Authors: Margaret Tanner
Judith came up to Caroline. “Enjoying yourself? The Harringtons always put on a good turn. Santa will be coming soon.”
“Santa!”
“Yes, it’s a Harrington Christmas party tradition. We always get a nice present.”
At that moment, a voice rang out. “Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas, everyone.”
Caroline could scarcely believe her eyes, Bryce dressed up in a Santa suit, had bushy white whiskers flowing halfway down his chest.
He sat himself down on a chair and dumped his sack on the ground. “Have you all been good little girls and boys?”
Caroline found herself first in line.
“Have you been a good girl? Come and sit on Santa’s knee.”
With everyone cheering her on, she couldn’t refuse even if she’d wanted to. And she didn’t want to.
“Yes, I’ve been good, Santa.” She perched on his knee, resting one hand on his shoulder. She couldn’t resist the urge to stare into his face. His eyes were a clear, sparkling gray tonight.
“Can Santa have a kiss?” he whispered in her ear, and her cheeks grew hot.
“No, sorry.” She shook her head for emphasis.
“Oh well, here you are. Merry Christmas.” He handed her an envelope.
“Thank you, Santa, Merry Christmas.” She forced herself to get off his knee so the next girl in the line could take her place.
“No, you can’t sit on Santa’s knee,” Bryce told a grinning young man who followed the girl. “Only pretty young ladies get that privilege.”
“Oh, Santa, I’m crushed.”
“Too bad,” Santa replied with a chuckle.
Every employee received the same-sized envelope. On opening hers Caroline discovered a twelve-month free pass to any Melbourne drive-in or movie theater.
Santa’s visit broke the ice, and everyone started laughing and talking as they got into the festive spirit.
Several of the girls headed towards the pool. At their insistence, Caroline slipped out of her frock, glad that Judith had told her to wear her bathers underneath. Swimming was one of her favorite activities. Without vanity, she knew she was good. At school, the swimming coach used to tell her that if she took private lessons after school hours, she might make the Olympic training squad.
Her mother couldn’t afford the extra tuition fee. She battled to pay the school fees for her and Andy as it was. If they hadn’t received a special grant from the school trustees because they were the children of a former pupil, they wouldn’t have been able to attend such a prestigious school.
She dived into the pool where a number of others larked about. Gliding through the water, the liquid coolness stroked her skin. What bliss. No wonder the rich and famous guarded their lifestyle so tenaciously.
She executed a perfect turn before heading back towards the other end of the pool, oblivious to anything but the magic feel of the water. She did several more lengths before she realized everyone else had left the pool. Glancing up she saw they were all lined up watching her.
When she came up out of the water everyone cheered and she felt so embarrassed she didn’t know where to look. Scurrying towards her clothes, she was waylaid by Alexander Harrington.
“Wonderful exhibition, my dear. Where did you learn to swim so well?”
“At school. I…I didn’t realize anyone was watching. I tend to forget everything once I hit the water.”
“I didn’t know you could swim so well.” Bryce joined his father. “Have you had much coaching?”
“I did at school. My coach thought I was okay.”
“I’ll bet he did.” He stepped back a pace and let his gaze wander all over her, and once more she felt a hot rush of color to her cheeks.
Bryce was now dressed in beige shorts with a brown, short sleeved polo shirt. She tried not to stare at his sandaled feet and tanned, well-muscled legs.
“What would you like to drink?” His devastating white-toothed smile gave her goose-bumps. With a hand resting lightly on her shoulder, he steered her towards the drink waiter.
“Fruit punch, thanks. This will be my second one. I hope it isn’t alcoholic.”
He laughed. “It’s only fruit juice with a few strawberries floating around to make it look more exotic.”
Handing her a glass of the punch, he took a beer for himself.
“I should put my dress back on.” His intense scrutiny unnerved her. Remembering the last time they were alone and practically ripping each others clothes off, she wanted to cover herself as quickly as possible.
“You’re still wet. Besides, heaps of people are wearing bathers. It’s a pool party, for goodness sake.” He took a mouthful of beer. “I’d like a swim myself but…”
“But it wouldn’t do to rub shoulders with the workers?”
“Are you accusing me of being a snob?” His arctic tones could have frozen the swimming pool water.
“Aren’t you?” Why did she want to provoke him, knowing how hot-tempered he could be?
He hesitated for a moment. “No, I don’t think I’m a snob. In fact,” his lips twisted into a sneer. “I enjoy rubbing shoulders with my workers. Some more than others, of course.”
Before she realized his intention, he drew her into a darkened corner of the garden where a rose-covered trellis shielded them from any passerby. His mouth came down on hers, hard and angry. It was a punishing kiss, and he crushed her so tightly against him she feared she might suffocate. But, what bliss.
He forced her mouth open with his impatient, thrusting tongue and a sudden surge of electric current shot through her. He must have felt her almost instantaneous capitulation, because the kisses changed. They became gentle, sensuous, working her mouth until it trembled, eager to receive his tribute.
He kissed her eyelids, her throat and shoulders. When she felt him untying the halter neck of her bikini top she didn’t care. Bryce was the only man she would ever love. Nothing else mattered except him, now and always.
His impatient hands slid her bikini top down and his mouth found her nipple. He drew her breasts together and suckled both nipples until they became aroused and super-sensitive. Excitement swirled in frenzied, turbulent waves deep within her womanly recess as he drew the rosy tips even deeper into his hot mouth. This was as near to paradise as she would ever get on earth.
Finally he raised his head. “My God, what are you doing to me?”
He started moving his body slowly, sensuously against hers.
“Let’s get out of here and go somewhere more private,” he whispered.
Before she could frame an answer they heard Alexander Harrington calling out.
“Damn it.” Bryce dropped another more succulent curse. He moved quickly towards his father, giving Caroline time to adjust her bikini top.
“It’s time to eat, son. What on earth are you doing out here?”
“I’ve been discussing a work matter with Caroline.”
“For goodness sake, this isn’t the time or the place to be discussing business.”
Caroline came up to them, glad that the darkness hid her face from the older man. “I am starting to feel hungry. Must be the night air.” She wondered how she could speak after being kissed so thoroughly.
“Well, come along, both of you. The steaks are getting cold. I’ve been looking for you for more than five minutes.”
She followed the two men to where the cook barbecued steak and sausages. A number of people who had already received their meat congregated around a large table, helping themselves to an assortment of salads.
“Steak, Caroline?” Bryce asked, in a voice that sounded almost normal.
“Just a small piece, thanks.” She didn’t feel like eating. She was starving, but only for Bryce and the passion his kisses promised. She walked a tightrope to danger, but didn’t care. For once in her life she wasn’t going to be cautious, sensible Caroline Dennison.
A fat, juicy T-bone steak landed on her plate.
“If that’s a small piece, I’d hate to try a big one.” She smiled at Bryce as he helped himself to a large T-bone and a couple of sausages.
He picked up two miniature bread rolls, one for each of them.
“I’ll let you serve yourself the salad,” he said.
She followed him around the table, helping herself to coleslaw, lettuce and tomato. Jars of tiny black balls were probably caviar.
She wandered over to the pool and found a vacant deck-chair. Bryce followed and sat next to her.
They didn’t speak while they ate their food. “Who did you come with?” he asked.
“I met a group of girls outside work, and we came together. I’ll get a cab home.”
“No. I’ll take you.”
“Thanks, but I couldn’t take you out of your way. You’d have to come all the way back here again.”
“I’m staying at my own place. You should have asked me to give you a lift home.”
“I didn’t have the nerve.”
“Am I such an ogre? Don’t answer that.” He gave a deep rich chuckle that did funny things to her insides.
“I wasn’t going to on the grounds it might incriminate me.” Laughter gave a lilt to her voice. This was how it should be, laughing, teasing, enjoying each other’s company.
When they finished eating, he took their plates over to the table. “Come and have some dessert,” he said on his return, grasping her hands and pulling her up.
Fresh fruit salad, huge bowls of whipped cream, mud cake and strawberry pavlova. What a feast. After they’d filled their plates Bryce picked up a bottle of champagne and filled two crystal goblets and handed one to her.
“Merry Christmas, Caroline,” he said as they sat down
“Thanks. Same to you.” They touched glasses. Between mouthfuls of dessert, intermittently washed down with champagne, they discussed the test cricket.
“For a female you know a lot about cricket.”
“My brother used to play, so I went to a few games with him. I saw a couple of the Tests between Australia and England. I love the atmosphere. Everyone in their shorts and thongs, the guys loaded down with car fridges full of beer. There was even a streaker at one of the matches.” She laughed at the happy memories. She couldn’t remember when she had last felt so carefree.
“I’ll take our glasses back, won’t be long.” He stood and moved towards the table. Within a short time he was striding back towards her, moving with a loose-limbed grace. She would never tire of watching him. He sat down next to her and draped his arm across her shoulders.
“You don’t speak much about your family,” he finally said, as if he felt the need to break the silence stretching between them.
“I’ve only got a brother now.” She couldn’t hide the catch in her voice. “My parents are both dead.”
“I’m sorry.” He genuinely sounded like he cared. “It must be lonely for you. Do you see much of your brother?”
“No, but we’re close.”
As the night wore on, some of the guests drifted away. Just before midnight Bryce suggested they should leave also. Caroline had consumed several glasses of champagne and felt happy. In fact, she was slightly
f
uzzy in the head but ecstatically happy, because he had hardly left her side all night.
“I’m dropping Caroline off on my way home,” he told his father when they bid the old man goodbye. She was glad Bryce hadn’t forgotten his promise to take her home.
“Thank you for inviting me, Mr. Harrington. It was a great party,” Caroline told him with sincerity.
“That’s all right. Glad you enjoyed it. I think everything went off well, don’t you, son?”
“Yes, as always.” Bryce draped his arm across hi
s father’s shoulders, and it moved her to see the genuine affection between the two men. Pity she had never had the chance to be close to her father.
Chapter Nine
Bryce clasped her hand as they strolled towards the Jaguar, parked in front of an en
ormous garage. This would have to be one of the best nights in her whole life. The champagne had gone to her head, making her reckless, and it urged her to throw caution to the wind.
“I’d like to go to your place for coffee,” she announced after they had been driving for a short time. This might be her only chance to see where he lived, but more importantly, she wanted to savor his company for as long as possible.
“I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”
“Just a quick cup of coffee, unless you don’t trust me,” she taunted.
“It’s not you I don’t trust. You’re playing with fire, little lady.”
“Please.” She reached out and caressed his cheek. “I’ve had such a wonderful time. I don’t want it to end yet.”
“You’re very sweet, I wish…” He gave a deep sigh.
“What do you wish?”
“Oh, forget it.”
Settling back in the comfortable seat, her eyes soon grew heavy. She shouldn’t have guzzled so much champagne. When the car stopped in a basement car park she awoke with a jolt.
“We’re here, sleepyhead.” He laughed softly as he locked his door and came around to the passenger side to help her out. With his arm draped across her shoulders, they headed towards an elevator.