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SILK WICKEDNESS 17
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2023-03-19 08:28:38Related chapters
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) SILK WICKEDNESS 18
Guy was already out, steadying the boat, and did not miss the fleeting display before she hitched her top back into place. ‘Claudia, do behave yourself,’ he said mildly. ‘You can get ten years for flashing your assets here.'If he’d pretended he hadn’t noticed, she might have behaved with her usual ‘so what?* aplomb. As it was . . .Just to be really perverse, he took her arm as she jumped down. ‘And you call me prehistoric,’ he murmured. ‘I thought blushing went out with hula-hoops.*OK, fifty points to you. And time to even up the score. ‘I really don’t know what you were gawping at. If you haven’t seen a pair of 36Bs before, your education must be sadly lacking.’She walked up the beach very fast. She would have bet her last baiza that there was an infuriating little twitch on his lips. And if there was, she didn’t want to see it.- - - Strenuous exercise before breakfast was all very virtuous, but it would seem to defeat the object if it gave you the appetite of a carthorse. As s
Last Updated : 2023-03-19YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) SILK WICKEDNESS 19
‘I might.’‘See you later, then.’Claudia went back to her room, sorted out a few things for the laundry and wrote a long letter to a friend nowliving in Canada. After that she went to the pool, did twenty lengths and then sat in the shade with the whodunnit, feeling vaguely bored and restless.Over a toasted sandwich lunch with Anoushka at the pool, she turned the conversation after all. ‘I never had all that trouble with snow ski-ing. With snow ski-ing at least you start upright.’Anoushka was sitting beside her in a black swimsuit that screamed ‘expensive ’. The cut was very simple: just one shoulder-strap, high-cut legs and a very low back. She looked much older than sixteen, but that was also due to a figure that owed absolutely nothing to stick-insect supermodels.‘I never had trouble with either of them.’ Anoushka shrugged. ‘I can’t even remember when I started snow skiing. I suppose I was about three.’‘Lucky old you. It must be lovely to learn these things when you’re too yo
Last Updated : 2023-03-19YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) SILK WICKEDNESS 20
The thought of tomorrow’s trip didn’t cheer her at all. With her father there, Anoushka would be sulky and uncommunicative, and after this afternoon Guy would doubtless be tense and impatient, and she would be stuck between the pair of them, trying desperately to dilute the atmosphere.A barrel of laughs, in other words.She went to bed very early and very bored, and couldn’t sleep.Why did I ever come? Ryan and his wretched kissograms would almost he better than this. At least I know that particular devil.And talking of devils, why had Guy’s wife left him? Why did wives leave their husbands?Was he knocking her about?Highly unlikely.Playing around?Possible.Down the pub with his mates every night?Not the type.Maybe he had a horrendously possessive mother who drove her round the bend.Not the type to stand for it. He hasn't mentioned a mother, anyway. Or a father, come to that.What, then?While she was trying to answer this, the phone rang. Oh, help. What if it was Guy, saying
Last Updated : 2023-03-19YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) SILK WICKEDNESS 21
‘Then I absolutely must have some for Christmas.* She scooped a couple of tablespoons into her palm. ‘Can you ask him how much?*After a short exchange with the vendor Guy said, ‘He says it*s baksheesh. A present. Because you*re a guest.*‘But isn’t it terribly expensive?*‘Not really. They usually sell it by the kilo.*‘But I must give him something! 1*11 feel really bad otherwise!*‘You might offend him.*‘Then 1*11 buy something else. Half a kilo of black peppercorns. Those silly little tubs you get in the supermarket don’t last five minutes and I bet these are much fresher.*They wandered on, pausing to admire everything from camel sticks to battery operated toys to copper pots. The narrow alleys were crowded and bustling, plaintive Arabic song echoing from scores of radios.More than once, Guy shot an exasperated glance over his shoulder. ‘Anoushka, keep up!* Despite his efforts to amuse her, she was dragging behind, refusing to take an interest in anything.‘I do see what you me
Last Updated : 2023-03-19YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) SILK WICKEDNESS 22
After putting away more chicken curry, Guy said, ‘Anoushka had two kittens a year or two back. Kit and Kat.*‘And the poor little things both got run over within six months,* Anoushka said.Claudia felt a pang of empathy. ‘How awful.*‘They had no road sense whatsoever,* said Guy. ‘Engaging little beasts, but brainless as they come.*‘Mrs Pierce didn’t think they were engaging,* Anoushka said sulkily. ‘If you ask me, she got that horrible son of hers to come and run them over on purpose.*‘You know that’s ridiculous,* Guy said patiently.‘I don’t know any such thing. She’s an evil old cow and I hate her. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find she’s sleeping in a coffin up in her room. One day I’m going to hold up a crucifix in front of her and see if she screams.* Across the table, he closed his eyes with a ‘Give me strength* look.Anoushka barely spoke for the rest of the meal, and still less during their hour-long wander through the groves of date palms afterwards. She kept apart, r
Last Updated : 2023-03-19YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) SILK WICKEDNESS 23
And, in the circumstances, she wasn’t altogether surprised.There are two sources of tension cooped up in this car with him , she thought. One's right behind him , and he'd like to strangle her. As for the other . . .‘What’s your cat called?’The shock of a normal question from Anoushka gave her a jolt. ‘He started off as Little Puss and when he got bigger it was just Puss. Then he had the operation and started getting fat, so it was Portly Puss. And now he’s just Portly.*‘I hope he’s OK,’ said Anoushka.‘Thanks.* She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. ‘So do I.’ Suddenly she couldn’t wait for the dusty miles to pass so she could ring Kate.Before long another glance over her shoulder told her that Anoushka was asleep, and for ages neither she nor Guy spoke.Gradually, the silence became as pregnant as an overdue mother of twins. And, equally gradually, she began to wonder whether he was just miffed, because she hadn’twoozed all over him the minute he turned on his flutter techn
Last Updated : 2023-03-19YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) SILK WICKEDNESS 24
‘So was I.’'What? The T-shirt didn’t even make it over her head. It froze halfway and resumed temporary thigh-to-cleavage cover.‘I fell asleep. Crashed. Out for the count.*Why on earth didn't I guess? I was shattered enough to crash out, and I wasn't even driving.‘Then I’m glad I didn’t ring and wake you. You obviously needed it.’‘I should have set the alarm.’ His voice was no longer exasperated. Its edges had softened, like bitter chocolate in the sun. ‘Do you want a written apology, or shall I just grovel?’He added that little half-smile that would have melted anybody, and she was duly melted. Or perhaps woozed would have been more accurate. ‘No grovelling will be necessary,’ she said lightly. ‘It was a tiring day.’‘In more ways than one.’‘Hard on the feet.’‘And the patience.’‘Especially the patience.’For several long seconds, this verbal ping-pong ceased. Only their eyes spoke in the dark.‘How’s your cat?’‘Still with us. Just about.’‘I’m glad.’ His voice was like that
Last Updated : 2023-03-19YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) SILK WICKEDNESS 25
‘Sort of. I’m not sure.’‘What’s she saying?’ Paul said. ‘Tell Uncle Paul all about it, Claudia. Is he a cad and a dashed bounder who’s only after one thing, as your old Granny used to say?’ He launched into his Moany Old Bag voice that never failed to have them in fits. ‘That’s all they ever think about these days. I blame the television.’‘Will you stop it?’ Kate giggled. ‘This is seriousV‘Yes, dear. Sorry, dear. Tell me all about it.’‘She thinks maybe he didn’t really fancy her before,’ Kate explained, ‘but once he realized she fancied him like mad, it sort of got him going.’‘Well, it would/ Paul said.‘And she thinks maybe he thought he was in with a chance, and that’s why he tried it on.’‘He’d hardly try it on if he thought he wasn’t in with a chance.’‘Paul, you’re not helping!’‘OK. Let me speak to her.*There was a scuffle as the phone changed hands. ‘Sounds as if you’ve got yourself in a bit of a tizwoz, me dear,* he said. ‘Want some advice from the enemy camp?’‘Yes, ple
Last Updated : 2023-03-19
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YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 23
‘G’day Kerrien, my darling girl, had a nice time?’ She was nodding and smiling encouragingly but Kerrien could say nothing. ‘Lovely day, thank you. It’s good of you to feed me again,’ she added. “Come on in. Make yourself at home,” she urged. ‘Must use the bathroom, if I may,’ Kerrien asked. Brett shoved his mother out of the room and Kerrien could hear the whispered voices rising and falling. ‘For heaven’s sake boy, do I get the champagne out or not?'*I don’t know Mum, she hasn’t given me an answer yet.” Kerrien listened in growing discomfort. She was beginning to feel coerced, trapped. If she said yes, it was going to be for all the wrong reasons. If she said no, she might just be acting foolishly out of some misplaced sense of romanticism. She went slowly back to the family room, where Brett was waiting for her. ‘Do I get my answer yet?’ he asked. The blue eyes were shuttered and she could read nothing from them. “Yes Brett, yes I will marry you.’ She wondered why she didn
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 22
Sleep was impossible and Kerrien paced her room for much of the night. Ashton was evidently going through some personal crisis which seemed to exclude both herself and the children. What was he talking about with her and Brett? News? Excited? He could only think that they were getting engaged. She wondered where he had got that idea. It was the very last thing she would have wanted him to think, when all the time she desperately wanted jum. She also wished that his future with Martine was less certain. Double wedding indeed! Ashton said little the next morning before rushing off to work. She caught him staring at her a couple of times, as if looking for some clue in her face. If he believed something special had recently happened to her, he did not voice his thoughts. ‘I won’t be home for lunch and don’t wait dinner for me tonight. I may be out. Have you decided when you’re going out at the weekend?’ he asked. ‘Saturday, if that’s OK,’ she replied. ‘I'll organize things before I go
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 21
‘I haven’t felt this way about anyone before,’ Brett said. She drew a quick gulp of air and her reeling senses came back to earth. ‘And you’ve had plenty to choose from, I suppose.’ The harsh words hit him like a slap across the face. “I’ve never tried to pretend anything different,” he defended, a hurt expression in his eyes. “Look, you may be innocent or try to give the impression of being innocent but I know a true response when I feel it. Yes, OK, call it experience. Tell me, do you intend going through your entire life celibate and end up a sour spinster?’ ‘I think I'd better go,’ she said, bristling at his accusation. ‘Kerrien, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it. I want you Kerrien, on whatever terms you insist on making. Think about it. I can offer you everything you’ve always wanted.’ His face looked almost child-like in its pleading, like Ben or Jodie begging for just a few minutes longer, before going to bed. She almost smiled at the thought. They may want to stay up longer, Br
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 20
‘I thought you had something vital to tell me,’ Ashton said at lunch. ‘Something that couldn’t wait a moment longer.’ ‘Perhaps I’ve got things in perspective a little better,’ Kerrien replied, twisting her fingers together in her anxiety. ‘What I have to talk about is important but something has come up that I must deal with and quickly. I have to see Brett and the sooner the better.’ He stared at her, peering into her eyes as if he could read something in them, as if he could somehow see into her mind to know what she was thinking. She was an enigma to him. One minute bursting with some news she needed to discuss urgently with him and the next, planning an evening out with her boy-friend. He had no doubt as to the reason for her sudden need to meet Brett. She had to give him an answer to the vital question and having made her decision, she obviously couldn’t wait to tell him. ‘Look, I know it isn’t really my evening off but things have been hectic lately and I am still owed some t
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 19
Kerrien sipped a cup of hot chocolate in the cafeteria, her hands wrapped round the comforting mug. She hoped that Kate and her friend didn’t have the same idea. Kerrien had no prejudices about people’s right to choose their sexual partners but somehow, Kate’s whole attitude to life suddenly seemed to have become clearer. All these nasty, sometimes spiteful . remarks were probably made because Kate didn’t know how to cope with the cards that life had dealt her. She did genuinely seem fond of the children but perhaps felt that Ashton would be less than understanding if he knew that his sister loved another woman. It took some getting used to but Kerrien was convinced that she was not mistaken. The way the two women had looked at and spoken to each other showed quite clearly that they shared a deep relationship. It may also explain why Kate was so resentful of Kerrien. Her easy going manner with people was something of a contrast with Kate’s own more restrained nature. She wondered if
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 18
“So what do you say Kerrien? Will you stay with us, for as long as you can?’ His deep, soft eyes were pleading with her. She felt again that urge to wrap her arms round him and hug him better but she knew that any physical contact with him would spell disaster to her own strength of purpose. ‘Think of the children,’ he added, knowing this was his trurmp card. She genuinely loved them and would never let them suffer. Besides, it would mean that she would still be around in his life and that meant a great deal more than he cared to admit. ‘I need to think about it. I’ll stay for a while, certainly. At least until you have made whatever arrangements you plan to make. Don’t worry.’ Her heart was near breaking as she spoke. She desperately wanted to be gone once Martine was living here. She couldn’t bear to see the other woman doing all the things she wanted to be doing, having the exclusive love of the wonderful man she herself loved so much. If he should ever find out how she felt, she
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 17
Once Ashton had left for work, Kerrien decided that she simply couldn’t face another evening staying at home. She dialled Brett’s number and swallowing her stubborn pride, asked if he was free that evening. She was taking a slight risk that she wouldn’t have to babysit but as she hadn’t taken any time off for ages, it was not unreasonable to expect a free evening. His response was very positive. If he had made other plans, it was not obvious. He suggested a movie and then a meal out. It sounded exactly what she needed to take her mind off things here. When Kate eventually turned up, sometime after eleven, Kerrien had started the lunch preparations. She made some coffee for them both. Kate seemed edgy and moody. Things were evidently not going as well as she would have liked. But, she obviously controlled her wandering thoughts and agreed to mind the children for the evening, if Ashton was out. The woman seemed subdued and uncommunicative, so Kerrien left her alone and went to play wi
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 16
The next few days were difficult. Kate bad only one topic of conversation — the wedding — and seemed totally unaware of the discomfort of those around her. The children were silent and withdrawn, reminiscent of the time when Kerrien had first arrived in Australia. Kerrien herself was thoroughly sick of hearing about the fabulous designer wedding dress Martine was planning, and whether Ben should be dressed in green or cream velvet. Either was equally revolting, or so Kerrien thought and she instinctively knew that Ben would agree! 'I think you should start looking around for another job,” Kate suggested brightly one morning. 'I see. Your idea or Ashton’s?’ Kerrien asked. ‘It must be obvious even to you that this situation can’t go on. Once they’re married, I expect they will be starting a new family and Martine is sure to want someone of her own choice, to look after the new baby as well as Ashton’s two. Besides, Ben will be at school and you surely wouldn’t want to be hanging arou
YOUR LOVE (ROMANTIC SERIES) INTIMATE STRANGERS 15
It was nearly lunch-time when Kerrien returned from her trip to drop Brett home. A quick hallo to Margaret and a coffee before she had left, made her later than she intended. She’d then taken a couple of wrong turnings, her mind pre-occupied. The journey took longer and longer, it seemed. There was strange feeling of unreality about everything, as if she was in the middle some sort of dream that would end when she awoke. The house was quiet and Ashton’s car was missing from its usual place. He must have gone to work, even though she’d thought he wasn’t on duty this weekend. Perhaps he had gone out — to be with his fiancée she thought miserably. She had to keep experimenting with the words, so that she would get used to it. How could he want to marry someone who was so negative towards those two lovely children? It was obvious to anyone with half a mind, that Martine couldn’t care less about them. It was equally clear that the children also felt the same way about their father’s fiancé
