VANCE Read Free Page A

head to my bedroom. Slipping off my clothes and putting on a bath robe, I head into the bathroom to run the water. A soapy bubble bath is just what I need, and my aching body responds eagerly to the caress of the hot water. As I sink into its deep embrace my mind relaxes as well. Vance returns to my thoughts, and I close my eyes picturing every perfect detail of him. His glacial eyes sparkle before me, and the thought of his roguish smile sends a tremor down my spine. I imagine his toned, moccasin dark body pressed against mine and those full, luscious lips brushing against my own quivering mouth. I widen my legs and my breathing hitches, as tingly heat laps through me. I bite my lip against the maelstrom of sensations Vance has unleashed deep inside my being. I haven’t felt like this about a man in a long, long time, and I am both intoxicated and frightened at the prospect.

    As my head clears, Estelle Drake sashays straight through my erotic musings, bringing with her the cold spectre of reality. It is just my luck that I’d met the man of my dreams, and he just so happened to be married. But that couldn’t be helped. Maybe Jules and Aunt Shelley are right, perhaps I do need a man.

    I finished my bath, wrap my fluffy robe around me and get to work on drying my hair and applying make-up. A little while later Aunt Shelley calls me to the kitchen for dinner. After I’d eaten, I start to plan my outfit.   I decide to go with my white dress with the black polka dots, along with the black tights and suit jacket. With the outfit I opt for my dark red heels. I wear my hair loose, and the ensemble makes me feel quite the sexual goddess when I check myself out in the mirror. Dressed like this, maybe tonight will be my lucky night.

    As soon as I the thought enters my head, I feel the sharp knife of anxiety twist in my gut. What if I do meet the man of my dreams tonight, and he falls for me? It would only be a matter of time before he discovers my past, and all of my problems and dumps me. I don’t think I could handle having my heart trampled over again. I guess I could just go with the flow and pick up a man just for pleasure. I consider the idea for a moment. It seems to work for Jules, but it just doesn’t appeal to me. I am all for women taking charge of their sex lives and going after what they want, but I want to make a deeper connection with a man, not just enjoy the physical act for its own sake. I huff in frustration and my shoulders slump. Personal stuff is just too damn complicated. I much prefer focusing on my career prospects.      

    But I am still determined to put all that emotional junk to one side tonight and relax. I check my phone and see I’ve had a text from Jules. She wants me to meet her at the Reptile Club at eight. I feel a little disappointed at her choice of venue. The Reptile is a bit of a dive, and attracts its fair share of barflies and sleazy men. I’d spotted Harvey in there a couple of times in the past.

    Still, I am committed now, and there am no way to back out of it. At around half seven, I make sure I am still looking a million dollars and set off into town.

Chapter 3

    Just as I was afraid of, the night turns into something of a disaster. The Reptile is packed even though it is a Wednesday, and Jules drinks far too much. Music blares, hammering into my skull and Jules spends most of the night dancing on the bar with some of her wild friends who have come out to join her at the last minute. They are something of a clique, and don’t really speak much to me, so I am left alone to fend off the unwanted advances from several middle-aged men. I stick it for an hour or so, before I decide enough is enough and decide to go home. I manage to communicate my intentions to an inebriated Jules and escape before she can stop me.

    The air outside is refreshingly cool, a healing tonic after the noise and heat of the Reptile. It is pretty quiet, and the taxi rank is only a short distance away.