Mexican Nights Read Online Free PDF Page A

puzzled as to why she felt so depressed. She didn't usually have this lonely heaviness weighing on her heart. She was by nature cheerful and optimistic—ordinarily. If there was no lover in her own life, it was by her choice. She had been so busy the past three years getting established in her profession, there hadn't been time for serious relationships. Anyway, she hadn't met anyone with whom she could envision such a closeness.
    After several minutes, her head began to nod. Shaking herself awake, she got up to run water into the tub. Sloshing in a generous amount of bubble bath, she stripped off her shorts and halter and stepped into the tub, stretching out so that the aromatic bubbles came up to her chin. With her head resting on the back of the tub, she closed her eyes and gave in to the warm, relaxing lethargy that crept over her.

    A few minutes before seven thirty, Terri, dressed in a softly clinging green crepe dress, left her room. As she was pulling the door firmly shut behind her, the door across the hall opened and Derek Storm stepped out. Their eyes met, hers wide with surprise, his unreadable, as usual.
    "I—I didn't know you had that room," she stammered, her cheeks warm, her discomposure acute at the sudden meeting for which she had been totally unprepared.
    He was wearing an excellently tailored soft gray suit that fit his wide shoulders and trim waist to perfection. A muscle twitched slightly on one side of his firmly sculptured mouth. "Good evening, Terri." He did not seem surprised to see her. Had he known all along that her room was across the hall? His dark eyes swept over her. "Dressed for a night on the town, I see."
    "As are you," she returned, meeting his insolent gaze with an effort.
    His broad shoulders moved in a careless shrug. "I rather liked what you were wearing the last time we met." The glint in his eyes was teasing. She was sure he meant to insult her.
    "Fortunately, I don't dress to please you, so I won't have to dash in and change." She turned on one spike heel with what hauteur she could feign, saying, "If you will excuse me, I am meeting someone for dinner." Let him wonder who! She walked quickly away.
    She heard his measured footsteps, muffled in the hall carpet, but following her nevertheless. She did not look back, but when she reached the elevator, he was beside her. She punched the down button and stared straight ahead, aware of his unwavering gaze on her face. She examined her tapering fingernails intently and heard the elevator coming. When the doors slid open, several passengers stepped back to make room. As the elevator continued its downward journey, curious glances came Terri's way, as if the other occupants were aware of the strained atmosphere that had entered the cubicle with the newcomers. She stared at the control panel as the floor numbers were lighted, one by one. She knew, without looking, that Derek was still observing her, his eyes burning into her as if she were a bug under a microscope. Why did he have to watch her so much? Every chance encounter between them was becoming an ordeal.
    The elevator arrived at the lobby and Terri stepped out with a grateful sigh. Her relief was short-lived, however, because she was soon aware of Derek Storm walking behind her toward the dining room. She wanted to run, but knew that the mask of sophistication she hoped she was wearing would slip if she did. Besides, it would be just her luck to lose her footing on the polished floor and fall flat. Wouldn't that give him a good laugh?
    The dining room was crowded, but Jack saw her immediately and gestured her toward the table he was holding. He pulled out her chair and she sat down.
    "I hope I'm not late," she said breathlessly.
    "You needn't have rushed," he said, mistaking the cause for her shortness of breath. "You're right on time. Oh, hello, Derek. Are you looking for me?"
    Terri stiffened, as she realized Derek Storm was standing beside her chair.
    Derek drew a slip of paper