Weapon of Desire (7 page)

“Darcey, he’
s made a grave mistake and he loves you so much. Please give him a chance.” Lola is pleading on his behalf but of course she would being his sister.

“Lola, I’
m sorry but we made love on Tuesday and it was the same sensual, meaningful sex I’ve always shared with Daniel. The next day he was doing the same with Melissa. That makes our relationship a worthless charade.” My words are harsh and hit Lola hard. She looks down and says nothing.

“Lola, he thinks he loves me but he seems to be confused and does not know what he wants. Why did he do it?”

“Darcey, all I know is that Melissa and Daniel were close friends and that obviously grew with the amount of time they were spending together as work colleagues. He deeply regrets what he’s done and all I beg of you is that you give him another chance.” Lola is sincere and carries out her negotiations very well. Daniel would be pleased with her.

“I’
m not promising any reconciliation. I’ll meet with him and talk. Now Lola let’s stop talking about Daniel and enjoy our evening.” I smile and continue to polish off my meal.

We continue to talk and drink more cocktails as we pre
pare for an evening in the town. Our tight fitting black dresses and high heels speak volumes of our intention to snare any eligible men. The taxi arrives at 10pm and we are whisked off to the waterfront to have some drinks at the Apollo bar before we head onto the Arcazia Night Club.

The Apollo is heaving as we squeeze through to the bar. The music is pumping and the base penetrates through to my feet and into the core of my body. Lola is ordering more cocktails. My head is feeling a little light but I am pleasantly numb and Daniel is locked away as a distant memory.

Oh no! I spot my brothers and groan inwardly as Sam and Joe approach us. My heart sinks. They are going to cramp our style and will pester Lola all night.

“Hello ladies.” Sam moves in close to Lola. “Having a good night?”

“We were!” I snap.

“Where’
s Daniel, still in Spain?” Joe joins us.

“Yes and he can bloody well stay there!” My tongue is loosened
with the effects of four Mojitos. Lola spins around with a scolding gaze and I look to the heavens for support. Too late I’ve said it.

“That sounds ominous, what’
s he done wrong?” Sam is now pressing for an answer.

I look at Lola feeling guilty for my outburst but I know Sam w
on’t let up.

“He’
s been seeing someone else.” I blurt as the barman returns to serve Lola and breaking our eye contact.

“Oh dear.” Joe seems more concerned as Sam sups his beer. “So have you s
plit up or have you forgiven him?”

“Can we change the subject?” I demand as Lola hands me another cocktail. She smiles as
we clink glasses in agreement.

“Anyway Mum told us to look out for you tonight
, she’s worried.” Joe is insistent as Sam is busy eyeing up Lola’s legs.

“I’
m a big girl now. I don’t need my brothers to look after me.” I tut feeling a little embarrassed by all the attention. “I intend to get very drunk and chat to some decent men which will be highly unlikely with you two in tow!”

“Ok we get the picture.” Sam holds his hands up. “Lola might like to chat to me.”

“Unlikely.” I persist as Lola laughs. “Come on let’s dance.” We move away from the terrible twosome and join the bustling crowd on the dance floor. They wave to convey their amusement at my disdain and reemphasise their promise to Mum.

Joe and Sam drag a distance behind us as we mak
e our way to the Arcazia. This hotel is so chic and I am hopeful of meeting a better class of gentleman here. Lola is giggly with excitement having not been to the Arcazia night club before. We arrive in the glass lift to the top floor where intimate white leather booths are lit with low pink spotlights and the central island bar is surrounded with shiny chrome and white leather stools clad with suited gentlemen and ladies in their designer attire. The dance floor is besieged with party goers and the DJ is mounted on his throne enjoying the views of the Marina with a wall of glass behind him.

Sam and Joe join us as we reach the bar with Usher booming
throughout the club. My whole chest vibrates with the base as my head swims.

“Champagne everyone?” Sam shouts above the music.

“Yes please” Lola smiles at me like a little girl at a party. We can’t resist the rhythm of the music and are drawn into the crowd to dance. The alcohol has certainly possessed our souls as we seductively gyrate our hips to the beat. We are completely lost in the atmosphere and oblivious to everyone around us until Joe waves a glass of champagne in the air. Reluctantly we return to the bar.

“Thank you.” I grin taking a sip of the bubbles.

Joe moves closer. “So do you want me to have words with Daniel?” He asks.

“
I can’t have him taking advantage of my little sis.”

I smile sweetly with not a care in the
world. “Joe do as you wish, I’m past caring about what Daniel thinks.”

I
feel an arm weaving around my waist from behind and resting just above my belly button. Before I could turn I hear his voice.

“Hello Joe, how are you?” Anthony
’s voice is low and sexy as the words melt close to my ear.

“Hello Anthony, how are things?” Joe offers a hand to greet him. I twis
t my head to assure myself it’s him as I see Anthony’s other arm stretch to greet Joe.

Anthony looks heavenly in a lemon shirt and indigo jeans. His eyes twinkle as they catch mine and his smile captivates me. He looks irresistible and smells heavenly, I could eat him alive. I register Lola’s shocked face as Anthony tugs me back against his body. My mind is in disarray, how does he know Joe and what must they all be thinking? Sam returns from somewhere holding out a welcome hand to Anthony.

“Hi Anthony, damn I have
n’t seen you in months. I was surprised last week when I received your message. You vanished off the face of the earth, where did you move to?” Sam shakes Anthony’s hand as Joe passes him a glass of champagne.

“I’
m at Dorton with Darcey.” Anthony squeezes me closer and I blush feeling awkward after all I’ve said about Daniel and now I’m portraying a close friendship with Anthony. Lola and my brothers’ faces are a picture as though I’m not the innocent victim but a troublesome little minx.

“So where do you know my brothers from?” I find the
resolve to chip in and change the emphasis to them.

“We go back many
years; they supplied me with arms and military parts when I worked at Hornchurch.” Anthony is genuinely pleased to see them. Nick joins us at the bar where Lola has lost her tongue and is now drooling at the sight of his muscular frame in a checked blue shirt and smart jeans.

“
Hi Nick,” I reach across to give him a kiss as Anthony loosens his grip slightly. “Nick this is my friend Lola and this is Joe and Sam, my brothers.” They shadily shake hands. “Anthony, have you both been here all day and evening?”

“Yes we had a lounging afternoon and then dinner with Ian the Manager. We
’ve been watching you two dancing, not bad movers!” Nick and Anthony laugh.

Anthony whispers in my ear “yes
those hips can move.” He nips my earlobe with his teeth and my body reacts to his touch as I try to inhale him.

I smile as Lola plucks up the nerve to speak to Nick, much to my brothers’ displeasure.
“Nick, where do you work?” She flutters those long eyelashes.

“I drive for Anthony and his family, what do you do Lola?” Nick is hooked and as they continue to chat Anthony makes his
excuses to talk to me alone for a moment and drags me towards a booth.

Anthony pulls me alongside him in the dimly lit corner
. I slide along the seat as he pushes a glass of champagne in front of me.

“
Darcey now we’re alone may I say you look extremely hot. Where are you staying tonight?” He leans back in the booth not taking his eyes off of my lips as I teasingly dip my tongue into the champagne glass before taking a sip.

“Wow cut to the
chase – I’m staying with Lola. Why do you have plans?” My brazen minx attitude is resurfacing.

“I do
n’t want to waste time talking Darcey; we do that all the time. I want to get inside you.” Anthony is now inches from my face with one hand moving up the inside of my thigh.

I cross my legs
stopping his hand in its tracks and grin as I dip my finger into the glass and lick the champagne from the tip. “Anthony you have to work a little harder than that if you want in.” Here goes the drunken devil in me.

“Darcey I’
m going to have you grovelling at my feet begging for more.” Anthony grabs my hand and licks my finger slowly. His other hand pushes my legs apart but I close them tighter still.

“You’re one hungry man but you’
ll have to be patient with me.” I make a stand against his wandering hands.

“I’
ll have you Darcey and you’ll not be able to resist.” Anthony is deadly serious with deep eyes controlling me. He releases my hand and gently guides my chin closer to his mouth. His tongue outlines my lips and then parts them forcing into my mouth and wrapping my tongue. My breathing quickens and my chest heaves in response to his touch. He is right I can’t resist him as my tongue probes deeper.

“Darcey, can I have a word?” Lola stands
annoyingly beside us at the booth as I pull away from Anthony. Nick is smiling as he slides onto the opposite seat and grabs a glass of champagne. Lola looks furious and walks away towards the bar adopting a disapproving mother attitude.

Facing Anthony I apologise as I excuse
Lola’s behaviour and follow her to the bar. Anthony says nothing but I can tell he doesn’t care what Lola has to say.

She
stands a short distance back from the crowd as she begins her torrent. “Darcey, I think that both Nick and Anthony are really nice guys but what concerns me is that you’re not even considering Daniel. Don’t tell me that this behaviour is a result of being drunk tonight. When Anthony arrived he was all over you, this isn’t the actions of someone you’re just friends with at work!” Her eyes are wide with rage.

“Lola, so you’
re telling me that Daniel’s planned dirty week away with Melissa was just a result of their close friendship. Do you think I’m stupid? This has been going on for a while. Don’t lecture me about my behaviour; you should be speaking to your brother!” Our voices are raised and my hand gestures are wild.

Joe steps in front of me as Sam tries to grab Lola’s arm.
“You two had better calm down, people are staring and you’ll get thrown out.”

I look around feeling very childish and then realise how smashed I am
. “I feel sick!” I announce and make a dash towards the toilets with Lola in tow.

Exiting the cubi
cle, I look into the mirror. I’m white and my blue eyes look black. I attempt to wash my face as Lola puts an arm around me.

“Darcey, shall we go home? You need to go to bed.” She smiles in the mirror and holds my hand.

“Yes let’s go.” My head rests on her shoulder.

Anthony is
leaning against the wall outside the door. He straightens as we exit with a worried expression. Joe and Sam join him. They’re not amused at my drunken behaviour.

“Are you ok Darcey?”
Anthony’s hand reaches for my face.

“I’m
fine; I just need to go to sleep.” Anthony can’t hide the look of defeat as he exchanges glances with Lola who smiles with sweet victory over her efforts to reclaim the evening.

“I’
ll see you tomorrow.” He calls after us as we walk on towards the waiting glass lift. Lola’s head spins with surprise as she recognises the battle hasn’t been won.

Sunday morning bring
s the hangover from hell. I didn’t sleep much and Lola is great looking after me with glasses of water and tablets to calm down my head. I shower quickly and sit at the breakfast bar staring into my tea. Lola pushes buttered toast under my nose.

“Eat, you’
ll feel better for it.” She busies herself emptying the dishwasher.

“Lola, I’
m sorry about last night. I didn’t mean to shout at you. I’m just so angry with Daniel.” I search for her acceptance as she closes the dishwasher door.

“Darcey, I understand and I hope today with Anthony is
only business and not pleasure. Please give Daniel another chance, he deserves that.” Lola stands with both hands on the bar as she watches me eat.

“Don’t worry I’
m working today and I promise I’ll remain sincere until I speak with Daniel tomorrow.” I shoot across a grin “I’m not promising anything else other than that.”

Lola is silent and waits for me to finish my toast. “Daniel is calling me this morning. Shall I give him a message
to call you this evening?”

“Nice try Lola,
no I have to speak to Daniel face to face.” My eyes are hard and direct.