Frisky Business (57 page)

Romy and her mother were the first to leave. Romy wanted to get Luke home and settled – and she was longing for bed herself. Though she and Ethan had left the party early last night and were in bed before midnight, they had got very little sleep, and she had struggled to keep her eyes open throughout dinner
. As fantastic as last night had been, right now she was looking forward to conking out in her own bed. Besides, she didn’t feel comfortable about sleeping with Ethan in his parents’ house when they were home. In the next couple of weeks, he would be starting work and moving out, but in the meantime they would have to stay at her place if they wanted to sleep together.

‘Not too weird for you, I hope?’ she asked her mother.

‘No, it was lovely.’

‘It was, wasn’t it? She smiled. ‘Danny and Kit seem really happy.’

‘They do. Is it strange for you, seeing them together?’

She considered. ‘No,’ she said. ‘Is it strange that it’s not?’ She laughed.

Her mother cocked her head to one side, regarding her thoughtfully. ‘You’re back to your old self,’ she said. ‘It’s good to see.’

‘I feel more like my old self. Only different – better.’ She felt so light-hearted and free now that everything was out in the open. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so happy. Suddenly a thought occurred to her. ‘Dad would have loved tonight, wouldn’t he?’

Her mother threw back her head and laughed. ‘He would. He always liked Colm.’

‘He was never a big fan of Kit’s, though.’

‘If only he’d known he was gay,’ Marian said, laughing.

‘Yes, he’d have felt duty-bound to approve of him then.’

‘I think he’d be very impressed with how he turned out,’ Marian said seriously. ‘And he’d have loved Ethan.’

‘Do you think so?’

‘Of course.’ Her mother’s eyes sparkled as they flickered over her. ‘He’d have loved anyone who made you this happy, Romy.’

After
he had seen Danny off in a taxi, Kit walked down the hall and into the kitchen, where Ethan was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. Kit poured himself a cup and sat down opposite him. Hannah and Tank had already left, and their parents were in bed. It was just the two of them.

‘Strange night, huh?’ Ethan said, blinking tiredly.

‘But in a good way.’

Ethan smiled. ‘Yeah, it all went really well. And somehow you managed to get treated like the conquering hero – jammy bastard!’

Kit grinned.

‘So – out and proud,’ Ethan said, doing jazz hands. ‘How does it feel?’

‘Like I should have done it years ago.’

‘Well … better late than never. And if you’d done it earlier, you probably wouldn’t have ended up with Danny. He’s great.’

‘Yeah,’ Kit smiled fondly. ‘And so is his sister.’ He took a deep breath, bracing himself. ‘Look, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about,’ Kit said. ‘I think it’s great about you and Romy, but—’

‘Oh God, not again! For the umpteenth time, I am not going to mess her around, okay?’

‘That’s not what I was going to say.’

‘Oh. What is it, then?’

‘It’s just that – there are things you don’t know about Romy. She’s not as … straightforward as she seems.’

‘Hey, I know you used to go out with her, but that was a long time ago. I think I probably know her better than you do now.’

‘I don’t think you know everything. I just feel I should warn you, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.’

Ethan’s face
changed, his smile disappearing. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Romy’s … into certain things that, well, I’m pretty sure you’re not.’

‘Oh, is that all?’ Ethan laughed, his relief obvious. ‘Don’t worry, I know about that.’

‘You do? And it doesn’t bother you?’

Ethan shrugged. ‘No. Why should it? If it makes her happy.’

‘But it’s not just about what makes
her
happy, is it? She’ll expect you to, you know, join in.’

‘You think so?’ Ethan still looked unconcerned. Kit felt he wasn’t grasping the seriousness of the situation.

‘Of course. You’re her boyfriend – naturally she’s going to want to do that stuff with you.’

‘I suppose … maybe. But so what if she does? I mean, it’s not my cup of tea, but I’m sure I could put up with it if it’s what she wants.’

‘How could you – if you’re not into it?’ Kit could hardly string a sentence together. He couldn’t believe Ethan was so cool about all this.

‘It’s not a lot to do for someone you, you know …’

‘Love?’

‘Yeah,’ Ethan said, smiling shyly. ‘Anyway, she probably has friends she could do that stuff with – people who’d be more into it.’

Kit gulped. ‘And you wouldn’t mind? Her doing that with other people?’

‘Of course not.’ Ethan laughed at the shocked expression on Kit’s face. ‘Jesus, we don’t have to be joined at the hip.’

‘No, but—’ Kit spluttered.

‘I’m sure she’d rather do it with people who like the same stuff. It’d be more fun for her.’

‘I don’t believe you can be so—’

‘Anyway, if she
really wanted me to, I’m sure I could sit through it if need be—’

‘Sit through it?’
Kit shrieked, aware that probably only dogs could hear him now.
‘Sit
through it?’

Ethan rolled his eyes. ‘It’s not a big deal. You always put way too much importance on that kind of stuff, you know.’

‘What kind of stuff?’

‘You know, what bands it’s cool to like and all that.’

‘
Bands?
’ Another one for the dogs. ‘Seriously, you think I’m talking about bands?’

‘Look, I know Romy likes Take That, okay? And I’m not saying it’s been easy, but I’ve come to terms with it,’ Ethan said solemnly.

The little shit was being sarcastic, Kit thought. He was trying to help him, and he was taking the piss. He should be angry – but instead he just felt sorry for him.

‘And if she wants me to go to a concert with her next time they’re on tour,’ Ethan was saying, ‘I’m sure I can cope. I’ll be there for her.’

Kit gave him a pitying look. ‘Ethan, I’m not talking about Take Bloody That.’

‘You’re not?’

‘No.’

‘Well … whoever. I don’t care. Even if she likes Chris de Burgh. I don’t care, okay?’

‘You don’t mind if she likes Chris de Burgh?’

‘No,’ Ethan said, but he looked upset at the thought. ‘Well … I wouldn’t be happy about it, you know? Obviously. But it’s fine,’ he said, shrugging. ‘It wouldn’t change the way I feel about her.’

‘Wow!’ Kit breathed. ‘You’ve really got it bad, haven’t you?’

‘I know.’ Ethan ducked his head, smiling sheepishly.

Bloody hell, Kit thought. If Ethan could get over Chris de Burgh, maybe
Romy’s sexual proclivities wouldn’t be such a big obstacle after all.

‘She doesn’t, does she?’ Ethan was looking at him anxiously.

‘Sorry? Doesn’t what?’

‘Like Chris de Burgh.’

‘No, not as far as I know.’ Kit thought. ‘No, I’m sure not.’

‘Phew! That’s good. I mean I’ve nothing against Chris de Burgh fans per se, but—’

‘You don’t want them moving in next door and marrying your children.’

‘Exactly. Bringing down the neighbourhood.’

‘You could test her, just to make sure.’

‘How?’

‘You could put on ‘The Lady in Red’ and see if she squeals and demands that you dance with her to it.’

‘I’d have to download it first.’

‘That would be a bit awkward. It would be on your iPod. Your iTunes would think you liked that sort of thing.’

‘I’d get recommendations based on it.’

‘It would follow you for the rest of your days.’

‘I think I’ll just give her the benefit of the doubt.’

‘Good thinking.’

‘So this thing you were going to tell me …’ Ethan began nervously. ‘Is it better or worse than Chris de Burgh?’

Kit thought. ‘Worse. No, better! Hang on … I’m not sure. You’ll have to decide for yourself after I tell you.’

‘Okay. So?’

Kit was almost sorry he’d started now. Romy and Ethan had been so happy tonight. They obviously loved each other and he didn’t want to spoil things for them. But wasn’t it better that Ethan knew up front what he was getting into?

He thought for a moment, not sure where to start. ‘Has Romy ever told you about Luke’s father?’ he said finally.

‘She doesn’t know
who he is,’ Ethan said, relief passing over his face. ‘She’s told me that.’

‘But do you know why?’

Ethan shrugged. ‘It was a one-night stand—’

‘It’s because it was at some kind of kinky orgy where everyone was wearing masks and blindfolds.’

‘I don’t believe you!’ Ethan reddened, but he looked more scared than angry.

‘It’s true,’ Kit said with an apologetic grimace. ‘Romy told me so herself.’

‘But—’ Ethan spluttered.

‘That’s the sort of thing Romy’s into,’ Kit said gently. ‘S&M. She wants to be tied up to stuff and whipped. She wants a boyfriend who’ll boss her around and make her call him “Sir”.’

‘But that’s – that’s not true. I mean we’ve …’ Ethan shifted uncomfortably. ‘We’ve … done stuff. And she’s never—’

‘Well, I suppose it’s not the easiest thing to come out with when you’re with someone new. Maybe she’s afraid you’d laugh at her – or run for the hills.’

‘I’m sure you’re wrong,’ Ethan said. ‘You must have got the wrong end of the stick.’

‘Sorry, Ethan. I know it’s hard to believe. She seems so …
normal
. But it’s true. You should see some of the books she has in her flat,’ Kit said, widening his eyes.

‘Well, just because she’s reading books about it doesn’t mean she wants to do it.’

‘It’s not just that. Have you ever met her tenant May?’

Ethan shook his head.

‘She’s some kind of sex expert on the internet. Anyway, she knew I was supposed to be Romy’s boyfriend and she told me that Romy was getting lessons from her about how to be a submissive. She thought Romy was doing it for me, so
I had to pretend to be thrilled that she was making the effort.’

Ethan just blinked at him uncomprehendingly. Then he looked down, his brows beetled together, his eyes darting back and forth as if he was searching his brain for something and coming up blank.

‘Still, could be worse,’ Kit said cheerily, trying to lighten the mood.

Ethan lifted his head and looked at him hopefully.

‘She could like Chris de Burgh.’ He threw in a wink for good measure, but Ethan still looked gloomy.

‘God, I wish she just wanted me to dance with her to “The Lady in Red”.’

‘Come on, cheer up. It’s not the end of the world. You know, maybe you should try some of that stuff. It might be fun.’

‘I doubt it.’

‘You never know until you try. Maybe you’d like it.’

‘I just – I really don’t think I could do it.’

‘Hey, you were willing to go to a Take That concert a minute ago,’ Kit reminded him. ‘It’s amazing what people will do for someone they love. Look at Dad – hasn’t had a decent bit of grub in over thirty years.’

Ethan laughed a little at that. ‘And he’s the happiest man in Ireland.’

‘Exactly. Maybe you should try and find some easy things you could do that would keep Romy happy without having to go the whole hog.’

‘Like what?’

‘I don’t know – do some light bondage, work a few slaps into your routine or something.’ He tried to remember some of the images from the books he had flicked through in Romy’s kitchen. ‘You could make her give you a blow job while she’s hanging
upside down off a table. That doesn’t sound too bad, does it?’

‘Ugh! It sounds awful. Why would I want to do that?’

‘Don’t ask me. I’m just trying to help you out here. Why don’t you look it up on the internet – maybe you could come up with some ideas?’

Ethan shrugged miserably.