Thrill! (15 page)

Oh, yes, if she wanted, she could blow his happy little deal in a second. And blow everyone's mind in the process. Especially Nikki's.

Hmm ... if Daddy Dearest didn't cooperate, maybe she'd do just that.

She called Jed, who offered to pick her up and take her on a club spree. Jed had turned out to be the perfect contact, he seemed to know everybody - introducing her around as Richard Barry's daughter - which got her plenty of attention. She'd already been out with him a couple of times, and met all kinds of people including Tina, an amazing-looking girl of eighteen, who, she'd decided, would be her new best friend. At school she always hung out with the older girls - fifteen-year-olds were too immature to bother with.

Jed had tried to make out with her the second night she was in town. She'd shoved him away - having already made her decision. If she was going to do it with anyone, it had to be a movie star. Still. . . Jed was a useful guy to keep hanging.

The club scene was way different from Chicago. There were all sorts of temptations - booze, coke, a variety of pills. Summer didn't go for any of it, an occasional joint was her only vice.

Back home guys were always trying to get her drunk, but she was too smart for them. Besides, her father watched over her with an unhealthy zeal - always waiting when she came home at night, checking to see if she'd been drinking or drugging; asking questions; grilling her to find out what she did with boys.

It was a big drag.

He was a big drag.

99 She couldn't wait to finally cut loose.

Jed was driving the limo when he arrived at the house.

"Got an airport pick-up later,"

he explained.

"When?"

she said, frowning.

"One a.m. Which gives us plenty of time,"

he said, making a clumsy attempt to grab her.

She eluded his clammy grasp with a light giggle, shooting out the door to the sleek elongated limo.

"You'd better sit in the back,"

he said, chasing after her.

"That way - if I run into any of the other drivers, they'll think I'm still on a job."

"OK,"

she said cheekily. Til be your rich client giving you orders."

"Like hell you will,"

he said, leaning into the back seat, trying to grab a quick feel.

Summer had learned at an early age that all members of the male sex were easy, all she had to do was bat her big baby blues, show a little leg, and they were hers. In Chicago the boys came panting after her. In Hollywood it wasn't so different. Although when she looked around the clubs she realized the girls in LA were a lot prettier than the ones back in Chicago - especially Tina, who was so cool and sophisticated with her long brown curls, vampy lips and sparkling cat-eyes. Summer realized she could learn a lot from Tina. And the sooner the better.

"Let's go, driver,"

she said imperiously.

"I do not wish to arrive late."

"You're a tease, you know that?"

Jed said, looking perplexed.

When was he going to realize he didn't have a chance?

# &

"Martini?"

Richard offered.

"Why not?"

Kimberly Trowbridge responded.

Kimberly was a tall, attractive woman in her late twenties, with bobbed strawberry-blond hair and an understated way of dressing. She was Richard's temporary assistant - hired to replace his permanent assistant, who'd left to have a baby.

100

Kimberly was not only attractive, she anticipated his needs and was extremely efficient. Since she obyiously worshipped him, he enjoyed having her around.

Tonight, when he'd finished editing, he'd asked her if she wanted to grab a bite to eat. A perfectly innocent offer, because since marrying Nikki and practically giving up drinking he'd been nothing but faithful. Dinner seemed an innocent way of repaying Kimberly for all her hard work.

He'd taken her to Trader Vic's, where the exotic drinks tasted innocuous - and packed a punch capable of felling a mule! In his drinking days Richard could have downed three Navy Grogs in a row - no problem. Tonight he wasn't sure if he could manage one.

Kimberly was impressed by the restaurant.

"I've never been here before,"

she said, gazing around.

"Then you must have one of these."

And he ordered her a Navy Grog, and a selection of appetizers.

She downed the exotic mixture as if it was lemonade, nibbled on a couple of spare ribs and an egg roll, and trotted off to the ladies"

room.

When she returned he was already into his second drink, and there was another one waiting for her.

He noticed she'd undone a couple of buttons on her blouse, touched up her make-up, and sprayed herself with a musky scent. Talk about signals!

"You smell good,"

he said.

"I thought you'd never notice,"

she responded. And after that it was only a matter of time before he invited her back to his house.

< # if

The first club Jed took her to was too crowded.

"Drag,"

Jed said.

"Major,"

Summer agreed.

They moved on to Pot, an outrageous dance club that operated out of different venues every weekend. Tina was there, and so were some of Jed's other friends. They all joined up.

Every time she ran into Tina, she was with a different guy.

"I

101 get easily bored,"

Tina confided with a giggle when Summer asked her why.

"Jed's OK, though. You should stick with him for a while

- until you get to know your way around."

"I will,"

Summer agreed.

"I see you've been putting in time on your tan,"

Tina said.

"Awesome! Maybe Flldo the same."

Summer was flattered Tina wanted to copy her. Tina - who was so cool with her long dark curly hair and radical outfits.

"You can come out to my beach house any time,"

Summer said, scrambling to jot down her phone number.

"Maybe I will,"

Tina said.

Jed informed her that Tina worked as a model for a clothes manufacturer downtown.

"Wow!"

Summer sighed enviously.

"I'd give anything to get into that kind of deal."

"Ask her,"

Jed said.

"Maybe there's an opening. And while you're at it, tell your stepfather to star me in one of his movies!"

"As if,"

Summer snorted.

They both laughed, and Jed whirled her onto the crowded dance floor.

&&&

Richard fixed two Martinis before walking Kimberly out onto the deck.

"This is fantastid"

she breathed, sipping her drink.

"A house right on the beach - it's always been my dream!"

Richard put his Martini glass down on a ledge. He was mad at Nikki; how dare she desert him and go running after Lara, trying to persuade her to appear in her nothing little movie. Especially after he'd told her not to. Yes, he was mad, and now he was drunk, and it was all Nikki's fault. Ambition was a dangerous thing.

He reached for Kimberly and her musky scent. She melted into his arms as if she belonged there.

He put his hands in her hair, pushing it behind her ears. Then he went for the buttons on her blouse - undoing them one by one.

"Aren't you going to kiss me?"

she asked.

102

Oh yes, of course I am.

He put his tongue in her mouth, wondered if he had a condom hoped that she did because he had no need of them any more. Except now. To consummate this act of adultery.

God! If Nikki finds out she'll leave me.

There's no way she can find out.

He undressed Kimberly slowly. She had on lacy lingerie straight out of a Victoria's Secret catalogue - which really turned him on. First he undid her front-fastening bra - revealing nice tits with chewable nipples. Then he peeled off her thong panties - exposing her shaved bush. Finally he undipped her garter belt and rolled off her stockings.

When she was naked he laid her across the outdoor glass table and fucked her quickly - pumping away for only a few minutes before coming.

The moment it was over he wanted her gone.

Get rid of her!

Get her out of here before Lara finds out.

Lara ... he thought mournfully, I never should've let you go. Why did I allow it to happen ?

Kimberly had other ideas - she was determined to experience the after-glow and nothing was going to stop her. Pulling him down on a lounger, she wrapped her long legs around his, trapping him in a tangle of damp luscious limbs.

"That was delicious,"

she murmured, as if she had just consumed a dish of pasta and meatballs.

"Gotta call you a cab,"

he mumbled, trying to disentangle himself.

"It's late."

"I thought your wife was away,"

she said accusingly.

"Why can't I stay?"

"My stepdaughter . . . she'll be home any minute."

Risky business. What if Summer had walked in on them?

He finally managed to extract himself from Kimberly's clinging limbs and staggered to the phone, quickly ordering a cab. Then he gathered her clothes and gave her a little shove in the direction of the guest bathroom.

When she emerged a few minutes later she was dressed, but not happy.

"You didn't satisfy me,"

she complained.

"I didn't come."

103 What was wrong with women today? Wasn't it enough that she'd put a smile on his face?

"Next time,"

he promised.

An awkward wait until he heard the cab drawing up. Then he stuffed a hundred bucks in loose bills into her hand and escorted her outside.

"What's this?"

she said, staring disdainfully at the crumpled banknotes, almost ready to turn the money down.

"Cab fare,"

he said.

"Oh,"

she said, and kept the money.

Just as he was about to deposit her safely in the back of the cab, a limo drew up to the house, and out jumped Summer.

"Richard!"

she exclaimed in surprise.

"Is Mom back?"

<

"Uh . . . no,"

Richard said, completely thrown.

"My ... uh ... assistant and I were just finishing off some work."

"That's right,"

Kimberly said.

Summer chewed on her thumb. It was quite obyious he was up to something. Did he think she was a total dweeb?

Jed jumped out of the limo, determined to get introduced.

"Mr Barry . . . sir. I'm a big admirer of your work. You're one of the stalwarts of the industry."

"Thank you,"

Richard said stiffly. Did stalwart mean old? Who was this jerk anyway? And why was he bringing Summer home in a limo?

"Night,"

Summer said, skipping inside the house, relieved she didn't have to fight Jed off.

Richard shoved Kimberly into the cab and followed Summer into the house, slamming the door behind him.

"Sleep tight, Richard,"

Summer said, standing at the door of her room, looking cute, rumpled and very, very pretty.

"You, too,"

he replied, completely unnerved.

The sooner Nikki came home, the better it would be for all concerned.

104

^
^Jfb THE PARTY at Lara's house - put together by a ^^Jff^fm^* frantic Cassie at the last moment - was a raging success. Everyone was letting loose and having a good time.

Lara sat at one of the tables in the garden with Nikki. Seated with them were Miles and his Hollywood wife, Ginny; a solo Barbara Westerberg; and Kyle Carson, who'd flown in a date for the weekend - an anorexic English model who appeared to be no more than fourteen with her waif-like face and concentration camp body.

"If I'd realized you were planning a party,"

Nikki said, sipping a Margarita,

"I'd have brought better clothes."

"You always look great,"

Lara said, smiling at her friend - a knockout in a short red Thierry Mugler dress.

"Thanks,"

Nikki replied.

"And you always know the right thing to say."

"Yes, like I'll do your movie. Right?"

"Right!"

Nikki grinned, thrilled that Lara understood and loved the script.

"Is Richard OK by himself in LA?"

Lara asked, remembering that he couldn't stand being left alone when they were married.

"He's got Summer to look after him,"

Nikki replied, sipping a frozen Margarita.

"Crazy, isn't it? She loves my husband - hates me. How did I become such a failure as a mother?"

"You're not a failure,"

Lara said, choosing her words carefully.

"I told you - she's going through a phase."

105 "I guess . . ."

Nikki answered doubtfully.

"Anyway, I thought the two of them could bond even more. Eventually, if we have kids of our own, it'll be like we're all one big happy family."

"Are you planning on having a baby?"

Lara asked, surprised.

"No,"

Nikki said quickly.