Jack and the Rollercoaster Ch. 05

Over the next three weeks Ally called frequently in the evening to practice our dancing. She also got into the habit of arriving around seven-thirty every other morning to get on the treadmill and rowing machine. I changed my workout times to seven, so that I could shower when she was working out. Ally noticed this change without comment. For me it was all about avoiding temptation. Most men would relish the opportunity to see a woman like Ally, soaking in sweat, rendering her tee-shirt almost transparent, and I am no different. However I realised that although Ally seemed quite happy to show me, the chances of going further were minimal, and I would not be able to get on with my writing or anything else if remembrances of Ally's gorgeous breasts were to continually occupy my mind.

There were just a few days remaining before this charity ball, and our practice had become superfluous. I had no doubt that she would look fantastic on the ballroom floor. So it was that we practiced only for a short time that last week and fell into conversation more. It was good as we found a lot to talk about. We argued about politics, we agreed on the need to preserve the countryside, and we discussed attitudes and the bigotry that still existed in the world. I asked questions and challenged some of her attitudes, she didn't take umbrage, rather the opposite, pleased to defend herself. However it was one ordinary question that I asked which opened Pandora's box.

"You told me that you had your own work, and that it wasn't related to your father's business, but didn't tell me what you do." Ally was silent for a while, deep in thought, then answered.

"I'm a Model." From the way she looked and dressed that wasn't surprising, but I couldn't understand why she had taken so long to answer.

"I'm not surprised, Ally. From my point of view you are perfect for that sort of work." She was shaking her head.

"No, Jack. You don't understand. I am not a clothes horse model. I am a photographic model, a glamour model." My understanding of that was models who posed in bikini's or occasionally topless. So naively said.

"You would make any bikini look good." She smiled.

"Thank you, it's nice of you to say that. But I rarely wear any clothes when I am working."

The expression dumbstruck was the perfect description for me at that moment. I sat there and I am certain that my mouth hung open, unable to say a word. Ally said the word.

"I guess Gob smacked is appropriate, isn't it, Jack?" After I had gathered my composure I nodded.

"I think it is the right word, surprise, bombshell, astonishment, all of those things as well."

"But not disgust, you didn't say disgust."

"No, Ally. Why should I say disgust? I haven't got to my age without realising that someone's got to pose for the photographs in magazines that I have read. If I didn't feel disgust for my actions in buying and reading them, then it would be hypocritical for me to label the girls who posed. Neither do I suppose that the women who pose are automatically of loose morals." The expression on Ally's face was happiness. She came over to where I sat and kissed me.

"Thank you, Jack. I was so worried about telling you. I nearly didn't you know. But my head was telling me that you would understand and not think badly of me. My head was right. When we are in bed together I will tell you all about it."

"Whoa! Stop right there. Who said anything about our going to bed together. We dance together, and that is simply to put an earthquake under your father. That's it." Ally didn't agree, I could tell from her expression. Oh hell, another determined woman!

"Listen to me, Jack. Let me tell you a little about myself. The men I have been out with tend to fall into two categories. The Lickspittles who dance to my Father's tune, or who want to earn brownie points with him. And the Golden boys, as I call them. Men who believe themselves handsome, who cannot pass a mirror without an admiring glance at themselves. Men who believe that it is their right to have a good looking girl on their arm. I've been there, Jack and I felt demeaned, angry with myself for boosting their self-image or their ambitions. The one's I would really like to know don't ask me out." Ally stopped to drink some tea, I said nothing as I was sure she would go on. But I was aware of part of the problem. How often did I not approach a pretty girl when I was young as I thought she would not be interested in plain Jack Hunter.

"Jack. I like you because you are none of those things. I like you because you talk to me as a person, an equal whose opinions are just as important as your own, just think back over our conversation this evening." She grinned. "And you talk my face, not at my tits! I like you Jack because when I flirt you blush. When I pushed my breast into you when we were in hold, you pulled away even though I am sure you didn't find it unpleasant. You value me as a person, not as a body." Was it my turn to say something? Frankly I didn't know what to say, so what I said was disjointed as I was thinking as I talked.

"Ally. You have just thrown me totally. I did not think for one moment that you could feel any connection with someone of my......" She interrupted.

"If you say age, I shall scream!" Her eyes were blazing. "What has age got to do with how someone feels?" She looked upwards as if appealing for help from above. "Jack, all I want is to know you better, become a close friend, and if we do go to bed together, I'm not saying we will, but if we do is that the end of the world? Or don't you want to see me naked in your bed? My father has tried his best to control my life, and has browbeaten and manipulated the men I go out with. He cannot do that with you, you proved that when you dissed him that time. And it's your maturity that allows you to do all of that."

"If you had let me finish, I was going to say my situation." I tried to keep the smile off my face. Of course I was going to say age, but I thought I would muddy the waters a little. Ally seemed at first to be surprised, then she smiled.

"Oh yes you were."

"Oh no I wasn't" She was laughing now, and I had no option but to join in her laughter.

"Bastard!" She cried. For the next few minutes it was impossible to get a sensible word out of either of us. The moment one of us tried the look on the other's face would set off the laughter again. Eventually I got control of myself enough to get words out.

"I'll go and get my calendar and red pen." Ally looked mystified, so I explained.

"Well it will be a red letter day."

"What will?"

"The day you get into my bed, naked. I must make sure I am here to see it." I managed to keep my face straight. Ally didn't. She was laughing again.

Ally left about ten-thirty giving me a full open mouthed kiss as she left.

"Just a taster, Jack." She teased. She left me with a problem, was I going to sleep that night? probably not. My dilemna would be not so much did I want to go to bed with Ally? Of course I did, what man wouldn't? Well those blokes who walked the other side of the street may not, but most other men would give their souls for the chance. I had to think forward. If I did get into a relationship with Ally, I would not want it to end. I mean, take a man to paradise and he will want to stay there wouldn't he? Ally was probably of a different view, that we could have fun together and when someone better, someone nearer her age came along, move on. Yet the delights that I would find with her were a pressing temptation. Needless to say I didn't sleep well that night, and got out of bed at six-thirty feeling like shit! I had two showers that morning, one to wake me up, and another after I had worked out, and I still didn't know what to do. Eventually I had a plan. Get this bloody Ball out of the way, then sit down with Ally and talk it through.

I collected Ally from her apartment, at eight the evening of the Ball. With Sheila's input we had decided that it would suit their plans if we made an entrance after most people were there, so that if Richard was going to make a scene then he would have to do it with a large audience. Ally left her coat at the cloak room then came to join me in the Lobby. You could feel the stir as she came through the crowd. Angels have that effect, don't they? She was wearing a pale gold dress, full skirted but fitting her small waist closely. The bodice, well almost a bodice, consisted of a narrow choker collar from which two broad straps came down only meeting when they reached her waist, There was nothing under them except Ally, pure Ally. She smiled and twirled. Oh shit! There was no back to the dress and the straps over her shoulders didn't cover her sides, The swell of her breasts below her arms were very evident.

"Like it?" She asked.

"It's almost as beautiful as you. But I've no bloody idea where I am going to put my hand when we are dancing."

"I could give you some suggestions, Jack. But I doubt that it would be proper when we're dancing though." Her eyes were twinkling. I grinned.

"I suspect that your suggestions could be interesting but, as you say not entirely proper." There was a smirk on her face. "So come on, let's go into the Lion's Den. Hail Caesar, we who are about to die, salute you!"

Sheila had thoughtfully reserved a table for us, and we made it without fuss. A waitress appeared and took an order for drinks. We had just taken the first sip, when a little murmur made me look up. Ewing was making a beeline for our table. I told Ally as she had her back to him. She grinned.

"The fun's starting." Ewing arrived at our table and ignored me, even though I stood. He addressed Ally.

"Alicia! I didn't realise that you would be here this evening. You should have let me know. But never mind, I have room at my table, so come and join us." Ally looked up.

"Hello Daddy. I believe you know Jack Hunter. If Jack is happy, we could join you for a short while." Ewing looked at me as if I was something foul that he had stepped in.

"I doubt that we will have room for him. He won't mind though, if you join us." Ally smiled sweetly at him.

"Oh no. Daddy, I couldn't desert my escort for the evening. That would be impolite." Ewing was getting angry now, and as his anger built, so did the onlookers who anticipated some sort of confrontation.

"Alicia, I will not brook any argument. Do as you are told."

"No." Ally said this vehemently. I thought it time for me to get involved. As calmly as I could I told him.

"Ewing! You are making a scene. Ally is old enough to know her own mind, and she accepted my invitation to be here this evening. Do allow her the right to make her own decisions." He rounded on me. His anger obvious in his eyes.

"Be quiet you upstart. This has nothing to do with you." He spoke to Ally again.

"Alicia. This person is totally unsuited to be with you. Look at him he must be much older than you. Now see sense and come and join my table." He had not noticed Sheila joining the group around our table. Until she spoke from just behind him.

"Richard! How much older than Ms. Cannon were you, when you got her into bed?" She said it loud enough for the comment to be heard by the immediate onlookers.

Ewing's face showed shock. Sheila went on. Quieter now, but with steel in her voice. "You are sixty four. I believe the lady was forty four, but Mr. Hunter could confirm that, couldn't you, Jack?" I nodded.

"Yes. She was." Sheila went on remorselessly.

"So if you didn't consider Ms. Cannon too young for you, you can hardly claim that Mr. Hunter is too old for Alicia?" Ewing's anger was such that logical thought had flown.

"Has he been spreading slander?" He pointed at me, his finger wavering as his blood pressure rose.

"No. Ewing I haven't. Why should I bother. You aren't worth talking about." I understood that would hit his inflated ego. Beside me I heard Ally clamp down on a short laugh. Before Ewing could explode at me Sheila got his attention.

"Richard!" She spoke sharply. "Mr. Hunter has said nothing about you to anyone. I on the other hand can, as I have the evidence of your little trysts. Now if you don't want them made public I suggest you come back to our table and calm down." Ewing could not resist making one more comment.

"Lay one hand on my daughter, and I will have you in Court to answer charges." I laughed. But Ally had something to say.

"Daddy. If Jack lays a hand on me, it will be with my complete agreement and encouragement. In fact I rather look forward to it. And I will be quite happy to stand up your court and tell them so." Ewing left, his face puce with anger. Sheila gave us a smile.

"Well done, and thank you Jack." Then she followed in his wake. The small crowd that had gathered broke up, but not without some gleeful grins for the way that Ewing had been taken down a peg.

I sat down to see the beaming smile on Ally's face. She leaned across and kissed me.

"Jack, you were great. Not saying too much, but what you said was perfect, and you kept your dignity. My father lost his, but you remained the gentleman." I had many questions, but one was paramount.

"Ally. When we talk you always call him father, then when he was standing there you called him Daddy?" Ally looked a little sad then gave me the answer.

"I call him father, because he is my biological father. I only called him daddy to remind him that I was his little girl but I was seeing another man to whom I may give my body. That will hurt him. It may not make sense in your mind, but it does in mine, and I expect in Mum's mind as well." I thought about that, and she was right. It didn't make sense to me.

The band had not been playing for a while, now they started up with a quickstep. I got up and turned to Ally.

"May I have the pleasure of this dance?" I held my hand out. Ally placed her hand in mine.

"I would be delighted." The floor soon got crowded, the quickstep was a popular dance and the tempo could be used for many modes of dance. We got round the floor quickly, apart from a couple of occasions when I had to throw in a spin turn to avoid first a couple who suddenly stopped dancing, then another who were jiving. Ally was smiling broadly.

"I love this, it's brilliant." I would have loved it as well, but I could feel the hatred of Ewing's eyes as we circled in the corner nearest to his table. Ally flashed him a beautiful smile as we spun, letting him know that she was enjoying herself.

We did all of the ballroom dances, quickstep, fox-trot, tango and waltz. It wasn't the last waltz, but nearing the end when many couples had left, so there was an almost empty floor for us. I let loose with that waltz, and Ally followed me perfectly. All the different steps that we couldn't do on a crowded floor, we did them. I was having a ball at the Ball. I didn't notice at first, nor did Ally, but the other dancers had stopped and were standing there watching us, the band leader noticed and reprised the melody more than once. I saw that Ally had realised what was happening and a look of fear crossed her face. I whispered to her.

"You are dancing better than any of them, just enjoy." After the next spin, I moved into a sway across my body, Ally followed so elegantly, raising the free leg and pointing her toe gracefully at the nadir of the sway. We came back into hold and then I lead her into a series of natural turns, a little like a Viennese Waltz. Her full skirt flowed outwards as we turned and turned adding drama to the dance. At last the leader decided that the set had to end, and with the last chords I let Ally out of hold and spun her. She seemed to realise my intentions and twirling on her toes, sank down, her skirts surrounding her in a perfect circle. I still held her one hand, and as the music faded away bowed slightly from the shoulders, bent and kissed the back of her hand. Ally looked up, her eyes glistened with happiness, as the onlookers burst into applause. I nodded my thanks for the applause and lifted Ally to her feet, tucked her arm under mine, and led her back to our table.

Within two minutes Sheila was there. Bubbling with excitement. Taking Ally's hand she clasped it to her breast.

"All those years, Ally, all those years and I never thought for one moment I would ever be able to see you dance so beautifully. That was magic!" She turned to me.

"Jack. Thank you." I shook my head.

"Sheila. I was told once that the only reason a man led the ballroom dance was to show his partner's grace and elegance. The man makes the frame, his partner is the picture. Ally was grace, elegance and beauty personified tonight, a perfect picture." Sheila smiled.

"Gentleman Jack."

"Mum." Ally had a question.

"Is my father going to be difficult?"

"Oh no. I told him some of what I know, and also what my solicitor could do to him in court. He will behave himself. But I have to tell you he was enthralled when he saw you dancing. It was only spoilt for him because you were dancing with Jack. He will just have to live with it." She leant over and kissed Ally, then gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"You make a lovely couple." Then she was off.

The band announced the last waltz and Ally looked at me expectantly.

"Are you going to ask me for the last dance, Jack?" I shook my head.

"No."

"Oh! Why?"

"Because you just asked me, and I accept." We went out onto the floor, and I offered the hold. Ally shook her head.

"Not formal this time, Jack. Hold me close please?" I had little choice really, as she crept into my arms and wrapped her arms around my neck. There was only one place for me to put my arms, and that was around her waist, my fingers on her bare skin.

"This is nice." She sighed. We moved slowly, any idea of proper steps, gone out of the window. Like everyone else we shuffled, swayed and moved around in a small circle. Ally tightened her arms and made sure that her breasts were tucked right into my chest. I could feel her nipples like darts, and she emphasised the contact by moving slightly from side to side. The understandable reaction for any man was an erection, and mine became known to her. She moved her belly, testing it.

"Now that does feel very nice. Did I do that?" She asked cheekily.

"Who else is rubbing themselves against me?" I asked rhetorically.

"Oh, good. Now I know you do react to me."

"Yes, and if you don't behave yourself the next reaction will be a spanked bottom."

"Is that before or after I get into your bed naked?" I could feel her shaking with repressed laughter. I had a chuckle as well.

"No. My discipline says smack the bottom first then send the culprit to bed alone, without supper."

"That's no fun." She looked up at me and pulled a face.

The band played their final chord and that was that. We went through the crush to get Ally's coat, and I held it as she slipped her arms through. My car was in the car park, about three hundred yards away, she insinuated her arm through mine and hugged it as we walked. It took about twenty minutes to drive to her flat and that was done in silence. I walked her to the door.

"Coffee?" She asked, and I hesitated. She smiled at me.

"It's just coffee and a chat. Not coffee and......' Her voice tailed away.

"Coffee and a chat will be good."

To be continued