Page 16 of Ruby Queen
Chapter 11
Rory held her breath as she knocked on the door. Her biggest fear was that Christine wouldn’t answer the door, causing her heart to break even more.
“Come in.” Christine's soft voice called out from behind the wooden barrier.
Rory pushed inside and closed the door.
“Why are you here?” Christine huffed, “I told you I didn’t want to see you, Rory.”
“Because I need to talk to you.” Rory set the food she was carrying on the table and sat at the end of the bed. “Please, give me ten minutes. That’s all I’m asking for.”
“Ten minutes… then get out.” Christine folded her arms across her chest, avoiding eye contact with Rory.
“Christine…” Rory reached out and brushed the loose tendrils of hair from Christine’s face. “You’ve known for a long time how I felt about Anthony. I never hid that from you.” Rory smiled and continued, “I’ve always been honest with Anthony. When he told me months ago, he was in love with me and wanted to marry me, I told him why I couldn’t commit to just him and ended it with him. I wasn’t willing to sacrifice my heart – I told him he deserved someone who could be faithful to him.”
Christine’s eyes searched Rory’s for an answer, “What are you saying, Rory?”
“I’m saying he knows. He’s always known where my heart has been. And ironically, he is ok with it. He wants me to be happy, Christine. This whole wedding thing – it’s not really what I want. It’s for the kingdom.”
“I… I don’t know what to say, Rory.”
“Don’t say anything. I just need you to know that Anthony loves me unconditionally, and he knows I can’t and won’t only love him. He gets it. And according to him, I have a heart big enough to handle loving two people. But can the two people I love handle sharing my heart?”
Christine slipped from the bed, putting distance between them. “This isn’t real. I died in that crash, and I am dreaming, aren’t I?”
Rory went to stand in front of her, slipping her hand behind her head, “I told you on the terrace I loved you, Fitzy.”
Christine shuddered at the sound of her nickname slipping, passed Rory’s lips. She cocked her head, “But?”
“No buts,” Rory pressed her forehead to hers, “I’m done hiding. It may blow up in our faces, but with you and Anthony by my side…”
“This is crazy,” Christine whispered, “How is this possible, Rory? How can he be ok with this?”
Rory answered Christine by pressing her lips to hers. Gentle at first, but soon a fire was burning inside her, making the kiss so much more. Without using words, Rory was telling her how much Christine meant to her.
Christine gave in and pressed into her, slipping her tongue between the soft skin of Rory’s mouth. Their lips danced against each other, the heat scorching them from within.
“I nearly lost you, Fitzy,” Rory broke the kiss, “I won’t let my pride stand in the way of what I want.”
“And what do you want, Rory?”
“You… Anthony… Love.” She smiled.
“Can we really handle this unorthodox relationship?” Christine stilled, “Do you expect me to sleep with him?”
“If you want too, I’m ok with that. Having the two people I love, share intimacy with each other, isn’t a bad thing, Fitzy.”
“Yeah… I don’t think I’m ready for that step. We probably need to talk to Anthony.”
“Talk to Anthony about what?” He pushed inside the room, “I’m sorry. I just needed to know that Rory was ok. I’ll be honest,” he held Christine’s gaze, “I worried you’d shut her out for good.”
Rory held Christine’s hand in hers as she met him at the door. Pressing a kiss to his mouth, Anthony couldn’t help but watch Christine.
“And how do you feel about… what Rory wants?” Christine questioned him, still unsure of what was happening.
“Christine,” Anthony began, “I’ve known for a long time. Rory wouldn’t be just mine.”
Christine’s eyes welled with tears as she glanced at Anthony, “You’ve known?”
“Yes.”
“I love Rory with all my heart. And if it means accepting this part of her, I will. But the question is… how do you feel about this?”
“Well… I’m not ready to jump in bed with you – again,” Christine laughed, “But I love her… so if this is how it must be, then let’s talk it out. I want her. You want her – let’s set some ground rules.”
