by Terry Spear
“Is everything all right?” His words were spoken low with concern.
“Yes.”
Charlie and Marilyn were watching her. She hated how transparent she could be to others.
A musical melody played. Marilyn pulled a cell phone from her purse. “Hello?”
Deidre caught the funny look of annoyance on her face.
“I’ll call you later.” Marilyn shoved the phone into her purse, then smiled at Charlie as her hand snaked back into his lap.
Deidre couldn’t help herself. She fought the urge to say a word, but then it just tumbled out. “A local friend?”
Medusa couldn’t have turned a body to stone any quicker than Marilyn’s icy stare. “Business partner.”
This time Deidre felt Marilyn told the truth. “So the property you want to buy is commercial?”
Charlie shook his head. “Give me a chance to serve my client, Deidre.”
Deidre could have kicked him. Serve his client. Marilyn was ready to undress him under the table if she hadn’t already done so. Men were so vain.
Then Dave’s fingers intertwined with hers in an attempt to console her, she assumed. She didn’t mind. It had been a really long time since anyone had shown her any tenderness, and his fingers touched her gently, not forcibly. Dancing tonight could be just the kind of release she needed.
***
Dave admired Deidre’s handling of Marilyn. He hadn’t ever seen his partner react so quickly to another woman’s swordplay and lose her cool. Not that Marilyn would blow up or anything, but her under-the-table-maneuvers with Charlie indicated how Deidre totally surprised her.
Still, knowing Marilyn and how she didn’t get along with women generally, her actions annoyed him for deliberately egging Deidre on. How could she have said something about Deidre’s speech pattern? Marilyn shouldn’t have made fun of her, and he would have a word with his partner later concerning the matter.
Still, in the noisy dance club following the meal, he’d have a chance to get up close, and really personal with Miss Roux, while his partner made some moves on Charlie. No more fencing between the two women…or so he hoped. If Marilyn started it again, he’d take her aside, and explain a matter of reassignment with her, no matter what progress she made with Deidre’s brother. He couldn’t have her jeopardizing his case with Deidre…his case with the brother and sister, rather.
***
When they arrived at the dance club later that night, bright lights flashed overhead while simulated white stars circulated across the black ceiling. The music filled the air with its rapid beat vibrating the floor. Anyone stepping into the atmosphere was swept at once into the surging music, smiling faces and writhing bodies.
Charlie ordered margaritas for them and hurried to take Marilyn to the dance floor.
Deidre watched them for a moment, then turned to see Dave studying her as the colorful lights flickered off his face. He reached for her hand, and she offered it to him. Over the din he shouted, “Thanks so much for inviting me to spend the day with you.”
“My brother—”
“I haven’t dated much over the past couple of years, but I wanted to say, this is the best time I’ve had in a good long while.”
She wasn’t sure if it was the effects of the margarita and the wine, the boy nearly drowning in the pool, her brother being with a woman she feared was up to no good, or realizing how truly lonely she had been, but suddenly a feeling of sadness overwhelmed her. Her eyes filled with tears, and Dave pulled her close. As the music tempered to a slow dance, he helped her stand, then led her to the dance floor.
He held both her hands as she felt unsure as to what to do, not having danced in so long. Then he lifted her left hand to his shoulder and slipped his right hand into the small of her back and pulled her close. Moving this way and that, he controlled her dance steps to her utter blessed resignation. She loved his being in charge on the dance floor.
Then to her surprise, his leg worked between hers as her skirts twirled with their movement. She jumped a little in response, and he tightened his touch on the lower part of her back. Her body tingled as he rubbed his hardness against her thigh. They barely moved as he kissed her neck, never allowing their bodies to separate as he throbbed against her. Her body ached for him as his leg probed between hers. She longed to feel his body close like this forever.
His breath touched her neck, and he nuzzled his cheek against hers. Was it the drinks and the music that made her lose her inhibitions? She didn’t want to analyze the mood. The spicy scent he wore tantalized her. Just perceptible enough to be appealing, she drew in a deep breath of the aroma. A brief pause in the music made her body warm as he held her close still, waiting for the next dance to begin. Then to her relief, the music they played suited another slow dance. They rocked gently to the music like waves tipping a rowboat back and forth.
Her curls dampened slightly and he tugged at his tie briefly, but when she stepped back to give him room, he hurriedly dismissed the tie and pulled her close again. His hands wrapped around her lower back firmer now, pushing her into contact with his groin once more. She didn’t object to his attentions. He wanted her as much as she desired him and she knew, too, she remained safe here like this with him.
When the beat of the music kicked over to rock and roll, he chuckled, then kissed her cheek. She assumed he wasn’t in the mood to dance anything other than slow dances with her as he led her off the floor. The drinks had muddled her brain slightly, and she smiled as she wobbled once. His firm grip ensured she stayed on her feet, and the feeling of security warmed her again.
Seated at the table, Marilyn squashed her lips against Charlie’s like a suckerfish feeding off its host. Deidre stared at the two in annoyance. Certain he would stay with the woman the night, Deidre hoped he understood her apartment was off limits for that kind of nonsense. She could envision hearing their moans and groans of delight in the bedroom next to hers. Turning to Dave, she motioned in the direction of the ladies’ restroom.
He nodded and she waded through the throngs of people toward it. As was usual for the woman’s restroom, a line extended outside. Deidre leaned against a wall as she waited her turn. Then the hallway she stood in turned black, not for any of the other women who were in line…just for her.
She hadn’t had a drink in a good long while and now with having had a glass of wine at dinner, a cocktail at the restaurant, and one at the dance club, she feared she was having a black out. She rubbed her temple.
No, not now, not when she was having such a great time.
Those damned visions came as they pleased. Civilian doctors recommended drugs. Sure, just what the Army would love to see…a half-doped up captain working on the general’s staff. She couldn’t chance seeing a military doctor. They’d have booted her out of the service as a medical discharge case.
Deidre wasn’t sure if she’d closed her eyes or they were wide open. It was dark still, just the same. Someone waited in the blackness. She could hear his heavy breathing and his cough, a smoker’s hacking cough.
He waited…not for her, not this time. He waited for someone else, but who?
***
Dave knew at once Marilyn irked Deidre by kissing Charlie. He wished he knew how to smooth things over with Deidre, but if she was hot under the collar, a trip to the restroom would probably do the trick to cool her down. Still, he hated for her to be out of his sight for even a moment. Touching her close on the dance floor had made for one enjoyable job, and he had a lot more moves where those came from.
After a few minutes, he glanced at his watch. When she didn’t return as quickly as he expected she should, he sauntered over to the restroom and shook his head. For the men’s room, no line. But the women lined up for several feet into the crowd who hung around the dance floor. Deidre had quite a ways to go before she ever made it inside the ladies’ room. No sense in standing there watching her like a lovesick puppy.
He returned to his seat and nursed a new drink
—a soda this time. Keeping his head clear for the rest of the evening’s activities was uppermost in his mind.
To his amusement, Charlie managed to break free from Marilyn’s lips for a second and turned to Dave. “Where’s Deidre?”
“At the ladies’ restroom. Long line.”
Charlie nodded. “Want to dance, Marilyn?”
Dave opened his mouth to speak, but Marilyn dragged Charlie to the dance floor. Dave had hoped Marilyn would check on Deidre at the ladies’ room to set his mind at ease, again, but too late.
***
Deidre couldn’t see the man’s face in her vision, only heard his presence, his heavy breathing, then the shining blade cut through the darkness in the dim lamplight. He struck at her, and she raised her arms in defense. She meant to dive to the floor to avoid the menace, but her movements were dulled, and she slid to the tile floor instead.
The lady standing behind Deidre giggled. “Need some help up?”
Uncomprehending, Deidre stared at her, then suddenly scrambled to her feet. God, the woman thought Deidre was drunk.
She couldn’t believe she had dived for the floor away from the armed man when he wasn’t even there. No colorful lights existed in her vision. Her spine tingling with uneasy and her palms sweaty, she tried to think. Was he waiting in the parking lot?
She burrowed through the multitudes of bodies milling about, sipping their cocktails, swaying slightly to the music.
At the front door to the club, Deidre asked the man taking the cover charge money, “Can I return after I check for something in my vehicle?”
He stamped her hand, and she hurried into the parking lot. Except for a couple staggering to a car on the far end of the lot, no one else was out there. The dark-haired man stopped, then kissed the blonde sloppily all over her face. Neither appeared sober enough to drive home. Deidre studied the shadowy parking lot near the outskirts where the couple headed.
In the dark… He’s hiding in the dark.
Deidre ran toward the couple before they reached the truck parked in the shadows. “Excuse me!” she hollered. She had to stop them before they got too far.
The two turned to her. She waved to them to come to her, but they just stood and stared. The man shrugged her off, then turned with the woman clinging to his arm. Her stiletto heels clicked on the asphalt as Deidre’s pumps ran to intercept them.
“Excuse me!” she cried out in desperation. They just couldn’t get near the dark. “Stop!”
The man fumbled with his truck keys and dropped them to the pavement. The woman giggled. He leaned down to get them, and she rested her hand on his shoulder.
Then like a panther lunging from the dark, a man jumped out at the woman. Dressed in black sweats, he had blended with the dark.
Either too shocked or inebriated to scream, the woman stared at the man who raised his blade to strike her. “Jared!” the woman finally squealed and stepped back.
Deidre’s heart pounded. Could she remember the right maneuver to disarm a knife-wielding attacker? She shoved the woman aside and faced the man. His eyes grew cold and hard as he waved his blade at her.
“Get out of the way!” he growled.
Deidre knew the knife wasn’t meant for her, but she wasn’t about to let the man harm the other woman if she could prevent it.
Watching him wave the weapon, she knew she couldn’t disarm him at that point. But as soon as he thrust it at her belly, she quickly shifted her body to avoid contact. Pushing his knife hand aside with her left hand diffused his momentum. Before he could recover, she grabbed his wrist and jerked it back. With her left hand pressuring his wrist backwards, she grabbed hold of the blade with her right hand and pushed the knife’s handle hard against his thumb. Not being able to grasp the blade any longer, he lost his grip. She pulled the knife free.
He stumbled back and dashed into the darkness. She turned to see the inebriated man keeled over on the asphalt, passed out. The woman sobbed next to him. Deidre crouched beside her. “Go get someone from the dance club to come out here.”
The woman nodded and rose unsteadily to her feet. Deidre watched the shadows for further signs of trouble as the man at her feet snored loudly. She waited, her breath unsteady with worry, hoping the assailant wouldn’t return again before help arrived.
Then after several tense minutes, a bouncer from the club ran outside. “The police are on their way, miss.” He took the nine-inch blade from her hand.
She wanted to get back to the club. She desired to dance close to Dave again, but she didn’t want him to know what had happened out here. “Can I go—”
“The police will need a statement from you.”
Deidre sighed deeply. “At least let me go back inside to let my friends know where I am.”
“Sure, miss.”
***
Dave watched the woman who had been behind Deidre in line exit the restroom. Deidre wouldn’t take much longer to leave now either. Three more women walked out, and Dave grew concerned. He hurried back to Charlie and Marilyn as they took another break.
“I’m worried about Deidre. She’s taking too long at the ladies’ room.”
Marilyn glared at him.
“Check on her, will you?” His words were more of an order than a question.
Charlie narrowed his eyes at Dave as Marilyn shrugged and wandered off at a stroll. Dave could have kicked her butt into faster gear, she made him so mad.
Charlie folded his arms. “So what’s this all about?”
Dave could tell by the irritation in Charlie’s voice, he thought Dave had caused the problem with Deidre’s disappearance when all along it was Charlie and Marilyn’s actions that had angered her. “She went to the ladies’ room after she saw you kissing Marilyn, that’s all.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. For whatever reason, the two ladies don’t get along.”
“Oh.”
Marilyn waved to Dave over the heads of the dance club patrons, and he hurried with Charlie to the restroom. “She’s not in there, Dave.”
***
Knowing everyone would have missed her by now, Deidre hurried back inside the club. Charlie, Marilyn, and Dave were questioning some of the ladies standing in line beside the restroom, the looks on their faces showing concern. As quickly as she could move through the crowd, she grabbed Charlie’s arm.
“Jeez, Deidre! Where have you been?”
Her guarded look made him nod in silent understanding. She turned her attention to Dave who waited for an explanation.
“Had to go outside to get a breath of fresh air. Can I have the keys to your truck for a moment, Charlie?”
“Sure.” He dug them out of his pocket.
She reached over and squeezed Dave’s hand. “Save the next dance for me.” His hand repeated her action, but he seemed reluctant to release his hold. She leaned over and kissed his cheek to both her brother’s and his surprise as both their mouths dropped slightly. “Be back in a moment.”
“Maybe I should go with you,” Dave said.
She shook her head. “Ladies’ business.” She hoped Charlie would set Dave’s mind to rest. He could tell tall tales better than she could.
She hurried outside. Rotating police lights colored the parking area similar to the disco lights swirling inside the club.
“She’s the one!” the woman shouted, pointing her finger at Deidre.
“Miss.” The police officer walked over to her. “This woman says you took the knife from her ex-fiancé, and he ran back into the field behind the club.”
“Yes.”
“How did you—”
“My brother taught me some Kung Fu.”
He shook his head. “You know you could’ve been injured or killed? You shouldn’t have taken—”
She had heard the lecture countless times before, and the rest of his words fell on deaf ears. Could she have let the woman die? No.
After taking her name and address, the policeman closed his book. “Well, I gu
ess if that’s all there is here, you can go, miss.”
She faced the entrance to the dance club. Had Charlie said the right words to ease Dave’s mind, without giving her away?
Or was she in for a lot more questioning?
Chapter 5
A wild rock-and-roll tune lifted the roof but as Deidre walked inside, the tune shifted, the tempo slowing. To her surprise, Dave stood near the entrance and hurried to escort her to the floor once he caught sight of her.
“We were really worried about you, Deidre.” Dave allowed her a few seconds of space before he drew her close.
That’s what she craved—the closeness. To feel his heartbeat next to hers. To see his dark eyes searching hers with longing. She wanted him to need her, too, but only for as long as the music twisted their bodies in synchronized rhythm. She shuddered to think of him up close and personal in the quiet of her home. Slipping between her satin sheets, his body sliding over hers.
She didn’t want to release him even when the music stopped. He leaned over and kissed her lips. The music began again, and she danced with him like that the rest of the night. Whether the pace picked up or slowed down, he led her and she followed, move for move. She belonged to him…for the moment, and she cherished the feeling.
They didn’t leave the club until it closed early the next morning. Marilyn rested her head against Charlie’s shoulder as he drove back to Deidre and Dave’s apartment complex while New Age music from the CD player drifted to the backseat.
Dave wrapped his arm around Deidre’s shoulder and rested his head against hers as she leaned against his chest. He wasn’t such a bad guy after all, despite being a reporter. In fact, this had turned out to be the nicest time she’d ever spent with a guy.
He took her hand in his. His fingers worked over hers with a gentle caress. She enjoyed the warm, smooth texture of his fingertips as they worked their enchantment.
How many times had he done the same to some other woman, only to work his way into her bed? She stiffened, and he rubbed her shoulder and kissed her head. What did it matter? She relaxed. He wasn’t getting into her bed, no matter how good he made her feel so she could still enjoy the moment.