Provocative Peril Read Free Page B

knew next to nothing about him? Pam would already have discovered the contents of his investment portfolio by now, not to mention his complete financial picture, while Susie would have learned all about his favorite foods, music, taste in women and his views on politics and religion.
    Carolyn sighed.
    One afternoon she'd spotted him on the beach with two young boys. All three were engrossed in watching a three-tiered kite fight to stay up in the brisk wind. The grins on the three faces were identical. She wondered if discovering that he likes to fly kites would have impressed Susie. Somehow she doubted it.
    By the time Carolyn finally crawled out of the tub, the water was cold and she felt like a prune. Why was she wasting so much time thinking about Clay when she had the evening ahead of her?
    Tonight was the night she'd decided to take the plunge and wear her new red dress. She was thoroughly enjoying her brand-new wardrobe, chosen with the help of her friends. They'd helped her to change her image with a new hairdo, new makeup and a new personality. She was indeed a new Carolyn—freer and more adventuresome. The red dress made that statement. As if the color weren't enough of an attention-getter, the styling was also dramatic. The scoop neckline was demure enough, as were the flowing sleeves which fastened daintily at her wrists. However, the dress had no back, which was one of the reasons she'd put off wearing it until tonight. She would have to go without a bra. But the last few days had given her the necessary confidence to become a part of the relaxed vacation crowd. She hoped.
    After a final inspection before the mirror, Carolyn started down the stairs. She was sure everyone could tell that she was naked beneath her dress, even before they saw her back. Funny, she'd never noticed whether other women were wearing a bra or not. You're just self-conscious. No one else will even notice. She fought the urge to casually cross her arms across her chest. Instead, she tilted her chin slightly and stepped outside the room. Come on, Carolyn, you can do it. Remember, Pam and Susie are counting on you. You've got to have some good tales to share with them by the time you return home.
    She smiled as she entered the room and a few people she'd met waved or nodded. She took a deep breath, then forced herself to relax.
    Dinner was delicious and the music superb, but for some reason Carolyn found it difficult to relax. Part of her problem was Clay. She'd been in the lounge for about an hour when he walked in. It was the first time she'd seen him in the evening, and she almost didn't recognize him.
    His suede jacket, almost the same shade of gold as his hair and beard, set off the tan he wore so well. Chocolate brown dress slacks, apparently custom made, were complemented by his Italian shoes. No moccasins for him tonight.
    So he knows how to dress, she thought with a shrug. As though she were a tailor mentally taking his measurements she studied the way his clothes hugged his flat waist and slim hips.
    He glanced around the room, pausing as he saw her. She smiled, then could feel the heat surge into her cheeks as his gaze dipped to her chest. He was over twenty feet away and could not possibly know that she was bare to the waist under her dress. Or could he? Once again she resisted the impulse to cover her breasts.
    She discovered that she was holding her breath, and only let go when his gaze continued around the room. She wasn't sure whether she felt relief or disappointment when he zeroed in on a table of four women. They made no effort to hide their delight when he went over to their table.
    Carolyn watched as unobtrusively as possible while Clay took turns dancing with each of them, even the one slightly taller than he. Whatever he was murmuring into her ear seemed to be highly entertaining.
    Not that Carolyn sat out too many dances, herself. She'd made several acquaintances during the previous week, although she noticed that a few