Page 33 of The Naughty One
Octavia nodded. “I know. Mom fought cancer twice, once before she had me. That time she won, and was determined that it wouldn’t stop her and Dad from having kids. They went through seven rounds of IVF before one took. Sometimes I wonder if having me, putting her body through all of that, made her weaker and allowed the cancer backin.”
Romy squeezed her hand. “No, honey, it doesn’t work like that. And, believe me, she would have taken the cancer over and over again if it meant having you in herlife.”
Octavia looked tearful. “Thank you, Romy.” She laughed a little through her tears. “I wish youweremysister.”
“How about we pretend we are? After all, it looks like Arti and your dad are pretty much solid—so that makes you family. Of course, I would technically be your step-aunt—but sister sounds better,right?”
Octavia grinned at Romy. “Deal.”
Octavia droppedRomy off at the breakfast place and waved goodbye. Romy drew in a deep lungful of oxygen and went inside, seeing Blue was already waiting for her. His green eyes were troubled, wary, but Romy allowed him to pull her into a hug. “Thank you for coming,baby.”
Romy leaned into him, breathing in his woodsy, clean scent. “Let’stalk.”
They ordered eggs and toast with strong black coffee and Romy waited. Blue looked at her. “I have no idea how she got into my apartment, but I swear to you, Romy, I’m not sleeping withher.”
“Who isshe?”
Blue hesitated. “An ex-patient who got a little tooclose.”
“Did you sleep with her before you knew me?” Romy was watching his expression carefully.Don’t lie, please don’tlie.
Again, Blue paused. “It’s more complicated thanthat.”
His answer irked Romy. “Either you had sex with her or not,Blue.”
His expression was unreadable then in a low voice. “Technically, I did have intercourse withher.”
“What does thatmean?”
“Romy … I have a past, and some things are too painful, too scarring to discuss. You should knowthat.”
Ouch.“Don’t try and weasel out of this by bringing up Dacre,Blue.”
“I’m not trying to weasel out of anything. It is what itis.”
Romy sighed. She wanted to believe Blue, but there was something in her gut instinct making it difficult. “But you’re no longer involved withher?”
“No, nor any other woman. Believe me, Romy, you are my love, my life.” He leaned forward and brushed her lips with his. She didn’t pull away. “Nothing will ever change that. As far as I’m concerned, you and me? We’reendgame.”
Romy felt a rush of warmth inside her at his words. “Weare?”
“Yes.” This time his words were defiant, determined. Blue held her gaze steadily. “I loveyou.”
Romy half smiled. “I love you too,Doc.”
“Can we move pastthis?”
She considered for a long moment then nodded. “I guess we can. But no more beautiful naked women in theapartment.”
Blue grinned. “Unless it’syou.”
Romy laughed then, her tension falling away. “Unless it’s me. And get your locks changed, would you? If she could get in that easily, anyonecould.”
“Already done,” he said grimly, “And the building’s security team got a tongue-lashing aswell.”
“Maybe we should look for somewheretogether.”
Blue nodded. “I’d like that. I want to be somewhere of both ourchoosing.”
