page3 (1/2)
‘He was very attractive—sophisticated and extreenuinely cared about me, but of course he didn’t How could he? We orlds apart I was a girl of seventeen who knew next to nothing about life, he was a man in his thirties who’d already experienced nearly everything it had to offer’
There was a sot to her feet
‘Mum’s told you about Slade, hasn’t she?’ she de Chelsea wince for her own clumsiness ‘You just don’t understand—any of you!’
She was gone before Chelsea could protest, black curls bouncing on her shoulders, her coltish jean-clad legs padded with scarlet striped leg-warht splash of colour as she ran quickly down the street
Cursing herself forroom There had been disappointment and wariness in Kirsty’s expression—and a barrier that had not been there before
As she watched her niece disappearing Chelsea resolved that no matter what it cost she would somehow rescue Kirsty from Slade Ashford
CHAPTER TWO
ALTHOUGH not a dedicated partygoer, Chelsea was not nor the many invitations that came her way; mainly as a means of in-depth study of the human race at play Ann often protested that she spent far toofro in the fun, but her experiences with Darren had left her wary and cynical and et involved
Tonight, though, was different Nor Ann’s wedding anniversary gathering, but there was no thought of enjoyh preparations for the evening, the ly in her ears ‘Immerse yourself completely in your part,’ had been their favourite coe you are the character you are playing If the audience is to believe it, youtold her that Slade Ashford was the‘audience’ she was ever likely to meet, and so, as she lay in a deep bath of scented water,deeply, she forced herself to put aside her own character and assu to be
Her efforts were so convincing that by the tie from her bath she had almost come to like the rich Oriental perfume she had chosen for her role—one that nor more Establishment
No bra was necessary because of the way the bodice of her dress was boned, and ss over silkily perfus, she paused for a moment to study her appearance objectively in her bedroom mirror Her skin was creamily pale; her breasts fir a delicate sensuality to the narrow-boned hips
Minute petrol blue briefs ertips brushed accidentally against one silk-clad thigh and with a slight grimace of distaste Chelsea turned away fro herself for the led to be unleashed from the chains in which she had bound it—herself at seventeen, bright-eyed, eager, and s on cheap fake satin undies, hardly daring to iine how she would feel if Darren saw her in them
Fool! Fool! she goaded herself Why re was that when Darren had tried to id, he had called her, and with good reason
Stop it—stop it! Her teeth ground together with her efforts to deny the memories She had never dreaht that Darren would… So love it had been in some secluded hideaway, remote and fairytale; not the house he shared with his wife Thehe had on his mind, her desire had disappeared, too weak to overco awareness all around them that Darren was married to someone else
Since then she had walked warily, too fastidious to ever allow herself to become involved with any man who had ties elsewhere and too cautious to trust even those who did not
Her phone rang, and she went to answer it It was Ann, ringing to bolster her courage and thank her yet again
‘Don’t thank me yet,’ Chelsea warned her sister ‘All I’ve promised to do is try’
Half an hour later, fully dressed and made up, she studied her reflection critically The blue dress was perfect against her pale skin and dark red hair, e the rich blue of her eyes which she had deliberately elitter shih cheekbones As the salesgirl had suggested, she had twisted her hair into a snon and decorated it with the blue silk flowers
It was only when she secured the band of ribbon round her throat that her fingers betrayed a fine treloss her lips looked full and softly vulnerable,softly on the nails she had deliberately allowed to grow She nor other than natural or faintly pearl varnish on her nails, but tonight hers were those of a predator—dipped in blood, she thought, shuddering