Thunder in the Night (Crimson Romance) Read Online Free

the four of us lined the table, watching fortunes rise and fall. Faith, the woman who Mart had warned at the waterfront earlier, was a serious-looking redhead who would have a serious hangover come morning. Kiran was a brunette with full cheeks and deep dimples. They worked together at the biggest corporation in town, Patty, the dark-haired one, explained when I asked.
    “Usually, we just go flop on the beach in Mexico for a week,” Kiran told me. “Maybe meet some guys.”
    “But we sure don’t have to worry about that on this trip,” Patty said, with a groan. “What’s the male-female ratio here? Like one to two?”
    “That’s what we get for doing something educational!” Kiran laughed.
    “Yeah, educational,” Faith said, knocking back the last of her drink. There was the just slightest hint of a slur in the word.
    “I hear there’s a cabaret,” Patty said. “Let’s go see.”
    I stifled a yawn. The day had been long and all I really wanted was sleep. Sound sleep, preferably, for a full eight hours.
    “Maybe tomorrow night,” I begged off, knowing I still wanted to make some notes on our journey before hitting the hay.
    “Oh, c’mon,” Kiran groaned, taking my arm and tugging. “Just for half an hour.”
    She led us to a table up near the stage and alongside the dance floor. Glancing at the crowd, I saw some trekkers gyrating to the music. Onstage, a five-piece band played while several young women in feathery costumes danced among them.
    When the song crashed to a halt, I clapped and peeked at my watch. I really needed to update those notes for my first article and get to bed.
    “I think I’m going to — ” I began then stopped.
    The guitarist was introducing a singer. The long black hair and peacock blue gown of the woman approaching the microphone were familiar. She was Mart’s companion.
    “So, give it up for Ishani!”
    With a grace I could only envy, Ishani acknowledged the applause of the audience, stepped forward, and opened her mouth. The song she sang was slow and romantic, emphasizing the rich alto of her voice. Her eyes swept over her listeners, drawing them into the song of love lost and found. One elegant hand lifted, she smiled down at the table nearest the stage. Mart sat rapt, his head tipped up to watch. He raised his drink in salute.
    “Wow, she should record a CD,” Faith said as the song ended.
    The dance floor began to fill again as the band segued into a mix of popular songs. I joined in and soon spotted Sylvia Webster, in an eye-catching graphic print mini, dancing with the professor. Mart, working the crowd now, was with Maria.
    At the end of the medley my second wind propelled me to the bar for something cold to drink.
    “What’s your pleasure?” Mart asked, joining me.
    He placed our orders and we leaned against the bar, watching the others. I tapped my purse against my leg in time to the music.
    “Ishani has a beautiful voice,” I told Mart. “Faith thinks she should record an album.”
    Mart smiled, nodding. “I’ve told her that, too, but she wants to focus on her work. Singing’s just her hobby.” Looking over the crowd, he asked, “Wanna dance?”
    Ishani was at the microphone again. The music had changed to something slower and the lights dimmed accordingly.
    “Sure.”
    I let him lead me the few steps to the floor and moved into the circle of his arms. His hand at my back felt warm through the thin material of my dress. Mart hummed along to the song, his breath tickling the top of my ear in a provocative way.
    Closing my eyes, I followed his movements without effort. Up close, he smelled faintly of coconut. Up close, his eyes were more green than hazel. Up close, I could see a little white scar on the bridge of his nose. I gave a sigh of pleasure.
    “You’re a great dancer.”
    He tipped his head. “Thank you. I’ll pass the compliment on to Mom. She paid for the lessons, way back when.” Showing off, he gave me a spin then tucked me in