Where did your heart go? (The Heart Trilogy Book 1)

by Audrina Lane

  “Yes they are” I replied. I could feel my heart racing as he held me close. My breathing had quickened as we swayed together as the music started to fade.

  “Have you decided yet?” James asked

  “Almost” I replied “Can we talk again this evening” I finished.

  “Sure” he replied. We broke apart as the applause started again and I turned to look up at Charlotte and Mitchell on the stage together; they were drinking in the adoration.

  Chapter 54

  When the applause finally died down the audience who had taken to the aisle returned to their seats. As there was a free seat next to me James sat down in it as the stage cleared and the judges appeared. Arlene took the microphone and silence reigned.

  “First of all I would like to say a special thank you to Charlotte and Mitchell for that stunning rendition of such a well known dance” Arlene said; as applause once again echoed around us.

  “So, it’s time to announce the winners of our competition and I have to admit it has been a hard decision to make” she continued “The standard of dancing has been of the highest quality we have ever seen as judges” she finished.

  As she paused there were hushed whispers, as James leant towards me.

  “I am so nervous for them” he said. I looked down to see his hand outstretched to me. I took it and nodded back. We both looked towards the stage and imagined how our respective children were feeling as they waited too.

  “We were unable to separate two of the groups so we have decided to award a joint second place to the Ross Rhythmic’s and Footloose Freestyle from Rugby. James pulled me up as the crowd started to shout and cheer and the two groups took to the stage.

  I spotted the two of them scanning the crowds and I held my hand up to try and highlight us in the audience.

  I spotted a brief look of shock cross their faces as they both realised that we were standing together. Then the smiles crossed their faces as they held each other’s hand tightly. We sat back down as Arlene took control of the crowd again.

  “The winner’s of this year’s competition are The London Beats” The crowd erupted as the group took to the stage and acknowledged the crowds applause.

  “We would like to ask for quiet so that we can watch The London Beats perform their final dance for us again” Arlene finished. The crowd stayed on their feet as the group danced for us all once again. I turned to Sarah and Chris.

  “Fantastic result” I said.

  “Yes, I wish Charlie had won but joint second is brilliant, brilliant for both of them” Sarah said.

  After the final dance the lights came back on and everyone sat down.

  “I think this calls for a big celebration” James said, turning to me.

  “What did you have in mind?” I asked.

  “All of us should have dinner together, well if our kids don’t think it’s terribly un cool to hang out their parents” he finished.

  “We’ll just have to ask them when they appear” I replied. I was still aware of his hand holding mine. His finger gently rubbed over my scar and for once I didn’t feel ashamed of it. In fact it was igniting feelings I hadn’t felt in years. As people started to depart we waited together for Charlotte and Mitchell to appear. Pam and Peter wandered over and started to talk to Sarah and Chris whilst I sat silently next to James, just aware of his finger and my nerve endings and all the unspoken feelings and words that still needed to be shared.

  Suddenly I spotted Charlie and Mitch heading towards us, and I pulled my hand away from James as I stood up.

  “Well done, Sweetheart” I said, as she flung her arms around me.

  “It was fantastic Mum, I flew” she finished, her eyes caught Mitch in their gaze. She broke away from my arms as she was enveloped between Sarah and Chris who were both hugging and kissing her too. Then she turned to Pam and Peter who did the same. Finally Mitch pulled her close again and I reached out and hugged them both and then James was hugging all of us. His arms felt so strong and sure and ultimately so right.

  As we broke apart we just looked at each other and I drank him all in once more. The years fell away from him and it was 1988 once more. My feelings had never died I had just locked them away to protect myself. I turned to find Pam and Peter standing there and smiling at me, with the same warmth that they had always shown me. Peter held open his arms.

  “You have a beautiful and gifted daughter” he said, hugging me tightly.

  “You have a talented grandson” I replied, he kissed me on the cheek.

  “It was so magical watching them dance” Pam said. I nodded as we exchanged kisses.

  The auditorium was almost empty when we eventually all broke apart.

  “I would like to take all of you to dinner later to celebrate Mitchell and Charlotte’s success” James said.

  “Thanks Dad; that would be fantastic” Mitch replied. The rest of us all nodded as we started to head towards the exit. Emerging into the sunlight as it was still early afternoon seemed like a shock to the system. This time Charlie headed back with Mitchell, James and his parents. Sitting in the back of the car I leant against the window and closed my eyes. I knew that I wanted to follow my heart but I still had the issue of my blind date in a fortnight’s time. Also I knew that James and I would have to take things slowly as it wasn’t just the two of us now. We both had our families to think about too and how it would affect them.

  Back at the hotel Sarah and Chris decided to head into the capital for some shopping and sightseeing and waited for the receptionist to phone them a cab. I headed for the lift and then to my room. Charlie had sent me a text saying that she would see me later for dinner. In the corridor I paused outside James’ room. I still needed to speak to him and I realised that this was probably the best moment for it. Knocking I waited for him to answer and I spotted the surprise on his face when he opened the door.

  “Hi Stephanie, would you like to come in?”

  “Thanks James” I replied, stepping past him and back into the room. I stood awkwardly again, aware of the electricity that crackled in the air between us.

  “What a fantastic day” James said, breaking the silence and moving towards me.

  “Yes it was” I replied, my voice soft and barely audible.

  “So what shall we do between now and dinner later” James asked.

  “I guess we have some more talking to do” I replied.

  “Shall we stay here, or would you rather go for a drink somewhere?”

  “A drink sounds good” I said.

  As we headed back towards the door I felt his hand on the small of my back, guiding me and it felt comfortable. In the back of the taxi we were silent again, but this time it wasn’t from nerves. I slowly reached across and placed my hand on his knee and remembered how it used to feel in his car. Glancing across at him shyly, he covered my hand with his and smiled back at me. The views from the window flashed by as again our eyes focused on each other and I started to fall. The taxi driver dropped us off in the city and we wandered along the West Bank and eventually found a small café bar. We located a quiet corner table and sat down together.

  Taking a sip of the wine I hesitated and then jumped into the void.

  “I think I would like to give things another go with you but there is a problem” I finished.

  “And what would that be?” James asked, as he leant forward.

  “I think we need to try to be friends first and get to know each other again, after all we have probably changed as people over the years” I said.

  James nodded and waited as I continued.

  “We also have Charlotte, Mitchell and Darren to consider, it’s not just the two of us”

  Again James nodded and reached out for my hand across the table. I let him take it as I swallowed.

  “I’ve also promised to go on a blind date in a fortnight’s time. It’s a bit of a long story that one” I replied. I watched as his eyes crinkled up and he glanced at his watch.

  “I have pl
enty of time” he said “Let’s start getting to know each other again” he finished, giving my hand a squeeze.

  Over a bottle of wine and some snacks I told James all about my secret admirer who had popped up out of the blue only a couple of weeks ago. I also confessed that I had no idea who it might be and at this admission I saw a small wry smile spread over James lips, before he quickly hid it again.

  “So you still like George Michael then?” he asked.

  “Of course there is no one better, it’s just a shame he’s gay otherwise I would be chasing him right now” I said, laughing at the suggestion.

  “And if he were straight how could he resist” James said, as I saw the desire flicker over his eyes. I blushed and looked away, aware that I too felt the same desire for him now as I did back then. Part of me also wished that I could throw my caution to the wind and just fall back into his life in an instance.

  On the journey back James turned to me.

  “So how shall we do this whole friends thing then?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure yet but I guess as we are still living miles apart we will have to chat on the phone and email as I try to sort everything out in my mind” I replied.

  “What no letters this time?” James said; grinning at his suggestion.

  “Well we could if you want to but it’s so slow these days, technology is definitely making the miles between people seem very small” I replied.

  “And at least this time I can travel to see you instead of having to wait for you to pick me up all the time” I finished.

  “What car do you drive?” James asked

  “A convertible” I replied “And you?”

  “I have a 4 by 4 as it’s slightly larger as I have a dog that needs transport from time to time” he said.

  I watched as he fished in his pocket and removed his phone to flick through the photographs it held. He passed it to me and I was staring into the sweet lovable face of a black Labrador.

  “What’s his name?” I asked

  “Jester” James replied. He hesitated as if to explain but I just shook my head and laughed as we both said “Top Gun” at the same time.

  “I hadn’t watched that film for years until Charlotte decided that was the song her group wanted to dance too and we watched it together”

  “I watched it the other week when I realised that Mitchell’s new girlfriend was your daughter” James said “It reminds me of us and how much we were in love back then” he finished, his voice softening as the emotions bubbled to the surface. I turned away; I couldn’t speak as my throat had tightened up with the tears that threatened to break to the surface.

  “Don’t deny that you can’t still feel it between us” he asked, as his finger turned my head towards him. My whole body shook as I was paralysed under his touch. His face came closer and before I knew it his lips were once more on mine in a kiss that transcended time. It was as if I was floating and looking down at the two of us but as we once were, young and in love. Suddenly the cab pulled to a halt outside the hotel and we quickly broke apart. I looked away as a single tear seeped out from the corner of my eye. Thankfully he hadn’t spotted the tear and I quickly wiped it away.

  We walked back into the hotel together and then hesitated for a brief moment.

  “So dinner at eight” I said

  “Yes, but I’ll be in the bar from seven if you fancy a drink before hand?”

  “I’ll see” I said, as we headed for the lift.

  Silence reigned as we walked along the corridor together and then I paused as we reached the door to James’ room.

  “Today has been great” James said.

  “Yes, our children were fantastic and deserved their second place” I replied

  “Yes I agree but it’s been more than that, its knowing that you are back in my life again” he finished. He reached out to take both my hands in his again

  “You can’t start to understand how much I have missed you over the years” he finished. Then with a quick kiss on my cheek we broke apart and I continued down the corridor to my room. I held the words tight to my heart that he had just spoken. My heart expanded to catch them and keep them there as I entered my room.

  I sat down for a moment on my bed and once again thought long and hard about what I was doing. The words that James had just given me were so precious and once again I wished that I could throw caution to the wind and just give into my heart, which seemed to be winning the battle so far. I looked down at my hands and then turned them over. My scars would always be with me and I hoped that he would make them better. His mistake would always be with him and I knew that at some point I would have to talk to him about the bitch and how much contact she had with her sons if I did decide to take the next step. How did Mitchell and Darren feel about their mother and what part did she still play in their lives? I had to admit that Mitchell had never spoken about her in all the times he had spent at our house but was that to spare my feelings?

  I looked through my case and found the other dress I had bought with me, it was a simple black one but I knew I looked good in it. Placing it on the bed I turned towards the bathroom and checked my watch. I had plenty of time for a long soak in the bath and to get ready for the evening celebrations. I knew that I wanted to look as gorgeous as possible even though there was only one person I wanted to impress.

  In his room down the corridor James pulled a shirt and some trousers out to wear that evening. The afternoon had been almost perfect; the only thing that would have made it more so would be for Stephanie to be standing right here with him now. He had tried to search her soul through her eyes but he had still found them cloudy and guarded. It was going to take him some time to break through the barrier that held her heart, the barrier that in a way he had helped to build. Crossing to the window he looked out onto the city stretched out before him. London had started to help him bring Stephanie back into his life, now he was just counting on the fact that he was also her secret admirer.

  Chapter 55

  As they listened to the applause at the end of their dance Mitchell had the chance to turn to Charlotte and said.

  “Did you spot our parents dancing together?”

  “No I missed that, were they?” she gasped.

  Mitch nodded and pulled her close for a kiss.

  “You were fabulous out there” he said.

  “So were you” she finished “Together we are a perfect team”

  They left the stage and ended up in a huddle with all the rest of them, the girls from her team and the guys from his; they were like one big family.

  Breaking apart they all then had the short wait to find out the results. They crowded in the wings to hear Arlene announce the winners and then it still took a moment for the result to sink in. Their groups were sharing a joint second place as they all headed onto the stage. The applause seemed even louder as Charlie and Mitch took centre stage and through their hands joined each of the groups together. After shaking hands with Arlene and the rest of the judges they cleared the stage and joined in the applause for The London Beats, who truly had been magnificent. After the rush started to fade they grabbed their bags from the practise rooms and headed into the auditorium to find their families.

  On the way back to the hotel Charlie leant against Mitch on the backseat and closing her eyes relived the lift once more. He held her tightly as she soared above him and when she opened her eyes he was still holding her tightly. When they reached the hotel Charlotte and Mitchell crossed the lobby and headed up to their room. They both needed a shower amongst other things and then they had some time before dinner this evening. Mitchell also had to go and see the Manager regarding the possibility of work following this morning’s practise session.

  Heading into their room Mitchell shut the door and then watched as Charlotte flopped onto the bed. He crossed the room and then paused to take a moment to gaze at her. A slight hint of sweat still lay upon her smooth skin as she reached out to him and he could linger no lo
nger from her touch. Removing his top and kicking off his shoes he watched her watching him, drinking in the shape of his body as he crossed to the bed and she sat up to receive him. Pushing her back down his body covered her and their lips joined them together. When they eventually pulled apart Charlie felt her whole body flushed underneath her clothes and she knew she had to get out of them now. She crawled out from beneath Mitch and hopped off the bed.

  She saw him looking quizzically at her as she stood in front of him and slowly started to remove her dress, the dress she wore to dance in. Charlotte watched him start to get up to help her but she stepped backwards and shook her finger at him. Mitch grinned at her boldness as he watched the straps fall away from her body and the dress pooled at her feet. Stepping out she wore just a strapless bra and lace panties, black against her pale skin, which was slightly tinged pink. Mitchell could wait no longer and he was off the bed too as he shrugged out of his trousers and stood in his underwear too.

  “I want you now” he breathed, as he drew her into his arms once more.

  “Me too” she replied as her fingers touched his warm skin and the charge crackled between them. They danced backwards to the bed and fell onto its softness; Charlie was once again beneath him as he kissed his way down her skin and then carefully removed her silver shoes. Then as his lips travelled back up he hooked his fingers under her panties and she arched her hips so that he could pull them off. Her hands were in his hair as his fingers and tongue set to work on her already quivering body. Leaving her wanting he moved further up to her nipples and then back to her lips as he rolled over and she lay on top of him.

  Charlotte smiled down at him and her eyes sparkled with love and lust as she moved down his body in return and released him from the tight confines of his underwear. Mitch leaned up slightly to watch as her lips followed her hands and took him into her mouth for the first time. Lying back he surrendered to her tongue as she flicked it over him until he could take it no longer. Pulling her up Mitchell was about to roll her back over again but she pushed him down and stayed on top. Easing onto him she sighed and almost came instantly but she pushed on through the first wave and started to move slowly against him. He held her hips close and moved with her, rocking and rocking as their breath got faster and faster, their kisses longer and stronger. Looking directly into each other’s eyes they reached the brink and then toppled over together.