by Huston, Judy
Then they both turned their heads as music rose above the sound of chatter. Josh grinned.
“Someone’s brought their swing collection.”
Across the room, Melissa and her husband were demonstrating a professional-looking quickstep. A few other couples also began dancing. Dimity’s foot started to tap.
Josh took her hand.
“Want to join them?”
“I’m a bit out of practice.” Her protest was half-hearted. The touch of his hand was something special, but the thought of being in his arms was irresistible.
“Well it’s time you got back to it. What’s going to happen when all those internet hunks ask you to dance?”
Laughing, she let him lead her towards the improvised dance floor where he turned to face her, taking her right hand. With her left hand resting on his shoulder she was acutely conscious of the play of muscles under his shirt and the strength of his arm as they quickly picked up the beat and began moving together. Despite the fast tempo and her lack of practice she managed to follow his lead, but was laughing breathlessly and grateful for his supportive arm by the time the music stopped.
A slower tune began almost immediately.
“One more before we go back to social duties?” Josh led her into the dance without waiting for an answer and Dimity made no objection.
“About last night.” He looked down at her with a faint smile. “I was way out of line. I’m sorry.”
Dimity’s hand tightened involuntarily in his.
“You had a good point,” she said after a pause. “I just didn’t like hearing it. I can be a bit prickly in some ways.”
“I won’t argue with that,” Josh said wryly.
“Typical man. Anything for a peaceful life.”
She spoke lightly, but the catch in her voice betrayed her. He drew her slowly closer until her head found a natural resting place against his shoulder.
“I won’t argue with anything right now,” he whispered into her hair.
The dance ended all too soon. A couple of guests immediately buttonholed Josh. Warm from the dancing, or so she told herself, Dimity went out onto the balcony, irritated when Malcolm followed her.
“Want a lift home later?”
“No, thanks.” She leaned against the wall at the end of the railing and looked across the harbour. The thunder was still rumbling threateningly. “I’ve got my car.”
Malcolm came up behind her. She winced at the blast of alcoholic breath.
“Did your brother tell you about his job?” He suddenly put one hand on the railing next to her and the other on the wall beside her, effectively pinning her.
To turn around and face him would bring her virtually into his arms. Dimity contemplated putting her high heels to work.
“Yes.” She flexed her right leg. One inch closer and he’d be limping home tonight.
Malcolm talked quickly as if sensing her intention. “It’s a good opportunity for him. I’ll make sure he gets plenty of work if you keep quiet about seeing me with that young lady at the hotel. If you don’t, he’ll be whistling for a job. And so will you.”
“Are you threatening me?” Dimity swung around and pushed him in the chest with both hands. “Back off!” she snapped furiously.
Malcolm took a step backwards but his eyes flashed nastily.
“I’m telling you that if you say anything, I’ll know where it came from. Then your brother won’t have a job.”
There was more than a hint of menace in his voice.
Dimity shook her head in disbelief.
“I couldn’t care less about your sleazy private life! But don’t tell me what to do. I’d much prefer Shane didn’t work for you anyway.”
Malcolm’s face hardened.
“Is that right? Well, remember I know where you live.”
“You’re pathetic!” Dimity almost laughed before his words registered. “And just how do you know that?” she demanded.
Malcolm leered.
“Fancied you. Looked up your address in our personnel database.”
The thought of Malcolm stalking her was too gross to contemplate. Dimity pushed past him.
“Remember what I said.” He caught her arm. “I’ve seen you with a few bruises. You might find yourself with a few more.”
Dimity wrenched her arm free one second before Josh came onto the balcony.
“Anything wrong?” He glanced at her face, then his expression changed. If Malcolm had looked threatening, Josh’s manner was now positively menacing. He took a step forward. Malcolm moved backwards, ending up against the balcony railing.
Revelling in the scene, Dimity decided reluctantly that non-aggression was the way to go. It wouldn’t help anyone if Malcolm plunged to his death on the footpath below.
“We were on our way in. it’s getting stormy. How’s the party going?”
“Starting to break up.” Josh stood between her and Malcolm, still looking suspicious, and was close behind her as she went back into the living room.
“You’re not in a hurry, are you?” he asked. “Give me a few minutes to say goodbye to the others. I feel I’ve hardly seen you tonight.”
The others. Dimity liked that.
Malcolm brushed past them.
“Think I’ll go and get some fresh air,” he said.
Harold Woodman and his wife came over to Josh and Dimity.
“Thanks for a wonderful evening.” Harold shook hands with Josh. “Great food, too. If your caterers ever decide to move to Canada and want work there, refer them to me.” He placed a couple of business cards on a nearby table.
While Josh saw the Woodmans out, Dimity collected some empty plates and carried them to the kitchen.
“Relax.” Josh was suddenly with her again. “What would you like to drink?”
“Tonic water, thanks. I’m driving.”
He opened the fridge.
“Harold was right. The food was excellent.”
“I suppose I should confess.” She grinned at his puzzled expression. “There was a mix-up with the caterer. Shane threw it all together this afternoon.”
He whistled softly.
“The boy has talent.” He was about to say something else when his phone rang.
“Sorry, I’d better get this,” he said, glancing at it. “It’s my parents’ number.”
While he spoke on the phone, Dimity wandered out onto the balcony again. The lightning flashes were more frequent.
Josh joined her, smiling.
“It was my father. One of his regular check-up calls. My sisters call him ‘father hen’.”
Dimity felt a pang of envy.
“Does he still work?”
Josh rested his arms on the balcony rail.
“He and my mother were high school teachers, but now they’re very active retirees. What about your dad?”
“He died of cancer soon after I finished high school.” Dimity kept her eyes on the streetlights below.
She heard Josh’s quick intake of breath.
“But you said you had no relatives. How on earth did you manage financially? Not to mention all the other ways.”
Dimity shrugged.
“We got by. I wanted to be an art teacher, but I did a secretarial course first with the idea of getting temping work. That supported us so Shane could finish school and get his chef qualifications and I could do the art teaching degree part-time.”
She gave him a sideways grin.
“I found teaching suited me better than office work.”
“I’d never have believed it.”
“Does that mean I’ve lost your nomination for the PA of the Year award?”
“Hang in there for another week and we’ll see.”
His arm was now touching hers, sending a series of small, delicious tremors shooting through her. Involuntarily she pressed her own arm slightly against his warmth.
“We really managed quite well. And I took out an insurance policy so Shane would be all right if anything happe
ned to me.”
“A good idea if you’re accident prone,” Josh murmured. He seemed to be even closer. With one hand he gently touched the faded bruise on the side of her face.
“Then I got the job at the art gallery. I loved that, because it combined teaching and art. I probably shouldn’t have left it, but it seemed the right thing to do at the time.”
Somehow while she talked his arm had found its way around her, his fingers stroking lightly across her bare shoulder.
She tried not to shiver, but failed. His hand closed warmly around her and turned her slowly against him. His cheek touched her hair. Her breathlessness had returned big time.
A crack of thunder made her jump. His arm tightened.
“Do storms worry you?” She felt his lips brush her temple.
“A little.” Something seemed to be closing up in her throat. “But Shane used to be absolutely terrified of them, and I couldn’t show him I was frightened too.”
His free hand kneaded slowly through her hair, somehow setting off a series of tingles along her spine. His lips moved across her forehead, over her cheekbone.
“You’re safe here.” His voice was so low she could hardly hear it. A vivid flash of lightning went almost unnoticed as his lips touched hers. He moved his head back far enough to look down at her, as if to gauge her reaction, then drew her closer to him and kissed her again, long and lingeringly.
At first Dimity was aware only of the strength of his arms around her and the warmth of his mouth on hers. Then as his kiss deepened a surge of longing powered through her and she found herself responding with an intensity that matched his. Her arms closed around him. She felt his breath quicken as her lips parted slightly.
He needed no second invitation. His tongue tip traced delicately along her lower lip while his hands closed around her waist before sliding upwards in a slow, sensual exploration. Dimity moaned softly against his mouth. Her body seemed to have taken on a life of its own, moving against him, responding to his caresses, revelling in the increasing urgency of his hands and lips.
She no longer heard the thunder, was not aware of the flashes of lightning around them. Somewhere, deep within her, an aching longing was being fulfilled.
And yet it wasn’t enough. The need was too strong to be satisfied by a few kisses.
Trembling, she raised her hands to either side of his face. Their eyes met and she could read the same need in his eyes.
He drew her towards the glass doors that led into the warmth of the apartment. At the same time they heard the doorbell ring.
“Hell.” Josh turned. “Who’s that?”
He bent and kissed her gently, stroking her hair, smoothing her dress, all in one fluid movement.
“To be continued,” he whispered. He held her close, kissed the top of her head, then led her into the apartment.
The visitor was Malcolm, who seemed to have had several more drinks while he was out. He had also found Amanda waiting for a taxi and brought her back with him. She looked distinctly the worse for wear.
“Bought her a couple of drinks,” explained Malcolm, heading for the gin while Amanda collapsed into a chair. “Thought we’d have a farewell one here before I take her home. One for the road?” He waved a bottle at Dimity.
“Just water,” she told him, still shaking slightly.
“I never did get you that drink, did I? Sorry.” Josh glanced at Amanda and lowered his voice. “She was fine when she left here. God knows what he’s given her.” He eyed Malcolm with distaste. “He’s not fit to drive. I’ll call a taxi.”
While he was making the call, Malcolm lurched across the room and handed Dimity a glass. Thirsty from the party food, she drained it quickly. Immediately she almost gagged. Coughing and spluttering, she was aware of similar noises of disgust from Malcolm.
“That was straight water!” He stared at his glass then looked at Dimity. “You must have got the one with the gin in it.”
The whole bottle, by the taste of it, she thought, still shuddering. She noticed Amanda sip from the glass Malcolm had given her and then put it down with a similar shudder.
“Are you all right?” Josh came over and put an arm around Dimity, scowling in Malcolm’s direction. “His taxi’s on the way. I’ll get one for Amanda too. It wouldn’t be safe to let her go with him.”
Suddenly tired – was the gin hitting her already? – Dimity leaned gratefully against him.
“I’d better go home too,” she said. “I think I’ve swallowed half a bottle of gin.” She explained about the mix-up with the glasses and watched his mouth tighten.
“Amanda lives in town,” she added. “I can drop her off on the way.”
“You’re not driving if you’ve had that much gin,” he told her. “I’ll take you home in your car and get a taxi back. Amanda can come with us.”
He refused to listen to arguments. Malcolm objected vehemently to the plan, but had little choice. Josh had found his car keys near the gin bottle and pocketed them.
“Give me a call tomorrow and I’ll get them to you,” he said firmly. “I don’t want to be liable if he kills himself leaving a company function,” he added in a mutter to Dimity as he returned to her, carrying her coat.
“Very caring.” Her giggle ended in a snort. Josh shook his head, half amused, half exasperated.
“The sooner everyone’s home in bed the better, I think.” He helped her on with the coat.
“Shane might be able to use this, by the way,” he added, handing her one of Harold Woodman’s cards. “If he decides to go overseas some time, there’s no harm having a contact.”
She pocketed it and Josh shepherded them all downstairs, where a taxi waited for the annoyed Malcolm.
In Dimity’s car, they put Amanda in the front passenger seat from where, almost asleep, she directed Josh to her home. He made sure she was safely inside, returning to the car as Dimity was getting out to move to the front seat.
He caught her coat lapels, pulled her towards him and kissed her lightly.
“Want to make me a coffee when we get to your place?” His lips moved to her neck and followed a trail from her ear lobe back across to her throat. His arms went around her. Dimity leaned into him, relishing the pressure of his chest against her breasts.
“I want to talk to you,” he added into her ear.
Her heartbeat, already racing, went up another notch. She wasn’t sure she was ready for this.
Seeming to sense her sudden tension he looked down at her and tilted her chin up with his finger and thumb.
“We’re only going to talk. You don’t have to make any decisions.”
He bent his head and took her lower lip between his, nibbling on it gently but with growing, rhythmic intensity until she gasped and wrapped her arms tightly around him.
“Yet,” he added, pulling her close before releasing her.
They were silent for a while on the way to Dimity’s home. She nestled her head against the back of her seat so she could watch Josh sideways as he drove through the rain that had begun to spatter down. The slug of gin was certainly having its effect, she thought, trying to stifle a yawn.
“I think Malcolm gave me his drink by mistake and spiked Amanda’s,” she murmured drowsily.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. Getting engaged hasn’t slowed him down from what I’ve heard.”
Dimity woke up and sat up.
“He’s engaged? Who on earth would want to marry Malcolm?”
Her incredulity seemed to please Josh.
“Who knows? Apparently she’s quite a bit older than him but her family’s very rich. Malcolm doesn’t want to lose her – or at least her money – but he also doesn’t want to stop philandering.”
The rain became heavier as he turned off the highway.
“She can’t be the girl I saw him with. That’s why he wanted me to keep quiet about her,” Dimity surmised.
Josh threw her a frowning look.
“Is that what you were talking about
on the balcony? Was he annoying you?”
She hesitated, then told him about Malcolm’s brunette girlfriend and Shane’s job.
“That’s blackmail!”
“He was drunk,” Dimity pointed out. “And it wasn’t really blackmail, because I told him I didn’t care whether Shane kept the job or not.”
“How do you think Shane will get on with Malcolm?”
“I don’t know.” Dimity sighed. “It’s Shane’s business. He can work it out for himself.”
“I’m sure he will.” Josh took her hand. She squeezed his fingers then released them as they turned into the downhill stretch that led towards her street.
The car suddenly gathered speed.
“This is pretty steep, remember,” she said.
Frowning in apparent concentration, he didn’t answer.
They were descending far too quickly.
Through the rain sheeting against the windscreen Dimity could see the T-intersection rushing towards them.
“Josh!”
“No brakes.” His voice was grim but calm. “Hold on.”
The car hurtled downwards. The brick house facing them from across the road at the bottom of the descent seemed only metres away.
Josh reached for the handbrake.
Dimity pressed her knuckles to her mouth, then screamed as a pair of headlights suddenly appeared out of the darkness on their left, blazing towards them.
CHAPTER EIGHT
As they shot rapidly and dangerously across the wet intersection, with the oncoming vehicle’s horn blaring in fury, Josh somehow managed to direct the car onto the reserve beside the brick house. At the same time he pulled as evenly as he could on the handbrake. The car bounced across the ground for several metres before coming to a bone-jolting stop.
Josh didn’t know whether he reached for Dimity or vice versa but suddenly they were locked together, each holding the other so tightly it seemed they would never let go.
And that was absolutely fine with him.
The certainty hovered somewhere on the edge of his consciousness while the horror of the past few minutes slowly receded. This was exactly where he wanted her to stay, held close in his arms, safe from . . .
Safe from what?
The question and its possible answer, also floating somewhere in his mind, were lost as Dimity’s head finally stirred against his shoulder.