by Jade Winters
Vanessa smiled, making Heidi’s heart flutter against her chest. The faded jeans she wore and the black shirt that outlined the contours of her body didn’t help matters.
‘I take it you’re a fan of the film?’
Heidi wanted the floor to swallow her up in one big gulp. A dancer she was not. She knew it, and now Vanessa knew it too.
She waited for Vanessa to say something else. Maybe a comment on how awkward and stiff she moved or that her tapping had been out of sync, but instead she said, ‘It’s one of my favourites. There’s nothing better than curling up in bed with the old classics.’
Heidi tried her hardest to refrain from imagining Vanessa in bed. Remember she’s the enemy here, not some knightess in shining armour.
‘So, did you find your way okay?’ Heidi said eager to change the subject.
‘Yes, and it’s finally nice to meet you. Again,’ Vanessa said extending her hand.
Heidi grasped it and was surprised when Vanessa held on a little longer than necessary.
Heidi was drawn to her like a magnet to metal. She wanted to freeze that moment. Just the two of them. Alone.
Standing feet apart in a narrow corridor, Heidi had the urge to grab her, to taste every part of her. Heidi’s pulse hammered at the base of her throat as she stared at Vanessa’s lips, and thought of all the places she’d like to feel them.
‘Nice to meet you too. Look, about what I—’
‘Forget about it—’
Stop staring at her breasts. ‘But—’
‘I deserved it. I had a lot on my mind that day.’
Heidi forced her eyes back up to Vanessa’s face. ‘I’m sorry anyway.’
‘Me too.’
Something unspoken in Vanessa’s gaze caused Heidi’s knees to weaken. Controlling her nerves was impossible, no matter how hard she tried. What Heidi wouldn’t have given to know what Vanessa was thinking. A flush rose to her cheeks as she wondered if they were as X-rated as her own thoughts.
Heidi waited for Vanessa to speak again, to break the spell, but she didn’t. Which left it up to Heidi. But what to say?
‘So, what do you think of the building?’ Heidi mumbled.
‘It’s pretty impressive.’
Yes, it is. She wanted to say sarcastically, ‘Which will no doubt make pretty impressive apartments’ but she’d already decided she was going to keep her attitude in check, no matter what happened.
‘Would you like something to drink?’
Vanessa nodded and Heidi gestured for her to follow her to the kitchenette.
‘What do you fancy? Tea? Coffee?’
‘A cold drink would be great if you have one.’
Heidi took out a carton of apple juice from the fridge and poured two glasses.
‘You’ve got a lot of things stuffed in there,’ Vanessa said, referring to the cramped fridge where the staff kept their lunches and drinks.
‘Yeah,’ Heidi said sheepishly, embarrassed by their meagre means. ‘Joe’s Appliances in King’s Cross donated it to us.’
‘When was this?’
‘A few years back, when we were starting out.’
‘It looks like it’s seen better days,’ Vanessa said. ‘I can’t imagine what it must be like in the summer getting hot and bothered without something cold to cool you down.’
Her words resonated around the room and Heidi stopped herself from giggling. She was meant to be projecting a professional image, not one of a love-sick teenager. Heidi cleared her throat. ‘Would you like me to show you around?’
‘Lead the way.’
‘As I told your, ahem, brother yesterday, we offer workshops, one-on-one counselling in person as well as over the phone,’ Heidi said, repeating the information she’d given Craig.
‘I’m sorry things didn’t go too well with my brother.’
Heidi wanted to tell her that Craig had been vulgar to the point of being abusive but she didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot. She had experienced a huge paradigm shift. Her feelings hadn’t changed towards Craig but they had about Vanessa.
‘Don’t worry about it. No harm done,’ Heidi said as she guided Vanessa through the same route she’d taken Craig, only this time Vanessa engaged with everyone she was introduced to. She listened intently to the counsellors, chatted with the volunteers and generally took an interest in everything. Heidi couldn’t believe the difference between the O’Neil siblings. More than ever, she was convinced they weren’t blood relatives. They can’t be.
Two hours later, they were back where they started. It struck Heidi that from the moment she had first laid eyes on Vanessa there had been a physical attraction. But now? It was so much more. In her heart she knew Vanesa really was the real deal. The whole package wrapped up into one beautiful parcel.
‘Can you walk me downstairs?’ Vanessa asked.
‘Sure.’
Heidi tried to ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach as they neared the entrance. She didn’t want Vanessa to leave. There was so much left unsaid.
As if she had read her mind Vanessa said, ‘I know you must be wondering why I came.’ They stopped at the bottom of the stairs. Vanessa turned to her and held her gaze. ‘I feel really bad about this whole situation, but I know Craig. Once he’s set his mind on something, he won’t let go.’
‘So we can’t stay?’
‘Not here, no. But I want to help you find another place.’
‘You’d do that for us?’ There was an awkward pause. ‘Why?’
‘Because I’m part of the problem. It’s a family business—’
‘But if it was up to you, would you evict us?’
‘I think you already know the answer to that.’
‘Say it.’
‘No, I wouldn’t evict you.’
Heidi’s pulse raced. ‘Why?’
Vanessa took a step closer. Her hand reached out, and her fingers lightly trailed the length of Heidi’s arm. ‘Because … I believe in what this place stands for.’
Goose pimples exploded at her touch. Instinctively, Heidi tilted her head upwards. She didn’t know why. At that moment, she only knew that she wanted to be close to Vanessa in every way imaginable.
But it wasn’t to be. Not yet anyway. Vanessa’s phone rang. Shrill and loud in the quiet space between them. Bloody mobile phones!
Vanessa looked regretful as she withdrew her hand and walked backwards to the exit. ‘I’ve got to take this. We’ll speak soon.’ She put the phone to her ear. ‘Hi, Brett, I’ll be there in ten.’ And then she was gone.
Heidi stayed where she was for the moment, gazing at the empty spot where Vanessa had been standing just seconds before. The warmth of her touch still lingered and so did self-doubt. Heidi was alarmed at the territory her mind was drifting into. Had she read the signs correctly, was Vanessa interested? Or just a flirt?
With this thought in her mind, she walked to the door and inhaled a mouthful of air. Something moved in her peripheral vision and she quickly turned to see what it was.
‘There she is again,’ Heidi whispered under her breath.
The teenage girl she’d seen from her office window was again lurking in the shadow of the oak tree across the street. Heidi stepped outside onto the pavement and waved her hand in the air to catch her attention but the girl ignored Heidi’s efforts. Before she could try again, the girl disappeared.
Chapter Fifteen
Vanessa made her way quickly to the cobbled alleyway beside the centre where she’d parked her car. What was I thinking letting my guard down like that? Her intention had been to make amends and ease the guilt a little, not end up in what could have been a compromising position. Thank God Brett called when he did.
She stuffed her hand in her pocket to retrieve her keys. Heidi. Vanessa could still feel the smoothness of her skin beneath her own. It had been a casual move on her behalf but there was nothing casual about the way her body had responded to Heidi’s touch.
I obviously got too caugh
t up in the moment. But it was okay, Vanessa was allowed a little flirtatious fun. The main thing was that she had fully recovered and her pulse had resumed its natural rhythm. All she needed to do was put the whole episode out of her mind. She would keep her word and follow through with her offer to help. As soon as she got back to the office she would ask Gina to look for office space for the charity to move into. Vanessa would cover the rent and tell Heidi by email that she’d found the charity a sponsor who wanted to pay for the property. Heidi’s passion for her work not only touched Vanessa’s heart but gave her renewed admiration for what she stood for. Vanessa had met women like Heidi before, who gave their time and energy for causes that made a big difference in people’s lives. One day, in the future, Vanessa could see herself settling down with someone exactly like Heidi, but for now, she had to keep her distance. She didn’t know what it was about Heidi that scared her but alarm bells rang so loudly they were hard to ignore.
As Vanessa got closer to her car, she narrowed her eyes. Something didn’t look right. What’s different? It wasn’t the body work … It wasn’t the ….
‘What the?’ Vanessa gasped in horror as her eyes dropped to the flat tyre. Moving quickly around the car she saw all four were flat. It was clear that the air hadn’t just been let out of them. Whoever had done it meant to obliterate them entirely. Gashes stretched like coal-black smiles across the width of two of the tyres, while the other two displayed jagged rubber teeth where they’d been eviscerated by a crude tool.
It has to be someone from the centre trying to get back at me.
Seething, Vanessa hurried back to Heidi’s office. She stopped at the reception desk and took a deep breath.
‘Hey, you’re back already?’ Mel said.
‘It would seem that way,’ Vanessa said with a tight smile. ‘Can you let Heidi know I’m here, please,’ she said with as much composure as she could manage under the circumstances.
‘Sure.’ Mel picked up the phone and pressed a few buttons. ‘Heidi. Vanessa O’Neil is here. Yes, of course I’m sure it’s her. You introduced us, remember? Okay I’ll tell her.’ She hung up. ‘She said to go up. Do you remember where her office is? If not, I can show you.’
‘I’m sure I’ll find it.’ Vanessa started up the stairs. ‘Thank you, Mel.’
Vanessa was grateful for the few minutes it took to get to Heidi’s office. The last thing she wanted was for Heidi to see her as an unstable head case because her car had been vandalised. She wanted her to see her as everything her wretched brother was not. But boy, was it hard. Vanessa wasn’t concerned about the cost of replacing the tyres, it was the fact that someone had targeted her specifically. All she had done was visit the centre to lend a helping hand and this is what she got in return.
‘Vanessa?’ Heidi said, rising from her seat when Vanessa entered her office. The smile on her face changed to one of concern. ‘Is everything okay?’
‘No, Heidi. It’s not.’
‘What’s happened?’
Vanessa lowered herself onto an uncomfortable metal-framed seat. If she remained standing she might not be able to maintain her cool. ‘Someone has vandalised my car. They slashed all of my tyres.’
‘Slashed your tyres?’ Heidi gasped. ‘Who would do that?’
Vanessa raised her brows. ‘Funnily enough, that’s exactly what I asked myself.’
Heidi cocked her head. ‘You don’t think it was someone from here, do you?’
‘Hmm, let’s see,’ Vanessa said, tapping her foot on the threadbare carpet. ‘It’s the first time I show up here and voila! My tyres are slashed. Do you think it was just a coincidence?’
Heidi let out a long sigh. ‘I don’t know. There’s a lot of crime in this area, it could be—’
‘I think we both know it was personal.’
‘If it was, then I’m sorry.’
Vanessa saw the genuine sorrow in Heidi’s eyes and her foul mood tapered off. They’re only wheels. Nothing was worth making Heidi upset, especially something she had no control over. ‘Can I use your phone to call the police? My battery’s flat.’
‘Of course, please,’ Heidi said sympathetically and pushed the desk phone across the table to her.
‘Thanks.’ Vanessa called the police to report the incident, more for insurance purposes than for any real assistance in catching the perpetrator. Vanessa’s eyes roamed over Heidi’s slender body and mesmerising tresses as she walked away. Her gaze followed Heidi to the large window that overlooked the street.
After Vanessa finished the call, she crossed her legs, settling in for the long wait despite the officer assuring her someone would be out soon to take her statement. Once she had a crime number, she could contact her insurance company to arrange for her car to be towed.
Judging by the police’s average response time for something not so urgent, she figured it would take until the end of the business day to get everything sorted out. The inconvenience drove her crazy.
‘I feel so bad about this. Please let me pay for your tyres,’ Heidi offered, taking a seat again.
Vanessa couldn’t stop looking at her: the way her nose twitched when she was anxious, the way her pristine eyes glinted, the softness of her clear, silky voice.
‘Vanessa?’ Heidi repeated, catching Vanessa staring for a tad too long this time.
‘Don’t worry about the tyres.’ When Heidi’s eyebrows drew together Vanessa smiled. ‘My insurance will cover it. But thanks for the offer.’
‘No, I insist,’ Heidi said. ‘I feel terrible about the whole thing. If you hadn’t come here, this wouldn’t have happened.’
‘Seriously, don’t worry,’ Vanessa said, but Heidi remained adamant to resolve the problem herself. It was at that moment that Vanessa realised what she found so attractive about Heidi. She was the type of person who took the world upon her shoulders to save or help others.
‘What kind of car do you drive?’ Heidi asked. She scooped up the receiver of her phone with one smooth movement and waited for Vanessa to answer. ‘I need to know the make and model to get a quote.’
Knowing she could never afford the tyres, Vanessa gave a small shake of her head, hoping she wouldn’t find her reaction patronising.
‘Um … It’s an Aston Martin DB11,’ Vanessa said casually as if she were driving a Volkswagen Beetle. ‘Make sure they quote you on the right diameter and tread depth.’
Heidi blinked a few times while the rest of her body and face froze. Vanessa didn’t want to laugh, but she looked as if she’d just gone into shock.
‘An Aston Martin? Jesus, I could feed myself for a few months with one of those tyres,’ she mumbled. Heidi replaced the handset and ran her fingers through her wild locks, showcasing the shape of her face and allowing Vanessa to appreciate the full picture of her beauty.
‘Heidi, none of this is your fault, and you certainly don’t have to pay for it.’
‘But you’ll want the police to investigate this as a crime, won’t you? We don’t even know if the person responsible is from here,’ she said. ‘I’d rather get a loan to cover the cost of the tyres than have police officers scaring people.’
Vanessa gave it some thought. Regrettably, the O’Neil way was usually opportunistic, to manipulate circumstances so that they were advantageous.
‘I’ll tell you what,’ Vanessa said. ‘If you let me take you out for something to eat, I’ll forget about this whole thing. I won’t get the police involved.’
Heidi tilted her head to one side, her expression caught between humour and distrust.
‘Really?’ she asked. ‘I go out with you and that’s it?’
Vanessa nodded. ‘We’re going to need to get a cab. You game?’
‘Are you kidding? Of course. Forget the cab though. I’ve got a car. A very old Mini.’
‘Does it have four wheels?’
‘What?’ Heidi laughed. ‘Of course it does. When I said old I didn’t mean it was a clapped out old banger.’
‘Then it far ex
ceeds my car, doesn’t it?’
Vanessa called the police back and retracted her complaint, then phoned her local garage. She waited for Heidi to gather up her things.
‘So, where are we going?’ Heidi asked as she started the car.
‘The South Bank,’ Vanessa replied. ‘There’s a little place that does the best Mexican street food.’
‘Great let’s go.’
With a start, Vanessa realised she hadn’t thought about work once the whole time she was in Heidi’s company. She didn’t know if it was a good thing or not.
Chapter Sixteen
Heidi drove through King’s Cross and over Blackfriars Bridge, taking them into south London. The traffic, as always in rush hour, was bumper to bumper but Heidi didn’t care how long they had to stay behind the BMW with the loud music blaring out of its window. She was in no rush now.
Vanessa smelt tantalising and her scent filled the inside of the small car. Heidi hoped it would seep into the fabric of the seats and remain long after she was gone.
Surprisingly, Heidi didn’t feel nervous having Vanessa so close—excited maybe, but not nervous. She felt completely at ease in her company.
‘They aren’t bad kids at the centre you know,’ Heidi said after a few minutes of silence.
‘I didn’t say they were.’
‘I know, but your car—’
‘I told you to forget about it.’ Vanessa’s hand touched her knee for a split second. It was enough to make Heidi want to reach across, slip her fingers through the gap in Vanessa’s shirt and caress every inch of her. What’s happening to me? Heidi had never been one to have so many sexual thoughts about a woman before they’d even been to bed together. If she was honest, she didn’t usually think much about sex full stop.
The traffic started moving and it wasn’t long before they reached Waterloo.
‘I can’t believe it, there’s a parking space,’ Heidi said rushing to slot her car into the space before someone else beat her to it.
‘Must be a sign,’ Vanessa said.
A sign from God himself, or not, Heidi had to try and keep her wits about her. In her mind she was moving too fast. As much as she would have loved for it to be real, the truth was, she wasn’t on a date with Vanessa. She had agreed to go out with her, not only to save the centre being visited by the police but to further explore the option of Vanessa helping them find a new space. It had absolutely nothing to do with her wanting to tear Vanessa’s clothes off and get naked.
