Free The Accidental Mistress by Portia Da Costa Page B

and immediately felt better when she saw his own crooked smile, like the sun rising in a distant New York bedroom.
    ‘You’re not prissy, sweetheart. Just a very decent girl. What would make you feel better about receiving such gifts? I’m sure this deplorable pervert would be glad to know. A charitable donation perhaps?’
    Exactly!
    ‘Well, our local Cats Protection branch is always in need of dosh,’ she said, wondering how worthy he might think that was when there was world poverty and cancer to be cured.
    ‘Consider it done. Well, I’ll try to persuade the pervert, on your behalf.’ The screen rocked as John shuffled and got comfy, leaning against the headboard. ‘Now, can we set these ethical discussions aside for a while, and get to the part where you and I have some sexy talk? I’ve had a helluva day, and I’ve spent most of it longing to see you again, if only on a screen.’
    Lizzie felt a pang of concern. Even though he was a god to her eyes, John looked more weary and careworn than she’d ever seen him. There were dark smudges beneath his eyes; he looked shattered. It was more than physical, more than just a bit of jet lag, a sixth sense told her.
    ‘I’m sorry … and I really am grateful for all the nice things, even if you are a very naughty and very extravagant man.’ She ran her finger along the edge of the unfamiliar laptop, wishing she was touching his skin. ‘It’s just that I’ve never done Skype before. It’s a bit nerve-wracking. Sort of real but not real … do you know what I mean? I don’t know how to
be
.’
    John smiled. ‘Don’t worry. You’re doing fine. Just be yourself, Lizzie, that’s all you have to do. You’re a breath of fresh air. You don’t know how glad I am to see you. In more ways than one.’ His grin broadened, and for the time being, at least, the weariness seemed to drop away from him. His blue eyes had that special twinkle again, the one she knew so well.
    Have you got a hard-on, Mr Smith?
    She’d bet good money that he did, but just from a fuzzed-up web image of her, and a few dark pixels indicating the location of her nipples? Obviously Skyping didn’t inhibit him the way it did her. Even so, a little coil of lust suddenly stirred.
    ‘You’re blushing, Lizzie.’
    ‘I’m not. It must be something wrong with the colour on your screen.’
    ‘My screen is fine, woman. Don’t try to deny that you aren’t the tiniest bit excited. I certainly am.’ He shifted position again. Was he touching himself, the dirty dog?
    ‘I am, sort of, but how do we know that there isn’t some tech support guy somewhere, monitoring this call, just waiting for us to do something rude?’ Why had she said that? It was perverse. She almost
wanted
there to be a tech guy to get an eyeful.
    ‘All the more reason not to be shy, gorgeous girl. Try and see it as philanthropy. A service to lonely nerds who mightnever get a chance to see a goddess like you at play.’
    ‘Unlike the call girl you once thought I was, John Smith, I don’t dispense my favours to all and sundry,’ she announced pertly, expecting a laugh. But instead, that shadow passed across him again. ‘Look … seriously, are you all right? You look a bit tired and stressed out … maybe you should get some rest?’
    With a slow, worldly smile, he replied, ‘Worried about the stamina of the old man, are we? I assure you when I get back, I’ll leave you in no doubt that I’m not past it yet.’
    ‘I never said that.’
    ‘I should think not, but even so, I’ll probably have to spank you when I get home, just to make sure you don’t cast any more aspersions.’
    ‘You’d do that anyway. Spank me …’
    ‘True. Because I know how much you like it. Now, was there a certain little gadget amongst the things that were delivered? Something purple and white? I’ve a fancy to see how that item might work.’
    Uh oh! Could she? Dare she? Over a video link? Somehow it seemed even ruder than the idea of using