Dance With My Girl
James was at his desk when Robbie walked in Monday morning, a suspicious look on his face, which worried James.
"Sir, you look odd. You okay?"
"Yes lad, actually I need a favour?"
"Oh?"
"Well don't sound so worried lad."
"What's the favour?"
"The Chief Super needs your help?"
"My help, why? What with?"
"I might let her explain that one."
James got to his feet, giving Robbie a look as he went. He made his way along the corridor and up the stairs to Jean's office. Waiting outside while her assistant informed her that James was waiting.
"You can go in now." The young woman smiled.
James thanks her before entering the office, Jean's head was down, as she stood behind her desk, looking as professional as she always did.
"You wanted to see me ma'am?"
"James, I've told you before, don't call me ma'am, boss is fine."
"Sorry boss. DI Lewis said you wanted a word, have I done something wrong?"
"Oh god no, sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."
"Right, so why am I here?"
"Yes right, well I need your help. Well a favour really?"
"Okay, what's the favour?"
"What would you say to accompanying me do the annual police dance?"
"The police off…I don't really do dancing boss. Perhaps DI Lewis would be better suited to the role?"
"DI Lewis has a prior engagement. Oh come on, I don't ask for many favours, I'll owe you."
James saw the pleading look in her eyes, despite desperately not wanting to go, he knew he couldn't say no to her.
"When?"
"Tomorrow evening, 7pm. I'll pick you up."
"Fine."
"Thank you James."
"You're very welcome…ma'am." He said quickly, as he walked out the room.
…
When James returned to the office he shared with Robbie, he gave the older man a look that could kill.
"You're going then?" Robbie smiled.
"Like I even had a choice."
"Needs must lad."
"So what prior engagement do you have?"
"Sorry?"
"Innocent said you had a prior engagement, which was why you couldn't attend with her?"
"Oh yeah, family thing."
"Really, you are such a bad liar."
"Come on James, you never know, you might enjoy yourself."
"I doubt it, surrounded by a bunch of over the hill senior officers telling me how proper policing was done in their day. I'd rather gouge my eyes out."
"Well think of it this way, you'll have a beautiful woman on your arm for the night, now you can't say no to that."
"I hate you."
"I'm going to get a coffee, I'll bring you one back, a peace offering?"
"It'll take more than coffee to make up for it."
…
James stood in front of the mirror the following evening, trying to sort the bow tie Jean insisted he wore. The doorbell rang, James muttering under his breath as he went to answer it.
"Not too early am I?" Jean asked, as the door opened.
"Wow, you look…"
"Thank you James."
Jean was dressed in a long sating green gown, her shoulder length hair, a slight weave to it and her immaculate make-up.
"Close your mouth James."
"Sorry boss."
Jean laughed when she saw the bow tie hanging loosely around his neck.
"Do you need a hand with the tie?" She asked.
"I thought you'd never ask."
James stood aside to allow Jean inside, she came in to the front room, turning around when James walked in behind her. He stood before her as she concentrated on fixing the mess that was his tie. He watched her closely as she knelt closer to him, the sweet smell of her perfume invading his senses. He closed his eyes for a moment, feeling her fingers brushing the side of his next as she fixed his tie, a small shiver going through him.
"There, that's much better." She smiled.
James looked in the mirror, examining her handy work.
"You tie a good tie." He smiled.
"Plenty of practice with my ex, are you ready to go."
"Lead the way boss."
"James, for tonight, call me Jean." She smiled.
"Lead the way, Jean."
…
They arrived at the hotel where the dance was being held in under half an hour. As Jean parked the car, James got out and came around to her side and held the door open for her. He offered her his hand as she got out of the car carefully so as not to damage her dress.
"Try and look like you want to be here James, there's a good boy." She smiled, as she linked her arm though his.
Walking in to the assigned room, Jean was immediately approached by Commissioner Burke.
"Ah Jean Innocent, well look at you. Don't you scrub up well."
Jean only smiled briefly before James spoke up.
"With respect Commissioner, Chief Superintendent Innocent always looks amazing."
James spoke up before he realised what he'd said.
"And who might you be young man?"
"This is Detective Sargent Hathaway Commissioner?" Jean added.
"Well young man, my apologies, I meant no offence. Jean, perhaps we can talk later."
"Yes Sir."
As the older man walked way, Jean turned to James who looked angry.
"James…"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. I can't stand people like him, so full of themselves. They think they're high above the rest of us."
"Well as inappropriate as it was, thank you for defending me. I appreciate it."
"You're very welcome, and ignore him. I meant what I said, you look stunning."
Jean smiled, as they made their way over to the bar, music playing in the background.
…
James made his way out on to the patio outside while Jean chatted away to some of the big wigs of the police constabulary. Jean came to join him twenty minutes later, a sigh escaping her lips as she came up beside him, leaning over the stone ledge.
"I wonder where you'd got too." Jean said.
"Trying to make polite conversation with that lot really isn't my thing, sorry." He said.
"It's fine, it's not exactly my thing either, but I don't get a choice though, being a Chief Superintendent."
"Here, I got you another glass." James smiled, passing her another glass of red wine.
"I'm supposed to be driving us home tonight?"
"No need, I booked two rooms for the night."
"Oh you did."
The music began playing inside, Jean hearing the song that was playing.
"Oh I love this song." She smiled.
James sat his glass down, before turning towards Jean, before taking her hand.
"What are you doing?" She asked.
"Dance with me." He smiled.
"I thought you didn't dance?"
"Well not normally, depends on who the woman is."
Jean allowed James to bring her close to him, others around them, making their way back inside, while they remained outside, swaying slightly to the music. Jean's head found it's way to James shoulder, as he breathed in her coconut shampoo. Jean slowly looked back up at James, smiling at him.
"Did you just smell my hair?"
"No I…sorry."
"Don't be, James thank you for being here tonight. You've made it more bearable for me."
"I've actually enjoyed myself, more spending time with you of course."
Jean looked into his eyes, smiling as she felt him move closer to her, pressing his lips against hers, before pulling back.
"James…"
"Sorry, oh hell you know what, I'm not…sorry that is. I've wanted to do that for so long."
"I'm your boss."
"So what."
"It would be unprofessional."
"I know how to keep work and home separate, you owe me a chance after tonight, please Jean?"
"We have to be careful James, my job I…"
"I won't let our jobs interfere with us. Now, shall I cancel one of the rooms, it's up to you?" He teased.
"Go on then. James?"
"What is it?" He asked, turning back.
Jean leaned in again and kissed him for a second time that night, glad that she'd made the right decision in asking him along tonight.
…
Fin x