reid slave to love

8/22/2019 Reid Slave to Love

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CHAPTER ONE

'DADDYS current bimbo...'

In a room stuffed fu of !arm" ai#e$ %a&&i" &art"in &eo&e

Roberta C%ander stood aone$ battin to sto& %ersef oin !%ite !it%

aner around t%e edes of %er red(faced %umiiation$ !%ie t%e &erson

!%o %ad )ust used t%at cuttin" dismissi#e descri&tion of %er mo#ed

a!a" from t%e sma rou& of &eo&e s%e %ad said it to$ !it%out

needin to ance Roberta's !a" to *no! t%at s%e %ad been o#er%eard.

Roberta's %eart !as &oundin$ %er bod" trembin !it% t%e

su&&ressed desire to retaiate+an ure so stron t%at s%e %ad to force%ersef to stand #er" sti and stare fi,ed" at t%e ass of c%am&ane

s%e !as %odin to sto& %ersef from doin )ust t%at.

-uu acaine !oud be a muc% better &erson if %er dotin dadd"

!ere to !as% %er nast" mout% out !it% soa&/

0%at !as %e1 s%e !ondered furious" as t%e bood continued to

&um& an anr" tattoo inside %er burnin %ead. 0as %e a man at a$ or

)ust a &at%etic itte mouse !%ere %is darin -uu !as concerned1

0iin to et %er be%a#e an" !a" s%e i*ed so on as it made %er

%a&&"1

S%e anced u&$ %er intin reen a2e %onin direct" on to t%e

man !%o !as u&&ermost in %er anr" t%ou%ts. He !as standin on

t%e ot%er side of t%e room$ ta*in !it%in a rou& of &eo&e$ smiin at

some amusin anecdote t%at one of t%em !as rea"in$ t%e corners of

%is fierce" sensua mout% cur#ed in a2" amusement.

0as %e tota" una!are of t%e !a" s%e !as bein treated %eretoni%t1 Or )ust utter" careess of it1 0%ic%e#er$ %e !as out of order+

ri%t out of order+ and %e !as #er" uc*" t%at %er manners !ere so

muc% better t%an %is dau%ter's manners$ or %e !oud be tastin a bit

of %umiiation %imsef ri%t no!/

Damn "ou$ s%e t%ou%t anri". Damn "ou to %e for settin me u&


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for a of t%is/

-au%ter ran out$ soundin so !ic*ed" amused t%at it dre!

Roberta's a2e because it re&resented suc% com&ete o&&osition to %er

o!n bac* feeins )ust no!. It !as -uu aain. Of course it !as -uu$

standin in t%e midde of anot%er set of uests$ %odin court in %er

o#e" bue taffeta o!n t%at !as suc% an e,act matc% to %er o#e"

cornfo!er(bue e"es.

'Dadd"'s bimbo. Had s%e )ust re&eated t%at ce#er itte remar* to

%er ne! ra&t audience to ma*e t%em au% i*e t%at1

Roberta s%uddered$ feein sic*. S%e !oudn't &ut it &ast t%e #icious

!itc%$ since s%e %ad been sa"in t%at or somet%in i*e it to an"one

!%o !oud isten from t%e moment Roberta %ad ste&&ed into t%e%ouse/

And not on" -uu$ s%e reminded %ersef. -uu's mot%er %ad be%a#ed

no better$ offerin Roberta t%e *ind of cod s%ouder a e#enin t%at

%ad been a caous messae in itsef.

3itc%es$ bot% of t%em. T%e acaine !omen !ere not%in but a &air

of ous" bitc%es.

" 4od/ s%e raied at %ersef. 0%" didn't I isten to m" instincts andsta" at %ome toni%t$ instead of o&enin m"sef u& for t%is *ind of

ridicue1

After a$ it !as -uu's &art". Her ei%teent% birt%da" ceebration$ to

be e,act$ and &er%a&s t%e "ouner ir %ad a ri%t to en)o" it !it%out

%a#in 'Dadd"'s current bimbo' &resent to s&oi it for %er.

Yet s%e %ad been in#ited/ Roberta reminded %ersef fierce". ac%ad done it %imsef/ And$ foo t%at s%e !as$ s%e'd t%ou%t$ T%is time+

t%is time &er%a&s %e means to et t%em a *no! %o! muc% I mean to

%im/

0%at a )o*e/ s%e moc*ed %ersef acid" no!. You s%oud %a#e *no!n

from t%e moment %e &amed "ou off on %is "ouner brot%er 5oe for t%e


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e#enin t%at %e !as oin to &retend t%at "ou !ere bare" ac6uainted

rat%er t%an o#ers. -o#ers for amost a "ear no!.

And 5oe$ s%e t%ou%t sudden"$ drain %er anr" t%ou%ts o#er

to t%e ot%er im&ortant man in %er ife(5oe bein %er boss as !e as

ac's brot%er. 0%ere !as %e in %er %our of need1 C%attin u& some

nubie ad" some!%ere instead of &rotectin %er from a t%is fa*1

S%e s&ar*ed a %ooded ance around t%e room unti s%e s&ied %im

s%uffin on t%e dance(foor !it%+-uu's mot%er$ no ess.

T%e t!o of t%em !ere dee& in con#ersation as t%e" so!" circed

t%e foor. Discussin me$ &robab"$ Roberta assumed from t%e

e,&ressions on t%eir faces. 5oe !oud be ettin tic*ed off for brinin

%er %ere toni%t$ and %e !oud be usin %is sand&a&er(dr" tonue todefect t%e scod.

Deia !as not &eased. -uu !as not &eased. T%e !%oe darned

assemb" of cose friends and reations !ere not &eased/ And !%"1

3ecause t%e" !ere a determined to foo! nose to tai on t%e

rudeness of t%eir current eader+-uu. And e#en 'Dadd"' %ad been

#er" carefu to do itte more t%an ac*no!ede Roberta !it% one of %is

benin soft smies so as not to u&set %is &recious dau%ter/

'Dadd"'s bimbo. Not to be offered e#en t%e barest courtes".

Roberta 6ui#ered on "et anot%er !a#e of dee&$ bubbin enmit"$

and returned %er a2e to !%ere ac !as sti standin$ oo*in e#er"

bit t%e &o!erfu eader of men %e !as in %is bac* dinner(suit and !%ite

dress s%irt.

ac. Or Soomon acmian Hunter acaine$ to i#e %im %is fu

and most orious tite. A bi$ stron name for a man born and bred to

ta*e on t%e !ord+!%ic% %e did$ #er" successfu" most of t%e time$runnin t%e fami" enineerin em&ire !it% a cris&$ cear foresi%t t%at

*noc*ed s&ots off %is nearest ri#as. It !as on" !%en it came to %is

&ri#ate ife t%at t%ins around ac became decided" s%ado!".

Roberta !as one of t%ose s%ado!s$ s%e acce&ted rim". His ad" of

t%e ni%t$ not fit to ac*no!ede a!a" from t%e bedroom/


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Yet$ s%ado!" or not$ anr" !it% %im or not$ s%e found t%at t%e

sim&e act of ettin %er a2e rest on %im !as enou% to set t%ose tin"

musces dee& inside %er bod" stirrin in %eated reconition of t%eir

sensua master.

And s%e des&ised %ersef for it$ !onderin !%" it %ad to be %im. A

ri%t$ s%e arued !it% %ersef$ so %e &ossessed t%e *ind of dar* ood

oo*s most red(booded !omen "earned to *no! intimate". 3ut s%e'd

met ot%er men of %is caibre before !it%out fain fat on %er face for

t%em. So !%" %im1 0%" t%is man !%o !as$ on t%e outside at east$

itte different from t%ose ot%er %i%(&o!ered$ ood(oo*in men s%e'd

*no!n and re&used 6uite easi"1

He mo#ed$ %af turnin in %er direction$ to isten to somet%in

someone !as sa"in to %im$ and t%ose tin" musces dee& do!n inside

%er stirred aain in eaer antici&ation of %is noticin %er. He didn't$ but

s%e ot t%e ans!er to %er 6uestion.

ac stirred %er senses i*e no ot%er man %ad e#er done. It !as as

sim&e and as com&icated as t%at.

And it &robab" %ad not%in to do !it% %is bac*(%aired$ s6uare(

c%inned soid ood oo*s$ but !it% t%e inner man$ t%e man s%e "earned

to *no!$ and t%e one s%e #er" rare" ot to see$ sim&" because %e didnot et %er+did not et an"one$ as far as s%e coud see$ e,ce&t %is

fami"$ of course.

And Roberta !as not and ne#er !oud be fami".

T%at fact !as bein &atent" %ammered %ome to %er toni%t.

'Dadd"'s bimbo'. Didn't -uu see t%at in cain Roberta t%at s%e !as

aso insutin %er fat%er1

-oo* at %im/ s%e !anted to "e. Does %e oo* i*e a man !%ose

tastes in !omen on" stretc% as far as em&t"(%eaded bimbos1

0%o cares if t%e !oman beneat% "ou %as a brain or not$ a moc*in

itte #oice in %er %ead "eed bac*$ !%en it's not %er brain "ou're

ta*in &easure in1


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And more t%an %af t%e !omen &resent in t%is room !oud not !ant

ac for %is d"namic brain eit%er$ s%e ti%t" moc*ed t%at #oice. Not if

t%e" *ne! %im as intimate" as I do/

And it !as t%at intimate *no!ede of %im t%at s%e used no!

c"nica" to stri& a!a" t%e con#entiona #eneer of eeance and

so&%istication t%at %e !ore so !e around %imsef$ to see ri%t t%rou%

to t%e na*ed beaut" of t%e man beneat%.

Ta+%e !as ta+and su&erb" constructed !it% it. A ean$ it%e$

see* construction of ti%t$ satin(s%eened s*in stretc%ed taut" o#er

%ard$ %eat%" musce. 0ide(s%oudered !it% fat$ s&are %i&s$ and !%at

came in bet!een !as so s%oc*in" desirabe t%at it dried u& %er

mout% )ust t%in*in about it. -on imbs$ &o!erfu" buit. 4ood %ands

!it% a i%t$ *no!in$ sensiti#e touc% t%at coud(((

S%e sto&&ed$ suc*in in a carefu breat% of air t%en ettin it out

aain so!". It !as best not to t%in* about t%ose %ands$ s%e decided

rim"$ and fi,ed %er attention on %is face instead. A ean face$ !it%

)et(bac* %air cut to s!ee& confident" a!a" from %is %i%$ inteient

bro!. His e"es$ dar*" frined b" t%ic* strai%t bro!s and soft" curin

as%es$ !ere a most com&ein coour of come(to(bed re"7 t%e" dre!

"ou to!ards t%em i*e manets$ urin$ &romisin$ a2i" admirin

Anot%er sto&. And s%e forced %er attention a!a" tram t%e e"es to

t%e mout%. A mout% so ra!" sensua t%at it$ too$ !as danerous e#en

to oo* at. T%in but nice" s%a&ed$ it !as suc% an e,&erienced$

e,&ressi#e$ unin%ibited mout% t%at in intimac" it coud be 6uite

rut%ess in its efforts to dra! t%e res&onse it re6uired.

And !%at !as t%at mout% doin no!1 s%e !ondered$ once aain

curbin %er t%ou%ts before t%e" !ent too far. It !as smiin a2i"$

fas%in t%e odd !%ite(toot%ed$ de#iis%" infectious rin no! and t%en$fiedin !itt" remar*s to return t%em !it% interest. -i*e t%e man

%imsef$ su&reme" at ease$ t%at 6uic* mind of %is ten seconds faster

and s%ar&er t%an an"one ese s%e *ne!. 5oe teasin" dubbed %im

'ac t%e 8nife' because of %is s%ar& !its$ but %e said it fond". 5oe

res&ected %is brot%er dee&" for t%e !a" %e %ad ta*en on t%e mante of


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&o!er #er" "oun after t%eir fat%er's first serious %eart attac*$ !%ic%

%ad meant ac's ro!in u& a !%oe ot faster t%an most "oun men

%is ae !oud %a#e been e,&ected to do. Yet %e %ad ta*en u& t%e

c%aene !it% bare" a 6uam and$ at%ou% 5oe !as no sma fr" in

t%e fami" firm$ %e deferred a!a"s to ac's decree.

0%ic% !as !%" ac %ad &amed %er off on 5oe toni%t$ of course.

He trusted %is *id brot%er to oo* after %is !oman for %im !%ie %e !as

too bus"+or too indifferent+to do it %imsef/

He %a&&ened to ance u& and catc% %er starin at %im t%en$ %is

e"es instant" softenin to a !arm$ smo*" re" as %e sent %er one of

t%ose itte t!ists to %is mout% meant to be a ruefu smie$ and ti&&ed

%is ass at %er in ac*no!edement. It too* a s%e %ad in %er to return

t%e esture$ t%ou% an ans!erin smie s%e coud not manae. S%e

!as anr" !it% %im and !as in no mood to %ide t%e fact. Anr" t%at %e

coud ta*e from %er e#er"t%in s%e %ad to offer %im$ faunt %er

unfinc%in" around -ondon as %is !oman "et$ !%en it came to %is

fami"$ &retend t%at s%e meant not%in to %im at a/

5ust an em&t"(%eaded bimbo$ too t%ic* to notice %o! %is fami" sa!

%er as dirt/

Her e"es fas%ed a sudden bri%t$ menacin reen. ac sa! it%a&&en and fro!ned$ a sient 6uestion enterin %is o!n e"es. Roberta's

c%in !ent u&$ %er defiant e,&ression darin %im to come o#er and find

out for %imsef !%at t%e oo* !as for/

Im&atience fic*ered across %is face$ foo!ed b" a fro!nin oo* of

indecision !%en s%e continued to stare at %im i*e t%at$ and t%e desire

to come and find out !%" s%e !as s&ittin reen daers at %im bean

to !ar !it% %is determination to *ee& as far a!a" from %er as %e

&ossib" coud toni%t.

T%en$ !it% a sma s%ru of e,as&eration$ %e too* a %af(ste&

to!ards %er$ and %er senses bean to fi22 on a bri%t camour of

trium&% !%en it oo*ed as t%ou% s%e !as oin to !in t%is &articuar

batte and %e !as oin to come to %er/


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3ut$ )ust at t%at moment$ a fas% of bood(red si* cau%t %er e"e$

and s%e anced to one side of %im )ust in time to see Deia !ind %er

arm into t%e bent croo* of %is. 3" t%e time Roberta oo*ed bac* at ac

%is attention %ad aread" !it%dra!n from %er$ to be centered

induent" on %is !ife's smiin" u&turned face.

E,(!ife$ s%e reminded %ersef as disa&&ointment sent %er racin

%eart &ummetin to %er feet. E, damned !ife/ T%e" %ad been

di#orced for amost ei%t "ears/ Yet to oo* at t%em "ou !oud t%in*

t%at t%e" coudn't so muc% as function !it%out t%e ot%er cose b"/

4od/ 5eaous" s%ot i*e t%e %ot fame of %e ri%t t%rou% %er$

forcin %er to o!er %er e"es$ cose t%em ti%t"$ &retend+&retend for

%er o!n sa*e more t%an an"t%in ese+not to %a#e noticed t%eir eas"

intimac".

Soomon acaine and Deia Cur2on %ad bot% been )ust ei%teen

"ears od !%en t%e" !ere forced to et married because -uu !as on

t%e !a". A in a it %ad been an acce&tabe matc%$ in*in t%e acaine

!eat% !it% t%e Cur2on miions$ and enera" ma*in bot% famiies

rat%er &eased at t%eir sibins' misdemeanour. 3ut$ from t%e sma

amount ac %ad tod %er$ t%e marriae %ad been an"t%in but id"ic.

And t%e on(o#erdue di#orce !%ic% too* &ace ten "ears ater %ad

been ine#itabe+t%ou% not so to t%eir staunc%" conser#ati#e famiies

or t%eir adored dau%ter.

Hence t%e s%o! bein &ut on b" bot% ac and Deia toni%t$ and

t%e reason !%"$ as usua$ Roberta found %ersef eft out in t%e cod.

'Had enou% "et1'

Startin at t%e une,&ected coseness of 5oe's #oice$ s%e ifted %er

face$ t%e na&e(ent% edes of %er soft" curin &ae bonde %air

s*immin across t%e e,&anse of mi*(!%ite s*in eft e,&osed b" t%e off(

t%e(s%ouder desin of %er bac* #e#et dress as s%e turned to oo* into

%is sardonica" smiin face. 3ut s%e *ne! t%at smie7 5oe !as anr"+

t%e itte tic !or*in at t%e side of %is )a! tod %er so. 0%ate#er Deia

%ad said to %im %ad )ust about finis%ed %im off toni%t.


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So$ 'Yes$' s%e tod %im. 'I'#e %ad enou%.' T%en$ on a sudden burst of

rim certaint"$ s%e t%ou%t$ ore t%an enou%/ and fet a ne! emotion

bein to seet%e inside %er$ one !%ic% came from t%e bitter deca" of

%er o!n sef(res&ect.

9or t!e#e mont%s s%e %ad been &a"in t%is ame t%e !a" ac

!anted it &a"ed+bein !%at %e !anted %er to be !%en %e !anted

%er to be it. 3ut s%e !as damned if s%e !as oin to be mar*ed as 't%e

ot%er !oman' b" a oad of &eo&e s%e coud not care ess about )ust

because t%e" refused to acce&t a di#orce t%at %ad ta*en &ace ei%t

"ears ao/

3ein seen as a man's o#er !as one t%in but bein abeed %is

itte bit on t%e side !as #er" muc% anot%er/

:Dadd"'s bimbo'. T%at tein bit of cruet" !as$ s%e reaised$ %a#in

a &rofound effect on %er.

And "es$ s%e decided round"$ s%e'd %ad enou%. S%e %ad %onest"

and fina" %ad enou%/ Her reations%i& !it% ac !as oin no!%ere

and %ad no %o&e of doin so !%ie %e considered %is fami" more

im&ortant to %im t%an s%e !as/

A %er ife s%e %ad &a"ed second(best to someone+ second(best to

%er &arents$ !%o %ad been rat%er s%oc*ed to find t%emse#es anded

!it% a bab" t%e" %ad ne#er rea" !anted. Second(best to t%eir dua

careers as !idife e,&erts$ !%ic% %ad sent t%em !anderin a o#er t%e

!ord stud"in t%e %abits of one anima or ot%er !%ie t%is ne! anima

+a %uman c%id+!as eft be%ind !it% !%oe#er !oud %a#e %er so on

as t%eir i#es !ere not disru&ted in an" !a". And no! t%ere !as ac$

forcin %er to ta*e second &ace in %is ife to a fami" t%at !as

ob#ious" so muc% more im&ortant to %im.

And t%ere !as t%e rub$ s%e noted ra!". S%e !as not im&ortant

enou% to ac for %im to care !%at %is attitude did to %er. And if t%e

ast t!e#e mont%s %ad not made %im care$ t%en not%in !oud.

S%e !as fi%tin for a ost cause$ and t%e reaisation of it %it %er i*e

a runa!a" train$ smac* ban in t%e c%est$ iftin %er &erfect" s%a&ed


9/156

breasts and dro&&in t%em aain in a sine !renc%in as& of &ain.

It !as time to cut %er osses and et out. 0%ere s%e o#ed$ ac on"

desired. And !%" s%e %ad ne#er reaised it before !as 6uite be"ond

%er/

:;%(o%...' 5oe c%anted dri".


10/156

bonde.

3ut Roberta C%ander !as far from dumb+as t%ose s%ar&"

inteient reen e"es !oud te "ou$ if "ou coud brin "oursef to oo*

t%at %i%.

It %ad been to %is ad#antae t%at 5oe %ad bot%ered to oo* be"ond

t%at si22in se,ua aure !%en s%e'd come for %er inter#ie! ast "ear$

because it meant t%at %e %ad ot %imsef t%e best &ersona assistant

%e %ad e#er %ad$ and ac+b" %is ood fortune of bein %is brot%er+

%ad ot %imsef t%e rarest !oman %e %ad e#er %ad.

'0%ere's Roberta1'

T%in* of t%e de#i$ 5oe t%ou%t dri" as %e turned around. '9etc%in

%er coat$' %e re&ied.

ac's t%ic* bac* bro!s too* on a do!n!ard s!oo&.

So soon1 It's on"((((((((( ' %e anced at t%e soid od !atc% t%at %e

%ad stra&&ed to %is !rist '+ten(t%irt". T%e ni%t's sti "oun.'

:Is it1 5oe murmured cr"&tica". 'I t%ou%t it !e and tru" done to

deat%$ m"sef.'

'0%at's t%at su&&osed to mean1' ac demanded fro!nin". 'You'#ebeen t%ro!in out sarcasm at me a e#enin$ 5oe$' %e runted. 'And I

!oud i*e to *no! )ust !%at t%e %e "ou'#e been tr"in to et at/'

'0oud "ou1' 5oe )ust sent %im one of %is sardonic oo*s. 'Put a !ee*

or so aside some time$ and I' ta*e reat &easure in tein "ou.'

ac stiffened$ t%e fro!n becomin more &ronounced. '0%at t%e

%e's ot into "ou1' %e demanded be!idered". 'To isten to "ou$

an"one !oud t%in* I'd offended "ou in some !a"/'

You %a#e$ 5oe !anted to confirm$ but at t%at moment Roberta

a&&eared at t%e to& of t%e stairs$ !it% %er bac* #e#et e#enin coat

dra&ed across %er arm$ and 5oe ost a ac's attention !%en t%e ot%er

man sa! %er. T%ose a2" e"es of %is dar*ened dramatica" at t%e

enc%antin &icture s%e &resented as s%e &aused at t%e to& of t%e stairs


11/156

!%en s%e sa! %im$ t%en came idin do!n!ards$ e"es coo$ face as

inscrutabe as a face as sensua as %ers e#er coud be.

'0%at's t%is1' ac murmured %us*i" !%en s%e reac%ed t%em$ %is

e,&ression so tender" intimate t%at %er senses 6ui#ered. 'Runnin out

on me !it% m" *id brot%er1'

S%e anced at 5oe$ !is%in in some !a"s t%at it !ere 5oe s%e !as

in#o#ed !it%. 3ut$ at%ou% bot% men !ere ood(oo*in$ smoot%$

so&%isticated$ 5oe's !ood(as% %andsomeness %ad ne#er attracted %er.

'I'm+tired$' s%e ans!ered ac 6uiet"$ t%e !e(moduated tone of

%er #oice i*e ric% cream on %one"$ i#in not%in a!a" of t%e cod$

%ard sense of deat% s%e !as e,&eriencin inside ri%t no!. 'It's been a

on da"$ a tod$' s%e added rat%er dri".

'T%e man !as in %is countin(%ouse$ countin out %is mone"$' 5oe

&ut in$ smiin as a!a"s. 'Here$ i#e me "our coat$ He too* t%e #e#et

!ra& from %er before ac coud rab t%e %onours. 'Ta*e(o#er deas

ta*e it out of one$ don't "ou aree$ ac1'

ac eaned bac* aainst t%e ric% ma%oan" ne!e(&ost$ sensin no

t%reat in t%e !a" t%at 5oe !as smoot%in fine #e#et o#er Roberta's

s%ouders. T%is !as %is %ome and %ere$ !%ere Roberta counted for

not%in$ %e sa! 5oe as %is safe substitute.


12/156

'T%e ea bods %is end$' 5oe said dri". '9indin &robems !%en none

is t%ere.'

'Deiberate" stain$ "ou mean$ ac said$ and oo*ed rim"

t%ou%tfu. 'Do "ou !ant me to et in#o#ed1' %e offered.

'No$ I damned !e do not/' 5oe indinant" re&ied. 'T%e 3runner

t%in isn't "our bab"$ it's mine/ So *ee& "our nose out$ bi brot%er/'

'0%oo&s.' ac rinned. 'Hit a ra! ner#e$ did I1'

'I can %ande it$' 5oe said ruff" !%ie Roberta oo*ed do!n at %er

feet$ too a!are of !%" 5oe !as ettin so %ot under t%e coar to !ant

ac to see it !ritten in %er face.

T%e troube !it% 5oe !as t%at %e !as a %ands(on enineer at %eart.

S%o! %im a re#outionar" ne! &roduct and %e tended to o a bit

o#erboard !it% ent%usiasm about it. Hence t%e 'footsie'$ as ac %ad

&ut it$ t%at 9ranc 3runner !as &a"in !it% %im. He sa! too muc%

eaerness to &ossess in 5oe's manner and %ad been &a"in on t%at b"

&us%in 5oe for a better dea e#er since.

'Can't !e$ Roberta1'

His on finers !ere stro*in t%e roed coar of %er coat around

%er sender t%roat. 3ut !%en s%e didn't immediate" ans!er$ t%e"

&aused to c%uc* %er ent" beneat% %er c%in$ demandin %er su&&ort.

S%e a#e it. 'No &robem$' s%e said. 'Not%in daunts t%e t%ree

mus*eteers.'

'T%ree1' ac 6ui22ed.

'it2"$' 5oe e,&ained. 'Our indis&ensabe t%ird arm.' He meant t%eirs%ared secretar"$ and ac nodded in reconition.

T%ere !as no one ese !anderin around t%e %a!a"$ and a s%ort

sience fe$ bro*en on" b" t%e sound of an od(fas%ioned !at2 see&in

out from t%e %ue dra!in(room to one side of t%em.


13/156

ac's e"es !ere on Roberta$ mo#in !it% a a2" !armt% o#er %er$

t%ou% %e sti made no effort to touc% %er. 'I' see "ou onda"$ %mm1'

%e said. His !ee*end !as fu" boo*ed u& %ere in 3er*s%ire$ &a"in

%ost to t%e d"nast".

5oe fet Roberta stiffen si%t"$ t%e tension in %er so fierce it !as

t%reatenin to sna&. S%e did not re&"$ and ac too* t%e ans!er as

read$ t%e a2" oo* d"in a!a".

:Dadd"1' -uu a&&eared at t%e %af(o&en door!a" to t%e dra!in(

room$ %er bue e"es narro!in !%en s%e sa! Roberta. 'Heo$ ;nce

5oe.' S%e sent %im a beatific smie. '-ea#in aread"1 T%at doesn't sa"

muc% for m" birt%da" &art".'

5oe et o of Roberta to turn and smie at %is fa#ourite niece. :I mustbe ettin od$ &u(face$' 5oe a&ooised dri"$ o&enin %is arms as

-uu ided to!ards %im. 'Can't seem to burn t%e cande t%e !a" I used

to.'

'You and Dadd" bot%$ t%en$ since %e's fi#e "ears oder t%an "ou.>

S%e &outed c%armin" at bot% men. 'Per%a&s %e s%oud ta*e a eaf out

of "our boo* and ease u& on ife a itte.'

It !as a direct si%t at Roberta$ but neit%er b" !ord nor e,&ression

did s%e s%o! %o! easi" t%e "ouner ir %ad cut. ac !as smiin

induent"$ !atc%in %is dau%ter e,c%ane fond *isses !it% %is

brot%er$ t%e remar* not bot%erin %im.

E,ce&t for t%e s%oc* of )et(bac* fo!in %air$ -uu !as more i*e %er

red(%aired mot%er t%an %er fat%er+ a !and(sim ir !it% on$ racefu

imbs and sa&&%ire(bue e"es. S%e i#ed !it% %er mot%er in t%eir St

5o%n's 0ood %ome for most of t%e time$ but s%e adored %er %andsome

fat%er to t%e &oint of %ero(!ors%i&. ac o#ed and &andered to t%is

adoration as$ Roberta su&&osed$ an" dotin fat%er !oud.

3ut sometimes it !as so co"in t%at it stuc* in t%e t%roat to !atc%

it.

-i*e no!$ as -uu futtered %er on dar* as%es and said$ 'Aren't m"

diamond earrins !onderfu$ ;nce 5oe1' S%e tited %er %ead si%t" for


14/156

5oe to et a better oo* at t%e e,6uisite diamond dro&ets danin

from %er ears. 'I t%in* I %a#e t%e most !onderfu dadd" in t%e !%oe

!ide !ord$ don't "ou1'

' 0onderfu$' 5oe moc*in" areed$ obser#in t%e sim&erin si%

and soufu oo* t%at -uu sent %er smiin fat%er. ac %ad %is %ands in

%is )ac*et &oc*ets$ sti eanin aainst t%e ne!e(&ost$ oo*in as %e

a!a"s did+su&reme" eeant and tota" at ease !it% %imsef. 'He

s&ois "ou$ &u(face$' 5oe censured teasin". 'If "ou'd been m"

dau%ter$ for "our birt%da" "ou !oud %a#e recei#ed an en#eo&e !it%

ten 6uid in it and a etter e,&ainin to "ou %o! t%e maic ei%teen

means t%at "ou o out in t%e bi bad !ord and ma*e "our o!n !a"

from no! on.'

'O%$ "ou don't mean it.' 9irtin outraeous"$ -uu &outed at 5oe

and a&&eaed to %er dadd" !it% !ide$ !ounded e"es. 0it%out rea"

%a#in to tr" #er" %ard s%e %ad effecti#e" cut Roberta ri%t out of it

a. 'Dadd"$ te 5oe %e mustn't be %orrid to me on m" birt%da"/' s%e

demanded.

'5oe$ don't be %orrid to -uu on %er birt%da"$' %er fat%er obedient"

com&ied$ au%in t%rou% %is stern tone. '0%ere's t%at besotted

"oun man "ou'#e %ad %anin on "our arm a ni%t1' %e t%en as*ed

curious".

Aain -uu &outed. 'He's tr"in it on !it% umm" since %e !as

ettin no!%ere !it% me$' %is dau%ter &ert" re&ied. 'So if "ou don't

et bac* in t%ere 6uic* and do somet%in about it$ I can see umm"

ta*in on a to"(bo"$ and %o! !i t%at ma*e "ou oo*1'

'4od forbid/' ac e#ered %imsef a!a" from t%e ne!e(&ost$ and

-uu sent Roberta a oo* of maicious trium&% !%en it oo*ed as t%ou%

ac !oud )ust !a* a!a" !it%out offerin Roberta a bac*!ard ance.

T%en t%e trium&% atered to a o!er as ac &aused and turned$ %is

re" a2e coidin !it% Roberta's reen one. 'Sorr" "ou %ad to ea#e

so soon$' %e murmured soft"( 'I !as about to as* "ou to dance.'

'S%ame$ t%en$ t%at "ou !ere too ate$' s%e said$ t%e si%t %int of


15/156

sarcasm in %er #oice )ust enou% to ma*e %is e"es narro!. 'A nice

&art"$ -uu.' S%e turned t%at %int of sarcasm on ac's dau%ter ne,t.

'Once aain$ man" %a&&" returns$ and I %o&e "ou et a "ou deser#e in

ife.'

5oe c%o*ed on a cou%$ and mo#ed 6uic*" as -uu's 7 i e"es too* on

a decided" #icious o!. 'Time to o$' He a#e %is niece anot%er *iss$

t%en mo#ed bac* to Roberta's side$ %is smie o#er(bri%t as %e too* a

firm ri& on %er arm. '-unc% one da"$ ac$' %e offered as a &artin

s%ot$ and bean &uin Roberta to!ards t%e front door !%ere one of

t%e %ired %e& for t%e e#enin !as !aitin to see t%em out$ t%eir car

aread" caed for and &urrin at t%e bottom of t%e ste&s.

T%e ast t%in Roberta sa! as s%e s!e&t out of t%e door !as ac's

a2e narro!ed t%ou%tfu" on %er. He !asn't a foo7 %e !as !e a!are

t%at %er ast remar* to %im %ad been a reference to t%e c%aene s%e

%ad t%ro!n out to %im !it% %er e"es earier and !%ic% %e %ad decided

to refuse.

0%at %e !asn't a!are of$ s%e *ne!$ !as %o! muc% %e %ad eft too

ate.

'T%at !asn't !ise$' 5oe said 6uiet".

'Didn't "ou *no!1' Roberta dra!ed. 'I am not a #er" !ise &erson.'

3ut I s%a earn$ s%e tod %ersef rim". 4od %e& me$ I s%a earn.

'4et in t%e car.'

S%e ot in t%e car and &ued %er coat more firm" around %er bod"$

feein cod !%en rea" it !as 6uite !arm for a Se&tember ni%t.

5oe didn't mo#e off ri%t a!a"$ but sat ta&&in t%e steerin(!%ee

!it% %is finers !%ie %e studied %er rut%ess" controed &rofie. '3e

carefu %o! "ou tac*e t%is$ Roberta$' %e ad#ised after a moment. '"

brot%er is not *no!n for %is ood tem&er !%en t%ins don't o %is !a".'


16/156

muc% to Dadd"'s darin dau%ter's dei%t$ no doubt$ I'#e decided t%at

I'#e foed t%is one for 6uite on enou%.'

'You'#e &ut u& !it% %is outraeous be%a#iour to!ards "ou for t%e

ast "ear$' %e &ointed out. 'So !%" decide t%at toni%t is t%e ni%t

"ou'#e %ad enou%1'

0it% t%e car in ear$ 5oe$' s%e said$ refusin to ans!er+if s%e %ad

an ans!er to i#e %im$ t%at !as$ !%ic% s%e didn't. A s%e did *no! !as

t%at s%e'd %ad enou%. And t%at one sma but tein itte &%rase !as

oin around and around inside %er %ead$ unti s%e t%ou%t s%e !oud

o mad istenin to it.

'He !on't et "ou et a!a" !it% it.' 5oe mo#ed t%em smoot%" a!a"

from t%e %ouse$ t%e %eadi%ts s&annin out in a !ide arc across t%emooness bac*ness of t%e acaine fami"'s &ri#ate estate. 'He !ants

"ou too muc%.'


17/156

0as s%e1 T%e !a" Roberta sa! it$ s%e !as bein for more troube

b" ettin t%ins o on t%e !a" t%e" aread" !ere.

It !as strane rea"$ s%e &ondered to %ersef as 5oe dro#e on in

rim sience$ but if someone %ad tod %er t!e#e mont%s ao t%at s%e

!oud find %ersef in t%is *ind of situation !it% a man s%e !oud %a#e

scoffed in t%eir face/ S%e !asn't t%e t"&e+%ad a!a"s been

determined ne#er to become t%e t"&e/ A ife of bein s%unted from one

reuctant reation to anot%er !%ie s%e !as ro!in u& %ad made %er

determined t%at once s%e %ad ained %er inde&endence s%e !oud

ne#er ma*e %ersef #unerabe to anot%er i#in sou$ uness t%e" coud

&ro#e t%at t%e" o#ed and !anted %er abo#e e#er"t%in ese in t%eir

ife.

S%e'd *e&t t%at #o! too$ ri%t t%rou% %er coee "ears and on into

%er first )ob$ acce&tin dates on" !it% men !%ose ot%er commitments

!oud mean s%e !as ne#er eft !aitin for t%em !%ie somet%in more

im&ortant %ed t%eir attention from %er. 3ut t%e troube !it% t%at *ind

of &%ioso&%" !as t%at t%at t"&e of man usua" meant a dead(end man

!it% a dead(end )ob and a deadend *ind of outoo* on ife t%at

enera" bored %er to tears. So %er reations%i&s tended to be s%ort

and disa&&ointin$ ne#er rea" dee&enin &ast t%e *iss(oodni%t(on(

t%e(doorste& stae before s%e !as brea*in t%em off.

;nti ac. 0%en ac %ad come into %er ife$ e#er" rue s%e %ad

stood b" %ad )ust meted cean a!a"/ He !as e#er"t%in s%e didn't

!ant in a man. 3us"$ &o!erfu$ !it% t%e *ind of business and &ersona

res&onsibiities t%at meant %e %ad to )ue constant" !it% time to

ma*e room for %er. He'd e#en canceed t%eir second date because

business %ad ta*en %im out of t%e countr" for a !ee*/ S%e s%oud %a#e

bac*ed off t%en+&robab" coud %a#e bac*ed off if it %ad been t%eir

first date+but$ e#en b" t%en$ it %ad been too ate for %er. -i*e t%e foos%e %ad disco#ered s%e !as$ s%e %ad faen %oo*$ ine and sin*er for

%im t%at 6uic*". And for t%e first time in %er cam$ !e(ordered adut

ife s%e'd found out !%at it !as i*e to ose tota contro of %er o!n

destin". Soomon acaine %ad become %er master. S%e didn't i*e

%ersef for ettin it %a&&en but coudn't seem to do a sine t%in


18/156

about it.

He coud fi %er !it% a dar* and deradin a too famiiar

disa&&ointment b" ettin %er do!n at a moment's notice !%en

somet%in more im&ortant cro&&ed u&. T%en$ !%en s%e !as

determined t%at it !oud be t%e ast time %e !oud do t%at to %er$ %e

!oud do somet%in !onderfu$ i*e turnin u& une,&ected" !it% %is

arms fu of fo!ers and a sincere a&oo" on %is i&s t%at !oud %a#e

%er %eart metin a o#er aain.

3ut not t%is time$ s%e tod %ersef rim". T%is time ac %ad one

too far. And t%e cod$ %ard feein of oss s%e !as e,&eriencin inside

tod %er t%at no amount of a&ooisin !as oin to c%ane %er mind.

S%e %ad %ad enou%.

'-isten$ 5oe turned in %is seat to oo* at %er as %e dre! %is car to a

sto& outside t%e ?ictorian to!n(%ouse !%ere Roberta used to s%are a

fat !it% 5enn" before ac %ad ta*en %er to i#e in %is u,urious C%esea

a&artment. ';se t%e !ee*end to t%in* about !%at "ou're oin to do$'

%e ad#ised. 'You're t%in*in !it% "our emotions ri%t no!$ but i#e it a

cou&e of da"s and "ou s%oud be usin "our %ead aain$

'It's m" emotions !%ic% are in#o#ed !it% ac$ not m" brain$' s%e

dri" &ointed out. 'And I'#e been a&&"in common sense and modern

socia standards to our reations%i& for a !%oe "ear no!$ and oo*

!%ere if s ot me$' 3randed$ s%e t%ou%t bitter". 3randed a bimbo b"

a set of &eo&e t%at s%e !oudn't i#e t%e time of da" to if t%e" !eren't

reated to ac/ 'It's not me !%o needs to sort m" %ead out$ 5oe. It's

ac/'

'He cares dee&" for "ou$ Roberta$' %e insisted urent"$ %is mout%

t!istin !%en %e sa! t%e sudden int of tears food %er sea(reen

e"es.

'3ut not enou%$' s%e !%is&ered$ not den"in t%at ac did care for

%er$ in some odd$ sefis% !a". No man coud i#e %imsef so tota" in

bed !it%out feein somet%in for t%e !oman "in beneat% %im+

feetin t%ou% t%at somet%in !as. 'T%e troube !it% ac is$ s%e


19/156

added rim"$ '%e !ants to eat %is ca*e and *ee& it. And t%is ca*e %as

one stae enou% to c%uc* into t%e rubbis% bin$

'ac doesn't t%in* "ou're stae$' 5oe &rotested.

'No.' Her e"es fas%ed %im a %ard oo*. '3ut %e's ta*en so man"bites out of me$ 5oe$ t%at t%ere rea" is #er" itte eft for me to offer

%im/'

5oe si%ed+t%e *ind of si% t%at said %e !as i#in u& tr"in to

con#ince %er ot%er!ise. And Roberta si%ed+reie#ed t%at %e !as

i#in u&$ because s%e'd ta*en )ust about a s%e coud ri%t no!.

'I' see "ou onda"$' s%e murmured$ o&enin t%e car door.

'And if %e ca me u& oo*in for "ou$ !%at do I te %im1' %e as*ed%ea#i" as s%e ste&&ed out of t%e car.

Roberta bent do!n to oo* at %im. 'Do "ou rea" t%in* %e !i1' s%e

moc*ed$ %er mout% t!istin bitter" on t%e ans!er t%at 5oe didn't e#en

bot%er sa"in out oud. '4oodni%t$ 5oe$' s%e said !eari"$ and cosed

t%e car door.

CHAPTER T0O

5ENNY !as sur&rised to find %er od fatmate standin on %er

doorste&$ as*in for %er od room bac*. 'O8$' s%e demanded$ once

s%e'd us%ered Roberta into t%e sma$ c%un*i" famiiar sittin(room and

&us%ed a drin* of somet%in stron into %er %and$ '!%at %as t%at

sefis% rat done to ma*e "ou refuse t%e fina stra!1'

'Not ac$' Roberta %us*i" denied$ defendin %im e#en !%ie s%e

*ne! t%at %e did not deser#e it. 'His fami".' And s%e tod %er friend t%e

ist of %er sudden decision toni%t.

'Ho! is it$' 5enn" demanded anri" !%en Roberta %ad finis%ed$ 't%at

a man of Soomon acaine's tou% c%aracter can be so !ea* !%ere

%is fami" is concerned1'

'He o#es t%em$' Roberta stated sim&". 'And fees uit" for ettin


20/156

t%em a do!n$ so %e s&ends %is ife !a*in a fine ine bet!een

&easin %imsef and &easin t%em.' Her s%ru said )ust %o!

successfu" %e manaed it most of t%e time.

'0%ic% i#es "ou t%e una&&eti2in roe of bein &i" in t%e

midde. 5enn" rimaced distastefu".

'4a#e me$' Roberta corrected. 'I'#e )ust resined from t%e &osition$

remember1'

'You %a#en't tod %im "et$ 5enn" !r"" &ointed out.

'No$ s%e areed. '3ut I !i.'

S%e %ad %ad enou%.

'Actua"$ I fee 6uite ood/' s%e sudden" announced. '3eneat% t%e

bitterness$ of course.' S%e ac*no!eded 5enn"'s moc*in oo*. 'And

t%at's on" t%ere because I fet so %umiiated toni%t. 3ut$ ot%er t%at.

t%at$ I fee as if someone %as ifted a bi ead !ei%t from m"

s%ouders. I am no oner Soomon acaine's %oe(and(corner affair/'

s%e oud" decared. 'Per%a&s no! I can bein to et some of m" sef(

res&ect bac*.'

'He' be around %ere oo*in for "ou as soon as %e finds out "ou're

not at "our fat$' 5enn" !arned.

:His fat$ Roberta corrected$ %er soft cu&id's(bo! mout% turnin

do!n c"nica". 'ac &ro#ided me !it% t%at fat because a man of %is

standin %as to maintain certain standards for %is iicit affairs/'

'Pus t%e fact t%at %a#in me around %ere cram&ed %is st"e/'

Roberta coudn't %e& but smie at t%at. 3uit on Ama2on

&ro&ortions$ !it% a fu fiure and t%e !e(toned musces of a trained

&%"siot%era&ist$ 5enn" coud fri%ten off an" man !it% )ust a certain

oo*/ 'Can I %a#e m" od room bac*1 s%e beed %er no!. 'Of course

"ou can/' Instant" 5enn"'s softer side !as us%in a o#er %er. 'Do "ou

t%in* "ou' see& at a1' s%e as*ed concerned" as Roberta ot u& from

t%e c%air. 'No$' s%e admitted. '3ut I' tr" an"!a".' Sur&risin"$ s%e se&t

6uite !e. Her %ead %it t%e &io! in %er od sine bed in %er od


21/156

famiiar room t%at &ossessed none of t%e u,urious tra&&ins ac %ad

surrounded %er !it% in %is &ersonaised o#e(nest7 %is dar*" attracti#e

face oomed u& into t%e dar*ness$ !earin t%at ruefu itte smie %e

%ad offered %er before %is e,(!ife %ad caimed %is attention t%at

e#enin$ and$ )ust as s%e !as conditionin %ersef for a on ni%t'sbatte aainst t%e !ea*enin effects of t%at smie$ s%e dro&&ed asee&

and dreamed of not%in. It !as !onderfu. i*e bein set free.

'5oe's been on t%e &%one$' 5enn" informed %er !%en s%e !a*ed into

t%e sma *itc%en t%e ne,t mornin dressed in one of 5enn"'s trac*suits$

a &ae bue one !it% a cream" %ood attac%ed to t%e ba" to&. 'He

!anted to !arn "ou t%at$ contrar" to "our o&inion$ ac is on t%e !ar(

&at%. He's aread" &%oned %is &ace as*in !%ere "ou are.'

Roberta &aused on a moment's s%ar& sur&rise. So %er manner ast

ni%t %ad manaed to et t%rou% to %im$ or %e definite" !oud not

%a#e bot%ered rinin %er.

'Did %e te %im1' s%e as*ed casua"$ oin to c%ec* if t%e coffee(&ot

!as sti %ot.

5enn" s%rued. 'He sa"s not. 3ut a&&arent" ac %ad been tr"in

"our number a ni%t$ and %es one from t%e &u22ed to t%e !orried

to t%e bood" furious. 5oe said %e !as s&ittin out a *inds of nast"

insinuations t%at 5oe found rat%er fatterin since t%e" seemed to team

"ou and %im toet%er. 3ut %e s!ears %e &a"ed it t%ic* and said

not%in ot%er t%an t%at %e dro&&ed "ou off ast ni%t and t%at !as t%e

ast %e'd seen of "ou.'

'4ood od 5oe$' s%e murmured$ t%in*in$ So %e's decided to come

do!n on m" side$ %as %e1 S%e %ad !ondered. 5oe !as ac's brot%er$

after a. :I coud do !it% a &iece of toast$' s%e remar*ed. 'I didn't eat a

sine t%in at t%at ous" &art" ast ni%t.

5enn" made a sound of im&atience. 'He' be rinin %ere at an"

moment$' s%e cried. '0%at are "ou oin to do about it1'

'e1' Roberta &aused as s%e !as about to si& t!o sices of bread


22/156

into t%e toaster. I'm oin to do not%in$' s%e said$ feedin t%e bread

into t%e !armin sots.


23/156

T%e moment t%e door cosed$ Roberta darted u& and s!itc%ed on

t%e transistor radio. A Saturda" mornin &o& s%o! bared out$

dro!nin out an" %o&e of o#er%earin 5enn"'s side of t%e con#ersation

t%rou% t%e t%in !as se&aratin t%e *itc%en from t%e sittin(room.

S%e sat do!n aain$ s%a*in a o#er.

9eein not%in$ m" foot/ s%e scoffed at %ersef. S%e !as a !a*in

renade !it% t%e &in %af out.

3ut determined$ s%e reminded %ersef rim". Damned$ !retc%ed"

determined.

5enn" came bac*. 'He seems more concerned about "ou t%an

anr"$' s%e tod %er. 'He can't understand !%" "ou're not !%ere "ou're

su&&osed to be.'

'So "ou suested %e oo* !%ere1'

5enn" s%rued. 'I reminded %im t%at "our &arents !ere %ome and

suested t%at "ou coud %a#e one t%ere. He a&&ro#ed of t%at idea

and ran off to c%ec*.'

'O%$ t%at's a ri%t$' Roberta said after a moment. 'T%e"'#e aread"

eft for !armer cimes.'

4one c%asin !id dos across t%e Sereneti$ %a#in been %ome

on" fi#e da"s to dum& off t%e fim of t%eir ast fied(tri&+si, !ee*s

stud"in do&%ins in t%e Sout% C%ina Sea.

9i#e da"s. S%e rimaced. Into t%eir ear" fifties$ and sti t%e" bare"

&aused for breat% bet!een tri&s. Sti t%e" found no time in t%eir

&ac*ed sc%edue to do more t%an ao! t%eir on" c%id a conciiator"

&%one ca to offset an" disa&&ointment s%e mi%t fee for t%eir not

%a#in time to meet %er$ if on" for a 6uic* unc%.

T%e" i#ed in a !ord of t%eir o!n$ !%ic% eft no room for

unim&ortant t%ins i*e dau%ters. So$ !%at's ne!1 s%e as*ed %ersef

as an od bitterness bean to boi u& inside %er. T%e" %a#e a #aue

idea of !%at "ou do for a i#in$ t%at "our birt%da" is some!%ere in t%e

mont% of October$ t%at "ou're not s%ort of funds and are in ood


24/156

%eat%. 0%at more coud a ir !ant1

A bit of tender$ o#in care$ s%e rim" ans!ered %er o!n moc*er".

A fat%er to %u and ean on once in a !%ie. A mot%er to run to at times

i*e t%ese$ confide %er troubes in.

A bit of !%at -uu acaine %ad a ot of. 0o!/ 3o!in t%e air out of

%er uns$ s%e &us%ed %ersef u& from t%e tabe !it% t%at bit of

re#eain en#" niin at %er conscience.

T%en$ No$ s%e tod %ersef firm". It !asn't )ust a case of %er bein

en#ious of !%at -uu %ad t%at s%e did not. It !as sim&" t%at s%e !as

not oin to ta*e second &ace to an"one ese in %er ife.

And t%at$ s%e !as determined$ !as t%at.

ac ran t%e fat %af a do2en times durin t%e ne,t t!o da"s$ and

b" t%e time Roberta %ad come bac* from %er fina e,&edition to t%e

C%esea fat on Sunda" e#enin &oor 5enn" !as oo*in fustered.

'He's bood" furious !it% "ou$ %e's so !orried/ s%e said amost

accusin"$ !%ic% !asn't sur&risin since it !as 5enn" !%o %ad %ad to

dea !it% %is cas a !ee*end$ and ac coud fra22e an"one's ner#es

!%en %e &ut %is mind to it. 'Don't "ou t%in* "ou s%oud &ut %im out of

%is miser" no! and s&ea* to %im "oursef1'

:No$' Roberta stubborn" refused. 'ac %as &ut me t%rou% t!e#e

mont%s of miser". T!o s%ort da"s of t%e same oes no!%ere near

&a"in %im bac*.'

'You !ent into t%at reations%i& !it% "our e"es !ide o&en$' 5enn"

&ointed out.

Yes$ t%ou%t Roberta on a si%. 0ide o&en but %o&efu. A %o&e

dri#en b" a dee&(seated need to be o#ed and !anted for %ersef

abo#e a ot%ers b" a man s%e coud o#e and !ant abo#e a ot%ers

%ersef.


25/156

0e$ s%e %ad found t%e man s%e o#ed and !anted abo#e a ot%ers.

T%e on" troube !as$ %e did not o#e and !ant %er in t%e same !a"/

0%ic%$ in t%e end$ eft %er !it% not%in to be %o&efu for.

Roberta !as at %er des* on onda" mornin$ dictatin to it2"$!%en ac came t%rou% t%e door i*e a buet.

'0%at t%e %e do "ou t%in* "ou're &a"in at1' %e bar*ed$ stridin

for!ard to sam an anr" fist do!n %ard on t%e to& of t%e des*.

it2" )um&ed$ started out of %er !its b" %is forcefu entrance.

Roberta too* %er time before reactin$ but t%en s%e %ad been &re&ared

for t%is+&oor it2" %ad not.

Sti$ as !it% a carefu" sc%ooed e,&ression s%e ifted %er attentionfrom t%e stac* of &a&ers s%e %ad been !or*in on and e#eed %er

coo reen e"es on %im s%e %ad to 6ue a 6ui#er of aarm. 5enn" !as

ri%t$ s%e ac*no!eded7 %e !as furious. His re" e"es %ad turned

si#er !it% it7 %is mout% &ued so ti%t" across %is teet% t%at %e !as

snarin !it% it+i*e a do. A bi$ dar* and ra#ain boodt%irst" do.

'Do "ou *no! t%e *ind of troube "ou'#e &ut me t%rou% t%is

!ee*end1' %e demanded %ars%" !%en s%e didn't re&". 'I'#e been

oin out of m" mind !orr"in !%at coud %a#e %a&&ened to "ou/'

'3ut not enou% to brin "ou rus%in bac* from 3er*s%ire to c%ec* if

I !as a ri%t$' s%e said$ and !atc%ed %im stiffen u& i*e a board at t%e

t%rust.

'0%at's t%at su&&osed to mean1' %e ro!ed.

'Not%in.' Remo#in %er a2e from %im$ s%e anced at it2"$ !%o

!as starin direct" a%ead doin a ood im&ression of a !a,!or*

dumm"$ and Roberta too* &it" on %er. '0e' finis% t%is ater$' s%e todt%e ot%er ir 6uiet".

'Y("es$ of course...' 0it% a bin* and a )er* it2" %aued %ersef out

of t%e c%air and s6uee2ed !ari" &ast(ac's taut frame to ea#e t%e

room 6uic*".


26/156

T%e ensuin sience t%um&ed i*e a drum+or !as it %er &use1

Roberta !ondered as s%e forced %ersef to remain cam" seated

be%ind %er des*$ oo*in %er usua coo" immacuate sef in a sate(

re" !orsted suit and neat &o!der(bue bouse$ !%ie inside %er

e#er"t%in !as beinnin to burn u& on a mad combination of bitter&i6ue and t%e usua %ot$ metin breat%essness s%e suffered !%ene#er

s%e oo*ed at ac.

it2"'s time" e,it %ad i#en ac time to consider )ust !%at Roberta

%ad said$ and %is e"es %ad narro!ed into %ars%" assessin sits. T%e

aner in %im %ad dam&ed do!n to a more manaeabe e#e$ !%ic%

meant t%at %e !as beinnin to reaise %e %ad a bi &robem on %is

%ands !it% %er and !as res&ondin accordin"+!it% %is ra2or(s%ar&

brain instead of %is emotions.

'E,&ain$' %e demanded at ast. Not%in more$ )ust t%at one #er"

economica !ord !%ic% none t%e ess said it a

S%e studied %im for a moment$ com&ete" in contro of %er outer

sef e,ce&t for t%e si%t trembin of %er %ands$ !%ic% s%e cenc%ed

toet%er ti%t" on %er a& !%ie s%e decided %o! best to tac*e t%is.

He too !as dressed for business$ s%e noted inconse6uentia"$ in

one of %is dar*$ fas%ionab" cut suits t%at did so muc% to add to t%at airof &o!er and success %e carried around !it% %im.

S%e !oud %a#e fet muc% softer to!ards %im if %e %ad come

barin in %ere oo*in i*e t%e de#i$ in creased cot%es and !it% %is

si*" %air mussed b" !orried finers.

3ut %e %adn't. ac mi%t %a#e been concerned about %er$ but on"

in as muc% as %e coud not understand !%at !as oin on. His concern

%ad not sto&&ed %im from %a#in a ood ni%t's see& or ma*in

%imsef &resentabe for !or* t%is mornin.

0%ic% )ust !ent to &ro#e %o! ri%t s%e !as about %is feeins for

%er$ s%e concuded.

'It's 6uite sim&e$ ac$' s%e t%erefore informed %im e#e". :I#e

mo#ed out of "our fat '


27/156

'I *no! t%at/' %e cut in deridin". 'Ha#in arri#ed t%ere at some

unod" %our t%is mornin to find it strane" ac*in an" of "our

&ersona &ossessions/'

'+because$' s%e !ent on$ as if %e %adn't interru&ted$ %odin %is

sicin a2e !it% %er o!n su&reme" cam one$ 'I %a#e decided to

concude our reations%i&$

He didn't mo#e for t%e s&ace of se#era stutterin %eartbeats$ %is

stunned e"es fi,ed on %er o#e" com&osed features. T%en$ 'You'#e

!%at1 %e c%o*ed$ and %er stomac% turned itsef inside out as a

strane *ind of trium&% rabbed %od of %er.

S%e %ad actua" manaed to %it %im ri%t beo! t%e &ro#erbia bet

at ast/

'You %eard me$' s%e ans!ered smoot%" enou%. 'It's o#er bet!een

us.' 9inis%ed$ finite$ s%e added to %ersef c"nica". No more.

ac s%oo* %is )et(bac* %ead as if %e needed to cear it. '3unn"...' %e

murmured$ t%e %us*" sound of %is #er" &ersona &et name for %er

!renc%in at somet%in #er" #unerabe inside %er. '0%at t%e %e is

t%is1'

4enuine be!iderment %ad manaed to coud o#er %is aner. Hisi%t" tanned face !as sudden" &ae !it% sur&rise. A ti%t" cenc%ed

fist came out bet!een t%em$ t%e on$ bunt(ended finers uncurin

so!"$ as t%ou% it too* a reat effort to ma*e t%e conciiator"

esture.

'0%at %a#e I done to brin t%is on1' %e as*ed.

Done1 'Not%in$' s%e said. E,act" not%in. And %ardened %er %eart

aainst t%e a&&eain &icture %e ma*e standin t%ere &eadin !it%

%er i*e t%at. He %ad used t%is tactic before !%en s%e'd been anr"

!it% %im+and %ad a!a"s !on !it% it. 3ut not t%is time. 'I %a#e sim&"

decided t%at it is time to et out$ ac. Sure" "ou abo#e a &eo&e can

understand t%at1' It !as a &ointed di at t%e on strin of !omen !%o

%ad &receded %er in and out of %is o!n ife.


28/156

And %e too* it$ b" dro&&in t%e o&en %and$ t%e on finers

cenc%in u& aain at t%e same moment t%at %is mout% cenc%ed aso.

'3ut !%"1' %e demanded. 'And !%" i*e t%is1 0it% no &rior !arnin but

)ust an em&t" fat for me to !a* into/'

Had t%at %urt1 S%e oo*ed into %is %ard si#er e"es and sa! t%at it

%ad. ac &robab" brou%t t%e end to a reations%i& b" sendin a

bunc% of roses or a &rett" braceet of diamonds and a t%an*("ou$ !%ic%

meant as itte as t%e reations%i& itsef %ad meant to %im. Did %e t%in*

t%at %is !a" !as an" ess %urtfu t%an %ers %ad been1

'T%e reations%i& !as oin no!%ere$' s%e tod %im$ inorin t%e

atter to ans!er t%e former because t%at deser#ed an ans!er7 t%e

atter did not.

His e"es narro!ed assessin" at t%at. 'And "ou+ !anted it to o

some!%ere1' %e murmured soft".

Roberta smied$ seein t%e tra& e#en as %e set it. 'O%$ "es$' s%e

admitted$ e#er so ruefu". 'I !anted it to.'

'3ut "ou *ne! I !asn't into marriae e#en before !e bean.'

'Yes.' Her soft bonde %ead nodded$ t%en sta"ed o!ered$ from

!%ere s%e !atc%ed %er finers &eat and un&eat t%emse#es on %era&. Yes$ s%e t%ou%t %ea#i".

S%e %ad *no!n$ but s%e %ad been foois% enou% to %o&e ot%er!ise.

'0e areed to i#e toet%er$ not%in ese$' ac said rim".

T%at brou%t %er %ead s%ootin bac* u&$ reen e"es %onin on to

%im. '3ut !e didn't i#e toet%er$ did !e1' s%e c%aened. 'You %a#e

"our 3er*s%ire %ome$ !%ere I am not !ecome. Your 8ni%tsbride

a&artment$ !%ere I am not !ecome. And "ou %a#e "our C%esea fat$

!%ere I am su&&osed to *no! m" &ace and *ee& to it/'

'And !%en do I e#er use t%e 8ni%tsbride &ace1 %e demanded

furious". 'Or s&end time in 3er*s%ire$ come to t%at1' 0it% a ra*in fic*

of %is %and %e dismissed t%at arument !it% t%e contem&t %e t%ou%t

it deser#ed. 'You *no! as !e as I do$' %e !ent on ruff"$ 't%at !%ere


29/156

"ou are is !%ere I !ant to be$ !%ic% *noc*s t%at e,cuse ri%t on its

cra2" %ead.'

';ness "ou're entertainin$ of course.' Des&ite t%e !armin

res&onse s%e %ad e,&erienced to %is ruff confession about !antin to

be !%ere s%e !as$ Roberta *e&t %er mind firm" fi,ed on t%e &oint in

%and. '0%en "ou sudden" de#eo& amnesia !%ere I am concerned.'

'4ood rief/' %e as&ed$ e"es !idenin as understandin sudden"

%it. 'Do "ou mean to te me t%at t%is is a because of 9rida" ni%t1' He

made a sound t%at !as bot% im&atient and scornfu.

'T%e fina stra!$' s%e conceded. 'T%at's a.

3ut %e !asn't istenin. 'I can't beie#e it/' %e !as mutterin. 'You're

)ust bood" miffed because I didn't dance attendance on "ou a ni%t

on/'

'You didn't dance attendance at a$ t%e !a" I remember it.'

'I %ad ot%er duties to attend to/' %e sna&&ed. 'It !as. -uu's ni%t.

And s%e$ t%erefore$ %ad first ca on m" attention/'

'S%e ot it$ ac$' Roberta dri" assured. 'S%e certain" ot it/ T%e

fu$ centra and undi#ided attention of most of t%e room a ni%t+at

m" damned e,&ense due to "our ac* of su&&ort for me/'

'-uu said somet%in to u&set "ou1' %e as*ed s%ar&"$ rea"

beinnin to catc% on at ast. His e"es dar*ened$ t%e aner ea#in %im

to be re&aced !it% anot%er oo* of urent a&&ea. '-isten$ 3unn" '

%e eaned to!ards %er aain '+if -uu+or an" of m" fami"+offended

"ou at t%e &art" t%e ot%er ni%t$ t%en I a&ooise for t%em. T%e"'re a

so damned((((((( '

Roberta sudden" s%ot to %er feet. 'T%e" didn't offend me$ ac. Youdid/ You do it e#er" time "ou &retend I don't e,ist as far as t%e" are

concerned/ If once+)ust once+"ou %ad come to m" side$ forced t%em

to acce&t me for !%at I am su&&osed to be to "ou$ t%en t%e" !oud

%a#e done+and "ou *no! it/' S%e suc*ed in a s%ort breat%$ disusted

!it% %im and %ersef for &uttin u& !it% it a for so on. '0e((((((( '


30/156

S%e tried to &ut a bra*e on %er tem&er$ but it didn't !or*. No! t%at

it %ad been et oose it did not !ant to retreat aain. 'I refuse to %ide in

t%e cu&board i*e "our uit" s*eeton an" oner/ I %a#e done not%in

+not%in+to be as%amed of. Yet "our fami"+t%rou% "ou((((( '

s%e anri" made cear '+%as sun* m" sef(esteem to suc% a e#e t%atit can't in* an" o!er/ And "es ' s%e nodded ti%t" '+I'#e %ad

enou%/' T%e ot$ e#er"t%in s%e %ad been bottin u& a !ee*end$ !as

s&iin out in one furious !a#e. 'ore t%an enou%/ I !i not ao!

m"sef to be trodden under "our rotten fami"'s feet for anot%er da"/

So "ou can ta*e "oursef+and "our sefis% idea of a reations%i&+and

)ust et out of %ere/'

'9inis%ed1' %e ci&&ed.

'Yes$ s%e said$ and sat do!n !it% a bum&$ dra!in air into %er uns

in an effort to contro %ersef. S%e %ad been determined not to ose %er

tem&er !it% %im$ to finis% t%is !it% a t%e coo a&omb t%at a man i*e

ac !oud e,&ect from a !oman of %er su&&osed so&%istication. 3ut

t%at !as t%e troube$ s%e conceded anri". S%e !asn't rea"

so&%isticated at a/ S%e !as )ust a o#e(#unerabe foo caed Roberta

C%ander$ forced into &a"in an aien roe because s%e coudn't contro

%er feeins for t%is man/

And to %a#e %im s%e'd %ad to &a" it %is !a"+ri%t do!n t%e

damned ine/

:So "ou !ant out.

:Not !ant1 s%e corrected$ 'I %a#e out.'

'Or marriae$ %e derided$ s%o#in %imsef a!a" from t%e des*.

'O%$ no.' S%e denied t%at instant". 'You see$ t%at !as anot%er t%in I

disco#ered on 9rida" ni%t. I disco#ered t%at I %a#e no !is% to becomea member of "our rude and sefis% fami". 3ut I do !ant marriae/' s%e

added 6uic*"$ !%en %e fas%ed %er a oo* t%at said %e mi%t be

considerin t%rottin %er for t%at &articuar insut.

:And since it ob#ious" isn't oin to be to "ou((((((( ' %er sender

s%ouders ifted and fe in a s%ru '+t%en I must cut m" osses and


31/156

oo* around for someone ese.'

'E#en t%ou% it's me "ou o#e1'

O%$ t%at %urt$ and it s%o!ed in t%e !a" s%e !inced. 3ut s%e ifted

%er c%in to %im$ reen e"es %odin on to %is. 'And !%o do "ou o#e$ac1' s%e c%aened 6uiet".

He s!un a!a"$ ob#ious" not &re&ared to ans!er t%at one. 'I

earned t%e !eddin esson t%e first time around$' %e muttered

e#asi#e"$ oin to stand at t%e !indo! !it% %is %ands s%o#ed into %is

trouser &oc*ets. 'I %a#e no intention of &uttin m"sef t%rou% t%at *ind

of %e aain.'

'I can understand t%at$' Roberta ac*no!eded fair"$ '3ut !%ate#er

%e "our marriae !as to "ou$ ac$ "ou did ain somet%in #er"

&recious from it. You ained -uu$ !%om "ou so ob#ious" o#e and

adore+a dau%ter !%o o#es and adores "ou in return. Do "ou t%in* I

don't !ant to e,&erience t%at *ind of bond !it% a c%id of m" o!n1' s%e

a&&eaed to t%e riid set of %is bac*. 'Do "ou %onest" t%in* t%at$ )ust

because "ou see "our dut" to t%e %uman race fufied in -uu$ I must

acce&t t%at it can ne#er %a&&en to me because I o#e "ou and

t%erefore must concede to "our dictum1'

'You're )eaous of -uu/' %e s!un around to decare.

:I am not )eaous of -uu/' s%e denied$ stormin to %er feet aain as

t%e taunt %it a ra! ner#e$ '3ut I am )eaous of !%at "ou and -uu %a#e$

t%at I can ne#er %a#e if I don't cut m"sef free from "ou/'

'3ut "ou're on" t!ent"(fi#e "ears od$ dammit/' %e ras&ed. 'You'#e

ot "ears a%ead of "ou to &an t%ins i*e %ome and fami"/'

S%e fet %ersef o ic" cod. '-ea#e it unti "ou decide t%at "ou'#e

%ad enou% of me$ do "ou mean1'

T%e coour drained from %is face$ %is t%ic*" curin as%es fic*erin

do!n to %ide %is e"es from %er as %e turned bac* to t%e !indo!. And

Roberta smied bea*" to %ersef as %er %eart fi&&ed o#er$ t%en a"

struin i*e a d"in fis% in %er breast. S%e %ad )ust *noc*ed t%e nai


32/156

ri%t on to& of its indis&utabe %ead.

'You'#e ne#er so muc% as %inted to me before t%at "ou fet i*e t%is$'

ac muttered after a on$ %ea#" moment.

:I !as !aitin for "ou to s%o! enou% interest in m" feeins to!onder$ s%e murmured s%a*i". '3ut "ou ne#er %a#e$ %a#e "ou1'

E#en s%e %eard t%e contem&t in %er #oice$ aimed entire" at %ersef

for %er o!n &o!ers of sef(deusion$ and ac's s%ouders s%ifted on a

esture of discomfort as %e &ic*ed u& on it too.

'3ut t%at rea" is not t%e main issue %ere. 4rim" s%e s%ifted t%ins

bac* on to t%e ri%t trac*.


33/156


34/156

seduction.

3ut to no a#ai. And it !as ac !%o brou%t it a to an end$ &us%in

%er to arm's ent% t%en %odin %er t%ere !%ie %e studied %er t%rou%

%ard$ narro!ed e"es$ %is o!n breat%in no steadier t%an %er o!n as

s%e stood t%ere s!a"in di22i".

'0%ere did "ou o t%is !ee*end1' %e demanded.

'5enn"'s$' s%e ans!ered$ %a#in to fi%t not to fin %ersef bac* into

%is arms.

'3itc%/' %e ras&ed. 'Did 5oe ta*e "ou t%ere1'

:I...' S%e ifted a trembin %and to &us% %er %air a!a" from %er face$

sti too da2ed to t%in* cear". 'I !(!ent after %e dro&&ed me off$' s%eied$ but t%e %esitation %ad damned %er$ and 5oe too.

ac's face turned to ranite. 'T%at's brot%er" o"at" for "ou/' %e

muttered ti%t".

'0%at %e did$ %e did for me/' Roberta insisted.


35/156

made a serious mo#e on "ou before is because I t%reatened to *noc*

%is boc* off if be e#er did.'


36/156

Eas"$ a sma #oice taunted in %er %ead. You made it eas" for %im b"

fain so easi" into %is arms/

'Damn$ s%e e,&oded soft"$ t%en %eard anot%er door be"ond %er

o!n sam s%ut$ and cursed aain.

5oe's office door. True to %is !ord$ ac %ad one to ta*e t%e rest of

%is aner out on 5oe. 4uiti" a!are t%at s%e %ad !e and tru"

dro&&ed 5oe in it !it% %er stu&id tonue$ s%e dro&&ed %ea#i" bac* into

%er c%air$ !onderin rim" if s%e !oud sti %a#e a )ob b" t%e end of

t%is %orribe mornin.

CHAPTER THREE

5OE- !as !aitin for %im !%en ac strode into %is office.

'-o"a brot%er "ou are$ %e bar*ed.

'-o"a o#er are "ou$ 5oe returned t%e insut. 'I !oudn't sub)ect m"

!orst enem" to !%at "ou sub)ected Roberta to on 9rida" ni%t$ and

t%at's t%e trut%$' %e said$ t%en a2ed bac* in %is c%air to !atc% curious"

as t!o stri&s of uit" coour !as%ed across ac's %i% c%ee*bones.

'Roberta can fi%t %er o!n battes !it%out "our needin to &a" t%es%inin *ni%t/' %e muttered.


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&%onin and start dri#in$ isn't it1 You mi%t )ust %a#e cau%t %er

bet!een mo#es t%en. A%...' %e breat%ed as ac stiffened. 'So Roberta

&ointed out t%e same error$ did s%e1 You'#e ot to i#e it to t%at

ir(((((' %e smied '+s%e's %onest to t%e ast fu(sto&.'

'I %ad ot%er commitments t%is !ee*end$ ac defended %imsef

ruff". 'S%e *ne! t%at$ and if s%e cared s%e !oud %a#e understood.'

'-i*e "ou understood %o! %umiiatin it !as for %er to be &amed off

on "our *id brot%er at "our dau%ter's birt%da" &art"1'

'O%$ o to %e$ 5oe$' ac si%ed$ runnin a %and around t%e bac* of

%is nec* t%en t%ro!in %imsef into a c%air. 'You *no! %o! sensiti#e

-uu is about me and %er mot%er. It !as %er ni%t7 I %ad to &ut %er

feeins first.'

'T%en !%" in#ite Roberta at a1'

'0%" did s%e %a#e to acce&t1' ac s%ot bac*$ and 5oe suc*ed in a

s%ort breat%$ t%e %andsome ines of %is face %ardenin as %e stared at

%is brot%er.

'You bastard$' %e breat%ed. 'You !ere co#erin "oursef/ Pa"in a

et's(*ee&(e#er"one(%a&&" ame so t%at Soomon acaine coud fee

comfortabe !it% %is conscience/ " 4od$' %e muttered as %e t%re!%imsef for!ard in %is c%air and ared at ac$ '"ou rea" are a sefis%

s!ine$ aren't "ou1'

'You *ne! t%e score !%en "ou areed to ta*e %er as "our &artner$'

ac derided 5oe's derision.

'I did t%at for Roberta's sa*e$ not "ours$' %e made acid" cear. 'I

!arned %er not to o. I said it !asn't !ort% t%e &ain our ot !oud &ut

%er t%rou%. 3ut do "ou *no! !%at s%e said1' %e offered ti%t". 'S%e

said$


38/156

'You !oudn't sa" no to %er if s%e !as a#aiabe$' ac )eered$ comin

bac* fi%tin because 5oe %ad %it more t%an a cou&e of #er" ra!

s&ots in %is conscience.

5oe e"ed %im curious". '3ut s%e is a#aiabe no!$ isn't s%e1'

'Ta*en a fanc" to m" ea#ins$ 5oe1' ac t%re! bac* nasti".

'0%" not1' 5oe countered$ a strane$ !%imsica oo* crossin %is

face. '0e'#e s%ared amost e#er"t%in ese most of our i#es. 0%" not

t%e odd o#er or t!o1'

Sudden" ac !as on %is feet and eanin across t%e des*$ one on

finer stabbin t%reatenin" into 5oe's !atc%fu face. 'If I find "ou'#e

made a sine &ass at %er$ 5oe$ so %e& me$ I' *i "ou+ot t%at1'

5oe's e"es narro!ed sudden". 'Is t%at a c%aene$ ac1' %e

en6uired soft".

'T%at !as no c%aene$ ac %ars%" denied. :It !as a cear(cut

t%reat/ a*e one mo#e on 3unn" and "ou' reret it/' %e !arned$ too

anr" to notice t%e !a" %e %ad used %is #er" &ri#ate &et name for

Roberta.

Hard(as(ass si#er e"es %ed curious" assessin bro!n ones and$

for t%e first time e#er$ t%e t!o brot%ers oo*ed at eac% ot%er in mutua

%ostiit".

'I don't t%in* t%at's "our &reroati#e an" more$' 5oe said 6uiet".

'Roberta %as finis%ed !it% "ou$ remember1 ;ness$ of course$ "ou'#e

manaed to bu" %er into oin bac* to "ou1

'I'm coectin %er from %ere toni%t$' ac stated !it% rim

satisfaction$ strai%tenin u&. 'And as far as "ou or an" ot%er man is

concerned$ Roberta is mine$ and s%e sta"s mine. So *ee& "our ro#ine"e off m" !oman+ m" !oman/' %e re&eated &ossessi#e". '4ot t%at1'

4ot it$ 5oe t%ou%t as %e !atc%ed ac sam out of %is office !it%out

!aitin for an ans!er. He %ad more t%an ot it.

So!" %e reac%ed out for t%e interna tee&%one. 'In %ere$ &ease$


39/156

Roberta$' %e commanded !%en %er rat%er %us*" #oice ans!ered$ t%en

re&aced t%e recei#er$ a oo* of rim cacuation on %is face.

3ut t%e e,&ression Roberta sa! !%en s%e sun* !ari" into %is office

a moment ater !as t%e usua sardonica" moc*in one.

'I'm sorr"$ 5oe$ s%e murmured uiti". 'He+%e sort of coerced t%e

trut% out of me.

:Sit do!n$ %e said.

S%e sat$ oo*in i*e a !%i&&ed do e,&ectin to be *ic*ed.

'Did %e con#ince "ou to o bac* to %im1' %e demanded.

T%at brou%t %er c%in u&. 'No$ %e did not/' s%e decared.


40/156

%e said !as$ 'Actua"$ I coud do !it% "ou aon toni%t. I'm meetin

-ou Saes from Portsmout%+and !e bot% *no! !%at t%at means/' He

sent %er a ruefu rin.

-ou Saes !as an e,(s%i& enineer !%o$ on retirement from t%e

Na#"$ %ad started u& %is o!n marine enineerin com&an" !it% a

ot of financia bac*in from acaines. T%at !as not t%e &robem7 t%e

&robem !it% -ou Saes !as t%at %e coud drin* an" man under tabe$

and a!a"s insisted on tr"in/ 5oe !anted %er aon to *ee& trac* of

discussions once %e %imsef %ad one be"ond t%e &oint of

understandin an"t%in t%at t%e !i" -ou !as tr"in to et out of %im/

'So$ if "ou're not seein ac toni%t$' 5oe concuded casua"$ '"ou

can come and &a" buffer for me+can't "ou1'

He !as c%aenin %er reso#e. Roberta reconised t%at and rose

%au%ti" to it. 'Of course$' s%e areed.

'4ood$' 5oe said$ a eam of somet%in s%e did not rea" i*e

enterin %is i%t bro!n e"es before %e smoot%" %ooded it. '9inis% an

%our ear" t%is afternoon$ t%en$' %e aut%orised$ and Roberta *ne! t%at

%e !as on" suestin it so t%at s%e !oud be a!a" from %ere before

%is brot%er came oo*in for %er. 'And I' &ic* "ou u& at se#en o'coc*.'

ac arri#ed at si,(t%irt"$ )ust as Roberta !as fres% from %er bat%$

!it% %er %air &ied u& on to& of %er %ead and %er i%t" &erfumed bod"

!ra&&ed in suar(&in* to!ein.

Poor 5enn" !as tr"in to %od %im bac* at t%e fat door. He too* one

oo* at Roberta and started sco!in. :Te %er to et me in$' %e

commanded ti%t".


41/156

and$ for a 5enn"'s bra#er"$ Roberta didn't t%in* %er friend !as u& to a

dose of ac's rea fur".

.@ 4o!erin at bot% of t%em$ 5enn" reuctant" ste&&ed to one side.

Roberta du %er %ands into t%e dee& &oc*ets of %er !ra& and mo#ed

into t%e sittin(room. ac foo!ed %er rim"$ &ointed" s%uttin t%e

door in 5enn"'s face.

Sience fe. Ha#in to brace %ersef for !%at !as comin ne,t$

Roberta turned to face %im. At ast %e !as beinnin to oo* a itte

fra"ed around t%e edes. A dar* fro!n intensified t%e broodin beaut"

of %is e"es and %is mout% !as turned do!n!ards+not su*" but tense$

as t%ou% %e !as %a#in difficut" %odin it under some sort of contro

+%arro!in enou% to reac% in and s6uee2e t%at !ea* &art of %er t%at

o#ed %im so bad".

'Come %ome$ %e said ruff".

Her %eart s6uee2ed aain in !retc%ed re&" to t%at rou%(#oiced

&ea. 3ut %er e"es remained unmo#ed as t%e" %ed on to %is.

'No.' S%e s%oo* %er %ead$ dam& tendris of si*" %air cinin to %er

un%a&&" face. 'No$ ac. You and I !ant different t%ins out of ife. If I

et "ou ta* me into comin bac*$ t%en I !oud be i#in a ie to m"sef$

and I )ust can't do t%at an" oner.'

'0%at ie1' %e ras&ed$ stridin across t%e room unti be !as standin

ri%t in front of %er. His %and came u& to cu& %er c%ee*$ t%e t%umb

sidin beneat% %er c%in to ift it u& so t%at %e coud oo* fierce" into

%er e"es. :You sti !ant me$' %e caimed. 'And t%at's no ie/'

'Yes$' s%e si%ed$ not bot%erin to den" it$ es&ecia" !%en %e must

be abe to fee t%e !a" %er &uses !ere ea&in at e#en t%e sim&est

touc% from %im. '3ut !%at do "ou !ant$ ac1' s%e as*ed %im sad".'e$ t%e !%oe &erson$ !it% a mind and feeins to consider+or )ust

t%e bod" t%at res&onds so e,citin" to "ours1

'" bod" res&onds to "ou in t%e e,act same !a"$' %e countered

%us*i". 'You t%in* I do a t%e ta*in$ but !e ta*e from eac% ot%er. A

t%e time$ e#er" time.' He mo#ed %is finers in a feat%er(i*e caress o#er


42/156

%er s*in t%at sent s!eet sensations of dei%t s&rin*in t%rou% %er.

'E#en t%is$' %e murmured as s%e et o a s%a*" si%. 'Suc% a i%t

caress$ "et it's enou% to ma*e "ou 6ui#er !it% &easure$ and m"

finers are tinin as if t%e"'re touc%in t%e most e,6uisite substance

e#er.' His ot%er %and came u&$ sidin around t%e bac* of %er nec* toti& %er %ead ent". 'I on" %a#e to oo* at "ou to !ant "ou$ and I *no!

it's t%e same !it% "ou. 0e're ood toet%er/' %e stated !it% soft

ferocit". '0%" are "ou tr"in to t%ro! it a a!a"1'

0%"1 Roberta cosed %er e"es$ tr"in to s%ut out t%e dar* fame

burnin in %is e"es. He !as ri%t. E#er" !ord %e %ad said !as o%$ so

true/ 3ut t%at !asn't a of it$ !as it1 T%is !id$ !antin se,ua need

assuaed on" one sma &art of %er ac%in sou+!%at about t%e rest1

:I !ant more$' s%e tod %im t%ic*". 'I need more from "ou$ ac.'

'ore of !%at$ for 4od's sa*e1' %e round out. 'ore of t%is1'

0it% an anr" tu$ %e too* %od of %er robe and !renc%ed t%e t!o

&ieces of to!ein a&art to e,&ose %er s%ouders and t%e smoot%

so&es of %er cream" breasts. Her as& of &rotest !as ost in t%e anr"

!a" %e %oo*ed an arm around %er !aist to &u %er o!er bod" aainst

%im t%en ifted t%e ot%er %and to %er breasts. His finerti&s on" %ad to

brus% i%t" across %er sensiti#e ni&&es to %a#e t%em s&rinin intoti%t$ tinin buds of ife. He ifted dar* and smo*"$ &assionate"

%unr" e"es to %ers in sient c%aene and s%e roaned$ s%a*in %er

%ead in mute denia$ %er soft mout% dra!n tense" bac* aainst %er

teet% to sto& %ersef from res&ondin.

It !as a test. S%e ac*no!eded t%at as s%e stood stoc*(sti in front

of %im and tried %er damnedest to fi%t %is deiberate onsau%t on %er

senses. And$ because s%e fou%t %im$ t%e caresses !ent on and on

unti %er fes% bean to 6ui#er$ %er breat%in so erratic t%at it sent %er%eart stutterin out of r%"t%m and s%e %ad to cenc% %er !%oe bod" to

sto& %ersef i#in in to t%e ure to et %er s&ine bein a su&&e arc%

to!ards %im$ !%ic% !oud be t%e first sin of %er im&endin surrender.

3ut s%e manaed+manaed ri%t u& unti t%e moment !%en %e

brou%t %is mout% into t%e batte. And t%en it became a i#in %e$ if


43/156

on" because s%e *ne! s%e )ust didn't %a#e it in %er to fi%t t%ose

!onderfu i&s. And t%e bood bean sinin in %er %ead as %is tonue

cured sensua" around %er o!n$ %er bod" arc%ed$ and %er arms !ent

%e&ess" u& around %is nec*.

'4od in %ea#en$ !oman/' %e muttered %ot" as %e dre! a!a" from

%er cinin mout%. 'Don't "ou *no! !e aread" attain t%e utimate1

An" more of "our more and !e'd ris* d"in/'

'Se,/' s%e c%o*ed out !retc%ed"$ %er reen e"es o&enin to fas%

%im a bitter oo*. 'Do "ou %a#e to brin e#er"t%in do!n to se,1'

'It's !%at !e %a#e/' %e ras&ed. 'And a %e of a ot more t%an most

&eo&e e#er *no!/ And "ou$' %e !arned$ 'are "in to "oursef if "ou tr"

to dismiss a t%is as not%in/'


44/156

T%e action %ad %er bod" stretc%in$ arc%in$ a ti%t stin of &easure

rus%in t%rou% %er as %er na*ed breasts rubbed aainst %is %ea#in

c%est$ %er ni&&es ti%t and t%robbin.

And s%e fet i*e eas" meat to t%e ra#ain %unter.

3ut$ !orse$ s%e didn't care.

'You !ant me$' ac caimed t%ic*".

'Yes.' S%e didn't e#en tr" to den" it. He !as aread" caressin %er so

intimate" t%at be %ad to *no! an"!a". 3ut concedin t%at muc% did

not mean s%e i*ed %ersef for it$ because s%e didn't$ and aon !it%

t%e s%ame of *no!in %o! eas" s%e !as for %im came t%e burst of

aner+t%e *ind of aner born of %ot$ s!eet &assion+ and on a sure

of &ure anima re#ene s%e sid one of %er o!n %ands do!n %is bod" to

touc% %im$ fet %is #ioent sure of &easure and draed %er mout%

from %is so t%at s%e coud fare at %im in trium&%. 'And "ou !ant me/'

s%e caimed$ t%e !ords scra&in %us*i" o#er %er o#e(dried t%roat.

'I'm not t%e one tr"in to den" it$' %e ritted. 'You are/'

:O%/ s%e roaned as %e mo#ed %is finers in an intimate caress t%at

set %er !%oe bod" s%udderin %is res&onse. 'You s!ine/' s%e

!%is&ered %e&ess".

'9or ma*in "ou fee t%is ood1' ac smied a a2" smie t%at !as

fu of sensua trium&%.


45/156

around %er bod". T%en %e too* %od of %er %and and uided it bac* to

%is o!n ardent" &usin bod". 'You$' %e !%is&ered rou%". 'On" "ou.

Come %ome to me$ bunn" rabbit. Don't ma*e me be.

He %ad %er t%en. T%e dee&$ dar*$ t%robbin t%ic*ness of %is #oice$

t%e !a" %e %ad used %is o!n #er" &ersona &et name for %er$ !%ic%

on" esca&ed %is i&s !%en %e !as des&erate" aroused$ t%e %onest"

!it% !%ic% %e !as tein %er !%" %e !anted %er+and t%e &ea. A &ea

s%e %ad ne#er e,&ected to %ear %im use+no matter %o! muc% %e

mi%t !ant to. T%e" a %ad %er !e and tru" beaten$ and s%e ifted

%er e"es to te %im so$ i#e %im !%ate#er %e !anted from %er because

ne#er$ e#er in t%e t!e#e mont%s s%e %ad *no!n %im %ad s%e e#er

%eard ac sound so utter" #unerabe.

T%en t%e sittin(room door o&ened and 5oe !a*ed in. He &aused$

too* in at a sine ance )ust !%at !as oin on$ and said in t%at i%t(

#oiced tone %e used to oad &eo&e into reaction$ '3een &rimin m"

date for me$ ac1 No need$ bi brot%er. I 6uite en)o" doin t%at *ind of

t%in for m"sef.'

Roberta )ust stood$ as&in at t%e unbeie#abe crudit" in 5oe's

taunt$ but ac !ent one ste& furt%er t%an t%at$ %is face contortin !it%

bac* rae as %e s&un around$ too* one iant ste& to!ards 5oe and

raised %is arm$ !it% a fist cenc%ed read" to &unc% %im on t%e )a!/


46/156

sus&icion. His %and cosed around one of %er !rists !it% enou%

strent% to ma*e %er !ince as %e )er*ed %er %ard u& aainst %im. 'Has

%e been ma*in a &a" for "ou be%ind m" damned bac*1'

:Of course %e %asn't/ s%e denied$ starin at %im as t%ou% %e %ad

one star*$ starin mad$ but t%en s%e %ad not been a &art" to %is ro!

!it% 5oe earier t%at da" and %er 'Ho! can "ou sus&ect suc% a rotten

t%in of 5oe1' fe on deaf ears.

'4od$' %e c%o*ed. 'And to t%in* I %ad ao!ed m"sef to beie#e it

!as a )ust t%e !id imainin of m" )eaous mind/'

'A's fair and a t%at$ 5oe &ut in$ seemin to be deiberate"

&ourin oi on to t%e fames of ac's aner.

Roberta fas%ed %im a be!idered oo*$ and !as s%oc*ed to see a

int of cod cacuation eamin in %is e"es. 'Sto& it$ 5oe/' s%e

sna&&ed at %im. 'T%is is not funn"/' T%en$ increduous" to ac$ 'You

*no! t%ere's not%in oin on bet!een 5oe and me/'

'No1' ac's e"es !ere so bri%t !it% sus&icion no! t%at Roberta

6ui#ered.


47/156

and on to %er. '4et "our coat$' %e ci&&ed. '0e're ea#in$ ri%t no!.'

'3ut I'#e arraned to %a#e dinner !it% 5oe toni%t/' Her reen e"es

a&&eaed for %is understandin. 'I can't )ust'

'-oo*/' %e round out !it% des&erate" !anin &atience. 'It isn't adamned c%oice bet!een dinner !it% %im or comin !it% me/ It's me

"ou beon to and me "ou're comin !it% ri%t no!/ So et "our

damned coat/'

'3ut I'm not e#en dressed/' s%e decared$ !it% a sense of utter

disbeief t%at an" of t%is !as rea" %a&&enin.

'He doesn't need "ou dressed$ 5oe moc*ed a2i". '0%en %as ac

e#er needed a !oman dressed1 I !oud %a#e t%ou%t t%at b" no!$

Roberta$ "ou !oud *no! and understand t%at((((/'

ac did %it %im for t%at one. His fist anded on 5oe's c%in !it%

enou% force to send %im staerin bac*!ards a cou&e of ste&s

before %is es a#e out beneat% %im and %e fe$ *noc*in o#er a sma

tabe and andin %ea#i" aainst t%e corner of it before %e reac%ed t%e

foor.

On a %orrified cr" Roberta tried to o to %im$ but ac sto&&ed %er$

%is %and ti%tenin around %er !rist to )er* %er bac* to %is side.

'-ea#e %im$' %e ras&ed$ t%e aner in %im &usin out of e#er"

bunc%ed musce in %is &o!erfu bod". '5ust o and et dressed.' He

a#e %er an unente s%o#e to!ards t%e door.

:No$

0%ere it came from Roberta did not *no!. Certain" before 5oe %ad

come into t%e room s%e %ad !ea*ened enou% to do an"t%in ac

coud as* of %er. 3ut t%e uiness of t%e scene !%ic% %ad ensued$ &ussomet%in t%at 5oe %ad )ust said$ %ad brou%t %er s%udderin to %er

senses.

4rim" s%e !ent to *nee do!n beside 5oe.

:0%at do "ou mean+no1' ac demanded rou%"$ arin as s%e


48/156

ent" turned 5oe's face so t%at s%e coud see t%e damae ac %ad

done to %is )a!. His i& !as s&it and beedin$ %is )a! aread" turnin

an u" s%ade of red. S%e found a &a&er tissue in %er robe &oc*et and

carefu" &aced it aainst 5oe's i&.

'5ust !%at I said$' s%e ans!ered fat". 'I'm not comin !it% "ou.'

A moment's sience foo!ed t%at$ as if ac !as %a#in difficut"

beie#in %is o!n ears$ t%en %e said rou%"$ '3ecause I %it t%e fou(

mout%ed s!ine1'

'No$' s%e said. 'He deser#ed it.' 5oe rimaced at t%at$ ma*in no

attem&t to e#er %imsef u& from %is %udded &osition on t%e foor. '3ut

%e's aso ri%t$ isn't %e1' S%e ifted em&t" reen e"es u& to ac's. 'You

do on" !ant me for m" bod". I'm not%in s&ecia to "ou and ne#er !ibe$ !i I1 I'm not comin bac* to "ou$ ac$ s%e concuded !it% du

finait".

He didn't sa" a !ord$ not a sine !ord. And t%e sience cattered

around a t%ree of t%em as %e stood t%ere$ arin at t%e t!o of t%em

on t%e foor at %is feet.

T%en$ in a #oice Roberta bare" reconised as %is$ it !as so ra!$ ac

said$ 'To %e !it% "ou$ t%en$' and$ !it% a ast searin oo* at 5oe$ %e

turned and !a*ed out of t%e room$ s%ouderin aside 5enn"$ !%o %ad

)ust a&&eared at t%e sittin(room door$ as if s%e !eren't t%ere.

'" 4od$' 5enn" as&ed into t%e t%robbin tension %e eft be%ind

%im. '0%at's been oin on in %ere1' T%en s%e sa! 5oe$ sti sittin on

t%e foor$ nursin %is )a!$ and aarm !idened %er bi bro!n e"es. '5oe/'

s%e cried. 'You'#e cut "our i&/'

T%e front door sammed7 Roberta san* !ea*" into a nearb" c%air$

co#erin %er burnin e"es !it% a cod and trembin %and. '0%" did"ou do it$ 5oe1' s%e !%is&ered t%ic*". '0%" did "ou %a#e to rie %im

i*e t%at1'

'Contrar" to "our earier statement toda"$ iss C%ander$' %e

dra!ed as %e draed %imsef to %is feet$ '"ou do need &rotection

!%en %e's around. Or %adn't "ou reaised t%at "ou !ere about to ie


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do!n and et %im !a* a o#er "ou "et aain1'

S%e !inced at t%e &ointed sarcasm$ t%e un&aatabe trut% in it

s%ri#ein %er insides !it% s%ame. 5oe !as ri%t and s%e %ad been

read"+more t%an read"+to do an"t%in ac !anted %er to do.

:0%ic% doesn't mean "ou %ad to be t%e one to &rotect me$ s%e

cried. 'You and ac are brot%ers/'

He nodded. 'And it's because I o#e m" brot%er t%at I did !%at I did/'

:3" deiberate" oadin %im into %ittin "ou1' s%e c%o*ed. '3"

&retendin "ou %ad somet%in intimate oin !it% me/'

'It !or*ed$ didn't it1' %e countered. 'He came on to "ou a mac%o

and read" to dra "ou off b" "our %air.

S%e si%ed im&atient"$ %af !is%in t%at s%e %ad ne#er started a

of t%is. 'I !i not be a &art" to &a"in ames !it% ac's feeins$ 5oe$'

s%e stated firm".

'0%" not1' %e as*ed. 'He's been &a"in ames !it% "our feeins

for on enou%/ No$ isten to me$' %e !ent on 6uic*" as Roberta &aed

under t%at bruta t%rust. 'ac o#es "ou$ Roberta. He %as from t%e firstmoment %e aid e"es on "ou$ on" %e's )ust too damned t%ic* to

reconise it. He needs !a*in u&$' %e stated fat". 'And if "ou o#e %im

as muc% as "ou seem to do$ t%en "ou' %e& !a*e %im u& before %e

oses %is ast c%ance to ain some &ro&er %a&&iness in %is ife/'

'He's not See&in 3eaut"/' s%e cried$ oo*in at 5oe as if %e'd one

star*$ starin mad.

'Yes$ %e is+in a !a"$' 5oe insisted$ t%ou% %e smied at t%e

com&arison %e %ad un!ittin" made. 'On" in ac's case %e !as

&ric*ed in t%e finer b" t%e marriae tra&$ and is so damned scared of

bein &ric*ed aain t%at %e daren't e#en oo* true o#e in t%e face

!it%out brea*in out into a cod s!eat/'


50/156

beie#e t%at. ac doesn't !ant me because %e o#es me/ He !ants me

because I e,cite %im in bed/'

'And no !onder$ if "ou fame as s&ectacuar" in &assion as "ou do

in aner/' %e dra!ed$ %a2e e"es t!in*in as t%e" ran o#er %er o!n

s&ar*in e"es$ %er deirious" trembin mout% and t%e !ic*ed

sensuait" of %er %ea#in breasts.

'0e$ find some ot%er suc*er to !a*e "our brot%er u&$' s%e

sna&&ed. 'I no oner care for t%e )ob.'

5oe !as sient for a moment$ %is e"es fi,ed on %er bo!ed %ead

!%ie %e &a"ed !ari" !it% %is s!ein )a!$ t%en %e said carefu"$ 'I

su&&ose dinner is off too1 On"

-ou !i be((((((( '

Her %ead sna&&ed u&$ %er reen e"es t%reatenin to s&ice %im in

t!o.

'O8+O8/' %e said$ &uttin u& a defendin %and. 'I can see t%at

"ou're too anr" !it% ac to eat a sine morse$ so I' )ust ta*e m"sef

off$ and.. . It !asn't )ust ac s%e !as anr" !it%+and 5oe *ne! it.

'5ust et out of %ere$ 5oe$' s%e suested %us*i". '3efore I do

somet%in !e mi%t bot% reret/'

CHAPTER 9O;R

'0HAT !as a t%at about1' 5enn" demanded in be!iderment once

5oe %ad eft.

'Not%in$ Roberta said !eari". '5ust 5oe &a"in one of %is sic* )o*es

on %is brot%er at m" e,&ense/'

'You mean it !as ac !%o s&it %is i&1' 5enn" as&ed in disbeief.

'0e$ it certain" !asn't me/' Roberta derided$ t%en added rim"$

'3ut I'm no! !is%in it %ad been/'

0%o did %e t%in* %e !as$ s%e t%ou%t anri"$ tr"in to interfere in


51/156

%er and ac's &ri#ate ife1 And %o! dared %e suest t%at %is brot%er

o#ed %er1

ac didn't *no! t%e meanin of o#e. He on" *ne! t%e meanin of

se,. And s%e !as !e rid of %im/ s%e tod %ersef stubborn".

3ut %ours ater$ %a#in s%ared a i%t mea !it% 5enn"$ t%en turned

%er attention to t%e T? set$ Roberta %ad to admit t%at s%e !asn't

!atc%in an"t%in. In fact$ s%e %adn't %eard or seen a sine t%in t%at

t%e T? %ad been c%uc*in at %er a e#enin/

S%e !as !aitin$ s%e reaised. S%e !as sittin %ere in a definite

tense !aitin mode$ !aitin for ac to rin+ %o&in t%at %e !oud

rin/ Yet %o&in )ust as des&erate" t%at %e !oud not.

S%e si%ed and si%ed aain$ !is%in t%at t%ese strane sensations

s%e !as e,&eriencin inside did not ma*e %er fee so+!retc%ed/

You're in mournin$ s%e dianosed %er &robem. ournin a dead

o#e.

No$ not dead$ s%e t%en re#ised t%at t%ou%t. 3ut cast into a sef(

im&osed e,ie. 0%ic% on" made it %arder to dea !it%$ sim&" because

s%e *ne! s%e !as %a#in to fi%t %er o!n decision$ %er o!n feeins

!%ie *no!in(!e$ %af *no!in+t%at ac !oud ta*e %er bac* if s%e)ust ot u& no! and !ent to %im. ac.

T%ose tin" musces dee& inside %er 6ui#ered$ %er senses beinnin

to ac%e !it% a !retc%ed need )ust t%in*in about %im. About t%e s%eer

mascuine beaut" of %is dar* ood oo*s. His a2" smie. His sensua

*iss. His i%t$ *no!in touc%...

Her finers t!itc%ed$ t%en bean to tine !%en s%e remembered

)ust !%ere s%e %ad ast touc%ed %im intimate". So !arm$ so stron$ so

&otent" aroused t%at s%e %ad to be mad to be i#in u& t%e *ind of

&easure %e coud enerate for

:Im oin to ma*e a coffee. Do "ou !ant one1' Roberta bin*ed$ t%e

sound of 5enn"'s #oice dro&&in %er i*e a ift do!n ten foors as s%e

came out of %er re#erie. 'I+no$ t%an* "ou$' s%e ans!ered %us*i". 'I


52/156

t%in* I' )ust o to bed...'

'O8$' 5enn" acce&ted easi" enou%$ but %er e"es !ere *no!in as

s%e !atc%ed Roberta ea#e t%e room$ *no!in as !e as Roberta did

t%at s%e !oudn't see& a !in* toni%t$ no matter %o! %ard s%e tried.

And s%e didn't. S%e a" t%ere t%in*in instead. T%in*in of ac as

t%e d"namic businessman s%e %ad first met in 5oe's office on" da"s

after s%e )oined t%e com&an". He'd oo*ed ean$ cean$ s%ar& and ai#e$

t%e !e(structured s%a&e of %is bod" b" no means disuised b" t%e

con#entiona na#" bue suit and &ae bue s%irt %e %ad been !earin.

He %ad been au%in !it% 5oe !%en s%e %ad oo*ed u& and seen

%im for t%e first time and$ i*e a frame ta*en out of time$ s%e coud sti

%od t%at &icture of %im !it% %is %ead t%ro!n bac*$ %is bac* %air

s%inin in t%e o#er%ead i%ts$ %is face ean and ric%" tanned because

+s%e'd found out ater+%e %ad )ust returned from a mont%(on

%oida" saiin around t%e 3a%amas !it% %is teenae dau%ter. S%e

coud sti see %is mout%$ disturbin" sensua e#en !%ie !earin t%at

amused smie. And %is e"es$ a soft$ au%in re" t%at %ad !anned %er

t%rou% to %er #er" core !%en t%e" %ad sudden" setted on to %er.

5oe %ad seen !%at !as %a&&enin to %er and %ad smied !r"" as

%e'd introduced t%em. 'Our c%airman$ Soomon acaine$' %e'd

introduced ac dri". T%en to ac$ 'Roberta C%ander$ m" ne! PA.'

'3ertie for s%ort1 Or e#en somet%in more e,otic(i*e 3unn"1' ac

as*ed$ ste&&in for!ard to ta*e %er %and.

:No/' s%e denied$ struin to maintain %er com&osure because$

e#en t%en$ t%e sim&est touc% of %is %and %ad fied %er !it% a %ot$

stifin breat%essness s%e %ad ne#er e,&erienced before. 'No one e#ercas me 3unn"$' s%e &rotested. 'And I !oudn't ans!er to it if an"one

did/'

'E,ce&t for a o#er$ of course$' ac added outraeous"$ and

!atc%ed !it% a *ind of sur&rised fascination as a bus% ran ri%t u& %er

cream" c%ee*s.


53/156

'Not e#en t%en$' s%e demurred$ o!erin %er a2e from %is because

s%e )ust didn't *no! %o! to %ande t%e messaes %is e"es !ere

sendin.

'0e' see$ %e murmured soft".

And t%e" %ad seen.

Her stomac% cured$ forcin %er bod" to cur !it% it into a ti%t ba

of ac%in miser" as %er memor" &a"ed anot%er &icture across %er

mindB a &icture of t%e t!o of t%em "in na*ed on a !%ite(s%eeted bed$

s%e su&ine beneat% %im !%ie %e a" abo#e %er$ %is bod" %ot and %ard$

s%eened i*e si* b" a fine a"er of moisture$ t%e intensit" of t%eir

desire for one anot%er so concentrated t%at not%in ese in t%e !ord

e,isted.

:3unn"...' s%e coud %ear %im !%is&er$ t%e erotic !onder in t%e soft$

%us*" sound enou% to ti& %er$ roanin$ ri%t o#er t%e ede.

T%en$ more often t%an not$ t%e &%one !oud rin$ s%e reminded

%ersef staunc%". And it !oud be Deia or -uu demandin %is

attention+and ettin it as t%e" bruta" reminded %im !%ere %is

&riorities a".

0it% t%em$ not !it% %er. Not !it% %is current bimbo$ !%o !as t%ere

to be used and discarded as t%e moment demanded/

4rim" s%e turned %er face into %er &io!$ and forced %ersef to

remember t%e bad side of ac. His careess indifference to %er dee&er

feeins.

reid slave to love

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