by Unknown
“Wow” Charlie mouthed, struck by the opulence. He put her bag down and reached for her hand.
“The views from the lounge are amazing, I never get tired of seeing them”
He was right with his last comment as Charlotte looked out over the Thames.
“It’s breath-taking”
“Yes, I love city life, it’s so vibrant and alive”
“So why didn't you open a club here”
“Too much competition it’sbetter to be a big fish in a small pond! But hey never say never”
He glanced at the large clock on the wall and turned back to her.
“Come on, let's shop”
Out on the street they walked together until they reached a row of designer boutiques.
“Oh Zach, these are far too expensive. I can find something nice in Top Shop or New Look”
“If you are ambitious and want to get the part in this show, you need to look the part. Become that famous dancer, be the girl that stands out”
He strolled inside the shop and waited for her to join him. The sales assistant was walking over, her admiring gaze running over his Armani suit.
“Sir, how can I help you today?”
“Charlotte needs a new dress, shoes and whatever else you think is necessary for dinner tonight. We're eating at the The Firehouse”
Charlotte watched the girls eyebrows almost disappear beneath her fringe.
“Certainly, sir” she simpered, hurrying towards the back of the shop. Pulling out an armful of dresses she beckoned to Charlie to follow her into the dressing room. Zach was on his phone as she looked across at him, he smiled and nodded.
In the large changing room Charlie felt shy and awkward in the presence of this elegant woman. The first few dresses didn't feel right but the last one was perfect. It was a dark blue flapper style dress that skimmed her curves and made her legs look long and elegant.
With a powder blue set of underwear and silver sandals the look was complete.
“Do you want to show him” the assistant asked.
“No, I'd like it to be a surprise”
“Certainly miss, I will pack it up here for you”
Back in the shop Zach handed over his credit card, no question on the price and smiled at the beaming Charlotte.
She had not even looked at the price tags, she was in deep now, indebted to Zach and whatever he required in return.
Back at the flat Zach passed Charlie a drink. He held his usual in his hand.
“Do you need to call anyone and let them know you're staying over”
“Are we?” She raised her eyebrow.
“Yes, I've not spent money and called in a favour with my sister for no reason”
Charlie nodded nervously and emptied her glass in one gulp.
“I'll just tellPam and Peter that I’ll be home tomorrow. And then I need a shower before we go out”
“Go for your life, I'll wait here until you're ready, unless you take too long in which case I'll have to come find you” his tone lowered at the end and she almost didn't catch the words.
Charlotte stepped into the bathroom and once more tried to stop her mouth from gaping. This whole flat was beyond comprehension. How much money did Zach's family have? She stripped off and stepped under the warm stream of the shower, thoroughly scrubbed she got out and started to get dressed. She sneaked a look in the cabinet and found some body lotion that she smoothed over her skin, it left a delicate sheen on her legs and arms. The underwear fitted snuggly and pushed her breasts a little higher so that when she pulled the dress on it fitted perfectly. Skimming her hips and the fringed hem caressed her thighs as she sat down to pull on the shoes.
She had found a hairdryer so she tousled dry her hair and found the silver band that fitted around her head and highlighted her forehead. A small silver heart was attached to it and pushed her hair back to the one side. Looking in the mirror she realised that now it was back to blond it suited this dress much more than her red hair would have.
“Are you nearly ready?” Zach called down the corridor.
“Five minutes” she replied, hastily finishing her make-up with a pale frosted lilac shade on her lips. The only thing that jarred was her pink heart necklace so she unclasped it and placed it into her handbag. With a little shimmy she felt pleased with the overall effect, especially as the dress matched her velvet coat.
Sashaying down the corridor she posed framed in doorway and watched as Zach slowly turned to look at her.
“Fucking gorgeous” he breathed “come give me a twirl”
She obliged as the delicate strands fluttered in the movement of her body.
“Now that's an improvement from Monday night at the club”
“It’s beautiful, thank you so much” she gushed, still wondering how steep the repayment terms would be.
“Come on, let me show you off around my favourite little patch of London” he stood up and held open her coat.
Chapter 17
With his arm draped casually over her shoulders they walked out into the impending gloom of a February evening. The table reservation was for eight so they had a couple of hours to kill before then. People thronged the streets, either on their way home or out for the evening like they were. Steering them into a cocktail bar Zach found stools and hailed the barman.
“Richie” Zach shouted, over the thump of the music.
A tall blond guy turned and came over, reaching his hand across the bar to clasp Zach's.
“Zach, it’s been too long mate”
“Yeah, working flat out between my two clubs not much time for socialising”
“Hey, you know what they say about too much work!!”
All the time the banter flowed Richie hustled behind the bar, filling elegant glasses with various different liquors, juice and ice.
Zach nudged Charlie from her flickering stare around the bar and she focused again on Richie.
“This is Charlotte, she's going to be making her name around here soon with her dancing” he boasted.
“I'm....not so sure about that” Charlie stammered, blushing at the compliment and the intense stare of Richie's ice blue eyes.
“Hey Charlotte, good to meet you” he said, reaching to plant a light kiss on her hand.
With the bar getting busier by the passing minute Richie left them to their cocktails and served his waiting clients.
“This is delicious” Charlie murmured after a small sip.
“Take your time, there's no rush”
With that comment Zach reached across and slid his hand onto the bare skin of her thigh, feeling the heat spread out from beneath his fingers. He lazily traced random patterns onto her body, at the same time scanning the throng of bodies entering and leaving. Charlie could not take her eyes off Zach's hand and the effect it was having inside her. Every move took his fingers closer to the loosely defined hemline of her dress.
She realised that her outfit stood out within this crowd but with the looks that Zach was getting from the women in the place she didn't care. His hand showed them they could only look. His fingers claimed her and she itched to return the gesture but was too nervous to make the move. They finished their drinks and moved on to the next bar. Stepping inside the modern, monochrome interior was blinding on her eyes and Charlie blinked to focus. It was quieter in comparison to the last and they had to wait to be seated. An exotic Chinese girl appeared and then broke into a smile at Zach.
“Hi, long time no see, stranger” she said as Zach leaned in and temporarily let go of her hand so he could plant kisses on each of her cheeks.
“Lily, meet Charlotte”
Charlie watched the girl slide her eyes up her body, appraising her looks and dress.
“Are you a dancer” she asked.
“Yes, how can you tell?”
“Your legs and the way you stand”
Zach listened into the exchange and then butted in.
“Lily dances too and she's a friend of my sisters�
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“What sort of dancing?” Charlie asked, when they were seated and Lily had scurried off to get their drinks.
“Exotic, it was watching her that made me want to hold burlesque nights at my club. Lexie took me along to watch and I was hooked”
“Did you?”
“Did I what?” Zach asked at the random question.
“Did you sleep with her?”
A slow smile played on his features, his eyes watched her reaction to his laconic grin.
“I'll let you decide”
Lily returned with cocktails and a bowl of nuts for the table.
“Where are you going tonight?” She enquired, standing so close to Zach that Charlotte was waiting for her to just slide onto his lap.
“Lexie's got us a table at the restaurant, not sure if we'll go on from there”
“Well, I'm dancing later, I can leave two tickets on the door for you at the club”
“Thanks, Lily you're a star”
She reluctantly turned and left to greet the next couple who were waiting in the entrance. But Charlotte noticed the lingering look she gave Zach before leaving them alone.
The music was classical in here and at a level much more convivial for conversation.
“Do you want to go to a real burlesque club?” Zach asked.
“Yes” Charlie replied “I might be able to pinch some moves for my routines. Talking of which I have this really cool idea”
“Go on, I'm all ears” Zach said, leaning in. The sparkle in her eyes hooking him.
“There's this film called “Flashdance”, it’s from the 80's. Well I have watched it quite a bit and the girl in it does this incredible routine and at the end gets covered in a deluge of water”
“Sounds interesting”
“Here I'll show you the film clip” Charlie, rummaged in her bag to find her phone and connected to the internet.
She handed him the phone and watched his reaction.
“A theme on this would work well. But I'm not sure we can do the water straight onto the dance floor. Leave it with me though” he said. Glancing at his Rolex he nodded to Charlie.
“Drink up, I can't keep my sister waiting”
He watched her lips touch the rim of her glass as she swallowed the last few drops and then opened her mouth to include one of the ice cubes. She really had no idea what her innocent moves were doing to him, as he imagined places he would like to put the ice cube.
A short walk along a couple of streets bought them to the entrance of the restaurant. Inside a serious young man studied his planner and with a flourish guided them to a table in one of the corners. The decor was rich shades of red and purple, elegant but with a cosy intimate air. Feeling out of her depth she stayed close to Zach, holding his hand tightly as they weaved through the tables. She thought she noticed some famous actors and musicians and took a small deep breath. Once seated a bottle of Champagne it its own ice bucket appeared and sat beside Zach. The silent waiter poured two flutes and then handed over the menus.
Before Charlotte had a chance to even open it her eyes were drawn to a woman weaving between the tables in their direction. She had dark hair tied up in an elegant slick ponytail and dark eyes. Her white tailored shirt clung to her slim frame, a black pencil skirt completed the ensemble. Zach followed Charlie's gaze and saw his sister almost at their table. He stood up and held open his arms to engulf her in a bear hug.
“Lexie, you look gorgeous”
“Zach, my you're getting more handsome by the day” she complimented in return. Then she peeped over his shoulder and saw Charlotte sitting there. As Lexie withdrew she whispered in her brother's ear.
“She looks young, but I can see the attraction”
Untangling their limbs Zach introduced Charlotte.
“Lexie this is Charlotte, the damsel in distress that I had to rescue this morning”
Lexie extended her manicured hand and slid it into Charlotte's with a smile.
“Hi Charlotte it’s great to meet you. I've never known my brother to rescue anyone before” she arched her eyebrows but in a friendly way. The sarcasm of her comment meant for Zach.
“My train was cancelled and I needed to be in London for an audition this morning” Charlie stuttered. Lexie took the spare chair and sat down with them.
“Actress”
“No, dancer”
“She's an amazing dancer” Zach said, pouring his sister a glass of the champagne.
She took a small sip and continued her appraisal of Charlotte.
“Did you get the part” Lexie asked.
“I'll find out next week, it’s for the stage version of Dirty Dancing so I will have to do some acting if I get it”
“Wow, fantastic film, I wish you all the luck in the world” she breathed, before turning back to Zach. Taking the opportunity Charlotte slipped from her seat and went to the Restroom. Standing inside she took a few more breaths, her heart still thumping in her chest from the sheer opulence of her surroundings. It almost felt like she had stepped into a fairy tale, where she had bagged the Prince. Her mind flicked back to their New Year encounter and her Cinderella comment, or was she really with the big bad wolf?
Returning to their table she found Zach sat alone, his sister now over at the entrance talking to some more patrons.
“Your sister seems nice” she commented.
“Yeah, she's all I have since my parents died in a plane crash ten years ago”
“Snap, well slightly snap my Dad died when I was a baby but at least I still have my Mum”
Just saying it bought a well of emotion to her throat as now it wasn't just her Dad but Mitchell. She took a sip of champagne and looked around for the menu.
“Oh, I've ordered for both of us” he said.
The first course arrived, a sumptuous platter of delicate slices of salmon, prawns, scallops and oysters still on their shells.
“Have you ever tried oysters?” He asked. Charlie shook her head as Zach motioned for her to pick one up. He squeezed lemon onto it and then picked his own up.
“So just lean back and let it slid into your mouth and down your throat”
She watched him demonstrate before touching the shell to her bottom lip. Tipping her head back she let the tang of salt and tart of the lemon hit the back of her throat. It was perfection.
Looking across the table she saw Zach smile as she licked her lips and reached for another.
“You like to swallow?” He raised his eyebrows and saw his question had the desired effect of a red rash appearing on her pale cheeks. Rather than answer she let another oyster slip into her mouth, licking her lips of the salty juice that stained them and maintaining eye contact with Zach. The platter was soon empty as Charlie sat back and waited for the next surprise. All the while she was aware of Zach watching her, drinking her in as he sipped his champagne.
The main courses arrived, filet steak with pepper sauce, delicately sliced carrots, minted pea puree and a basket of chunky chips. It looked like a work of art but the smell told her it would taste better. She picked up her knife and fork to slowly cut into the tender piece of meat, lifting it to her lips.
“I love watching women enjoy their food, so many just pick at lettuce leaves” Zach declared, as he saw her take the last chip from the basket.
“This is the first time in ages that I've finished a meal” Charlie said “Every mouthful was delicious”
As the waiter appeared Zach ordered a JD and then looked across at Charlie
“Another cocktail or something else”
“Just a glass of iced water”
“Dessert”
“I don't think I have room for anything more” Charlie said. Lexie walked over to their table and dropped down in the seat next to Zach.
“Guess you're staying over tonight”
“Yes, the flat doesn't get that much use now you're married”
“Perhaps we should rent it out?”
“Maybe”
Lexie turned to Charlotte
“Did you enjoy your meal?”
“It was perfect, thank you for finding us a table” Charlie gushed.
“I'll just leave you girls for a second there's someone I just need to talk to” Zach said, grinning at the two of them. When he was out of earshot Lexie looked at Charlotte, trying to discern if she was falling for her brother.
“So how long have you guys been together?” She asked.
“Oh, we're not really together....well.....um....I think we're just friends” Charlie stammered and blushed.
“My brother never brings anyone here, so I know he's not fucking you. He keeps those girls well away from our family flat and my restaurant.” Lexie shook her head, trying to put the jigsaw pieces together. She knew her brother's reputation and she knew his past and the way she had helped him after Sasha. What sway did this young girl have over him?
“I met Zach in his nightclub and I've been doing some dancing for him”
“Well, I'm just going to take this opportunity to warn you. My brother might appear the ruthless business man, a charming womaniser but he has a softer side. He's been hurt in the past and I picked up the pieces. So just take care, friends is good as you're so young but if you hurt him you'll have me to deal with” her eyes deep black now as she stared into Charlotte's green ones. Seeing Zach approaching she giggled and stood up again.
“See you soon, baby brother” she cooed, air-kissing his cheeks.
“We're heading for Saigon's for an hour or two. Lily left us some tickets and said Hi”
“Have fun” she said, air-kissing Charlie's cheeks.
“Bye Lexie”
Outside the wind had turned ice cold and Charlotte huddled closer in to Zach's side to try and keep warm.
“How far is it?” She asked.
“Just round the next corner”