Dancer in the Shadows Read Online Free PDF Page A

exploring the softness slowly, as if savoring a dessert or a fine wine.
    "All I dream about is a girl with hair dark and sleek as a seal's coat, and big green cat eyes," he said hoarsely. "A mouth that invites kissing and a body made to be loved. I'm thirty-two years old and should know better, but I'm caught in your witch's spell."
    He bent her backward until his weight became a warm blanket on her pliant body, his hands molding her to his hard male outline. Her skin burned where his hands caressed her bare back under her T-shirt. Valerie had never imagined that a kiss could drown her in such deep, sensual feelings. She twined her arms around his neck, letting her fingers rake through his crisp, dark hair. His kiss deepened, sending her senses whirling. Suddenly, he lifted his head and moved away.
    "Sean?" She felt hurt by his abrupt rejection.
    "One of us is going to have to show some control, Val," he smiled wryly. "And I guess it'd better be me, no matter how it hurts. I think I'd better walk you home."
    He rose to his feet, then pulled her upward. As her body swayed invitingly toward him, his hands rested on her shoulders.
    "No, Val," Sean said firmly. "We'd better leave now while I still have some scruples."
    A smile of contentment was on Valerie's face as they walked along the beach, Sean's arm thrown possessively around her waist.
    "I've been invited to a party Friday night," he informed her. "Go with me."
    "Is that a request or an order?" she teased.
    A smile touched the corners of his mouth. "I'll pick you up at eight. I'm going to be busy at the base until then," he explained, "so I doubt I'll see you before Friday."
    They stopped in front of her door. "Then I should have something to remember you by," Valerie said huskily, lifting her face.
    "Witch," Sean groaned, crushing her against him.
     
    Valerie could feel butterflies gathering in her stomach that Friday as she gazed up at the large, pretentious house that spoke of great wealth, a wealth accumulated over the years.
    "Sean, I—" She caught his arm, unable to voice her fears.
    A fleeting smile passed over the rugged features, softening them momentarily as he grasped her hand and squeezed it. "Later," Sean murmured, the one word a promise.
    As they entered the house, Valerie was grateful for her choice of dress. The floor-length, A-line skirt was deep mauve velvet with a top of pale rose with a lacy camisole of a deeper color worn underneath. A soft leather belt of deep mauve emphasized her slender waist. The deep V neckline ended just above the shadowy cleft between her breasts.
    A butler greeted them at the door, directing them to a large room to one side. Sean's hand at Valerie's elbow tightened possessively as several men gave her open looks of interest. He glanced down, seeing a slit in the front of her skirt opening to reveal a goodly portion of slender leg as she walked beside him.
    "Lady, you're going to need a bodyguard," he said wryly, bringing a smile to her face. "And I'm not exactly the best man for the job."
    A woman in her late twenties approached them, ethereal in ice-blue. Her silver-blonde hair was fashioned in a smooth chignon, revealing cold, patrician features. Her heavily made-up eyes paused to consider Valerie piece by piece. They dismissed her as unimportant before settling warmly on Sean.
    "Darling, you came after all," she said throatily, her hand fluttering on his arm. "And I see you brought a—friend."
    "Anne Carson, Valerie Rhodes." Sean smoothly evaded her grasp by turning to Valerie. "Anne is a friend of Janine's and is our hostess."
    "I'm happy to meet you, Miss Carson," Valerie said politely.
    "Such a sweet child." Anne ignored her. "Are you sure her parents will allow her to be out so late?"
    Valerie's temper began rising as she watched Anne press herself intimately against Sean. "If you'll excuse us, I'd like to dance with Val." He smiled coolly at Anne.
    Sean kept his arm around her waist as he steered her outside where the