Free A Dangerous Game by Lucinda Carrington Page A

concern in the Spanish doctor's eyes.
     
    "Just remember that when you deal with him."
     
    "Any dealings I have with Nicolas Schlemann will be strictly
    professional," Jacey said lightly.
     
    "Bear that in mind when you meet him at the party tomorrow," Rodriguez
    said.   His voice was dry.
     
    How did he know about her social life?   She masked her surprise.
     
    "I
     
    didn't know he'd be there."   She shrugged.
     
    "Nicolas wouldn't miss one of the famous Marquez extravaganzas."
     
    Rodriguez's voice was bitter.
     
    "Do you know that the money spent on one of those parties would keep
    this hospital running for a month?"   She was about to speak but he
    silenced her.
     
    "Don't feel guilty.   Go and enjoy yourself.   It won't make any
    difference if you sit at home like a martyr.   But remember that because
    people are smiling at you, they're not necessarily your friends.
    Particularly people like Nicolas Schlemann."
     
    * *
     
    "Very interesting," Peter said.   He had come into her room on her
    invitation.
     
    "But indecent."
     
    Jacey turned to him and smiled.   She was wearing only her stockings, a
    wispy suspender belt and a silky thong.
     
    "Are you complaining or is that a compliment?"
     
    "A bit of both," he said.
     
    "Complaining because I haven't time to take advantage of you."
     
    "You mean you get thrown in jail if you're late for one of the famous
    Marquez parties?"   she teased.
     
    "I don't mind being late," he said.   He moved towards her.
     
    "But if I start on you now, I won't even want to go out."
     
    She shrugged and turned slowly in front of him, her hands shielding her
    breasts in mock modesty.
     
    "So we stay in.   I don't mind."
     
    She could tell that he was tempted.   To entice him further, she turned
    again, and stretched her hands above her head, tensing her buttocks,
    knowing that as the black line of her thong disappeared in the cleft
    between them it emphasised their rounded appeal.   The stretch-lace
    suspenders attached to the dark bangles of her stocking tops were also
    an invitation to let his fingers stray.   Peter was a 'legs-and-bum'
    man; he had already made that clear.
     
    She smoothed her palms over her bottom, then half turned towards him
    and bent one leg, stroking her inner thigh.
     
    "I can undress," she suggested.
     
    "It won't take a minute.   And I have an unopened bottle of wine in the
    fridge."
     
    He unselfconsciously adjusted his swelling erection.
     
    "No," he said thickly.
     
    "Paulo will be here in five minutes."
     
    She walked towards him and saw his eyes move from her naked breasts to
    the tiny vee of her thong which barely concealed the red bush of pubic
    hair.
     
    "So?"   she shrugged.
     
    "We can tell Paulo to go away again."
     
    "No.   Get dressed.   We're going out."
     
    She was startled at his vehemence, and a warning bell rang at the back
    of her mind.   Peter had never refused her before, and she knew that he
    didn't really want to now.   But he was edgy.   His attitude reminded her
    of the first time they had made love in the operating theatre; he had
    acted as if he had something on his mind.   She knew that he wasn't
    being completely honest with her now, and it annoyed her.   What was so
    special about this party?   She walked towards the wardrobe door, where
    her black dress was hanging, and lifted it down.   As she slipped it
    over her head, she saw an expression of relief in his eyes.   Fully
    covered, she glanced at him.
     
    "Better?"   she asked sweetly.
     
    "Do you feel happier now?"
     
    "I feel uncomfortable," he grunted, 'and you know it."
     
    "Well, you had your chance to do something about it," she said
    unsympathetically.
     
    She wanted to ask him what was wrong.   Instead she quickly checked her
    appearance in the mirror.   Her loose hair fell to her shoulders like a
    smooth, red curtain.   She glanced down and saw the hard peaks of her
    nipples pushing against the silky dress