A Matter of Trust by Radclyffe Read Free Book Online

Sarah’s voice and saw that her face was flushed with pleasure, her eyes bright with excitement. Her friend appeared altogether effervescent, and Sloan had a feeling that she knew why.
    Six weeks before, she had brought Sarah to the Cabaret for the first time, and since that night, Sarah had been at every one of Jasmine’s performances. Sarah’s eyes never left Jasmine, whether Jasmine was onstage or enjoying a drink with them at their table after the show. The attraction was unmistakable, and Sloan was worried. She knew for a fact that Jasmine never saw anyone socially outside of the club and wondered if Sarah really appreciated Jasmine’s story. She said nothing, however, for she made a point never to involve herself in the personal affairs of other people, particularly her friends.
    At that moment, the subject of their conversation appeared from the hallway behind the stage, threading her way carefully between the crowded and disorderly tables toward them. Sloan gallantly rose and offered her chair at the table. Jasmine thanked her with a quick kiss on the mouth. Sloan couldn’t help but grin, rubbing off the faint smudge of lipstick with her finger.
    “I’m so glad all of you stayed,” Jasmine said, taking the offered seat. She crossed her legs, the hem of her dress riding up to expose trim smooth legs beneath sheer stockings. A stiletto-heeled satin shoe dangled from her foot. “You all looked as if you’re having such fun, and I didn’t want to miss a minute of it.”
    “We were just saying how wonderful your performance was,” Sarah remarked, her attention totally focused on Jasmine.
    As Sloan pulled over another chair from a nearby table and settled again next to Michael, she was certain she saw Jasmine blush, even in the dim light of the smoky room.
    “I’m Jasmine,” the performer said slowly, extending her hand to Michael. “Did you enjoy the show?”
    “Michael Lassiter. And yes, I did, very much.”
    Sloan smiled, pleased that Michael was having a good time. She was still surprised at herself for having impetuously invited her. It wasn’t something she generally did—inviting near-total strangers, particularly straight married strangers, out on the town. She’d just had the feeling, while working in that cold, glass-enclosed high-rise office late on a Friday night, that Michael Lassiter was lonely. Why exactly she should care was another question altogether, and not something she wanted to consider too closely. The fact that she was very aware of Michael’s arm against her own at the crowded table was also making her uncomfortable. She glanced at her watch and saw that it was after 1:00 a.m.
    With something close to relief, Sloan said to Michael, “It’s getting late. Would you like me to drive you back to your office, or may I take you home?” It wasn’t until she had said it that she realized it might be misinterpreted as an invitation to something more personal. Hastily, she amended, “I mean...if you don’t feel like driving, I could drop you anywhere you like.”
    Michael smiled faintly, pretending not to notice Sloan’s discomfort. “Actually, I took the train into the city this morning. At this hour, I’m going to need a cab.”
    “Nonsense,” Sloan said firmly, ignoring the quick rush of pleasure that accompanied the thought of a few more minutes with the lovely new client. “I’ll take you home. It’s no trouble at all. Are you ready?”
    Michael glanced over and saw Sarah and Jasmine engaged in animated discussion, Sarah’s hand resting lightly on Jasmine’s forearm. Most of the patrons had begun making their way toward the door, and with some regret, she realized that the evening had come to an end. “Yes, of course,” she said, quickly rising.
    They called good night to Sarah and Jasmine and got rather absent-minded waves as the two of them continued their intense conversation with scarcely a break. Sloan smiled at her two friends and lightly took Michael’s