Free The Man at Key West by Katrina Britt

Connie?’
    Connie laughed. ‘There’s nothing to say. After all, Jay is probably going on rumour. All wealthy people have enemies, and Henry Cassells is no exception.’
    ‘Henry Cassells has enemies all right,’ Jay replied firmly. ‘Enemies he’s made himself with his double dealing. Steer clear of him, Bill, if you want to avoid trouble. I think it’s time we went,’ he added.
    Sue was in the car with Jay. ‘What’s this about one of Connie’s friends?’ she asked curiously. ‘And who’s Henry Cassells?’
    Jay looked straight ahead as he steered the car out on to the highway.
    ‘No one you ought to bother your pretty head about,’ he answered carelessly.
    ‘But I do bother about anything that concerns Daddy,’ she said indignantly. ‘What’s Connie up to? I want to know.’
    ‘That’s enough,’ Jay said firmly. ‘We’re going out to enjoy ourselves. I think you can leave it to your father to deal with his own affairs. He’s no fool.’
    ‘But Connie has a lot of influence over him—I know she has.’ Sue was clearly distressed. ‘I hope she isn’t going to get Daddy into any trouble. He isn’t a wealthy man. If Mummy had been alive he just might be by now. On his own he lacks the drive he had with her. He isn’t so strong-willed on his own initiative.’
    ‘Now look here, my sweet ...’ Jay swung the car into a layby and turned to face her with his arm on the wheel. For a moment his face was grim, then a smile curved his well-cut lips and he drew her into his arms. ‘There’s only one way of silencing a woman,’ he murmured, and bent his head.
    ‘Jay!’ she whispered breathlessly. That was all she was allowed to say for a very long time, and her heart began to pound as he drew her closer.
    ‘Jay!’ she tried again on breath regained as he released her enough to look down into her face.
    ‘Don’t talk. Relax,’ he murmured against her mouth, and Sue gave herself up to the ecstacy of being in his arms.
    Ardent minutes passed, then Jay reluctantly moved away at last.
    ‘No more worrying about other people,’ he said, kissing the tip of her nose before releasing her. ‘And that goes for the rest of the evening.’
    Seated beside Jay later in a nightclub with expensively dressed women decorating a sea of immaculate tables, Sue had to admit that not only was Jay fun to be with, he knew how to take a girl out for the evening in the best of places. The food was delicious, the service impeccable, and they danced to low seductive music, close and silent.
    He was taking her home when he said carelessly, ‘Care to come to my place for a nightcap?’
    Sue giggled deliciously. ‘Oh, Jay,’ she protested, ‘not after what we’ve had this evening!’
    He grinned at her, his teeth white in the dimness of the car.
    ‘Not even a warm drink to go to bed on?’ he persisted.
    ‘I wouldn’t need it if I shared your bed, would I?’ she asked.
    ‘You certainly wouldn’t. So you see there’s no harm in coming with me if we’re to have a nightcap.’
    ‘I believe you,’ she gurgled. ‘It’s those behind. I’ve had a lovely evening and I’m going to work tomorrow.’
    ‘You’re spending the day with me tomorrow,’ he said.
    ‘I can’t. I have to take some photographs to Bob Lilley—I told you.’
    ‘You can drop them in before we go out for the y day.’
    ‘I’m a working woman, in case you haven’t noticed.’
    ‘Which is why you’re going out with me tomorrow. Bring your camera and combine business with pleasure.’
    Sue laughed softly and the face she turned to him was more seductive than she knew. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes clear and shining, and her lips parted, showing small pearly teeth.
    Jay tossed her a glance and lifted a dark brow. ‘Maybe it’s as well that you aren’t coming for a nightcap. You’re looking far too seductive for my peace of mind.’
    He braked at the entrance to the Villa Repose, pulled her to him and kissed her hair. ‘You have