Another Notch in the Beltway Read Online Free PDF Page A

he did, Lenore thought. They had been working together over a month. He was an open book and she was a diary with a padlock and a deadbolt, both securely locked. She knew he was interested in her as a woman, not merely a writer. If she was honest with herself, she was interested in MP the man.
    â€œI would, however, like to get to know you better, lass. I find you interesting, and my curiosity is piqued,” he continued.
    She laughed. “I’m a curiosity.”
    â€œIndeed.”
    â€œWhat do you want to know?”
    â€œWhat makes you tick, what makes you happy, what makes you sad—everything, I guess.”
    â€œI’m not that interesting, MP, sorry. Only daughter of two teachers, both died recently of natural causes; they were in their eighties, had me later in life. I think that’s why there’s only one of me.”
    He laughed.
    â€œLived most of my life right here in Bucks County. Went to American University for undergrad, University of Michigan for grad school, started writing while I was in grad school, had a modicum of success along the way, and here I am.”
    â€œAnd here you are. I think there’s a lot missing from that bio.”
    â€œRead my jacket cover.”
    â€œI have, not much there either. What or who makes you so self-contained?”
    â€œI’m a private person,” she replied primly, a quick flash of annoyance flushing her cheeks.
    â€œI see that.”
    â€œSo we call Casper
Cass
most of the time?” she asked, wanting to get back on task.
    â€œSure.” She saw him eye her, a grin crossing his face.
    They continued on with their collaboration, her private life on hold for the moment.
    Jake Bishop watched her approach and noted, not for the first time or the hundredth, that Amanda Loring was one stunning woman, not any one particular thing but the neat little package in total. The sexy sway of her hips as she moved, her full mouth, and beautiful teeth when she smiled… Stop it, Bishop told himself, also not for the first time. She’s a client.
    â€œJake! I had a devil of a time finding you.” Amanda gave him an affectionate peck on the lips.
    At the same moment, Mr. Smug Arrogance from the bar joined them. She gave him the same appraising look he had given her when she entered the room. He seemed to revel in her attention. She wasn’t surprised.
    â€œCass, allow me to introduce Amanda Loring. Amanda, Casper Grossman.”
    â€œA pleasure, Mr. Grossman.”
    â€œPlease call me Cass, and the pleasure is all mine, Ms. Loring.”
    She didn’t tell him to call her Amanda. Her agent eyed her suspiciously.
    Cass gave her a smirk and asked, “Can I get you a drink, Ms. Loring?”
    Bishop rounded on her when Grossman departed to get her a glass of white wine. “Why are you being a bitch? You said you thought you’d like to work with him.”
    â€œIt’s a woman’s prerogative to be a bitch, and I want to explore the possibility of working with him—working with him, not sleeping with him.”
    â€œJesus, Mandy, be nice. He’s my client, too.”
    â€œOh, I’ll be nice to him, don’t worry, Jake.”

Chapter Eight
    Corrine Kennedy Maxwell sat in front of her vanity mirror. She was a few years over fifty, but to her aquamarine eyes, she appeared twenty years older. Sadness, disillusionment, anger, bitterness had all taken their toll. When did the acceptance come? That acceptance she’d heard others talk about and write about. Perhaps she was not one to accept.
    At least her body was still slim and shapely. She had the rigorous demands of her personal trainer to thank for that. One man who hadn’t let her down.
    As she ran a silver brush through shoulder-length hair, she noted the strawberry blonde was now more of a strawberry ice. She needed to give up the ghost and start coloring it. Peering more closely into the glass, Corrine now inspected her skin.