Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
TARA
I stir from sleep, hearing loud beeps coming from somewhere. I feel movement beside me on the bed, and the beeping stops.
I smile as I fully wake up. I’m still at Romeo’s. I fell asleep after a night of incredible passion—and multiple orgasms.
“Morning,” Romeo said, turning to me and wrapping me in his arms. “Did you sleep well? Even if it was only for a couple of hours?”
I giggle. “I guess so. I should be feeling tired, but I’m not.”
“Funny. I feel the same.” He places a soft kiss on my mouth. “I’m gonna use the bathroom real quick, and then I’m leaving for work. That way, you can take your time. You can even sleep some more if you want.”
My heart swells. How sweet is this man? “Do you really have to go to work this early, or are you doing this so I don’t have to hurry?”
“The latter, but I don’t want to hear any arguments.” He gets out of bed.
“Romeo,” I call in the dark.
“Yes?”
“I…I guess I won’t see you again after this. I just want to say thank you.” My eyes sting.
“You’re welcome,” he says in a croaky voice. “I had an amazing time with you. I won’t forget it.”
I nod, although he can’t see. I don’t trust myself to speak again in case I beg him for another date. On Monday, I’ll be going home. Then, in a couple of weeks, I’ll probably be the new mayor of Moonstruck Cove. My life will be very busy. The last thing I need is a complication.
But why do I feel so damn sad at the thought of never seeing him again?
Oh, get a grip, Tara. Don’t mess up a perfect one-night stand.
Yes, I’ve got to hold on to the positives. When I turn middle-aged and am still single, I can look back at this weekend with him and honestly say I was fortunate enough to have one of the most incredible times of my life. That’s good enough. I shouldn’t be greedy.
A few minutes later, Romeo calls out, “Juliet, can you pull the covers over your head? I’ll have to turn on the light to grab some clothes from my closet.”
“Oh, of course.” I comply with his request.
“Thanks.”
Under the covers, I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to ignore the temptation clawing at me. I could just take a little peek, right? Just a tiny glimpse to satisfy my curiosity.
No , I wouldn’t.
I shouldn’t .
But what if I never see him again? What if this is my only chance to put a face to the name that’s already etched in my heart?
My heart pounds in my chest as I wrestle with the idea, the blankets feeling heavier with each passing second.
Oh, screw it. I have to know.
Slowly, ever so slowly, I lift the edge of the blanket, just a tiny fraction. The light from the closet spills into the room, and my eyes are immediately drawn to Romeo. He’s standing with his back to me, putting his clothes on.
Then he starts turning sideways to grab something, and my heartbeat spikes. This time I’ll see his face?—
Oh. He’s wearing his masks.
My heart pinches. He’s obviously taking extra care to stay anonymous.
I quietly hide my head under the covers again, pushing away my disappointment. Nothing is Romeo’s fault here. Everything was practically my idea. I’m the one who’s stupid enough to develop some feelings for this stranger.
“Okay, I’m going now,” Romeo says. “Take your time getting ready. Feel free to raid the fridge, although I don’t have much in there. And then just lock the door behind you when you leave.”
Can he stop being so damn nice so I won’t feel any more sorry for myself? “Okay,” I answer with fake cheer. “Thanks again.”
He doesn’t reply straight away, and I wonder if he’s left.
Just as I’m about to pull down the covers from my face, he says, “Bye, Juliet.” Then I hear him walk out.
* * *
I tiptoe into the bedroom I share with Odette in the hotel suite, the early morning light filtering through the curtains. I can see Odette’s form on her bed, still buried under a mound of blankets. I breathe a sigh of relief, thinking I’ve managed to sneak in undetected.
Just as I’m about to close the door softly behind me, I hear a rustling from Odette’s bed. “Tara? Is that you?” her voice, groggy with sleep, calls out.
I freeze, one foot still hovering above the ground. “Yeah, it’s me,” I admit, trying to keep my voice casual.
Odette sits up, rubbing her eyes. “What time is it? And why are you just getting in?” Her voice is laced with concern more than accusation.
I hesitate, my hand still on the doorknob. “It’s early,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “I just... needed some fresh air. Couldn’t sleep.”
Odette squints at me. “Fresh air, huh? You’re still in your dress from last night.” She raises an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. “And your hair is a mess. Spill it, sister.”
I sigh, knowing I can’t hide anything from her. I walk over to my bed and sit down, kicking off my heels. “Okay, fine. I spent the night with someone.”
Odette’s eyes widen, and she grins mischievously. “Really? Who? Tell me everything!”
I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “I won’t tell you his name because we agreed to keep our anonymity.”
“As if I’d know who it is,” Odette says dryly. “Anyway, I’m not really interested in his name. I’m interested in what happened.”
I let out a snort. “Surely you know what happens in a one-night stand.”
“I mean, where did you find him? What made you say yes?”
Pressing my lips together, I gather my thoughts. It’s not that I don’t want to share anything with my best friend. It’s just that my time with Romeo was so special that I want to keep most of it to myself.
I decide to go for the shortened version. “I met him at the masquerade. He cut in while I was dancing with another guy I sat next to during dinner. Then I was thirsty, so we went to get a drink, but the lines inside the venue were so long that he suggested we go outside. Even though I couldn’t tell what he looked like behind the mask, I was attracted to him. I think it’s because I sensed his honesty. He wasn’t smarmy at all. Then I remembered your suggestion, and it just came out of my mouth. I asked him for a one-night stand.”
Odette shrieks. “ You asked him?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Way to go, Tara! And how was it?”
I can’t help my wide grin. “It was the most amazing night of my life.”
Odette pounds her bed in excitement. “I didn’t think you’d do it, but I’m so happy you did. Any regrets?”
I hesitate for a tad. “Not at all. It was everything I asked for.”
“Did you keep your masks on the whole time?”
“No. We went to his place, and he pulled down all the blinds and turned all the lights off. We couldn’t see each other.”
“Oooh, that’s like sensory play. No wonder you enjoyed it so much.” Odette pauses. “But you never saw his face?”
“No. He wore his masks while he got dressed, and I had the covers over my head.”
“Oh. How do you know he didn’t take a peek at what you look like while you were getting dressed?”
“Because he left before sunrise. He allowed me to take my time getting ready, which I did.”
Odette blinks. “He left you alone at his place?”
I nod.
“So, did you look around? Did you see photos of him?”
“No. I left as soon as I finished in the bathroom.”
“Really? If it were me, I would have snooped around when I had the chance.”
I shake my head. “He was so respectful of me and my wishes that I wanted to be the same to him. The fact that he wore his masks while dressing means he didn’t want me to find out what he looked like.”
“Aww. And this is why you’re gonna be the next mayor. You’re so full of integrity.”
I send her a wan smile. If I weren’t running for mayor, I would have asked Romeo for another date, maskless.