Chapter Sixteen
Oliver
O liver pulled his coat on over his black shirt and black jeans. Thankfully most of his wardrobe consisted of dark clothing, so finding something that looked dressy and ‘dancy’ wasn’t too difficult. This shirt was a good fit, and he’d deliberately left a couple too many buttons open. Not his normal style at all, but Hayley would appreciate it. At least he hoped she would. Not because he wanted her ogling him – well, maybe he did a little – but she’d enjoy the joke. Hopefully. Anything to cheer her up and show her he wasn’t a total bastard. He had several amends to make, and this was just the start.
He grabbed his keys and headed into the dark driveway. His house was on the outskirts of Glenbriar, in one of the new estates that had popped up. The town was already quite a bit bigger than it had been when he was a boy. His father’s farm, where he’d grown up, was to the south, less than a fifteen-minute drive away. As Oliver got into the car, he squirmed like a sharp needle had prodded him in the ribs reminding him of his failings. He hadn’t visited his dad for ages. Fifteen minutes away, and he hadn’t made the effort. What a shit son he was. He started the engine, letting out a long sigh. It wasn’t like his father had made an effort to visit him either. Oliver had moved into this house just over a year ago and his dad had never been here.
He pulled out of the drive and into the cul-de-sac past the other houses, all with wreaths on the doors and large trees in the windows. Some had fairy lights on the fences or around the eaves and one or two had huge, garish lit-up reindeer. His was the only house that had nothing. What was the point of putting up a tree and decorations just for him? He flicked on the wipers to push off some sleety rain as his thoughts drifted to his mum. The hollow pang in his chest intensified. She’d have loved this place, loved the fact he could afford a big house in such a good part of town. Was she up there somewhere, watching? Maybe she’d be sad to see him living here all alone and, despite having three spare rooms, never having anyone to stay.
Hayley had given him directions to her flat – not that he needed them. She lived not far from his office, at the top of the main road and one street back. This street was full of higgledy-piggledy buildings, all built at different times and with random extensions that didn’t match the fronts. Some of them had bizarre roof extensions that were like outsized dormer windows, and Hayley’s flat was apparently in one of them. It must be tiny inside, but Oliver wouldn’t get to find out, as Hayley was waiting on the street as he pulled up.
‘Hi.’ She jumped into the car, wearing a long coat, and as she leaned over to close the door, the side of the coat slipped, revealing a flash of something glittery. Oliver smirked as he eased the car forward. She really had brought the sparkle, as he knew she would.
‘I should apologise,’ he said.
‘Oh yeah?’ Hayley rubbed her gloved hands together.
‘Yeah. I should have been more proactive.’
‘Well, consider yourself on probation. We’ll see based on how you get on tonight if I forgive you or not.’
Best he could hope for under the circumstances.
‘Does this car have heated seats?’ she said. ‘I’m freezing.’
‘It does.’ He pressed a button on the console. ‘It’s chilly out there, isn’t it?’
‘I hope you’re wearing something scorching hot to compensate.’ She cast him a little smirk.
He rolled his eyes and chewed on his tongue. Thank god she didn’t hold a grudge. He’d been expecting to grovel a lot more. ‘I might be.’
‘Ooh, such a tease. Do you know where you’re going, by the way?’
‘Thistle Lodge. It’s in the satnav.’
‘Have you been there before?’
‘No. Have you?’
‘I did a wedding up there a while ago. It was one of the stylists and we all went up and did the hair as a wedding present. It’s an awesome place. Looks like a castle and it has so many rooms I got lost.’
‘And are we gatecrashing someone’s sten tonight?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous. As if. This is the first one they’ve run, and it’s not a sten this time but an “experience”. A mix of people are going so they won’t all know each other. The woman on the phone said we could join in with the dancing if we wanted before the guests went for their meal, or she would just show me around.’
‘So we didn’t actually have to do any dancing?’
Hayley chuckled. ‘I didn’t want to spoil your fun.’
‘You know, sometimes I really don’t like you.’
‘Interesting… Does that mean other times you do?’
He grunted in response because he wasn’t going to answer. Experience in court told him not to give away anything that valuable.
‘Was that a yes or a no?’
‘It was an “I’m not answering that question”.’
‘Sometimes I really don’t like you either.’
‘Touché.’
‘So…’ She lounged back into the lovely warm seat, turning her head to face him. ‘What made you change your mind about coming tonight?’
‘This is worse than a cross-examination.’
‘Well, you should be used to it then, so answer the question.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Yes.’
‘I’m upholding my duty as best man.’
‘Finally.’
‘Indeed. I realise I’ve got some catching up to do, but let’s face it, you wouldn’t have liked it if I interfered too much. You’re the one who’s good at organising.’
‘Stop trying to make your lack of action sound honourable.’
‘Lack of action? I’m not sure exactly what kind of action you were looking for.’
‘I could ask you the same question. I draw your attention to exhibit A… London.’
He shook his head with a wry smile. ‘That is not what I meant. And I wasn’t the only one. That was a mutual decision.’ He let out a huff. ‘We even managed to take the sensible road… Somehow.’
‘True.’
Though he wasn’t sure how. The fire in his soul still roared at the thought of pulling Hayley close. Would that happen tonight at this dance? The need to have her close to him was so overpowering, it was alarming. But he was the master of control.
The gates to Thistle Lodge were all lit up and an enormous Christmas tree marked the main entrance. Oliver parked beside the rows of other cars and he and Hayley made their way to the entrance. Their breath plumed in front of them in the cold air.
‘I assume there’s a bell or something we ring.’ Hayley peered around the door. ‘Or should we just go in? It’s not a hotel so I don’t know if there are staff at the front of house.’
‘Try the door.’
She turned the doorknob and the heavy door opened onto a porch area with a large set of glass doors. An intercom was mounted on the side. Hayley pressed the button and they waited. Invisible energy was buzzing around them, pulling him towards her but stinging him if he got too close. The insatiable desire burned so strongly it was agony. How could he keep resisting? Did the attraction still exist for her?
A woman wearing a black shirt and trousers approached and opened the door.
‘Hello,’ she said. ‘How can I help you?’
‘I’m Hayley McBride. I’ve come to chat about the possibility of holding a sten party here. The person I spoke to was called Tiffany Barlow.’
‘I’ll get Tiffany for you if you wait here.’ She disappeared through a door at the side of the large entrance hall.
Oliver scanned the luminous decorations and winter foliage draped everywhere. ‘Who owns this place?’
‘No idea. Someone who rents it out all year round for stuff like this.’
A dark-haired woman strode through the door in a bright red dress with matching lipstick and beamed at them.
‘Hayley, hi. So pleased you could make it. I’m Tiffany.’
Hayley shook her hand. ‘This is Oliver Wright.’
‘Hi, Oliver.’ Tiffany shook his hand too. ‘So, this is Thistle Lodge. I think you said you’d been here before.’
‘I have.’
‘You’ll be semi-familiar with the layout then, though it’s quite a difficult place to try and remember everywhere.’
‘It really is.’
Tiffany and Hayley between them had smiles so dazzling they were both brighter than the lights on the twenty-foot Christmas tree extending all the way up the middle of the grand staircase.
‘We’d be delighted to hold your sten here as part of our Banquet and Ballroom experiences,’ Tiffany said. ‘Though I have to warn you, we don’t have a lot of dates left in your timeframe. That’s not me trying to be salesy or pushy, it’s just a fact. If you follow me, I’ll give you a quick run through of what we do and then I can take you into the ballroom where the class is happening. You can join in if you like and get a feel for things.’
Oliver clenched his fists, forcing back the torrent of desire bubbling inside him. There was someone nearby he’d very much like to get a feel of. Her long hair coiled down her back in perfect loose curls, and he itched to reach out and run his fingers through them. What was it about her hair? A weird fetish? Whatever it was, he couldn’t stop looking at it as they headed down the corridor.
Tiffany led the way down a flight of stairs. ‘Down here is where we have the kitchens. The cookery classes are all led by, and overseen by, a trained chef. During the tourist season, this house is let out to big parties, which is why we’re organising these events throughout the winter months, but it means the kitchens are in tiptop shape, because the house parties usually bring caterers.’ She pushed open swing doors, and they entered a Downtown-Abbey-worthy kitchen fitted with all mod cons but in period style. A woman in chef’s overalls was checking one of the ovens. The warm aromas were overwhelming after the cold outside and the airy corridor. Oliver undid his coat buttons, remembering his half open shirt just in time. He kept his coat together, ensuring nothing was on show.
‘Genevieve would love this,’ Hayley said to Tiffany. ‘She’s the one we’re organising the sten for. We’re just the bridesmaid and best man.’ She waggled her finger between herself and Oliver.
‘Ah, I see. And does she enjoy cooking?’
‘Absolutely. She has a cookware range on sale at Duchan Fayre and she’s got a cooking channel on the socials, so yes.’
‘Does she? Amazing.’ Tiffany’s eyes widened, and she laid her hand on her chest. ‘Well, this will be perfect. Once the food is all cooking, we leave it to the chefs, and we have waiting staff to serve up the dishes the guests have made.’
‘Who chooses the menus?’ Oliver asked.
‘It’s entirely up to you. We have some examples you can work from or if there are particular dishes you want, then that’s fine. You just let us know so we can source the ingredients. We like to source everything as locally as possible, though obviously that’s easier with some things than others.’
They left the kitchen, and she led them back into the hall, then up the stairs.
‘We have bedrooms for up to thirty-six guests.’
‘That many?’ Hayley goggled at her.
‘Yes, it’s a big house. Some of the rooms are larger than others. There are a couple of family-style rooms that take four and not all the rooms are en suite, but it would be up to you how you divide them up. We also have live-in accommodation for staff on the ground floor, so there’s someone on call twenty-four seven if your party needs anything.’
‘It all sounds brilliant,’ Hayley said.
Oliver nodded and said nothing. She was obviously sold on it and, objectively, he knew Finlay and Genevieve would enjoy it too. If he could just muster some enthusiasm. All this seemed so excessive for just one night.
Life’s too short.
The words played in his head. What was he saving his money for? Why not be extravagant now and then if it brought happiness?
‘Now, let’s get you into the dancing.’ Tiffany beamed. ‘We call it a class, but really it’s just a chance to have some fun. You learn some of the dance steps, then we break to freshen up and have dinner, then after dinner, we have the dance and hopefully everyone wants to join in with some of the steps they’ve learned.’ She checked her watch. ‘It’s a quarter to six, so there’s fifteen minutes left before they stop.’
Music played somewhere nearby as they went down another corridor and Tiffany pushed open a large wooden door. Inside was an old-fashioned ballroom with a wooden floor and thick oak panels. Couples were making their way around as a man called instructions.
Tiffany approached him and he stopped to listen to her. He smiled broadly and waved to Hayley and Oliver. ‘Join in when you’re ready,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry about perfection. Remember, that goes for all of you. Feel the music and the beat. Dancing starts in the heart and the feet come later.’
‘Just leave your jackets here.’ Tiffany returned to them. ‘I’ll be here until the end of the session and once everyone’s out we can discuss the booking if you want.’
‘Sounds great.’ Hayley pulled off her jacket to reveal a silvery pink dress, covered in sequins, all shimmering and floaty. She looked as stunning as ever. Oliver removed his coat too and before he’d considered where to put it, Tiffany had taken it. Hayley’s eyes lingered on his open shirt, and she grinned, then she took his hand and led him to the floor. Why was his palm so hot? Hopefully, it wasn’t sweaty and horrible. Oh Christ. Why the hell were all the couples in such a close clinch?
‘Here we go,’ Hayley said. ‘Grab on…’ She raised an eyebrow. ‘Love the shirt, by the way. And these jeans are nice and tight. Glad you followed the memo.’
‘Yeah.’ Before he could second guess himself, he put his hands on her hips and tugged her close. Her eyes were on his as he pinned her to him, and she made no attempt to move or change her position. All she did was land her hands on his shoulders.
‘Is it just me, or were our bodies made to fit each other?’ she whispered in his ear, and it sounded sultry and provocative.
‘That’s the point of male and female anatomy.’
‘Oh, shut up,’ she said, possibly louder than she meant as she winced slightly through her laugh. ‘Trust you to come out with something like that.’
He couldn’t take his eyes from her: holding her this close was dangerous and exciting. ‘Trust me, indeed.’
‘Actually, I do.’
‘Good.’ He tugged her even closer. Now they weren’t dancing; they were just two people in a room, rubbing against each other, wallowing in the touch, the friction, and that scent – the mingled softness of Hayley’s light perfume, his spicy cologne, and that unmistakable aroma of desire. He gently tangled his fingers in her hair, keeping his palms on her back.
‘I trust you to do what’s right.’ Her words landed like a cool breeze across his hot, bare neck.
‘And what would that be?’ he replied into her ear, letting the scent of her shampoo fill his lungs. It hit his senses, rocketing through him, straight to his groin. Her body tremored in his arms. If she was already this responsive…
He took a deep breath, trying not to get ahead of himself.
‘Right now, everything I know is wrong feels right and everything right feels wrong,’ she said.
‘I know exactly what you mean.’ He gently steered her around the floor, vaguely following the instructions, but mostly just using the moment to keep her pinned to him. ‘The question is, are we willing to cross to the dark side?’
‘I feel like I’m halfway there already.’
‘Me too.’
‘This is wonderful.’ The instructor clapped his hands. ‘Bravo to our newcomers. You really have the feel for the music.’
‘I can definitely feel something,’ Hayley muttered. ‘Though I’m not sure it’s music.’
‘It’s definitely not,’ Oliver said, and she smirked.
‘Such passion,’ the instructor continued. ‘It oozes from every pore. Great work.’
‘If this is work, I’m in the wrong job,’ Oliver murmured.
Pure lust had taken control. But was it just that? He wasn’t a monk, and he’d had his share of hookups before, but that kind of lust wasn’t this kind of lust. He wasn’t just chasing a quick physical release. Ok, so that was part of it, but Hayley mattered too… Like really mattered. Everything he wanted hinged on her wanting it too – and really wanting it. Desiring it. Desiring him. He needed to know this was important to her. Which also meant admitting it was important to him. And it was, damn it. She was important to him. Long-term relationships weren’t his thing, but what about in the short term? Maybe this was what he needed before he went to London. Something casual but more meaningful than a one-night stand with a stranger.
‘Hayley.’ Saying her name seemed to electrify her even more, and she came out of a sort of dreamy trance, her eyes snapping back to him.
‘What?’
‘I need to tell you something.’
‘Go ahead.’
‘I do like you sometimes. Most of the time really.’
‘You’ve got a damn funny way of showing it.’
‘I know, and it’s because it’s sensible to keep my distance. I can’t stop myself being attracted to you, but look what happens when we’re together.’
‘We fit? Is that what you’re saying?’
‘I don’t really know.’
She raised an eyebrow. ‘I see two options. One, we do nothing. Two, we act. Get it out of our system.’
He huffed out a laugh and kept his eyes on her, keeping her close. ‘I’m leaning heavily towards two right now.’
‘Me too.’
‘But those boundaries I mentioned before. They still stand. Because we don’t have a future together. I know you want that. Not with me. But you deserve it with the right person. I won’t string you along. It isn’t fair.’
‘I understand the rules and I’m willing to play.’
‘Then let’s get out of here,’ he said.
‘Seriously? Right now?’
‘Can you wait any longer?’ He raised his hand to her face, his fingers a little shaky, and gently brushed a strand of her hair to the side. He tucked it behind her ear, burning to lean in and kiss her.
‘Not really. But I need to see Tiffany.’
‘Let’s find her and tell her this place and this experience are the best things ever and we’ll book right away. If she needs a deposit, I’ll pay it. Anything. Let’s just get out.’
Had the desire to be alone with someone ever burned so strongly before? He was pretty sure it hadn’t, and he needed to do something about it, and soon, before he spontaneously combusted.