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David felt the time had come to take her back to his hotel. She put up little objection, and once there, it was an easy job to peel her out of the red dress.

She was wearing frilly pink panties, and her body was ripe. Her breasts were so big and bouncy and unbelievable that he had a sneaky suspicion that they weren’t breasts at all, just a lot of silicone injections put together.

He couldn’t do anything. There was no excitement.

Still giggling, she was given money for a taxi and sent home.

He went to bed, couldn’t sleep, until at last he was forced to get up and visit Miss Field. By the time he got there his excitement was at such a peak that he hardly made it on top of her.

She had a strange power over him.

He tried with several other women, but each time the same result. His life began to revolve around Harriet Field.

He found out about her. She was thirty years old and had been with the firm for twelve years, working her way up from the typing pool to become his private secretary. There was no gossip about her. She kept herself to herself. She was the office nonentity.

When he went to her at night they never talked. He just told her what to do and she did it, whatever it was.

Sometimes, after sex, she asked him if he would care for coffee or tea. He would always say no, and as soon as he could summon the strength, get up and go.

He wondered what she thought about it all. Why did she never say anything? The whole thing was unnatural.

The next time, of course, was later that same evening. He arrived earlier than usual, and she was still up, clutching a skimpy cardigan around her nonexistent bosom. Automatically she started to undress.

It was the first time he had ever seen her get out of her clothes; usually it was just a nightgown and dressing gown.

There seemed to be layers of them. Skirt, cardigan, sweater, a vest (one of the most unattractive garments he had ever seen), salmon-pink bra, a slip, long woollen drawers, and thick stockings. Shivering slightly, she stood before him.

She was certainly a randy bitch, he thought, always prepared. Always creamed up and ready to go. Probably been frustrated for years.

Maybe he should make her wait for it tonight. She was already lying on the floor, opening pale, sluggish legs.

He couldn’t make her wait. The burning desire he felt wouldn’t let him. He ripped off his clothes hurriedly and crouched on top of her.

She heaved a big sigh and they were away.

Afterward she put on her dressing gown and started to tidy his clothes, piling them neatly together, ready for him to put on.

He lay watching her. She really was plain – it wasn’t that she made the worst of herself, it was just that there was nothing one could do to improve her.

She noticed him looking and flushed. ‘Tea or coffee, Mr. Cooper?’

‘Both,’ he said abruptly.

She turned to go into the kitchen, and he had a feeling she would bring him both if he didn’t stop her.

‘Sit down,’ he said.

She sat hesitantly, crossing her feet at the ankles, clasping her hands on her lap in front of her.

‘I want to talk to you,’ he said.

They sat silently. After he had said he wanted to talk to her, he suddenly realized he didn’t want to talk to her at all, he just wanted to go.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ he said abruptly.

‘Is something wrong, Mr. Cooper?’

‘For God’s sake, don’t call me Mr. Cooper.’

She lowered her eyes. ‘Yes, David dear.’

Christ, she acted like the vestal virgin. She became so coy and retiring.

He stood up, decisions filtering through his mind. He would fire her on Monday, and this was positively the last time.

Maybe he should hammer it into her once more since this was his last visit. ‘Get across the table,’ he said wearily.

* * *

Linda and Jay were married a week later at Hampstead register office. Quietly, with no fuss.

Linda’s parents were present, surprised but happy. The children, dressed in their best clothes, were strangely subdued. A few friends of Jay’s and a few of Linda’s attended the ceremony.

Afterward they all went back to Jay’s hotel suite and ate wedding cake and drank champagne. It was very small, very informal.

Soon Linda’s parents said they should be starting the drive back to the country. They gathered together the children, who were going to stay with them, and said their good-byes.

Linda hugged Janey and Stephen to her. ‘Mummy won’t be away very long, and then we’re all going to live together in a beautiful big house with a swimming pool in America.’

‘Wow – a swimming pool!’ Stephen said delightedly.

Janey was fighting back tears, her innocent chubby face concerned and worried. ‘I hope the plane doesn’t crash, Mummy.’

Linda laughed and hugged her. ‘Don’t be a silly baby.’

Jay picked up Janey and kissed her. ‘You be a good little girl, and Mummy will be back before you know it.’

Janey looked at him with big brown eyes. ‘Are you my new daddy?’

He nodded solemnly. Janey kissed him and scampered off to her grandparents. Soon the rest of the guests departed and they were alone.

Linda took off her hat and sighed. ‘I hate leaving the children.’

Jay laughed. ‘It’s only for a couple of weeks. You don’t mind if I have a little time alone with my wife?’

‘No, I don’t mind.’ She smiled at him. ‘I love you.’

There were several telegrams, one from Conrad and Shirley Lee, honeymooning in Mexico:
Congratulations. English wives are best. They don’t want so much alimony. Love, regards, Conrad and Shirley.

A sarcastic one from Jay’s fifteen-year-old daughter:
Best wishes, Daddy, on your fourth wife. Caroline.

‘She’s a fresh kid,’ he said grimly.

‘Why do you say that?’ Linda asked.

‘I don’t know.’ He shrugged. ‘I guess it’s my fault, really. She’s a tough little cookie – takes after her mother. I never spent any time with her, and Jenny didn’t remarry so I suppose it’s affected her, not having a father around.’

‘I’d like to meet her,’ Linda said quietly. ‘Maybe when we’re settled she could come and stay with us for a while.’

‘Forget it.’ He laughed brusquely. ‘Her mother would never allow it. Anyway, she’s not a child anymore. It’s too late for me to start stepping into the picture.’

‘She’s only a teenager. I think we should try it.’

He kissed her. ‘You’re sweet.’

She smiled and changed the subject. ‘I hope I’ve brought the right clothes for Jamaica. It’s all been such a rush.’

‘Are you sorry?’

‘Sorry? What a ridiculous thing to say. Of course I’m not.’

‘Let’s have dinner up here. The car will be picking us up at six in the morning. We’d better get an early night.’

‘That’s a wonderful idea.’ She yawned. ‘I’m going to have a bath now.’

‘Leave it to me. I’ll order you something special.’

She went into the bathroom. Her two suitcases and makeup case were stacked neatly on luggage racks.

She hoped she wasn’t going to be a big disappointment to Jay. He was used to such beautiful women. She remembered elegant, cool Lori.

Quickly she bathed, then unpacked a long blue silk nightdress and matching robe. It flattered her, plunging between her heavy breasts and swirling down to the floor clingingly. She brushed her thick auburn hair; it was growing, and reached to her shoulders. Her body and face were by no means perfect, but she was an attractive, sensuous-looking woman.

Jay had ordered more champagne, a delicious fish course, and thin slivers of perfect white chicken in a creamy mushroom sauce on a bed of rice. Then strawberries Romanoff and large goblets of Courvoisier brandy.

After dinner Linda felt gloriously happy. Jay made everything perfect. In the bedroom he undressed her slowly, and made love to her beautifully. Nothing frantic, nothing rushed. He caressed her body as though there was nothing more important in the world. He took her to the edge of ecstasy and back again, keeping her hovering, sure of every move he made.

She floated on a suspended plane, a complete captive to his hands and body.

He had amazing control, stopping at just the right moment. When it did happen it was only because he wanted it to, and they came in complete unison. She had never experienced
that
before, and she clung to him, words tumbling out of her mouth about how much she loved him.

Afterward they lay and talked.

‘You’re wonderful,’ he said. ‘You’re a clever woman, making me wait until after we were married.’

‘What?’ She snuggled closer to him.

‘I wanted you so much. But I knew if I made a wrong move I’d become just another guy on the make. I laid Lori the first time I saw her. She came for an interview, we locked the office door, and made it then and there. Can you imagine marrying a broad you screwed as soon as you met? That’s what kind of schmuck I was until I met you, and realized what a real relationship could be.’

She kissed him. ‘But weren’t you worried if we’d – well – like each other in bed? I mean, why
didn’t
you try before?’

‘Because I wasn’t about to take no for an answer.’

‘But I might not have said no.’

He agreed. ‘No, you might not have, but you’re not the sort of woman to have an affair. You would have regretted it, and I would have become the bad one in your mind.’

‘Oh.’ She was amazed at how well he knew her. He was probably right. ‘What about Susan Standish?’ she asked accusingly.

‘I’m a man, Linda,’ he said simply. ‘Don’t expect me to make excuses. She was a nice girl, and I couldn’t have you.’

Her eyes were closing. ‘I love you, husband,’ she murmured, and soon she was asleep.

* * *

The health farm wasn’t too bad. It was a place to relax, to think and take stock. Claudia submitted her body to the care of experts, and within a few days her physical appearance was back to normal.

She spent her days between massage and therapy, sunning herself beside the luxurious swimming pool in the grounds. The early English sun was weak but restful. She daydreamed a lot of the time, imagining herself a star, a success. That was all she really wanted out of life.

Giles came to visit her. ‘You look great!’ he said enthusiastically. ‘Just like the girl I used to know.’

He had correspondence from the magazine, eagerly awaiting her arrival.

‘You’ve really made a big impression on
someone
there,’ he said cheerfully. ‘They can’t wait. Planning promotions for you all over the place. They want to feature you big, kid.’

She was delighted. Maybe this was the opportunity she had been waiting for.

Soon she was ready to leave the health farm. Giles took her back to his studio flat in Chelsea. ‘I’ve moved all your things out of the penthouse,’ he told her. ‘It’s not a good scene for you. You’ll stay with me until we go.’

She was pleased. Giles was taking her over, and she liked it.

They slept in a big sprawling bed like brother and sister, and during the day Giles took her shopping for new clothes. She bought a fabulous shiny ash-blond wig to cover her own cropped hair until it grew back.

He paid for everything. ‘An investment,’ he told her airily.

Eventually he decided they were ready to go, and he cabled the magazine.

He received a lengthy reply which stated that they had already sent the tickets. And
‘Be Prepared. Big Welcome For Future Miss Playmonth. All Press Alerted. Party Planned for Tour Arrival.’

Claudia was delighted. New York awaited her.

* * *

It was just no good. David could not break the habit of Harriet Field. He found it absolutely impossible to get an erection with any other woman.

He tried religiously, even going so far as to take a girl to a pornographic movie in the hope that that would excite him enough. The result was the girl got so worked up that when he couldn’t satisfy her, she called him every filthy name she could think of.

He felt if he could only make it with someone other than Harriet Field, the spell would be broken. But it remained an impossible feat, and sex with Harriet got better and better.

He took to staying at her apartment all night, for now he found he had to have her in the morning too.

She became even more white and insipid-looking. Slowly she seemed to be draining the strength from him.

He would wake up in her cramped apartment, bad-tempered and uncomfortable. It was obvious that if he was going to continue this relationship he would have to make other arrangements about her living quarters. He didn’t want to set her up in an apartment, but it seemed the only answer.

She never said anything to him when they weren’t having sex, just kept well out of his way.

Usually he drove her to the office, dropping her a block away. She would huddle in her seat mouselike and silent.

He hated her, but he couldn’t leave her. Was it never going to end, this mad animal desire he had for this wretched creature?

He hadn’t seen his children for a long while. Too long. Somehow he felt ashamed to face them.

His life became one long round of work, into which he threw himself wholeheartedly. And sex with Harriet. He looked thin and haggard.

It’s got to end soon, he reasoned. I’ll just keep going until I’ve had so much of her it will be over.

He ignored everything else and concentrated on getting Harriet out of his system. This involved sleeping with her at every possible opportunity, and now, even at the office he would sometimes lock the door and take her quickly on the floor or across his desk. It didn’t help. It just seemed to make her more exciting.

He plodded on, determined to finish the affair.

* * *

At London airport Claudia was besieged by photographers.

‘Look this way.’ ‘Over here, Claudia.’ ‘Pull your skirt up, dear.’ ‘Let’s see some leg.’

Claudia obliged. She was wearing a very short skirt with matching coat and clingy silk sweater.

Giles stood by watching. He knew he had made a smart move getting her to sign the personal management contract. Now he had fifty percent of her, and he had a hunch that fifty percent was going to mean an awful lot of money.