Never Again - 14

Chapter 14 - I bet you look good on 

the dance floor

The game was great, exciting and end to end, it was the third from last game of the season and there was still everything to play for. Erin was ignoring the feelings of inadequacy she was getting from being in the presence of so many immaculate and glamorous women, there was not an out of place hair on anyone’s head, and that intimidated her. She couldn’t compete with them. Then the voice of reason would vocalise, remind her that Jack had asked her to come with him, and he’d been like a bitch on heat at their last couple of meetings. No Jack liked her, she knew that. She had to deal with her fragile self respect, Jack was not Max. He’d not lead her on and let her down. His intentions were clear. He wanted fun, and so did she.

At half time they’d had another drink, re-watching highlights of the first half; it was then that a pretty, petite blond thrust herself upon them. Throwing her arms around Jack, she grinned as he bent to kiss her cheek, then she turned to grin at Erin.

Erin ignored the little pang of jealousy that seeped into her consciousness at the greeting the two shared, but as she stared at the two faces both smiling at her, she realised there was a love between them, but a platonic love.

                “Erin, I warned you this might happen, this is Danielle Millward, you met her husband very briefly last weekend!”

Suddenly it made sense, this was Jack’s best friend’s wife, Erin grinned and extended a hand, “Hi! I’m Erin Bailey!”

The other woman’s hand was firm, “I am so pleased to meet you! I can’t remember the last time Jack introduced me to a female friend, “ she glanced at Jack, “and that says more about his usual bad taste in women than anything else.” Still grinning at the man who dwarfed her in height, she added, “about time Jack!”  Then linking her arm through Erin’s she turned them away from him, “let’s go somewhere where I can tell you all about him!”

jack’s groan was comical, but he wasn’t threatened by Danni, she loved him like a brother, and she was right, the last few women he’d slept with more than once - he could hardly call it dating, were not the sort of women you introduced to your best friend’s wife. The brief image if Tina came to his mind, and he groaned, she was everything that he hated, but up until now that was all he’d gone for. Until now, he’d met women who wanted to be seen with him, not just him, but someone of his stature, they wanted to use him to leapfrog to fame. Unfortunately he’d rarely been pictured with any of them, so neither party had got what they wanted out of any union.

He glanced across at Erin giggling with Danni and felt a surge of heat to his groin. She was everything he wanted. Funny, animated, kind - she’d proved that in the way she’d taken him into her life over the last month, she was beautiful in a classic way, she was unadorned, no fake tan, hair extensions or inch thick make up. And she argued with him, was free with her opinions, she stimulated him in ways he’d never considered before. The whole package was smoking hot.

The team won, and they were still in the players’ lounge when the victorious team, showered and changed turned up. Scott came straight over to fist bump his mate, then hug his wife.

                “You coming for a meal later? Danni’s mother is staying, so we’re heading to this quaint little Italian I know.”

Jack’s hand snaked around Erin’s waist, “would you rather go somewhere quiet?”

She liked that he appreciated eating out with his friends could be intimidating when they still barely knew each other, but she liked Danni, and Scott seemed like a great guy, so if anything the evening would be easier in their company.

                “No, a quaint Italian restaurant sounds perfect!”

                “Great!” Danni took Erin’s hand, “let’s have a drink and mingle with the sluts first! I’m going to like having an ally in this place! “

Erin gasped at her comment, but she had to admit the glamorous women were sour-faced, and none looked particularly happy, that was until the men arrived, now they were all gushing, competing to be the centre of attention!

It was a brilliant night, Danni was great company, her and Erin were immediate friends, it gave Scott and Jack plenty of time to catch up. The conversation was light, the banter inclusive to all four, and Erin couldn’t remember when she’d had so much fun. After the food, they headed one of the City centre hotels, the bar there was legendary, and as predicted full of familiar faces. It was like a ‘who’s who’ of the North West.

Perched on a stool watching Danni and Scott dirty dancing, she felt arms encircle her from behind. Jack had headed to the bar for another bottle of champagne. Smelling the distinct scent that was Jack, she realised he was back.

                “You ok?”  He asked against her neck, his warm breath causing her whole body to erupt in goosebumps.

She nodded, “your friends are great. I’ve had fun.” She lifted his hand and glanced at the time on his expensive Swiss watch. “But I should be going...I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

His lips latched on to the soft skin below her ear, and he nipped gently, if his breath had excited her, this inflamed her, he could feel her heart race, heat swirled in her pelvis, she glanced down sure that her throbbing nipples were protruding through her sweater.  “It’s still early, and I have every intention of taking you home Cinderella, just not yet.”

She turned on the stool to face him, and he stood with a thigh either side of her knees, his hands reached past her to grasp the high table behind her, she was trapped by his presence. “I think Mr Reilly you are getting the wrong impression!”

He grinned, he’d anticipated her withdrawing as soon as he pushed things, but he was prepared, “I have the impression that you are a beautiful and sexy woman...that’s all. If you want to go, all you have to do is say!”

With that his lips lowered to hers. Their previous kisses had been intense, but this one, the mixture of the relaxing affect of the alcohol, the knowledge that he wanted more, the challenge she’d thrown down. This one was off the scale. His mouth was intrusive, possessive, controlling and demanding. And Erin just melted into it, loving that he led the way, drawn in any direction he took. She’s never felt so passive before, but it felt so right. For a moment Erin was drugged, under a spell, she forgot that she was in the bar of a hotel, in a busy public place. Instead her hands snuck up his spine and found the back of his head, he was moving closer, parting her legs further, bringing their bodies together.

                “Ay ay! Get a room people!” Scott’s voice cut the intimacy of the moment like a knife. Jack released her lips, but his forehead rested against hers and he smiled at her, not wanting to end the kiss so abruptly. Brushing a thumb gently over her lips, he sighed, oh to be somewhere alone!

Leaving a hand on her back, he stepped away from her slightly, turning to his friend, “great timing mate!”

Scott laughed, “Cuckolded yet again! Glad I can fill that role!” Ignoring the anguished faces, he filled all four glasses with the new bottle of champagne.

Erin was mortified, being caught so in flagrante, in front of everyone. She shook her head, this man was making her do things she shouldn’t. She had a huge need to bolt, to escape, but Jack’s hand was like an anchor on her hip, an arousing, teasing anchor. She couldn’t fight him.

Jack wanted to shoot Scott, as if the disruption hadn’t been bad enough, he now had a smug look on his face. His friend knew how tortured he was feeling, and it was amusing him. He glanced at Erin, she looked petrified, but that kiss had been beyond amazing, if Scott hadn’t disturbed them, then he may have got into real trouble. When it came to Erin Bailey he had zero control, the last few encounters had taught him that! Now he had the job of trying to calm her, knowing Erin the way he did, she was planning an escape, a way out, he had to stop it, at all costs.

                “Dance with me!” He breathed against her ear. Without giving her time to refuse, he grinned at Scott and Danni, then led her out to the makeshift dance floor. As the night had worn on the dancing had changed from energetic disco to swaying couples just wanting to move together. Perfect!

Pulling her into his arms, he loved that her head was perfectly aligned with his shoulder, as he tugged her close, her head rested on him and he wrapped his arms around her. He hummed along to the music, something cheesy, and he was rewarded with a rumble of laughter against his neck. From then on Erin visibly relaxed, moving with him.

When the song ended Jack smiled at her then led her back to Scott and Danni. The conversations turned to football, Jack was gutted that the scan earlier in the day didn’t show as much improvement as he’d hoped for. It was very doubtful that he’d play again this season, and every now and again, Erin could see the pain that caused him, though he hid it well most of the time.  Squeezing his hand she wanted him to know that she understood, that she felt for him. He glanced down and smiled appreciatively at her, squeezed back.

An hour later Scott and Danni left, they’d pushed the favour of their babysitter as far as they could. Leaving Jack to smile at Erin, “we should make a move to I suppose?”

Erin nodded, suddenly nervous, she didn’t want the evening to end...well she didn’t want to think about how the evening would end. The awkwardness of separating, she knew Jack’s intentions, but she had no intention of sleeping with him, until he touched her, and then that wouldn’t be enough...

                “We can get a taxi...”

                “I can’t do this Jack...”

His answer was to place his lips on hers, the same drugging effect, the passion and desire that were barely restrained in them both. Lifting his head he looked down at her, pleased to see the same desire in her eyes that he knew she’d see in his.

                “If you want to leave, I understand, but...we could get a room...save the journey out to mine...or yours. I want this Erin, but it’s up to you!”

He was so persuasive, and since he’d kissed her in the bar earlier, all she knew was her body would betray her if he touched her again. She was scared, Max had taken so much of her confidence, but Jack wasn’t Max, and at least he was transparent, if she took his hand and headed towards w room with him, then she knew exactly what was on offer, and what she could expect. She’d never had that with Max.

Smiling nervously, she nodded, then reached for his outstretched hand.