S.E.C.R.E.T.: An Erotic Novel Read Online Free PDF

today, is that okay?”
    “That’s fine. Call me later. But
I’m
famished,” Matilda said. She stood to hug her harried companion goodbye.
    I could feel the relief and the vexation coursing through Pauline. She had gotten
     the booklet back, but she knew that it had released some of its secrets somewhere,
     to someone, and it seemed she couldn’t wait to leave. After their quick embrace, she
     made a dash for the door.
    Matilda folded back down into her chair, as relaxed as a cat settling into a sun patch.
     I looked around the restaurant. It was about three o’clock, and the place was almost
     empty. My shift would be over soon.
    “Be right back with your green tea,” I said. “Menu’s on the wall there.”
    “Thank you, Cassie,” she said as I walked away.
    I felt gut-punched. She knew my name. How did she know my name? I did sign my bills.
     And Pauline was a regular. That’s how. Surely.
    The rest of my shift was uneventful. Matilda sipped her tea, looking out the window.
     She ordered the egg salad sandwich, pickle on the side, half of which she ate. We
     didn’t say much beyond the pleasantries of a waitress serving a customer. I gave her
     the bill and she left a nice tip.

    That’s why I was shocked the next day to see Matilda come in after the lunch rush
     died down, this time alone. She waved at me and pointed to a table. I nodded, noticing
     that my hands shook a little as I made my way over to her. What I was so nervous about?
     Even if she knew I’d lied, what was so bad about what I had done? How could any normal
     person have resisted reading a notebook with such compelling content? Besides, it
     was Pauline who might feel wronged, her privacy a little violated, not this woman.
    “Hello, Cassie,” she said, smiling a genuine smile.
    This time I noticed her face. She had bright wide eyes, dark brown, with flawless
     skin. She wore little makeup, which had the added effect of making her look younger
     than what she probably was, which I now suspected was closer to sixty than fifty.
     She had a heart-shaped face, which drew to an acute point at her chin, and she was,
     frankly, extraordinarily beautiful, in the way women with unusual features can sometimes
     be. She wore all black—tight pants that outlined a very fit body and a knit black
     top that twisted around her in an alluring way. And thatgold charm bracelet, now glinting against the black sleeve of her top.
    “Hello again,” I said, sliding a menu onto the table.
    “I’ll have exactly what I had yesterday.”
    “Green tea, egg salad?”
    “Right.”
    I brought the tea and sandwich a few minutes later, and later still refilled her hot
     water when I was asked. When she had finished and I went to clear her plate, she invited
     me to join her at the table. I froze.
    “Just for a second,” she said, nudging the chair across from her.
    “I’m working,” I said, feeling clenched and a little cornered. I could see Dell in
     the kitchen through the cutout window behind the bar. What if this woman asked me
     questions about the notebook?
    “I’m sure Will won’t mind if you sit a bit,” Matilda said. “Besides, the place is
     empty.”
    “You know Will?” I said, sinking slowly into the chair.
    “I know a lot of people, Cassie. But I don’t know you.”
    “Well, I’m not that interesting. I’m just me. I’m just a waitress and … that’s it,
     really.”
    “No woman’s just a waitress, or just a teacher, or just a mother.”
    “I
am
just a waitress. I guess I’m a widow too. But mostly I am just a waitress.”
    “A widow? I’m sorry to hear that. You’re not originally from New Orleans. I detect
     a slight Midwestern accent. Illinois?”
    “Close. Michigan. We moved here about six years ago. My husband and I. Before he died.
     Obviously. Um, how do you know Will?”
    “I knew his dad. He owned this place before—it’s twenty years ago now that he died,
     I think. Probably the last time I was a regular here.