Un-Break my Heart: Book 2 (The Heart Trilogy) (23 page)

“Keep going” he urged, as he felt her hesitate under the pressure of his hand.

“You do it” she moaned. He let his finger follow hers to double the pressure and she squealed and then tried to bit her lip to keep quiet.

Charlie’s orgasm was all it took to push Mitchell over the edge too as he groaned and came. She slumped onto him, her skin damp and hot and he held her close, breathing in her scent and wondering how he was going to last one day without her?

“Oh God, How am I going to manage without you” Charlie murmured, immediately echoing Mitchell’s thoughts.

“It will go really quickly, I promise” Mitch replied, sliding his hands from her waist to her bum and giving it a squeeze.

“Come on, let’s hit the shower and then this new club” he finished. With a final kiss they un-tangled each other and headed for the bathroom.

Chapter 35

Charlie started to pull the clothes from her rucksack and when Mitch returned to the room he saw her slumped in despair

“I’ve got nothing good to wear” she wailed.

“You should go as you are” Mitch laughed, reaching down to stroke the soft skin of her shoulders.

“I only bought my dance practice stuff and some jeans and t-shirts as I wasn’t expecting to go out” she said “I haven’t even got a dress with me until Mum brings the rest of my things over tomorrow night”

“Perhaps I can help” Mitch said, pulling open one of his drawers and pulling out the black sequin hot pants and bra top from the video shoot. He watched the smile spread on her face as she reached for it and slipped it on. Mitch fastened the back and then waited for her to turn around so he could admire the complete picture.

“Hair up or down” she asked.

“Down” he grinned.

As Charlie finished off her hair and make up Mitch chose a pair of black jeans and his pale pink t-shirt. Charlie chose her pink lipstick and then with a final flourish of perfume she was ready. With her coat on they headed downstairs and waited for their taxi to turn up.

“Where are you off too” James asked, peering around the lounge door.

“New club in town” Mitch said “We’re meeting Shelley and Kyle there”

“Well, have a good time and I’ll see you tomorrow” James said “Charlie your Mum says Hi and everything is all right at home”

Just then a horn sounded outside and they headed through the front door together. James smiled and headed back to the lounge and his laptop, his mind still working on possible solutions to the un-solved murder.

Charlie immediately spotted Shelley and Kyle at the end of the street and waved. The music from the club hit them and after a quick drink at the bar they took to the floor. Mitch was aware of the glances that Charlie was getting from the men in the club as her outfit was made to be striking. Shelley too in her short flared skirt and tight off the shoulder top had Kyle keeping as close to her as possible. Charlie spotted a small stage in front of the DJ booth and grabbing Shelley’s hand she pulled her towards it. Mitch and Kyle followed the girls and lifted them onto it and jumped up themselves.

With the crowd below them they put on a show of complicated dance moves as the DJ tried to keep the beat of the music steady as he enjoyed the view. The owner of the club had spotted this group of dancers and wondered who they were, especially the girls as he had plans in mind for a different kind of club night on a Monday.

“Do you want a drink” Mitch breathed in Charlie’s ear. She nodded and as the guys jumped down and headed to the bar Shelley caught her hand.

“Come on Charlie, let’s have one more dance” she said. Charlie nodded and as the beat changed to a more hip hop vibe they each took it in turn to take centre stage. It was almost like a mini competition between the two of them and as the crowd clapped they carried on.

When the song finally finished, Shelley reached over and wrapped her arms around Charlie

“God that was fun” she breathed “I love dancing”

“Me too” Charlie said.

“Hey girls what are your names” the DJ asked.

“She’s Charlie and I’m Shelley and you can see us on the new Ne-Yo video” she said.

“Give it up for our two dancers Charlie and Shelley” the DJ announced and they bowed as the crowd roared their approval. Jumping down they crossed the floor and found the guys.

“I’m just popping to the ladies” Charlie said. Shelley nodded and followed her.

Inside they rinsed off the sweat and Shelley passed Charlie her body spray.

“Thanks I need this” Charlie said, their fingers touched as they both felt the buzz between them. Pulling her closer Shelley ran her hand up Charlie’s back.

“You look so good in this outfit” she breathed, as her fingertips caressed Charlie’s neck. It felt so good that Charlie pulled her closer and they hugged each other, then as she looked up she noticed Shelley’s lips moving in to touch hers. Closing her eyes she gave in to the soft gentle touch and taste of a kiss. They heard the outer door of the toilets open and they sprang apart, Shelley smiled and Charlie did too, although now the spell between them was broken she wondered why they had kissed. Was it just friendship or was there more to it?

Back with the guys Charlie slid onto Mitchell’s lap and wrapped her fingers around his neck.

“I love you” she breathed as her lips nibbled his ear lobe and his hands held her close. But a little voice in her mind questioned this after her kiss with Shelley, she had wanted to kiss her more, but had it just been the adrenaline rush after the dancing? Probably it had been the same for Shelley as when she looked across Kyle had his hands all over his girlfriend as they enjoyed each other. They were soon back on the dance floor again and when the DJ spotted this he found the track by Ne-Yo and asked if they would perform. It took only a few moments for the whole dance floor to clear leaving just the four of them in the middle.

“Nothing like an impromptu performance” Mitchell said. Kyle nodded and as they hoisted the girls into position Charlie and Shelley exchanged glances.

They held the audience in thrall with the complicated moves and lifts, so much so that as the music died there was a moment of complete silence before the cheering broke through. Slowly they moved off the floor to catch their breath and a gentleman in a charcoal suit approached them.

“Hi I’m Zach the owner of this club” he said, extending his hand to them all in turn.

“A stunning performance and one that my clients obviously enjoyed” Zach said, sweeping his arm in a wide arc over the bar and dance floor area.

“Thanks, it’s a great club” Kyle said “We hope to come here again in the future” he said, draping his arm over Shelley’s shoulders. He had spotted the way Zach had been greedily gazing at his girlfriend and then doing the same over Charlie.

“Perhaps I might interest you in some paid performances in the future” he said. This time he spoke directly to Mitchell

“Yes that would be good, but unfortunately I’m off to the States in a couple of days but maybe when I get back we can talk” Mitch said.

Zach nodded at this information and delved into his suit pocket for a couple of business cards; he handed them to the girls and smiled.

“I’m sure you lovely ladies can look after these” he said, bestowing his most charming smile on them. Furnishing them with a bottle of champagne and assurances that he hoped to see them all again soon he headed back to his office. In their corner booth Kyle turned to Mitch.

“What a charmer” he said, the sarcasm evident in his tone.

“Well you would be if you owned a club like this” Shelley responded “And he’s potentially offered us a chance of work” she placated. Charlie nodded but Mitch stayed silent, even more aware of what he was leaving behind and all the potential predators eager to take his place by Charlie’s side. She felt him take her hand in his, stroking a finger over her palm, sending flames of desire through her.

Charlie gave his hand a squeeze to signal that she was ready to go whenever he was.

“I’ll pop and give the taxi a call” he said, as he headed towards the foyer. Kyle looked at Shelley

“I think we’ll be heading off soon too” he said. Shelley moved closer to Charlie and said

“So are you ready for college next week”

“A bit nervous but I guess I’ll be alright” Charlie replied, feeling Shelley’s hand in hers beneath the table. Her heart quickened and as Mitch slid in next to Kyle and they started talking she focused on her new friend.

“I think we’re in all of the same classes” Shelley said, as they talked about the different courses.

“I think our taxi should be here” he said, as he watched Charlie and Shelley hug goodbye.

“Good luck in the States” Kyle said “I’m so jealous”

“Just keep an eye on my girl” Mitch replied “Both of you”

“We will” Shelley replied, grinning at Charlie. Stepping out of the club into the cold night air, Charlie snuggled closer into Mitchell as the cab pulled up. On the way home he turned to her.

“I am doing the right thing” he asked, suddenly nervous about leaving this wonderful woman by his side.

“It will be fine and don’t forget I am going to come out for your birthday” Charlie said, entwining her fingers into his.

In the darkness of the back seat she couldn’t see his real worry and he couldn’t see the confusion in hers. Back at home they silently crept up the stairs and once in the safe haven of the bedroom they snuggled together under the duvet. They didn’t need to make love as all the night required was their limbs wrapped around each other and their hearts beating in time. Each of them determined that their worries and fears were un-founded that their immense love would not break like their parent’s had done in the past.

They sleepily registered the front door opening and closing in the morning as James left for work and when the sun eventually roused them again it was glorious. After their favourite morning past time they had a quick breakfast together and then headed into the studio. The music calmed them both as they enjoyed working together and the feel of each other’s bodies as they swayed and moved. In the afternoon they headed across to the park with Jester, holding hands and enjoying the unexpected mild feel of the October day.

When they returned home Charlie spotted her Mum’s car in the driveway parked neatly next to James’ and for her that really did feel like they were going to be a family here. She squeezed the hand in hers and watched as Mitch looked down at her.

“What was that for” he asked.

“Everything” she replied, as she reached and planted a quick kiss on his lips. Then she pulled him through the door and the warmth from within turned their pale skin pink.

I heard the front door open and close and pulled my hand from James’ still embarrassed to show any sign of affection in front of my daughter. But James pulled it back into his and held it there as they both appeared in the doorway.

“Hi guys, how was the walk?” James asked, as he carefully stroked his fingers over my palm.

“Good thanks Dad, what’s for tea we’re pretty hungry” Mitch replied. His hand securely hel
d
Charlotte’s like a mirror image.

“I’ve ordered Chinese for everyone” James said, returning his gaze to mine and smiling broadly.

With smiles all round I looked at my daughter, somehow she looked older than when I had last seen her, confidant and sure in her love for Mitchell.

Before the food arrived Mitchell helped Charlie bring all her clothes and boxes in from the car and upstairs to Darren’s old room. Luckily she had marked the box of her most precious items and she quickly pulled out the 3 small picture frames from her old dressing table. There was just enough room for them on the window sill and Mitch watched as she placed them there. The small silver oval frame was the one of her in her tutu, a larger wooden frame of her as a baby held by Mark and Stephanie and the final one the four of them taken at the bar i
n
London.

“Is that ok” she asked.

“Just move whatever you want while I’m away” Mitch said, his fingers lingered on the photograph of the four of them, his Dad, her Mum and a daughter and son. In his heart he hoped this was forever for all of them.

Charlie spotted his wistful look and smiled; she had hidden a similar frame in one of her cases and planned to hide it in Mitchell’s before he left. Over dinner they talked about the new club, their plans for the weekend and the new radio station, all of them avoided talk of the Monday trip to the airport. I watched them head up to bed later and as the bedroom door closed James’ hands crept around my waist as I tried to clear up.

“Now I have you alone” James said, his lips tickled the fine hairs on the back of my neck before his fingers pulled my ponytail out. My curls cascaded through his hand as I put down the plates and turned into his embrace.

“I can’t wait till it’s our turn to board that plane next weekend and I can have you all to myself”

Nodding in agreement I closed my eyes and let go of my worries for my daughter as his lips captured mine and I opened wide to fully feel the taste of him. Our tongues parried with each other as he pushed me back against the kitchen work top. My mind took me back to the time I had sat upon it, naked except for his t-shirt, hands covered in soapy water.

“Lift me up” I whispered. His strong arms moved me quickly, as if I was light as a feather, our kisses continued to devour and I wrapped my legs around him, pining him tightly to me.

“De ja vue” James said, his memories matched mine. For a brief moment we were back in 1988 again, floating freely on the waves of passion. Un aware of the dangerous undercurrents that were already waiting to drag us under.