Project Seduction Read Online Free PDF Page A

cloud of seaweed. The two-piece bathing suit with high legs and a tank top made her look coltish, the way girls do when their limbs have spurted in growth but their body has yet to follow.
    Georgina discarded her bathrobe on a chair and lowered herself in the water as quietly as she could. It was no use. The girl opened her eyes and begun to splash with her arms, until she'd drifted close enough to talk.
    "You must be new.” There was a note of friendly curiosity in her voice.
    Georgina nodded. They were at the deep end. Her feet didn't reach the bottom, and she had to tread water to keep afloat. The air was cooler than she'd expected. A little layer of mist rose out of the water and enveloped them.
    "I'm Andy,” the girl said. “Andy Patissier."
    Georgina's brows drew together, but she forced her expression back to neutral. There was no point in interfering. The little girl would find out soon enough that when you grew up, it stopped being fun to be saddled with a boy's name. Georgina been called George through high school, and had struggled to shake it off when she went to university.
    "What's your name?” the little girl persisted.
    "My name is Georgina.” Georgina paddled with her arms to keep her head above water. “And you're right, I am new. I moved in on Friday."
    "Do you want one of these?” Andy pulled a bendy foam tube from under her arms.
    "Can you float with just one?"
    "Sure. Here, take it.” The girl tossed the pink sausage in the water between them.
    Georgina wrapped the bendy foam around her waist and held it in place with both hands, testing the impact with a few cautious bounces. Although the float was small, it was buoyant enough to keep her on the surface.
    "This is great.” Georgina flipped on her back and closed her eyes, breathing deeply and concentrating on the lapping sounds that the water made against the edges of the pool.
    "How old are you?” Andy's voice drifted in from a distance.
    "I'm twenty-eight,” Georgina said absently. “How old are you?"
    "I'm thirteen."
    Georgina gave a little nod. “That's a good age.” The movement made ripples over her skin that soothed away the lingering tensions.
    "Are you married?” Andy asked.
    Georgina held up her left hand which bore no rings.
    "Do you have a boyfriend?"
    "Not at the moment,” Georgina told the girl. “Do you?"
    "No,” Andy said with a tone of regret. “My dad says I'm too young."
    Georgina held back a smile. “I should think he's right."
    "You talk funny.” Andy made it sound like an accusation.
    This time Georgina let the smile out. “So do you."
    "My mom's French Canadian."
    Georgina said nothing. She paddled with her feet, until she felt herself starting to glide along.
    "Why do you talk funny?” Andy asked with a hint of impatience. “Is your mom foreign too?"
    Aren't we a nosy little bugger , Georgina thought as she swirled her body in a lazy circle. Then she came to a stop and craned her head, directing her gaze at Andy. “No,” she said flatly. “My mom's dead."
    Andy's dark eyes scowled at her. Then the girl's face crumpled. Remorse filled Georgina and she opened her mouth, trying to think of something to say that would repair the damage. Before she managed a single sound, Andy's expression grew hard.
    "I wish my mom was dead too.” Each word was hurled out in anger.
    Georgina bolted upright, sinking deeper into the water. “Andy! Why do you say that?"
    The girl lowered her eyes but her voice remained harsh. “Because my mother's a good-for-nothing dope-head who shouldn't have been allowed to have children in the first place.” It came out like a speech she'd memorized.
    "Who says that?” Georgina asked gently as she paddled closer.
    "Everyone.” Andy blinked a few times and clenched her lips between her teeth. Then she turned around and splashed her way over to the edge.
    "I have your floating thingy,” Georgina said, raising her voice to carry the distance between them.
    "That's all right.” Andy