The Intimidation Game (Game Series Book 1) Read online

  Dan winks at me and mouths the word hi. I give him a little wave and face forward again, with a huge smile on my face. When we reach the altar, I give a last glance at him and a flutter rises in my belly when he smiles at me. Oh Dan what are you doing to me? Smiling back, I turn my attention back to my bridesmaid duties.

  Gina and Steven take their places at the altar in front of each other. Anyone looking at them can see they’re so in love with each other. Their nervous smiles and tender looks evoke such a feeling of longing in me. It’s every woman’s dream to be looked at with as much love and pride as Steven looks at her. He truly loves her, cares for her, would never hurt her.

  I look out over the congregation and take note of how many people love and cherish this couple. Steven doesn’t have any family to speak of, but he has been taken right to the heart of Gina’s family and theirs is a beautiful story.

  As the minister starts with his “Dearly Beloved,” I smile and catch Dan’s eye again and he smiles back at me. I turn away to listen to the minister, my mind a whirl of emotions.

  Steven takes Gina’s hand at the minister’s announcement of the vows. I watch as they look into each other’s eyes, their smiles lighting up their faces. The sun shining against the stained-glass windows creates a stunningly colourful display of tiny dancing lights and every time Gina moves, the crystals on her dress pick them up. It’s as though I’m in a real-life fairy tale and for the next few hours I allow myself to be enchanted, pretending as I catch Dan staring at me, that my own prince charming is waiting for me.

  The reception is in the same place just a different hall. The meal we’ve just had was absolutely amazing and I was impressed by the efficiency of the staff and by the speeches that were given. Gina’s dad was hilarious regaling us with tales of both Gina and Steven and getting some great laughs at his jokes. He made his daughter blush a few times and had us all in tears at the end when he told them both how proud he was of them and that he couldn’t wait to meet his first grandchild, who we have now been informed is a boy.

  I’m sitting feeding Georgie her bottle of milk while Charlie is off organising her sitter. I know as soon as she’s with Mark’s mum they’ll both be able to relax and let their hair down. I’m seriously dreading Charlie’s wedding; she’s going to be insufferable.

  “Imagine meeting you here.”

  I turn and look up into Dan’s beautiful dark eyes. “Yeah imagine.”

  “So you’re the chief bridesmaid’s sister then?” He sits down beside me.

  “Mhm. Bridesmaidzilla.”

  His hearty laugh startles Georgie who lets out a cry and almost chokes on her milk. “Oh I’m sorry baby,” he says and rubs her little hand. It looks so tiny in his. We look at each other and the air is thick with a feeling I’m finding hard to resist.

  “Oh, here she comes. Look at her, she’s like a woman on a mission.” I watch Charlie stride towards us.

  “Anne’s outside. Let’s get this little one handed over and then we can party. Hi there.” She nods at Dan as she lifts Georgie out of my arms.

  “Charlie this is Dan my boss.”

  She looks at me and nods her approval. “Nice to meet you Dan. You a friend of Steven’s?” She asks him and I can see her narrowing her suspicious eyes at him.

  “Yeah we’ve known each other a while. He’s a great guy.”

  “I know he is; I wouldn’t want anything less for my best friend.” She turns to me and smiles, and I know what she’s thinking. “I’ll catch up with you later sis.”

  We watch her walk away and I sit staring at my French manicured nails.

  “You look beautiful Nikki.”

  “Thanks,” I reply and when I look at him, I’m done. My damn body is sent into a free-fall.

  “Danny boy.” We both turn and find Steven standing behind us. “Hey Nikki, sorry to interrupt, do you mind if I steal him a minute?”

  “Not at all, I’m going to get a drink before the dancing starts. Need to get in the party mood.”

  “I want you to meet my wife man, she’s fucking amazing.”

  Dan stands and gives me a nod. “I’ll catch you later Nikki,” he leans down and whispers in my ear, “save a dance for me.”

  As I watch him walk away with Steven, I wonder just what this night has in store for me. Whatever is going on between us is getting harder and harder to fight. And I’ve realised now that I really don’t want to fight it.

  The dance floor is lit from below and all round and the lights in the hall have been changed to a muted setting. Tiny LED lights sparkle all around and the atmosphere is buzzing as we await the arrival of the bride and groom to take their first dance. I have chosen a table at the back of the room and it appears I have managed to bag myself an empty one.

  The DJ makes his announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen please be upstanding as we welcome your bride and groom Mr & Mrs Parker.”

  The whole place erupts in applause and whistling as Gina and Steven take to the floor. They stand facing each other and it’s clear to see how in love they are. Steven kisses Gina to whoops and applause and they start to dance as the music plays. The song is ‘At Last’ and I know it’s fitting to both of them. They deserve this, to be happy at last and I feel tears well up. I watch as Gina’s mum and dad get up to join them. Then Charlie and Steven’s best man Gerry take to the floor. At this point it would be customary for me being the other bridesmaid to dance with another of the males from the groom’s wedding party but Steven doesn’t have anyone else, so I’m sat here like the proverbial wallflower, alone at the back, in the dark, scared to talk to anyone.

  “Why aren’t you up there dancing?” Dan’s soft voice just about melts my bones.

  “I don’t have anyone to dance with. Anyway, I’m quite happy to stay here.”

  “I told you to save a dance for me. Next song we’re dancing okay?”

  I nod at him and take a large drink of my champagne. We sit in silence watching everyone dancing and as the song nears the end, I get nervous. I honestly don’t know why, I want to dance with him, hell I want to do a lot more with him, but I’m scared. I swore that I’d never let myself get into another relationship with a colleague let alone my boss. I don’t know if my fragile heart can take another beating. I lost a year of my life and a lot of self-worth to Mike and I don’t know Dan well enough to know he won’t do the same to me. The song finishes and Gina and Steven kiss each other to jubilant applause and as the next song starts, Dan and I look at each other and burst out laughing.

  “Well I did say I would dance with you. Do you know the moves to the Y.M.C.A?”

  “It’s my favourite.” He stands and holds out his hand. “Come on then.”

  I roll my eyes and take his hand. “God this is so embarrassing.”

  What’s even more embarrassing is that we appear to be the only ones on the dance floor. Dan doesn’t seem to care as the singing starts and he gets his groove on. I’m relieved when other people start to join us, and I let myself go a little and mirror Dan’s moves. By the time the track is almost done I’m thoroughly enjoying myself and when the song changes, I’m a little breathless.

  This one is slower and soulful and, if I’m not mistaken, is the song that plays a pivotal role in Dirty Dancing. Dan takes my hand and pulls me close to him.

  “Now this is dancing,” he says over the music.

  I barely have time to register how close he is holding me as he starts to sway me from side to side. Now, I can dance but this guy is seriously good. He leads me around the floor like a professional and his moves are so fluid and effortless that it’s easy for me to follow him. He has me pulled in close enough to feel the heat of his body. I’m amazed at how every step we take seems to give me more and more confidence. At the bridge of the song he runs his hand up my back and tips me back. As he brings me up slowly and I look into his eyes I forget we are in a room full of people. It’s like we are the only ones here and the heat between us is intense. Dan pulls me in close again and w
e sway together until the song finishes.

  I try to move to get off the floor, but Dan’s arms are strong, and he holds me firm.

  “What are you doing?”

  “What are you doing?” He whispers and brings his face so close to mine that our noses almost touch. I swear I feel a spark move between them. I swallow hard and am about to speak when a hand on my shoulder startles me and I push back from Dan who at last releases me.

  “Nikki sorry to interrupt your little love-in here,” Charlie waves her hand between us, “but I need you to take the guest book round the tables to get signed.”

  “Um okay. Sorry Dan… I… have to go.” I turn and stride across the dance floor before he can say anything else. The high I was feeling as we danced has been shot down in flames and I feel like my old stupid, pathetic self again. Fuck you Charlie. I’m about to leave the hall when Dan catches me by the wrist and pulls me into the corridor. He pins me against the wall with his strong, hard body.

  “Dan I…”

  “No.” He puts his finger on my lips. “Nikki there’s something between us, I know you feel it.” His voice is low and raspy. “I know you’ve felt it too.”

  “Dan I’m sorry, we can’t do this.”

  “Says who?”

  “You’re my boss.”

  “It’s my company, I don’t care that I’m your boss.” Every time he speaks his mouth gets closer to mine until our lips are almost touching.

  I hate the thought of being in another hushed relationship for fear of what ‘people might think’. “I can’t be a secret,” I whisper and saying those words means I am giving over that last unbroken piece of me. I know if I get my heart broken this time, I’ll never come back from it.

  “Never,” he says, and his lips are on mine.

  His kiss feels right. More than any other I’ve ever had. It’s soft and sensual and filled with all sorts of delicious promises. I feel a complete sense of abandonment and I let go, my body moulding into his as we both give in to the tension that has been building between us for weeks.

  “For God sake Nikki,” Charlie’s screeching voice makes my eyes shoot open, but Dan doesn’t let go of my lips. Instead I feel him smile and see his eyes sparkle. I can’t help but smile too.

  “I’m in the middle of something here,” I laugh against Dan’s mouth.

  “So I see.” I can hear the smile in her voice. “I’ll do the guest book myself; you carry on.”

  As soon as she’s gone, he lets me go and we both burst out laughing.

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry Dan. She is really pushing it today I swear.”

  “Go and do your bridesmaid duties but come and find me later. I’d like to take you home with me tonight. We need to finish this.”

  “Oh… ehm… okay. To your apartment?”

  “No home. Just come and find me okay.”

  I nod and he plants a chaste kiss on my lips and walks away holding my hand until only our fingertips touch and then he is gone. I take a deep breath and sink against the wall with what I can only imagine looks like the smile of a twelve-year-old girl at a One Direction concert.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I have come to realise that there are many traditions in Scottish weddings that don’t make sense unless you are Scottish. I have to say the one I have found to be my favourite at this wedding reception tonight was the last dance of the evening while Gina and Steven were still here. It was a rendition of Loch Lomond and the dancing ended in carnage. They put the bride and groom in the middle of a massive circle of people and everyone just goes completely mental. I decided to watch it from the back standing on a chair and I’m so glad I did, it looked bloody dangerous. There were body parts flying in all directions and the fast-paced part of the music coupled with the drunkenness of the guests made for the most hilarious spectacle I’ve ever seen.

  We said goodbye to Gina and Steven a while ago and the reception is winding down now. The lights are up a little more than earlier and the guests have started thinning out. I’m staring at the tiny bottle of Chanel No.5 that we got from Gina as part of our wedding favours, the lower volume soul music playing in the background is soothing and I’m completely lost in my own head.

  “Penny for your thoughts sis?” Charlie comes and sits beside me.

  “Hey.”

  “You okay honey?”

  “Yeah I’m fine I’m just tired, it’s been a long day.”

  She puts her hand on mine. “I’m sorry, I’ve been a complete bitch today. I honestly think this wedding has sent me insane.”

  I laugh at her. “Oh Charlie if this is how you are as a bridesmaid, I might be washing my hair when you get married.”

  She slaps my arm. “Don’t be cheeky to your elders.”

  “What are you and Mark doing tonight?”

  She claps her hands together. “Baby free tonight, me and my man are going to get it on.”

  “Ugh too much info Charlie, God.”

  She laughs a little too hard at herself. “We’re staying in Gina and Steven’s apartment tonight, there’s plenty of room if you want to crash there too. They’re going to a swanky hotel.”

  I shake my head and feel a warm blush spread over my face. “No, I’m good thanks.”

  Charlie narrows her eyes at me and a sly smile twitches at her lips. “Hmm, going home with Dan are you?”

  “Charlie come on.” I shake my head in embarrassment. I don’t really know what to say to her. She saw us kissing after all.

  “Honey you’re a grown ass woman, do what and who you want, just be careful. I don’t want my baby sister getting hurt again.”

  “Charlie I’ll be fine.” I look away from her because I’m lying. I don’t know that I’ll be fine. I don’t know that I won’t end up in a situation I can’t get out of this time. I don’t know what happens from here on out and if I’m honest with myself I’m scared.

  “Nikki,” Charlie squeezes my hand, “you’d tell me if there was something wrong, wouldn’t you? I really don’t want you to feel as though you have to deal with anything on your own again.”

  I plaster on a fake smile and look back at her and lie through my teeth. “Of course I would, you’re my sister.”

  I can tell by her expression that she doesn’t believe a word I’ve said but in her big sisterly fashion she nods as if everything is okay.

  “Hey sweetheart are we about ready to go?” Mark puts his hand on Charlie’s shoulder as he appears behind her.

  “Yeah can you get my coat from the cloakroom honey?”

  “Okay. Nikki are you coming with us?” My sister’s handsome and ever so sweet fiancé asks, rubbing her shoulders.

  “Nikki has other plans tonight.” She winks at me.

  “Yeah I’m fine Mark thanks.”

  “Okay I’ll get you by the doors. See you later Nikki.”

  We both watch him walk away and Charlie turns back to me. “I’ll have my phone by me all night, if you need anything call me okay.”

  I nod and pull her into a hug that’s tighter than I mean it to be but that speaks volumes to her. “Love you big sis.”

  “I love you too,” she says against my hair.

  I let her go and as she stands, I see the glint of tears in her eyes. I know she’s worried about me and I know she’s not stupid. She knows there are things I’m not telling her about. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to tell her everything that happened with Mike. God help me if she ever finds out the whole truth. I’ve never wanted to look like a failure to anyone especially not the one person in my life that I idolise.

  “Right I’m off. Enjoy the rest of your night.” She walks away, her pink dress swishing as she goes, and I smile when I look at her feet. She’s wearing a pair of pink fluffy slippers. The woman is as mad as a hatter and my heart bursts with love for my big sister.

  My phone vibrates on the table and when I turn it over, I see it’s a text from Dan.

  I meant what I said Nikki. We will finish what we started. X
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  I slump back in my chair and watch as the hall starts to gradually empty. I want so much to carry on where we left off. I think about Dan’s lips on mine, the exquisite feeling of his tongue touching mine, how happy it made me in the moment. I realise I haven’t seen him since our little rendezvous earlier and I wonder where he is now.

  Ok.

  I can’t think of anything else to say. I don’t know if I’m ready for this. Dan’s reply comes through almost immediately.

  Your enthusiasm is inspiring Nikki. Stop playing with that bottle and put some of the perfume on. I want to smell it on your skin.

  I sit bolt upright and look around the room. I can’t see him and it’s making me nervous knowing that he’s watching me.

  Put the perfume on.

  I open the bottle and run the opening against my neck, transferring a little of the beautiful scent to my skin. My phone buzzes again.

  Perfect. Your neck is delectable.

  I’m becoming increasingly aware of the heat radiating over my body and I’m glad there aren’t many people left in the hall or near me. Another text comes in.

  Do you trust me?

  I bloody better if I’m even contemplating going home with him.