“I know I have to get dressed up but I bloody hate these things. I am glad to take some of the extra parts off. At least you have looked comfortable in your dress all evening.”

“It is actually quite comfortable to wear and I love it very very much. I might not take it off.”

“I am very much ok with that decision.” Agreed Taron as he finished off the last of his slice of toast. “It is one of my favourite looks of yours.”

To distract herself, Robyn used the silence, to take her hoop ear rings out, leaving them beside Taron’s gold cummerbund. “Maybe I will find another excuse to wear it someday.” She quietly said, looking at him from under her eyelashes.

Taron got off his chair and moved closer to her. He found himself biting his lip as she looked up to him and dipping his head, kissed her forehead. “I think this dress has been perfect and beautiful but I want to see that green one.”

Robyn laughed as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. “I have a green t-shirt I can wear instead tonight. So, lets go and get my case.”

“Ugh such a one-track mind.”

“Says the man who keeps talking about my V-neck shape dress.”

“A red-blooded man Robyn and this is where I mention the boundaries!” He added grinning, stepping back as she went to swot at him. “We have crossed many.” He stepped over to her again and kissed her head. “Right if we are going to get back here at some sort of a decent time, we should leave very soon. It’s already after twelve.”

“Yeah you are probably right.”

Taron took a step back. “Did you just tell me I was right? Robyn Quinn admitted someone else was right?”

“Ok we don’t need to linger on that.” She smiled. “We should head to the hotel.” Robyn stood up and started to walk away from Taron but he grabbed her hand and twirled her into him for a hug.

“I like this change in roles this weekend. I like looking after you. You need someone to look after you.”

“I have cwtch.”

“You need someone who is not stuffed and glittery and steals my corner.” Taron enjoyed the sound of her laughter and she may have laughed at his words but he believed in what he said. “Right my love, lets go. Elton told me he would ask Anthony to wait outside for us.”

The blacked-out car was waiting outside of the gates to Elton’s home and Taron opened the door for Robyn to let her in, while he walked around to take the seat behind the driver.

“It won’t take an hour Taron. Traffic will be light. Probably about forty minutes.” Explained Anthony from the front of the car as his passengers got comfortable in the back. Taron moved the arm rest that held the refreshments up so they could sit right beside each other in the back seat.

“That’s perfect Anthony.”

“Thank you so much for driving us.” Added Robyn.

“Always willing to help out any friend of Taron’s.”

As the car started to makes its journey to Holborn, Taron had thrown his arm around Robyn’s shoulders and she had nestled into him as he sat slightly sideways allowing Robyn to lean into him, her head just at his chin as she rested on his shoulder. They were only in the car for five minutes before Robyn was dozing against him, wearing his suit jacket, which she hadn’t taken off her yet, still feeling the chill from the very late-night air. Taron was happy to let Robyn lay against him as she slept, knowing she had been up very early and had a long three days at work.

“Will I turn the heat up?” Anthony asked as he looked in his rear-view mirror to see his female passenger asleep.

“No thank you Anthony. It’s perfect in here. Thank you very much.”

“Happy to help Taron.”

Although he had felt how cold Robyn had been while they stood outside on the balcony, now as she used his body as pillow, he could feel that she had finally warmed up, his jacket helping to keep her warm. He wrapped his right arm around her protectively, his hand slipping under his jacket, so he could lay it flat across her left waist, her arm resting just above his on her ribs. Robyn sat against him with her legs crossed and once again his eyes followed the skin of her exposed left leg, mentally reminding himself to thank Stella once again for helping him with the choice for dress they had picked for Robyn. Taron had seen Robyn in shorts and t-shirts and even in a towel but it was nothing compared to the outfit she now wore. Shaking his head a little, trying to rid himself of the thoughts running through his mind, reminding himself that they were friends, his eyes wandered from her legs up past the diamond belt that snuggly outlined her fabulous figure before he quickly darted his eyes over the top of the dress, the V-neck slightly deeper with the way she was laying against him. He was glad Robyn was asleep because she would definitely have felt how his heart started to race as she lay comfortably against him.

“Jesus Taron, stop it.” He scolded himself but he couldn’t help but gaze down again, his eyes closing as he took a deep calming breathe. The butterflies hadn’t left his stomach since had seen Robyn walk towards him and they were causing mayhem as were his emotions. He had to pinch himself a few times when he looked at her and remembered she had made every effort in every area possible to get to him, to be there for him and support him as he faced his first public appearance and she had made some effort. He realised it when he walked back with their drinks as she stood talking to Elton and David and she was laughing, joking and smiling, looking very much like she belonged with everyone around her. Her whole face lit up and Taron felt blessed to have such a wonderful woman and best friend in his life.

Opening his eyes, he took one more look down and sighed. “I love you.” He whispered into her hair and closing his eyes again, rested his cheek on her head. If Robyn could take a quick nap, he was going to take advantage of her warmth and have a quick snooze too.

He dozed in and out of sleep and gently shook Robyn awake when they had stopped outside the hotel she had got ready in.

“Come on sleepy head. This was your idea.”

Robyn stretched a little and opened her eyes. “I wasn’t asleep. I was just resting my eyes.”

“Hmm sure you were. Out for the count chicken.” He felt a little chill when she moved from his chest.

“Resting my eyes.” She repeated as she rolled her neck a little. “Or maybe catching a quick nap. You know you make a good pillow.” She said as Anthony opened the back door for them, the cold air rushing in, making them both shiver.

Robyn took Anthony’s hand as he helped her from the car, Taron shuffling out afterwards, standing close beside Robyn as they stood outside the front of the Premier Inn in Holborn.

“We will be as quick as we can.” Taron said as he closed the door of the car.

“Take you time. I will wait here for you both.”

“Right chicken, lead the way.”

Taron let Robyn take the lead, but he pulled open the door for her so she could enter the warmth of the hotel first.

“Good evening.” Robyn said to the man at the reception desk as he watched with interest as the two walked into the reception dressed extremely well.

“Good night.” The man called back.

Taron stood beside Robyn as they stood in front of the lift and she pushed the call button. “What do you think he is thinking?” He whispered to her.

“Honestly?” Robyn asked, watching as Taron nodded. “That you are getting some.”

Loud laughter filled the quiet reception as Taron couldn’t hold his chuckles in, his shoulders shaking, his hands going to his eyes. “Robyn, seriously?”

“Well you asked me what he was thinking and with the way we are dressed? That is definitely what he is thinking.”

“Do you trust me?” Asked Taron as he stood right up against her.

“Always.”

“Good.” Taron slipped his arm in behind his jacket that still kept Robyn’s shoulders warm and pulled her right into him in one fluid motion and bent his head to kiss her cheek before he dipped his head lower and kissed the side of her neck, Robyn moving her head a little giving him better access to her skin. His lips were soft and gentle and his stubble tickled her in all the right places.

The lifted dinged and the doors opened, making Taron lift his head but kept his arm tight around her waist and he walked her into the lift. He knew without a doubt that they were being watched very closely so once they turned around to face the open door, Taron placed his left hand on Robyn’s right cheek and without a second thought placed a kiss on her lips as the doors of the lift closed tight.

Once it was just them alone, Taron immediately moved away from her with his hands held up in front of him. “Don’t hit me.” He had expected to see that disapproving look on Robyn’s face but instead her lips bore a smirk.

“You, Taron Egerton, are very naughty and going to be in a shit load of trouble if he recognised you and I would never hit you. I might playfully slap you but never hit you.”

“So, am I getting some?” He asked laughing.

“I think you got enough. If you have left scratches on my neck, you are dead.”

Taron closed the gap between then and lifted her chin with two fingers of his left hand and ran the fingers of his right hand lightly across the skin of her neck he had just kissed. “Nothing.”

“You sure?”

“I promise. I am sorry for jumping right in there without warning and for the kisses.”

“I accept your apology but we will be having no more of that behaviour. Remember there are consequences for unwanted behaviour.”

“Do kisses count as unwanted behaviour?” He asked her as the lift stopped on the fifth floor.

Robyn didn’t answer him but walked out of the lift and made her way to her hotel room, routing for the key from her bag as she walked. When Taron asked her if she trusted him of course her answer was going to be yes without a doubt but she had no idea he was going to assault her neck with an influx of indulgent kisses that made her stomach drop, her heart race, her cheeks flush and the spark flare so hard she needed a fire hose to extinguish it. Taron had held her so tight against him and while his grip on her waist was firm, his kisses were smooth and gentle and Robyn nearly rolled her eyes with the tickly sensation that his facial hair left as his lips trailed her skin, even moving her head to give him more access to her neck. The kiss on her lips was not new but unexpected and more so than the affection, was the way Taron had pulled back immediately to make sure she wasn’t ready to absolutely murder him for taking such a risk with her. It was a respect Taron had for her that she valued above everything else and although he was had taken a huge gamble with his actions, his immediate reaction once the doors of the lift closed, made her love him even more and understand that he absolutely respected her just as much. However, her neck still burned delightfully where his lips had just been and it was spreading quickly down her body.

Taron had to hold his hand out to stop the doors of the lift from closing on him as he was stood frozen when Robyn walked away from him and didn’t answer his question. Stepping out into the corridor, Taron was a few meters behind her and he walked slowly along the carpeted floor his thoughts in a complete jumble. He thought he had worked through these emotions and pushed them aside but they were quickly resurfacing and starting to bubble over. He was sure he was in for a serious tongue lashing from his friend but instead she had chuckled at him and made a joke about the whole thing. He had taken a gigantic leap into a serious danger zone but when Robyn moved her head to give him more access to her neck, he ran with his choice and added extra kisses, inhaling the faint scent of her perfume. He was so thankful she hadn’t been angry at him but somewhat enjoyed his playfulness, ready to tease him about his actions. It made his heart soar that she absolutely trusted him but as he looked down to the purple carpet, he sighed. He was in serious trouble and getting deeper and deeper into a hole he was sure very soon he would not be able to dig himself out of. He thought back to the promise they had made to each other in Robyn’s kitchen where they would always be friends but the more time he physically spent with her, the more he was wondering if the risk of more than friends would be so bad.

“Earth to Taron?” He looked up at the sound of her voice. “You overthinking things?”

“No.”

“And try to sound more convincing.” Robyn stepped over and wrapped her arms around his waist, Taron’s going over her shoulders. “You know I am not upset with you right?”

“I know.”

“I really am not.”

“I know Robyn.” He hugged her close.

“It was very mischievous and I appreciated the need for a good show every now and again and it is good to practise your acting skills.”

Taron laughed. “My acting skills?”

“Sure.” She moved her hands from him. “I mean you haven’t worked in a while; you might have forgotten somethings.”

“Like how to act.”

“Yep so it’s good to get some practise in before next weekend.” Taron shook his head at her but found himself smiling. “And there it is.”

“There what is?”

“That smile.” Robyn held up her key. “Ready to enter the mess?”

“Sure.”

Robyn held the key up against the door handle and waited for the lock to open before she pushed the handle down and opened the door. Setting the key into the slot for the electricity, Robyn moved back and let Taron into the room.

“Wow Robyn.” He said as walked into her hotel room. “I don’t think we can be friends any more.”

“Can I defend myself first? You have seen my Florida case and my closet, so you know I can be messy” She asked as Taron picked up her blue dressing gown and moved it out of the way so he could sit down on the end of the bed. “I literally had just over an hour to get ready to come and meet you. Stuff got left in places.”

“Stuff?” Asked Taron as he held up her bra by the strap that was lying beside him.

Robyn casually pulled it from him along with her dressing gown. “Yeah stuff.”

Taron pulled a garment of clothing from under him and her laughed. “Seriously? You brought my shirt with you? Are you giving it back to me?”

Robyn turned and looked to him, reaching over to pull the Hawaiian patterned flower shirt from his hands. “Absolutely not. This was my payment for your snooping.”

“Then why do you have it with you?”

“I was wearing it.”

“Wearing it?”

“Yes, wearing it. I wore it to the training this morning because I felt a bit sad that I wasn’t going to get to see you. It was before Emma got me here.”

“You actually wear this?” He asked.

“Sure. I have worn it to work too. It’s a good shirt and you are not getting it back. It’s mine.” Robyn folded it carefully and placed it in her case.

“Did you bring cwtch?” He asked as she sat on the chair opposite him, taking his jacket off and throwing it his way. He caught it and draped it over his legs.

“Cwtch doesn’t have a passport or like airplanes.” She reminded him as she put her little star stud ear rings back in.

“Oh yeah I forgot about that.”

“You missing your sleep buddy?” Robyn asked as she put all her make-up and brushes that she had left strewn over the desk back into her make-up bag.

“Maybe.”

“He is house sitting for me.”

“He’s a good blue dinosaur.”

“Yes, he is.” Robyn opened the buckles on her shoes and sighed as she pulled them off. She threw them into her case which was open on the floor. “It won’t take me long Taron.”

“Take your time.” He answered watching as Robyn stood up and lifting the skirt of her dress so she wouldn’t trip, walked into the bathroom. He pulled out his phone out to look through photos he had taken during the night, smiling at the silly faces they had pulled together for many selfies, enjoying the full length one someone had taken of them. They made him smile and he thought back to when they stood together in front of her mirror in her bathroom. He had made a joke about walking the red carpet together that night but Robyn had always given him a firm no as an answer. He was flabbergasted at even with all her protesting, how easily it came to her, being in his world. Still smiling he slipped his phone back into trousers pocket.

Robyn collected her few toiletries from beside the sink, putting them in her wash bag double checking her reflection in the large mirror, smiling a little that she was still quite well put together and her lipstick had lasted the night through with only two extra applications when Taron wasn’t looking. She quickly ran her index finger under her eyes, to wipe some of the eyeliner that has spread the wrong way. She let her finger run down to her neck and stretched a little, checking in the mirror to see for herself if Taron’s sudden kisses had left a mark. They hadn’t left a visible one but his lips on her skin had left her with something else fizzing inside. After another glance in the mirror and with her skirt gathered in one hand, she strolled back into the bedroom, Taron still sitting on the bed patiently. Robyn quickly collected the rest of her things and dropped them in her case. She then sat on the bed beside Taron and pulled on her blue converse.

“I think this is my favourite look of yours yet.”

“What?” She asked.

“Converse and a fancy fancy dress. Only you can get away with that combination.”

She smiled. “And I am ready to go.”

“And you were quick.”

“I am getting good at the fast packing thing. I am hoping that someday I will actually get to enjoy packing a case.”

“You sure you have everything?” He asked. “Did you do a double sweep?”

“Nah I have everything.”

“‘Cos we are not coming back here.”

“Anthony would drive me back if I asked him.

Taron grinned. “I know but I will actually be putting my foot down. We are not making this journey again so please check you have everything.”

Robyn stood up and lifting her dress again, made a show of opening every drawer and noisily put the toilet seat up and down in the bathroom and turning the water on and off while washing her hands. “Nope all clear.” She said grinning walking back out to him and sat beside him. “Have everything.”

“You are one of a kind Robyn Quinn.” Taron stood up and gave his jacket to her. “Please put it on. You will freeze outside and you packed away my shirt that you were wearing. Didn’t you bring a jacket or a jumper?”

“I am sure I have a jumper in the bag somewhere but who knows what I threw in last minute.”

“Well take this.” Taron held it out for her to put her arms through. “I don’t want you to get cold or sick.” Without questioning him Robyn stood beside him and put his suit jacket back on. “It goes well with your dress, matches and everything.” Taron took some steps away from her and picked up her suitcase, lifting the handle so it was ready to be wheeled. “No smart comments about wheeling it yourself either. I know you can do it by yourself but I have it.”

“I am saying nothing.” Robyn headed to the door, opened it and pulled out the card key, letting Taron out first. “We are going to have to pull out some of the same chemistry once we are back in reception Taron. We have literally been ten minutes in that room.” She said as they walked to the lift. “That guy will be wondering what the hell is going on or something else entirely.” She pushed the button for the lift.

“You could let your hair down a little, mess it up a bit.”

Robyn chuckled and stepped into the lift. “You could pull your shirt out from your trousers, open another button or two.”

“Or I could attack you with more kisses.” He suggested as he pushed the button for the ground floor again, leaning towards her.

“I think there has been enough of that.” Robyn laughing as she moved out of his reach and stepped into the lift, waiting for Taron to follow her and once he had, she pressed the G button on the key pad. “I really hope he doesn’t know who you are Taron. He figures it out and says something, we are screwed.”

“How about I just hold your hand then. Like you said we were only about ten minutes and we look pretty put together still.”

“Well that is true. We don’t look like we have been too naughty and bad.” He laughed.

The doors opened and they walked out of the lift together, Taron using his right hand to pull Robyn’s case behind him, his left slipping into her right. Heading for the reception, Robyn placed the card key on the counter. “Checking out.” She said. “Thanks so much.”

The man at reception gave her a sideways look but took the key. “Sure, no problem. Have a nice night.”

“Thanks, you too.”

Taron said nothing but kept a grip on her hand and only let go so he could open the door to let Robyn out first. Anthony greeted them at the door of the hotel and took the case from Taron.

“Thanks Anthony.” He said as he opened the door of the car for Robyn.

“I could get use to this star-studded treatment.” She grinned, pulling the material of her dress in so it wouldn’t get caught in the car door, Taron closing it with a grin once she was settled. He stepped around the back of the car, thanking Anthony again and got in the other side of the car.

“I was brought up with manners and I will use them around a beautiful lady.” He replied to her comment before he had closed the door.

Anthony was back in the car and had pulled away from the curb within seconds.

“Another quick trip back Taron.”

“Sure Anthony. Thanks again for doing this for us.”

“Like I said, anytime.”

Taron turned to Robyn. “Ready for another nap?” He asked.

“I am actually pretty awake.” She answered. “The packing has given me a little more energy.”

“Well can I request a cuddle then?”

“I will always agree to a cuddle.”

Taking up position, Taron tucked her into her chest and Robyn automatically placed her hand on his chest over her heart. “Still beating.”

“Still beating.” He repeated.

A long heavy sigh left his body and Robyn felt it. “You ok Taron? You’ve been pretty quiet since we arrived at the hotel.”

“I am good Robyn. A lot of excitement today and I think I have finally hit a low energy slump.”

“You sure? You have been a ball of energy all evening.”

“Like I said, low energy slump.”

“You know I can tell if you are lying to me.”

Taron laughed a little. “I know chicken.” He gave her a squeeze. “I definitely know that but I am perfect. This evening had been everything and more for me. Thank you for coming.”

Robyn smiled into his shirt. “You are very welcome. Thank you for inviting me.”

“It was actually Elton who invited you.” He corrected.

“Hmm.” She answered him. “Sure it was.” Closing her eyes, she snuggled a little more into him. Taron had always been so wonderfully comfortable and she loved hearing his heart beat in his chest. It was a truly beautiful sound to her. She felt him place his hand on hers over his heart and another long breathe filled his lungs. As much as Taron had enjoyed the evening, so had Robyn. His world hadn’t been as scary and daunting as she thought it was going to be and with Taron keeping ever so close to her, it made it ever so easy to engage with all of his friends and acquaintances. There was one little problem she found herself facing though.