Free Why Pick On ME? by James Hadley Chase Page A

was going to take you to Prunier’s tonight, but I’ve changed my mind.”
    “Then where are we going?”
    He looked at her.
    “We’re not going anywhere. We’re going to stay here.”
    “Oh, no, we’re not! I know it’s my fault. I led you on the other night, but I was tight. We’re not going to do anything silly. We’ll go to Prunier’s.”
    “Oddly enough,” Corridon said casually, “you were surprisingly sober the other night. I grant you led me on, but obviously you had a reason. Shall I tell you what the reason was? You wanted me to come here so Diestl and your nice little brother could persuade me to do a dirty little job for them. The bait you dangled under my nose was an evening of – love, shall we call it?”
    Two bright spots of red came to her cheeks, and her eyes looked stormy.
    “That’s absolutely untrue! I don’t know what you are talking about.”
    Corridon grinned.
    “Don’t you? Didn’t they tell you? It’s supposed to be a secret, but I’m sure Slade must have whispered in your ear. They are offering me two hundred and fifty pounds to pinch some indiscreet letters.”
    “I know nothing about it! Now look, Martin, this has gone far enough. Please go. I’m not going out with you tonight.”
    “I know you’re not,” Corridon said. “I’ve just said so.” He suddenly reached out and caught her wrist. “Come and sit here beside me.”
    She tried to break free, but he was much too strong for her. He pulled her down on the bed beside him.
    “Let me go!” she said furiously. “How dare you!”
    “I’m afraid you’ve brought this on yourself,” he said mildly. “If you really object you can always scream. Someone’s bound to hear you if you make enough noise.”
    “Let me go!” she cried, struggling to free herself. She tried to smack his face, but he caught her flying hand and imprisoned her two wrists in one hand.
    “Now what are you going to do?” he asked. “I’m much too strong for you, and I haven’t any ethics to which you can appeal. I’m afraid you are in rather a hopeless position.”
    “You’re hurting me!” she stormed. “Let me go at once!”
    “Perhaps this will teach you not to make suggestive promises,” Corridon said gently. “I always insist on payment.” He pushed her back, so she lay flat across the bed. “I’m afraid you’ll have to regard yourself as a martyr to the cause.”
    “You devil!” she panted, glaring up at him. “I’ll scream if you don’t let me free!”
    “Scream away,” he said, smiling down at her. “I don’t mind a bit.”
    Still holding her wrists, he bent over her and his mouth covered hers. For a moment or so she struggled to free herself, then he felt her relax and he released her wrists and took her in his arms.
    “Scream away,” he murmured. “Before it’s too late.”
    “Oh, shut up!” she said furiously, and her arms went round his neck.
     
    III
     
    “I’m hungry,” Corridon complained, lifting his head from the pillow and looking across the dim room. The moonlight came in through the window, making a small square of light on the white rug.
    “It serves you right,” Lorene said lazily. She stretched a beautiful bare arm above her head and sighed contentedly. “You should have gone to Prunier’s as you arranged.”
    “Yes,” Corridon said, and closed his eyes. “Oysters and sherry; the breast of duck, green peas and asparagus tips in butter. You’re quite right. I shouldn’t have dallied here. Pity you were difficult. If you had been compliant, I should have gone.”
    She thumped his chest with her fist.
    “You have the manners of a hog!” she said. “Well, I suppose I must get you something to eat or you won’t come here again.”
    He turned on his side to look at her.
    “Now you are being clever,” he said. “I was hoping you would say that.”
    She reached for the silk wrap that lay on the floor. Watching her in the dim light of the moon, Corridon thought she was very