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“You’re right. There’s one thing that’s been consistent between all the hotels I’ve run, and it’s that the staff thrive on gossip.”

“So you go left, and I’ll go right?” I suggested when we reached the hallway.

Tristan shot me a playful grin, bending down to kiss my cheek while his eyes took a quick journey from the hem of my skirt, down along my platform boots and back up again. He bit his knuckles, and my stomach whirled with arousal.

“See you in there,” he said, and it looked like it took him great effort to turn and walk away from me.

I was floating on air. My feet barely left the ground as I took the longer route about the hotel before arriving at the function room. When I got there, it was a riot of laughter and activity. “Boogie Wonderland” was playing while funky coloured lights flashed on the dance floor, alongside several spinning disco balls that had been hung from the ceiling.

It was just like every other disco night, except there were no guests, only staff, and everyone seemed livelier than usual. The stress of the last few weeks had been getting to everyone, and this was the perfect chance to let off steam.

Teddy was rushed off his feet behind the bar serving drinks, and I felt a little sorry for him. He was the only one working, so I made my way over and slid in next to him.

“Need a hand?” I asked, and the look of relief on his face told me everything. He was swamped.

“You’re an angel, Rinnie. Yes, I’d be so grateful for some help.”

“No problem.”

I turned to the next in line, one of the new porters, and took his order. My eyes scanned the space, searching for Tristan. I eventually spotted him farther down the room, standing with his brother and sister-in-law, as well as Katy and Moira. They seemed to be enjoying themselves. Derek’s wife wore a retro dress similar to mine, her hair blown out in waves like a Charlie’s Angel. She was a stunning woman.

Then the song turned to “Funky Town,” and Lou started dancing his way towards Katy while mouthing the lyrics. She looked like she might faint at the number of obscene hip thrusts coming her way. I shook my head, laughing because he was such a shameless flirt. She was a bit of a closed book, so I couldn’t tell if Katy had any romantic interest in him, but he wouldn’t be easily deterred. He offered her his hand, saying something to her that was probably an invitation to dance. She shook her head, and he shrugged like it was her loss before dancing away again.

I continued making up drinks until Tristan spotted me, his gaze questioning when he noticed I was working the bar. He frowned then began moving in my direction just as “Blame it on the Boogie” came on, and more people flooded the dancefloor.

There were less people waiting for drinks, so there was no queue blocking Tristan from walking right up to me.

“What are you doing?”

“Teddy was swamped. I stepped in to give him a hand.”

“You can take off now if you like,” Teddy said, shouting over the music. “I can manage from here.”

“Come on. Let’s join the dance,” Tristan said.

My heart skipped a beat when he took my hand. His fingers closed around mine, unconcerned if anyone saw. I couldn’t even worry about that because I was too electrified by his touch. Tristan led me to the dancefloor, intending to join in the dance routine, but we were too late. “Blame it on the Boogie” was over, and just as we stepped onto the floor, “Wishing on a Star” by Rose Royce came on. Everyone started pairing off for the slow number.

Tristan smiled at me and pulled me close, like it was the most natural thing in the world. Again, I was aware that us sharing a dance would draw attention, but I was too wrapped up in him to care. That and I’d also knocked back a gin and tonic at the bar, so the alcohol made me brave.

Tristan’s arms linked around my waist as he moved us to the sweet, siren-like song. I became aware of his hot palm flattening out on my back while he continued to lead. He was a good dancer, I realised, as he effortlessly moved my body with his. Our hips brushed, his chest pressing to mine, making me unable to think of anything other than the sculpted muscles beneath the silly red shirt he wore.

His hand moved up my spine, and my breath caught. His fingers fanned out over my nape, the tips making contact with my bare skin as he bent to murmur in my ear, “I can’t wait to get you alone.”

That was when all logical thought fled my mind, and I almost forgot that we were surrounded by staff members. I was a hair’s breadth from pushing up on my heels and pressing my lips to his. I only managed to come to my senses when the song suddenly ended, and the opening chords to Boney M’s “Rasputin” started to play.

“Oh, no way, they aren’t doing this again,” I said, immediately moving away from Tristan.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“This song is banned.”

He shot me a baffled look as a circle began to form around the dancefloor, everyone clapping to the beat, while Lou and Lisa appeared in the middle, arms raised in the air as they clapped and stomped their feet.

“Why is it banned?”

“Lou and Lisa used to perform this dance routine every disco night. About two years ago, Lisa blew her back out doing a squat kick, so Uncle Fred banned the performance. They think that just because he’s gone, they can start it up again,” I said then immediately made my way towards Lisa. The only saving grace was that the song had a super long intro, so I managed to make it to her before she started pulling any serious moves.

“What are you doing? Are you trying to wreck your back again?” I demanded, but she waved away my concern.