Page 16 of One Weekend in Sydney

“I should get back to my job.” I stand and take a deep breath. I’m reluctant to leave her by herself, though. “Hey, do you want to stay in a private room so no one else can chat you up? There’s a bedroom that’s off-limits to guests. It’s only used for emergencies.”

Tara grins. “Am I considered an emergency?”

“I heard you’re having a nasty migraine.”

She chuckles. “If it’s really okay, then yes, I’d appreciate it.”

“Come on.” As if my hand has a brain of its own, it reaches out for her. Before I can pull it back, she’s grasped it. Oh, well. Too late now.

With my heart beating like crazy at feeling Tara’s soft hand in mine, I lead her down a narrow set of stairs to the level below where the toilets, store rooms and a bedroom are located. I wait until the coast is clear before I unlock the door with a “Private. Staff Only” sign.

“Lock the door behind you,” I say, guiding her inside. “You can enjoy the views from the window. If someone from the crew asks why you’re here, tell them I allowed you in.”

“Okay. Thank you,” she murmurs.

I stare into her eyes, an incredible magnetic force I thought I’d never feel again wrapping itself around me. Well, come to think of it, Tara is not anyone else. She was the one who made me feel this way ten years ago.

Before I do anything stupid, I step back and close the door. I hear her lock it.

Maybe I’ll bring her a drink and some food.

Desire reignites in my veins at the thought of spending time alone with Tara in a room with a bed.

No. I should really just leave her alone.

I walk back up the stairs.

Slowly.

Reluctantly.

ChapterSix

TARA

Looking out the window of the bus that picked us up from the wharf, my heart sinks as I spot the long lines of masqueraders entering a building. We’ve arrived at the Dome.

Truth be told, I’m not looking forward to going in there and having a chit-chat with strangers. I’d rather spend my time with Romeo. Alone.

I wish I had the guts to invite him to spend a few minutes with me in the bedroom on the boat. I even spent the whole time in there hoping he’d walk back in. Of course, he didn’t. He was working. And I have no clue why I’m suddenly pining for a man I just met. I don’t even know what he looks like behind the masks! I guess the sexy, carefree feeling exuded by the Masks On members has rubbed off on me.

Now that we’re at the event, I very much doubt that I’ll have the opportunity to hang around with Romeo again. Besides, why would he want to spend more time with me? He already said he doesn’t mix business with pleasure.

And as for maybe—just maybe—going out on a date one day? Well, he lives here in Sydney, and I live a seven-hour drive away in Moonstruck Cove. What would be the point of that?

A hand on my shoulder makes me look up, and I find Romeo standing next to me. “We’re here,” he says.

“Yay!” I fake my excitement.

“Enjoy yourself, okay?”

I nod, and he leaves the bus first.

Soon, I’m getting off, and I glance around for Romeo. Why are the butterflies in my stomach still fluttering like crazy for him?

It’s been a long time since I felt this way towards a guy. Ten years, to be exact. But Romeo and Mason couldn’t be any more different from each other. One is gentlemanly and decent, and the other is a scheming liar.Wasa scheming liar, I should say. Like Odette said, Mason has grown up. I don’t know him well enough anymore to make any kind of judgment about the man he’s become.

I have no desire to get to know Mason again, though. What he did still hurts me to the core. He hasn’t even tried to apologise…

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