Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) (20 page)

Julie gasped.

Having focused totally on the police officer, Robert forgot about the Andersons. He placed his hand on her shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I gotta defend my guys, Juls. I'm the leader."

The police officer sighed and stood. Robert continued, "Look, ya can run 'round town all night or ya can go home. I suggest home. Have supper, make love to your wife. Get a good night's sleep. I have things under control, but unless someone finds the killer, at 7:01 Tuesday, all hell's gonna break loose."

Mr. Anderson escorted the lieutenant to the door. He exited looking more wearied than when he walked in.

"Nice guy," Robert said. "He's got no smarts though. He thinks he controls us. Like we're scared of him. Hope they promote him to another job soon."

Mrs. Anderson picked at a corner of the arm of her chair. "Do you think there'll be more…fighting?"

"Yea. It's gonna get ugly and messy." Robert sat in silence for a moment, absentmindedly rubbing his upper lip.

Julie tapped his knee. "We should get ready."

He blinked. "Do I gotta get all dressed up or somethin'?"

"No, but something other than jeans would be nice."

"Party in somethin' other than jeans. Should be interestin'." He stood, offered a hand to help Julie stand then led the way upstairs.

***

Mrs. Anderson settled into a living room chair with her e-reader just as Robert stepped off the last step. He was dressed in a black dress shirt and pants with a dark blue tie. "Looking good," she said. "Nice to see you in something other than jeans and a tee." She lowered her head to hide her grin at his embarrassment.

Julie stepped passed him. "Like?" She spun, showing off her latest purchase, a red dress with a low-cut back. She'd brushed her hair up into a French braid, exposing her upper back and neck.

"You look beautiful." An urge grew deep down inside him. It wasn't about sex. He wanted to hold her, protect her.

"You both look good," said her mother. "Have fun and don't stay out too late."

"Curfew?" Robert shot his eyebrows up. "Never had one of those."

"Not really." Julie slipped on her coat. "Ballet exam is tomorrow."

"You're kidding. We don't have to go."

"With you looking that good. No way we're staying home." Julie walked towards the door.

"Me? You're beautiful." Was there ever anything more beautiful on the planet?

"Well let's quit standing here complimenting each other. Let's go show off." She held out her car keys.

Julie chatted about famous Westland parties as she drove to Jennifer's house. Robert kept silent. She parked in front of an immense colonial style mansion with large white pillars adorning the front. The windows were bright with light and the sounds of laughter and music could be heard outside.

Robert looked over the car roof. "You know, I don't wanna do this."

"Why?"

"I wasn't serious 'bout goin' to the party, and the next thin' I know we're standin' outside Jennifer's house. Shit, it's bigger than yours."

"It's just a party."

"Babe, it's a Westland party. Charming people like Derek and Stephan will be there." He chuckled. "In case you hadn't noticed, we don't socialize well. What's gonna happen once they figure out I am makin' a move on ya?"

Julie walked around the car to his side. "Making a move on me, eh?"

"Yea, I am." He grabbed her waist and pulled her close. "You bought this dress to drive me crazy, didn't ya?" He kissed her neck. Julie's knees buckled.

"Go for it, Julie," a voice behind her said. Julie turned. A grinning Tricia was standing next to a scowling Stephan.

"What're you doing here?" Stephan threw his chest out. Tricia pulled him back.

"Don't exactly know." A grin crossed Robert's face. "But since I see I've ruined your evening Stephan, ol' buddy, I guess this might be fun after all." He held out his hand. "Lead on Juls. Let's see what shit I can get into."

"Julie!" Jennifer raced across the room and hugged her friend as if she hadn't seen her in a decade. As she squeezed her, Jennifer whispered, "I'm so glad you brought him. Tonya's here, so keep an eye on him. She's been talking about stealing your man. Love you."

She released Julie and smiled. "Robert, beer's over there. Drop a twenty in the bucket and drink away."

He grinned. "This party might not be so bad after all. Can I get you a be…diet something?"

Julie chuckled as she pointed. "You go that way and get a beer. I'll go over there and grab a diet something. And then we'll meet back here."

"Synchronize our watches?"

Giggling, Julie disappeared into the crowd.

Robert stood near the beer line and watched as a brunette in a tight short skirt and low cut top strutted across the room and stood before him.

She dropped her gaze to his feet and moved it up to his hips then linked gazes with him. "Hello, tall, dark and totally fuckable." She dragged her tongue across her top lip.

Robert's chuckle started with a shake of his shoulders then moved to the crooked grin on his face before it erupted from his mouth.

She stepped in closer, slid her hand down his stomach and rested it on the inside of his thigh.

Robert didn't release his gaze from hers. "What? Ya want me to just rip your clothes off and do ya here?"

Her pupils dilated.

Robert flicked her hand off his leg then glanced left and right to see who had slipped their arms around his.

"Tonya." Tricia waited until the girl looked at her. "This gorgeous hunk of maleness is more man than you could ever handle."

Jennifer flicked her hand. "Go away now. He's all ours."

Tonya turned on her heel and stormed off.

"Thank you. But I coulda handled that myself."

"We're just protecting Julie's property." Tricia winked and wandered over to speak with a friend.

Jennifer released his arm. "Tonya's the school slut."

"Figured that out all by myself."

Julie stopped in front of them. "Did you get lost coming back from getting the beer?" She glanced at his empty hands. "Or did you get lost going to find the beer?"

Christopher barged between them and bumped Robert's shoulder. "Guess Jennifer's starting to hang with trash."

Robert lunged forward, grabbed Christopher's shoulder and spun him around. Before Christopher could react, Robert slammed his palms on Christopher's chest shoving him back a couple of steps. "I am so not going take any of this shit tonight. Ya wanna take this outside and end it now?" His shoulders heaved with the depth of breaths he inhaled.

Refusing to make eye contact with Robert, Christopher glanced around. "I didn't mean nothing."

With one step, Robert invaded Christopher's personal space. "Yea, you did." He locked his gaze onto Christopher's and didn't blink.

Jennifer started to step forward, but Julie touched her arm. "No, leave him alone. Let him deal. He won't do anything stupid."

Several heartbeats later, a friend of Christopher's grabbed his arm, pulling him away.

Robert slightly turned his head and watched as they camouflaged Christopher into the crowd. He rolled his shoulders and twisted his head around then turned. All signs of anger had disappeared. He stepped closer to Jennifer. "Sorry. He shouldn't have insulted ya. If ya want me to go, I'm outta here."

She handed him an unopened beer, rose up on her toes and placed a tiny kiss on his cheek. "You did good. He's an ass." Smiling at the surprised look on Robert's face, she walked over to a group of girls to mingle with her friends.

Still holding the beer, Robert walked nearer to Julie and pulled her close. "Thanks. I heard what you said. Thanks for trustin' me." He pressed his lips against the velvet skin of her neck and inhaled the aroma of her perfume. He wanted to trail kisses up her long neck and lose himself in the touch of her soft pink lips, instead, he stood before her gazing into her eyes.

Julie's voice went mute at the touch of his lips. The heat of his flesh on hers made her mind swirl. Through the noise of the crowd and the fire that raged in both of them, the sound of music broke through.

"Wanna dance?" He breathed across her ear.

She rested her forehead on his chest. "I'm not good at dancing this stuff."

Robert scratched his head. "Babe, you're a ballerina."

Lifting her head, she gazed into his dark eyes. "That's exactly it. Put on Tchaikovsky and I'll pirouette around the room for you."

Not wanting to let go of Julie, Robert forced himself to step back. "Come on. I'll teach ya." He twisted the top off the beer, chugged half the bottle, led her to the dance area and placed his beer on a plant stand. "Ok, find the beat."

She rolled her eyes and snapped her fingers.

"So you're not hopeless. Now just go with it."

Julie marvelled at how well he moved. "You should take dance classes with me."

"Like that's ever gonna happen." He grabbed his beer and gulped a couple of mouthfuls.

One song faded into the next. Julie and Robert were the only couple on the dance floor. Both regarded the way the other's body moved; gyrating hips and swaying body. Julie shimmied her shoulders whenever she caught him watching her. His face broke into an easy smile. He grabbed her and dropped her into a dip. Holding her firmly in his grip, Robert kissed Julie where the top of her blouse fell open.

As a fire burned in his eyes, Julie's heart pounded against her ribcage. The fast-paced tempo mellowed to a love ballad. Robert pulled her close, settling his arms around her waist as she wrapped hers around his neck. Julie rested her head on his chest. As they swayed to the beat, Robert trickled little kisses up the side of her neck.

Sparks tingled along her spine. His arms felt protective wrapped around her. Her body swayed. Not to the rhythm of the music but to the passion whirling around in her. Julie had so many things she wanted to tell him. She loved the feel of his kisses. She loved the way he made her feel safe. She loved him.

Julie stopped dancing.
I love him
.
I'm in love with Robert.

Robert stood still but he didn't release her. His mouth neared her ear. "I feel more for you than anyone ever before."

He loves me too.
She squeezed her arms tighter around his neck and nestled against his body, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat. The song faded and the music stopped. Locked together, the two stood alone on the dance floor, unaware of anyone else at the party.

Dragging his fingers up her back, he slowed as he touched the warm flesh on her bare back. He slid his hands along her neck and up and around to cup her face. With an insistent pressure, he pulled her face to his. This was it. This was the moment his kiss had to cross over the friendship line.

He paused and shifted his gaze from her lips to Julie's eyes. When their gazes met, Julie lowered her eyelids, shifted forward and slightly opened her mouth.

Robert pressed his lips on hers, urging her to respond. His hands ached to caress her body, to run his fingers down her long arms and up her strong legs. To wrap them around her tight waist and to trickle his fingers across those enticing curves. He forced himself not release her face. This wasn't about sex. This was about passion. It was about something he'd never experienced before. Could it be love?

Robert's eyelids flew open as he gasped and stumbled back.

Both Julie's and Robert's chest heaved as they gasped for air. "Ya know I wanna make love to ya." He rubbed his face. "But I want more than just sex. I like being with you. I…."

Julie snuggled closer. She understood this was as close as he could get to telling her he loved her. And that made her content.

Needing to separate himself from the tension of the moment, Robert glanced at his watch. "We're outta here."

She tightened her grip around his neck. "No, not yet."

"You gotta a dance exam tomorrow." He ducked his head out of her grip; sorry to be away from her touch, but relieved to have a chance to sort out what just happened.

Reluctantly, Julie led him towards Jennifer. After they said good-bye and exited the house, Robert held out his hand. "Keys."

Julie tightened her fingers around them. "You were drinking."

"One beer and that was like an hour ago." He motioned his fingers asking for the keys.

***

Robert parked in a secluded spot overlooking the bay. The lights of North Shore reflected on the water. He killed the engine, got out of the car, walked around to the front, and leaned on the hood. Julie stood next to him.

"I knew this place had to be around here somewhere. See that big buildin' cross the bay, just to the left." He stretched out his arm and pointed. "I've spent a lot of time over there dreamin' about being here."

He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. "Know what's funny?"