Dangerous Lady Read Online Free PDF Page B

loved jelly. That was one good thing about the snow, it kept everything nice and fresh. Replacing the plate, she stood up and went back inside the house, banging her slippers on the step to get rid of the snow.
    Back inside the kitchen she heard her husband snoring loudly. He was sprawled in his chair, his long legs outstretched, his hand holding the plate of sandwiches away from his body. Taking the plate gently from him she placed it in the sink, then checked the turkey one last time, turned the gas down as low as it would go and made her way up to bed.
    As she undressed in the bedroom she saw her daughter had climbed into their big double bed. This was Maura’s first real Christmas. Slipping into the bed Sarah looked down on the white-blonde head and felt the familiar tightening in her guts. The child stirred and burrowed deeper into the bed. Placing her thumb in her mouth, she sucked on it furiously for a few seconds before settling down once more into a deep sleep. If Benjamin had given her nothing else in their life together he had given her this child, and for that Sarah would forgive him anything. Michael woke up and glanced at his watch. It was three fifteen. Shaking his head to clear the fustiness he noticed a fat arm around his waist. In the dying firelight he looked down on the sleeping face of Joe the Fish. Somewhere inside himself he felt disgust at the events of the previous few hours. He was acutely aware of everything that had gone on in front of the then roaring fire. Mixed with his revulsion was also a tiny feeling of excitement. He now had Joe the Fish in his grasp, as he had sworn to himself that he would. A cruel smile played at the corners of his mouth. He would play Joe like a musical instrument. He would slowly become the focal point of his life. Then, when Joe had served his purpose, he would dispose of him. Michael knew what he had to do. He had been Planning it long enough. Gently, he brought his face down on to Joe’s and kissed him on his lips. Joe’s watery eyes opened and he smiled, displaying discoloured teeth.
    ‘I’ve got to get going, Joe.’
    Yawning lazily, the older man stretched his plump arms above his head. ‘All right, Michael love. Try and get around tomorrow. I’m always alone on Christmas Day.’ His voice sounded sad.
    ‘I will. Don’t worry.’
    Joe watched Michael dressing in the firelight, his heart bursting in his breast. In his mind’s eye he relived their lovemaking of a few hours before and the picture of Michael lying underneath him as he penetrated him rose in his mind. He couldn’t quite believe he had found himself such a beautiful animal. As Michael slipped on his overcoat! Joe felt a wave of loneliness wash over him.
    ‘See you tomorrow then.’ Michael’s voice was gentle and caressing. He favoured Joe with one of his blinding grins. Pulling himself up from the floor he stood befor the dying fire, his short fat legs and large stomach making Michael feel sick inside.
    ‘Haven’t you forgotten something?’ Joe’s voice sounded like a young girl’s - high and breathless with anticipation. Michael frowned at him, bewildered. Then seeing Joe’s lips pucker, he walked over to the fireplace and embraced him. Joe pushed his tongue into Michael’s mouth, kissing him with an energy that startled him! Breaking away gently, Michael smiled at him and quietly left the room.
    The picture of Joe’s doughy white body seemed to be imprinted on his mind. As he walked out into the silent white world Michael was glad of the freezing cold that seemed to cut down into his lungs. A light snow was falling and he raised his face to allow the soft flakes to
     
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    fall on his skin, willing it to wash away the disgust he felt inside.
    The street lights gave the pavements a glittering glow as if thousands of diamonds were lining his path. Picking up speed, Michael began to smile. He shook his head and shrugged in the stillness of the night. The worst was over now. He