The Dark Side of Desire by Julia James

Author:Julia James [James, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance, General, Contemporary, Fiction
ISBN: 9780373130825
Google: DL93tgAACAAJ
Amazon: 0373130821
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-06-18T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

‘THE limo’s here, sweetie. Don’t keep him waiting!’

Anita’s voice was sugared, but Flavia could hear an acid note in it as well. Her father’s girlfriend was making a poor job of failing to conceal both her irritation and her jealousy of her. As she walked past the other woman, Flavia could see Anita, glass of wine lolling from scarlet-tipped fingers, subjecting her to a scornful scrutiny.

‘God, I hope he’s got a taste for seducing nuns!’ Anita sneered. ‘Why the hell you don’t take my advice on how to dress to impress, I don’t know!’

Yes, well, thought Flavia silently, making no comment, that depends on just what impression one wants to make. Her eyes flicked dismissively over Anita’s clingy leopard-print dress.

She knew what impression she herself wanted to make, and the round-necked, sleeveless black shift over which she wore a silk-knit jacket fitted the bill. As she reached the front door, she caught a last jibe from Anita.

‘I hope you’ve got a spare pair of knickers for the morning in your handbag, sweetie. We don’t want to see you back here tonight! This time make sure you don’t cop out—just do whatever it takes to keep Leon happy. Your father’s counting on it. Or ga-ga Granny’ll be popping her senile clogs in a council house. And don’t think your father won’t see to it! If he goes down—you go down!’ she promised venomously. ‘So keep that gorgeous Latino hunk of yours sweet on us, if you know what’s good for you!’ Her tone changed, becoming barbed and accusatory. ‘It’s not like it’s going to be any kind of bloody ordeal, is it? Going to bed with a guy like that! So stop looking like Little Miss Martyr! Hell, I’d trade places with you like a shot—believe me!’ She took another swig from her wine glass, and glared balefully at Flavia.

Face set, jaw as tight as steel, hatred for her father and for Anita biting in her blood, Flavia snapped the apartment door shut behind her, shutting out Anita’s crude, cruel words, her sleazy innuendo, and stalking towards the lift. Mortification burned in her—and shame, and anger, and bitter, bitter resentment. All twisting and writhing like snakes.

But as she walked out of the apartment block she crushed her tormenting emotions back down inside her. The evening stretched ahead of her, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Leon’s driver was getting out of the car, tipping his cap to her as he opened the rear passenger door, and she stepped inside. But as she sank back into the seat she froze.

Leon was also in the car.

For a moment she felt panic flare in her eyes. She subdued it as swiftly as she could, stiffly returning his greeting as the car pulled away.

Leon gave her time to compose herself whilst, with a catch in his throat, he took in just how stunningly beautiful she looked all over again. The black of the dress, severe though it was, illuminated the pearlescence of her skin, the soft sheen of her hair in its customary chignon.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.