Dev cleared his throat. ‘I’m not rushing you, Eleanor, but I need you to understand that I’m looking for a relationship that’s going to move forward into the future. One for the long haul with a view to marriage, kids and a superannuation portfolio. We can go slowly, but if what I’ve just said isn’t something you can see in your future then let me down now.’
‘You’ve sabotaged every relationship in twenty-three months.’
His fingers stroked hers but only a slight shimmer of warmth wove through her, like weak sunshine on a cold day.
Without warning, vivid recollections from the past thundered in, mocking her tepid response. Memories of molten lust pounded her, reminding her how need had once poured through her so strong and fast that she’d been incapable of standing, and that long desire-fuelled days had been spent in tangled sheets. But all of that wonder had ended with her heart being shattered.
‘Sexual attraction is overrated. Dev’s a good man, you share things in common, and you both want children.’
She bit her lip, pushed her past down deep and squeezed his hand. ‘I want to try.’
He shot to his feet, dropped a perfunctory kiss onto her forehead and twirled her out onto the dance floor. The tiny parquet floor was crowded as everyone rocked and jived, dancing in a communal group rather than as intimate couples.
Dev laughed as he spun away from her, joining in an impromptu twist competition. Elly smiled, watching the dancers strut their stuff, and reminded herself that this was what living in a small community was all about. Sharing. After all, it wasn’t like Dev had just proposed to her, but that didn’t stop disappointment from niggling that he wasn’t dancing with her cheek to cheek as a sign that something significant had just happened between them.
‘We’ve had a request from the commodore for the barn dance.’ Joel Rubens—the grandson of the commodore—whose spiked black hair and body piercings made him look like he’d be more at home playing punk rock than parlour music—obviously knew that payment came only if he did as he was asked. ‘So can all the ladies make a circle and then you blokes go stand next to the woman you came with.’ He leaned into the microphone and winked. ‘Of course, you might not get to go home with her after this raunchy dance.’
Elly stepped into the circle and Dev found her, sliding his arm lightly around her waist as the traditional folk music started up. She stepped in closer, fighting the feeling she was dancing with her brother.
Dev tightened his arm around her and smiled as he expertly executed the steps to the dance. ‘Enjoy yourself,’ he said, and he danced her into the arms of the next man.
As she danced around the room, she danced with the mayor and with schoolboys who loved to sail, she danced with shopkeepers and wood turners, sawmill owners, hobby farmers and fishermen—the eclectic and caring community of Midden Cove; her adopted town and one she loved. Her feet were taking a pounding as not all Midden Cove men had smooth moves but she forgave them as the sense of belonging washed over her. The burly woodcutter thanked her for caring for his mother recently and then twirled her on.
Strong, tanned arms, with a smattering of golden hair enveloped her, as did the scent of musk, soap and danger. Her head jerked up and suddenly she was looking into the bluest-of-blue eyes that sparkled like the facets of a sapphire. Eyes she knew. Eyes that had dazzled her before and had once flickered with undiluted lust just for her.
Her breath turned solid in her chest, all words sticking in her throat, and her feet stumbled, pushing her against his broad and muscular chest. A chest whose every convex and concave line was tattooed on her brain for ever. It only took one brief touch of his hand and her body lit up like the fireworks-filled-sky on New Year’s Eve.
Long fingers laced through hers, pulling her arm up in a perfect dance square. His other arm gripped her waist, holding her upright as her legs melted. ‘Deep breath, El. It’s just one dance and it’ll soon be over.’
And less than five steps later she’d been spun out to her next partner. Somehow she managed to finish the barn dance and join in with the enthusiastic clapping at the end. But as Dev’s hand reached for hers, her eyes strayed across the room to the bar, taking in very familiar sun-bleached hair, and broad, dress-shirt-clad shoulders. Her head spun, making silver spots dance before her eyes. What was adventure-seeking, high-living Gabe Lewis doing in tiny Midden Cove?
Elly’s heart hammered so hard she was sure everyone could hear it. As the band took a break, people drifted off to the bar and out onto the deck, and she excused herself, dashing to the ladies.
Deep breath, El.
She gulped air into her cramping lungs. Gabe had always been the calm one. Calm, laid back and easygoing, unless crossed. When people hit his stubborn streak for the first time, it always led to shocked surprise. She should have heeded the warning the first time their opinions had differed.
Her breathing almost steadied as she gave herself a stern talking to. What did it matter that Gabe was in town? It didn’t matter at all. Sure, they shared a past but that’s exactly what it was: history. They’d broken up almost two years ago, their relationship floundering on the rocks of irreconcilable differences.
She raised her eyes to the mirror and groaned at her pale image. How could she be so rattled by seeing him again when he’d looked so composed and at ease? Damn it, she’d spent months getting over him and she was furious with herself for turning into a quivering mess at one brief touch. She stiffened her spine. She was over him. She had to be over him. With trembling fingers, she smoothed down her hair. This reaction was just the unexpected shock of seeing him again after all this time and the next time she saw him she’d be just as cool as he’d been.
You go, girl. She opened her evening bag, wound out her lipstick and swiped cherry red across her lips; ignoring the fact it was the only colour on her face.
Women drifted in and out of the bathroom, smiling and chatting, and Elly knew she couldn’t stay locked away much longer. She took one last glance in the mirror, tilted her chin and pushed open the door.
Joel had the microphone in his hand and was nodding to the bass guitarist, who was plugging in his guitar. ‘We’re going to play you a song we wrote so stand by as we rock this room.’
The screeching noise of feedback squealed through the amplifiers and the guitarist put down his instrument and adjusted the sound. ‘Sorry, guys, we’re just gonna change amps.’
Elly started to move across the crowded room toward the deck, thinking that the best place to hear an original Fires’ composition was as far away from the amplifiers as possible. As she reached the halfway point, the lights suddenly flickered then almost simultaneously a deafening bang ricocheted around the room. An arc of silver-white light flared and the room was plunged into darkness as a stomach-curdling, piercing yelp rent the air.
‘Doc Elly!’ Joel screamed in terror.
Elly swung round and helpful hands pushed her forward, as she used the moonlight to find her way. Just as she reached the stage a hand gripped her upper arm and tugged her back.
A smooth, deep voice spoke firmly but quietly in her ear.
‘Wait. I don’t want you fried too.’ With his fingers still pressing into the soft flesh of her arm, Gabe called out in a commanding tone, ‘Has the power been turned off?’
‘Yes.’
