Gypsy - Lesley Pearse [178]
Beth sensed by the way Fallon slipped the bracelet on to her wrist and kissed her hand that he wanted her, and it delighted her to find she wanted him too, for that meant she was free of Theo at last.
She wasn’t looking for another serious love affair, but she was ready to have a little fling. Not immediately — she wanted to get Fallon’s full measure first — but in the meantime she could flirt with him.
Sometimes in the dark and icy January and February days, Beth actually felt glad Theo had left her, for if he’d still been around she would never have discovered how strong and independent she really was. She had taken control of her own life, she was a living legend in Dawson, and she knew that wherever she decided to go after here, she had enough confidence and belief in herself to succeed.
In early March she decided the time was ripe for a night of love. She had found it hard to think of anything else for a few weeks, often waking in the night from erotic dreams.
It was the law in Dawson that on Saturday nights everything should be closed by midnight, and ever since Beth came to the Monte Carlo, Fallon had always opened a bottle of champagne once the doors were shut, and asked her to join him.
She had been saving all her money since she began at the Monte Carlo, but because she wanted to look extra special for Fallon, she got a seamstress to run her up a new scarlet gown. It was modelled on the style of a flamenco dancer’s dress, with a low-cut neckline, frilled sleeves, and a close-fitting boned bodice taken right down over her hips, then flaring out in layers of frills to her feet.
It was a sensational gown, one that she would never have dared wear anywhere but Dawson, and part of its delight was knowing that it was risque´ and would raise eyebrows. She knew people still gossiped about Theo leaving her, and perhaps this gown would prove she was over him. She knew she was, for as she slipped it on over new silk, lace-trimmed underwear, all she could think of was Fallon undoing her laces and buttons, and it brought a flush to her cheeks.
She played for him alone all evening. The saloon was crammed with people, all looking up at her on the little stage, tapping their feet, clapping their hands and smiling. But her dark eyes were on his face as he stood at the corner of the bar. He wasn’t dashingly handsome like Theo; his skin was pale and he had unremarkable features and pale blue eyes. But he had style — tonight he wore a sea-green silk waistcoat beneath his dark suit, his hands were soft and manicured, and the smile on his lips was just for her.
‘You look very beautiful tonight,’ Fallon said as he handed her a glass of champagne in his parlour after the saloon had closed. ‘And your new gown is very becoming.’
The parlour was small, with no room for anything more than a couch in front of the fire, a large polished wood desk and chair, and a safe stacked high with papers. He ran the saloon from here, and the adjoining room was his bedroom.
‘Well, thank you, Mr Fallon,’ she said with a smile.
‘It’s John,’ he said, standing with his back to the fire. ‘I can hardly seduce a lady who calls me Mister.’
‘So you intend to seduce me, do you?’ she said impishly.
‘I have been intending to do that from the first day you walked into my saloon.’ He grinned. ‘But I sense that you are giving me the signal to go ahead tonight. Am I right?’
‘Would a lady admit to that?’
‘One as honest as you would.’
She got up, putting her glass down on his desk. ‘Then maybe you’d better kiss me,’ she said.
Beth had studied his mouth a great deal recently. It was in fact his most attractive feature. His lips were well shaped and plump, turning up at the corners, almost as though he was constantly smiling. She hoped that meant he was good at kissing.
He put his hands on her waist and drew her close, looking down at her in amusement. ‘I hope you aren’t being a tease!’
She didn’t answer,