer to the bedroom. I have never had to share a bedroom before, and now, we must. Fuck.
“Thank you for a wonderful dinner,” I tell Stella.
She waves me off, “You should thank my Chef. You live in the Bronx, right? Maybe Harold and I can swing by for brunch sometime?” She asks
A perfectly set trap.
“Of course, you can.” I smile, eager, while I spiral within.
“Maybe sometime next month.” She decides, and I nod.
“Here you are. Our housekeeper prepared everything perfectly for you. I hope you have a wonderful night.” She beams and hugs me lightly.
Roman kisses her cheek, and we watch them go down the stairs.
My heart is pounding harder. I think I might pass out. Blood rushes to my head as I keep thinking about what is to happen. I am about to betray him, to give Dante something of his, and yet, we are to share a bedroom? This is hell.
“Come on. If we keep standing here, they’ll know something is off.” Roman sighs, linking our hands.
He pushes the door open, and my heart stops beating.
The bedroom is big and stunning, but there’s only one bed. ONE BED.
“Oh,” I whisper in shock, and step away from him.
One bed. One bed. It is bad enough that I’m lying to him, but now, I have to share a bed? I have to sleep beside him, while pretending I’m not plotting with his greatest enemy?
The storm continues, howling and accompanied by thunder.
“I’ll take the couch,” Roman says with a wince.
I look at him, then glance at the couch. Roman has large shoulders and long legs. There’s no way in hell he’s fitting on the couch. He’d probably break it. Nausea rushes through me, but I push it back. This is a duty. This is what must be done. I cannot let him squeeze himself onto that small couch.
“We can share the bed,” I say, sounding almost robotic and lifeless.
He frowns at me, running his gaze over my face like a touch, “I will take the couch.”
“Please don’t. We can share a bed. There’s no point sleeping on the couch. The bed is wide enough. We’ve had a very long day, so why don’t we just go to bed?” I murmur, even as my heart pounds harder.
Outside, thunder strikes, and I try not to flinch.
He doesn’t say anything. Instead, he reaches for his tie and loosens it, then runs his fingers through his thick curls. I take him in slowly, running my gaze over his thick arms, his neck, and …
“Can I use the bathroom first?” He asks softly, cutting through my inappropriate thoughts.
My cheeks flush,h and I nod. His rare softness will be the death of him. There’s something so painfully soft and tortured about him. I want to run my hands over his broken parts and mend him with my kisses. I want to love him, but I can’t, not in this world or the next. This is purely transactional and business. I know I’m changing the tides by stealing and betraying him. It will give him the right to disregard everything that protects me in the contract.
He will be cruel, and I will never see a glimpse of his softness ever again.
So, I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.
He grabs a bag and walks towards the bathroom. I slump on the bed and pull out my phone. I have missed calls and texts from Eve. She is always so impatient, so I call her back.
“So, how did it go?” She jumps straight to business.
I sigh deeply, “Harold and Stella are wonderful. They have a beautiful home, and now, Roman and I have to share a bed, because we are together. I don’t know what to do, Eve. I’m trying not to freak out.” The words spill out of me.
“You have to share a bed?” Eve asks, stunned, “Why did we not think of that? How did we miss that you might have to share a bed?”
“I don’t know. We’ve been busy with stuff. Let’s focus on right now. He’s in the bathroom and will be out soon. What do you think I should do?” I groan, fully panicking.
“Just go to bed. You’ve had a long night, so just sleep. Roman is a gentleman, and nothing funny will happen unless you want it to happen. Take a shower, and go to bed. We’ll talk in the morning, and you will tell me what you’re obviously hiding from me.” She states confidently.
The humour drains out of me.
“Goodnight,” I say and end the call.
I don’t know Dante as a person, but he is obviously dangerous. I cannot drag her into this chaos and put her in harm’s way. Soon, everything will blow over, and Roman will find out what I have done. His anger will be focused on me. Eve is finally getting the life she wants, the photography contracts and everything. I can’t mess that up for her.
Roman steps out moments later, freshly showered, with wet hair, and dressed in shorts and a faded tee.
My heart skips a beat in response.
I ignore him. I grab my bag and step into the luxurious bathroom.
The rain continues, and I try to wash away my sins under the shower. The stench of my guilt is suffocating. I stay under the water for as long as I can, then change into my pyjamas, it is silk and comfortable.
I linger in the bathroom, buying myself time, but I eventually step out.
Roman is on the bed, wearing glasses and reading a book.
He ignores me as I settle on my side of the bed.
My heart is pounding so hard. I wonder if he can hear it.
He focuses on his book, and I reach for my phone.
Suddenly, the light goes out, and we are plunged into darkness, accompanied by lightning.