Darkest Fantasies Read Free Page A

him,
but the reason he still remained employed by High Corp plc lay in
the fact that the very magnetism they loved to hate was often put
conveniently to use on the company's behalf. As he sat down, late
as always, there was a sudden shuffling of paper and clearing of
throats.
    'Kevin, my
boy,' the chairman said with a flash of white teeth. 'We've just
been talking about you. It seems that the FairBank deal is having
teething troubles. They're getting cold feet. I was just letting
everyone know that I have decided to take their directors out for a
meal. You know the ropes: wine, dine, and soften, and bye the bye,
when I've had a bit to drink, let them know that we've received
another offer which we're considering in the light of their present
lukewarm state.'
    'Have we?'
Kevin asked with interest.
    'Of course
not. I don't want to lose this one, but it wouldn't do them any
harm to believe we're back on the market. If we play hard to get it
will inject new enthusiasm into their bid. Put them on their toes,
make them think they're fighting for it, Kevin, my boy. What do you
say? I really want your support.'
    Kevin's eyes
gleamed at the challenge, but that was the only sign of enthusiasm
he gave away. But inside he was euphoric. They needed him, the
bastards. 'Sounds reasonable. Why not? When are we going to do
it?'
    'Saturday.
It's all organised. I trust you don't have any prior
engagements?'
    'No, nothing
of any importance.' Kevin leaned back, stretched his arms behind
his head and crossed his legs comfortably, his thoughts taking a
new turn. He had been intending to push Michelle, that new
secretary, into the final confrontation, and see if he couldn't
wangle the weekend with her. Would she or wouldn't she? He snapped
his brain into gear. That would have to wait on the back burner;
this was his livelihood, his big career move.
    Frank slapped
Kevin's knee with a jocular comradeship he did not feel. 'That's
great, my boy. And I thought this was the very opportunity to let
the wives out of the cupboards, eh? Show the FairBank crowd that we
are a happy bunch with traditional family values. Quite important,
these days.'
    Kevin blanched
fractionally. 'Oh, I'm not sure that Esther can—'
    'Don't you
worry your head about it,' Frank said. 'I've had my secretary
invite the wives personally, and your little Esther has agreed to
put off her proposed family visit until after the weekend. Just
take her out shopping, dear boy, and buy her a new frock for the
occasion. And tell her not to worry, we won't eat her. You ought to
get her out a bit more - get her polished up a bit.'
    Kevin's heart
sank into his boots, hearing a warning in the tone. Wives were an
essential part of these functions; but he swallowed his discomfort
admirably. 'I'm sure she'll enjoy it,' he said, his fixed smile
attaining a slightly strained appearance. Damn the man, he knew
Esther was no socialiser. She would dry up and go all mousy and
cling to him as she always did, cramping his style. Hell.
    But it was fait
accompli , and they all knew it. The men
smirked down at their papers, enjoying his discomfort, but the
women grinned openly. After all, had they not all seen Kevin's poor
little dab of a wife? You could almost understand why he felt the
need to bonk everything in sight. God knows how he came to get
saddled with her. Perhaps she'd had money, or perhaps he felt sorry
for her, but whatever the reason, she was going to be out of her
depth at this party, and with any luck she would sink like a stone
and drag Casanova bloody Kevin with her.
    The board
meeting carried on above Kevin's head. He could think of nothing
but the excruciating realisation that if Esther came she was going
to let him down. She was great at home, but a real liability when
it came to socialising. How could he get out of it? Perhaps he
should persuade her to be ill? He grimaced; she couldn't dissemble
at all. She was hopeless at lying. He would have known instantly if
she'd ever had an affair or