“I’m the idiot—”
She snorted. “That much we agree on at least. Get out, Josh, and never darken my surroundings, or my life, again.”
He made no attempt to move. Nicole, who had now regained the full use of her legs, moved across the small room and picked up the phone. “You were warned.” She dialled a number, but hit the end-call button before she spoke, “Yes, police, please come quickly. Help me. There’s an intruder in my shop. He looks dangerous. Yes, I think he’s hiding a weapon and has every intention of attacking me.”
Josh’s eyes doubled in size. He shook his head and ran out of the shop. She looked out the large shop window and watched him walk away, his shoulders slumped and his hands firmly planted in his pockets. Her heart pounded out a beat she hadn’t experienced in years, not since the last time they’d slept together.
The chance to think over if she’d done the right thing—driving him away like she had—quickly passed by, because Mrs. Slade entered the shop, declaring the start of Nicole’s working day. Usually, she was extra attentive to her clients, offering them a cup of coffee while they finished off under the dryer. Today, however, her thoughts lay elsewhere. It wasn’t until Mrs. Slade paid her bill and did not leave her usual tip that Nicole realised how blatantly rude she’d been to one of her valued customers. She reached out her hand to touch Mrs. Slade’s arm gently.
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Slade. Please forgive me. I’m not totally with it today.”
“I understand, sweetie. Not sure I’d be able to concentrate with that young man’s handsome smile piercing my mind. You’re forgiven.” The woman rethought the tip situation and placed a five-pound note on the counter. Before turning to the door, Mrs. Slade leaned towards her, tapped the side of her nose, and whispered, “If I were you, I’d shut up shop and go after him. Put a sign on the door saying that you’re ill or something.” She laughed and added, “You certainly look lovesick to me, child.”
Nicole’s cheeks resembled a ripe tomato by the time Mrs. Slade’s well-intended telling-off had ceased. Nicole saw the customer out and couldn’t resist dipping outside the shop, straining her neck to see if Josh was still around. He wasn’t, and something akin to disappointment swept over her.
TWO
“I’m here, are you ready yet?” Chrissy called from the front door.
“I’ll be ready in two minutes. Pour yourself a drink,” Nicole replied. She slipped on her faithful black dress, the one with the curved neckline, which helped to disguise her heavy breasts. She fastened a silver necklace at the nape of her neck. Expert hands twisted her hair round and round and pinned it into a sexy bun, which she secured with several long grips on top of her head.
One final look and she nodded her approval. It felt good to be dressed up for a change. She’d been an emotional mess since her encounter with Josh. She shook any lingering tension out of her arms and headed towards the hallway. Momentarily, she wondered if she should tell Chrissy about her chance, rage-filled meeting with Josh, but then decided it would be best to keep it to herself for a little while. There was no need to shout it far and wide. Nothing had happened and neither would it; she’d make sure of that. The sooner Josh left town the better, for everyone’s sake.
Chrissy whistled. “You look stunning. You did hear me right, didn’t you? We’re only going to the Dreamers nightclub, not some theatre house to watch a stuffy opera.”
Unsure now about her chosen outfit, Nicole asked, “Would you rather I change? What’s wrong with it?”
“I’m just teasing.” Chrissy held her arms out to the side showing off her own outfit. “As you can see, I’m underdressed compared to you.”
Nicole studied her sister’s outfit and silently agreed with the statement. “Nonsense, you look fine to me. I struggled with picking out a suitable outfit. I was going for the more classic look rather than ‘I’m a slapper, wanna dance’ type of thing.”
“Is that offensive comment aimed at me?”
“Of course not, I was merely stating a fact.” Nicole was holding black patent stilettos with a gold, five-inch heel.
Chrissy snatched the shoes and examined them inside and out, envy dripping from every pore. “They’re beautiful. Must have cost you a month’s wages?”
Not one for usually discussing such trivial matters, Nicole rescued the shoes from her sister’s clutches and slipped them on her own bare feet. She tottered a little, unsteady to start with; however, by the time they’d made it out to the cab, she had learned how to master the heels with ladylike panache. How long that would last after she’d thrown a few drinks down her neck was anybody’s guess.
***
The club was buzzing when they arrived. Luckily, Chrissy knew the doorman, and once he spotted Chrissy in the crowd outside the club, he motioned for her to join him at the front of the queue. Several girls eyed them with hatred as they swept past.
Chrissy scoffed, “Ignore them. It’s not what you know, but who you know that matters around here, baby.”
Still, it didn’t stop Nicole feeling a little self-conscious and guilty about their illustrious rise to the front of the queue.
Inside the crowd bopped around rhythmically under the rainbow-coloured lights. They picked their way through the throng of people to the bar and ordered their drinks.
“I think I’ll stick to dry white wine this evening,” Nicole shouted over the music. The heavy bass beat caused the floor to judder beneath her feet, and the vibrations raced through her body.
“Here you go.” Chrissy handed her a glass and pointed to a less-crowded section of the club. They moved to the area, and Nicole breathed a sigh of relief. She was feeling a little claustrophobic already. Why did I agree to this? She was floundering like a clueless swimmer, way out of her depth.
Standing, watching the antics of a certain group of girls who, despite the night being young, appeared to be well intoxicated, Nicole shuddered away the sensation that someone was spying on her. It wasn’t until she followed her sister’s outstretched arm, pointing across the room, that she recognised the rich, velvety, chocolate-brown eyes that had taunted her during the night. Shit! What’s he doing here?
“Someone still has the hots for you, lady. Didn’t I tell you how strikingly handsome he is now? Well, I for one wouldn’t dream of kicking him out of bed.”
Nicole sharply turned to chastise her sister. “Chrissy! You wouldn’t!”
“What? Of course I would. If he’s game, then so am I. What’s stopping me? I’m young and single nowadays in case you haven’t noticed, as are you.” Chrissy nudged her in the ribs with her elbow. “I’m kidding. The look on your face is priceless. My advice would be to get in there quick before this bunch of tarts make a play for him. Those two over there are slowly drifting towards him. My guess is they’re going to pounce any minute.”
“I’m not interested. God, why aren’t you listening to me? I’d be a prime loser if I was to let him get under my skin again.”
“Whatevah! You’re not fooling me, though. I can tell you still like him. The only person you’re deceiving, kiddo, is yourself. Now get in there before I grab him and take divine pleasure in showing him what a good time is all about.”
“You wouldn’t!” she repeated indignantly.
Chrissy put her glass on the table behind her, spun around, and walked straight across the dance floor to where Josh was standing. Embarrassed, Nicole watched the jovial, almost flirty, interaction between them, vexed by her sister’s forthright behaviour. You wait till I get my hands on you, you little minx. She sipped her drink, trying to give Chrissy and Josh the impression she wasn’t in the least bit interested, but when she saw them both heading her way, she almost spat out the wine she’d just sipped. Chrissy held him by the hand. He seemed his calm, confident normal self as they came in her direction, much to the annoyance of the group of girls who’d been eyeing him up.
“Hey, Sis, look who I found. I told Josh he could join us.”
Nicole shot her sis
ter a look of disbelief. How could you?
“Hello again, Nicole. Are you in a better mood today?” He leaned in, taking her by surprise, and placed his warm lips against her heat-seared cheek.
Ever the eavesdropper, Chrissy asked, “Have you two met since you arrived back in town, Josh?”
“No,” Nicole declared quickly.
“Yes,” Josh stated honestly at the exact same moment.
“Well, one of you ain’t telling me the truth. Which is it?”
Josh didn’t take his eyes off Nicole’s face as he answered, “I dropped by to see your sister yesterday, Chrissy. She sent me packing before I had the chance to fully apologise. Actually, she dumbfounded me by ringing the police.”
Chrissy grabbed Nicole’s arm. “You did what? Why?”
“All right, there’s no need to go over the top. Stop being such a drama queen. And Josh, stop stirring things, making me out to be the bad guy in all this.”
His expression showed that she’d made a direct hit. “No one was to blame, Nicole. If you’ll give me the chance to explain what happened all those years ago, we can get on with our lives.”
“I’ve got news for you, Josh, I have moved on. I suggest you do the same and leave town right away.”
He raised an eyebrow and tilted his head. “That sounds more like an order than a suggestion to me.”
She shifted her position, half-turning her back on him. “Take it whichever way you want. I want to make sure you understand, in front of a witness, that I want nothing further to do with your sweet-talking ways. You made your decision to walk out on me years ago. You can’t expect me to drop everything and fall back into your arms the second you turn up again.”
“Do you think this is the right place to have this conversation, Nicole?” he asked as several nearby clubbers turned their way at the sound of her raised voice.
She looked daggers at him. “You’re right; it isn’t. I’ve come here to enjoy myself, and that’s exactly what I intend on doing.” She took the drink from her sister and placed it, along with her own, on the table behind them and dragged Chrissy by the arm onto the dance floor.
“I can’t believe you’re treating him this way. You’re being a right bitch.”
Nicole heard her but chose to ignore the snide comment, which infuriated Chrissy. Not daring to look in Josh’s direction, Nicole had no idea if he was watching her or not. After several dances, she felt hot and sweaty and in dire need of the toilet. “I’ll be right back.” She darted through the crowd and up the stairs to the balcony. Something made her look back over her shoulder. Josh was staring, watching her every move. Confused, she really didn’t know whether to be flattered or annoyed. Turning her nose up in the air, she continued towards the ladies room.
Looking in the mirror, her flushed cheeks glowed like beacons of light intent on highlighting her emotionally charged state. Closer inspection showed there was a sparkle in her eye: huh, haven’t seen that in years. She shook her head quickly to clear her mind. Don’t be ridiculous, I’m searching for things that just aren’t there. There was no arguing with her inner voice.
Needing to change something, she unclipped her hair and let it fall luxuriously around her shoulders. She’d always regarded her hair as one of her most flattering features, maybe the most flattering. Taking a hairbrush from her bag, she pulled it vigorously through her mane a dozen times. Satisfied, she touched up her lip gloss and left the toilet.
Josh was propped up against the wall opposite the loo door. She cursed her heart for skipping several beats at the sight of him. “Have you turned to stalking me now?” Nicole moved to breeze past him, but he caught hold of her wrist, pulled her back, and pressed her against the wall. The movement was heavy enough to knock the air from her lungs. “Add physical abuse to the list too,” she spluttered, affronted by his touch.
He towered over her, placed his forearm on the wall above her head and leaned in, his lips almost touching hers. She pulled back and pressed her body into the brick wall behind her. Then she tried to dip under his arm, but it was impossible to escape him.
“I can see it in your eyes.” His voice was light and sexy, and his mouth quirked up into a melting smile.
Nicole tried to wrench her hand from his grasp. “See what? My hatred for you?” she sniped, hoping her poker face would hold up and he wouldn’t see through her bluffing.
“Anything but, Nicci.”
Her breath caught. No one ever, not even family members, called her that name—except him. The last time she heard him call her Nicci was the day before he’d left her high and dry. “Your reading of me is way off the mark. You think you know me, but you don’t. You don’t know me at all.”
He let out a hot breath that tickled her cheek and sent an electric current rushing through to the tip of every nerve ending in her trembling body. The musky odour of his aftershave wafted up her nostrils, and her eyes fluttered shut. He still smelt the same as he did back then. The odour affected her the same way it always had. She was struggling, fighting a losing battle.
“I’m not sure who you’re trying to convince, Nicci. I know the effect I have on you. Surrender to it and let’s move on, together. Pick up the pieces, wipe out all the lost years, and continue our commitment to each other. What do you say?”
Regaining some of the self-respect that she thought had recently deserted her, she replied, “I say, you need to get a life, Josh. One that doesn’t involve me or living in this area.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, Nicci, I have no intention of going anywhere. I’ve already bought a house here. You’ll just have to get used to me being around again.”
“It’s not going to happen, Josh.” Managing to catch him off guard, she snatched her hand from his and shoved two hands on his chest, forcing him backwards before he had a chance to recover. She ran along the passageway and back down the stairs, her heart pounding loudly, fighting against the beat of the music surrounding her. Don’t you dare look back. Ignore him.
Chrissy was wearing a smug grin when she returned. “Take that look off your face. This is all your fault. Did you tell him to follow me?”
She placed a hand on her chest and fluttered her eyelashes a few times. “Moi? Would I do such a thing?”
Nicole reached for her drink, and her elbow accidently caught her sister in the ribs. “Yeah, that kind of trick is right up your alley. This is a final warning—stop interfering, Sis.”
Chrissy looked over Nicole’s head and another smirk crossed her face. Turning sharply, Nicole’s eyes widened in rage when she saw Josh on the dance floor, his arms wrapped around one of the rowdy girls who had shown interest in him earlier. The tempo of the music had slowed down. “What the—? I’ve had enough of this. Come on, Christine, we’re leaving.”
“What? I’m having a ball. Why would I want to leave now?”
Tears misted Nicole’s eyes. Why? Why am I so upset that he’s dancing with that floosy? Why am I so damn angry with him? With myself? “If you won’t come with me, then I’ll go home alone. I hope I don’t get attacked on the way, for your sake, because you’ll be the one who has to live with the guilt.”
“Stop being so childish. If you’re not interested in him, then why are you so damn upset that he’s dancing with someone else?”
Nicole slammed her glass down on the table, spilling half the contents in the process. “I’m off. I’ve had enough insults from you for one day. Give me a call tomorrow to see if I’m still alive.” She stormed across the dance floor, shouldering Josh and his dance partner out of her way, and headed out of the club. She hailed a taxi, gave the driver her address, and leaned her head back against the headrest. Frustratingly, there was no escaping Josh, or the image of him dancing with that floosy filled her thoughts throughout the journey home.
“Here you are, miss.”
Nicole paid the driver and marched up the tiny yard to her front door. Once inside, she dropped the latch, kicked off her shoes, and poured a large glass of whi
te wine. If this doesn’t soothe away the day’s stresses, then nothing will. In the bedroom, she peeled off her dress and tossed it on the floor, as if the feel of it disgusted her. She collapsed into bed and picked up her eBook reader to finish the romance novel she’d been enjoying. Bile rose in her throat when the hero kissed the woman he’d been yearning after for years. Disgusted for the second time in ten minutes, she snapped the cover shut and dropped the gadget on the bedside table.
Sadness washed over, and into, every crevice. How could he still affect her this way after all those years apart? “Stay strong, girl. Lower your guard an inch, and he’ll be in there.” No, he won’t. I refuse to let him in again. The last time I opened up to him, it was a complete disaster. The frank conversation with her inner voice went back and forth for the next twenty minutes. By the end of it, she had the situation sorted, and Nicole found herself feeling sleepy. She switched off the light and slept through until morning—this time without Josh invading her thoughts or dreams.
***
Josh watched Nicole head his way. He cringed at the thought of her striking the other woman. He hadn’t expected her to breeze past him and leave like that. Ever the gentleman, he thanked the young lady for the dance they’d shared and left the nightclub. He tried to catch up with Nicci, but saw the taxi pulling away as he burst through the exit door of the club.
“Damn.” He kicked out at a nearby stone. Instead of returning to the club, he walked the streets for the next hour or so, reliving the night’s events. Why the heck had he been so heavy-handed with her? What was that going to achieve? He’d resisted the temptation to cover her luscious lips with his own—how long that would last, he had no idea. Her lips were like a magnet, drawing him in.
Over the years, she’d matured into a beautiful, obviously self-confident woman, one that likely didn’t take shit from men. He knew that if he had any chance of winning her back now, he was going to have to find a far more subtle way of achieving that aim.
Crimes of Passion Page 146
