Returning Carly’s previous move, she lowered her head and kissed her cheek, managing to touch the corner of her mouth.
The sharp intake of breath from the little redhead wasn’t lost on Stella, causing her to grin coyly, while her mind was screaming at her. She might feel the same way you do! She wrapped her arm around Carly’s shoulder and edged closer to her. Her voice dropped to just above a whisper as she leaned down to speak directly into her ear. “If I can get a sitter for George on Tuesday, would you have dinner with me?”
Carly edged closer, pressing her body against Stella’s. “I’d like that.”
Not being able to resist, Stella kissed her cheek once more, she was taken aback when she felt Carly’s satin soft lips against her own cheek. For her, Tuesday could not arrive soon enough. For the first time since Jennifer had died, she had a date, and her dinner companion couldn’t be more perfect.
Chapter Nine
Stepping down onto the chrome footplate from the Land Rover, Stella adjusted her red suit jacket. “God, I hope she likes what I’m wearing.”
The scarlet complimented the white shirt, which was buttoned low on her chest. Her black Jimmy Choo heels added an extra three inches to her height. Perhaps I should have worn flat shoes. Carly was already smaller than her, so now she was going to tower over her. Reaching back into the car, she picked up the fresh cut long stemmed red rose.
As Stella approached the door to the restaurant she saw Carly standing outside, waiting for her. Dressed in a subtle and elegant black dress, she had a small clutch bag held tightly in her right hand. Gold jewellery accented the outfit and shone regally against her snow-white skin and the material of the dress. When Carly turned to look at her, Stella’s step faulted.
“Wow, you look...spectacular!” She leaned down and kissed Carly on the cheek and handed her the flower.
“Thank you, Ms. Williams. You don’t look too shabby, either.” Raising the flower to her nose, she inhaled its fragrance. “This is beautiful.” She slipped her arm into Stella’s. “Shall we go in?”
With a nod of her head, Stella guided Carly inside. “Oh, I need to talk to you about something. But first let me tell you how sorry I am I’ve had to do this, it couldn’t be avoided.”
Falling heavily into her seat a loud sigh left Carly’s throat and her posture straightened. “Please don’t tell me you’ve got to rush off to a meeting in twenty minutes or something.”
“No, it’s nothing like that. Well, some of it is true, but there is no way I am cutting our date short.” She reached across the table and took Carly’s hand. “As I was coming out, Claudia called me. She needs to talk to me urgently about the forensic accountant and his findings. I tried to put her off, but she insisted. She was out on a date also, and for her to disrupt that, it must be major.”
“So she’s joining us for dinner?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I think her date is going to join us, too. I desperately wanted it to be only us tonight. If I promise to make it up to you, can you forgive me?”
“If you don’t wait too long to take me out again, I will.” Folding the wine list down, Carly gazed intently at Stella in the soft light cast by the candles on the table. “I haven’t spoken to her in weeks it’ll be nice to see her.” Carly squeezed her hand. “So what are we going to tell her about us being here together? She knows we conduct our business meetings at the club or your house.”
“We have nothing to hide from her, and unless you object, I’ll tell the truth.”
Carly used her thumb to caress the side of Stella’s. “I don’t have a problem with that. I’d be ecstatic for her to know we’re dating.”
Raising her hand, Stella summoned the attention of a waiter. “Hopefully, but knowing her she’ll be too occupied to notice straightaway." When one approached a few seconds later, they ordered a bottle of Prosecco. The waiter disappeared from their table, which meant her attention could go back to Carly, and her mind wandered to where she would take her to apologise for spoiling their plans. “Perhaps we could take George to the z―”
The restaurants thick glass door flew open with a large clang as the handle smacked the wall, causing Stella to roll her eyes. “I know who that is without even looking.”
Claudia swept regally into the room with a tall brunette on her arm.
From the concrete hard posture and emotionless eyes of her best friend, Stella could tell that her news wasn’t good. She’s in her “Boudica mind-set.” God help those who get in her way or piss her off.
Claudia surveyed the room, and when she saw Stella and Carly, her eyes widened. She covered her mouth with her hand as she led her companion to the table. “Oh, shit! I’m so sorry, guys. Stella, why didn’t you tell me you were out with Carly?”
“I did try, but you weren’t listening to reason when you called. It’s okay our date isn’t ruined, although I am going to have to beg for another chance after this.” With a cheeky wink to Carly, she couldn’t help but giggle.
Claudia waved her hands around and stopped anymore talk from her. “Wait a minute…this is a date…not a business meeting?”
The blush from Carly answered all her questions.
“I’ll pay for your next one. It’s only fair as I’ve messed up your plans for tonight.”
Carly and Stella stared at Claudia’s date as she took a seat. Stella raised one of her eyebrows to Claudia and inclined her head in the newcomer’s direction. Claudia slapped herself on the forehead. “I’m so sorry, ladies. Please, let me introduce Trish Logan. Once I heard the news I had to get to you as quick as I could, and I wasn’t ready for my night with Trish to be over, so I invited her to join us. I hope you don’t mind?”
Stella moved to Carly’s side of the table and took the chair next to her. She poured Claudia and Trish a glass of Prosecco then folded her hands together on the table. “I know this may seem rushed, but I’m curious as to what can be so important to interrupt my evening with Carly?”
Claudia raised the glass to her lips and took a healthy drink. She blew out a frazzled breath and shook her head from side to side. “I spoke to Martin Grainger earlier today. He’s had to hand some of the files over to the case managers at the Crown Prosecution Service to see if the women involved can be put on trial. I know for certain they can be arrested for fraud as they continued to use the cards after Jen died.” Claudia held a hand up as Stella opened her mouth. “Let me finish… Martin is only being cautious and wants to be sure he has crossed all the T’s and dotted all the I’s.”
Stella rolled her eyes. “How long is this expected to take?”
“The CPS move fast once they decide to pursue a case and can have warrants issued for the women within days.” A small smirk tugged at the corner of Claudia’s mouth.
Carly placed her hand on Stella’s knee and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “How long do we have, Claudia?”
“I’d say Monday at the latest. If you still want to go ahead with your plan we need to move fast and make arrangements to spring the trap.”
Jesus! How am I supposed to do all of this within three days? Stella rubbed her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Great. This could end up being messy if we’re not careful. Let’s order something to eat and brainstorm.” Covering Carly’s hand, Stella raised it from under the table and kissed the back of it. “I’m sorry.”
Carly waved her off and caressed her cheek with the back of her fingers. “Stop apologising. It is what it is. Right now, we have business to discuss, we’ll talk more about our next date later.”
After ordering their food, they pitched ideas around the table. The memo app on Stella’s phone was filling with tasks. The first three clubs they needed to hit were spaced out around the country, and they would need some time to check them out before they could arrange anything.
Stella scrapped the idea of visiting three clubs in one swoop, pointing out they wouldn’t have time to check all of them out in one weekend. They were going to put their plan into action on Friday
.
Carly held her hand up to stop everyone from throwing out ideas. “I’d like it if we could leave the Birmingham, Broad Street Club until Sunday. I’ve been going over some old emails that were marked as spam, and it seems there are a lot of complaints coming in about it. This would give us a chance to do some reconnaissance on Saturday night.”
The idea was agreed on, and soon Carly also had a to-do-list. They all agreed it would be a good to ask the police to attend on Friday and Saturday night to do a random drug search. Claudia oversaw that; she needed to arrange things with Greater Manchester and West Midlands Police Forces.
Stella was to sort out their transport, lodging, and liaise with Carly over the promotion of new managers at the clubs.
Claudia folded her pad in half and tapped the top of it. “I’ve promised Trish a night of dancing on Saturday. I hope there are no objections of her joining us?” She studied Stella and Carly’s face for a negative reaction, and when neither came, she beamed a smile at them.
By the time they had all their tasks and ideas in place the table was scattered with dessert plates and three empty bottles of Prosecco sat in the middle of the table. The only one who didn’t have a champagne flute in front of her was Carly, who nursed a coffee cup.
Stella moved her chair closer to Carly and slipped her arm over her shoulders. “I should have all this organised by tomorrow night. I suggest we have another meeting at the house on Thursday night before we leave on Friday morning.” An audible groan left her throat. “I need to find something to occupy my mind for two days. Perhaps I should dabble on the stock market until Thursday.”
“Not again!” Claudia moaned hiding her face in her hands. “The last time you did that you were feisty for a week. Ruthless wasn’t the word I’d use…I think relentless is better. It adds more punch. Your three days playing on the market bled over into everyday life.” Suddenly the penny dropped. “You want to be in the right frame of mind for Saturday’s confrontation, don’t you?”
A cocky smile graced Stella’s lips as she winked at Carly. “Claudia’s only pissed because she lost money. I told her to sell her stock, but she didn’t listen to me.”
“I knew the risk when I started trading.” Claudia picked up her glass and drained the rest of its contents. You, on the other hand, have the luck of the Irish. In three days you made over a million and then walked away from it. You sold up and never returned. We were left to deal with your bitchy arse for a week afterwards.”
Laughing, Stella pulled a stupid face at her best friend and petulantly poked her tongue out. “Oh shut up.” Standing to go to the bathroom, Stella swayed a little. “Shit, we’ve drunk too much! I’ll have to call a taxi to take us home.”
Carly dangled her car keys. “Lucky for you three, I decided to quit after one glass. It seems I’m your designated driver for the night.”
Stella staggered towards the toilets. “Good, we’ll drop those two off then you can come in and have a drink once we get to mine.”
As soon as she disappeared through the door, Claudia spun on Carly. “I’m sorry I haven’t been in contact, and I can’t apologise enough for spoiling your evening.”
“Don’t worry about it. Stella’s a woman worth waiting for, and I’d go through a thousand dinners like this for her to hold my hand.”
***
Carly pulled her car to a stop in front of Stella’s house an hour later. They slammed their doors shut and made their way inside to find Helen slumped into the corner of the sofa fast asleep with George curled up at the other end. Both were snoring, George adorably, but Helen not so much.
“Mum, we’re home.” Stella gently shook her shoulder to wake her.
When she opened her eyes, she nearly head-butted Stella with the speed she sat up. “Shit, sorry, I don’t know when I fell asleep. The last thing I remember was George and I watching one of the soaps.” She scanned her surroundings. When she saw George, she relaxed back down into the soft cushions at her back. “He was a bundle of energy tonight.”
Stella picked George up in her arms and walked with him to the bottom of the stairs. “I’ll put him to bed and be back down in a minute.”
Carly was left alone with Helen. Her eyes took in every detail of the space but never focused on the older woman.
“So how was your date?” Helen wiggled her eyebrows for emphasis.
“It turned into a working double date with Claudia and Trish. There was some business she needed to talk to Stella about that couldn’t wait until morning.” She saw Helen bite her bottom lip and nibble on it. “Don’t worry it was nothing bad, and Stella has asked me out again to make up for our evening being spoiled.”
Helen surged from her seat and walked over to the phone. “I’ll call Thomas to come pick me up. The last thing you need is for me to be hanging around.”
“I’m sure Stella won’t mind us all having a cuppa together.”
Helen shook her head and punched in her home number. “We can have a drink before he arrives.”
As Carly flicked the kettle on, Stella walked back into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. Carly reached out and took her hand and entwined their fingers. “I know our date was spoiled, but I wanted to say thank you for the beautiful rose again.”
As Stella turned around Carly stepped into her arms and hugged her tightly. “You’re more than welcome.” She placed a kiss on the top of Carly’s head. “I hate that we had to change our plans. I really wanted to spend the night getting to know you more.”
Helen chose that moment to walk into the kitchen. “Damn, I should’ve left it a little longer.”
She spun on her heel to make a hasty retreat, but Stella stopped her.
“Don’t worry about it, Mum. Did you manage to get hold of Dad?”
“Yes, he’ll be here in fifteen minutes.” Taking a seat at the table, she watched Carly and Stella together. “So, apart from your date not happening what else went on tonight?”
Carly stepped from Stella’s arms and sat in front of Helen. “We got to meet Claudia’s new girlfriend. Her name is Trish, and Claudia is well and truly smitten.”
Leaning forward, Helen put her elbow on the table and cupped her chin in her hand. “Tell me more.”
Stella sniggered as she set the cups down. “Well, we all know what a softy Claudia can be with us, but when she’s talking business she’s a hard arse, but tonight, after she revealed what she needed to, she was a complete pussycat. Her famous temper was kept under wraps.”
“Oh my! Can it be that the workaholic has been tamed?” Helen asked as she rose from the table and took her coat off the back of the chair to slip it on. “This woman must really be something if Claudia’s seeing so many stars.”
An involuntary yawn escaped Carly, and the others noticed before she could cover it. “I’m really sorry.” A deep blush rose up her neck and took root on her face.
“You need to go home and get some rest. Your boss must be a complete battle-axe to work you so hard,” Helen taunted her daughter.
“I haven’t slept well the last couple of nights for some reason. With everything going on this weekend, I’m going to need to get some rest so I am fresh for whatever the meetings throw at us.”
Stella let out a heavy breath. “Everything tonight has gone totally wrong. I wish we could go back and do it again.” She took Carly’s hand. “I’d argue with Claudia and tell her that her news would wait until morning.”
A horn sounded in the driveway, Stella and Carly rose.
“Forgive me for not finishing my tea. I think I should go home while I can still drive.” Carly released Stella’s hand and wrapped her arm around her hips. “I’ll come and pick you up tomorrow morning so we can go and get your car.”
Helen stopped in the front doorway and kissed them both on the cheek. “See you in a few days, girls.” With that she fled into the waiting warmth of the car.
Stella and Carly watched as the taillights faded down the driveway. They turned back t
o each other when they were once again alone. Stella gently pulled Carly into her body and inhaled deeply. “I can’t wait for our next date.”
“Neither can I.” Rising up onto her tiptoes, Carly let her lips gently brush against Stella’s. The satin touch and plumpness took her breath away, and Carly pulled away quickly to stop herself from making a fool out of herself.
Stella still had her eyes closed as Carly took a step away from her. “Oh, you’re a tease!”
Carly continued walking backwards towards her car. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Ms. Williams, a full-on kiss is given after a proper date. Considering we double dated, you’re only getting a taster.”
Jumping into her car, she wound the window down as Stella ran towards her. Stella climbed onto the step rail and leaned in through the window.
“I can’t let you leave without a good night kiss.”
Grasping the front of Carly’s coat with one hand and hanging on to the door with the other, she wiggled to get closer to Carly’s lips. The window frame cut into her hips and stomach painfully. With a herculean effort of trying to prevent herself from falling into the car face first, she managed to seize Carly’s lips in one last kiss.
“Hmm, that’s better.” She struggled to put her feet back down, and grunted and groaned until her feet were firmly on the ground. “Never let it be said I didn’t made a fool out of myself when it comes to you.”
“I’ll certainly set anyone straight if they ever say that.” Closing her window to resist the temptation of flinging herself from the car and tackling Stella to the ground for another kiss, Carly put the car in gear and pulled away from the house.
Stella waited until she was at the bottom of the driveway before going back inside. It was only a small kiss, but the flurries of swirling butterflies swooping around in my stomach beg to differ. If she can render me this dreamy eyed with that then Christ knows what it’s going to be like when we kiss properly—I’ll probably faint on impact when we make love for the first time.
Absolute Betrayal Page 9
