When Next We Love Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Damn you!” Leigh cried, shaking with misery and despair. “Damn you, Derek! Why did you make me come here?”
    But he was gone. He didn’t hear her, nor did he see the abject tears that shimmered on her eyelashes and fell to her cheeks, or the frightened unhappiness that trembled on her lips.

CHAPTER TWO
    T HE VIEW FROM THE arched balcony off the guest bedroom Leigh had been allotted was stunning. Before her lay the shimmering rectangular pool and beyond it the deep blue water of the channel separating Star Island from the causeway. If she cast her eyes to the left, she could see the high rises of Miami Beach, twinkling now in the dusk like a million merry stars. To the right, in a distant glimmer of reflection, was Biscayne Bay, choppy with the fringe of winds caused by the tropical storm southward. Each foam-flecked wave danced and gleamed like a diamond, caught in the nighttime brilliance of the Miami Herald building and the magnificent OMNI complex beyond it.
    Graceful steps led from the balcony to the palm-fringed pool, and Leigh was sorely tempted to follow them down and touch the silver enchantment of the water. With a regretful shake of her head she decided against such action. She had already been standing on the balcony, hypnotized by the display of the various surrounding waters, for a good half hour. Derek’s housekeeper had supplied her with an assortment of toiletries, and she wanted to shower before dinner even if she did have to redon the same clothing.
    The huge, inviting deco tub in the bathroom, along with the enticing bottle of bath oil that had been supplied her, was too much of a temptation to allow her to settle for a simple shower. She filled the claw-footed tub with deliciously hot water, added the oil; then, after carefully hanging her clothes, she sank her tense limbs into the luxurious, misting heat.
    It was a pity, Leigh thought, closing her eyes in total surrender to the comfort, that she, considered to be such a cool bastion of reserve, didn’t seem to be able to maintain an ounce of casual dignity where Derek was concerned. Why on earth had she allowed herself to behave so badly? Wanting Derek’s respect so very much, it seemed she was only capable of drawing his contempt.
    Well, the hell with it! she decided, suddenly angry. He had judged her without a trial, formed an opinion without half the facts. He was a devastatingly attractive man, but she had met many an attractive man. And Leigh was a strong realist. Life always went on. She would get away as soon as possible.
    A knock on the door interrupted her mental wanderings as she was rising from the tub and rubbing her skin to a rough gleam with a large navy towel. She didn’t have time to call out; Derek’s cheery housekeeper had tucked her head into the bedroom and was calling out, “Just me, Mrs. Tremayne. May I come in?”
    Leigh wrapped the towel tightly around herself and peeked out from the bathroom. “Sure, Emma. But you’ll have to pardon my dress!”
    Emma Larson was a plump little lady, and although she preferred to stay in the background, she ruled Derek’s house with a firm hand, from the domestic employees to Derek himself. Even dignified James bowed before her. The toughest elements of the music industry who paid calls upon Derek behaved like lambs in Emma’s presence. With her shrewd, crisp blue eyes, she brought them all down to size, seeing clearly through all their facades. Leigh wondered briefly and with a touch of fear whether or not Emma might also see all too clearly through her. Then she smiled as she exited the bath in her towel. If Emma did come uncomfortably close to reading her mind, she would contain her thoughts. Though they had met only once before, two years ago when Leigh and Richard had come for a week to work out a concert schedule, Leigh and Emma had become friends by some unspoken agreement. Though Emma had always been polite and proper toward Richard, Leigh had the uncanny feeling that