I just want to take this opportunity to say: MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! Have a lovely time with your family and friends and thank you to the reviewers who always put a smile on my face. A great Christmas present would be a few more please :-D

'Oh... my... god.' I stared at the jet in front of me, the jet that was in a private holding area at Heathrow airport. It was December 27th already and I couldn't believe how quickly Christmas had passed. Christmas eve had been spent with Sally and Simon and we'd baked, taken a long walk and had a nice takeaway dinner; our Christmas Eve tradition. Then they had joined me at the palace for a large, informal Christmas dinner with my family the following day. I'd been very spoilt. Sally and Simon had bought me a camera to take on holiday and then my new family, the royal one, had showered me with designer knitwear to take with me, a blue floral snowboard from Phillip (who must have been feeling optimistic) and then a simple diamond bracelet from my father. According to Zed, he too had a present for me but I would have to wait for it. Was it a kiss? I doubted it because I had to ask for one and I was sure I didn't want to kiss him. Almost one hundred percent sure... wasn't I?

Now I stood at Heathrow, beside Lucy, who was just in awe looking at the white jet as I was. We walked up the stairs past the attendants who bowed at us and I gawped at the interior; there were six leather recliner chairs, all with the Royal Crest embroidered into them. There was a large table, a mini fridge, a fancy-looking bathroom with shower and a large flatscreen television. And, as the attendant informed me, there was even onboard Wi-fi.

'This is awesome!' Lucy cooed, sitting down. 'Dad's had a few of these but he never let me use them!'

'Because it's ridiculous.' I told her, sitting beside her and fastening my seatbelt as the rest of our luggage was loaded on. I kicked off my warm snowboots, not needing them on the hour and a half flight to Geneva.

'Ridiculous but so cool!'

'What wasn't cool was having paparazzi out there, asking questions about Marcus and I.' I frowned.

'We can assure you that won't happen in Geneva. We have it covered.' Jose, one of my dad's security guys, piped up from the other side of the jet and I hoped he wasn't going to listen to all of our conversation.

'Who cares about you and Marcus, that's old news!' Lucy laughed. 'New news is you and Zed.'

I launched a cushion at her. 'There is no news.'

'I've seen the way he looks at you. Don't tell me there's no news.' She shook her head in disbelief and I rolled my eyes.'

'There is no news.'

Other than that he'd told me he wasn't going to kiss me until I asked. How arrogant was that? Like, why did he think I wanted to kiss him? I glanced out of the window as the plane started to move. This conversation was well and truly over.

The chalet in Morzine was an alpine fantasy with wooden walls and a carved wooden balcony which surrounded two sides of the chalet and it made the 75min journey by jeep from the airport worth it. Outside was a hot tub, over-looking the fir trees and the snow-covered trees. The main living area was open plan with three grey sofas, a fairisle rug and a modern domed fireplace. There was a large dining table with seats for 10 people and the kitchen was modern-looking, carved from granite. Downstairs there was also a small cinema room with a large sofa and three leather beanbags, pointed towards a large television screen. The five bedrooms were simple; three were double rooms with ensuite bathrooms and then there was a twin bedroom and one with bunk beds in it. Lucy and I were given the twin room with plush, white duvets and faux fur grey throws draped across the beds. There was a large wardrobe and a small dresser. I walked over to the window and struggled not to gawp; a beautiful mountain was outside, a mountain which looked like a backdrop, not something that was real.

'Great, isn't it?' Lucy beamed. 'I can't believe you've never been to the alps before! They're totally awesome!'

'They are.' I said, finding myself agreeing with her for the first time that day. I didn't hesitate to unpack and I shrugged off the chalet girls who had tried to help with doing so. They'd been over-the-top with calling me 'your highness' ever since I'd stepped through the door and into the arms of Karla, who had been very happy to see Lucy and I. The males were on the slopes and wouldn't be home until it was time for dinner, so she made us hot chocolates whilst we unpacked and then we met her in the living room, in front of the perfect, warm fireplace.

'Here you are.' She passed Lucy and I each a thick, hot chocolate with marshmallows. I knew it was made from melted chocolate and my mouth watered in appreciation.

'Mmm this is delicious.' I told her as I sipped the chocolate.

'A french specialty.' Karla gave me a smile as warm as the chocolate. 'Did you girls have a good flight?'

'In Sky's dad's jet? Definitely!' Lucy grinned from behind the floral Cath Kidston mug she was holding. My eyes followed Sophia and Rozina, the two Chalet girls, as they moved around the kitchen preparing soup and bread. It smelt delicious, although I would have quite happily had some more of Karla's hot chocolate. Then my eyes moved to the door where my security were hovering outside, probably looking quite obvious as they refused to wear anything but their warm, black uniforms. Bringing Ciara and coaxing her into wearing something relaxed and subtle wouldn't have been so bad after all.

'You must thank your father for inviting us to the party the other night.' Karla said to me, her voice soft like silk. 'We had a really lovely time.'

I blushed. Other than Marcus' irritated looks and aura of jealousy surrounding him, I'd had a lovely time to with Lucy and with Zed... he was a pretty good dancer, as he'd shown me for more than one song. 'It was a good night.' I agreed, my voice small and I kicked Lucy in the shin as she wiggled her eyebrows at me when Karla wasn't looking.

The sound of the door opening brought our attention away from the small-talk, as did the booming of male voices. I suddenly wondered if I looked okay in my short brown pleated wool skirt, cream tights and cream cashmere jumper. My messy bun probably wasn't its best look, that was for sure, and I hardly had on any make-up.

'Hey girls!' Saul boomed, appearing first. He shrugged out of his ski jacket and Karla took it from him as he kissed her forehead in a cute, romantic gesture. It made me smile. 'Did you have a good flight?'

'Yes thank you.' Lucy and I chorused, politely. My best friend's eyes lit up as Nate walked into the room in his O'Neill snowboarding gear. He gave her a peck on the lips in greeting and they both blushed when they realised we were watching them. Yves walked in next and waved at me before Zed followed him in, shrugging off his ski jacket.

'Hey.' He said, a huge smile beaming on his face, one which was contagious.

'Hello.' I replied, nervously. He looked the part in his snowboarding gear and despite the fact that it wasn't as tight-fitting as it could have been, he still looked hot. Really hot. And not just because his cheeks were flushed from the cold.

'Get changed for dinner.' Karla commanded them all. 'Remember, your father and I are going out tonight so we'd like to eat before we go.' They were going out? I shot Lucy a questionnable look and she simply shrugged in response as the men went off to get changed out of their snow gear.

Dinner was delicious and I wasn't expecting three courses. It meant that, unfortunately, I didn't touch dessert. By the time we'd had homemade soup with bread and then the stew with dumplings, my body was refusing to eat anything else. Karla and Saul headed straight off after dinner and the chalet girls cleaned up before disappearing off to some Apres Ski bar in town.

'So are we going to watch a movie?' Lucy suggested as Yves picked up his book and left the living room area. I wiggled my toes in front of the fire, enjoying the warmth of them.

'I've got a better idea.' I glanced up to see Zed holding a beer. 'Beer anyone?'

'Sure.' Nate nodded and Zed opened a bottle before passing it to him.

'Ladies?' Lucy nodded and I felt obliged to do the same. He passed us each a bottle, but he didn't sink down beside us. 'The night is still young.'

'So what do you suggest?' I asked, wondering what on earth he had in mind.

'Mate, our single came out today! I completely forgot!' Nate held up his iPad showing a screenshot of the music video for the first Seven Minutes in Heaven single, Don't Stop.

'How's it doing?' Zed asked, walking over to the iPad with interest.

'Number 9 in the iTunes chart. Not a bad start. Is it weird to watch the music video?'

'Yes.' Zed shuddered as Lucy snatched the iPad from her boyfriend.

'It's not weird if Sky and I watch it though.' She smiled, patting the space beside her. I sank into the sofa next to her and sipped at my beer as the video started. They were all stood on the roof of a building in London, the London skyline behind them, and their instruments were there like a gig on the rooftop. The video was simple but effective; they played and sang and the girls in the video did their best dancing, including dancing up against Zed as he sang, which made me swallow. He looked hot and the dancer was crazily pretty with masses of brunette hair and very long legs. I was completely dumpy in comparison.

'Well?' Nate glanced up as the video finished.

'It's good.' Lucy smiled and I nodded in agreement.

'Sooo...Hot tub?' Zed said, changing the subject.

Lucy bit her lip across from me and I didn't need to be a mind-reader to know she was picturing Nate shirtless because I was picturing Zed shirtless. I had an idea of what he looked like without a shirt, but I didn't know whether I was right or wrong. I smiled across at Lucy before looking at Zed. 'Sure.' His eyebrows shot up in surprise and I knew he wasn't expecting me to say yes.

I turned on my heels and walked off to the bedroom to get changed. It was going to be freezing outside and that was clear from the knee-deep snow, so I changed into my new black bikini, the one that gave me a nice bust, and then I pulled on my fluffy white robe over the top for warmth. Then I grabbed my beer and headed out onto the decking. Lucy and Nate hadn't yet got there, but Zed was already sat in the water with his beer bottle in his hand. I swallowed. I could see his tanned, bare, muscular shoulders and the top of his chest poking out of the water as he turned in response to the door closing. The smile that swept across his face was cocky and I bit my tongue to stop myself making a comment. I didn't want to fight with him, not when he'd kindly invited me on holiday, allowing me to have my first ever experience of another country.

'Bonjour.' He said, his French accent en pointe.

'Bonsoir.' I corrected, giving him my best cocky smile in response. I untied my robe and draped it over the railings. When I turned back Zed was looking at me. Gawping even. His mouth hung open and then he swallowed before trying to cover up his reaction with another cocky smile. The cold air made my body tingle unpleasantly and I slipped into the hot tub, enjoying the warm sensation as I took a swig of my beer in my seat across from him. 'I thought I'd told you already that I like you a lot better without the cockiness.' I told him, trying to shake out some of the tension that had built up in my shoulders as I let them sink under the water.

'But I like the cockiness. It's who I am.'

'That might be what your girlfriend thinks but I see past it.' I looked at him, warily.

'My girlfriend?' He raised an eyebrow and took another swig of beer.

'Savannah, queen of mini skirts and low-cut tops.'

He chuckled at my bitterness. 'Are you jealous?'

'Of course not.' I tutted. 'I have standards and don't believe in dressing like a hussey to get a guy's attention.'

'Well she's not my girlfriend.' He shrugged. 'Figured you knew that. We've just had a few flings but they're well and truly over now, although I'm not sure she gets that.'

'Flings?' I narrowed my eyes at him. 'I don't know how you can do that to a girl. Just use her without actually caring about her feelings. Are you against girlfriends or something?'

'Of course not.' He looked a little hurt. 'I'd happily have a girlfriend, if she was the right girl and wanted a serious relationship.' He scooted over so that he was closer to me and I sucked in a deep breath as he stared at me with yet another intense expression. Just then, Lucy and Nate appeared in the doorway in their swimwear and they squealed as the cold air hit their skin. They ran and jumped into the hot tub beside us, moving us on from heart-to-hearts or intense stares.

I woke up earlier than planned the next day with Lucy still sleeping in her twin bed beside me. I showered and pulled on jeans and a light blue fairisle print warm jumper and I walked into the living area. The chalet girls weren't there but there was a note from them about going to the boulangerie. I opened up my laptop and was surprised to see an e-mail from the palace photographer with the subject line: Christmas Party. I opened the e-mail and looked at the pictures attached, the ones which would never be released to the public. There was a picture of Lucy and I dancing and then another of us posing together, looking more glamorous. There was a picture of Phillip and I together, laughing like a brother and sister should. Then there was the picture that made my breath catch in my throat; Zed and I dancing together, eyes locked on each other. It was next to another photo, where he had lifted me in the dance and we had both laughed.

'Those are lovely photographs.' Karla's voice caught me off guard and I jumped slightly.

'Thank you.' I replied with a smile.

'You're an early riser.' She commented, moving to the kitchen. 'I'm afraid there won't be any breakfast yet.'

'That's okay.' I closed my laptop, feeling a little embarrassed that Zed's mum had caught me staring at a photo of her son and I.

'Can I get you a drink?'

'I'm fine thanks.' I told her, standing up. 'I might actually go and check out the view. It's so pretty out there and I bet even more so now it's light.'

'Our own slice of heaven.' She replied and she turned to make a coffee.

I slipped my feet into the trendy suede-style snowboots I'd got for Christmas, the ones with the fur inside to keep my feet warm, and I slipped on my cream jacket with the fur-trim hood, before walking out onto the decking. I stood for a moment, taking in the surroundings. We'd arrived as it was getting dark the previous day, but this morning you could see everything clearly, the snow sparkling like glitter in the morning sunlight. The chalet was tucked into the hillside so gave a view of town at the end of a snow-shovelled track. A few people laughed as they sledged past us down the fresh slope on the right of the house, towards the twinkling Christmas lights that still hung over the alpine buildings and the large hotel in the distance. I snapped a quick photo of my view, although I knew it wouldn't do it justice, before uploading to Facebook and then to my Instagram page.

Can't believe this is my first time in France. It's so beautiful here!

'Morning.' Zed's voice made me jump and I turned to see him stood in a tight pair of black skinny jeans, a grey jumper and his leather jacket, black ankle boots on his feet. His fashion choice was a lot more Zed-like than his black ski trousers and blue ski jacket the previous day.

'Hey.' I said from where I was leaning against the wooden railing, watching the beautiful scenery in front of me.

'Did you sleep well?' He ran his hand over the snowboard he'd propped up on his way out. It was black and then I realised it had Luke Skywalker and Darth Vadar's epic lightsaber battle on it.

'I did.' I nodded. 'Really cool snowboard.' I walked over and ran my fingers along the design. It must have been personalised as the initials 'Z.B' were marked into it. Pricey.

'You like Star Wars?' He looked surprised. 'I'm impressed.'

'I told you I'm not like other girls.' I gave him a small smile. 'There's still a lot you don't know.'

'I look forward to finding it out.' Cue cocky smile. He pushed the newly fallen snow off of the railing decking where he was stood at the same time as I scooped up my own handful, a small smile on my face; a cunning smile. I balled the snowball up and launched it at him, hitting him on the cheek. 'Oi!' He grabbed some snow and launched it at me but I ducked as I ran off the decking and into the thick snow, Zed chasing me. I wasn't used to running in snow, however, and it wasn't long before he caught me, knocking me to the ground. We both laughed, Zed leaning over me and I swallowed. His body was warm against mine and our faces were so close I could feel his minty breath on my face. It would have been easy to kiss him there and then. Our lips were almost touching and his eyes were locked on mine as if trying to read my facial expression.

'Zed! Sky! Breakfast's ready!' Karla called out and I blushed, realising she'd caught us in an interesting position.

Zed didn't move at first. He smiled down at me before getting up all too suddenly, pulling me to my feet. 'Great, I'm starved!'

'So any news on the Zed front?' Lucy quizzed me after breakfast, whilst we changed into our snowboarding gear (not that I planned on snowboarding). She adjusted the base layers she was wearing and pulled on her pink ski pants, her cream bobble hat and a scarf over her white and turquoise ski jacket.

Any news? Only that we'd almost kissed for the second time. 'None.' I told her. I pulled on my own ski pants, the purple designer ones I'd been given for Christmas, and then I zipped up my light blue and lilac tie-dye ski jacket over my faux fur cream scarf, which managed the faux fur cream headband keeping my ears warm.

'You look like you've done this before. Stylish and cosy.' Lucy commented as she grabbed her red and white polkadot snowboard.

'I wish.' My stomach churned with nerves. I glanced at the light blue snowboard with the white flowers and a white royal crest marked on it. It was so pretty, but I couldn't ride it.

'You'll be fine.' She gave me a reassuring smile and disappeared. It was safe for her to say. Or for any of our friends to say. For most of them, skiing or snowboarding was second nature and they'd done it since they were kids, coming to the Alps or another ski resort since they could walk. I was missing years of practise and the coordination required. I carried the snowboard into the living room where everyone else was waiting in their gear, the gear that was making me swelter in the warm chalet. Karla and Saul headed off first, with their skis, and then the rest of us set off into the cold air, which I didn't feel thanks to the warm layers.

'Nice board.' Zed commented as we walked towards town, where the chairlift was. He passed me my lanyard lift pass and I hooked it over myself, tucking it under my jacket so that people couldn't see my name. Especially as it had my 'new' titled name, like my passport did. It was embarassing really. I glanced behind us, where my two security details hovered, dressed in warm, black clothes, earpieces in and sunglasses on. 'Is it weird having security follow you everywhere?' Zed asked.

'Weird and ridiculous. I'm perfectly safe.' I stumbled on the ground and he caught me with a lopsided smile.

'Perfectly.' He chuckled. 'But if you don't mind, I'd quite like to lose them later.'

We reached the chairlift and I looked up in awe, watching the chairs disappearing up to the mountain top. I tensed. 'I'll meet you all down here?' Lucy gave me a sympathetic smile and then she, Nate and Yves made their way into the line.

'Come on, you can't hide down here.' Zed said, leaning against his board. 'The slopes are calling.'

'To you maybe, but not to me.' I wrinkled up my nose and wondered if I was pale. I felt like I was going to throw up and that wasn't exactly positive or reassuring. 'I've never skiied or snowboarded before.'

'You should've said.' His voice softened, as did the look he was giving me.

'It's lame.' I replied. 'Hasn't everyone at school been on a ski holiday at least twice?'

'I don't know.' He shrugged. 'But you're on one now and I'm going to teach you to snowboard.'

'With my coordination? Good luck!'

'Yeah, your coordination isn't great.' He laughed, a sound which sent goosebumps across my skin. 'But I like a challenge.'

I sighed and put down my board, placing my feet into the strapped bindings. I bent down to secure them but Zed stopped me, swooping in and tightening them himself. 'Thanks.'

He stood up, a friendly smile on his face. 'Does that feel stable?'

'I guess? I don't know how it's meant to feel.' I blushed.

'It's okay.' He gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. 'Now snowboarding requires a lot of balance.'

'That's what worries me.' My heart hammered against my chest and my mouth felt dry. Despite all of the snow around me, I felt hot too.

'I'm going to hold your hand, you'll be fine.' He pulled me along to a small slope, where a few beginners were being shown the ropes by the instructors. Then he sat down and secured his own bindings before getting up like a pro. I wasn't surprised he was good at this. 'Okay, turn your snowboard so that the lead end of the board is pointing down the hill.' He showed me want to do and then I copied him carefully. 'Good now apply some pressure to your lead foot to encourage the board to move forward.' He took both of my hands in his and he started to move on cue, pulling me with him. I squealed as we started to both and he chuckled. 'Bend your knees a little and keep your back straight as it maintains your speed.' He told me and we moved quicker down the small hill, reaching the bottom and coming to a natural stop. 'See, that wasn't so bad, was it?'

'I guess not.'

'So now let's head on up there.' He signalled to the top of the hill and my eyes widened. It was going to be a long day. We headed up in the chairlift and I admired the view below as the buildings in Morzine seemed to get smaller, as did the people skiing and snowboarding down the slope. We reached the top and Zed slid off as did I, but I managed to stumble. Thankfully he caught me and laughed when he did so. 'We'll start with the beginner's slope, okay?' He told me.

'I feel like I'm ruining your fun.' I frowned as we slid to the top of the beginner's slope. 'You can go off with the others, don't let me hold you back.'

'You're not.' He smiled. 'Believe it or not, I'm actually quite enjoying this.'

'What, watching me fail?'

'Saving a damsel in distress.' He teased. 'Right, it's not that far down. Are you ready?'

I glanced at the resort below us and I sucked in a deep breath. 'As I'll ever be.'

He took my gloved hands in his and then we were off, slowly snowboarding down the mountainside, hand in hand. He let go, still staying by my side but letting me glide solo. That was when I started to wobble. I grabbed his arm and we both fell, this time me on top of him.

'Sorry!' I apologised, my cheeks flushing red.

'If you wanted to be on top, all you had to do was ask.' He said cockily, cocky smile returning.

'Eugh.' I rolled my eyes and pushed myself off of him as a child raced past me on skis. They made it all look so damn easy. 'I think that's enough snowboarding for today.'

'So are you kids off to the Teen disco in town later?' Karla asked as we tucked into the lasagne Sophia and Rozina had prepared for us. They refilled Karla and Saul's wine glass and then left us to dinner.

'Yeah, sure.' Zed nodded and Nate gave a small smile in agreement.

'What about you, son?' Saul turned to Yves, who had been even quieter than normal. 'Your last night here and all?' I glanced over at Yves. I'd forgotten he was heading back to London for some work experience.

'I think I'll get an early night.' Yves replied with a thoughtful smile. 'Don't want to miss my flight.'

The idea of Apres Ski was an interesting one I'd heard of many times; there were Apres Ski bars in England, for goodness sake- just so that people could drink without needing an excuse. What it did mean, though, was that people often headed to the bars and clubs straight from the slopes so it wasn't black tie attire. Instead, people wore comfy knits and boots. Lucy had convinced me to wear the leather-look leggings I'd bought before we'd headed out to Morzine, the ones I wasn't sure suited me. I wore them with an off-the-shoulder cream jumper and I pulled my hair out of its bun, letting it fall in loose curls over my shoulders. Lucy had gone for a sparkly gold jumper with a ribbon-tied back and a pair of leggings with her boots, her hair pin-straight and down too. We both applied a little make-up and then we met Nate and Zed in the living room.

'You kids have fun and be careful.' Karla said with a friendly smile as she looked up from the film she was watching.

'Sure mum.' Zed nodded. We grabbed our coats and slipped them on, venturing out into the cold.

'Please tell me we're not actually going to this Teen Disco.' Nate groaned as we walked towards the town centre, fairy lights lighting our way. I folded my arms across my chest as I shivered in the cold, my feet crushing against the snow.

'Of course not.' Zed laughed and Lucy and I glanced at him in confusion.

'What's wrong with the disco?' I asked.

'Nothing if you don't mind hanging out with twelve and thirteen year-olds all night.'

'So where are we going?'

Zed grinned. 'Shooters. Where else?'

Shooters looked like all of the other Apres Ski bars in Morzine, only a little bigger. Our coats were hung in the cloakroom and we walked inside the cosy bar. The bar had two floors, one with the main bar and a dancefloor and the other formed a balcony around the outside, with two smaller bars. A disco ball and disco lights hung from the ceiling and fairylights were wound around the balcony barriers and onto the beams below. It was clear that the partygoers here were age 18 plus and I was surprised we'd got in without even being asked for ID.

'Drink?' Zed asked, grabbing my hand.

'Sure.' I smiled back and he and Nate headed to the bar.

'This is so cool!' Lucy beamed from beside me as my two security guards tried to hide their disapproving looks from several feet away.

'It's fine as long as we go unrecognised.' I replied.

'Might be too late for that.' She nodded towards the bar where a girl was stroking Zed's bicep through the cotton of his plaid shirt. The red head was fluttering her eyelashes at him as she laughed at something he said and I frowned, my stomach churning. What was this feeling?

'She might not realise he's from Seven Minutes in Heaven.' I replied, quietly. 'The first single has only been out a day.'

'Hmm, you're right, Zed's used to this kind of attention.' She wrinkled her nose. 'Promise me you won't go into a relationship with him. He just uses girls and throws them away when he's done. I don't want that to happen to you.'

'It won't, trust me.' I gave her a smile as the boys walked back over, Zed's new friend still practically attached to his arm.

He handed me a lemonade and clinked his glass against mine. 'Cheers.' I took a sip and my eyes widened; vodka. I thought I'd stop the disapproving looks from your father's men... at least until later. He said into my head.

What's with your new friend? I glanced at the girl with her emerald green eyes and she narrowed them at me. Charming.

Jealous?

No, of course not! Liar, I told myself.

'Clara, this is my girlfriend, Sky.' Zed said, introducing me to the redhead.

My eyes widened. Girlfriend?

'Girlfriend?' Clara looked taken aback. Embarassed maybe. Zed pressed his lips to my forehead, a gesture which gave me goosebumps and made my breath catch. Clara shifted uncomfortably and then disappeared without a word as my heart raced in my ribcage.

I didn't have time to calm down. Lucy squealed at the next song came on, dragging me towards the dancefloor. 'Come on! It's our song!' We had many songs, apparently, but Shake it Off by Taylor Swift just happened to be the one at that moment of time.

A second vodka lemonade and a shot later and I was more than happy to be dancing. To every single song as drunk skiiers danced (and sang out of tune) around us. Worth It by Fifth Harmony played and Lucy and I danced together, shaking our hips and doing our best sexy girlband dance moves. In my mind, I looked like a Pussycat Doll but I was pretty sure that wasn't the case in reality. I glanced over to the bar and realised Zed was watching me, a small smile on his face. He held up his drink and then downed it just as the song finished. Then, catching us off guard, Don't Stop started to play and people around us cheered and started to sing and dance. Lucy and I giggled and looked over at the guys as we sang and danced along. They frowned in response and ordered another drink. After the first chorus, we decided we'd probably embarassed them enough. We walked over to join them and I swiped Zed's drink from his hand, finishing it myself.

I coughed. 'What on earth was that?'

'Whiskey. Nice work princess.' He grinned down at me as I caught my breath back. 'I didn't take you as a whiskey girl.'

'You don't know me as well as you think you do, Mr Benedict.' I shoved his chest playfully with my hand, although I couldn't help but think how nice it felt. He caught my hand in his and held it there for a moment, allowing me to feel his heartbeat. I sucked in a deep breath, losing myself in his eyes and then there were his lips. He ran his tongue across them and I swallowed.

'This hit

That ice cold

Michelle Pfeiffer

That white gold!' Lucy loudly sang the lyrics, jabbing me in the waist with her finger and bringing me back to reality. She grabbed my wrist and dragged me back to the dancefloor, the boys following us this time. After singing a quadret (was that a word?) to Uptown Funk, the song changed to Can't Feel My Face by The Weeknd and Lucy wrapped her arms around Nate's neck, dancing with him. I'd lost my dance partner and now I was stood looking awkward next to Zed.

'And I know she'll be the death of me, at least we'll both be numb

And she'll always get the best of me, the worst is yet to come.'

'Want to dance?' Zed asked, turning to face me.

'Is it a question or a command?' I looked at him, curiously.

'A question.' He gave me his sexy lopsided smile that made the fangirls, and now me, swoon.

'Sure!' I replied probably over-enthusiastically thanks to the alcohol and he laughed, placing his hands on my hips. I swallowed. I'd forgotten it was a very different kind of dancing to the waltz.

'But at least we'll both be beautiful and stay forever young

This I know, this I know.'

I placed my hands on his shoulders and moved in time to the music with Zed, swaying my hips.

'She told me, "Don't worry about it."

She told me, "Don't worry no more."

We both knew we can't go without it

She told me you'll never be alone-oh-oh, whoa.'

He pulled me closer and I sucked in a deep breath as my hearts raced, our bodies pressed against each other.

'I can't feel my face when I'm with you

But I love it, but I love it, oh

I can't feel my face when I'm with you

But I love it, but I love it, oh.'

Zed had good rhythm, which wasn't surprising when he was a musician, and he kept us dancing in time to the beat, even when I felt my knees were going to go weak because of his chocolatey eyes or his perfect smile. I found myself wondering whether we were just friends or we were supposed to be more. What was it he called us? Soulfinders? He'd not mentionned it in a while and I wondered if he'd kept quiet so that I didn't feel pressured. I thought of Karla and Saul, who I knew were both savants, and I wondered if they were soulfinders. That was something I wanted to ask, but now wasn't the time. He was watching me with a smile playing on his lips as we danced together in time to the music. Was I leading him on? Or did I want something to happen? I thought about his lips and that was when I realised something; whether it led to something or not, Zed Benedict was handsome and sexy. And I wanted to kiss him.

The song ended, but he didn't let go. He held my hips in place as he continued to stare down at me, as if he was trying to read my mind but I wouldn't let him. One of his hands moved to touch my hair gently, his touch instantly sending goosebumps down my neck and spine. I moved a hand to gently caress his cheek, stroking the stubble, and he visibly swallowed as he looked down at me.

And then, before I could stop myself, I whispered, 'kiss me.'