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Category:
Action/Thriller
Publisher: Amazon Media EU
ISBN-10: 864091195
Type: Fiction
Pages: 180
Copyright: May 7, 2020
ISBN-13: 979864091195
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Fall for their charm at your own peril.
Dr Julian Fitz-Bartholomew, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, goes to a bar after attending a Health Minister’s Forum to relax and put his long and draining day behind him. After talking to an attractive young lady with an alluring middle-class British accent, whose features gave him the impression she was of Eastern European descent, he regains consciousness on a beach close to his hotel late at night. When he takes a bath, he discovers a black line drawn along his breastbone, and a ruptured puncture wound in the crease of his arm. Given his medical background, he suspects he was drugged and something untoward was meant to happen to him. To prevent anybody else being subjected to his traumatic experience, and the press catching wind of what had happened, he turns to a private investigator, Jane. Working with her small team, Martine, and recruit, cocky wide-boy Grant, they race against time to find out who’s responsible for what happened to Julian—before whoever it is gets what they’re hunting for. And reporters have the opportunity to twist Julian’s innocent conversation with the vixen into a sex scandal, thereby potentially destroying his marriage and career.
Excerpt
I open the door. My nostrils fill with perfume-scented air laced with alcohol which lures me inside. I glance to my left and right—there are quite a few couples enjoying a romantic night together. A group of work colleagues are letting off steam after a hectic day. A few strays, like myself, sitting or on foot at the bar staring at everything and nothing.
Except one. The attractive young lady standing beside a stool wearing a hip hugging black satin skirt with a matching blouse, sheer enough to show off her satin camisole underneath. Everything accentuated her curves beautifully, and yet left a bit to the imagination. Her stiletto heels with thin shoestring laces, wound around her feet, up and above her ankles begged to be untied and unlaced slowly.
She doesn’t take her eyes off me, and I don’t know why. I glimpse behind me, but there’s nobody there—just me. She’s definitely staring at me, and my brow and palms become moist. I’m not sure if I’m flattered or shocked by her direct and unashamed eye contact. The other people in the bar, and the noise have faded into the background.
I head to the bar, not sure where to position myself along it. There are some gaps, but only one spare stool, and the mysterious lady has her Hermes handbag on it. I recognise it because Claudia has one and I remember how much it cost me.
Uncomfortable, I change direction. She acknowledges me, smiles, revealing immaculate white teeth, and takes her handbag off the stool. I walk towards her, nod and sit down. “Erm…that’s very kind of you to let me take your seat.”
She giggles. “Actually, it was my handbag’s seat, so she’s the one you should be thanking, not me.” Her middle-class British accent, and stunning facial profile and skin tone, which are suggestive of her Eastern European descent, are both charming and sexy. Her pupils are dilated.
I’m unable to sit still.
I chuckle. “Oh, I see. Forgive me, my mistake. Let me correct that right away.” I eye the handbag trying not to laugh. “Why, thank you, Ms. Hermes.” My cheeks burn slightly. I hope she appreciates, or at least tolerates, my pathetic attempt at humour.
She cocks her head to one side, eyes wide, lips pouting, and stares into my eyes. “Ooh, I’m impressed. Not many men can tell the difference between a Hermes handbag and what they sell at street markets, even if it’s swung at them with a brick inside it.”
We both laugh, me nervously, her confidently.
“Well, I’ve learned with time, it always pays to recognise a good handbag, if you want to keep on the right side of the ladies.”
“You’re quite the ladies’ man, are you?”
I shuffle uncomfortably on my stool, waving a finger. “Maybe once upon a time, but not anymore. Those days are over, I’m pleased to say.” I point to my wedding ring.
She flinches, her smoky vixen eyes aren’t sparkling so much. I sense disappointment. She averts her attention to my ring, takes my hand in hers, and raises it so she can inspect it. The view of her hair is replaced by her face and our gazes lock. “Aww. That’s so sweet. I’m really happy for you, and your wife. She’s a very lucky woman to have a handsome charismatic man like you. Do you have children?”
“Yes, we have two beautiful children—a girl and a boy.” I puff my chest out.
The sparkle in her eyes is back. “How lovely. Oh well, I’m quite young, so I’m sure I’ll have plenty of time for all that later in life.”
“Oh, I have no doubt in my mind you’ll find the right man when the times right for you. After all, you’re an extremely pretty and attractive young lady.” I tug on my jacket sleeve.
“Oh, stop it. You’ll have me blushing. And…” She pauses and taps a red polished nail against her glossy red lips—a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’m not trying to pick you up. It’s just nice to have some good company. It’s not much fun being in a bar on your own. Especially when it seems like I’ve been stood up by a guy I was meant to be meeting. Anyway, changing the subject, and without wishing to sound rude… Are you going to order a drink for us both, or do I have to?”
I cover my face with my hand. She oozes confidence and has no problem taking control. “Oh my goodness. I didn’t think for one minute you were trying to…you know. Anyway…swiftly moving on. Of course, I’ll order us a drink. What would you like?”
She points at her empty Martini cocktail glass. “I’ll stick with the dry Martini’s, thank you.”
“Coming up. And, would Ms. Hermes like a drink?”
She giggles flirtatiously. My passionate senses ignite when she caresses my forearm.
“No, she’s driving, so she’d better not. My name’s Mila by the way. And you are?”
“Ah, I’m Julian.” I swivel my stool as she moves her hand away. I’m relieved, but surprisingly disappointed. I raise a finger in the air to attract one of the bartender’s attention.
“What can I get you, sir?”
“A dry Martini and a large scotch with ice, please.”
“Coming right up, sir.”
I glance to my left. Mila rests her chin in her hand as she leans against the bar. She studies me quizzically. “Do you work here, or are you just visiting?”
“I’m just visiting. I’m attending a conference and thank goodness it finishes tomorrow.” I’m momentarily reminded of Claudia, but Mila’s suggestive smirk has me mesmerised.
“Oh right. In which case you’re only going to be in town for tonight?”
I nod. “That’s right. As lovely as this place probably is, I can’t say I’ve really had the time to appreciate it, and I can’t wait to get back home.”
“Yes, I’m sure. It must be difficult being away from your family.”
“Harder than you can imagine.”
“Where are you staying?”
“The Royal Chesterfield. Do you know it?”
“Oh yes, I know it. It must be a very important conference if you’re staying there. It’s not cheap that place.”
“I wouldn’t know about that, but I guess it must be.” I shift awkwardly on my stool. “Anyway. I don’t really want to think about that place right now. That’s why I came here—to get a break from it.”
Mila grimaces. “I’m sorry. Let’s change the subject.”
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