Enthralled by Ann Cristy Read Free Book Online Page A

to
herself, perhaps having one of the comedians spotlight her with a lewd remark,
sapped her strength. She shook her head, but when Chazz's arm went round her
shoulder, she was glad to sink back against him. Somehow the show didn't seem
so bad that way. It surprised her to realize she was sorry when the act ended
and the lights came up. She hadn't wanted to move away from Chazz. As it was,
even when she straightened, they weren't far apart. Chazz kept his chair close
to hers.
    When the band began to play
dancing music, Chazz lifted Teel from her chair and led her onto the floor.
"Now don't tell me nuns don't dance," he said. "This is a unique
situation and one dance won't hurt." A devilish light glimmered in his
golden eyes, but Teel attributed it to the Irish whiskey he continued to tip
down his throat.
    Teel had always loved to dance
and had taken ballet lessons when she was a child. It didn't surprise her that
Chazz was a very good dancer. A man who moved as well as he did, not only
walking but also swimming, had to be good on the dance floor.
    "Well, well, Sister
Terese Ellen has another talent," he commented wryly. "You continue
to surprise me, or do you?" He swung her away from his body and Teel
laughed out loud. She felt his intent gaze on her, but she was having too much
fun to pay attention.
    They danced slow, fast, and
even waltzed. When the band played a polka, Teel moved to sit down but Chazz
wouldn't let her. He whirled her expertly around the room, seeming to know all
the nuances of the dance.
    "Where did you learn
that?" Teel gasped.
    "You forget I was raised
on the sidewalks of New York. We danced all the time. My father and mother and
later my aunt had friends of all ethnic persuasions who encouraged me to take
part." Chazz didn't seem as winded as Teel and had no trouble talking with
her. That alone made her itch to get back at him somehow.
    When they returned to the
table, Teel reached for her seltzer water and drained the glass. Chazz had
already finished his Irish whiskey, but he ordered another.
    They danced again and then
rested while the band took a short break. Teel was having fun, and if she had a
niggling suspicion that Chazz was drinking more than even his hard head could
handle, she pushed the thought aside. She was enjoying herself more than she
had in years. She needed it.
    Near the end of the evening
the band played more slow tunes, and though they often returned to the table to
quench their endless thirst, Chazz and Teel still managed to dance most of the
time. When Chazz first put both arms around her, Teel stiffened, but when she
pushed at his arms, he pulled her closer. She shrugged and relaxed. Everyone
else in the room was embracing the same way.
    They danced and
danced. Other couples left and still they danced. Finally they were the last
ones on the dance floor. The music was mellow and smooth and Teel became even
more comfortable with her arms looped up around Chazz's neck. Their bodies
seemed fused, as though the two worked as one Teel had never felt so relaxed
yet so tense with excitement. She could feel every sinew in his thighs. His
arms seemed to cocoon her. His fingers seemed to touch every pore. When his
mouth moved over her cheek, she began to draw back, but he wouldn't let her.
"Beautiful, beautiful," Chazz murmured, his lips teasing her ear.
"You're not what you seem, lady mine." His voice was thick.
    "We'd better go
now," Teel whispered. "You're being foolish."
    "Yes."
    Chazz kept her
close to him as they returned to the table to retrieve Teel's wrap and clutch
purse. He gulped down the last of his drink, then signed the bill without
looking at it, his eyes never leaving Teel's face. She said good night to the
maitre d' while Chazz still looked at her, his fingers kneading the flesh at
her waist.
    The balmy night sky was filled
with stars. When Teel looked up, Chazz turned to face her. "I have to,"
he murmured, "even if you hate me for it." And in the warm darkness
he pulled