Pages of Passion Read Free Page B

wasn’t the word Noreen would have used. To her Clyde looked as if he hated the world and most people in it. He moved in a smooth, calculated fashion and dressed with the same care. He had a trim mustache and slithers of silver in his dark hair that complemented his dark brown skin.
    Noreen watched him, expecting him to walk past her and greet Arlene, but then she remembered she was playing Arlene and panic set in. She wanted to run. Clyde didn’t give her the chance. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her—a deep intimate kiss that made her inwardly shudder. It had all the romance of making out with a relative. When he pulled away, Noreen forced a smile. She gripped her hands into fists so she wouldn’twipe her mouth. “This is a surprise,” she said, struggling to keep her voice steady.
    Clyde slid his hand down from her waist and cupped her butt. “I had to come and see my baby off.”
    “You really didn’t have to,” she said, her voice two octaves higher than normal.
    “But that was very thoughtful,” Arlene said.
    Noreen shot her sister a look then said, “You remember my sister, uh…Noreen?”
    “Sure, hi,” he said, barely giving Arlene a glance, which wasn’t unusual. He rarely noticed her. He was the kind of man who only paid attention to things he considered beautiful and engaging, and to him bookish, bespectacled Noreen Webster wasn’t on that list. He focused his attention on the woman he thought was Arlene, which could have been romantic, but there was something in his steady gaze that chilled her. Fortunately, her sister sometimes wore colored contacts for fun, so Clyde wouldn’t wonder why “Arlene” was wearing contacts now. Noreen stared back at him, trying to stay in character, but she found his clothes too neat, his skin too smooth and his eyes too probing. His cologne mingled with the slight scent of cigarettes, which didn’t surprise her. She knew about his habit because she’d seen him light up an expensive brand with a gold lighter he kept in his pocket. Noreen studied him, still unable to understand what her sister saw in him. “You remember everything I told you?” he asked.
    “Yes.”
    “Good.” He pinched her butt then leaned close and whispered, “Why are you wearing panties?”
    Noreen swallowed. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
    “Did you think I’d let you go without a little goodbye present?”
    Noreen felt her stomach turn and feared she’d be ill. She glared at her sister, who just smiled. She was going to make her sister pay for this. “I think I’ll have a big present for you when I get back. Trust me, it will be worth the wait.”
    His eyes gleamed. “Is that a promise?”
    “A guarantee.”
    He bent to kiss her again, but Noreen drew away and said, “I just have to talk to my sister for a minute.” She took Arlene’s arm and dragged her over to the side. When they were out of hearing she said, “I’ve changed my mind.”
    “You can’t change your mind now—it’s too late. The plane leaves in an hour.”
    “No, it’s not too late. All we have to do is go into one of the bathrooms and switch clothes.”
    “And you’ll go to the doctor for me to find out if I’m pregnant or not?” Arlene asked with sarcasm.
    Noreen covered her eyes, feeling trapped. “What have I gotten myself into?”
    “You’re worrying again. Stop it.”
    “Didn’t you just see what happened?”
    “Yes.” Arlene folded her arms. “But I’m not jealous if that’s what you’re worried about.”
    “Jealous?”
    “Yes, about you kissing my man.”
    “ He kissed me.”
    Arlene shrugged, seemingly unconcerned, and adjustedNoreen’s headband. “Didn’t I tell you he was different? No one else would come and see me off this way.”
    Noreen slapped Arlene’s hand away. “Stop messing with my hair. I never do that to you.”
    “I just want you to look perfect. Remember, image is everything.”
    “Hmm.”
    Arlene rested her hands on Noreen’s