Edge of Paradise Read Free

could do likewise without being obvious. Where was he? She couldn’t see him anywhere. Had he left?
    Her partner swung her ’round and she came to a dizzy halt and fell, literally, into other arms. Finding the owner’s face was merely a matter of raising the angle of her chin—and meeting the onslaught of mocking jade green eyes.
    â€˜Oh, you!’ she said foolishly.
    His hand on her back touched her nerves with sensuous sweetness and she broke free of his dangerous hold. His jade eyes flicked over her, one brow lifting in amused awareness of the effect he had on her.
    He said, ‘Do I take you home now? Or are you going to make me endure more of this exceedingly tedious party while we go through the formalities of getting to know one another first?’
    â€˜You’re very sure of yourself,’ she began indignantly. Then, before she could put him in his place, an alabaster-white hand ending in long scarlet talons fixed predatorily on his shoulder.
    A petulant voice said, ‘Darling, you’ve been an age. I thought you were getting me a drink.’
    â€˜Of course, Ivy, my sweet. Come along and I’ll drown you in it.’
    â€˜My name is Poppy, not Ivy,’ the redhead cooed chastisingly, her red lips forming a beautiful pout.
    His eyes rested on her clinging fingers. ‘I know. Ivy seemed more appropriate.’ Redirecting his gaze he said autocratically to Catherine, ‘This won’t take long to deal with. Wait here.’
    As poor Poppy was dragged unceremoniously away to be dealt with, Catherine could find nothing to smile about in the ludicrous contrast between his indifference to Poppy and the taunting sweetness he was turning on her.
    If he hadn’t commanded her to wait in a tone that was heavy with meaning, it wouldn’t have occurred to her to do otherwise. As it was, perversity made her move away. She circulated, and eventually came face to face with her hostess.
    â€˜Wonderful party, Lois.’
    â€˜Glad you think so, darling. How lovely you look.’
    â€˜So do you.’ Catherine came back on cue—and meant it. ‘In fact, you look ravishing.’
    The praise brought a gratified smile to her hostess’s lips as she asked with genuine interest, ‘How is the venture going? What is that absurd name you and Alison call yourselves? Ah, now I remember! Allycats!’
    Catherine admitted, ‘We’re not exactly living on cream. That’s why . . .’
    â€˜I know, dear. I’ve had a word about you with my author friend,’ Lois said, inclining her head in his direction.
    He had obviously dealt with Poppy and was now in conversation with the pale-faced man wearing spectacles. His features were strained with boredom. This was egomania in its most rampant form and her hackles rose in defense of that poor man.
    â€˜Like that, is it?’ asked Lois, who was watching her face.
    â€˜Like what?’
    â€˜Snap judgment. You don’t like him.’
    â€˜No, I don’t,’ Catherine declared vehemently. ‘He’s too full of his own importance.’
    â€˜Be fair, Catherine. He has achieved something to feel pretty special about.’
    â€˜I know,’ she admitted with due remorse. ‘I feel awful talking about him like this when I’m hoping to get some work out of him. I’m not usually such a hypocrite.’
    â€˜No-o, I’ll go along with that. Neither are you usually such a bad judge of character, because take it from me, dear, he’s quite charming. Perhaps you’re in awe of him because he’s acquired such fame. It affects some people that way. Anyway, to put you in the picture, I told him about Allycats and asked him if he could send some typing your way. I gave him your business address and he promised to get in touch. Now, must do my duty round. Have you all got drinks?’ she said brightly, moving on to the nearest group of people.
    Catherine realized