Someone’s Someone

by Curious Girl

I've always been someone's someone. I will always be known as the sister of. The sister of the wonder child; the sister of the Nobel prize laureate; the sister of Princess Anastasia of Romanov; the sister of the next Queen of England; the sister of the Olympian... and the daughter of Troy and Gabriella Bolton. But I am so much more. I am Josephine Bolton.

16. Chapter 16

Josephine

It's one of these rare mornings when I'm awake before Oliver. I'm totally tangled up in him just like the night before. His left arm is wrapped around my body, it feels like a natural heater. I slept on him, with him, tangled up in him. His words yesterday scared the shit out of me. I am devoted to you. I am yours. I'm loyal to you. I'm all in. This is real. This is more. I don't know why he said those things. Maybe because of Nate... maybe because of me.

But the moment he kissed me, the moment our lips touched, every drop of fear faded as this delicious mixture of feelings took control of me. I gave him more, but I will never give him all of me. There has to be a boundary. A line that cannot be crossed by anyone.

I am not his, no matter how strong he wishes me to be. This is an arrangement and in 13 weeks it will be over. This can't become more. Oliver wouldn't survive my family and it's secrets. He thinks he wants me, but he has no idea how dark my darkness is. He sees light and thinks that's all I'm made of. I enjoy what we have, but only because I know it won't last forever. I live in the moment and he should, too. He should cherish our time together because it will end. It has to.

I sit against the headboard of my bed and brush through his beach blonde hair. I never would've thought that spending two nights away from him would feel so hard. I let go yesterday and surrendered in the feelings he makes me feel, but I can't do that everyday until our arrangement is over... because I know it will take over me and I won't be able to call this off. But I have to. This isn't a relationship. This isn't love making.

This is for sexual purposes only. No other feelings. No soft squishy feelings. I mean, I trust him but that doesn't mean I'm in love with him. He's my friend with benefits - and he's bloody good at the benefit part of this friendship. No one has fucked me the way he did last night - and he knows it. He's using this information against mine. It gives me an unease, knowing he knows how much I enjoy the sex we have.

I carefully get up from the bed and head to the bathroom. I stop in the doorway and turn around. Oliver's tanned skin is the perfect contrast to my white bedding. His beach blonde hair is messy, probably because I've had my fingers in his hair the whole night. His large body takes up half of my bed and my side of the bed has been untouched as I slept tangled up in him. Oliver looks stunning in my bed.

I almost forgot how it looked like before he came into my life. I like Oliver in my bed. I even enjoy sleeping on him. Miraculously, he's more comfortable than the bed and he's keeping me warm without a blanket. It's weird - but I like it.

Shit, this is definitely more.

Suddenly, Oliver's breathing changes and a second later he opens his eyelids, revealing his sea foam coloured eyes. A grin stretches his lips in the most beautiful way, it's so beautiful that I can't help but mirror it.

"Good morning." I greet him as his eyes slowly dance down and up my naked body. A pulling sensation starts at my eyes and follows the way his eyes move down me. It stretches over my neck, my breasts, my waist... it lingers over my hips before moving further down in complete synchronisation with his gaze, until they stop at my toes that wiggle from the sensation. I can feel how my body starts loading up for him again as he moves all the way up again. His sea foam coloured eyes move slowly, making me feel every single emotions of this spectrum clearly. There's lust, need, passion... and so much more.

"Oh, it's a bloody good morning." He says and I can see the sparkle in his eyes when they meet mine again. I'd like to do the same with his body but he's wrapped in my blanket.

My body awakes from the sound of his voice, his grin and that sparkle. My toes and fingertips start tingling and I can feel that magnetic pull pulling me to him again. Last night we were glued to each other. We were tangled up in each other so badly that he became me and I became him... until there was just us... just emotions. It was wonderful.

It was bloody more.

"Are you going to continue to stand there?" Oliver asks me.

"Are you going to continue to stare at me?" I challenge him with a raised eyebrow.

He grins at me in a way no one has ever done. He's giving me a compliment without knowing it. "Get back to bed."

"I don't take orders, Oliver. Never did and never will." No matter how good he makes me feel.

"Fine." He mumbles before lifting the blanket and walking over to me. His erection is no surprise to me anymore. No wonder we're shagging like rabbits all the time. Our bodies can't get enough of each other. "I'd find you anywhere." He promises me as he wraps his arms around my waist.

I wrap my arms around his back and feel his strong muscles underneath my fingertips. "Is that so?"

He buries his nose in the nape of my neck and I feel him inhaling my scent. "Yes."

Goosebumps start covering the patch of my skin that met his warm breath. My fingers dig into the muscles of his back and my toes lift me a few centimetres higher as the emotions from last night awake within me again. "Oliver," my lower lip is trembling from the feelings he makes me feel.

"Josephine," He breathes my name into my right ear.

Gosh, the way he makes my name sound is unreal. His voice echoes through my whole body. Suddenly, I don't want to go to the baby shower that I've spent weeks on planning. Suddenly, I want to stay here, right here, with him. Sex or no sex, the emotions he awakes within me are worth staying for. They're addictive... and I guess, I'm high on him. I run my fingers through his blonde hair as he starts kissing my neck. "Take me back to bed." I give in. I don't take orders but I give them.

And right now I want to give into Oliver and get lost in him and the feelings he makes me feels until we've become one.

Just one last time before I have to abstain from this for two nights.

Oliver

Friday came way too quickly. I watch how Josephine fills up the silver suitcase that's laying on the island in her walk-in wardrobe. She will be gone for two nights but she's packing like she's staying there for much longer. Half her suitcase is filled with high heels, sneakers and boots.

"Why do you need so many different shoes?"

She turns around with a white cashmere sweater in her hands. "I'm not quite sure how the weather's going to be. In London it always changes so I want to be prepared."

"But high heels? Aren't you going to stay within the hotel's grounds?"

"We might go down to a pub and have some food there." Jo says with a shrug. "Rory might be heavily pregnant but that doesn't mean my sister is going to slow down. She's constantly moving and working so it wouldn't wonder me if she wants to go for a walk around Soho Farmhouse." She places the cashmere sweater into her suitcase before closing it.

The sound of he closing zipper is like a knife getting stabbed into my heart. "You'll be back Sunday noon?"

She nods, "The latest."

"And you won't fuck some kind of employee there?"

She chuckles as she walks over to me, "No, I promise. No more slip-ups."

I place my hands on her hips and pull her closer to me. When I'll be coming home today, I'll be alone. Just like two weeks ago. "No slip-ups."

She rests her forehead against mine. "Trust me, I don't need another man when I've got you."

Her words go straight to my heart. "Josephine..." She said things last night that she never did before. She admitted there's more between us. I laid my heart on the table and she didn't pour acid on it or cut it in half. Maybe she didn't get it because I expected her to either run away from me or into me. But she didn't do either.

At least, she allowed me to make love to her the whole night. It was slow, passionate... nothing like the fucking two weeks ago before she left for Paris. I thought I had cracked her open, I thought she had finally allowed me in... but instead, I now know there's still a long way to go for us to meet in the middle.

Our bodies are on the same page and our hearts almost as well but her mindset... her mindset is still far away.

"Have fun." I whisper before kissing her quickly.

"Oh, I don't know about that. It's an alcohol free party." She giggles before turning on her heel. "Keep your eyes and ears open for articles about this. I convinced Rory to instruct her PR team to at least feed the press with something."

I lift her suitcase off of the island. "You packed like this was a three week trip."

"That's because my camera equipment is in there."

"You'll take photos?"

She nods before pulling out the handle, "And I'll show them to you on Sunday." She promises me.

That means this is the last time I'll see her. "You're leaving right after work."

"I'm driving there right now. It's a two hour drive to Soho Farmhouse from London and I need to make sure everything's in place when Rory gets there."

"Can't you fly there?"

She shakes her head. "Rory, Char and Catherine will but not me. I like driving my Range Rover with jazz music on. It clears my head."

So, I'm messing with her head. Interesting. "Jazz music?"

"Only on road trips. You'll see when we do one." She makes a promise with a smile on her lips.

A road trip with her sounds perfect. I can stare at her for hours... "Will you call me?"

She shrugs, "I have my own cabin there, so probably. I don't know how long this will go today but I'm guessing Rory's going to be tired very soon and therefore go to bed early."

I won't ask her if she's going to miss me. That's not a question she can answer yet. Her mind and her heart are not on the same page. Maybe it's good that we're spending two nights apart. Perhaps it will teach us both something.

Josephine

I drive through the beautiful landscapes of England as I follow the A44. Baby sheep are everywhere, here far away from busy London. Every now and then, I drive past abandoned manors that remind me of the history this country holds. I drove past Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The palace of Baroque architecture with stunning collections of art, tapestry and antiques, and a perfectly peaceful park and gardens surrounding it. The last time I was there was last year to the annual Diwaldi ball that's being held there. All former and recent graduates from Oxford get together in formal attire and network within the walls of this palace.

This year's event is still a little over two months away. I can't wait to get back there. It's one of the most fun things to do. Especially now that Rory and George are the Duke and Duchess of Oxford. It'll be a blast!

The Broadway Tower comes into my view next. Nate and I used to share a bottle of tequila there when we had some rough days. The Cotswolds are one of the most beautiful areas in Britain and often referred as the heart of it. The honey-coloured cottages, cosy pubs, tiny tearooms, hilly landscape and narrow streets... it reminds me of the Tuscany with all the cobblestones.

After another fifteen minutes, I finally reach the gates of Soho Farmhouse. I booked the whole 100 acres big club for this weekend to make sure whatever happens here stays here - and whatever comes out is fully under my control.

The heavy black iron gates swing open and I drive through. Coming here is like coming to a sanctuary. It's so peaceful and beautiful, there's even a river behind all the cabins and horse stables, though I doubt I'll be sitting on a horse this weekend. It's the perfect location for Rory's baby shower. There are already trucks delivering everything I ordered for today. The party will begin at five but I came here a few hours early to make sure everything goes according to plan. I'm the host anyway.

I park my Range Rover on my usual parking spot that's not too far away from the main barn. Usually it's an all-day restaurant with mezzanines, but for this weekend it's going to be the party location. I get out of my car and watch how almost fifty people are transforming this into a fluffy pale pink dream. There's decoration and flowers getting carried into the main barn. The station where a row of the famous green bikes usually is, has been moved to make space for the trucks. Rory and I used to borrow these mint coloured bikes with baskets and drive through the countryside.

I open the trunk of my car and get out Mummy's homemade cake. It's technically not one cake but three two story high cakes. They're all pale pink and have golden stars on them. On top is a half-moon with an A, E and G. No crowns for the three princesses yet. Three cakes for three girls. They're sugar and dairy free, but I know the guests will love them. It's going to be a dream of pink because three girls deserve a lot of pink.

I pick up the first cake and head into the Main Barn that's the central hub of the Farm and home to the House Kitchen. Usually, it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, local beers and cocktails. On the mezzanine level, Comfy Farm has sofas, a wood fire and contemporary art. A second mezzanine, Fancy Farm, offers a modern approach to well-loved British classics where booking is recommended. Both Comfy Farm and Fancy Farm offer child-free dining.

But today... today this whole barn has exploded in pink. People are running around like busy bees. There are bouquets of flowers everywhere. Pink peonies, forget-me-nots, Lily Of The Valley and eucalyptus branches are the perfect decoration. A big square shaped table is prepared for the three cakes and other pastries with a white silk table cloth and pale pink organza hanging down at the front.

I place the box with one cake on the table and look around. Fairy lights are hanging from the barns, there's a whole wall made of pink peonies to get photographed in front, balloons in gold, white, transparent and pale pink are hanging in another corner... a teddy holding a bunch of golden star shaped balloons is sitting on three boxes with the letters A, E and G.

Rory wants to reveal the names today but before the guests have to guess.

This will be perfect.

"Miss Bolton,"

I turn around at the sound of my name. Richard Freer, the manager of Soho Farmhouse, is standing across me. "Hello! This looks incredible!"

"Oh, we're all just following your instructions. It's a great honour to been have chosen for such an important event." The brown haired man in a silver suite shows me a smile.

It's a baby shower, not a christening. "The Duchess has always loved it here. I thought it would only be fair to choose a place she very much enjoys spending time at."

"We've cleared the event kitchen for you. I understand you want to cook for the less fortunate today?"

I nod, "Yes. The veggies and fruits have already arrived?"

Richard nods, "This morning. Windsor Castle has sent us a list of all that had to come. I didn't realise you were using homegrown food when you said it would be locally."

"It's actually sourced from Frogmore House so it's as homegrown as it can get." I show him a smile that doesn't ease his surprise.

"How fantastic! When can I expect the first guests to arrive?"

"In about two hours. I came in early to check on everything. Have the gifts already arrived?" I'm sure this place has already been scanned by security a thousand times. After all, today there will be not only British Royalty but also French, Spanish and Swedish.

"Yes. They're in the Hay Barn right now."

The Hay Barn is another place for people to get together and relax. It's just across the Main Barn. But if they need a whole barn to store the gifts I expect a lot. "Perfect. I'm going to bring the other two cakes."

"I suggest you bring them into the kitchen." Richard picks up the box that's filled with my Mummy's cake. "We'll bring them out shortly before it's time to cut them."

"Be careful with it." I warn him.

"I'll guard it with my life, Miss Bolton." He promises before walking into the kitchen.

I turn around and look at everything that's happening here. I could've booked the Barwell Barn for this baby shower as it's the usual place for private events but Rory's favourite place of Soho Farmhouse is the Main Barn with the round bar and the homely feeling. Now, it still has a homely feeling but it's filled with the excitement of the up-coming three princesses.

She'll love it!

---

Being surrounded by European Royalty is not much different than being surrounded by non-blue-blooded people. Except the difference of about one hundred security men following you everywhere you go. After cooking for the soup kitchens within the area, we made the flower arrangements that turned out really pretty. Staff from the royal household is bringing them to hospitals and hospices nearby. We asked them to be discreet and not say from where they are. We've had Mummy's cakes which had an elderflower/lemon, blueberry/vanilla and strawberry chocolate filling. Rory already opened all the gifts as well. As predicted, the guests didn't come empty handed and they surely won't leave empty handed. While Rory will donate most of the gifts - except for Catherine's ivory coloured cashmere blankets - the guests will get each a thank-you gift in form of a suitcase that's filled with the three Chanel purses that I bought in Paris, candles from Jo Malone, cookbooks from Ella Mills and diamond bracelets from Tiffany Co.

Right now, we're working on onesies. Twelve women are getting as creative as they can to transform a simple white onesie into a masterpiece. And I must admit, Catherine, Ana and Angelique are quite good at it. I'm glad Angi thought of this activity. It's fun. Even I'm having fun using the fabric paint, glitter, sequins, pieces of floral lace and different threads.

We're sitting on a long table across and next to each other. Six princesses and non-princesses are all lined up to create onesies and bibs for Rory's babies as well as for donation. Because let's face it, a mother can never have too many onesies or bibs. Angelique brought 60 plain onesies and bibs, that makes five for each guest.

I pick up the pink glitter and sprinkle it over the two Persian cats that I drew. Lily and Luna is written underneath them in my cursive 're not as good as Ana's but pretty close. I look up and stare at Della's piece of art. She poured different colours onto the white fabric and drew lines. "What the hell is that?" I ask her confused. Della never had an artistic artery in her body but this tops it all!

She looks up from her onesie, "Ever heard of Picasso? It's abstract."

Rory looks up from her three hummingbirds that she painted on with brushes and erupts into a laughter. "Della! My babies won't wear that!"

Our biggest sister shrugs, "I thought they'd go to charity anyway."

Rory can't help but laugh again, "No, not yours. You're going to scare them off."

"I'm afraid we have to burn that." I tell her with a giggle.

Ana looks over my shoulder, "Give me that, I'll fix it."

Della hands her the onesie without protest. "I think I should do something different. I'm going to write my entry in the Book Of Wisdom." She rises from the chair and walks over to the blue velvet couch and coffee table where the Book Of Wisdom is laying on. Everyone has to write a few encouraging words for Rory. I haven't written my part yet.

"How are you going to fix that?" I ask Ana. She's been working on her onesies in secret. I have a feeling hers will be extra special.

"You'll see." My blonde sister says with a smirk on her lips. If someone can fix it than it's Ana.

"It's okay if we draw our country, right?" Princess Leonor of Spain asks us. She picks up her onesies and shows the Basílica de la Sagrada Família in Barcelona. She signed her piece of art with her cypher. She just made a political statement out of a onesies. Royal duties never end.

"Sure." Rory says with a smile on her lips before looking at Angelique Kerber's onesie. "Oh, they'll definitely wear that."

"I'm going to remind them what's important in life." Angi says before picking up her onesie. She draw a tennis racket and a tennis ball. Just like Leonor of Spain, she signed it but without a cypher.

Princess Gabriella of Monaco walks into the barn, "I'm done recording my story. Who's next?"

"Me!" Catherine says before rising from her seat, she's clearly enjoying this baby shower as much as much rest of us. She drew white Lily-Of-the-Valley and purple Forget-me-nots on the onesie in front of her.

The Monegasque princess nods, "It's okay that we've recorded the story in our native language, right?"

"Yes. The babies will learn Spanish, French, German and Swedish anyway." Rory answers. Of course they will. They're the next Queen's of England after all. They're expected to speak at least four languages fluently.

Della came up with the idea of us recording our favourite stories for Rory and George for long-hour rides or flights to keep the girls entertained. So, during he whole party so far there was always one of us in the room nearby, sitting in front of a microphone, that I borrowed from Mum's record company, and recorded their favourite story or stories. It's a very nice idea and I think it will come in handy.

There is also a table filled with cards for the guests to fill out to pass along their heartfelt wishes for the Mum and the babies. On the top it says wishes for the babies and underneath are fields like I hope you learn/find/remember/laugh/love/respect/ignore/grow/experience... I've convinced Rory to publish them on her website and Instagram once the girls are born and the secret is out. Otherwise people will get confused when the read 'wishes for the babies'.

Next to the cards are sheets with a Baby Word Search that I made to play later. It's filled with twenty different baby related words but also words that are related to their background, the Boltons and the Mountbatten-Windsors. I've even sneaked in their names and titles. I wonder if someone but Rory and me will find out all the names. No one but us knows their full names.

Princess Leonore of Sweden is currently working on her letter - the L - of the colouring book a few meters away from us. I made the colouring book myself and had it printed and bounded with George's help. The hardcover book on the front and back is held in a Royal blue. It has golden edges and the words have all been stamped into the pages, just like on Rory and George's wedding invitations. I even used the same font. The front of the book has Rory and George's cypher that's their letterhead whenever they write handwritten letters as well as the words Alphabet Book in golden letters. I asked for everyone to colour in a few pages and at the end it'll all come together for babies' first - and certainly most special - alphabet book.

"This is so much fun! You're definitely going to plan my baby shower as well." Char whispers to me.

I smile at her. "I'm looking forward to the facials, massages, mani- and pedicures tomorrow. That's much more to my taste."

She grins, "I'm so glad to have you in my family."

"Me, too."

Oliver

I get into my leather jacket as I finish my shift at Luigi's. The day has been hectic and stressful. It's weird going home, knowing you're going to be alone. Perhaps I should call Finn and do something tonight. Go out. Be normal.

I open the door of the kitchen, where the Italian owner is still baking pizzas and making salads like he has his whole life.

"I'll see you on tomorrow!" I tell him.

Luigi smiles at me, "Have a nice evening."

It will be a lonely one. "You as well." I smile at him before walking out of the café. It's a chilly night but I could need the 20 minute walk to Landmark Place. I can't believe I'm living in one of the highest buildings that London has to offer.

I stop as two men with sunglasses approach me. One is a bit heavier than the other but both men look dead serious. "Mr. Oliver?" The brown haired man asks me.

Shit! Are these from the MI-6?! I think those people wear civil clothes quite often as well. Or maybe they're from Scotland Yard?

"We're here to bring you to the Soho Club in Mayfair."

Soho Club?! Isn't that one of the clubs that Josephine is a member of? These two guys are no people from the FEDs. "I'm not going anywhere." I insist. "Who sent you?"

"Mr. Bolton."

I frown. Josephine's father? "I'm afraid you need to give me a first name."

"We're from the royal household. Mr. Nathanial Bolton has sent us to catch up with you here and bring you to the Soho Club for a drink."

"He couldn't have called me?" I ask before I remember he doesn't even have my number.

"I'm afraid you are quite hard to reach, Sir."

I don't know if I can afford a drink in that exclusive Soho Club. But turning him down would be an even worse thing to do.

"The car's waiting for you, Sir."

Fuck it! Maybe Nate can enlighten me a bit more about his sister. "I'll follow you."

I follow the two men over to a silver Range Rover with black windows. I get in at the back and within a few seconds we're on the road.

My iPhone rings and I pull it out. Josephine has send me a link to an article.

Nothing more.

No word that she misses me.

Baby shower party DONE RIGHT! How the Duchess of Sussex can cut a big slice from soon to be first Mum Duchess Lorelai

The Duchess of Oxford has had her very own, very private, baby shower in the Cotswolds. Unlike Duchess Meghan, she did not spend 500k on flying to a different country and sleeping in one of the most expensive suits. Instead HRH opted for a local baby shower, well aware that hers would ultimately be compared to the one of Meghan Markle back in 2019.

Reports have it that the bespoke baby shower was thrown by sister Josephine (the only Bolton woman left unmarried, so you better hurry up to snatch this beauty) and one of her closest friends tennis star Angelique Kerber. Princess Charlotte has been said to be too busy planning her own wedding but she promised to not want to miss out on the fun.

Josephine Bolton definitely didn't disappoint. She showed how a proper mindful baby shower for the next heir of the throne is thrown! She booked the whole Soho Farmhouse plot for the weekend to maximise privacy, paying for it herself - but let's face it those were peanuts for the billionaire. Then she ordered flowers sorted from local fields - they weren't especially flown in just for the occasion as on Markle's party. Next, she decorated the whole barn where the party was held in gender neutral colours but with pink peonies - the Duchess's favourite flowers - just a few hours before the guest of honour arrived. Speaking of arrival, the climate activist arrived by helicopter. That being said, it has been said that the Duchess is about to pop any second now and didn't want a baby shower first in order to not remind the people of one of the biggest Markle debacles that happened during her pregnancy with Archie. However, her twin-sister seemed to have convinced her otherwise. Lucky us, we got an inside scoop:

The guests arrived at lunchtime in cars with blacked out windows. The very small inner circle included Angelique Kerber, HRH Princess Charlotte of Wales, the Princess of Wales and other secret guests. The party started with cooking lessons from a Michelin started chef in Soho Farmhouse's very own kitchen. But the cooked food wasn't for the guests, turns out it was for the eight soup kitchens nearby!

Then they started doing flower arrangements using the ones Josephine had used to decorate the place and sent them to hospitals as well as hospices.

And before you die with anticipation, No Duchess Lorelai did not receive any baby gifts (except for one from the Princess of Wales). Instead the Duchess asked for donations to be made. The few gifts she did receive she gave away to a local charity. The Princess of Wales reportedly gifted the Duchess an ivory coloured cashmere blanket to wrap around Baby Oxford. Probably for the famous Lindo Wing appearance that's planned.

The baby shower ended in a pub nearby. The Duchess and her guests enjoyed their well deserved meal of Fillet Wellington and apple pie.

Although the Duchess is currently on maternity leave, it's undeniable how Lorelai has become one of the Firm's most important players.

I read the article twice before replying. I don't think everything's true but rather some bits. I doubt that the decorations were gender neutral. "I hope you've had fun." I write back.

Three dots appear immediately and a wave of excitement fills me. "I think I'm drunk after the visit at the pub. Angi and me were the only ones drinking wine. We shared a bottle."

Usually she can take more than that. "Sweet dreams."

"We're on our way back to Soho Farmhouse. I'll call you before I go to bed."

That promise is even better than hearing her say that she misses me.

I decide to not tell her anything about meeting her brother. This will be an unforgettable evening for both of us.

The car drives past many white Victorian houses in Mayfair before turning a corner. We drive into an alley before the car finally stops.

"We've arrived. Mr. Bolton is waiting for you upstairs in the drawing room." One of the men from the front says to me.

I still can't believe Nate has sent me a car and two security men. I get out of the car and open the back door to some club of the rich and famous. To my surprise the back door is neither locked nor being watched. Nate has probably instructed everyone.

I walk up the staircase and open the first heavy wooden door. I step into what I think is the drawing room. It's filled with different couches and armchairs on antique rugs in front of walls hidden behind wood. There's a wooden bar with brass barstools. I walk past an open fireplace and a wall full of art as I continue to scan the room. It's empty. I thought a private club on a Friday night would be bursting with guests.

I expect Soho Farmhouse to look a lot like this.

I spot Nate sitting in a couch that's facing a window front. I walk over to him and get out of my leather jacket on the way.

"Nate,"

"Oliver, hi. Sorry if I ambushed you but I had no idea how to reach you otherwise." Nate rises from the couch and shakes my hand.

"Where is everyone?" I ask him as I sit down. It is only then that I notice the two bourbons on the table.

"Cleared the whole floor so we can talk freely. I ordered a steak, medium rare - unless you're vegetarian?"

I shake my head, "I'm from Brazil. There's no way I am a vegetarian." The prize of that steak must be outrages!

"Good." Nate nods and I start seeing his father in him again. My blood pressure spikes up at the thought. This was a bad idea. I shouldn't have come. "Last night wasn't really how I expected to be introduced to you."

"If it were up to Josephine, we wouldn't have been introduced at all. So it was that way or none at all." I think out loud with a shrug before taking a sip of the bourbon. Damn, that's the best bourbon I've ever had!

"Yeah, I talked to my fiancée about that... I suggest you give Jo some time."

"Time is the only thing I don't have."

"Yeah, Char mentioned that as well. Tricky... especially considering what happened in France."

He's trying to shock me. Well, he has no idea how strong our bond is. "I know she slept with that Ed guy, you won't shock me with that."

His navy eyes widen, "I'm surprised she told you that."

"I'm not surprised she did that, actually." I counter.

Nate leans back, totally stunned by my words. "What are you trying to say?"

"I pissed her off before she flew to France. She fucked him to get back on me."

Josephine's brother grins, "That does sound like her. Still, when she called me, I had no idea she was seeing someone else at the time."

"Josephine's quite good at keeping things private." I say and finish the bourbon. "Is that all? I'd like to go. Josephine wouldn't want us to talk about her." The words have left my mouth before I realised it. I get up from the couch and turn on my heel.

"I didn't realise you're her puppy."

I turn around. "I'm trying not to loose her."

"Loose her? You don't even have her. All she sees in you is a man that fulfils her sexual needs."

I actually bite on my tongue so I don't insult him. He doesn't know what she feels about me - she doesn't even know what she feels about me! But she feels something for me and I won't let anyone ruin this! "Thanks for the drink." I manage to say instead. She's not that lost and dark human she makes everyone think she is. She is caring and loving - in her own way. She might not be able to name what we have but that doesn't mean it's not there. I felt it last night and she felt it, too.

"Let me be perfectly clear here, my sister will not fall in love with you. Because her heart's still broken, whether she wants to admit it or not. She had you signed this NDA for a reason and it's not just you don't talk. She's not capable of loving someone, not in the way you or me are."

Wow, that's a really bad light he puts her under. I clench my teeth as my hands form fists. I can't hit him, he's her brother for Christ's sake! So, I take all the strength that I have and turn around.

He doesn't even know her. Not the way I do anyway. "You clearly have no idea what your sister's capable of. Otherwise you wouldn't say it."

"I'm not saying she isn't having fun with you, she clearly is. But this between you guys has been going on for months and her family has no idea. What does that tell you about her intentions? If she had formed some kind of emotional bond with you than she would've dropped your name to me. Because I'm her person when it comes to talking about men. Not Char, not Ana, Della or Rory but me. That's how close we are. But you... I had no idea you even existed until yesterday evening when I marched into that bathroom. Honestly, I probably wouldn't have known any other way."

I gulp, I can't deny the truth in that.

"Look, Oliver. I'm not trying to put her or you in a bad light but that's how Jo is. She doesn't stick around with men because she doesn't like to get emotionally involved with them. Simply because she can't love anyone outside her family."

I want to tell him what I know but that wouldn't help her. It would make her look weak and she's not weak. She's the strongest soul I ever met. "Goodbye, Nate. Don't bother to contact me again." I say before leaving this exclusive club in Mayfair.

Josephine

I take another sip of my sparkling water that Char is making me drink. After the visit at the pub, most of the guests have already gone to bed but Char and I decided to stay in the Comfy Farm, which is totally empty except for us and a bartender. The fire is cracking in the open fireplace that we are sitting across.

I stare into the flame, wondering what Oliver is doing right now. How was his day? Did something exciting happened?

"Today was a lot of fun!" Char says with a grin on her lips. "You overdid yourself with this baby shower. We all enjoyed it."

I smile at my best friend. "Tomorrow will be even better with all the spa treatments that I've booked for us." Thanks to the litre of water that I've drunk by now I'm already feeling sober.

"You're definitely hosting my party as well."

I nod, "Here?"

"Nah, we're making it tropical. Mexico or Mauritius."

Mauritius was where Rory and George spent their honeymoon on. "Where will you spend your honeymoon?"

"I don't think we're going to have one."

"What?"

Char shrugs, "Grandpa has already filled our schedules with garden parties at Buckingham a few days after the wedding. And then there's Trooping the colour in early July before Ascot and the Diwaldi gala at Blenheim Palace... When should we fly somewhere?"

I sigh, "Char, you have to have a honeymoon." That's one of the best parts of getting married!

"It's a sacrifice I gladly make if that means Nate's going to be a Duke and I'm a Duchess."

"Your grandpa's an ass."

Charlotte laughs, "Told you!"

"There's got to be two free weeks in your schedules."

"The next free week is not until November."

"You're kidding, right? You're going to have given birth by then!"

"Hopefully not but I won't be able to fly that's for sure." She sighs and runs her fingers through her dark blonde hair.

I grab her left hand and squeeze it softly. "Can't you just rebel against him?"

"I've been considering it but I can't risk it. Not now. Maybe after the wedding I'll just say I'm suffering from severe morning sickness and fly to the Seychelles with Nate in secret. Or French Cay or something. I don't care, but two weeks of peace and bliss would be good. Not just for me but for the babies."

"The family's jet is always ready for you guys."

"I know..." she shows me a small smile. "Anyways, what's new with you?"

"Nate met Oliver." I breathe out. "Caught us in the bathtub."

"I know he told me about it. He doesn't like him." Char says while rolling her navy eyes.

"What? Really? I thought they were getting along."

"No. He thinks Oliver's after your money. Said those green eyes can't be trusted."

"He doesn't even know him."

"Yeah, I think that's the issue."

"There were no issue if he hadn't had met him."

My best friend grabs my left hand. "You can't hide Oliver from us. I don't know why you ever thought otherwise."

"I wouldn't hide him if he was my boyfriend but he's not."

"Would you want to upgrade your arrangement?"

"Upgrade?"

"Yeah or maybe adjust it to girlfriend and boyfriend?"

"No." I answer, probably too fast. This is not a relationship in the classic sense anyway.

"Have you found an answer to the question you asked me?"

"It wasn't love making. It was sex. It still is just sex." I tell her.

She nods but her eyes reveal that she's thinking something else.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Charlotte,"

"It's just... do you guys ever do something other than shag like rabbits?"

I sigh, "I think you're misreading the situation. Oliver and I signed an agreement to have sex without being in a relationship. It's basically like a one-night-stand over and over again."

"Except he's not leaving the second you guys are done. Instead he's sleeping in the same bed overnight. In fact, he's living with you. You guys are sharing a bathroom, a closet, a bedroom, a kitchen - you guys are sharing the same space. This is not a one-night-stand over and over again. It screams relationship to me."

"Whatever you may call it, in 13 weeks this thing will be over."

"That's my issue with it. Will it be really over?"

"Yes. Why wouldn't it be?"

"Because you like him. You like his body as much as you like his soul."

I roll my eyes at her words, "Next thing you say is that we're soulmates."

"Maybe you are."

"Most probably we aren't. I like fucking him and he likes fucking me. No obligations. Nothing but sex-"

"And letting him in." She interrupts me. "You said you would let him in."

"And I am. I told him about my Dad."

Her navy eyes widen in shock, "You did?"

"Yeah and I showed him where we broke our heels on Rory's wedding reception."

She frowns, "You guys were in Buckingham together?"

"Yeah, gave him a tour on Wednesday evening. After it was closed to the public of course."

"So, you used property of the crown estate to impress Oliver?" She asks with a smirk on her lips.

"No, I used my influence to fulfil one of Oliver's wishes. He has never been there and I thought I could show him around."

"Wow, you really do trust him. And you care about him."

"As I said, he's my friend."

"Yeah, the one you fuck every single night."

"Not today and not tomorrow."

"Must be torture."

It actually is, but I've been busy the whole day so the need for him is not as bad. "I'm holding on."

My best friend grins, "Do you miss his body or his soul?"

"Body. Why would I miss his soul?"

Char sighs, "Never mind. Have you started talking to him?"

"I heard your advice and we're talking."

"Yeah?"

I nod, "Basics."

"Like favourite sex positions?"

I giggle, "No. Biggest fears and stuff."

She leans back on the couch, stunned by my words. "You guys really are talking."

"I agreed to more. I need to start delivering that."

"Of course. You can't breach the contract."

I nod, "Exactly."

Suddenly Char bursts into a laughter.

"What?"

"You're unbelievable! Jo, why can't you see that you have feelings for him? Romantic feelings. Feelings that have nothing to do with the sexual attraction."

I shake my head, "The hormones in your body make you see everything through rose-coloured glasses."

"Jo, I'm pregnant, not brainwashed."

I get up from the couch. She's been definitely brainwashed into motherhood. "I'm going to bed."

"Will you call Oliver before that?"

"Char!"

"I know, I'm going to call Nate."

"I will not call Oliver." I lie into her face.

She rolls her eyes at my words, "And I'm the next Queen of England. Wait, no that's Rory and her three unborn daughters."

"Charlotte, I am not in love with Oliver. I am not in a relationship with him."

"But you have feelings for him. You care for him. He bloody lives with you!"

I gulp, "I won't explain my actions towards you. It's not your business."

"You're family for Christ's sake!"

"Charlotte, I love you but keep your nose out of my sexual life. What I do with whom is not your business. You should be concerned about the growing lives within you."

"You're being an ass, I hope you know that."

"I'm wishing you sweet dreams as well." I say before walking out of the barn. Suddenly, I notice the heavy rainfall. Shit, my cabin is on the other end of the farm and I don't have an umbrella.

"Mind if I walk with you, Miss Bolton?"

I look to my left and see Freddy, one of Charlotte's security men. The other two are standing at the exit and entry of the barn without a sound or flinch. They're all holding red umbrellas with Charlotte's title written in gold on it. Hopefully that will change soon. "Yes, that would be very nice of you." I smile at him and start walking through the mud in my 15 thousand pounds stilettos. I can totally throw them away after today.

I should've packed more sneakers. Damn!

I love hearing how the rain clashes against the umbrella. It's a very soothing sound.

"It was a very lovely baby shower, Miss Bolton." Freddie starts.

I smile at him. He's always been so nice to me over the years. "I hope it wasn't too much pink for you to handle."

He chuckles, "Maybe the next baby shower will be held in all blue."

Of course the security knows about Charlotte's pregnancy. They have to. Taking care of three instead of one person is an adjustment. "Maybe. I guess we'll find out soon. Do you have kids, Freddie?"

His mocha coloured eyes light up at my question, "A boy. Four."

"Ah, hence the desire for blue."

He chuckles again, "Maybe. He's obsessed with trains right now."

"My little brother Cal was obsessed with them at the age as well."

"Hard to believe your parents raised eight kids. I'm already capitulating at one. They must be angels."

Maybe they are. Well, at least my mother is that's for sure. "They love kids. I'm surprised they stopped at eight." I joke as we reach my cabin. "Thanks for the walk. It saved me from the rain."

"You but not your shoes." Freddie says before looking down at my stilettos. The red silk has been completely covered by mud.

"Ah, well. They're just shoes. I have more than one pair." I say before looking up again. Tomorrow I'm definitely going to wear the sneakers that I brought with me.

"Goodnight, Miss Bolton."

"Goodnight, Freddie." I show him another smile before entering my cabin.

The cabins at Soho Farmhouse are all decorated more or less the same. Rustic furniture and quite minimalistic. This is definitely not the presidential suite of a five stares hotel, but Rory likes this kind of interior architecture and decor. I get out of my heels and strip out of my clothes before heading into the bathroom. I need a shower to wash off all this baby talking that's been going on today. As I turn on the shower, I can help but allow my mind to wander 120 kilometres east...

Oliver

I pull back the blanket and get into the bed. The iPhone that Josephine has loaned me is lying on the nightstand. It's almost midnight and she still hasn't called me yet. Perhaps she's too drunk to call or maybe she's forgotten. Or maybe she already went to bed.

This is the first time she broke a promise.

I turn around and stare out at the starless sky across me. I have to tell her my secret. When she comes back I'll tell her. Because if she doesn't hear it from me, she will from Nate or someone else from her family. As Nate seems to be not a fan of me, it means he's going to instruct his security team to look into me and when they will find nothing they're going to start getting suspicious and dig deeper...

I wince as the iPhone suddenly starts ringing on the nightstand. I pick it up and see the number that I know belong to Josephine. "Hi." I greet her with a smile on my lips.

"Hi." She says simple. "Is it raining in London?"

"No. Is it raining where you are?"

"Yes." She confirms and I can hear the grin in her voice. "And I love it. Here, listen to this." She opens a door or window and I can hear how heavy the rain clashes against the floor. "It's brilliant."

I had no idea she was so passionate about rain. It makes me smile, knowing I know just a little bit more about her now. "Do you have a favourite weather?"

"I like the snow." I say as I remember Finland. I can't believe it's only been a week.

"Yeah, well you've got to work on your snowmen."

I chuckle, "I think I've had a good teacher."

"Let's make this a FaceTime call. I need to see you." She mumbles and a second later I can see her makeup free face. Her sky blue eyes look tired but the smile on her face is addicting. She's sitting on a rustic looking bed. The headboard is made of iron and there's wood behind her on the wall. This looks so different than her penthouse.

I place the iPhone against the lamp on the nightstand and rest my head on my bent arm. "You look tired."

"I feel tired. Throwing a baby party is very tiring." She answers simply. Most women would react with pain or anger but not Josephine. She prefers the truth. Always.

Even if it hurt her.

"Did you have fun?"

"I'll have fun tomorrow when my body is getting a massage and my nails a makeover." She looks at her own hands before holding them into the camera. They're all blue, green, red and full of glitter.

"It looks like you had fun." I point out with a smile.

"We decorated onesies and bibs. Mine and Della's look pretty horrible but the rest turned out very well. I'll send half of them to charities and the rest will be used by Rory."

"How is she?"

"Surprisingly still pregnant. She's still forcing herself to move, so we had dinner at a local pub a few kilometres away from here. The security men went nuts." She chuckles. "Can you imagine 12 women walking through the fields of lavender and oats with 100 security men in black suits following them? I'm surprised no one noticed us."

"No photos online?"

"Not yet. Rory wants to release some after she's given birth. Whenever that happens. She asked me to be there with her."

"When she goes into labour?"

"Yeah, she wants me to capture the best moment in life." Josephine rolls her eyes.

"Will you do it?"

"She's my little sister. I'd die for her. Of course I'll do it."

I smile at her and wonder if I should tell her about my meeting with Nate but then I decide against it. It wouldn't change anything.

"What's your favourite meal?" She asks me suddenly.

I frown, she usually doesn't ask personal questions. "I like a full English breakfast." There was a time in my life not long ago when that English breakfast was the only meal of the day and sometimes for a few days. It filled me up for hours.

Her sky blue eyes light up, "You're a breakfast person as well?"

I nod, "Could eat it all day."

"Me, too."

"Maybe we should do that next week. Have breakfast no matter the time."

She chuckles, "I can't order pancakes when I'm having lunch with my parents in a restaurant."

"Yeah but at home."

She thinks about it for a moment. "Okay, we'll try. But that means baked banana pancakes, Crêpes, full English breakfasts, porridges in every variation possible, eggs Benedict, waffles... no smoothies or yogurt variations. No cheating."

I nod, "No cheating." I agree with her. "We can start the day after tomorrow when you come home."

She grins in a way she never had before. It's full of excitement. "Okay. We'll make zucchini sesame loaves, banana bread and granola then."

The grin is addictive. "Okay."

She yawns into the camera and I see every single tooth of her pearly white teeth.

"You should go to bed." I wish I could kiss her.

She nods. "Goodnight, Oliver."

"Sweet dreams." I whisper before hanging up.

I wish I would have followed her to Soho Farmhouse.

Josephine

I haven't slept this bad in a month. I was tossing and turning the whole night because I was missing Oliver's body heat. It's ridiculous but it's true. I wanted to tell him that but then I yawned and we ended the call. Maybe it's good this way. He doesn't need to know that. It's not like he misses me or anything.

When I had started planning this baby shower, I hadn't even met Oliver. All I was worried about was if I could find a few hours to work during this weekend. I was worried about missing out on too much work and being bored by all the planned activities but instead I'm enjoying myself.

And missing Oliver.

A lot has changed in the last months. I've lost my office, I met Oliver... I agreed to more. But somehow I don't regret any of these things. Well, maybe the change of jobs but that was out of my hands. My parents overruled me.

"All done, Miss Bolton." The voice of the nail artist rips me out of my thoughts.

I look down at my perfectly painted toe nails. No more glitter or colouring from the fabric paint that we used yesterday, just a deep red. Perfect. "Great. This looks very good. Thank you."

Angie next to me yawns. She looks just as tired as me. "The wine last night was a bad choice." She says as she gets her fingernails painted in a clean white. After breakfast we've decided to split into two groups of six. While the first six get their mani and pedicures, the other six get facials.

I nod in agreement. "We'll have non-alcoholic drinks tonight."

Leonor and Sofia of Spain are already typing on their iPhones like maniacs while getting their toe nails painted in a nude colour. As royals, you're not always allowed to do whatever you want. Including the choice of your nail colour. It has to be a nude tone. Always.

"Why are you guys already working?" I ask them both I'm fluent Spanish.

Both heads shoot up and the sisters blush. Definitely not work.

"What are their names?" Kerber asks them with a grin on her lips.

"Felipe and Carlos." Sofia answers.

"How long have you guys been dating?" I ask them.

"It's still fresh. A few months." Leonor says as she continues typing.

I get up from my chair and walk over to Della, who is working on her MacBook at the end of the room. She doesn't care about mani and pedicures. Never did and never will. "Do you want a coffee?"

My oldest sister winces before looking up from the screen. "Yes."

"What are you doing there?"

"I think..." she bites on her lower lip. "I think I might found a way to test if you get Alzheimer's when you're older."

"Really?" I ask her shocked.

She nods. "A blood test. It's not the cure yet but with early knowledge you could be given the meds earlier and then they could help you in a completely different way and maybe even prevent it from happening all together."

I love her for not going all medical terms on me. I embrace her tightly. She's a world safer without knowing it. "I love you, Della."

She returns my embrace. "I love you, too. And I take my coffee with cinnamon."

I giggle before letting her go. She has a mind that's leaving me speechless. "Okay. Anyone else want coffee?"

I ask the rest of the group but they all shake their heads. I walk out of the spa section of the barn and through the pebbles on the ground in my sneakers. I won't ruin another pair of Jimmy Choos again. I pass several security men, who are wearing much more civilised clothes today. Instead of black suits they're wearing jeans and sweaters. It's a clear sunny spring day but I'm glad I'm wearing a sweater and jeans. It's not time for a summery dress yet. I reach the outdoor lounge area with lots of round tables with chairs around it. It reminds me of Le George at the Four Seasons hotel. It reminds me of Edward Rothschild.

I push the thought away and decide to concentrate on the wonderful fresh air that's surrounding me. This is a men free weekend.

I never thought I'd find that odd.

I spot my blonde sister Ana at the coffee and tea station and walk over to her.

"Hey," I greet her.

She smiles at me. "That's yours." She hands me the cup of coffee that she just filled up. Her skin is glowing from the facial.

"Thanks." I say and wrap my hands around the mug.

"Della likes her with cinnamon, right?"

"How do you know I'm getting one for her as well?"

"You're the only two of us who drink coffee." She says with a grin on her lips. "Did you sleep alright? You seem tired."

"Didn't sleep very good." I answer simply.

"You're still seeing Oliver then." She says with a smirk on her lips.

"Did you talk to Char?"

"Not about Oliver, no."

"Nate then?"

"I'm surprised he has met him. Are Mummy and Daddy next?"

I roll my eyes at her words. "No, they're not next and yes I am still seeing him." Gosh that sounds like we're dating. We're definitely not dating.

"Well, I like him."

"You like everyone."

"Not everyone. I just don't tend to hate anyone. But the real question is if you like him."

"Yes. He's a nice guy."

Ana narrows her bright green eyes at me. "Nice? You're sleeping with him and your verdict is nice?"

"I don't know what you want to hear from me. I've never been one to talk about the men I bed so I don't see why this should be different."

"Because you've been bedding the same man for four weeks. Some people call that a relationship."

"Three and it's not a relationship. It's sex."

"I'm not Mum. You can admit he means something to you without me starting to plan a wedding."

I lick my lips, "I'd like to keep this to myself."

"You mean him. I'm surprised Nate marched into you guys. Do I have to do the same to be introduced to him properly?"

"He's not my boyfriend so I don't see why I have to introduce him to anyone of my family."

"Three of them have already seen him. You can't hide him forever."

"You're starting to sound like Charlotte."

"She's made an excellent point then."

I roll my eyes, "Oliver and I are just fucking. There's no need to make such a big deal about it." I say and pick up the other mug that she filled with coffee before I head back to the cabin where Della is.

"Jo,"

I turn around at the sound of my nickname. Oliver has never called me that.

"It's not a crime to fall in love with someone."

"You know, it's also not a crime to bring children into this world. Especially when your husband has been begging you for the last years." I hiss back at her and regret the words the moment they left my mouth. "Shit, Ana, I didn't mean that."

I can see the pain in her light green eyes very clearly. "You're not in my shoes so you have no idea what you're talking about."

I walk back to my older sister, "But the same goes for you. I don't interfere with your relationship, so don't interfere in whatever's going on between Oliver and me."

"You almost said relationship, didn't you?"

"No." I lie to myself.

She grins at me, "I just want you to be happy."

"Well, I am pretty happy right now. What about you?"

To my surprise she shakes her head. "I have a feeling Sasha might leave me."

The message hits me like a freight train. "What?" I ask her shocked and sit down in one of the many chairs. "Did you guys fight? What did he do? Did he betray you?! Did-"

"No, it's nothing like that. I just... I have this feeling that something's about to change in our relationship and it scares me."

"What will change?" I ask her confused. "Don't you have those visions when it comes to your relationship as well?"

She sighs and sits down across me. "No, at least not in the last weeks. Sasha and I... I wake up with this funny feeling every morning and sometimes I can't shake it off all day. It's like nausea but then it's not. It comes and goes."

"Ana, that sounds like morning sickness to me. Could it be that you're pregnant?"

But my sister shakes her head. "No, I'm on the pill."

"Even that medication can be ineffective. It's not 100 % safe."

She looks at me as if I explained to her that Santa Clause is not real. "What? Say that again."

"Ana, if you're not using condoms as well then there's still a chance you could get pregnant." I tell her. Really, she should be telling me this! She's the doctor for Christ's sake!

Suddenly, my sister erupts into a hysterical laughter, "No, I can't be pregnant!"

"What's going on here?" Della's voice fills my ears and I look to my left. "I've been waiting for my coffee for half an hour already!" She says before looking at Ana. "Are you okay?"

Ana still hasn't stopped laughing.

"We need a pregnancy test." I tell Della.

"For which of you? Or do you both need one?"

"For Ana." I tell my oldest sister before grabbing Ana's hands. "Della's going to get you a pregnancy test."

My sister shakes her blonde head. "I'm not pregnant! I can't be pregnant. I can't-"

Suddenly Della bends her knees and looks at her sister. "Are you late?"

"Yeah, but that's normal. Stress related."

"Tender boobs? Fatigue?"

"As I said stress related."

"Yeah but not your boobs." I point out.

"Guys, I'm not pregnant! I would know it if I was. I would feel it. I would see it. I would-" she stops and her eyes widen in shock. "Three weeks."

"What?"

"That's how long I haven't been seeing anything."

I clap into my hands, "Your pregnant!"

Della gives me a strange look, "How late is your period?"

"Three weeks."

"See, told ya! She's knocked up!" I say to Della, who licks her lips.

"Who should go to the drugstore?" Della says her eyes trained on me.

"Well, not me. I can't go. The paparazzi would see that."

"That's not an excuse because it implies to everyone here today." Della says.

I turn around in my chair and look at Freddie. "Do you know how a pregnancy test looks like?"

"Yes."

"Great, get one."

"Three. Get three. Just to make sure. One could be wrong." Della says with a nod.

"Fine. Three. Could you do that?"

"I'm instructed to stay here and ensure Her Royal Highnesses' safety."

"They're all pretty safe here. It takes you an hour. I promise we won't leave the spot for an hour."

Freddie looks at his partner, who shrugs in response. There are 100 security men around here. One can drive to a bloody drugstore and buy us some pregnancy tests!

"Fine. I'll be back in an hour." Freddie finally gives in before leaving his spot.

Oliver

I stop on my way from Luigi's at the promenade and stare at the Thames in front of me. I can't believe how much my life has changed since I met Josephine. Sure, I lost two jobs but that's not her fault. I'm no longer living in that tiny flat in Notting Hill. Instead I'm living in a penthouse in one of the highest buildings in whole London. It has a 360 degree view of the city!

Today was stressful as the café was bursting with people again. I even worked longer than scheduled and stayed until Luigi closed the café. I helped him clean the tables and wipe the floor before calling it a day. It's not like I have someone waiting for me.

She's coming home in less than 24 hours. I miss her, I really really miss her and I hope she misses me as well. She might not say it openly but I hope she misses me as well.

Suddenly my iPhone rings in the pocket of my leather jacket. I get it out and see Finn's number. "Hi!" I greet him.

"Hey there. Listen, are you free in two months? I got us a job as a waiter on some ball in a palace near Oxford. They're paying quite well."

More money is always good and I'm sure Josephine can spare me for one evening. "Yeah, sure."

"Great. It's on June 17th I think."

"I'll remember that." I say with a nod. "Everything's good with you?"

"Yeah. I'm good. I thought about going back home, actually."

"Really?"

"Yeah... I mean, it's only a matter of time until the FEDs catch us so I might as well bite into the sour apple and fly home on my own terms."

That means I have to start looking for a new roommate. Or move out completely. Shit, Josephine's not ready to commit to me fully. This isn't good. "When were you planning on flying back?"

"I don't know. I just thought about it. I mean, life's not getting any cheaper here..."

Suddenly, an idea pops into my head. I might not take Josephine's help but Finn surely will. "I'm going to talk to a friend but I may have a job for you." Finn would fit quite well into the Foundation. He studied sociology before his visa ran out.

"Really?"

"Yeah, nothing's set in stone but I might have something that could help you."

"That's awesome!"

"I'll ring you once I've got an answer." I say before hanging up. Maybe that's the biggest mistake of my life but Finn could do great work at the Foundation. He'd be a good candidate at Josephine's parents' firm.

God knows he could need the money.

Josephine

"Are five minutes over?" Ana asks me.

Della, Ana and me are all sitting against the free standing bathtub in my cabin. Freddie came back just a few minutes ago. Ana ripped all tests open and urinated on them. All that's left to do is wait.

I look at the display of my iPhone, "No. 60 more seconds."

My blonde sister growls, "These are the longest five minutes of my life!"

"Trust me, this pregnancy will fly by." Della mocks her.

Ana narrows her big green eyes at her. "Not funny. I don't want kids."

"Ever?" Della asks her.

"No, just not now." Ana sighs. "I have too much to do. I can't take care of a baby."

"You won't be doing it alone. You've got Sasha." I remind her and squeeze her left hand.

She shows me a smile, "He'd be over the moon. He wants to have babies for years now. Ever since you gave birth to Carol and Bella, actually."

"You kept him waiting for seven years now?!" I ask her shocked. Man, I knew Sasha loved Ana but this... this goes beyond my comprehension!

Ana shrugs, "There was never the right timing."

"There never really is." Della reminds her. "Carol and Bella weren't really planned either. I mean, yes Wlad and I wanted to have kids but not so soon. Still when I found out, I was over the moon. And so was Wlad. Because it was our hearts' deepest desires."

"Why aren't you having more then?" She asks her.

Della laughs, "Trust me, the hardest thing you'll ever do is raise children. Curing Parkinson's or being on the hunt for a cure for Alzheimer's is nothing compared to raising two girls. We're done with children for now."

Suddenly, the shrill sound of my alarm fills the room and we all wince. "It's time." I mumble after ten seconds of no movement.

"You guys look, I can't." Ana says while shaking her head.

"Alright." Della and me rise from the floor and walk over to the sink where we left the three pregnancy tests.

One line. On all three of them. Not pregnant.

"And?"

"You can relax, your uterus is totally embryo free." Della says with a shrug.

"I'm not pregnant?" Ana asks us shocked.

"Not pregnant." I confirm with a smile on my lips.

"Yes!" She rises from the floor and wraps her arms around us. "Not pregnant!"

I had no idea my sister would be so happy about such news. But I can't help but grin along. "You have to talk to Sasha anyway."

She nods. "I know..."

"Maybe you could adopt. Or foster some kids until you're ready to have your own." I suggest.

"Sasha wants biological children and I do as well. Because we don't have anyone in this world that we share our DNA with. I get him, I really do. But we're only 31, we still have time."

"You shouldn't give yourselves too much time." Della points out.

Ana nods. "I know... but right now I need to do something. Go running or something. Be active."

I grin, she's on an endorphin high. I know exactly what she needs. "Lynx and Chocolate are free." We always choose Lynx and Chocolate when we go horse riding here at Soho Farmhouse.

"You sure we can leave Rory for an hour alone?" Ana asks me with worried eyes.

"Don't worry. She's with Sophie and me." Della ensures us with a smile.

"So, want to let off some steam the old-fashioned way?" I ask her again. Ana lives horses as much as me.

Ana shows me a grin. "Let's go!"

---

I pull the hair tie out of my hair and shake out my chestnut waves as I walk to my sister's cabin. After two hours of nothing but the wind in my face and a horse underneath me, I am on such a high that I can't stop smiling. While Ana went to her own cabin to shower, I decided to pay Rory a visit. It's quite chilly today but I love the cold fresh air. It reminds me of Finland.

Everything reminds me of Finland... and Oliver.

I open the wooden door of the cabin without knocking. "Rory?"

"Bedroom!" I hear her yelling back.

I close the door behind me and walk through the rustic styled cabin. It's all wood and minimalistic. Not really my taste.

I catch my sister laying on the bed with her legs up in the air, resting against the wall. Her toes are painted in a deep red. The bump is enormous and so are her legs. I think she's gained three dress sizes by now.

"Are you okay?" I ask her worried.

"Yeah. My legs are just swollen and full of water. This helps a bit." My twin sister answers.

I nod before sitting on the floor against the wall next to the bed, to look at her. "The girls are good?"

My sister nods before placing her hands on the bump. "Healthy and alive. Sophie just made an ultrasound an hour ago." Suddenly she sniffs. "Where were you? You smell like a barn."

"I went horse riding with Ana. She needed to clear her head and I needed some fun."

She grabs my hand and squeezes it. "Thank you for doing this. I know babies are not your thing - yet I might say - so this weekend must've been pure torture."

"Oh yeah. Especially all the pink decor! And the decorating onesies... and record my favourite fairytale! Yeah, total torture. I don't know how I'm still alive." I joke.

She giggles. "No, seriously. Thank you."

"You're my little sister. I'd do anything for you."

"Well it won't be another baby shower. George and I have agreed to not try for another baby within the next few years. Three will be enough... for now." She wiggles her toes a little bit. "But Catherine had the time of her life!"

"Where is she? I didn't see her when I walked back from the stables."

"She had to go home. Royal duties. The other Royals have left already as well. So it's just us Boltons, Sophie and Char."

"You're a Mountbatten-Windsor now." I point out her new last name. She keeps forgetting that. While she's used to her title, the last name thing is a whole different story.

She rolls her eyes. "I'll always be a Bolton."

"True."

Suddenly the door of the cabin swings open and I watch Char walking in with two bowls filled with ice cream. One is white - probably coconut for Rory - and one a deep purple and bright green - pistachio and blueberry for Char. "I brought us ice cream!"

"Oh, you're a lifesaver!" Rory cries out and holds out her hands.

Char hands her the bowls with three white scoops. "Do you want some as well?"

I think of strawberries and Oliver. "I'll get my own. Lay down next to Rory. She said that leg lifting helps with water retention." I get up from the floor. "No whipped cream or chocolate syrup?"

Both pregnant Highnesses shake their heads.

"Oh, But could you get crushed hazelnuts? Roasted would be good." Char answers. "And a jar of prickles."

I close my eyes. Prickles and ice cream - those two are definitely pregnant. "I'll instruct one of your staffs to get that."

"Thanks! You're the best!" Char throws me an air kiss before laying down on the bed next to Rory.

"And call Della and Ana. I'm sure they want ice cream as well."

---

Ten minutes later we're all eating ice cream, drinking coffee or tea in Rory's cabin. While Della, Ana and me are sitting on the couch, Rory and Char are laying on the bed with their legs resting against the wall. It looks like a casual girls' night rather than being with three Royals in a room. But there's no title when they're around family, never has been and never will be.

"Jo, you did an amazing job with this baby shower but this... this is the best part by far." Della says before taking a sip of her coffee.

"Mine as well!" Rory cries out before finishing her coconut ice cream. "Nothing beats coconut ice cream."

"I don't know, I kind of enjoyed watching Della do abstract art on those onesies." I joke and make everyone laugh.

"I'm so glad my daughters have inherited their sense for art and fashion from my husband." Della says with a grin on her lips.

"Wlad's your stylist?" Char asks her before putting another spoonful of blueberry ice cream into her mouth.

"Kind of, yeah. His closet is bigger than mine but don't tell him I told you that."

I chuckle. "I can't imagine Wlad being a fashionista. Never would have guessed that. I mean, he dresses very nicely but I thought you'd be more of free spirit."

"Well, he's more than me. While I call a personal shopper once every year or so, Wlad actually enjoys going shopping for our daughters' clothes." She sounds a little sad.

"Do you miss them?" Ana asks her.

"Like crazy."

"Don't worry, they're having the time of their lives at Le Rosey." Char says while gesturing with her hands. "And maybe they'll meet their future husband there. It worked out for us."

Rory giggles, "I think what Char's trying to say is that you really shouldn't worry too much. Le Rosey offers them a great education with an even greater social net."

Della nods, "I'll say that to you when you send your three girls there. Or to you Char."

Rory shrugs, "We don't know yet to which school we will send them. Perhaps to the Bolton Academy... or maybe Le Rosey... or maybe somewhere completely different."

"Well, I'm flattered but I don't think you can send Royalty to your sister's school."

Rory brings her legs down and sits up straight. "Why not? You've built a great school!"

"Nepotism, endorsement?" I ask her with raised eyebrows.

"Right... Right. I didn't see it that way, I guess." Rory nods before placing her hands on the bump. "I guess we'll see what the future brings."

Char's navy eyes find mine. "Yeah, sometimes the future is full of surprises."

---

Oliver

I run my fingers through my damp hair as I zap through the channels. Josephine didn't call me last night but I did get a text at around one in the night. She told me she'd be home probably before ten. Needless to say I barely slept because I was so excited.

At around six, I decided it was already bright enough outside to get out of bed and hop into the shower. Then I made myself a cappuccino and decided to check out the pay TV. I found Brazilian channels but I decided to watch the news. They've informed me about the newest political problems within Britain, Europe, the States, China, Nord Korea and Russia as well as about stocks. I watched the sports and now it's up for celebrity news before the weather comes.

And now fresh news from the Royals! Our Royal correspondent just confirmed that the Duchess of Oxford has had her baby shower! The Duchess is due to give birth to Baby Oxford any day now. Her sister Josephine Bolton has thrown her a party at the very exclusive Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds in Oxfordshire. While we don't have any pictures yet, we have heard that the party included a cake made by the Duchess's Mum as well as Royal guests from all over Europe. The Princess of Wales as well as Princess Charlotte were there and celebrated the upcoming arrival of a new heir to the throne while Brits have started to line up in front of the Lindo Wing. The Duchess and her guests all had dinner in a local pub, where they ate Fillet Wellington and apple pie.

"She forgot the bottle of wine that I shared with Angelique."

I wince at the sound of Josephine's voice and turn around. She's standing in front of the couch, dressed in black leggings and a grey sweater. Her chestnut waves are wrapped into a bun that sits in the nape of her neck. There's not a drop of makeup on her glowing skin. Her silver suitcase is next to her.

Why didn't I hear her coming?

"Hi." I greet her, unable to hide my joy to see her. It's not even ten yet and she's already here.

She raises her perfectly groomed left eyebrow at me. "Hi? That's all you've got to say to me? I've been gone for two nights. I expect a bit more."

"More?" I ask her back.

She rolls her sky blue eyes at me. "Bloody yes." She rushes over to me and straddles me. She grabs me face and I expect her to kiss me but she just stares at me for what feels like forever. She smells of lavender and horses. Perhaps she went horse riding. After a while she leans forward until our foreheads and noses touch. I can feel her hot breath against my face as her blue eyes transition into a cobalt blue right in front of me. She missed me as well.

I place my hands on her shoulder blades and slowly run them down. Her muscles vibrate underneath my fingers and I can feel the vibrations running through my body as well.

She seals her lips over mine. How much I've missed those soft, full lips... Our tongues start dancing, exploring each other's mouths after two days of abstinence. It feels like I found rain in the middle of the desert. It's better than fantasy, better than any dream I ever had. Having her here, feeling her body against mine... feeling her heart and energy embracing me...

She lets go of my lips, "That's a better welcome." she shows me a small smile before running her fingers through my hair.

I would have thrown her a welcome-back party if that's what she wanted. "You're here earlier than expected."

"There was no traffic and I might have left before breakfast..." she shrugs before moving away from me.

I wrap my arms around her waist before she can leave me completely and pull her back on my lap. "What would you like to have for breakfast then?"

"You're going to make me breakfast?"

I nod. "While you take a shower. You smell like a barn."

She laughs, "That's because I paid the horses a visit before I drove home. The smell lingers in my hair, I guess."

"Definitely."

Another laughter escapes her lips, "Fine. I'll hop into the shower and you make me one of your cappuccinos with latte art."

"No food?"

"No, we'll cook that together. We'll make my famous granola, baked banana pancakes and cheesy toast."

"You've put a lot of thought into this."

"Well, I'm starving." She says before climbing off my lap. "I'll be quick." She promises me before walking into the master bedroom.

Josephine

I towel dry my hair as much as possible before walking out of my walk-in wardrobe. I've put on my favourite light grey cotton morning gown and feel so much better now that I'm back home. Back with Oliver.

The television is still on and running as the news reporters voice fills my ears the closer I get to my living room. It's talking about soccer, something I couldn't be less interested in. Unless there's a horse or a green tennis ball involved, I'm not watching any sports. Not even soccer.

I spot Oliver walking over to my with a mug filled with steaming coffee. He hands me the coffee and I notice the horse that he made for me into the foam. "Thank you."

"Any time." He kisses my left temple.

He has never kissed me like that. I've seen my Dad kissing my Mum like this. Or my Mum kissing him like this. I've seen my parents kissing my siblings and me like this.

"What?" Oliver asks me confused.

"Why did you do that?"

"You said you went horse riding. I thought it would be fitting."

"Not the latte art. The kiss."

He frowns, "I don't-"

"Know what I mean? Yeah you do. You've never kissed me like that. You treated me like my parents treat the little ones. You treated me like my parents treated my siblings and me when we were little. You-"

"I care about you, okay?" He interrupts me. "I didn't think. I just did it. Do I have you question myself every single time I do something around you? Or when I say something? What's the big deal?!"

"The big deal is that I am not your child. I am your lover not your baby!"

Suddenly, Oliver has that triumphal grin on his lips.

"What?!"

"Lover?" He asks me back, unable to wipe that grin off of his lips. "I'm your lover?"

"Well, yeah. We're sleeping together almost every night. The sex is great. More than that actually, but that's not the point."

He grabs the mug out of my hands and places it on the coffee table next to me. "I like being your lover."

"And friend."

He nods as he wraps his arms around my waist, "Lover and friend."

His grin is infectious. Suddenly, my lips stretch into the same grin. "Stop smiling like that! You look like a six year old who won the grand prize at an annual fair!"

"I've never been to one but I can definitely relate to that six year old winning the grand prize."

"You've never been to a fair?" I ask him shocked.

"No. Am I missing out?"

"Yeah! We're going to one. I think there's one in two months in Swansea."

"Where's that?"

"In Wales. My family has a house there. We only visit the town in the summer so it's free right now. We should drive up there in two months. We can eat cotton candy, chips and stroll around." I can't believe he's never been to a fair! "There also a Ferris wheel."

"Oh no, I'm not going up there with you!"

"We'll see." I smirk at him before kissing his left cheek.

He lets go of me and I pick up my mug with the steaming hot coffee. I stare at the latte art for a moment. The face of a horse is starring back at me. "Thank you for the horse."

He nods as I take a sip of my hot cappuccino. "Can I ask you a favour?"

"Sure."

"That job at the Foundation that you offered me..."

"You want it?" I ask him surprised. That would be the first time he takes my help. Well, technically the second time since I'm 'loaning' him money right now that he sends to his family in Brazil.

"No. But I thought maybe Finn could have it instead."

This is about his flat mate?! I sigh, "This is not how this works. I'm not a job market."

"But they're looking for someone right?"

"It's a non-profit. Of course they're looking for someone. A charity foundation can never have too many employees. There's always something that needs to be done."

"Great. Then he can work there."

"Oliver, I could've given you a save job but your flat mate has to go the traditional way. He needs to apply for it, have a job interview with the staff manager and then it goes up to my uncle if he's qualified enough."

"He studied sociology in London before his visa ran out."

My mouth falls open, "He's here without permission?!"

Oliver's only answer is a shrug. "He's working in pubs and wiping floors whenever needed. He doesn't want to go back to Finland but London's expensive. Our flat's rent is 80% of his income!"

I gulp and place my mug back on the table. I know London's expensive but he can't live here without a bloody visa! "Was it for a bachelor or a master's degree?"

"Master's I think. I think he did the bachelor in ecology back at home."

That's good. Not all hope is lost. "Okay. Ask him to apply for a job and I'll see what I can do."

"Really?" Oliver's grinning from ear to ear.

"Yes. He has some kind of qualification so it's not that bad. Otherwise he would have to start with a paid internship."

"He'd even do that." He says before suddenly lifting me and swinging me through the air. "Thank you!"

I giggle before feeling steady floor underneath my feet again. "I didn't give him the job yet. He still has to apply and be interviewed before he can start decorating his desk."

"I'm not thanking you for the job. I'm thanking you for giving him a chance."

"Everyone deserves a chance." I whisper as I stare into his pine green eyes.

Oliver seals his lips over mine and fills the kiss with a kind of passion and gratitude that I've never felt before. I run my hands down his chest as I return his kiss. I'm not sure who's more thankful, he for me giving his friend a job offer or me for him accepting my help. It's a weird feeling that fills my chest. Making another person has never been on my top priority list but seeing Oliver this way... I make it my top priority.

I let go as my growling stomach fills my ears.

"I think we just make those banana pancakes now." Oliver whispers with a smirk on his lips. "You have no idea what this means to me. Finn will be over the moon."

"No, I do." Because for a moment I felt his happiness and gratitude like it was my own. It was one of the most beautiful feelings I've ever felt. "And Finn still has to do the work. My uncle won't hire anyone. This might be a non-profit but we have high standards."

"Of course. I'll just text him real quick."

I roll my eyes and let go of him. "I'll be in the kitchen."

---

I place a slice of freshly baked banana bread with blueberries and cinnamon on to my plate before putting coconut yoghurt on top. The banana pancakes and granola are baking in the oven right now. I sprinkle a few slices almonds on it. Perfect. "Here, that's yours." I hand it to Oliver. He has never had banana bread.

"It looks good."

"And it tastes even better." I promise him as I slice through the banana bread once more. We made two loaves. One for us and one for the soup kitchen which we will help out tonight. I put coconut yoghurt on top of mine and sprinkle sliced almonds on mine.

Instead of biting into his banana bread, Oliver's eyes are trained on me.

"It's not going to get eaten by itself." I tell him before picking up my slice and taking a bit of it. It's bloody perfect!

Oliver takes a fork and carefully breaks a piece out before putting it into his mouth. I watch him chew with anticipation.

"And?"

He nods, "It is very good. The cinnamon and vanilla works very well with the banana and blueberries."

"It's my Mum's recipe."

"She's a great cook, that's for sure."

"She's more of a baker than a chef." I say with a shrug. "Mum bakes, Daddy cooks."

He picks up his slice of the banana bread and takes another, bigger, bite. The tip of his nose gets covered in yoghurt.

"You like it." I say with a smile on my lips.

"It's bloody good!" He says with a full mouth.

"Then you're going to like the banana pancakes as well. They're delicious with maple syrup or coconut sugar." I take another bite of my slice. Whenever I bake that, I feel closer to my parents. I miss them and sometimes it's so bad that I start baking in the middle of the night. I think I've got that from my Mum. She bakes more when she's stressed or sad as well. She nearly opened a confectionery when Daddy left us. The homeless shelters loved us for all the baked good. But it broke my heart. She doesn't know it but I caught her during most nights when she baked and cried. I used to hide on the highest stairs and watch her bake her feelings into cakes, scones, doughnuts, muffins... It was the darkest period of all of our lives. We all dealt with it in our own way.

"Are you okay?" Oliver's voice slices through my thoughts. It demands my attention like a roaring lion.

I look at him and can't help but giggle. There's even more coconut yoghurt on his nose. "You've got yoghurt on your nose." I say before reaching out to wipe it away.

But then he kisses me and I feel the cold yoghurt getting smeared onto my face. "Now you've got some as well." He gives me the same boyish smile that my Daddy gives my Mum sometimes.

The grin makes my heart skip a beat. Instead of reminding him of our arrangement, I follow my first instinct and kiss him again. I wrap my arms around his neck as I deepen the kiss, suddenly not caring about the coconut yoghurt anymore. I haven't kissed those lips in two days but somehow it feels like weeks or months even. The hunger, that I've come to cherish, overcomes me. It's a need I've only ever felt for Oliver. It's the need to feel his skin against mine, hear his breath in my ears and get lost in his sea foam coloured eyes... it's the need to be with him and forget everything else around me.

He pulls me closer to him and I can feel his erection pulsing against my lower abdomen. He wants me as much as I want him.

Suddenly, the shrill sound of the oven's alarm fills my ears. I wince and let go of his delicious lips. Oliver's the best kisser I ever came across. "The granola and the pancakes." I breathe into his face.

He's as breathless as me. I can see the same need in his eyes or maybe it's my need reflecting in that sea foam colour. "Right." He takes a step back before turning around and looking into the Miele oven. "Looks done."

I hand him the oven cloths with a floral pattern as he opens the oven. There's a wonderful warm smell filling the kitchen. It's full of rich sweet flavours. Apart from eating, this is the best part of baking.

Oliver gets out the tray and places it on the kitchen island. The granola is crispy and the banana pancakes are golden. Perfectly done.

"They look yummy." I say as Oliver closes the door of the oven slightly.

"I'm not hungry for food."

I look up from the tray and stare at his sea foam coloured eyes. My mouth dries out at his intense stare. It's like he's lightning me up. Within seconds my body is awake again. "I'm not either."

Oliver

I stare at her as she draws circles on my chest with her right forefinger. Her skin feels like silk against mine. Her long chestnut waves are cascading all over my chest. The plates with leftover baked banana pancakes are on the nightstand at her side of the bed. Josephine even made a bourbon maple syrup with a touch of vanilla - her mother's recipe. The pancakes tasted amazing! A bottle of white wine is half empty. While she drank it out of her glass, I licked it off her skin and navel. White wine has never tasted better.

We've spent the whole day in this bed.

The rain is clashing against the floor to ceiling windows. The soft sound is the perfect soundtrack to hour long lovemaking that was only interrupted by food or white wine. Our bodies, hearts and souls couldn't get enough of each other. This is heaven on earth.

"We should get ready to head to the soup kitchen." I remind her of our plans for tonight. We didn't go last week because we were in Finland but now we've already baked so much food that it would be a waste to not bring them to those who need it more than us.

She growls, "I know. I just don't want to leave this bed."

I run my fingers through her glossy chestnut waves. "I feel the same way..."

She looks over her left shoulder and meets my gaze. "We'll stay home next weekend." She promises me. "Exactly like this for the whole weekend."

I grin, "Sounds good."

She shows me a soft smile before moving closer to kiss me. Our lips are swollen by now but neither of us cares. The moment her tongue starts moving with mine, I feel how my cock awakes again.

I let go, "If we don't stop now, we won't get anywhere tonight."

"I know..." she whispers as her cobalt eyes slowly move from my lips to my eyes. "I missed this."

I bloody missed this closeness as well. "This?"

"You." She admits with a small smile on her lips. She even blushes from the word as if she said something she's embarrassed about.

"I missed you, too."

"You did?" She asks me surprised.

How can she be so blind to my obvious feelings? Her best friend and brother see it within a blink of an eye but she... she's still too blind for whatever reason. "Like crazy." I admit with a nod.

She grins at me. "I'm afraid I won't be able to walk today, though."

I knew I was too harsh with her but she loves hard sex more than the gentle and slow sex. "That bad?"

She moves her hips a little and stretches a bit. "I'm definitely very sore but I guess I could stand for an hour or two in the soup kitchen."

"You should've said something."

"No. I didn't want to stop. I'm not in pain, Oliver. I'm just sore from your monster cock."

I chuckle, that's a compliment I've never been given. "Monster cock?"

She shrugs, "You're the biggest I've ever had... but I like it. I like the way you stretch me until it hurts. I like getting fucked hard because it gives me the greatest high, especially given your size. I need this to... to forget about my demons for a while."

The smile on my face drops. She hasn't even had half a bottle of wine and is still talking so openly to me. Usually, she needs a bottle of wine if not more to start talking. I had no idea she liked it because I chase away her demons. I thought she liked it because she needed to distance herself from any emotions.

But she needs it to get rid of her demons.

I scoop her up in my arms and get up from the bed.

"What are you doing?" She asks me with a giggle as I walk into the white marbled bathroom. Her arms wrap around my neck.

"We need to shower the smell of sex off of us before we start serving in the soup kitchen." I explain to her and open the door of the shower. I place her on the marbled bench before closing the door of the shower again.

Josephine turns on the two rain shower heads and six body water-jets. The warm water starts rising the temperature immediately.

I turn around and stare at the woman who owns my heart. Josephine picks up a cream coloured loafer and pours luxurious shower gel on it. The smell of sweet almonds and soothing lavender fills the big shower with glass doors. Her wet chestnut hair looks almost black now. It's so long that it nearly reaches her hips. Her cobalt blue eyes shine through the steam. She's the most beautiful woman on earth.

"I'll clean you if you clean me." She says with a smirk on her lips while holding out the loafer.

I take it without thinking twice. I get down on my knee and she places her foot on my bent leg. There's something incredible hot and intimate about washing each other's bodies after we cherished and loved each other in the last hours. The sex was amazing but this... this is almost better.

Josephine Bolton is the only woman that has ever brought me to my knees. I bend and I would break for her, just to see her smile. I start rubbing the loafer along her leg, leaving a foamy line. She has the softest skin I've ever seen. She's a flawless beauty but her heart is being kept together with bandaids and I hope I can fix it completely. Or at least, help her fix it herself.

Whatever happened during Rory's baby shower, it has definitely caused some kind of shift in Josephine's thinking. It was good for us.

Josephine

"I'll see you guys in a month!" I tell Laura, Jillian, Arthur and Harold before walking out of the soup kitchen. I don't know how I managed to stand for the last three hours, my legs are killing me. I brought the banana bread as well as some pancakes and maple syrup so the homeless would have something different than the usual warm soups and curries. They all seemed very pleased by my kitchen skills. It made me - and Oliver - smile. We kept our distance as much as possible in the last three hours. While I worked with Laura and Jillian in the front of the kitchen, Oliver cooked with Arthur and Harold. Laura and Jillian asked me about Rory's baby shower and I answered a few of their questions but didn't reveal anything major. I know they won't talk. They never even mentioned towards the press that I help out here. They see me as one of them.

I scan the empty dark streets and inhale the cool air. It's late April but it somehow still feels like winter sometimes. It's cold and I shiver in my thin denim jacket. As always I'm wearing a navy baseball cap, distressed jeans, a black shirt and white sneakers. I'm not in a part of London where lots of tourists walk around but I still would prefer to not be photographed or recognised. I like doing charity incognito.

Oliver left a few minutes before me and I thought he would wait for me but maybe he went already home. I turn the corner and stop as I see Oliver leaning against a red bricked wall with a grin on his lips. "Looking for me?"

Graffiti is sprayed on to the bricked wall. They're angle wings and Oliver's just in the middle of He wings, but I refuse to see him as an angel. He's a human being with flaws just like me. "I thought you already went home."

"Without you? I'd never leave you."

He has made that promise multiple times now but I still can't believe him fully. Because all men in my life have left me. Even the most important one.

"Come on, let's go home." He says while holding out his hand.

I grab it without thinking twice. I've gone two days without feeling his hand around mine and I missed it. I missed him. I'm getting attached to him in a way I shouldn't, but I can't stop this as well. Maybe I should let Oliver in a little more. "You know, this is the same road we walked on after our first time at the soup kitchen together." I mumble as we walk through streets that most people would call ugly and maybe even dangerous. I can't believe we're already a month into this arrangement. Time has flown by.

"You mean, when I saved you from the bastards that were trying to rob you?" Oliver asks me with a smirk on his lips.

I roll my eyes at his question. "That's not what happened. I had everything under control."

"I know that now but I didn't know it back then. I thought you were just a beautiful helpless woman. I had no idea you're a fearless warrior."

"No one has ever called me that."

"What? Beautiful? Helpless?"

"A fearless warrior." I whisper. It's one of the biggest compliments I've ever been given.

He stops walking, "Well you are. You don't look like it but you are."

"Thank you."

"If only you could see yourself in my eyes... you'd see how much you shine."

Shit, I haven't had enough wine to be able to digest his words. He can't keep throwing stuff like this at me. I don't know how to deal with his promises. "Oliver..." my heart fills with a kind of warmth I've never felt before.

"You are the best person I've ever met. You're kind, protective, compassionate -"

"Stop." I interrupt him. He doesn't even know me fully. He just knows whatever I want him to know about me. "You don't know me."

"Yes, I do. In the last four weeks-"

"You know what I want you to know. I am a very complex person. I have many layers and wear different masks towards different persons." I explain to him.

"And what did you show me? Am I seeing the core of you or are you wearing a mask towards me? Because I am playing with open cards here. And you should, too."

"You're not playing with open cards, Oliver." I remind him. There's still something he won't tell me.

"Josephine,"

"No, if you ask me to play with open cards than you better bloody play with open cards as well!" I hiss at him and let go of his hand. He can't just accuse me of something he's doing as well. That's hypocritical! I march away from him without waiting. It's just a twenty minute walk home but with my pace I can cut it in half.

"Wait!"

But I don't listen. He better excuse himself the whole fucking night.

Suddenly, his hand grabs my wrist. He pulls me back until I'm back in his arms with my back against the red bricked house wall. He cages me in, by placing his hands on either side of my head. His green eyes are so dark that they're almost black. It should scare me, but instead this turns me on in a way I've never been before.

"I told you. I will tell you my secret on my terms." He reminds me of his words. His breath is hot against my face. And my eyes automatically focus on his lips. He has the best lips I ever kissed. "You have your secrets and I have mine."

Before I know it, I kiss him. I wrap my arms around him and pull him even closer to me as I deepen the kiss. I normally wouldn't do this. Not in public. Not even in a dark alley like this one but Oliver... He makes me rethink my position and sometimes even change my mind without even doing anything.

He returns my kiss with even more passion. The heat inside of me rises past the boiling point. I wrap my leg around his hip and pull him closer to me. I've never kissed anyone in public. But I do enjoy kissing Oliver. Wherever and whenever I can.

Suddenly, a honk fills my ears and I let go. "We should go home." I suggest, still trying to catch my breath.

"I'll tell you. Just not right now."

"Okay." I give in with a nod before unwrapping my leg from his hips.

"Okay." He echoes and takes a step back.

I intertwine my fingers with his. I can't push him to tell me his secret. He didn't push me to tell him a few of mine.

Maybe he just needs time to tell me his secret, but in 12 weeks his time runs out.

---

Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!

So, Josephine upgraded Oliver from friend with benefits to lover. What do you think of that? Do you think Nate is right with his opinion about Oliver and Jo?

When will Oliver tell Jo her secret?

Please review! I'm so glad a lot of you enjoy this story as much as I enjoy writing it.

In gratitude,

Nicole