The Billionaire Banker

Book One

Georgia Le Carre

Book 1 of the Billionaire Banker series

Published by Georgia Le Carre Copyright 2013 by Georgia Le Carre The right of Georgia Le Carre to be identified as the Author of the Work has been asserted by her in accordance with the copyright, designs and patent act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. All characters in this publication are fictitious, any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. ISBN: 978-0-9576812-4-8 You can discover more information about Georgia Le Carre and future releases here.
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The Billionaire Banker

Dedicated to all who have love and passion in their lives, and to those who are still searching

Table of Contents
One....................................................................................... 1 Two...................................................................................... 5 Three.................................................................................. 16 Four.................................................................................... 27 Five..................................................................................... 37 Six....................................................................................... 45 Seven................................................................................... 53 Eight................................................................................... 63 Nine.................................................................................... 73 Ten..................................................................................... 83 Eleven................................................................................. 89 Twelve...............................................................................98 Thirteen............................................................................ 107 Fourteen............................................................................115 Fifteen............................................................................... 126 Sixteen............................................................................... 137 Seventeen..........................................................................141 Eighteen............................................................................. 151 Nineteen...........................................................................156 Twenty............................................................................. 164 Twenty one.......................................................................171 Twenty two.......................................................................181 Twenty three....................................................................186 Twenty four...................................................................... 195 Twenty five...................................................................... 204 Twenty six......................................................................... 215

Twenty seven...................................................................223 Twenty eight....................................................................226 Twenty nine.....................................................................234 Thirty............................................................................... 245 Thirty one........................................................................ 249 Thirty two........................................................................255 Thirty three......................................................................259 Thirty four........................................................................261 Book 2.............................................................................. 266

You arent wealthy until you have something money cant buy.

Garth Brooks

One

lake Law Barrington drops a cube of sugar into the creamy face of his espresso, stirs it with the dinky spoon he finds on the saucer, and glances at his platinum Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillion. Acquired at Christies Important Watches auction last autumn for a cool half a million dollars. Eight minutes past eight. He has a party to go to, but tonight he will give it a miss. It has been a long day. He is tired. He has to be in New York tomorrow. And it will be one of those incomprehensibly dreary affairs, where he will invariably feel he has stepped back in time, and any minute Winston Churchill could walk through the door. He takes a sip the coffee here is always superband returns the tiny cup to its white rim. Summoning a waiter for the check, he senses the activity level in the room take a sudden hike.

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Automatically, he lifts his eyes to where all the other eyes, mostly male, have veered to. Of course. A girl. In a cheap, orange dress and a lap dancers six-inch high plastic platforms. Youre looking for love in all the wrong places. A waiter in a burgundy waistcoat bearing the bill has silently materialized at his side. Not taking his eyes off the girldespite the impossible shoes she has a good walk, sexyhe orders himself a whiskey. The waiter slinks away after a right-away-sir nod, and Blake leans back into the plush chair to watch the show. It is one of those exclusive restaurants where there are transparent black voile curtains hung between the tables and discreet fans to tease and agitate the gauzy material. There are three curtains between him and the girl and he experiences a flash of irritation that he is unable to see her face properly. Minus the shoes she is perhaps five feet five or six inches. She has the same body type as Lady Gaga, girlishly narrow with fine delicate limbs, and her skin is the color of thick cream. His eyes travel from the waist-length curtain of jet-black hair to the swelling curve of her breasts and hips, down her shapely legs to those awful, bright-orange platforms. Very nice, but At twenty-nine, he is already jaded. Though he watches her with the same speculation of all the other men in the room she is a toy that no longer holds any real excitement for him. He does not need to meet her to know her. He has had hundreds like herhot, greedy pussies and cold,

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cold hearts. It is always the same. Each one hiding talons of steely ambition that hook into his flesh minutes after they rise like resurrected phoenixes from a night in his bed. Safe to say he has realized the error of his ways. But. Something about her has aroused his attention. She comes further into the room and even the billowing layers of curtains cannot conceal her great beauty or youth. Certainly she is far too young for her dining companion who has just barged in with all the grace of a retired rugby player. Blake recognizes him instantly. Rupert Lothian. An over-privileged, nerve gratingly colossal bore. He is one of the banks high profile private customers. The bank never does business with anyone they do not check out first and his report was sickening. Curious. What could someone so fresh-faced and beautiful be doing with one so noted for ugly games? And they are ugly games that Lothian plays. He watches three waiters head off towards the new arrivals and the fluid, elegantly choreographed dance they perform to seat and hand them their menus. Now he has her only in profile. She has put the menu on the table and is sitting ramrod-straight with her hands tightly clasped in her lap. She crosses and uncrosses her legs nervously. Unbidden, an image pops into his head. It is as alive and wicked as only an image can be. Those long, fine legs entangled in silky sheets. He stares helplessly as she pulls away the sheets, turns her mouth into a red O, and

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deliberately opens her legs to expose her sex to him. He sees it clearly. A juicy, swollen fruit that he wants. Blake sits forward abruptly. Fuck. He thought he had passed the season of fantasizing about having sex with strangers. He reaches for his whiskey and shoots it. From the corner of his eyes he sees a waiter discreetly whisper something to Lothian. The man rises with all the pomposity he can muster and leaves with the waiter. Blake transfers his attention to the girl again. She has collapsed backwards into the chair. Her shoulders sag and her relief is obvious. She stares moodily at the tablecloth and frowns. Then, she seems to visibly force herself away from whatever thoughts troubled her, and lets her glance wander idly around the room until her truly amazing eyes he has never seen anything like them beforecollide with his unwavering stare. And through the gently shifting black gauze his breath is punched out of his body, and he is seized by an unthinking, irresistible call to hunt. To possess. To own her.

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Two

t can have been only seconds, but it seems like ages that Lana is held locked and hypnotized by the strangers insolent eyes. When she recalls it later she will remember how startlingly white his shirt had been against his tanned throat, and swear that even the air between them had shimmered. Strange too how all the background sounds of cutlery, voices and laughter had faded into nothing. It was as if she had wandered into a strange and compelling universe where there was no one else but her and that devilishly handsome man. But here she is prey. The powerful spell is broken when he raises his glass in an ironic salute. Hurriedly, she tears her gaze away, but her thin faade of poise is completely shattered. Hot blood is rushing up into her neck and cheeks; and her heart is racing like a mad thing. What the hell just happened?

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She feels his gaze like a burning tingle on her skin. To hide she bends her head and lets her hair fall forward. But the desire to dare another look is immense. She has never experienced such an instant and physical attraction before. With broad shoulders, a deep tan, smoldering eyes, a strong jaw, and straight-out-of-bed, vogue-cool, catwalk hair that flops onto his forehead, he looks like one of those totally hot and brooding Abercrombie and Fitch models, only more savage and fierce. Devastatingly more. But she is not here to flirt with drop dead gorgeous strangers, or to find a man for herself. She presses her fingers against her flaming cheeks, and forces herself to calm down. All her concentration must go into getting Rupert to agree to her proposal. He is her last hope. Her only hope. Nothing could ever be more important than her reason for being there with such a man as him. She looks miserably towards the tall doors where he has gone. This cold, pillared place of opulence is where rich people come to eat. A waiter wearing white gloves comes through the doors bearing a covered tray. She feels out of her depth. The orange dress is itchy and prickly and she longs to scratch several places on her body. Then there are the butterflies flapping dementedly inside her stomach. Dont ruin this, she tells herself. Youve come this far. Nervously, to regain her composure, she presses her lips together and firmly pushes the sarcastically curving mouth out of her mind. She must concentrate on the horrible

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task ahead. But those insolent eyes, they would not go. She brings to mind her mothers thin, sad face, and suddenly the strangers eyes are magically gone. She straightens her back. Prepares herself. She will not fail. Rupert, having met whomever he had gone to meet, is weaving his way back to her and when their eyes touch she flashes him a brilliant smile. She will not fail. He smiles back triumphantly. He comes around to her side and drops her a quick kiss, before slumping heavily into his seat. She has to stop herself from reaching up to wipe her mouth. Rupert seems transformed. Expansive, almost jolly. Thats one deal that came in the nick of time. Its almost as if the heavens have decided that I deserve a piece of you. The way he says it almost makes her flinch with horror. Lucky me, she says softly, surprising herself. She tells herself she is playing a part. One that she can vanish into and emerge from unscathed, but she knows it is not true. There will be repercussions and consequences. He smiles nastily. He knows she does not fancy him, but that is part of the thrill. Taking what does not want to be taken. Well then, dont be coy, lets hear it. How much are you going to cost me? Lana takes a deep breath. A bull this large can only be taken by the horns. Fifty thousand pounds. His dirty blond eyebrows shoot upwards. Not exactly cheap. There is something spiteful in his voice. What do I

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get for my money? They are both startled out of their conversation by a deep, curt voice. Rupert. Mr. Barrington, Rupert gasps, and literally flies to his feet. What an unexpected pleasure, he croons obsequiously. Lana drops her head with shame. It is the stranger. He has heard her sell herself. I dont believe Ive had the pleasure of your companions acquaintance. Blake Law Barrington, Lana Bloom, Lana Bloom, Blake Law Barrington. She looks up then, a long way uphe is definitely over six feet, maybe six twoto meet his stormy-grey stare. They are the most mesmerizing eyes she has ever encountered. She searches them for disgust, but they are veiled, impenetrable pits of mystery. She begins to tremble. Her body knows something she does not. He is dangerous to her in a way she cannot yet conceive. Hello, Lana. Hi, she says. Her voice sounds small. Like a child that has been told to greet an adult. Perhaps, he has not heard her sell herself, after all. He puts his hand out, and after a perceptible hesitation, she puts hers into it. His hands are large and warm, and his clasp firm and safe, but she snatches hers away as if burnt. He breaks his gaze briefly to glance at Rupert. There is a party tonight at Lord Jakies. Then those darkly fringed

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eyes return to her. Inscrutable as ever. Would you like to come as my guests? His voice is an intriguing combination of velvet and husk. It is as if he is addressing only her. It sends delicious shivers up and down her spine. Confused, by the unfamiliar sensations she tears her eyes away from him and looks at Rupert. Ruperts eyebrows are almost in his hairline. Lord Jakie? he repeats. There is unconcealed delight in his face. He seems a man who has found a bottle of rare wine in his own humble cellar. Thats terribly kind of you, Mr. Barrington. Terribly kind. Of course, wed love to, he accepts quickly for both of them. Good. Ill leave your names at the door. See you there. He nods at Lana and she registers the impression that he is obsessively clean and controlled. There is no mess in this mans life. A place for everything and everything in its place. Then he is gone. Rupert and she watch him walk away. He has the walk of a supremely confident man. Rupert turns to face her again; his face is mean and at odds to his words. Well, well, he drawls, You must be my lucky charm. Why? First, I get the deal Ive been after for the last year and a half, then the great man not only deigns to speak to me, but invites me to a party thrown by the crme de la crme of high society. Who is he?

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He, my dear, is the next generation of arguably the richest family in the world. The Barringtons, Lana whispers, shocked. He even smells of old money and establishment, doesnt he? Rupert says, and neighs loudly at his own joke. Rupert himself smells like grated lemon peel. The citrusy scent reminds her of Fairy washing up liquid. A waiter appears to ask what they would like to drink. Well have your finest house champagne, Rupert booms. He winks at Lana. Were celebrating. A bottle and ice bucket arrive with flourish. The only time she has drunk champagne before is when Billie and she dressed up and presented themselves as bride and bridesmaid to be, at the Ritz, and pretended Lana was about to drop forty thousand pounds into their coffers by cutting her wedding cake there. They quaffed half a bottle of champagne and a whole tray of canaps while being shown around the different function rooms. Afterwards, Billie thanked them nicely and said they would be in touch. How they had laughed on the bus journey back. Lana watches as the waiter expertly extracts the cork. It leaves the bottle with a quiet hiss. Another waiter in a black jacket reels off the specials for the night and asks them if they are ready to order. Rupert looks at her. The beef on the bone here is very good. I guess Ill just have whatever youre having. Im actually having steak tartare.

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Then Ill have the same. He looks at the waiter. A dozen oysters to start then steak tartare and side orders of vegetables and mashed potatoes. Im not really hungry. No starter for me, she says quickly. When the waiter is gone, he raises his glass. To us. To us, she repeats softly. It sticks in her throat. She takes a small sip and tastes nothing. She puts the glass on the table and looks at her hands. You have very beautiful skin. It was the first thing I noticed about you. Does itmark very easily? Yes, she admits warily. I knew it, he boasts with a sniff. I am a connoisseur of skin. I love the taste and the touch of skin. I can already imagine the taste of yours. A skin of wine. He eyes her over the rim of his glass. She has tried her best not to look at the dandruff flakes that liberally dust the shoulders of his pin-striped suit, but with that last remark he has tossed his head and a flurry of motes have floated off his head and fallen onto the pristine tablecloth. Her eyes have helplessly followed their progress. She looks up to find him looking at her speculatively. What will I be getting for my money? Lana blinks. It is all wrong. She shouldnt be here. In this dress, or shoes, sitting in front of this obscene piece of filth hiding behind his handmade shirt, gold cufflinks and plummy, upper class accent. This man degrades and

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offends her simply by looking at her. She wishes herself somewhere else. But she is here. All her credit cards are maxed out. Two banks have impolitely turned her down. And there is nothing else to do, but be here in this dress and these slutty shoes Her stomach is in knots, but she smiles in what she hopes is a seductive way. What would you like for your money? Forget what I would like for the moment. What are you selling? His eyes have become suddenly hard. Me, I guess. That makes him snort with cruel laughter. You are an extraordinarily beautiful girl, but to be honest I can get five first class supermodels for your asking price. What makes you think youre worth that kind of money? Im a virgin. He stops laughing. A suspicious look enters his pale blue eyes. How old are you? Twenty. Well, she will be in two months time. He frowns. And you say youre still a virgin? Yes. Saving yourself up for someone special, were you? His tone is annoying. Does it matter? Her nails bite into her clenched fist. His eyes glitter. No, I suppose not. He pauses. How do I know youre not lying? Lana swallows. The taste of her humiliation is bitter. Ill undergo any medical tests you require me to. He laughs. No need. No need, he dismisses. Blood

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on the sheets will be enough for me. The way he says blood makes Lanas blood run cold. Are all orifices up for sale? Oh! the brutality of the man. Something dies inside her, but she keeps the image of her mother in her mind, and her voice is clear and strong. Yes. So all that is left is to renegotiate the price? Lana has to stop herself from recoiling. She knows now that she has committed two out of the nine sorts of behaviors her mother has warned her are considered contemptible and base. She has expected generosity from a miser and she has told her need to her enemy. The price is not negotiable. His gaze sweeps meaningfully to her champagne glass. Shall we give this party a go first and bargain later, when you are in a better mood? Lana understands. He thinks he can drive the price down when she is drunk. The price is not negotiable, she says firmly. And will have to be paid up front. He smiles smarmily. Im sure well come to some agreement that we will both be happy with. Lana frowns. She has been nave. Her plan is sketchy and has no provisions for a sharp punter or price negotiations. She heard through the office grapevine where she worked as temporary secretary that her boss was one of those men who are prepared to pay a ten thousand pounds a pop for his pleasure and often, but she had never thought he would reduce her to bargaining.

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While Rupert stuffs himself with cheese and biscuits she excuses herself and goes to the ladies. There is another woman standing at the mirror. She glances at Lana with a mixture of envy and disgust. Lana waits until she leaves, then calls her mother. Hi, Mum. Where are you, Lana? Im still at the restaurant. What time will you be coming home? Ill be late. Ive been invited to a party. A party, her mother repeats worriedly. Where? I dont know the address. Somewhere in London. How will you get home? A wire of panic has crept into her mothers voice. Lana sighs. She has almost never left her mother alone at night; consequently her mother is now a bundle of jittery nerves. I have a ride, Mum. Just dont wait up for me, OK? All right. Be careful, wont you? Nothing is going to happen to me. Yes, yes, her mother says, but she sounds distracted and unhappy. How are you feeling, Mum? Good. Goodnight, then. Ill see you in the morning. Lana? Yeah.

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I love you very much. Me too, Mum. Me too. She flips shut her phone with a snap. She no longer feels cheap or obscene. She feels strong and sure. There is nothing Rupert can do that will degrade her. She will have that money no matter what. She has hardly eatenjust watching Rupert gurgle down the oysters made her feel quite sick, and how was she to know steak tartare was ground raw meat. She reapplies her lipstick and goes out to meet Rupert.

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Three

hall we go? Rupert asks, and before Lana can agree, imperiously clicks his fingers for the bill. They leave the restaurant and once outside, Rupert hails a black cab. It is such a warm evening that Lana carries her coat in her hands. Rupert gives the address to the cab driver and they climb in. Lanas dress has ridden up her thighs, but when she tries to pull it back down, he puts his meaty, white hand over hers and in a firm voice orders, Leave it. Embarrassed, Lana looks into the rearview mirror. The taxi driver is observing them. Wordlessly, she drapes her coat over her knees and turns her face away from Rupert, to stare out. Damn him. As she gazes unseeingly out she feels his hand slide under her coat and settle on her thighs. Biting her lip she tries to ignore the hand, but it is slithering up her thigh. When it is almost at her crotch she catches the offending hand in hers. She turns to him and looks him in the eye.

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We dont have a deal yet. True, he says, and retracts his hand, but the smile on his face is taunting and smug. He knows she needs the money. The rest of the journey passes in silence while Lanas stomach churns. She is so nervous she actually feels afraid she will lose the few vegetables she has eaten on the floor of the cab. Fortunately, the taxi turns into Bishops Avenue and they come to a stop outside a large, white, three-story Regency house. There are fancy cars parked bumper to bumper along the length of the street. Rupert pays the cab driver and they walk up a short flight of steps to a set of black doors. Rupert rings the bell and through the tall windows Lana sees the kind of people that she has only seen in magazines. Immaculately dressed and dripping in jewelry. She looks down upon her cheap orange dress in dismay. She pulls at the hem, but her efforts at modesty are counter-productive, as more of her cleavage falls into view. Dont worry, Rupert lies cheerfully. Youll do. A round man in an old-fashioned butlers uniform opens the door. His manner suggests disdain. He can tell instantly they do not belong. Rupert haughtily informs him that they are guests of Blake Barrington. The man eyes register recognition. A glimmer of a smile surfaces. He nods politely and stands aside to welcome them in. Lana takes a deep breath, enters the grand hallway and stifles a gasp at her splendid surroundings. From outside it did not appear so large and spacious.

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She has never been anywhere so beautiful. Now she understands what Rupert meant by the smell of old money. The walls are covered with museum quality paintings. She gazes up at the cherubs and Madonna-like women looking down at her with awe. They are so beautiful that she wants a closer look, but Rupert is guiding her firmly by the elbow towards a sort of anteroom where a young woman takes her coat in exchange for a ticket. From two open doorways live classical music and voices emanate. A waiter carrying a tray of champagne stops in front of them. Lana has hardly drunk at the restaurant in an effort to remain sober and level-headed, but now she knows she must be drunk or she will never be able to go through her deal with the devil. A pasty white devil with dandruff. Lana takes a glass, and with a restraining hand on the surprised waiters arm, drains the tall flute. The bubbles hit her at the back of her throat and make her eyes water. She returns the empty glass to the tray and snags another two. Thanks, she says breathlessly, and the waiter, a young Mediterranean type, allows his dark, restless eyes to wander down to her chest. Rupert watches her with feral, excited eyes. He wants her drunk. He has plans for her. He guides her by the small of her back into one of the rooms. Lana looks at the other womens clothes. They probably cost more than she makes in a year. Lana feels many pairs of eyes on her. She

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is aware that she stands out like a sore thumb. She looks towards the string quartet and finds their eyes on her too. Damn that Barrington guy for inviting them here. She sucks her champagne glass dry. Another waiter passes and she pulls another glass from the tray. Go easy, Rupert warns. She turned towards him with a bright smile. I thought you wanted me drunk and pliable. He takes her elbow and leads her deeper into the room close to a large palm plant. With his back to the party he says, I dont like fucking inert bodies. Her eyes widen. The champagne has already gone to her head. No time better than now. She feels courageous again. OK, Im ready to talk terms now. Right, you dont want inert bodies. What do you want? From the camels lips came cold breath. Have you read Fifty Shades Of Grey? Almost all the other girls at the agency have read the book and she has been present while they have raved about it, but she has been confused by its popularity. Did women really have a secret desire to be owned by a powerful man? Could it be love when a man wants to tie you up and flog you raw? When she mentioned it to her mother, her mother had smiled and astutely remarked, The Western woman sneered at the woman in the purdah and now she dons a dog collar and worships at the same altar. Lana looks into his pale eyes. No, but isnt it about a sick man who abuses his lover?

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Perhaps it is not a sickness, but a matter of taste. Is that what you want from me? Not quite. What I really like is taking a woman by force. A dangerous activity likely to end me behind bars, so I am willing to settle for consensual rape. You will meet me in parks and alleyways, or I will pick you up in my car from a street corner and you will pretend to resist while I overpower you and rape you. There will be a bit of pain and sometimes it will involve a little bleeding, but I will never mark your face or leave any permanent scars. And when I am finished I will leave you in the gutter to make your own way back. Would that be acceptable to you? Shocked to her core, Lana hears her own voice as if from far away say, How many times would you expect thisservice from me? Lets say five times? She feels as if she is a stick-figured bird precariously perched on a thin wire. Ruperts face is frozen into a cold mask. A businessman to the end. Ten thousand must be the going price. The champagne has made her feel quite light-headed. He is waiting for something from her. He has already figured that her body is her last option. Can she really agree to let someone rape her? Unable to speak she nods. Perhaps I should let you lick the brim to taste the poison, he murmurs, and moves closer to her. Instinctively, she takes a step back on her tall shoes, and if not for the solid wall against her back, would have fallen.

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With the trailing fronds of a palm tree and his big body hiding her from the party his hand comes up to pinch her right nipple. So hard she gasps in shock and pain. He takes that opportunity to crash down on her open mouth, bumps his teeth against her lips, and pokes a pointy, muscular tongue into her mouth. His tongue tastes coppery and bitter. Copious amounts of saliva pour into her mouth making her want to gag. The oysters she has not eaten but watched him eat flash into her mind. His tongue feels slimy and dirty. She wants to brush her teeth, rinse, spit, and rinse again with the extra-strong mouthwash that her father used to have in the bathroom cabinet. She truly needs to go somewhere and be sick, but pinned tightly by his strong ox-like body to the wall she finds herself totally unable to move. She feels his hand force itself between her thighs and slide up quickly. His rough, sausages-like fingers are already grasping the rim of her knickers and pushing the material aside. And there is not a single thing she can do about it. Tears gather at the backs of her eyes and begin to roll down her face. Suddenly he removes his mouth and looks down at her. Her face is white with horror and she is gasping for breath. He brings up a hand and touches her face. Her distress seems to please him. Her suffering is his pleasure. She is playing the part perfectly. If she had enjoyed it, it would have spoilt it for him. For most part the symptoms of excitement and fear are so similar most men cannot tell the difference. I can, he

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whispers close to her ear, his thick fingers moving into the folds of her flesh. I am going to finger-fuck you amongst all these high and mighty people and none of them will ever know. She is filled with loathing for him. Her brain scrambles for escape. Dont you care, she whispers back, through horrified lips, what these people will think of us? Of you? I thought you were pleased to be in the company of the crme de la crme of society. His laugh is harsh and sudden. Did you see anybody come to greet me or talk to me? I am as invisible as you are, probably more so. Nobody is looking at us, because nobody cares about us. We are the outsiders. Desperately, she pushes the palms of her hands against his chest. The nausea threatens at her throat. She must be sick I need the toilet, she gasps. He hesitates for a second and then he smiles. It is the smile of a man who is too pleased with himself. Its not very posh to say toilet. This lot call it the loo. Go on, then, he says, and steps aside. The first thing her shocked, ashamed eyes meet is Blake. There is a blonde in a long red dress wrapped around him, but he is staring at Lana with an expression on his face she cannot fathom. His eyes are blazing. Lana snaps her mouth shut, squares her shoulders, and pushing herself away from the wall takes a step forward. Her knees feel shaky and she is afraid she will fall, but she

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does not. She needs to get away. Away from the scene of her humiliation. She feels heads turning to watch her, disgusted expressions and whispers. She stumbles away towards the door. She can hardly control the rising nausea. She doesnt dare open her mouth to ask anyone where the loos are, but she spots two young women disappearing down a corridor and she rushes after them. They lead her to a cloakroom and she pushes past them, ignoring their offended cries of Hey. She runs into one of two cubicles and falling to her knees violently throws up the bits of vegetables she has eaten and the champagne. One of the girls asks if she is all right and she chokes, Fine. She hears them go into the other cubicle and lock the door. She sits back on her heels and the hot tears come. She covers her mouth to muffle her sobs. She has made a fool of herself. What will she do? What will she do? Numbly she hears the girls in the next cubicle giggling about what all girls giggle and chat aboutmen. Then her ears pick up the sounds of them snorting lines of cocaine. When they leave she flushes the toilet and opens the door. She notices what she had not before. How grand the furnishings are. There is a very large ornate, gilded mirror stretched across the wall. The other toilet seems to be in use and a thin woman with immaculate hair is perched on one of the gold and cream chairs waiting her turn. There is an air of superior calm about her. Her eyes meet Lanas briefly but curiously, before she enters the cubicle that Lana has vacated.

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Lana goes to stand in front of the mirror. She stares at herself. Her face is deathly pale and the cheap mascara she purchased from the market is smudged and running; her lips look as if she has been stung by bees, and her eyes are red from crying. This is what Blake Barrington saw. She looks like she feels. Soiled. The woman in the other cubicle comes out. She looks identical to the woman who had perched herself on the chair. With a quick, surprised glance at Lana, she goes to stand at the other end of the mirror. She pats her immaculate hair, brushes away imaginary specks of dust from her soft pink dress suit and leaves. Lana turns on the tap and rinses her mouth with plenty of water. Scooping water in her palms she washes her face with hand soap and scrubs it dry with a paper towel. Without her make-up she feels defenseless. There is a sick pervert out there who wants to rape her and leave her torn and bleeding in alleyways. You could walk away. Say fuck you. She couldnt. It was so much money. And he knew it. She needed that money. She considers taking the money and not delivering. What could he do? Its not like he could go to the police or she would be running a refund desk. Then she remembers his eyes. How cold and dangerous. No. Anyway, she has always said, shed rather be the one who bought the Brooklyn Bridge than the one who sold it. Again her thoughts turn to the Barrington man. Why is he still in her mind? Probably the way he had looked at her. No one. Absolutely no one has looked at her like

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that. She indulges in a moment of fantasy. Perhaps he really wants her. He is filthy rich so he will simply give her the money she needs. Gallantly, he will then fall in love with her and they will marry. As she is standing inside her dreams another woman opens the door and enters. It is the blonde in the red dress. She is tall and severely beautiful with an aristocratic nose and bottle-green eyes. She has the same superior air of all the people at this party. The same air that Blake Barrington has claimed for himself. Lana cannot help but watch her through the mirror. Their eyes meet for a second, then the blondes slide away, but in that second there is pure speculation. Everybody knows she does not belong. Lana looks at her reflection. Who is she kidding? Blake Barrington is the biggest cheese on the board. Simply the way Rupert behaved in his presence told her that. He was probably looking at her because she is dressed like a hooker and he thinks she is one. The only real thing she has is her mother. And there is nothing she will not do for her. She thinks of her father. How easily he had walked away when they had needed him most. How weak his love for them had been. Hers is different. She will not walk away even if she has to walk upon a path of thorns. Bleed she will. And that will be the test of her love. She will not let herself be distracted by anything. She will survive any amount of sexual humiliation. Five encounters? Her champagne-addled brain says, thats fucking nothing. The beautiful blonde has turned away

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from the mirror and entered one of the cubicles. Blake Barrington is welcome to her. Lana straightens her spine. I can do this, she says to her reflection. I love you, Mum, better than Dad did, much, much better. She practices the smile she will bestow on Rupert in the mirror, and despite the fear in her belly tells herself that when she is old and wrinkled she will be glad she made this sacrifice. The price will always be worth it. Then there is nothing left to do in that opulent loo, but to walk out of it, and face her decision, and the lengths she will go to for her mother. She opens the door and Blake Barrington is lounging casually against the wall of the corridor. He straightens when he sees her.

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Four

erhaps he is annoyed that he invited her and Rupert to this fine party, and they have showed him up and behaved in a disgusting manner. She does not want another confrontation. She has enough on her plate. Not him, as well. She didnt ask to be invited. She would have ignored him and walked right past had he not raised a detaining finger. She looks defiantly up at him. His eyes scan her face, now devoid of all make-up. Are you all right? Up this close his skin is sunshine and his voice pure velvet. She folds her arms around her body and resists the instinct to take a step back, such is the immensity of animal power he exudes. It is magnetic and irresistible. He reminds her of a panther. Prowling and ready to pounce, full of suppressed restless energy. Muscular, strong. Thank god, for the shoes. They lift her eyes to the level of his straight, stern mouth. She raises her chin, meets him

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square in the eye, and in her best secretarial voice, says. Yes, Im fine. Thank you. I need to talk to you. Oh God, he is going to lecture her. So talk. Privatelythrough here, please. He gestures with his hand. He is careful not to touch her. The corridor leads to a door. He goes ahead of her and holds it open. She hesitates for a moment, then thinks, fuck it, and walks through. The room appears to be some sort of library with walls full of shelves of leather-bound books. The room smells of new leather. She hears him close the door and turns around. He is leaning against the door and simply watching her. Well? she prompted. Are you over eighteen? Yes. Are you sure? Of course I am, she snaps. Not that it is any of your business. What will Lothian get for his money? So he did hear. Oh the shame. If the ground could have opened up and swallowed her Fortunately, a fine anger comes to her rescue. How dare he? The audacity. Overbearing, arrogant bastard. With all the hauteur she can manage under the circumstances, she grates, That is private if you dont mind, and if that was all Its not idle curiosity. Im quite happy to double the sum if its what I think it is.

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She stares at him. She understands why someone like Rupert would have to pay, but Blake Law Barrington? He could have anyone he wants. Then it occurs to her that, perhaps, he is just toying with her. Perhaps it is a thing all rich men do. Her pride comes to the fore. She will not be humiliated twice in one night. Whatever I have offered is for Rupert and only Rupert. Now please get away from that door and the hell away from me. Her voice has risen in anger. His eyes spark. Do you know your eyes are like the blue of struck matches when you are angry. Then more softly, Why would anyone, let alone a stunner like you, get involved with someone who, if the most impeccable sources are to be trusted, is an absolute brute? He beat one woman so badly he broke her jaw, and blinded her in one eye. Lana closes her eyes. She has drunk too much champagne. The whole situation has become impossible for her to deal with in her present condition. She has ventured where she should never have gone. She feels the sting of defeat in her bones. What do you want from me? He leaves the door and walks towards her. Again that sensation that he is a predatory animal. Well for a start He reaches her and suddenly jerks her towards him. She falls forward and is pitched against his hard body. Her palms come into contact with the smooth material of his jacket. Shocked, she is filled with the scent that Rupert called old money and establishment. Difficult to define, but it reminds her of rosemary, not because of its smell,

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but because it is so clear and distinct. Nothing wishywashy about it. Everything takes on an unreal appearance. The fabulously wealthy interior. The man outside that door that wants to rape her for money. The frighteningly remote man in front of her that brings into her body sensations she has never experienced before. A pulse at the base of his throat is throbbing. She watches it curiously. She has never seen it in a man before. And then an arm comes around her, a fistful of hair close to her nape is grasped and tugged so her face is tilted up towards him. This, he says and his mouth swoops down to possess hers. His breath smells like brandy or whiskey. Wicked, anyway. Twice today she has had to endure a strangers uninvited and unwelcome lips, but her reaction to this overbearing man is shocking and immediate. His mouth drives her wild in a way that she could never have imagined. Heat ripples through her and the reasoning, reliable part of her brain, that part that has never failed her before, stops responding. Stops functioning. Her arms snake up to twine around his neck and tangle in the thick hair. She thrills in his possessive hold. He circles her tongue, sucks it deep into his mouth and kisses her with such ferocity that some slumbering beast inside answers his animal call. A dangerous excitement kicks hard in the pit of her belly. No man has ever done this to her in this way before. She clings to him. Like a blind animal that moves only with instinct she pushes her

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body into his. There is only the need to find more of that addictive heat. What she finds is the thick hardness of his desire for her. It presses aggressively against the softness of her stomach and excites her beyond all reason. A pleasure that is at once sweet and piercing courses through her body. This rock-hard erection is hers. She caused it. Heat pools between her legs. And suddenly she is wet with wanting and filled with an irresistible desire to have that hard meat inside her, as deep as he will go She totally forgets where she is. It is Ruperts cold, hard voice that drags her back into that room. They had both not heard him enter. Im afraid shes rather spoken for, he drawls, but there is so much suppressed anger that his voice is like a blast of icy air. She snatches her mouth away from Blakes. He is positioned between her and Rupert so his wide chest hides her from Ruperts condemnation. Her eyes, cloudy with confusion and desire, are still caught in Blakes gaze. For a few seconds more he does not release her, but simply stares into the blue depths with something approaching surprise. Then his eyes turn into hard granite chips and his body stiffens as his hands tighten and curve protectively around her waist. Slowly he turns to face Rupert. But still unpaid for, I believe? he says, and looks down with a smile at Lanas flushed, troubled face. She has two very quick impressions. He is a brilliant actor and he is a cold man. A shockingly cold and unemotional being.

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Rupert directs his astonished, vicious eyes at Lanas. You offered yourself to him too? Lana stares mutely at Rupert. His eyes move derisively, hatefully over her. She feels herself cringe. Does he know how much you charge? Do you doubt I will be able to afford her? Rupert shrivels the way a leech that has had salt thrown on it does. This is why you invited me here, isnt it? Yes. What a joke! he taunts, but his jibe lacks any real bite. The great Barrington cant find his own whore. He has to steal mine. I didnt steal her, Blake notes reasonably. I just offered to pay more. Ruperts eyes bulge, bug-like. Shes just a cheap bloody tart. Ive just finger-fucked her out there, he lies maliciously, jerking his dandruff-laden head in the direction of the door. Lana feels Blakes hand tighten around her waist. Consider it an unearned freebie, then, he says quietly, but there is warning in the calm words. A warning that is not lost on Rupert. The air becomes tight with tension. Lana looks from one man to the other. It is like watching two lions fighting for supremacy. But her body knows which lion she wants to win this fight. Rupert shrugs. He knows hed be a fool to go against a Barrington. He has much to lose. If you think Im going to fight over her youre mistaken. Have her.

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He turns on his heel and leaves. Blake lets go of Lana. She realizes she is trembling. She leans against the desk, hating herself, but unable to stop nothing is more important than the moneyshe asks, Did youdid you mean it about the money? Yes. A sob of relief escapes her throat. She covers her mouth with both her hands. Thank you. He looks at her with narrowed eyes, surprised by the intensity of her reaction, but he does not offer any comment. Did you have a coat? She nods, unable to speak. Give me the ticket. Ill get it. She looks into the purse hanging by her hips, her hands unsteady, and shakes her head miserably. She cannot remember what she has done with it. Ive lost it. I think it might have fallen out in the She is about to say loo when she decides she is not like them and she wont pretend to be something she is not ladies room. Lets go. Ill get you another. I cant leave without it. Its not mine, she whispers. He sighs. Its all right. Ill get it. Is the coater orange? She looks at him carefully. There is an insult there, somewhere. But his face is blank. Yes. Wait here. Dont go anywhere. She stands in the middle of the room feeling lightheaded. Shes got the money and she doesnt have to get

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raped for it. Her hands find their way to her mouth. That kiss. The way it made her feel. Just thinking about it makes her long for the feel of his solid body melded into hers. The door opens, and Rupert walks in. You look frightened. Why? I dont wish you harm. In fact, I realize now that I am actually very interested in your offer. If I seemed unappreciative before please forgive me. There is, she says, shaking her head and taking a step backwards, nothing to forgive. Is he really paying double? I dont need more than what I asked you for. Then why go to him? He is no different from me. He will drop you like a bad mortgage when he is finished with you too. She nods. Of course he will, but like you said, I came with a price. You wanted to bargain and he was willing to pay it. If only she can keep him talking until Blake returns. So am I, now. Besides, you want fifty shades of grey and he just wants a woman. Perhaps Ive changed my mind. Perhaps I just want a woman too. He comes closer. Blake has gone to get my coat. Hell be back any time. Not without this he wont. He holds out her ticket. He puts out a hand suddenly. She tries to move back, but he grabs her by the arm. His grip is vice-like, his fingers dig painfully into her flesh. He hauls her closer.

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Youre hurting me. Youll be surprised how much pain the human body can take. What do you want, Rupert? I feel aggrieved. Something I wanted and was promised to me has been stolen by another. I was given a taste of something which I very much liked. You resist beautifully, Lana. Perhaps, you will do both of us. I will pay you too. Lana blinks. She cant believe what she is hearing. If it wasnt so humiliating, it would be surreal. The surroundings she is in, the obviously powerful men who are suddenly apparently willing to pay huge sums to have sex with her. I wouldnt do that to Blake. Hell never know and even if he does, he wont care. Its not like he wants to marry you. Youre just a fuck, Lana, he pronounces dismissively. The door opens and Blake stands at the threshold with her orange coat folded over his arm. His face is like a closed steel door. He comes into the room and Rupert lets go of her arm. She moves away from him and rubs it. Already there are red marks on it. Blake eyes them silently, then helps her into her coat. Ready? he asks. She nods. He turns towards Rupert and socks him hard on the chin. So hard the ex-rugby player falls to the floor with a

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grunt. She may be a cheap slut, but Im paying what you baulked at, so she is my cheap slut now. Youd do well to remember that, Blake throws casually over his shoulder. Rupert clutches his busted, bleeding lip and shows his fury to the only person he dares to. Youre fired, Bloom, he shouts impotently. Blake takes her arm and leads her out of that place. There is not a single person at that party that does not turn to watch them leave.

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Five

lakes monster of a car, a gleaming sable-gray Aston Martin is parked beside a lamppost. It is one of those old-fashioned wrought-iron ones with a fluted surface. She stands on the curb and loops her hand around its rough, cold metal. Get in, he says. What if Im sick in your car? My secretary will have it valeted. She nods and unhooks herself from the metal post. Is life really this easy? With those shoes and the drink in her it is impossible to get into the low-swung seat elegantly. Blakes eyes are on her legs. She swings the last one in and shuts the door. The interior of his car is plush and luxurious. It even smells expensive. She has never been in such a car. He has been listening to classical music. The sound system is excellent and superb music fills the car.

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What is this music called? Handels Messiah, he says, and switches it off. He turns to her. In the light of the streetlamp he looked harsh and distant. In the softly lit darkness of his car there is still no softening to his face. Again the thought, a cold, cold man. I have to be in New York tomorrow, but my secretary will call you and make all the necessary arrangements. She nods gratefully and looks away. It is as if she is in a dream. Where do you live? Kilburn. Got a postcode? He sounds very American then. She gives it to him and he sets his GPS system. They drive in silence, until she can bear it no more. Dont you want to know how much? Yeah, tell me. She tells him and his eyes leave the road briefly to look at her. What made you think Rupert was the man for the part? She shrugs in the dark. I dont know. I heard a rumor that his secretary was sometimes tasked with stuffing envelopes with ten thousand pounds in cash and booking expensive hotel rooms for him. I see, he says quietly. Why me? They have come to a red light. His fingers tap at the steering wheel. Long, strong fingers. She stares at them.

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And thinks of the way they moved on her body. He turns to her. His eyes are edgy and dangerous, full of promise. Do you want it flowery or straight. She bites her lip. Straight. I wanted to fuck you senseless from the moment our eyes met. And the flowery version? Now I think about it, there is no flowery version. It is what it is. She turns to look at his profile. It is very stern and still. Has she jumped from the frying pan into the fire? Are all rich people secretly deviant in their sexual desires? Does fucking me senseless involve any weird or kinky stuff? He glances at her. Again that expression that is beyond her comprehension. No, but I want to be able to use you as often as I please in whatever manner I please for as long as I please. Oh! How strange, but his insulting words unleashes a lightning thrill of sexual excitement in her body. I How long were you thinking? Ill decide tomorrow. But I imagine one month should do it. Do what? Get me bored. And you are willing to pay a hundred thousand pounds for that? His lips twist into a wry smile. When I made my offer I didnt realize you had valued yourself that highly, but Im

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not displeased that you did. Despite all protestations to the contrary, nobody really wants a bargain. They settle for it because they cant afford better. He glances at her. Cheap usually means get your guard up, you are being offered something undesirable. Lana thinks of her mother trawling the supermarket aisles looking for stuff that has been discounted because it is reaching the end of its sell by date. I will require the money up front. So, how will we do this? My lawyer will draw up the appropriate contract for you to sign. Once you have done so the money will be in your account within minutes. What sort of a contract? A non-disclosure agreement. She nods. I suppose rich people have to protect themselves. Yes, he replies shortly. An awkward silence follows. He seems preoccupied with his own thoughts. Lana turns her headit has begun to throband looks out of the window. He is a fast driver and they are already on Edgware Road. Ill send someone around tomorrow at noon to take you to your workplace so you can collect your personal belongings. Its OK, I can go on my own. Id feel happier if you were accompanied. Indulge me. She thinks for a moment. She doesnt exactly relish the prospect of accidentally bumping into Rupert either.

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Well, I only have an old pair of trainers there. I wont bother to pick them up. As you wish. They arrive at the block of council flats where she lives. He looks around him in surprise. It is a horrible housing estate, what he considers the underbelly of the city. He has never been to such a poor area before. You live here? He cannot hide his distaste. Yes, she says simply. He stops the car outside a two-story block of flats. Which one is yours? She points to the last flat on the first floor, and says, Thats me. He doesnt switch off the engine but turns to her. Give me your phone. She hands it to him. He punches in some numbers and waits. When his phone rings, he ends the call. Ive got your number and youve got mine, he says and hands her phone back to her. Thank you. Take a couple of aspirins and go to bed. Keep yourself free tomorrow. The entire day. OK. Ill be in touch tomorrow evening. He watches her totter and wobble in her ridiculous shoes over to the cemented verge, gain the cracked concrete concourse, and go up an outer staircase while holding onto the metal railings. At the entrance to her home she turns

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back and flicks her wrist to indicate that she is safely home and that he need wait no more. He doesnt respond. Simply sits there. Watching her. She shrugs and, sitting on the front step, takes off her shoes. With them in her hand she puts her key in the door. It is only when Lana closes her front door and hears the powerful engine take off that she realizes neither man has wanted to know why she needs the money. The flat is lit only by the lights from the streetlamps. She walks barefoot into the kitchen and fumbles around in the darkness. She finds a tab of paracetamols, punches two out and sits at the kitchen table with a glass of water in a stunned daze. What a night it has been. She set out with an absurd idea and Ive done it, she whispers amongst the familiar shadows, and grins. She thinks of the stone-like biceps and the hard slab of his stomach that her hands and body encountered. Then she touches her mouth. She can still feel his lips, his hands. She remembers how she lost control and totally forgot herself. And the unfamiliar too damn good sensation he caused in her body, between her legs. Is it a dream? It cannot be just her life. Dont be too happy yet. He could still change his mind. She swallows the paracetamols and avoiding all the creaky areas tiptoes upstairs. The light is off in her mothers room, so she quietly opens the door to look in on her sleeping form. But her mother is sitting on a chair by the window. She must have seen Lana come in. What are you doing? Lana asks.

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I heard you come in, her mother says softly. Could you not sleep? No. I start my chemo on Monday. Just enjoying the feeling of well-being I guess. Lana crosses the room and kneels beside her mother. She is not wearing a scarf, and her bald head glints in the moonlight. It makes Lana sad. Ive got good news for you, Mum. Remember that clinic in America that I was telling you about. Her mother frowns. She is only fifty but the worry and pain make her appear haggard. The one we cant afford. Well, its not a hundred percent yet, but I think Ive managed to raise the money. How? How did you do that? Her mothers voice is suspicious and frightened. I met a guy. A rich guy who just wants to help. A rich man who wants to help? Her mothers tone is frankly disbelieving. Mum, please dont be like that. Its not anything like you are thinking. Oh no? What is it like then? Hes just a nice guy who likes me. I wasnt born yesterday, girl. Her mothers skeletal fingers grip her hands. You havent done anything youll regret, have you? I promise I havent. I just drank too much champagne, she puts her fingertip to her temples, and my heads pounding. I promise, Ill tell you everything

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tomorrow when Ive had some sleep. The last time she remembers lying to her mother was when she was nine and she had pretended she had brushed her teeth. Guilty and terrified of being discovered she had raced up the stairs to wet her toothbrush. Her mothers hands move up her arm urgently. She touches the tips of her fingers on the dark bruises on her daughters arm, while her worried eyes bore into Lanas. Where did these come from? Thats not him, Lana explains nervously. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, her mother warns darkly. I promise, Ill tell you everything tomorrow, but its not what you think. Really it is worse, a little voice says. All will be well, you wait and see, she says brightly and smiles. Her mother does not return her smile. Instead she gazes at her sadly. Goodnight, Mum. I really love you. I love you too. Lana stumbles down the short corridor to her room. She makes it to the edge of her bed and drops the shoes clutched in her hands. Then like a tree that has been felled she falls onto the top of her bed and is almost instantly inside a deep, dreamless sleep.

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Six

he muted but insistent ringing of her mobile phone jars Lana awake. For a moment she lays crumpled and confused on her bed. Her head is banging furiously. Then she pats the duvet around her, locates her purse and pulling her phone out squints at the number. It is the agency. She sits up, clears her throat and says, Yes? Hello, Lana, its Jane here. Hi, Jane. Well, weve received a disturbing and very serious accusation from your current employer. They have also requested a replacement to finish the booking. So please do not go into work today. Mrs. Lipman would also like to see you to sort out this situation. Can you come in later today? Lana remembers Blake telling her to keep the day free. Not today but tomorrow.

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Oh, There is a surprised pause. All right. What about ten thirty tomorrow? OK, see you then. Lana gently eases her head back on her pillow. She listens carefully and hears her mother moving around the flat. She sighs. She will have to go out and face her mother and tell fresh new lies, but she feels so tired she falls back to sleep. Again it is the phone that wakes her. She lifts it up to her face. It is a number she does not recognize. Hello, she croaks. Miss Bloom? a womans voice enquires. Her voice is extremely efficient and professional. And wide awake. Yes. Laura Arnold, Mr. Barringtons personal assistant, here. Is this a good time for you to talk? Yes. Yes, of course. Lana jerks upright and takes a gulp of water from a bottle by her bedside. Mr. Barrington has asked me to make some appointments for you today. May I run through them with you now? What kind of appointments? Peter Edwards, Mr. Barringtons driver, will be around your flat at ten forty-five. Your first stop will be your doctor where you have an appointment to see the nurse. How do you know who my doctor is? There is a pause. It is pregnant with possibilities, perhaps even explanations.

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It doesnt matter, Lana says quickly. As if she has not been interrupted, the woman continues, She will discuss various contraceptive options with you if you are not already on some form of birth control. Next, you have a meeting with Mr. Barringtons lawyer. Once you have concluded your business there, you will be dropped off at our publicist, Fleur Jans office. Ms. Jan will take you shopping and then on to your appointment with the hairdresser. After that Peter has instructions to take you to a beauty salon where you are booked for a full body wax, manicure and pedicure. Please bear in mind that Mr. Barrington does not like garish colors. He prefers light colors, but likes French manicures best. When you are done at the salon, Peter will take you to the apartment in St Johns Wood and show you around. Please do settle in. The fridge and cupboards will be fully stocked, but should you require, I can also arrange for a meal of your choice to be delivered to you from one of the local restaurants. It would be advisable to eat lightly as Mr. Barrington gets into London late evening, and he wishes to take you out for supper about nine p.m. He tends to be very punctual so do be ready by eight thirty. Do you have any particular dietary needs or preferences? No. Food allergies? No. Good. Would you like me to order your dinner?

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No, Ill make do. Fine. Do you have a passport? No. You will need one. Why? Mr. Barrington travels often and I believe you will be required to accompany him on some of those trips. Uh I see. I will make the necessary arrangements for you and contact you tomorrow. Thank you. Oh, and when you go to meet the solicitor please take some form of identification with you. Do you have any questions? Er No. I dont think so. If you do come up with any question or requests call me on this number. I will be happy to assist. OK. Thanks, Miss Arnold. Its Mrs. Arnold, actually. Have a nice day, Miss Bloom. Lana lets herself fall backwards and smiles. She feels a wild surge of joy inside her. He has not changed his mind. It seems almost impossible to imagine but she has pulled it off. Raised the money. Her mother will go to America. Still, she never expected such competence or thoroughness. This is more like a business takeover than the simple transaction she had envisaged. Naively, she had thought up the oldest scheme in the book, imagining visits to seedy

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hotels or an odd-smelling flat somewhere in London, probably Soho, but with brutal efficiency he was drawing up her reality to mirror his unemotional world where everything is black and white, and every effort must be made to stop any sort of grey in the form of confusion or disorder creeping in. She glances at her beside alarm clock. She must have been more tired than she had realized. It is already nine thirty even though it is another grey day outside. She holds her tender head in her hands. A couple more paracetamols should do the trick. She sits up and looks down upon herself. The orange dress is badly crumpled. The details of last night are fuzzy. Only the kiss remains crystal clear. She lies back on the bed, closes her eyes and remembers his eyeshow unaffected he was. If not for that pulse drumming madly in his throat she would have thought he had felt nothing. Eventually, she can no longer put off meeting her mother so she drags herself out of bed and pads to their shared bathroom. The tiles are sickly green and one or two are cracked, but everything is sparkling clean. She takes off the orange dress and carefully hand washes it in the sink. She wrings it out, hangs it inside the bath, and gets in it herself. She turns on the shower head, and holds the warm stream over her body. When she comes out, she feels like a new person. She slips into clean underwear and dresses in jeans and a white shirt. Then she combs her hair, ties it into a ponytail high on her head and with a last look in the mirror she goes into the kitchen.

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Morning, Mum. How are you feeling today? Today is a good day. Lana smiles brightly at her mother. Both look forward to the good days. The good days are what keep them going. Didnt you have to go to work today? her mother asks. Nope. Got fired yesterday. Her mother shoots her a surprised, worried glance. Sit down. I want a word with you. Lana sits and her mother puts a bowl in front of her. Is this man really giving us the money? Unless he backs out, she says and pours some cereal into the bowl. Whats his name? Blake, she says pouring milk. Her mother sighs. Are you purposely making this hard? All right. His name is Blake Barrington. She sprinkles two spoons of sugar on her cereal. Barrington? Her mothers forehead creases into a frown. Why is that name familiar? Lana finishes chewing before she answers. Because its that famous banking family, she mumbles and quickly spoons more cereal into her mouth. Her mother gasps and sits on the chair opposite her daughter. There is something in her mothers eyes she has never seen before. How long have you been seeing him?

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I met him yesterday. More cereal gets immediately shoved into her mouth. She wants to end this conversation as soon as possible. You met him yesterday and he agreed to give you fifty thousand pounds. Mmnnn. She makes a production of munching. Why? Guess it must have been love at first sight. Her mothers eyes narrow. Is there something you are not telling me, young lady? Nope. The rest are all gory details, she dismisses cheerfully. But her mother is not put off. She is like a hound that has scented blood. How old is he? I didnt ask, but he didnt look a day over thirty. So hes not an old man? Definitely not. When do I get to meet him? Lana slips out of her chair with her empty bowl and goes to the sink. Soon, Mum. Very soon, she says, quickly rinsing her bowl and spoon. Her mother sits at the table as still as a statue. Does Jack know? Jack? Lana turns to face her mother. Were not boyfriend and girlfriend, you know. I know, I know but But what?

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Well, I always assumed youd end up with him. We dont feel that way about each other. She sighed. You just seem so right for each other. I always dreamed that hed be my son-in-law. Since when? You could do a lot worse than him, Lana. Hes tall and handsome and hell be a doctor soon. Im not marrying Jack, Mum. Hes like my brother. The path of true love is not always smooth, her mother insists stubbornly. Lana goes into her bedroom, puts the orange coat on a hanger, picks up the orange shoes from the floor, and goes out of the door, saying, Popping over to Bills.

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Seven

he door next to their home is open. Lana enters her neighbors home without knocking or calling out. The air is full of the smell of bacon cooking. A big woman wearing a faded apron in the kitchen shouts out to her. Morning, Jane, she replies and takes the blue stairs two at a time. Billie has been her best friend since they were in primary school, and she has been taking these stairs all her life. She doesnt knock on the door, but enters and shuts it behind her. Billies room has exactly the same view and dimensions as Lanas but it has been done up in myriad colors and is perpetually messy. When it is clean, it reminds Lana of a piece of modern art. She hangs the orange coat on a hook behind the door, opens a cupboard, puts the shoes inside and closes it. Then, she carefully sidesteps over a mess of clothes and a pizza takeaway box to sit at the edge of the single bed. Billie has her head buried under a pillow. She was born

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nondescript with pale eyes and mousy brown hair and given the equally nondescript name Jane, but when she was eleven years old she reinvented herself. She turned up in school one day, her hair bleached white and turned into an Afro. Why have you done that to your hair? the bad, white boys taunted. Because I like it, she said so coolly and with such confidence that their opinion no longer mattered. She had become a law unto herself. She changed her name to Billie knowing that it would be shortened to Bill. Then she found a tattooist in Kilburn High Street, who agreed to tattoo a spider on her left shoulder. Wouldnt a butterfly have been better? Spiders are so creepy, her mother worried. But more and more spiders crawled onto her back, down her thin left arm, and eventually a few small but intrepid ones began to climb up her neck. Now Bill Black has given up the Afro, but her hair is still dead white and her lips perpetually crimson. Wake up, Bill, Lana says. Billie mutters something. It sounds very much like fuck off, but Lana is persistent. Ive got something to tell you, she says, and gently shakes Billies shoulder. What time is it? Nearly ten. Billie extracts her crown of white hair from under the pillow. This better be good, she grumbles and hangs her

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head off the side of the bed with her eyes still shut. Come on, Bill. Ive only got thirty minutes. Pass me a fag, Billie mumbles, and makes a silent snarl with her lips. Lana takes a cigarette out of a box she finds by the bedside, lights it and puts it into the curve of Billies snarl. Billie inhales lustily. Lana stays silent until Billie has sat up, propped up some pillows behind her, and is leaning back against them. OK, she says, did you do it? Lana nods. Billies eyes pop open. Whoa. You did.? And you got the money? Lana nods and grins. Billie almost chokes on her cigarette. I dont believe it! The fat bastard agreed to cough up fifty grand? Actually, it wasnt him. Billie holds a palm up. Back up, back up. What? OK, I did ask him, but he turned out to be a total perv; you wont believe what his idea of a good time is. Fortunately, someone else cut in and offered double what I had asked him. Bloody hell! screams Billie. Keep your voice down, Lana whispers. Your mothers in the kitchen. Double, as in a hundred thousand pounds? Lana nods a lot. So who is this guy then?

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Have you heard of the Barringtons? Who? Lana walks to the laptop sitting on Billies messy desk and, flips it open. When the familiar Google emblem pops up on the screen she types in Blake Barrington. As the page starts to load she takes the laptop over and holds it out to Billie. Billie grinds out her cigarette in an overflowing ashtray and takes it wordlessly. She whistles low and long and looks up at Lana with shining eyes. Oh! Mr. Bombastic, call me fantastic. I thought all the best-looking males were gay? Lana blushes. Pick the Wikipedia entry, she advises. Billie hits the Wikipedia link and proceeds to read aloud from the screen. The Barrington banking dynasty, also referred to as the House of Barrington is one of the worlds oldest existing banking dynasties with a history spanning over four hundred years. The family is descended from Lord John James Barrington. Unlike the courtiers of earlier centuries, who financed and managed European noble houses, but often lost their wealth through violence or expropriation, the new international bank created by the Barringtons was impervious to local attacks. Their assets were held in financial instruments, circulating through the world as stocks, bonds and debts. Their strategy for success was to keep control of their banks in family hands through carefully arranged

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marriages to first or second cousins. Similar to royal intermarriages, it allowed them to maintain full secrecy about the size of their fortunes. By the late nineteenth century, however, almost all of the Barringtons had started to marry outside the family into other great, old families. The name Barrington is synonymous with extravagance and great wealth. The family is renowned for its vast art collections, palaces, wine properties, yacht racing, luxury hotels, grand houses, as well as for its philanthropy. By the end of the century, the family owned, or had built, at the lowest estimates of forty-one palaces, on a scale and luxury level perhaps unparalleled even by the richest royal families. In 1909, the soon to be British Prime Minister Lloyd George claimed that Lord Charles Leon Barrington was the most powerful man in Britain and America. The Barringtons are elusive. There is no book about them that is both revealing and accurate. Libraries of nonsense have been written about them. An author who planned to write a book entitled Lies About The Barringtons abandoned it, saying, It was relatively easy to spot the lies, but proved impossible to find the truth. Billie pauses and lets her eyes skim down the screen. Well, the rest seems to be stuff about their international investment banking activities, the mergers they have been involved in, and is as interesting as a man in a wet T-shirt. Yup, and more shite here about them being one of the oldest institutions operating in the London Money Market.

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Billie yawns hugely. It just goes on and on about theirhedging servicesworldwide assets Boring, boring Holding companiesSwiss registered. Boring, boring, primarily a financial entity butlargest shareholders in the DeBeersa virtual monopoly of quick silver mines. Ah! Here is something a little more meaty. In 2008 the group had one hundred billion in assets! God! Can you imagine having that kind of money? No wonder the great, great grandson is spending it like water. Oh look. Some pictures. Wow! Get an eyeful of how the rich live. She turns the laptop around so Lana can look at the images as she scrolls down. Just some of their chateaus, palaces, castles, garden-mansions and city houses. Wow! Look at this one in St Jamess Park. There is silence for a while as the girls gaze in wonder at the photos. Do you think you will get to visit any of these places? Definitely not. I have to sign a confidentiality agreement. Still, its an unbelievably exciting prospect, isnt it? Just dont fall for him. I wont, Lana says confidently. Lets skip back to Google and go to aboutpage threeand see what the conspiracy theories have to say about this august family. Oh dearblood-sucking crew. If my sons did not want war, there would be none. His grandmother said that. Very nice. In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln stated in his statement to Congress, I have two great enemies, the Southern Army in front of me,

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and the financial institutions in the rear. Of the two, the one in my rear is my greatest foe. Billie shuts the laptop. OK, quite enough of this. Lets not spoil a good thing. Lets celebrate your total brilliance, instead. Lana opens her mouth to protest. She knows exactly what Billie means by celebrate. Aaa-aaa Dont say another word, Billie says, reaching under the bed to pull out a bottle of vodka. She opens the drawer of her tiny bedside table and rummages around until she finds two dirty shot glasses. She puts the two glasses on her bedside table, which is marked with leftover circles from other vodka full glasses. These glasses will make new moons that overlap the other moons. She fills them to the brim and holds one out to Lana. Lana laughs. So early in the morning? Are you kidding? This is an un-fucking-believable turnaround. You go out of here in borrowed plumes to snare a fat bastard and you come back with not just the most eligible bachelor on either side of the Atlantic, but the son of the richest family on earth. Youve pulled off the deal of the century, girl. We have to celebrate, Billie says firmly. I havent pulled him, Bill. He wants to have sex with me in exchange for money. So? Would you rather be having sex with the hunk or the perv? Lana says nothing.

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Look, I know you are into that deluded saving yourself for the special guy nonsense, but honestly, love, you really are getting too old to be playing virgin. Every puss needs a good pair of boots otherwise it shrivels up and dies. Lana smiles. You dont have one. Ah, but I have Mr. Rabbit. Nothing dies when he is around. She opens the second drawer of her bedside cabinet to expose her huge and colorful dildo. Lana gasps. With your mum in the next room? Billie shrugs. I use it when shes at the supermarket. Lana takes the proffered glass, still shaking her head at her friends total lack of inhibitions. They clink glasses. Heres to Billie grins wickedly. hot sex with anyone. They down the vodka and Billie thumps her chest. So early in the morning the alcohol has an immediate effect on Lana. Heat spreads quickly through her veins and makes her feel light-headed. The future seems exciting suddenly. Billies mother yells, Breakfast is ready, from downstairs. Billie lets her head hit the pillow behind her in disgust. God, she does my head in. If only she wouldnt do that. Every fucking morning she goes on about breakfast. Youd have thought after nineteen years shed know I dont eat that shit. She twists her body and reaches out to the little cupboard under the drawers of her bedside cabinet and takes out a jar of strawberry jam and a spoon. She unscrews the lid and feeds herself a spoonful of jam.

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Lana simply looks at her. Dont say it, Billie warns. I wont, but really, Billie, your mums right. How can you eat jam for breakfast? For the one thousandth time because its delicious. She spoons another mouthful in, and commands, Now, tell me every inappropriate thing that happened last night. Dont leave a single thing out. Lana tells her everything except for the kiss, which she herself cannot make sense of and cannot bring herself to talk about. Billies eyes alight on the orange coat and she smiles smugly. I told you the dress and coat were lucky. This is what you wanted, right? Yeah, its what I wanted. More than anything else in the world. Youre still OK to travel with my mum, arent you? Of course. I love your mother too, you know. Thanks, Bill, Lanas voice breaks. Dont thank me. Im going on an all expenses paid trip to America! Yeehaa I dont know what Id do without you and Jack. Talking about Jack, what and when are you going to tell him? Lana sighs. Everything, this weekend. He wont be happy. I know, but hell understand. Ive got no choice, Bill. I know, babe.

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Bill, thanks again for agreeing to accompany my mum. I really dont know what Id do without you. Theres a big, black car parked outside, Janes mother hollers. Billie leap-frogs to the end of her bed and, standing on her bed with her palms resting on the windowsill, cranes her neck to look out into the street below. Jesus, Lana, thats a Bentley with a driver in a peaked cap. Lana looks at the clock face. Thatll be my ride. Got to go. Call you later. Billie sits on the windowsill, exhales and, through the smoke says, Say hello to banker boy for me, wont you? Lana runs down the stairs and finds Jane standing at the bottom of them. Her round, red face looks quite animated. Is that car here for you? Looks like it, Lana says as she disappears into her own home. She picks up her rucksack, makes sure her ID is in it, kisses her mother and runs out towards the waiting Bentley.

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Eight

he driver is standing outside the car by the time she gets to it. He touches his cap. Miss Lana Bloom. She nods breathlessly. Good morning. Peter Edwards, he says, by way of introduction and opens the back door for her. She sinks into the fragrant, immaculately pale interior and he shuts the door after her. Along the building she sees the heads of all her neighbors. The leather under her palm is soft and cool. Peter gets into the front and looks at her in the rearview mirror. He has soft brown eyes that crinkle in the corners. He takes a white envelope from the passenger seat and twists around to hand it to her. Our first stop is the doctor. This is for him. Thanks, Lana says, and takes the letter. It has her doctors name written in blue ink. It is unsealed. The glass that separates them closes and the engine hums into life. She opens the letter and reads it. It is a request for her

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medical records. Her mobile lights up. It is Jack. Hey, he says. His voice is bright and full of life. Hey, she replies matching his brightness. Whats wrong? Nothing. Why? Come on I know you better than that. Spit it out, Lana. OK, but not on the phone. Are you coming down this weekend to see your mother? Yeah. Well, Ill tell you then. No, you wont. Ill come by my mums for dinner. You can tell me then. Ive got a date. There is a silence. Really? Thats great. Anyone I know? You dont know him, but you might have heard of him. Well? Blake Law Barrington. The Blake Barrington. Yeah. Youve got a date with a Barrington? How? What are you not telling me, Lana? He sounds worried. Its not really a date, but I cant tell you on the phone. Youre not doing anything stupid, are you? he asks

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apprehensively. No, Jack. Im not. Im doing the only thing I can do. Its something to do with your mum, isnt it? Yeah. Oh! Shit, Lana. You didnt. I did. Youre better than this. Jack, my mums dying. Shes stage four. She doesnt have months to live. The doctors have given her weeks. Oh, Lana. Cant we borrow the money? Lanas laugh is bitter. Who can I ask, Jack? Tom? And if I ask Tom what will I need to do for the money? What do you need to do for the money now? What I am doing wont land me in prison. Its just sex, Jack. Jack goes silent. It wont be for long. How long? Its for a month. That long? Its a lot of money, Jack. Dont give the shit a day more than a month. I wont. Ive got to go, but I will see you during the weekend. And thanks for caring about me. Its just a bad habit. Jack? Yeah.

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I miss you, you know. Just be safe, Lana. Bye, Jack. Bye, Lana, he says and there is so much sadness in his voice that Lana wants to call him back and reassure him that it isnt so bad. She is not selling her soul, only her body. In the doctors surgery Lana passes over the envelope and is ushered into a room with the nurse who asks and does the necessary with brisk efficiency. Afterwards, she discusses several options and recommends Microgynon. Take it from today. Since your last period ended two days ago you should be protected immediately, but just to be safe use a condom for the next seven days, she advises. Twenty minutes after Lana entered that small blue and white room she has a prescription for three months supply of contraceptive pills. The receptionist has an envelope addressed to Mr. Jay Benby for Lana. This letter is sealed. Lana thanks her and goes outside. Peter jumps out of the car and opens the door for her. He goes around the back of the car and gets into the drivers seat. If you give me the prescription, Ill pick it up for you while you are at the solicitors. For some strange reason Lana feels the heat rush up her throat. I have daughters your age, he says kindly, and Lana leans forward and hands him the prescription. Thanks,

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Mr. Edwards. No worries. Er How long have you been working for Mr. Barrington? Going on five years now. Is he Is he a fair man? Peter Edwards meets her eyes in the mirror. Hes as straight as a die, he says, but by his tone Lana realizes that he will volunteer no more than that. She turns her head and watches the people on the street. The solicitors offices are in an old building in the West End. She is surprised to note that it is not the slick place she had expected. The hushed air of importance, mingled with an impression that nothing much ever happens here, makes it feel more like a library. A receptionist shows her into Mr. Jay Benbys room. The room smells faintly of polish. The carpet is green, his table is an old antique inlaid with green leather, and the old-fashioned, mahogany bookshelves are filled with thick volumes of law books. Behind Mr. Benby there is a dark, rather grim painting of a countryside landscape in a gilded frame. The painting is so old that the sky is yellow in some parts and brown in others. Mr. Benby rises from the depths of a deeply padded black leather chair. His grip is very firm and his smile serves as a polite welcome. He is wearing a dark, three-piece suit and a red, silk tie. And his hairwhat little is left of ithas been carefully slicked back.

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He waves his hand towards one of the chairs in front of his desk and she sees that he is wearing a ring with a large, opaque, blue stone on his little finger. It strikes her as incongruous. She remembers a story her mother once told her. He was rich and wore a turquoise ring from Nishapur on his little finger. Everything else about Mr. Benby and his office says, Trust me. Im good for it. The opaque ring alone screams, Im a liar. After exchanging brief pleasantries he pushes a stapled, thin bunch of papers towards her. Here is your contract. She looks at it. Consensual Sexual Acts and Confidentiality Agreement. You are within your rights to take it home, read it yourself and if you prefer, get your own lawyer to look at it, but no amendments can be made to it. Lana bites her lip and eyes the contract. Can you show me where it says I will receive the hundred thousand pounds? He appears surprised. Of course, he says. His kind dont talk about money openly. They just bill you. He turns the contact to its second page and puts a clean, blunt finger to the clause that she is asking for. She sees that it clearly states that she will be paid the sum as soon as she signs the contract. She looks up at Benby. Do you have a pen? His eyebrows rise. Dont you want to read it first?

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She shakes her head. He looks at her sternly. This agreement has been drawn up so there is never anymisunderstanding. You must be fully aware of the gravity and nature of the contract you are about to sign and agree to abide by its conditions. There are some clauses in there that are of utmost importance. Like what? The most important being the confidentiality understanding. This clause means that you will never be able to write a book, sell your story, or reveal any personal details about Mr. Barrington or his family. There is no information, even outside of sexual activities, that may be revealed to anyone. Not even friends or family. You can never bring a guest to the apartment you will share with Mr. Barrington. This clause applies to family, friends and acquaintances. In the event that they reveal anything, you will be held liable. Please pay particular attention to this section. He stabs a stubby finger on the paper. It expressly prohibits any form of recording device while in the company of Mr. Barrington. She nods. He clears his throat. And you must practice some form of birth control. In the event that you get pregnant you must terminate the pregnancy immediately. Lana stares at him. What kind of people are these? Undaunted by her astonished face the lawyer carries on

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talking, You must understand that this contract is binding. At the dissolution of your relationship you will not receive anything more than is already stipulated in this contract. Other than the agreed sum you will not seek further financial gain, notoriety or advancement in any form as the result of this relationship. Breach of contract or failure by yourself will result in immediate termination of the agreement, and in the case of breach, the offended party may seek all remedies available at law or in equity. This section shall survive termination of this agreement and remain in effect for the rest of your life. Fine. One more thing. Mr. Barrington wanted me to emphasize that the contract will be for three months. I thought it was going to be for one month? The lawyers face does not change. Your services will be required for the period of three months. Lana presses her lips together. She was very drunk last night, but she is sure he said one month. Can I speak to him? Of course. He picks up the phone and speed dials his clients number. Mr. Barrington, Miss Bloom would like to have a word about the length of the contract. He pauses to listen to something Blake says. Yes, she has. Then he passes the phone to Lana and quietly leaves the room. Lana waits until he closes the door before she speaks. She is dismayed to hear her voice sound uncertain and timid.

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Hello, Blake. Hello, Lana. His voice is different than she remembered. Colder; he seems a total stranger. She swallows. About the duration of the contract. The lawyer says she begins. Sorry, Lana, but that is not negotiable, he says, not sounding sorry at all. Oh. Was there anything else you wanted? Er No. Well, have a good day then, and I will see you tonight. There is a click and the line goes dead. Lana replaces the phone slowly. It dawns on her then that Scott Fitzgerald was rightthe rich are different. They are unashamed by their ruthlessness. The lawyer, who must have been watching an extension light, walks into the room. All sorted out? Yes. Where do I sign? You do realize that you will have to read it at some point as there are other clauses than the ones we have discussed in there that you must adhere to. Yes. Do you acknowledge that you have received, read and understood the terms and conditions outlined, and agree to abide by the said terms. Yes. All right, he drawls and looks at her expectantly. She realizes he has opened the contract up at the last page.

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Sign here. She signs. Her hands are dead steady. And date it here. She dates it. He opens another contract. Sign and date again please. When she raises her head he is watching her steadily. He smiles coldly. It occurs to her that he believes his dealings with her to be beneath him. She is expensive trash. He has thoughts about her that are unflattering. Well, thats that, then. Here is your copy. He presses a buzzer that brings his secretary. Helen here will take your bank details and tell you everything else you need to know. He half stands and holds his hand out. Thank you, Miss Bloom. Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any further queries. In the back seat of the Bentley, Lana finds a Boots bag and inside it her prescription. She asks Peter to stop at a cash machine. She pops her debit card into the hole in the wall and can hardly believe it. One hundred thousand and thirty-two pounds, seventy pence. By heaven! At the precise moment that Lana is staring at her newly resuscitated bank balance, Blake is ending a call from his solicitor. Looking up, he sees a reflection of himself in the highly polished doors of the lift he is waiting for. He watches himself curiously. He is grinning quite foolishly.

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Nine

i, Im Fleur Jan, the publicist says, coming forward, her hand held out to Lana. She is Polish and her eyes are very large and a much deeper blue than Lanas. She is wearing false eyelashes that she bats with great effect and her hair is cut very short around her lovely face. Dressed in a brown pencil skirt and a pink top she is effortlessly chic. What we will be doing today has nothing to do with publicity for the company, but Blake knows how much I love shopping so he asked if I wouldnt mind going shopping with you. Of course I said yes, she explains with a twinkle in her eyes. Cool, Lana says, some of Fleurs enthusiasm already rubbing off on her. Fleur is a good change after the drawling Mr. Benby. He mentioned formal attire, beachwear and a pair of new trainers. Lana nods. The man is thorough, she will give him that. Do you want a coffee or tea or shall we hit

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the road? Hit the road. They walk together to the lift. Fleur calls it and turns to Lana. Do you have any specific shops or do you want to leave it to me? You decide everything. And that turns out to be an excellent decision as Fleur proves to be an expert shopping companion. She knows exactly where to go to get what. Their first stop is Selfridges. Fleur guides her to a cosmetics counter. The girl can make a monkey look sexy, so listen carefully to her advice, she says about a sweetlooking girl standing behind the counter called Aisha. Lana is popped on a high stool, given a hand mirror and taught how to make the best of her make-up. You have such beautiful skin, Aisha admires with a warm smile. Have you ever tried wearing waterproof mascara? Fleur asks smoothly. Lana looks at Fleur. Her face is innocent, but it is clear that Blake has mentioned something about her smudged mascara. Together the three of them choose two lipsticks, some sparkly eyeliner, cream blusher and waterproof mascara. Now to the perfume department. Something terribly exotic to go with your dark hair and gorgeous eyes. Then they go upstairs and pick out a green and blue bikini and a transparent blue wrap-around. Afterwards, Peter drops them off at the front entrance of Harrods.

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Lana has never been inside before, but Fleur seems to know her way around, and they quickly make for the first floor where they pick up what Fleur calls the basics: a white blouse and plain black trousers. They walk out of the side entrance of Harrods on the east side and enter Rigby and Peller. Fleur has made Lana an appointment for a fitting. The woman who calls her into the changing room is middle-aged with large strong hands. Most women are walking around in the wrong bra size, she says, and makes Lana bend over while she fits her with a bra. It turns out so is Lana. She is not a 34A but a 32B. When Lana has chosen the designs she wants Fleur flashes her company credit card. Now lets go get the good stuff, says Fleur, batting her eyelashes. How much are you allowed to spend on me? Lana asks curiously. Actually, Fleur says, Mr. Barrington didnt see fit to set a limit. She winks conspiratorially. So we make hay while the sun shines. They walk around the back of Harrods and down Old Brompton Road. Fleur is a mine of information. She knows everything about fashion, whats in, whats out, whats so in, whats so out, whats in if you are not really in, what gets the best second-hand prices when you want to flog it. She suggests a beautiful red and silver handbag in Gucci. To die for, she says.

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It is a limited edition. Pure crocodile skin, explains the snooty-faced sales assistant helpfully. OK, Lana says, bewildered by the price tag. She stands by the counter while Fleur pays and wonders what sort of reception she would have received if she had come alone. Lets go, Fleur sings merrily. Then Lana is being led into Chanel. All her life she has dreamed of owning a Chanel bag. Once someone gave her a fake Chanel bag for Christmas and she waited until a reasonable time had passed before giving it away to a charity shop. If she couldnt afford the real thing she didnt want to pretend. Fleur is clever. It is as if she understands; here her suggestions are unnecessary. All she says is, Choose. Lana feels she is in Aladdins cave. She cannot choose. In the end she goes for the classic black with the leather interlaced gold chain strap. But when Fleur goes to the counter she says, Well have the pink one too. Thats nearly seven thousand pounds! Yes, but we have no limit. Besides, every girl needs a pink handbag. What else can you carry when you want to dress in white? Fleur says reasonably and phones Peter to come and pick up the packages. Almost in a daze, Lana is led into and out of a string of designer boutiques. Most of the shop assistants seem to recognize and head for Fleur immediately. Cupboard love, Fleur dismisses, as they flutter around her with accommodating smiles. I am often here helping

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the wives of our high profile Middle Eastern clients spend their money. Fleur seems very sure of exactly what will look good on Lana. They buy a cream and gold suit, a red cocktail dress; a backless, sequined, black evening gown, and a sleeveless signature dress from Pucci, and of course shoes to match. Fleur decides that Lana will need a black pair of court shoes for the trousers, dainty diamondstudded stilettos, two tone sandals, tall brown boots, and multi-colored, ultra fashionable platforms. Right, we are almost running out of time, but first a quick trip to Versace. Versace can be too gaudy and whorish, but this season they have something that I think will suit you perfectly. That something turns out to be an electric blue shirt that is almost the same color as Lanas eyes and skin-tight black leather trousers. Exactly as I thoughtfantastic, she says, pleased with herself. Fleur looks at her wristwatch. Perfect timing. Lets have some tea. Once again Peter comes to collect the packages, and they find themselves a table in a French patisserie full of women. They order cream tea. Lana bites into a buttered cream and jam filled scone ravenously. It is wonderful that you can eat so much and still be so slim. I have to be careful, Fleur says, sipping lemon tea and breaking off small crumbs of her croissant. Missed lunch, Lana says, swallowing. Once Lana catches Fleur looking at her with an unreadable expression. Do you have to do this often for Blake?

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To be perfectly honest, I have never done this before or heard of Mr. Barrington asking anyone else to do something similar, and though I was flattered to be asked, I was also dreading it. I thought you would be a brash golddigger, but you are an unassuming breath of fresh air. I am glad to have taken you around. After tea, Lana and Fleur climb into the Bentley and Peter takes them to a hairdressing salon that belongs to one of the top hairstylists in the country. They go in and a young girl with bright red hair comes to greet and lead them into a private area. Two glasses of champagne arrive on a tray. Go ahead, Fleur encourages. Youll be grateful for it when you are at your next appointment. Why? Whats next? Fleur smiles cheekily. Full body wax. Lanas jaw drops when the celebrity stylist himself appears. He noisily air-kisses Fleur on both cheeks and does the same with her. Then he stands back to look at Lana thoughtfully. Tipping his head to the side he reaches for her hair. Oooo, he says, rubbing it in his fingers. Virgin hair. You have never bleached or permed it, have you? Lana shakes her head. Beautiful. It is a sin to cut such hair. Come, come, he says leading her to a single chair in front of a mirror and waiting while she sits. We will leave the length, but we will do something wonderful for this heart-shaped face.

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We will give it a fringe. He picks up his comb and scissors. When he is finished Lana can hardly believe what a difference a fringe has made. Her eyes are suddenly enormous and her little chin now looks delicate and cat-like. Beautiful, declares the stylist flamboyantly. Very beautiful, indeed, agrees a delighted Fleur. While Fleur is paying, Lana stares at herself in the mirror. She looks so different she almost doesnt recognize herself. This is where I say goodbye, Fleur says from behind her. Lana turns around to face her. Peter will take you to the beauty salon where you have your last appointment. That over with, he will take you to the apartment where you will soak in a lovely bath and then you will dress in your new clothes. I believe you have a hot date at nine. Thank you, Fleur. The pleasure was all mine. I dont know if we will ever meet again, but Ill never forget you. Nor I you, Fleur says, and bending forward plants a light kiss on Lanas cheek. Lanas next stop is in High Street Kensington. In an allwhite salon an olive-skinned, middle-aged, barrel-like woman in a white trouser uniform with a clipboard smiles and introduces herself as Rosa Rehon. Rosa is Spanish and has retained her thick accent despite having been in England for fifteen years. She shows Lana into a small

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room with a beauticians bed. Ever had a full body wax before? No. No problem. We use three different waxes here. For the longer hair, the medium length, and for the pesky short ones. The waxes are heating in three pots. Each one is a different color. Shall we do waist down first? Will this hurt a lot? Well, it depends on your pain threshold. Some people fall asleep while I am waxing them. Really? Her pearly whites flash. Really. Pop on board. We will start with the legs. Lana reluctantly climbs on the bed that has been lined with paper, and lies down. Rosa paints a thin layer of warm wax on Lanas calf and lays a strip of cloth on the wax. Ready? she asks. Lana nods and she rips. Ow, Lana says. The first one always hurts. The next one will be better, she says. She paints another layer of wax and, stretching Lanas skin, rips it off. Ow, Lana says again. It gets better after a while, she consoles unconvincingly, and launches into a monologue about

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how she and her husband have jam sandwiches every night while they are watching TV. Sometimes, on weekends we will turn to each other and say, Shall we have another? and we do, she enlightens. Despite a penchant for innocuous jam sandwiches, Rosa turns out to be a hair Nazi. She will not tolerate even the smallest hair anywhere. A painful hour, later Lana is red and hot and stinging all over. She has been asked to assume embarrassing positions so any stray hairs around what Rosa calls the bum hole can be ripped off. Why would anyone want to do that, Lana thinks. It looks prettier this way, Rosa says, as she rips another offending hair out. Ow, replies Lana. When it is all over Rosa squints at Lanas face. I can do your eyebrows for free, she offers. Eyebrows dont hurt at all. Yes, I know. Some of your customers fall asleep. Again that flash of strong teeth. Well, shall I? I can make them look very beautiful. OK. The Rehons have a son in art school apparently, and Rosa fills Lana in about him while she works on Lanas eyebrows. When she is finished she applies aloe vera gel before bringing a round mirror and giving it to Lana. The skin looks red and a little swollen but Rosa is righther eyebrows actually arch and frame her eyes. After that torture the manicure and pedicure are a

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pleasure. She watches the orange nail varnish that Billie so painstakingly painted onto her fingers and toes get wiped away. On the drive to the apartment Lana looks at her French manicure. She has to admit it is very pretty. The car comes to a stop at a tall white building with a glass-fronted entrance. Here we are, says Peter, switching off the engine.

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Ten

he reception is plush with deep, cream carpets and chandeliers in every hallway. There is an Indian guard slumped behind a desk reading a newspaper in a foreign language who immediately straightens and stands to attention. Peter introduces her. Lana, this is Mr. Nair. Peter turns to Mr. Nair. This is Miss Bloom. She will be living in the penthouse for the next three months. Please ensure that she will be well taken care of, Peter tells him Mr. Nair smiles broadly. Certainly. That will be my number one priority, he says in a strong Indian accent while shaking his head like one of those nodding dogs in the backs of peoples cars. He turns to look at Lana. I am very pleased to meet you, Miss Bloom. Anything at all that you need, please do not hesitate to ask. He has seen many young girls like her come and go from these apartments.

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Most of them are the mistresses of rich Arabs who were very rude to him. But this girl holds out her hand to him and smiles at him. Peter accompanies her into the lift. He inserts a card key into a slot and hits the top floor button. Lana leans against the shiny cold brass handrail while the lift silently races upwards. When the lift doors whoosh open, he allows her to exit first, and then precedes her into the corridor. The corridor is thickly carpeted and tastefully wallpapered in beige and silver. There is only one other apartment on this floor, Peter explains and opens the door. He deposits the shopping bags in his hands on the floor by the doorway. I will go and get the rest of your shopping and then I will show you how everything works. Lana closes the door behind her and leans against it. Wow! Just wow! A long corridor with richly enameled walls seems to lead to a light-filled room. As if in slow motion she lets her fingers trail on the cool, enameled surface as she walks down the fluffy white runner carpet towards the glorious light. With the evening sun pouring in, she stands at the doorway to what is the living room, and looks at her surroundings in wonder. At the imposingly high ceilings, the amazing glass walls that lead to a wide balcony laid out with a table, chairs and potted topiary. At the mirrored wall that reflected the elegant silver patterned pale lilac wallpaper, the rich furnishings, and the deep-pile, white carpet. It is so massive, so hugely extravagant and luxurious it is as if she

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has walked into a page of a glossy magazine. She turns when she hears the door opening. Peter puts the rest of her shopping on the floor and walks towards her. Beautiful, isnt it? Yes, very. He takes her around the spacious four-bedroom apartment and shows her how things work. Which buttons on the remote cause the curtains to open and close and which one makes a gorgeous painting rise onto the wall to expose a TV screen. There are buttons for the shutters, buttons for working the wine cooler, buttons for the lights, the media room, and for the coffee machine. She nods but it hardly registers. The opulence has numbed her. Any problems, just call the caretaker. The number is over there, he says finally, indicating a card that has been placed on a side table near the front door. Thank you. Be back for you at eight thirty. Mr. Barrington hates people to be late. Dont worry, Peter, you wont have to hang around waiting for me. Ill be ready. She closes the door, finds her mobile, hits home, and waits for her mothers soft voice to answer. Hi, Mum, she says brightly. Where are you? Im at Blakes apartment. Oh! When are you coming home?

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Lana swallows. This will be the first time she will not return to her own bed. She knows it will be difficult for her mother. Not tonight, Mum. I wont be home tonight, but Ill be there first thing in the morning. First her mother goes silent. Then she expels a soft sigh. All right, Lana. I will see you tomorrow. Be safe, daughter of mine. See you tomorrow, mum. She walks down the enameled corridor and goes into the main bedroom. It is very large with a huge bed. The dcor is deep blue and silver. She kicks off her shoes and walks barefoot on the luxurious carpet towards the bathroom. The bathroom is a green marble and gold fittings affair. There is a Jacuzzi bath and a large shower cubicle. By the washbasin lush toiletry still in their packages have been laid out for her use. She unwraps a pale green oval of soap and washes her hands. Afterwards, she opens cabinets and finds them all empty. She goes back into the bedroom and walks through to the walnut dressing rooms. The built-in wardrobes are all as bare as the bathroom cabinets. So he does not live here. This is a place purely for sex. She walks out of the bedroom and heads for the kitchen. It has been done up in sunny yellow with glossy black granite worktops and surfaces. There is an island in the middle and stools around it. When she was young she dreamed of just such a kitchen. She perches on one of the tall stools, swivels around a few times, and hops off. She goes to a cupboard and opens it. It is full of stuff

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expensive stuff that is never found in her mothers cupboards. Tins of biscuits from Fortnum and Masons, Jellies from Harrods, French chocolates with fancy names. She takes a few down and admires the exquisite packaging. She shuts the cupboard and goes to the fridge. More exotic stuff: truffles, hand-made blue cheeses, gooseberries, cuts of dried meats, wild smoked salmon, a dressed lobster, caviar The vegetable drawer is packed with organic produce. Even the eggs have blue shells. There are two bottles of champagne lying on their sides. She takes one out and looks at the label. Dom Perignon. Hmnnn she says into the silence. Carefully, she peels back the foil and the wire that holds down the cork. Holding the bottle between her thighs she twists the cork as she has seen the waiter do, but it takes many tries, and when it finally pops out, she has shaken the bottle so much, it sprays everywhere. She cleans up with some paper napkins, then finds a glass in one of the cabinets and pours herself a drink. Carrying the glass she goes back into the living room. She slides back the doors and steps outside. She stands there for a moment looking at the wonderful view of the park and surrounding area, but can feel no joy in her heart. Her thoughts are with her mother. She closes her eyes and prays that all will be well. Then she raises her glass to the sky. Oh, Mum, she whispers, be well again. Then she brings the glass to her lips. There is not enough time to try the Jacuzzi bathtub, so Lana has a shower. The showerhead is wonderfully

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powerful unlike the weak one she is used to. The shower invigorates her and she goes into her shopping bags with some measure of excitement. The bruises from the night before mean that she is only able to wear the Versace silk shirt. She pulls on the tight leather trousers that end at her ankles and slips on the strappy stilettos. Then she does her eyes the way Aisha taught her to and paints her lips soft pink. She is so nervous her hands tremble slightly. She goes into the living room and pours herself another glass of champagne. At eight thirty sharp the bell rings. Peter comes in with a large, flat cardboard box, which he carefully places on the side table. I was asked to drop this off for Mr. Barrington. You look beautiful, Miss Bloom, he compliments awkwardly. Thank you, but will you call me Lana, Peter? The champagne has made her feel light-headed. She smiles at him mistily. Of course, Lana, he says smiling. The reception desk is no longer manned by Mr. Nair. A small, white man with small, suspicious eyes is introduced as Mr. Burrows. He smiles politely, but distantly. This was a man who did not want to get involved with any of the occupants of the building. After that Peter drives her to a private club in Sloane Square called Madame Yula.

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Eleven

lake is waiting for her at the bar. He is wearing an oyster gray lounge suit and a black shirt. He is even more disturbingly attractive than she remembers. He stands when he sees her and she stops, frozen by his eyes. Neither move. It is as if they are again in a world of their own. Just his smoldering eyes and her strong desire for more from himwhat exactly she does not quite know. Then he breaks the spell by moving towards her. You look edible, he says, his eyes lingering on the curve of her hips. She blushes and touches her bangs. I like the hair, too, he murmurs. Thanks. Her voice sounds nervous and shaky. He reaches a hand out to touch her and instinctively she pulls away. She had not meant to, but her body has its own reactions to him. He drops his hand and eyes her coldly. Look, he says.

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We can make it a totally sex thing or we can dress it up a little and it will look pretty in the corner. Its up to you. Its all the same to me. Pretty in the corner. Strange turn of phrase. She studies him from beneath her eyelashes. Dress it up a little, she says. Good. Can I get you something to drink? A glass of champagne? Youre partial to it, if I remember correctly, he says, and leads her to the bar. Lana looks around the bar. It is decorated in dark wood and deep red curtains. It actually looks like an oldfashioned French brothel. Ive already had two glasses. His eyebrows rise. You found the alcohol. It found me. I opened the fridge and there it was begging me to drink it. Yes, alcohol has a habit of doing that. Im hungry, though. Lets get some food into you then. They are shown into a private booth. The sommelier arrives and she listens to Blake order a bottle of wine that she has never heard of, and realizes that the poor and the middle classes have been conned into believing that Chablis, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Pouilly Fume, and Sancerre are superior wines for the discerning, but the truly rich are imbibing a totally different class of drink. He picks up the menu and her eyes are drawn to his wrists. It makes her stomach tighten. How was your day? he asks.

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I dont want to sound ungrateful, because I really am very grateful, but why did you buy me so much stuff? He leans back in his chair. Did you have a doll when you were young? Yes. Did you make little clothes for her? Yes. Did it give you pleasure? Yes. Why? I dont know. It was my doll and I wanted it to look good. That is how I feel about you. You are my doll. I like the idea of dressing you the way I see fit. I want you to look good. Besides, I like that every stitch on your body has been paid for by me. Lana feels a frisson of electricity run up her spine. Im not a doll. To me you are. A living, breathing doll. What happens in three months time? Did you eventually get bored with your doll and stop playing with her? Yes. Lanas voice is soft. She knows where this conversation is going. So will I and when I do I will put you aside as you did your doll. Well, thats clear enough.

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Good. What would you like to eat? Lana looks at the menu. There is fish and chicken. She hopes he will order one of those. But there is also foie gras, which shed rather die than eat. The waiter appears at Blakes side. Are you ready to order, monsieur? Blake looks at Lana enquiringly. Im just going to have whatever youre having. Mussels in white wine to start followed by the herb crusted lamb cutlets. Pommes sables or pommes souffl? the waiter enquires. Lana looks blankly at Blake. Try the potato souffl, he says. You might like it. OK, potato souffl, she agrees. When the waiter is gone, she takes a sip of wine. It must have been good, but she is so nervous she registers it only as a cold liquid. So, she says. You are a banker. And you have been on Google. Wikipedia actually. I was curious. All my life I imagined bankers were thieves utilizing fractional reserve banking to create money out of nothing, and then they take your house and car and business when you cant keep up the repayments. Ah, this is like all bankers are thieves, all lawyers are liars, and all women are whores. Id rather be a whore than a banker. Thats handy then. Id rather be a banker who buys a whore.

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Why do you need to buy a woman, anyway? With that flashy car of yours, they must be leaving their phone number by the droves on your windscreen wipers. You were an impulse buy. His eyes crinkle at the corners. She amuses him. She looks at his perfectly cut suit, his beautifully manicured hands, and the Swiss precision watch glinting on his wrist. There is nothing impulsive about you. Her eyes take in that delectable lock of hair that falls over his forehead. Other than your hair. He laughs out loud. She looks at him. The man had lovely teeth. This might turn out to be a lot more interesting than I thought, he says. The mussels arrive in tiny, covered black pots. When Blake opens his she follows suit. The smell is maddeningly good, but she waits until Blake reaches for his utensils before she copies him. Bon apptit, he says. Bon apptit, she repeats. The mussels are meltingly soft in her mouth. Good? asks Blake. Very. But the portion is so small it is quickly gone. I dont understand something, Lana says, daintily dabbing the corners of her mouth. How come the paparazzi never follow you around like they do other celebrities and eligible bachelors, and expose all your escapades and wrongdoings?

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For the same reason my family and the other great families are not on the Forbes richest list. We dont like publicity. Unless it is sanctified by us you wont see it in the papers. Are you trying to tell me your family has that much power? Im not trying to, Im telling you. Its easy when you control the media. Your family controls the media? The great, old families do. It is in our interest to work as a group. His eyes glitter in the soft light. Suddenly his lips twitch. He leans back and flashes a smile. But enough about me. Tell me about yourself. What do you want to know? Other than the fact that you live on a council estate and dont earn enough, I know nothing at all about you. Thats not strictly true. You know I am AIDS free, dont have any sexually transmitted diseases, own a clean bill of health, am on contraceptives as of today, and have had a full body wax. His smile becomes a grin. How was the waxing session? Not too painful, I hope. Not at all. You should try it sometime. He laughs outright. The day you pay me to have sex with you, I will. She cannot bring herself to smile back. The lamb arrives. She looks at her plate. Blood has eddied under the meat. She cannot eat that. She sighs

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inwardly. It will be vegetables and potato again. Where do you get your unusual coloring from? My grandmother on my mothers side was Iranian. The hair is from her and the eyes are from my fathers side of the family. He let his eyes wander around her face. A Middle Eastern influence. It had fleshed out her face and given her the generous mouth. Have you been to Iran before? I went once as a child, but it is my dream to take my mother back to Iran. Its dangerous there now. For you maybe, but not for me or Mum it isnt. Still dont you think you should wait until all this talk of war is over? There will be war. It is better to go now, before Iran becomes another Iraq or Libya. What was it like when you were there? When I went it was a wonderful place. We stayed in the desert. It was very beautiful. At night there was pure silence. And the sand dunes sing. You can go to Saudi Arabia for sand dunes. Do you need to go to a country that is preparing for war? You dont understand. Isfahan is in our blood. I remember when my mother was leaving she climbed to the top of the steps of the plane, then she turned around and did this. Lana opened her arms out as if to gather something in the air and bought it back to her face and

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kissed the tips of her fingers. I asked her what she was doing and she said she was kissing the air of her motherland goodbye. I remember thinking even then that I must bring her back to that beloved land of hers. Ive never been to Iran. Of course you havent. Iran doesnt have a central bank. My mother says it is why the world wants to wage war with it. Does she also believe Elvis is still alive? Lanas eyes flash suddenly. She glares at him. We can dress this arrangement up and play it any way you want to, but dont you dare criticize my mother. Even the dirt at the bottom of her shoes is better than you, she cries passionately. He gazes at her flushed cheeks and glittering eyes without anger. She will be great in bed. You brought her up, he murmurs. Her anger subsides as suddenly as it came. Yes, I did, she agrees flatly, and suddenly looks so young and lost, he reaches out to cover her hand with his. She pulls hers away. He takes his hand away and looks at her coldly. OK, have it your way, he says, and looks for the waiter. A waiter appears almost immediately. The waiter looks at Lanas plate. Was everything all right, mademoiselle? It was fine. Just not hungry. Perhaps you have left some space for dessert? he

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suggests with a tilted head. She shakes her head. The waiter looks at Blake. Monsieur? Just the check. Of course, the waiter says with a nod, and raises his eyebrow to another waiter hovering by a pillar. The man comes and begins clearing away the plates. The bill is presented discreetly in a black wallet. Blake drops his card into it. When the card comes back, Blake says, Shall we? He stands and, with his hand on the small of her back, leads her out.

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Twelve

he drive is completed in silence and when they get into the softly lit apartment, Blake tosses his card key on the side table and turns to her. Moneys in the bank? She nods Were good? She nods again. I gave you what you need; now you will give me what I need. She nods, ashamed by her own rudeness. It was a deal and he had kept to his side. Ill pour us a drink. Change into those and meet me in the bedroom, Blake says, and nods towards the flat box that Peter brought in earlier and put on the side table. He leaves her and walks down that beautiful corridor into the living room. She takes the box and turning into the first door in the corridor, goes into the main bedroom. Someone has come

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in and turned on the bedside lights, and turned down the bed. She goes into the bathroom and closes the door. Inside the box are wisps of lace and silk. She takes them out. A little dress in some transparent white material, an all lace bra, a thong, suspenders and silk stockings and a pair of platform shoes very similar to the ones she was wearing the night they met. Except for the fine baby blue ribbons on the suspenders, everything is in pure white. She looks at the size on the bra. Of course. 32B. Lana quickly slips out of her clothes and gets into the bra and suspenders. Then she carefully pulls on the stockings. She has never worn suspenders before and the little hooks are fiddly and take her a long time. She hears a noise in the bedroom. Blake has already come in. Nervously, she pulls on the lacey white knickers and looks at herself in the mirror. She can hardly believe it is her. She rinses with mouthwash, takes a deep breath and, opening the door goes into the bedroom. And just stands there staring, her heart crashing against her ribcage. Good God! He is lying shirtless on the bed, propped against pillows, all sexy and toned. His legs are crossed at his ankles and his eyes are hooded. There is no expression in his face and no way of knowing what he is thinking. There is also something very bad and exciting about being in that lush bedroom with a cold, cold banker who has paid for you. Come closer, he invites. Clubland chart music is playing in the background.

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Give Me a Reason by Pink and Nate Ruess comes on. Pink is singing, Right from the start you were a thief. You stole my heart. And I your willing victim. Lana walks slowly into the middle of the room. Her stomach is in knots. Her mouth is dry. Her eyes are saucers. There is not an ounce of fat on his sleek body. This is definitely not a man who imbibes Hobnobs. When she is two feet away from the bed, he says, Stop. She stops. Strip. Slowly. She freezes with shock. He laughs. The sound is soft but carries some hint of cruelty. He is the cat playing with the mouse. From his position of dominance and control he says, I wont say relax, Im not going to eat you, because I am. She straightens her back and steps out of her platforms. No, he commands. Not the shoes. Keep those on. Silently she steps back into them. She can hear the blood pounding in her ears. Nobody has seen her nude. She unties the ribbon in front of the dress and shrugs. It slips off her, whispering and sighing. For a moment she stands in her lacy underwear, suspenders and stockings. Pink and Nate are belting out, Just give me a reason. Just a little bits enough. For a second Lana thinks of Billie saying every puss needs a good pair of boots, and she tells herself, sure, why not? It is just sex. She twists her hands behind her back

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and takes her bra off. Lets it dangle at the tip of one finger before she lets it drop. Take your panties off. She slips the fingers of both hands into the bit of lace and string and eases it slowly down her legs. She comes up slowly resisting the urge to cover herself with her hands. You have a very, very beautiful body, Lana Bloom, the man on the bed says. His voice is thick with lust. Were not broken, just bent. And we can learn to love again. She faces his gaze again. His eyes are eating her alive. She has never seen hunger like that. Turn around. She turns around. Youre pouring a drink. No, nothing is as bad as it seems. Now spread your legs. Well come clean. Were not broken, just bent . She steps outwards. More. She obliges. Her calve muscles strain to hold the position in the high shoes. Bend forward. She bends. Touch the floor. She spreads her fingers, lays them on the floor, and hears his gasp. For some long seconds she is bent forward,

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her legs spread far apart, and her bum high in the air. His eyes are a hot tingle on her skin. The pose is blatantly demeaning. She should feel degraded and humiliated. Instead there is an unfamiliar heat between her legs. And her belly is clenched with feral excitement. Come here. She drops to her knees and crouching low, turns around. He is sitting on the edge of the bed. She stands and goes to him. His strong hands span her narrow waist and before she knows it she is travelling in the air. She lands on the bed with a slight bounce. On her back she watches him. His eyes are black and impenetrable. His body hard and big, the muscles rippling. Mine, he says possessively. Youre mine to do with as I please. Then he pins her on the bed and she watches with wide eyes as he takes off his trousers and steps out of his boxers, a truly magnificent creature. She stares at his cock with fascination. It is thicker than her wrist and huge. Will it fit inside her? He picks up a condom by the bedside, tears it open, and puts it on. He is as hard as a rock. Then he bends over her, opens her legs and stares at her opened, freshly waxed pussy. She feels her body tremble with anticipation. What a beauty you are. He runs his fingers along the slit of flesh. It opens out further, like the petals of a pink flower. Soaking wet. He takes his fingers out and puts them in his mouth.

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And as I expected: sweet. Her heart is hammering in her chest. You want this too, he says so softly she has to strain to hear him. As much as me. And she realizes that he is right: she does. She wants him as much as he wants her. She wants from him what she has never wanted from any other man. She wants him inside her, stretching her, possessing her. She stares at his angrily throbbing, erect dick. She wants all of that inside her. Her hands come up and touch it. Silky. But that small and tentative response from her drives him over the edge. Sorry, he grates suddenly. I just cant do foreplay this time. He put his hands on either side of her and plunges into her. The shock of his sudden entry makes her cry out in pain. He hurt her. A lot. He freezes. The ferocious lust is wiped away from his eyes. Jesus, he swears, and pulls out of her. She cannot help it. Tears well up in her eyes and escape down the sides of her temples. She closes her eyes. Why didnt you tell me? You didnt ask, she sniffs. She feels incredibly stupid. His hard length shifts and he sits facing away from her. It will be better next time, he says, and without touching her or comforting her, stands and begins to dress. Rejected

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and defeated, she watches his strong V-shaped back, the beautifully proportioned buttocks, and the columns of muscular legs as he shrugs into his shirt. He buttons it as he walks to the door. He cannot wait to get away from her. She is a great disappointment to him. She should have asked Billie for some lessons on how to pleasure a man. Instead she has lain there like a pillow and then worse still, she screamed when he entered her. She covers her cheeks with her hands. Oh, the shame of it. And this was what she saved up for. A fine mistress she was going to make. She hears the door close and she is alone in that stupendous apartment. Blake punches the button on the elevator and waits for it to come. He is in a state of shock. It is unbelievable. He curses himself. He should never have been so rough. He treated her like a common prostitute. But he never suspected that air of untouched innocence was not cultivated. Strange how badly he wants to go back into that bedroom and hold her. How much he wants to wipe away those tears and hold her until she falls asleep in his arms. But a larger part of him hates the way he feels. He doesnt want to feel for her. He is glad he has left her body. Away from it he can think rationally. Still he shouldnt have done what he did. He got carried away and lost himself in her essence, and the undeniable need to possess her completely. He doesnt

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exactly understand why, but whenever he is near her, he loses all his carefully cultivated cool. All he wants to do is strap her to his bed and have total control of her body. And why shouldnt he? He has paid for the privilege. The urge is strong now, he tells himself, but it will lessen with every single coupling. She will never be more than his three-month itch. A bottle-blonde is walking down the corridor towards the lift. The occupant of the other penthouse is an Arab sheik. He glances at her. She is wearing a tube top and white leggings. Her boobs are obviously fake, but she is beautiful in a hard sort of way. The way a mistress should be. He thinks of Lana again. The way the helpless tears escaped. He had not expected that. He cannot understand. Why would a virgin be propositioning someone like Lothian for money? For the first time he wonders why she had wanted the money. The lift arrives and he stands back to allow the woman to enter first. She has a good ass. She turns around in the lift and their eyes meet again. Neither smile, but her mouth twists. The air becomes thick with her unspoken invitation. He lets his eyes travel down her body and convinces himself Lana is not special. Even this one will do too. Nothing has changed. He will marry Victoria. He takes his phone out of his pocket and leaves a text for his secretary:

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Red rosesLana. White rosesVictoria

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Thirteen

m baking a cake, Lanas mother says. You are? There is a brightness in Lanas voice. Her mother only bakes when she is feeling good. Lemon, your favorite. Oh good. What time are you coming home? Im leaving now actually. Good. I want you to take a quarter over to Jacks mum. OK. See you in twenty minutes, Lana says and after putting a jar of blackberry jam, two tins of biscuits, and a box of fancy chocolates into her bag, leaves the apartment. She takes the bus to Kilburn. As she is running up the steps she meets Toms sister who says, Heard you snagged yourself a rich boyfriend. Not quite, Lana replies, and before she can be bullied into a confessional conversation steps aside, saying, Sorry,

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Ann, but got to rush. She runs past her taking the shallow steps two at a time. Already the curtain twitchers have spread the story. She turns the key in their blue door and is greeted by the fragrant smell of her mothers baking. It is instantly familiar and dear. This is her home. Her mother is in the kitchen washing up after the baking. Hey, I can do that for you. No, Im finished, her mother says, turns the tap shut and snaps off her rubber gloves. She faces her daughter. Her eyes, assessing, careful, and worried, change when she sees Lana. Oh my God! she cries. Your hair. I cant believe how beautiful you look. Lana smiles at her mother. I missed you yesterday. Have you had breakfast? Yeah. I brought some stuff for you. Lana reaches into her knapsack, brings out the tins of biscuits and chocolates and puts it on her mothers small kitchen table. Her mother comes forward, but she does not touch the food. Instead she looks at her daughter. Did you steal this? Her voice is no more than a whisper. Mum! Lana cries, shocked. What are you saying? Blakes secretary bought all this for me and I brought some back for you. Her mother sinks weakly into a chair. Sorry. Sorry, Lana. Of course, you would never steal. Ive just been so worried about you. Everything is so different. I dont

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know what to think anymore. The oven pings and she stands, but Lana pushes her down gently. Ill get it, she says, and donning the oven gloves takes the cake out. It smells divine and is nicely risen. She closes the oven door, puts the cake on the metal rack and leans against the sink. Shall I put the kettle on? We need to talk. Her mum nods and Lana sets about making the tea. While the tea is boiling she lays cups and saucers. Everyone else in the estate drinks from mugs except her mother, who always uses a cup and saucer. She pours the boiling water into the teapot and carries it to the table. When the tea has brewed she pours it out into two cups. She opens a tin of biscuits from Fortnum and Masons and holds it out to her mum. Her mums thin, pale fingers hesitantly take one. She bites into it and chews. Nice? Lana asks. Her mother nods. Youre going to America on Wednesday, Mum. Lanas mother puts the biscuit down beside the saucer. She links her hands tightly under the table and faces her daughter. Im going nowhere until I know exactly what is going on. Exactly how you are getting all this money. And what you are doing for it. I explained last night. The man I am seeing has given it to us.

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Who is this man that has fifty thousand pounds to spare? Mum, hes a millionaire many times over. He gave me double what I asked. Her mother stares at her aghast. You asked him for money? I didnt bring you up to ask men for money. Yeah, I asked him and so what? I didnt force him or steal it. Well, I dont want it. Id rather shrivel up and die than use this money. Lana freezes. She stares at her mother in shock. Her mothers face is set in the stubborn lines that Lana knows mean that her mind is made up. It cannot be changed. Lana swallows the lump in her throat and stands suddenly. Youd make me an orphan for your stupid pride, she accuses. Her mother blinks suddenly, the wind taken out of her sails. Are you going to sit there and tell me that if I was dying and had a few weeks left to live you wouldnt have asked a filthy rich stranger for a bit of money? Her mother says nothing. High and mighty ideals and principles are all right when you are not utterly, utterly desperate, Mum. You didnt just ask him, did you? Tell the truth. You prostituted yourself. Assuming that I did. And I didnt. Lana says a little prayer for her lie. Wouldnt you have done the same for

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me? Her mother begins to cry. You dont understand. You will, one day, when you have your own child. I am not important. She beats her chest with both her hands. This is just worm food. I wont have you sully yourself for this destroyed body. You are young. You have your whole life ahead of you and I am going to die, anyway. No, youre not, Lana whispers fiercely. But I am. And its time you accepted that. Remember when Daddy left and I swore to take care of you? Her mothers eyes become bleak. Yes. Would you have me break my promise? I going for another bout of chemo on Monday. What for, Mum? What for? That stuff is so dangerous itll probably kill you before the cancer does. Her mothers lips move wordlessly. Then she covers her mouth with one hand. Sit down, Lana, she whispers. Please. Lana shakes her head. No, I wont. Whats the point? In all the time I was trying to find a way to keep you alive I never thought that it would be you that would stand in my way. Lana turns away from her mother and begins to walk out of the house. She has sold herself for nothing. She reaches the front door and she hears her mother shout from the kitchen, Do you like him? She turns around and her mother is standing there so

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frail and breakable. Now she can be truthful. Yes. Ill go. Lana walks towards her mother. Im sorry, her mother sobs. Lana takes her poor wasted body in her arms and the tears begin to flow. Neither says anything. Finally, when Lana can speak, she chokes out. I love you, Mum. With all my heart. Please dont leave me. Youre my mum. Id do anything, anything for you. I know, I know, her mother soothes softly. Oh shit, Lana says. What? Lana steps away from her mother. She puts her hand into her pocket and brings out bits of blue shell. I brought you a blue egg. Her mother tries, she really tries hard, but a giggle breaks through. For a few moments Lana can only stare at the rare spectacle of her mother stifling laughter. Then she too cracks up. Take that jacket off and go wash your hand, her mother finally says. Ill make us a fresh pot of tea and well have some of those nice biscuits you brought. They are nice, arent they? Lana agrees, slipping off her soiled jacket and walking towards the sink. Lana is wiping her hands on a tea towel when her mother says, And youll have to bring that nice man Blake Barrington, did you say?over to dinner. Uh, yeah When you get back from your treatment.

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Her mother stops and looks at her. Im going to meet that young man before I get on the plane and Ill have no more said on the matter, she says firmly. While they are having their tea Lana tells her mother about the appointment she has made for a wig fitting in Selfridges. Unconsciously her mother puts her right hand up to her scarf. Oh, she says. Will that be very expensive? Lana grins. Were not paying for it. And her mother laughs. For the first time in many months, her mother throws back her head and laughs. Thats good. Thats very good, and while she is laughing she begins to cry. When Lana goes to hold her, she takes a deep, steadying breath and says, I know what you have done for me. You have used your body as a begging bowl. For a moment Lana is struck dumb by her mothers perceptiveness. Then her great, great love for her mother intervenes and she lies and lies and lies. You only say that because you have not met Blake yet. He is beautiful and strong and kind. It was love at first sight. When I told him about you, he gave double what he knew I needed. Her mother sighs. I pray to God that I will be alive for your wedding. Lana feels the hollowness spread into her body. It doesnt matter, she tells herself fiercely. So what if her mother will be disappointed? All that counts is her mother will be cured. She will forget this one in time and marry someone else, another who will not consider her so lowly

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that she is only fit to be hidden away like a dirty little secret. Someone with a beautiful heart like Jack. Yes, someone like Jack.

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Fourteen

ana leaves her mothers house and going past Billies door runs two floors down and rings Jacks mothers doorbell. While she is waiting for the door to be opened she looks down the railing, and sees Fat Mary browning herself into an uneven shade of lobster. Fat Mary is a big woman who lives in the corner downstairs flat and sunbathes topless in her garden even though it is overlooked by all the other flats in the block. Every Friday night she makes her hair big, stuffs herself into a tight dress and high heels, and goes to the Irish nightclub on Kilburn high street to find herself a bloke to bring home. Like clockwork they slip out of her door, all sheepish before lunch on Saturday. All the little boys on bicycles always call out, Hey, Mary, hows your mary? Her fat face never alters as she shows them her middle finger. Jacks mothers face appears at the kitchen window. Oh, hello, dear, she says with a smile, before she comes to open the door. She has the same beautiful eyes fringed by

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thick sooty lashes as Jack. Hi, Fiona. Mum sent you some cake. How lovely. How is she feeling today? Its a good day today. Thats good. Would you like to come in, dear? Nah, Ive got to run. Well, you run along, then. See you later, Lana says and turning begins to walk away. Lana? She turns back around. Yeah? Fiona hesitates and Lana hitches her bag higher up her shoulder and takes two steps towards her. Whats the matter? Iumheardyouahfound yourselfaboyfriend. A rich boyfriend, she says anxiously. Lana shifts from one foot to the other. I just met him, Fiona. I wouldnt call him a boyfriend just yet. It might not work out. Fionas timid face falls. It is obvious she has been hoping that the rumor going around is not true. Her voice is very tiny. You will be careful, wont you, my dear? I wouldnt say anything normally, but youve always been such an innocent thing. And I thought to myself, even if I come across as an interfering, old busybody, Ive got to say something. She takes a deep breath. You know, Ive always said you are the most beautiful girl on this estate, if not in all of Kilburn, and you should have become a

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model, but rich men are greedy. One is never ever enough for them. Lana puts her rucksack on the concrete floor and leaning forward hugs the woman. Thank you for caring, Fiona. I dont know how I would have coped all these years if not for Jack, Billie and you. Fiona hugs her tightly. Oh, child, you are like my own daughter to me. What you did for Jack; Ive never thanked you. Lana untangles herself from Fiona. What I did for Jack? It is I who should thank Jack. Hes taken care of me and fought my battles since the day I arrived. He will never talk about it, but the year you arrived was the year his father died. And he became quite unmanageable and surly. He began to run with a gang who stole, carried knives and drank alcohol across the railroads. I was afraid for him, afraid that he would turn out like all the other boys on the estatejobless drunks and drug addicts. But then your family moved in and suddenly he changed. He took over the job of being your older brother, and suddenly I got my caring, beautiful son back and now hes going to escape this terrible estate and become a doctor. Tears filled her lovely eyes. If I was useful to him then I am glad, because I dont know what my life would have been like without him. Fiona smiles proudly at the thought of her good son. Ive got to go, but Ill be around tomorrow with a box of biscuits like youve never tasted before.

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Oooo. Lana laughs. More like oo la la Theyre French. Goodbye, dear girl. Lana waves, and runs up the stairs. Her phone rings and she stops to answer it. It is Mrs. Arnold calling to say she has booked an eight thirty table for Lana and Blake at The Fat Duck. She reminds Lana to be ready by 7.30pm. Thanks, says Lara. She ends the calls and thinks, Ive been reduced to another appointment in his diary. Halfway up the second flight of stairs she hears Kensington Parish call out to her. She pops her head over the side railing and sees that he is standing at his bedroom window at almost eye level to her. Whats up, Kensington? Hey, Lana, he says. Do you think your man will let me have a ride in that car of his? Unlikely, she says and carries on running up the stairs even though she hears him shout pleadingly, Oh! Come on, Lana. You havent even asked. Its a 0-77. Its custom made, Lana. Come on Lana? Billies door is open and her mother is outside watering her hanging baskets of colorful plants. Shes in her bedroom, she says, by way of greeting. Thanks, Lana says, and runs up the worn blue carpet. She knocks once and enters. Billie is using up a can of hairspray on her hair. The room is choking with the stuff. Jesus, how can you bear to breathe this stuff? Open the window if it bothers you.

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Lana opens the window and takes a deep breath before facing the synthetic smell in the room. Thankfully, Billie has finished. Her white hair has now been sprayed into a stiff mans pompadour that will survive the greatest gust of wind. She looks at her reflection with satisfaction. Then she turns away from the mirror, switches off her small telly, and goes to sit on the bed. She pats the space next to her. Lana sits next to her and puts her bag down. Well, spit it out then. What was it like? It was awful. What? Sex with the loaded hunk was awful? Can we talk about it in a minute? I need to talk to you about some important stuff first. No problems. You are still OK to travel to the States with my mum, arent you? Of course. Are you kidding me? Id never get another chance like this. All paid. Good. Ill sort the tickets out so you travel out on Wednesday. And Mum has an entire day to recover before her appointment on Friday. You dont have to babysit her the whole time. Go out sightseeing and do the touristy thing. Youll have to accompany her to the doctor, though. Cool. Oh! Before I forget. I brought something for you. She digs into her bag and fetches the jar of blackberry jam.

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Billie takes it from her. Posh jam? Wow, Ive never had anything like this before. She reaches over, opens a drawer and gets a spoon. She twists open the lid and dips her spoon into it. Wow, you get to have awful sex and I get to go to America and eat jam from Harrods. Brilliant. How long is your contract for, again? Three months. Are you sure you cant increase it? Billie, dont be such a witch. She spoons more jam. Can we talk about your awful sex now? He left as soon as he found out that I hadnt been with anyone else. I was pathetic, Bill. I lay there like a lemon. How do you mean? Didnt you have sex? Sort of. As soon as he entered I sort of gasped in shock. It was so sudden andwell, painful, and he pulled out double quick. What? Lana bites her lip. It was so embarrassing. He just stopped and left. What do you mean left? He got dressed and left. And said nothing? He said, Itll be better next time. Fuck me. He didnt finish? No, Lana said uncertainly. Is that very bad? Bad! He sounds totally fucked up. Nobody stops

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halfway for no good reason. She chews her cheek and leans forward eagerly. Tell me what happened before he did the deed. Lana squirms. Well, he had me dress up in a white frock with white underwear and white stockings. Oh. My. God, Billie hoots and begins to cackle madly. He wanted a whore that he could pretend was a virgin, but when he found he had the real thing in his bed he freaked out and ran away. That is so funny. Its not, actually. Billie sobers with impressive speed. Sorry, yeah its not. Bill, will you teach me some techniques? I dont know what I can teach you. I dont do cock, remember? Then she looks at Lanas distraught face and grins. OK, lets start with foreplay. Foreplay waist up has to be pretty similar, right? OK, Lana says. The ear is wickedly horny. All kinds of things can happen when it is given a bit of attention. Run your finger along the rim like this. She runs her finger along the rim of her own ear. Sometimes you can lick your finger first and afterwards gently blow on the wet rim. But the best effect can be achieved if you nibble your way gently all the way down to the lobe and then suddenly stick your tongue into his ear. If done properly that should drive him crazy. Really? Lana says doubtfully.

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You should practice on someone else. Id let you practice on me, but I might start to really fancy you and that would be too weird. Are you serious? When you brush your teeth in the mirror in the mornings do you ever look at yourself? Youre fucking stunning, Lana. If I met you in a club, yeah, Id jump your bones. How about Jack? No, Jack is pissed off with me. He doesnt say it, but he thinks what Ive done is no better than what a prostitute does. Billie looks sideways at Lana. I admire you for what you have done. Oh well, he doesnt. Hes just mad because hes always had this older brother, dead protective complex about you. But the truth is we are all prostitutes. Some women will put out for an expensive dinner, another for a ring on her finger, another for a better lifestyle. You did it to save your mother. Thats a whole lot better than the rest of us, Id say. Thanks, Bill. Oh, there is another thing you can do to banker boy. You can tie him up! Youd need a metal bed or a fourposter, of course. This bed here would be useless. I once tied Leticia to her bed and it was real good. I told her to strip naked then I blindfolded her and trussed her to the four corners of the bed. And while she was lying there full of anticipation, I calmly told her I was going out to the

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shops to get some chocolate and was going to leave her bedroom door open. God, you should have seen the way she begged and then swore at me. She chuckles gleefully. Her mother had said she would be back in twenty minutes, you see. I stuffed her knickers in her mouth and went out. Made sure to close the front door with a bang too. Lanas mouth drops open. That was some chance you took. What if her mother had come back and found her tied spread-eagled and naked on her bed? Nah, I had met her mother going up the lift and she told me to tell Leticia that she was going to the hairdresser after and would be at least an hour. Was Leticia mad at you? Mad at me. She was quivering like a school dinner pudding. I stuck the Yorkie bar up her fanny and ate it off her. She said it was the best orgasm shes ever had. Lana laughs. Oh, Billie. Somehow I dont think hes going to let me tie him to a bed. You can still try the blindfold. It increases the sensation when you cant see. You could suggest a game. Put the egg timer on and he who comes first loses. When its his turn, blindfold him and give him the best sucking hes ever had. OK, maybe, Ill try that. Let me know how it goes, wont you? Billie says with a smile. Lana looks at her watch. Ive got to pop into the

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employment agency so they can tell tear a strip off me for inappropriately offering myself to one of their clients, but before I go; you know the extra money Blake gave me? Ive decided I want you to have half. Billies eyes widen. It takes a moment for her to find her voice again. Ill take the free trip and Ill take the jam, but Im not taking the money. Remember when we were kids and we used to say if we won the lottery wed share the money. Well Isnt this like winning the lottery? Billie smiles at Lana. This isnt the lottery. Besides, what would I do with money? You could go get your boobs done. Very tempting, but No buts. Do you want me to turn into one of those people who are generous only when they dont believe they will ever have the money? Would you give me half if our positions were reversed? Billie thinks and grimaces. To be honest I dont know what Id do. I think Im just like everyone else, I want to go out, get wasted out of my mind and have fun, but youve always been different. You used to save up to buy violets when you were a child and take the bus to see paintings in the National Gallery. That was probably why I was drawn to you then, even though you wore boring clothes and actually read books instead of waiting for the movie version. While you painted the toenails of your gerbil bright

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red Hamster, Billie corrects, and laughs. Whatever. I know youre on the dole and cant show that you have too much in the way of savings so Ive opened an account in my name at the Abbey and heres the card. Use it as it is yours.

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Fifteen

he is fastening her hoop earrings when she hears his key in the door. Her stomach in knots, she stands away from the dressing table and looks at herself. She is wearing her Pucci dress. The colors look good with her hair. She knows she has never looked so fine, but her heart is in her mouth. She is so nervous her hands are clammy. She wipes them and rubs lotions into them. Then she slips into her beautiful new Jimmy Choos and leaves the bedroom. She turns into the paneled corridor and hears him in the sitting room. He is looking down on the lighted view of London and has not heard her footfalls on the soft carpets. It is only when her reflection shows in the glass that he turns. The crease of his pants leg looks very sharp and his shoes are beautifully polished. Her eyes move upwards. He is wearing a navy suit and an open soft blue shirt. Her

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gaze travels to his brown, strong throat towards the deliciously straight mouth and up to his eyes; dark and hooded and so full of secrets. They are watching her intently. Her breath catches. The flowers he sent are behind him. Thank you, for the flowers. They are beautiful. Come here, he says and half sits on the table behind him. His voice is very soft. There is something in it she does not understand. She is nineteen and he is a man of the world. She goes willingly to him. He catches her by her waist and pulls her to him until she is trapped between his thighs. She feels the heat that comes off his body. Im sorry, he says. I didnt know. She shakes her head. You werent to know. Its my fault. I should have warned you. You look very beautiful tonight. She blushes. He watches her blush, then runs his finger along her lower lip. Are you for real? he whispers. She looks at him without comprehension. He wants to tell her then. But what? Tell her what? There is nothing to say. They are worlds apart. This will end in three months. He is being a fool. The expression in his eyes changes. His mouth twists. Something cold creeps into his eyes. Wed better go or well be late. Feeling the change she steps away from him. She does not understand. Hot and cold. Perhaps it is a game. But he will not beat her. She can survive three months. She

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thinks of her mother and says. Yes, we dont want to be late. Fuck. He wants to kiss that mouth. He doesnt want to go out. He wants to drag her by the hair to the bed and fuck her until she is so sore she is screaming for him to stop. The sick pull she has on him irritates and angers him. It is unnatural. He straightens and offers her the crook of his arm. His voice comes out hostile and clipped. Shall we? She bites her lip. Now he is angry with her. Nothing makes sense. Why is he angry with her? Confused, she threads her arm through his and they leave the apartment. He drives out of London to Bray. The Fat Duck is nestled in the middle of the English countryside. The women are wearing expensive clothes and the men are all in suits. She has never been anywhere so glamorous, but it is bitter sweet. She has lied to her mother. She is with this man as his whore. And all of this will come to an end in three months time. A young man with a French accent settles them into a waiting area and offers them delicate little bites of food and two glasses of champagne. The champagne is compliments of the house. Apparently Blake is well known at this establishment. They are called amuse-bouches, mouth amusements, Blake explains and watches as she nibbles on the tiny offerings. Mushroom and hazelnuts with basil oil and salmon mousse. Well? I dont think Ive ever had anything so delicious in all my life.

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The sommelier comes to help select the wine that will perfectly complement the food they intend to have, but Blake knows exactly what he wants. The 1996 Clos du Mesnil. The sommelier seems pleased with Blakes choice. The wine is brought and presented to Blake. When he nods, it is uncorked and a small amount is poured into a deep glass and given to Blake. He swirls it, sniffs it delicately, and pronounces it acceptable. A fifth of Lanas glass is filled. She raises it to her lips and tastes it. What passed for wine until now seems abrasive mixtures of grape juice and vinegar. With complicated scents that tease her nose and a distinctively smooth taste that slides down her throat the wine is truly spectacular. Lana studies the menu with fascination. It is no wonder that this restaurant is so famous. It has a uniquely original menu. There is something called the mad hatters tea party with mock turtle soup, a pocket watch and toasted sandwich. Then there are snail porridge, crab biscuits and quail jelly, chicken served with vanilla mayonnaise, shaved fennel and red cabbage gazpacho with mustard ice cream, and something else she cant recognize served with oak moss and truffle oil. Blake chooses roasted foie gras to start. Lana sighs inwardly. She is not eating force-fed goose liver. The waiter looks at her. I wont bother with a starter, thank you. He orders the lamb with cucumber.

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Ill have the same, she murmurs. The waiter moves away, and he looks at her strangely. His eyes are pitying. You cant read, can you? Her head tilts back. Of course I can. I am a qualified secretary. What was I supposed to think? Jay told me you signed the contract without reading it and this is the second time you have ordered the same as me and you hardly touched your food the last time. Why? She decides to be honest. I dont know which utensil to use to eat what. He is so surprised, he leans back in his seat and regards her quietly. Not taking his eyes off her, he raises a hand slightly. Immediately, a waiter comes to his side. The lady would like to see the menu again, please. And hold the earlier order. Of course, sir. He returns with the menu. Would you like a moment with it? No, she says. I know what I want. Id like the mock turtle soup to start and the poached salmon. When he is gone, Blake says, With utensils always start with the ones that are furthest out from the plate and work your way in. I will help you. Thank you. So what have you done today? Well, I got taken off the books for erinappropriate behavior so I went off in search of another temporary

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agency. He frowns. I dont want you to work for the duration of our contract. Why? Because I want you to be available to me day and night. I might want to have you at three in the morning or between meetings in the afternoon, he explains brutally, and Lana feels a sexual thrill clench at her lower belly. It should be no problem for you. Whats that supposed to mean? Dont you live on an estate where nobody works and everybody just scrounges off the state? She shakes her head in wonder. Wow, thats one sweeping generalization youve just made there! Why, is it not true? While I was a child growing up my teachers and the governmental offices where my mother had to go for her weekly handouts, in subtle and unsubtle ways, tried to force into me the opinion you have just expressed. That we were parasites. I always knew there was something inherently wrong about any train of thinking that could so conveniently dismissed all the unemployed and dependent as parasites. But we did seem to be living off others. Then one day I learned the true nature of the parasite and it changed my life. He looks at her intently. She smiles. It does not reach her eyes. I learned that a successful parasite is one that is not recognized by its host,

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one that can make its host work for it without appearing as a burden. As such it must be the ruling class in every capitalist society that is the real parasite. How is my kind a parasite to yours? he scoffs. She takes a sip of the wonderful wine that he has paid for. How much tax did your family pay last year? He leans back and regards her curiously. We paid what was legally due. Now it is her turn to scoff. Let me guess. Almost nothing. He shrugs. There is nothing wrong with legitimate tax avoidance schemes. I dont see how we are being parasitical, because we wont let the government take what is hard won and rightfully ours, and pass it onto the bone lazy masses who dont want to work and expect others to fund their lifestyles. In fact, Ill go so far as to say the system in this country is mad. Girls have babies when they are teenagers so the government will set them up in a flat and pay them a stipend for the rest of their lives. Crazy. She shakes her head slowly. Do you really believe what you are saying? Of course. Do you think teenage girls getting pregnant to secure a home for life is right? Their food arrives. It looks more like a work of art than food. Lana reaches for the spoon that is furthest away and Blake nods. Blake picks up his knife and fork. Im kind of waiting

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for your reply. Lana sighs. No, I dont, but we are not talking about badly educated teenagers from troubled homes who think that is the best way out for them. The teenage pregnancies are a result of a system that has marginalized and refused a good education to the poorest sections of society. They are not parasites. They are desperate people who have been trained to think that is the best they can get out of life. But your lot. We actually keep the country going, creating jobs Sure, in China and other Third World countries. Slave labor jobs. Besides, youre a banker. You dont create anything. He shifts in his chair. Hang on, let me get this right; my family is parasitical for not paying astronomical taxes, and your lot are not parasites even though you dont work a day in your lives and live entirely on government handouts. Have you ever thought that people can be poor by design. When a child is born on the estate, he is already doomed to repeat his fathers life. He will bear that same angry, helpless attitude of his father and never amount to much. In school he will be taught only to be a good worker. And if he has even a bone of rebellion in him he will refuse and become a scrounger. My mother was educated in a different country and she was from the middle class so she taught me middle class values. Work, earn money, pay your own way.

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So why do you work only part-time? I do that because my mother is often sick and I am her primary carer. Whats wrong with your mother? Cancer. Oh. She will make it. He nods slowly. Are you a Muslim? Lana sits back and watches Blake while their plates are cleared away. The hard planes of his face have been softened. No, my mother is a devout Christian. I am an agnostic. So far no God has impressed me as benign and truly interested in the welfare of humans. Main course, announces the waiter, and plates are lowered onto the table. Lanas salmon is encased in a tiny square parcel made of liquorice gel, and looks almost too beautiful to eat. She lifts the fish knife and cuts it open. Inside, the fish is perfectly cooked. She slips a tiny morsel pass her lips, and is surprised by how delicate and silky it is on her tongue. I have a very big favor to ask you. she says. He raises his eyebrows. It is very important to me. Sure, he says. You agreed without knowing what I am going to ask? When people say I need a very big favor its bound to

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be a small thing. It is when they ask for a small favor that I start worrying. So, what is it you want? My mother has invited you around to dinner. Its just the once. You will have to pretend to be my boyfriend, she says quickly. What sort of thing will I have to do to convince her that I am your boyfriend? Just the usual. Hold hands, a quick kiss. Nothing too heavy. He smiles. I think I can manage that. Thank you. I owe you one. Maybe one day you will need a favor and I can do something to help. Ill remember that, he says, and falls silent. But the silence is not uncomfortable and they finish their main meal without further conversation. He orders the macerated strawberries for dessert. Ill have the same, she says. He grins. I thought you might go for the Like A Kid In A Sweetshop. I nearly did, she says, Do you know whats in it? Just a selection, I guess. Want to change your mind? No. The dessert is so delicious Lana wishes her mother is with her. After the handmade chocolates the bill arrives. It is over four and a half thousand pounds. Lana looks at Blake in shock. That is more than her mother spends on food for a whole year. It must be good to be so rich. He raises his eyes and returns her look. His eyes are sultry and

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slumberous. And suddenly he seems devastatingly, impossibly handsome, but so aloof and unreachable that it is almost as if she has her nose pressed against a glass window and is looking in at something she can never have. She feels like the match girl from Hans Christian Andersens fairy tale. She has only a limited number of matchsticks that she must keep lighting to see the beautiful sight in front of her. When the matches run out she will die.

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Sixteen

e opens the door of the apartment and waits for her to enter. She walks in and stands with her back to him, waiting. She hears the thick click of the door, then he is standing behind her. His breath is on her neck. Mmmm You smell so good, he whispers. She leans her head back and finds his chest. She hears the sound of a zip and her dress is pooling around her shoes. He unhooks her bra and frees her breasts. Suddenly, he has scooped her into his arms and is carrying her down the long corridor. There is something so caveman and primal about being carried to be ravished that she buries her head in his wide chest so he will not see how unbearably excited and flushed she is. She has been claimed. Now she will be possessed and owned. He kicks open the bedroom door and lays her down on the bed. Then he brings his mouth down on hers and kisses her ferociously. The feel and heat of his mouth is a shock to

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her system. Every coherent thought flees. From his mouth he is transferring hunger into her very cells. Every fiber of her being wants him inside her again. He takes his mouth away. She comes up heaving for air. His tongue moves across her collarbone and she whimpers. That small mewl of surrender sends him into overdrive. He has been with hundreds of women, some as beautiful, and others sexually more accomplished, but none of them has done this to him. He pushes his knee between her legs and forces them open. He licks the soft swell of her breast and circling his lips around one taut peak, sucks it softly. His large hand skims the soft flesh between her legs. The small bit of lace between them is no match for him. The sound of tearing is loud in her ears. Her eyes fly open. They are glazed, the pupils dilated. She registers his eyes as smoldering and intently watching, her face, her mouth, her reactions. His roving fingers encounter thick juices and they make him growl. She stares at him, not understanding it to be the guttural rumble of possession and ownership. She gasps, but does not look away when his fingers first one then two thrust into the wet crease. The thrusting is slow and languorous. Delicious. She raises her body to reach for his mouth. With a groan his hot hungry mouth swoops down to meet hers. As the kiss grows deeper she becomes lost in the foreign sensations inside her. The blood rushes through her veins. The action between her legs is picking up pace, becoming more urgent.

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Suddenly he takes his fingers out. Dont, she breathes. Her voice is ragged, an unfamiliar mess. She runs her fingers down his hard stomach towards the zip of his pants. Her hands are trembling, useless things. He pushes them away gently, and does the job himself. Naked he is magnificent. A god. Muscles rippling. He positions himself over her and very slowly sinks his hard flesh into her. He is stretching her, filling her, in a slow, hot movement of pain and shock andstrangely, pleasureas her sex struggles to accommodate the unfamiliar invasion. His eyes, nearly black with passion, never leave her. Watching. Watching. The widening of her eyes, the way her lips part, the shudders that shake her body. It is sweet torture. She arches with satisfaction and moans. Her soft moan seems to incite him further and he increases the pace of his thrusts. He forces himself deeper and deeper inside her, filling her right to her core. Does it still hurt? he asks. This deep? Yes. Of course it does. No, she gasps. So he rocks inside her. Suddenly like a whip passion curls and races through her body, surprising her with its ferocity. It erupts in a strangled cry that surprises even him. He looks at her possessively, proudly, as if he has branded her. He is the owner of her lust. In his hands and

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mouth and body he holds her pleasure. He said he wanted to fuck her senseless and he does. His pace becomes punishingly hard and fast, but she loves the pounding. Something is billowing through her; it feels as though it could bring some kind of release. When it comes it is a riotous, glorious tidal wave that rips through her. She becomes one with him, one body, one mind, one soul. But he is still moving. Unfinished. Then her name tears past his lips. The tidal wave is upon him. She comes back slowly. The lethargy is luxurious. She remains spread-eagled in her ecstasy. He gathers her tired limbs gently and shuts them. She looks up at him dreamily. He pulls a sheet over her naked skin, and then he leaves her. The door shuts with its thick click.

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Seventeen

y the time Lana arrives at the Black Dog, it is heaving with lunchtime trade and Jack is already sitting at a table by a window nursing a pint. As always, the sight of him makes her feel safe. She longs to run into his arms, hes been fighting her battles for her for as long as she can remember, but this time he cant help. She makes her way through the crowd, many of whom she knows, towards him. His straight brown hair is still wet and has been slicked back carelessly. He looks so dear and yet so far away from her. He has always been a deeply mysterious person. Hardly anyone really knows him. He looks up and sees her. He has the pained blue eyes of a tortured artist. He should have been one. He stands slowly, and, unsmiling, opens his arms to her. With a sigh, she goes into that place where she has felt safest since she was a child. She breathes in the familiar smell of his soap, so clean, so honest. When she pulls away, he looks at her

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carefully. Your hair Lana smiles. Yeah, itll grow back. No, its good like that. You all right? Yes, she says. Take a pew and Ill get you a drink. What dyou want? Orange juice. He raises his eyebrows. And? She dimples at him. Vodka. He nods and makes his way to the bar. She watches him. He is tall and broad-shouldered and Julia is watching him eagerly. For as long as Lana can remember Julia has lusted after Jack. And now that he is studying medicine, her desire for him has grown to unmanageable proportions. Julia catches Lanas eye and waves. Lana smiles and waves back. Immediately, Julia begins to make her way towards Lana. Lana sighs inwardly. Now she will have to make small talk. Besides, she is only coming to talk to Lana because Jack is here. Hey, she says. She is dressed from head to toe in shades of pink. Hey, Lana replies. So Jacks down? She lays a palm down on the table and drums her fluorescent-pink, plastic nails on it. Mmnn. Are you guys having lunch?

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Yup. She looks lingeringly at the empty chair next to Lana, but Lana doesnt invite her to join them. She knows Jack will be irritated and besides, she needs to talk to Jack and explain. Jack has arrived and is standing beside the table with her drink and two packets of salt and vinegar crispstheir favorite flavor. Hi, Jack, Julia simpers up at him, fluttering her eyelids like a black and white movie star. Jack smiles tightly. Hi. Lana was just telling me that you are about to have lunch. Mind if I join you? She smiles invitingly. Not this time, Jules We have private things to discuss. Oh. Sorry. Maybe next time then, she says, and, flashing a hurt smile, flounces off. Thanks, Lana says, and takes the drink off Jack. Jack smiles at Lana and sits down. He takes a sip of his pint. Well, then, he probes. Hows it going? Lana can tell that he is in a bad mood. Perhaps he is even angry. Great. No problems, she says. His eyes narrow on her face, flash down to her clenched hands, then he focuses on trying to read her eyes. Dont lie to me, Lana. I know you better than that. His voice becomes hard. Has he hurt you?

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No, course not. Then what is it? he prompts. Im just confused, I guess. This is not how I thought my life would be. Your life? I thought it was only for a month. Lana sighs. It was three months or no deal. Jack draws his breath sharply. I wish you hadnt done it, Lana. You never even told me. I knew what youd say. It was a spur of the moment decision. But to sell yourself. Jack looks openly angry. Id do it all again, Jack. Yeah, but this treatment youre paying for, its not even properly recognized. Ive looked up this Burzynski character on the net, and he seems well meaning enough, but its not proper medicine, Lana. All his results are anecdotal. Some of his critics are even accusing him of selling hope. Lana leans forward. Do you really think after all these years that the FDA wouldnt have locked him up and thrown away the key if he was just selling hope? Hundreds perhaps thousands of people have been cured by him, Lana insists passionately. Some people are even calling his method the greatest find of the century. Theyve already warned me that Mums chances are slim at best, but maybe shell be one of the lucky ones. Even if she has only got a one percent chance of recovery, Im going to take it. Ive got nothing to lose. Everything else has failed.

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Jack drops his eyes to the scratched wooden table. Remember that time when you were six years old, and I left you outside the newsagent to go in and get some sweets, and when I came out a pervert in a car was trying to persuade you to accept a lift? Lana nods. Yeah, I remember it as if it was yesterday. Your face, as you came rushing out, and punched the guy through the window. He hit the gas pedal, swerved, nearly hit an oncoming car, and screeched up the road. How old were you then? Sixteen? Yeah. I couldnt believe my eyes. I leave you for one minute to buy some sweets, and you are almost snatched by a pedophile. We didnt tell my mum, did we? No, we didnt. You know what, Lana? It feels like Ive just gone into the sweetshop for some sweets and Ive come out and a pervert has driven off with you. It feels like Ive failed you. I thought I was going to study medicine, get a good job, and be a proper brother to you and your mum. And now it turns out youre out there selling your body. Please dont be angry with me, Jack. I cant bear it when you are. Her eyes well with tears. She blinks them away. His face softens. There is sadness in his voice when he speaks. And I cant bear it when you cry. Im not angry with you, Lana. Im angry with myself for failing you. You havent failed me, Jack. Im so proud of you. Of

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everyone we know, youre the only one who has made it out of this vortex of poverty and hopelessness. Im not your responsibility. Im a big girl now. I can take care of myself. Jack nodded. I know. I just wanted better for you. Its not so bad. Its just sex, Jack. Hows your mum, anyway? Shes bad, Jack. Real bad. The good days are less and less. You do see that I had to do this, dont you? Maybe, but I dont like it, though. Since we are openly discussing my sex lifeare you gay? What? Are you gay? Jack laughs. Thatll be a surprise to my girlfriend. Lana gasps. You have a girlfriend? Mmnnn. Since when? About a week ago. I was always so focused on getting out of the estate I didnt allow myself to get distracted. But my goal is in sight now and shes a great girl. And just when were you going to tell me, Jack Irish? Well, how could I with you springing your big news on me? Tell me more about her. Before he can answer, her phone rings. It is Blake. Hi, she says, looking at Jack.

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Are you at the apartment? No. Can you get there in thirty minutes? I guess so. See you in thirty minutes. That was him? Jack asks. She nods. Ive got to go. Ill take a rain check on lunch with you, but Im buying and were going somewhere nice. With his money? She doesnt say anything. Of course its his money. Her credit cards were maxed out before him. Thanks, but no thanks. I understand why youre doing what youre doing, but Ill be damned if Im going to help spend his money. As far as Im concerned its blood moneyyour blood. Im not going to drink from it. She looks at him helplessly. Its not that bad. Dont let it come between us, please, she begs. Nothing will come between us. Ill always be here for you and will be long after he is gone. Im your brother. No matter what happens, I want you to know Im always here, a phone call away. You can always come to me. Tears spring into her eyes. She blinks them away. Whats the name of that girlfriend of yours? Alison. Jesus, shes lucky.

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He smiles. You must tell her. When? Youll see at Toms birthday party. Im bringing her. She bites her lip. If I am allowed to be there, I would love to meet her. His eyes narrow dangerously. Are you some kind of sexual slave to him, Lana? Lana feels the hot color run up her neck. No, but its the arrangementI have to be there whenever he wants me. Jack draws a sharp breath. That is just sick, he fumes. Lana covers her cheeks with her palms. Please, Jack, leave it. Youre such a fucking innocent. Does your mother know about this pact of abuse you have signed up for? Of course she doesnt, but its not abuse, Jack. Its not exactly a hardship to sleep with the man that Hello! magazine has called the most eligible bachelor in the world. So what does your mother think? Lana bites her lip. She thinks Ive got myself a rich boyfriend. She pauses. You know I dont believe in God. All my life Ive thought its a cruel god up there, if there is one at all, but you do, and your god is kind and forgiving. Will you pray to your god to save my mother? I pray every day for your mum, Lana. The tears spill down her cheeks. Sadly, he reaches out a hand and wipes them. Dont

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cry, little one. Maybe this treatment will work. Maybe she will get better. She smiles. I dont know what Id do without you, Jack. Sometimes when I am really sad I think of you studying in your dorm, and it makes me feel happy. Dr Jack Irish, your next patient has arrived. Jack smiles, but it is a sad smile. I did what I had to do. Jack puts his hand on his forehead; his eyes are unexpectedly gentle. All right, Lana. Well play it your way. Be safe and remember Im here for you. Always. If ever it getsstrange or dangerous, call me immediately. I swear if he ever hurts you, I dont care if I end up in prison, Im going to punch his lights out. She nods. Ill be all right. Its just sex, she says and he winces. Please dont say that again, Lana. It hurts my ears. Ive not suddenly become Fat Mary, you know. Perish the thought, Jack says, the ghost of a smile flickering into his face. I have to go now. He stands. Ill pop by and see your mum later. Thanks Jack. Shell like that. She likes you. Do you know she thought you and I would get together? He makes a face. Oh dear. She laughs. I know. Goodbye, Jack. She moves forward, kisses him on his cheek and walks towards the entrance. As she crosses it her phone flashes

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with an incoming text. Wear nothing. She looks at the screen again. Wear nothing. And feels a stirring of excitement deep within her belly.

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Eighteen

n the bathroom her eyes are smoky in the mirror. She undresses quickly and pulls on the bathrobe hanging behind the door. She still hasnt got used to her hairless body. It seems too girlish, somehow, but she knows why he wants it so. Everything in his life is neat and tidy. Not a pubic hair out of place. When she hears him in the corridor she freezes. Wear nothing. She takes the bathrobe off, slips into the bedroom and stands inside the door. He is already there. He is dressed in grey trousers. His tie is loosened and his shirtsleeves have been haphazardly folded up his arms. His watch glints on his strong wrist. He goes to her and leads her to the big black armchair by the large mirror. She sees herself in the mirror. Nude. Porcelain skin and fuck me now, blue eyes. How beautiful you are, he says, watching her through the

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mirror. His eyes are heavy-lidded and cloudy with desire. Fully clothed he stands behind her. Gently, he hooks his handmade leather shoe underneath her right foot and lifts it. The leather is cool and smooth and the laces rub erotically against the soft sole of her foot. His shoe deposits her foot on the padded seat of the big black chair. The position has exposed her sex in the most indecent way. She doesnt recognize the woman in the mirror. She looks wanton and shameless. Now she knows why she is bald. There is nothing to hide behind. It is so shameful it is exciting. She looks away. I want you to see what I am doing to you. She meets his eyes in the mirror. He kisses her neck and she moans and tries to turn towards him. No, watch. She looks at the mirror. She is throbbing with excitement. She has willingly spread open her sex and allowed him access into her most intimate parts. She feels his fully clothed body brush against her. Vaguely: buttons pressing into her backsoft wool against her buttocks and thighs. Then his hand is moving towards her navel. I love your skin. It is like the finest silk. His hand moves downwards without any resistance. All the while he is watching her watching herself. His palm comes to press on her pubic bone. She watches the palm make circles. The circles become tighter and tighter until they are moving the flesh over her clitoris. Suddenly his index finger taps at her clit. She shivers with helpless wanting.

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Not yet, he whispers. I will decide when you come. Then his fingers move quickly in a sweeping motion along her crack, gathering juice. There is enough there. The lubricated finger circles the swollen, throbbing bud. Watching him pleasure her is the most unexpectedly erotic thing she has experienced. She gasps and longs for the feeling of being full. That feeling of having him inside her, but he does not give that to her. Instead he rubs around her sex, his fingers are cunningly methodical. The same movement again and again. In minutes she feels the waves coming, but as she pushes eagerly towards them, towards release, his fingers stop, and even though she pushes her hips towards them, they stubbornly refuse to move, until the waves dissipate. She sags against him, frustrated, and he slowly pushes his finger into her. Wet, hot and tight, he says. She looks at his large hand; the thick, masculine wrist peppered with silky hair. Again that longing to be filled, not with one finger, but with the magnificently thick, long shaft inside his trousers. She bites her lip to stop herself from crying out, Fuck me. Kiss me, he orders. She twists her neck around and gives him her mouth. His tongue enters it. She sucks greedily. A finger becomes two and increases speed. Just as she is beginning to enjoy the rhythm the fingers are withdrawing, slipping and sliding around the lips. He takes his mouth away. His

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other hand leaves her waist and cups her chin and makes it face the mirror. She stares at herself in shock. At his big hands moving and the glistening redness of her engorged sexit is as if it is alive. A shameless greedy creature. And suddenly she is coming. Hard. She feels herself losing balance and his hand like a vice around her waist. She leans her head back against his chest for a moment. Hold onto the chair, he says, and bends her over. He puts a hand on her back at waist level and pushes down, so her hips are angled, her sex is more exposed. She hears his zip and the soft sound of his trousers dropping. Putting his palm on either side of her face he turns her head and makes her watch what he is doing to her. I want you to watch me fucking you. With wild eyes she looks at the image their bodies make as he grabs her by the hips and his proud cock disappears inside her. Now, let me hear your cries. Purr for me, Lana, he commands and rams ferociously into her willing, dripping wetness. She cries out with the sensations. The fullness, the depths that he has gone into. It is surprisingly painful, but such is her need to have him inside that she welcomes the pain and pushes against him to take more of him. So he goes even deeper, until his thick shaft is buried all the way to the root. One hand falls on her back, pushing her into the armchair, while the other grasps her shoulder. The solid armchair rocks with his

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thrusts. Then the animal in him takes over. With bestial urgency he drives into her. Harder and faster. Grinding her against him. At that moment she is utterly possessed by the man. His to do anything with. As he slams into her she realizes that the palm of his hand that is pressed against her pubic bone is bringing forth different sensations. The rubbing is causing her to come again. It is explosive this time, makes her body convulse uncontrollably and lasts, even through his last urgent thrusts and his groan of release. She feels his body slacken against hers. With both his arms around her waist he straightens her, and holds her close to him while he is still inside. She looks at him in the mirror and finds his eyes unreadable. He withdraws out of her and goes into the bathroom. She looks in the mirror. Without him in the mirror she seems alone and abandoned. On trembling legs she moves to hide her nakedness inside the bathrobe.

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Nineteen

ana is so anxious she forgets to warn him of her mothers wasted appearance. It is only when her mother opens the door in her best blue dress, a new blue scarf, and smiling through freshly applied lipstick that she remembers. But when she looks up at Blake he is smiling and suave. He hands her mother the bouquet of flowers he has brought for her and steps through the door into their poor home. Thank you for inviting me, Mrs. Bloom. It is a great pleasure to finally meet you. Nice to meet you too, Mr. Barrington. Please, you must call me Blake. And you must call me Nys. Nys? AhFrench. Yes, not many people know that. My mother loved the sound of it. I agree with her. A pretty name it is.

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Come in, come in, Lanas mother says.. Blake takes Lanas hand. She is surprised at how casually he does it. As if he has done it many times before. Her mother has decorated the table with fresh flowers and candles. The door to the small balcony is open and the sound of children swearing floats up. Her mother closes the door and puts on some music instead. Something smells very good, Blake says. Her mother glows with pleasure. It is obvious she is taken with Blake. Oh, its just chicken and rice. A Persian recipe. With fruit. Yes, pomegranates. How did you know? And so the night goes with her mother glowing and charmed and Blake urbane and genteel. When the food appears it is delicious, and Blake makes it a point to polish his plate. Occasionally, he looks with adoring eyes at Lana, and other times reaches for her hand, never too obvious, and so real it makes her freeze uncomfortably. Once he even reaches forward and lightly brushes his lips against hers. She blinks. Another time he looks mockingly into her eyes. She turns away in confusion. This Blake she cannot understand or deal with. This Blake is dangerous to her well-being. This Blake she will want to keep beyond the three months stipulation. Her mother serves a chocolate melt in the middle pudding. Again, Blake makes it a point to finish every last drop.

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When her mother offers Blake a strong, Middle Eastern coffee, he immediately accepts. There is only one uncomfortable moment in the evening when her mother turns to Blake and asks, Have you ever done anything that you wish you could go back and undo? Something you regret? No, Blake says easily. Her mother turns to her. What about you, Lana? Lana looks her mother in the eye. Absolutely not. They sit in the back of the Bentley with Peter driving. How is it you know so much about Persian history? It was part of our school curriculum. I dont remember learning anything like that in school. That is because you were right in what you said yesterday. My education has been designed to make me a leader, and yours to turn you into an obedient worker. It is how a capitalist system works. No country can be successful without its workers. Is it right? Blake turns away from her and stares out of the window. For a while neither speak, then Blake turns towards her. You needed the money for her, didnt you? To send her to America for treatment. She leaves tomorrow.

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Where is she going? The Burzynsky Research Center. I have heard of Dr. Burzynsky. The FDA have taken him to court a few times and not been able to indict him. A good sign for your mother. In the dark his eyes stare at her with an expression she cannot comprehend. When they reach the apartment, Blake drops the key onto the side table. Want a nightcap? OK. They go into the living room with its low lights. What will you have? Baileys. She goes to the long sofa and watches him pour her drink, drop some ice cubes into it, and then pour himself a finger of Scotch. He holds her drink out to her. She takes it and he eases himself beside her. Would you like to go shopping with Fleur again tomorrow? No. He turns to look at her. Why not? She shrugs. Ive still got things I havent worn yet. Besides, Id like to spend some time with my mum before she leaves in the evening. He nods. What kind of cancer? It is in her lungs, liver, femur bone and pelvis. There is a flash of something in his eyes. He does not believe her mother will make it. He drops his eyes to his drink. He takes a sip, puts it down on the glass table.

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Come here, he says. She scoots closer, but he lifts her bodily by the waist while she squeals, and puts her so she is sitting astride him. Her pussy comes in contact with the bulge in his trousers. She stops laughing. She can feel herself becoming wet. She bends forward and runs her tongue along his ear. When she reaches his earlobe she takes it between her teeth. Hey, he says and pulls her away from him. She looks at him surprised. Where did that come from? he asks. My best friend Billie taught me the technique, but I probably did it wrong. Did I bite too hard or something? Or something. He rubs her plump lower lip absently. I cant believe an innocent like you still exists, he says. Then he lifts his eyes to hers. Here, let me show you a much more useful technique, and that night he unzips his trousers and teaches her how to take his silky cock entwined by its two angry green veins and pleasure him with her mouth. She awakens in the dark and knows immediately that she is not alone. For the first time, he has stayed the night with her. She feels the heat from his body and hears his deep, even breathing. Carefully, she eases her body away from his and as silently as possible gropes across the surface of her bedside table. She finds the remote control and switches on the bathroom light. Light filters through and dimly illuminates his face. She

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turns her head and for a long time simply watches him asleep on his side, facing her. The lines that hold his face so tightly during the day are relaxed and soft. Like this, he is heartbreakingly beautiful. She has an irrational desire to run her index finger along his stubby eyelashes. She doesnt. Instead, she slips out of bed and slipping on a large T-shirt, heads towards the light. She closes the door behind her, uses the toilet and waits for its quiet whirling to end before she opens the door. Her trip to her side of the bed is interrupted by the sight of his wallet lying on his bedside. She stops and looks at it. Once, when she was very young, she opened her fathers wallet to look inside and was saddened by what she found inside. Two five pound notes, the coin purse bulging with small change, a petrol receipt, and no photographs of either her mother or her. She had taken it to her nose and sniffed it. Many years after he left them, she would come across other mens wallets and wonder what they kept inside theirs. She finds herself moving towards Blakes wallet. As her fingers connect with the expensive hide, a steely hand clamps down on hers. She gasps with shock and lands on the bed beside him, her startled eyes flying to his face. His are alert and watching. What are you doing? Nothing, she says lamely. Her face is flaming. Ask if you need money. His voice is cold and distant. Suddenly, it occurs to her what it must look like to him.

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She shakes her head in horror. I wasnt trying to steal your money. I just wanted to see what was in it. For a moment he looks at her curiously, the way a dog will tilt its head when it is trying to figure out what you are trying to communicate to it. Then he takes the wallet and tosses it into her lap. So look. His eyes move to her mouth as her teeth worry at her lower lip. What? With you watching? His eyebrows rise. Would that spoil theer experience? She swallows, sits up and opens the wallet. It is slimmer than her fathers, the leather wonderfully soft. And it smells new. There are no photographs behind the plastic of his wallet either, only the deep red card that it came with. She runs her thumb along the stitching and down the credit card sleeves. There are only five credit cards in it, none of them from high street banks. One seems to be from Coutts, another is an American Express Black, and the other three she does not recognize. There is a wad of fifty-pound notes that have the look and feel of freshlyminted money. No small change at all in the purse section. She closes it and returns it to the bedside. Well? You wouldnt understand. Do you know that youre one strange girl? She looks down at her bare feet, wriggles her toes. Have you never wanted to look in a womans handbag? Never.

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Why not? He rubs his chin. Cant say the contents of a womans handbag have ever held any interest for me. I was always more interested in the contents of their clothes. With a sigh, she gets up to return to her side. Like now, he says softly She looks down on him, a half smile on her face, then pulls her T-shirt over her head and discards it on the floor. His eyes begin to glitter, and instantly her body responds and yearns for him. The tug of anticipation is strong, but she doesnt go to him. She stands very still as the juices accumulate between her thighs. Come here, he says finally, his voice at once husky and slumberous, and it is a relief to have that mans strong hands grasp her by her upper arms and press her into the mattress.

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Twenty

ana wakes up early. She presses the remote button for the curtains and they sweep open, revealing a beautiful day. The sun is already shining brightly. She dresses quickly in a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt and heads for the coffee machine. After several tries she walks to the phone and calls the desk downstairs. Mr. Nair answers. He immediately tells her he will be around to show her how to use it. Mr. Nair even shows her how to froth the milk for her cappuccino. He tells her he used to work in a coffee bar in his younger days. Do you want one? Lana offers. Mr. Nairs eyes shine. Are you sure, Miss Bloom? We only have instant downstairs and Id love a real coffee. Of course Im sure, Lana says and takes down another saucer and cup. Ah, Mr. Nair says delicately. I am a Brahmin and I am not allowed to drink from other peoples cups. I have

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my own mug. I will bring it up. And he does. He brings his own I Am The Boss mug. Lana opens a tin of biscuits and offers it to him. He takes two, she raises a thats-it eyebrow, and he grins and helps himself to two more. Any time you want a real coffee, call me, and if I am in, feel free to come up, Lana says. Thank you. Thank you, Miss Bloom, you are very kind indeed. Lana drinks her coffee, then goes to her mothers house. They have a busy day ahead. They pick up her wig from Selfridges and spend some time shopping for things her mother will need. Her mother chooses a burgundy trouser-suit that looks very good on her, two pretty pastel dresses, and some new underwear. Afterwards, Lana watches while two women give her mother a pedicure and manicure. They paint her mothers nails coral. Her mother smiles at her shyly. There is also a trip to the doctors surgery. At five the flat is clean and her mother is ready. Her new wig looks wonderful. Lana cries. So does her mother. Billie shoos them both out of the flat. Lana watches her mother and Billie get into a mini cab and head for Heathrow. Then she goes back to her mothers empty apartment, falls on her mothers bed and cries her heart out. It is nearly six when she washes her face and leaves for the apartment. She is surprised to see that Blake is already in. He comes

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out of the dining room when he hears her. Is she gone? Lana nods. Thats good. I thought you might not feel like going out tonight so perhaps we can have a Chinese takeaway? No. Dont you want any food? She shakes her head. Would you like to lie down and rest for a bit? Yes. Thats a good idea. OK, sleep for a bit. Itll do you good. She nods and he retreats into the dining room. As she passes him in the corridor, she sees that he is working. His briefcase is open. There are papers spread out on the long dining table and he appears to be concentrating hard on them. She lies down on the bed and falls asleep. Her sleep is restless and full of dreams. A noise wakes her in the middle of the night. She realizes instantly that she is alone in bed. She listens again. It is coming from the kitchen. The little bedside clock says it is two a.m. Her mother and Billie will still be in the air. She gets out of bed, and pads towards the sounds. She stands at the doorway dazzled by the light, pushing hair away from her eyes. Blake is toasting two slices of bread and does not see her. Her mind takes a picture of him, shirtless and wearing only his low-slung jeans. To be kept for later, when he is no longer around. When he

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spots her, he leans a hip against the work counter, and looks back at her, his arms crossed, his eyes unreadable. Did I wake you? No. What are you making? I was working and I got hungry. Want some toast? She shakes her head, but comes into the room and sits on a stool. She puts her elbows on the island surface amongst the butter dish, knives, plates and open jars of foie gras and caviar. There is also a half-drunk glass of orange juice. She slides her body along the cold granite surface and pulls it over to her. She sips it and watches him. He produces a spoon from a drawer. It is the smallest spoon she has seen. He scoops a tiny amount of caviar and holds it out to her. She crinkles her nose. Fish eggs? He shakes his head in disgust. Philistine, he chides. She opens her mouth and he inserts the spoon. Little salty balls explode intriguingly in her mouth. Good? She smiles. Tastes better than it looks. A bit like you, she teases. He throws back his head and laughs. You work very hard, dont you? All rich people do. She watches him spread pt on a slice of toast. Watches his even, strong teeth bite cleanly into it. You should eat something, he says.

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She stands up and makes herself a jam sandwich. While she is eating it, she thinks Rosa was right. Jam sandwiches should be made with white bread. They simply dont taste the same with healthy bread. What do you feel like doing now? he asks. Dont you feel like sleeping? Eventually. Shall we play a game? A smile curves that straight mouth. What kind of game? Lets see who comes first. His eyes flash. What are the rules? Billie didnt mention anything about rules. Its quite a simple game really. We take turns to make each other come. We time ourselves with an egg timer. The one who lasts the longest in the hands of the other wins. Whats the prize for winning? The winner gets to ask the loser for anything they want? What if the loser is unable to provide that thing? Within reason and nothing dangerous, obviously. OK, do you want to go first? Or shall I? I will. You can do me first. She stands up and swipes the egg timer off the counter. He stares at her. She reminds him of a child. They go into the bedroom. It is easy to make her come. Then it is her turn.

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Why did you let me win? How do you know I did? Because youve never come before me. So why did you want to play this game then? Because I had something special up my sleeve, but I didnt even get a chance to use it. He laughs. Something special. Is it another technique from Billie? As a matter of fact, yes, but you havent answered the original question. Because I wanted to know what you would ask for. Why? He shrugs. Well, what do you want? I want you to cook for me. He lies on his side and props his head on his palm. Why? When I was fourteen, I read a book where the hero sent the heroine to have a long soak in the bath while he cooked for her. He grilled two steaks and tossed a salad. It was a really romantic. He wore a black shirt and washed out blue jeans. I remember he had just had a shower and his hair was still wet. Oh, and he was barefoot. And what did the heroine wear? Er I cant remember. Dinner tomorrow? She smiles. Dinner tomorrow. You wont burn it, will you?

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Maybe just the salad.

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Twenty one

he next day drags slowly. Mr. Nair arrives at ten a.m. with his mug and they have a little chat. He tells her about his family in India. Before he worked in the coffee shop, he was a Hindu priest in a temple in India. He is interesting, but his break time is quickly over and he leaves. Lana is required to idle away her days, but idling alone in a sumptuous flat, she realizes, is no easy thing. There is not much activity in the part of the park that her balcony faces, and daytime television has always bored her. How many times can one watch reruns of Wonder Woman? She is also lonely. Without her mother, Billie or Jack she feels quite lost. She wanders around the large flat alone and bored. Idling, she finally decides, requires thoughtful planning and effortdiligent effort. She orders some books from Amazon. It is nearly five oclock when Lana is able to Skype Billie. Lana sits cross-legged on the bed and looks at Billies

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dear face come alive on the screen. Guess what? Billie shouts enthusiastically. We flew first class. What? Yep, we arrived at economy check-in and we were bumped up to first class. Both your mum and me! How can that be? Must be banker boy. They said it was all arranged and paid for. Lana is speechless. Could it really have been Blake who paid the difference? But he didnt even know which flight they were on. Anyway, Billie says, it was bloody brilliant. They called us by name and acted like we were celebrities or something. I drank nearly two bottles of champagne, and your mum got to sleep most of the way. How is my mum? Shes here. Ill put her on. Hello, Lana, her mother says. She looks so white and fragile that Lana almost bursts into tears. When the call is over Lana lies on the bed and wonders why Blake did that. He is a strange man. So cold and distant sometimes and so incredibly kind and generous at other times. At seven oclock, Blake arrives. She runs out to meet him at the front door. Did you pay for my mum and Billie to fly first class? Yes.

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Why? He shrugs. I liked your mother, he says shortly, and sends Lana into the Jacuzzi bath. Dinner is at seven thirty sharp, he says. Dont come out before. She climbs into it and closes her eyes. It is heaven. She has bought Philip K. Dicks Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, and puts it on the corner ledge. Blake comes in with a glass of red wine. To get you in the mood, he says. This is not in the scene, but impressive improvisation, she says as she accepts it. She takes a sip and opens her book. Fifteen minutes later, she smells it. Burning. Before she can wrap herself in the toweling robe, the fire alarms go off. She rushes to the kitchen dripping soapsuds. Blake has opened all the windows, and is standing on a chair waving a magazine at the smoke detector in the corridor. His hair is slightly wet, he is wearing a black shirt with two buttons undone and a pair of stone washed jeans. He is also barefoot. She begins to laugh. Did you burn the salad? she shouts, above the racket. He scowls down at her. She goes into the kitchen and sees the blackened pieces of meat. She bins them. Shaking her head, she pops a piece of tomato from the salad into her mouth, and immediately spits it out. Salty. The salad goes the way of the steaks. The alarm finally stops blaring. She looks up

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and he is standing at the doorway. Youve never cooked, have you? No, he confesses. Do you want to go out? No. Why dont we just have some chip butties? Chip butties? Oh. My. God. Youve never had a chip butty? You dont know what youre missing. You have to have one. OK. Let me get ready and Ill pop over to the shop and get the ingredients. Ill come with you, he offers. They walk together to the local fish and chip shop where she orders a big bag of chips. No fish? No fish. Now we need to go into the corner shop for some bread. Dont we have some back at the flat? Nah. Weve got the good stuff back there. This is poor peoples food. For this we need a loaf of cheap, white bread. She picks out a loaf of sliced white bread and Blake pays for it. Thats it, she says. Are those all the ingredients you need for our meal? The rest we have at home, she says, and with horror realizes what she has said. She has called the flat home. But he says nothing. She hopes he has not noticed.

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In the kitchen, Blake sits on the counter and watches her liberally butter four slices of bread, load two up with chips, squirt tomato ketchup in a zigzag pattern over them, sprinkle salt, and close them into two chunky sandwiches. Voil. The famous chip butty. Thats it? She pushes a plate towards him. Taste it. He eyes it without desire. Go on. I tasted caviar for you. Thats true. He takes a tiny bite and begins to chew cautiously. No, no, thats not how you eat it. You have to attack it. Like this. She opens her mouth and takes a huge bite. He follows suit. It is strange watching him eat with such abandon. Well? she demands. Not bad actually. Kind of satisfying. This is what a lot of kids on the estate live on most of the time. Did you? No, my mother never had a drinking or a drug problem so she didnt have to dip into our food money to finance her habit. Did you have a happy childhood? Yeah, I guess so. Until my mother got sick I was very happy. How come you never had a boyfriend?

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She wipes her lips with a paper napkin, swallows, and grins. All the boys were scared of Jack. And after my mother got sick and my father left any thoughts of boys were gone. Whos Jack? Hes the closest thing I have to a brother. Why were they scared of him? Because Jack is not only big and strong, he is also utterly fearless. When we were growing up there was nobody he was scared of. Everybody knew Jack had taken me under his wing. And nobody wanted to mess with him. Once Billie, Leticia, Jack and me went to a club, and a guy there wanted to dance with me. He wouldnt take no for an answer so Jack said, You heard her. Now scram. Of course, he didnt take that too good so he waited with his mates for us outside the club. Lana stops to pop a fat chip into her mouth. And surrounded us. One of them had a knife. I was so frightened. I remember Jack looked at me and said, Shhh you know I got ya, and then he smiled. That Jack smile. And I knew it would be all right. I walked out of the circle and they closed in on him. I can still see them now. Tattoos, broken teeth, rings where there should be none. But what shocked me was Jack. He was like a stranger. I couldnt recognize him. All those years I thought I knew him, warm and friendly, an unshakeable rock, and suddenly I see this fiend turning on himself, snarling, Come on then. Whos first?

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They advanced in a group. He kicked the one with the knife in the throat and another he punched in the nose, bled like crazy. Then he felled another two guys, I dont know how, it happened so fast, and then it was over. The last coward ran away. It was like watching a movie. And you know what the first thing he said to me was? Are you all right? Unusual guy, Blake says. Did you never want to go out with him? No, he is my brother. My safe harbor. Id do anything for him, though. He nods. There is no expression in his face. How long has your mother been ill? he asks, and takes another bite of his sandwich. Just before I turned fifteen. And that was also when my dad left. I was so scared she was going to die. If not for Jack, I dont know how things would have turned out. He came around every day and did what my father should have done. And youve never seen your dad since he left? Lana shakes her head. Did you not want to? No. I heard he married again and had more kids, but he really doesnt interest me anymore. He ran out on us. He thought my mother would die and he would be saddled with me. Hmmm Youve never had an orgasm until you met me, have you?

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Lana is certain her face must be bright red. Was it that obvious? A bit. You never had a boyfriend but you must have masturbated while growing up. You dont know what my life was like. For most of my life Ive been terrified of losing my mother. Whenever she was ill, I slept with her. And when she was notwhich was not often, and I returned to my own bed I could never do anythingmy mother is such a light sleeper she will wake up if a pin drops. Blake takes his last bite and pushes away from the stool. Got some work to do. Can you amuse yourself for a bit and meet me in an hours time in the bedroom? OK. In the bedroom she reaches for his trousers. She wants to give him pleasure the way he taught her. Easy, tiger, he says and spreading her legs, he latches onto her clit covered in its sweet juices and begins to gently suck it. The sensation is indescribabledelicate ribbons of pleasure rise from his mouth and enter her being. She trembles against his mouth. She forgets to think, she becomes an extension of her sex, her core. He is teaching her sex, what it can be. Her nails become claws that dig into his shoulders. Her mouth opens and her muscles begin to contract with anticipation of the explosion that is coming. But when he judges the train wreck is almost upon her

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he deliberately slows his movement, brings her back down only to begin again on that velvet-soft swollen flesh. His eyes monitor her reaction. Again and again until she is holding his head in her hands and begging him to let her climax. I cant take it anymore, she pleads. And this time he relents. He lets her come. It shocks her by its intensity. She screams his name, but strangely, he refuses take his mouth away from the painfully sensitive blood-engorged sex. She tries to wriggle away but his grip is steel. Then, suddenly she is no longer pushing his head away and begging him to stop, but pulling him back in; the waves of ecstasy are coming back. And again. Three times in total she jerks, shakes, trembles and soars before she falls from her great height. Her hands flop to her sides, spent. She feels him take his watching eyes away from her and lay his cheek for a moment on her stomach and listen to her ragged breathing. Then he bounds up, full of coiled energy and picking her up lays her on the pillow. She is so spent she looks at him with hazy, passion-filled eyes. She wants to tell him that she has never experienced such a thing before. She wants to tell him how beautiful and awesome it has been, how complete he has made her feel; perhaps she might even have blurted out that she is in love with him and has been for some time now. There is no one but him for hershe would take the bad, the good, even the indifferentbut he places a silencing finger on her lips. He does not want words from

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her. He wants only claim of her body and only when he wants it. All he was doing was defining her as his. As her eyes flutter shut she hears him step out of his trousers and feels the mattress give under his knee. Ah, she says.

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Twenty two

t is late, nearly twelve, when Blake slots his key in the door and enters the apartment. The sliding doors to the balcony are open. A gentle breeze lifts the curtain. He sees her asleep on the sofa and feels a frisson of some strange emotion. He stands over her and watches her. In the soft light, the pattern on the lavender wallpaper looks like thorn vines that the prince has to hack through and she is the princess from Sleeping Beauty. He can still remember reading it for his sister. So many times. Her favorite. He hated it. Corny nonsense. He sits next to her and her sleeping body tilts twenty degrees towards him. He runs a finger along her cheek. She opens her eyes. You smell of whiskey. Where have you been? He chuckles. Doing my rounds. She puts a hand to his cheek. It is cold. She puts her hand on his chest. Through the shirt material, her fingertips register the beat of his strong heart.

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You reminded me of Sleeping Beauty. That must make you Prince Charming then. A look of sadness crosses his face. His hand gently traces the line of her cheek. Dont deceive yourself, Lana. Our liaison can only ever be temporary. I am spoken for. His words stab her like a knife. The wounds are whispers. Who is she? Where is she now? Shes from an old family like me. She has to finish her education. She is only twenty-two. Next year I will be thirty-one and she will be twenty-three. Then we will marry. Are you in love with her? He looks amused. No. Is it like an arranged marriage? Something like that. There is some leeway, there has to be some attraction, but marriage for us has always been a merger of two great families. The Lazards marry their sons to Rockefellers and the Rockefellers marry their daughters to Hapsgoods. It works well. Is love ever a part of the equation? Love is vastly overrated. We consolidate our wealth and position and make arrangements to cater to our specific tastes. Specific tastes? Some of us are gay; others are pedophiles. She looks at him in shock. Are you condoning pedophilia? Im not condoning anything. Im stating a fact.

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So you wouldnt report a pedophile who was abusing a child? He shakes his head. That is a matter between the pedophile and God as God made him that way. What about the child? Times march is a web of causes and effects, and asking for any gift of mercy, however tiny it might be, is to ask that a link be broken in that web of iron. No one deserves such a miracleJorge Luis Borges. What an unkind world you live in. Your tragedy is that you live in the same world as me only you do not perceive it, and that makes you careless. And your tragedy is your fatalism. On the contrary. It means I recognize the threat. Cause and effect. Unlike you, my wife and I will guard our children in such a way that they will never be exposed to dangerous situations. She looks at him, calmly, shamelessly discussing his bride to be with her. If you are already engaged to be married why are you never seen together and why are you being touted as the most eligible bachelor alive? You will never understand us. Dont try. Is it the same reason your family doesnt appear in the Forbes rich list? He bestows her a smile. Thats better. Now you are beginning to understand. The greatest fortunes are all secretly earned, ferociously guarded. So You are the most eligible bachelor because

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The impression of meritocracy must be maintained at all times. Ah, the taint of elitism. No, but close. Why so evasive? I am bound by contract. I couldnt speak even if I wanted to. If you controlled eighty percent of all the wealth in the world Wouldnt you want the status quo to carry on? We prefer to trade anonymously behind a faade, behind the public faces. Kings, prime ministers, tsars, sultans, and emperors come to power and lose it to the jealously and dissatisfaction of the people. We have, uninterrupted, ruled from behind the scenes for centuries. Our secrets are precious. What time is it? Time you were in bed, he says, and lifts her into his arms. Her hands go around his neck. Youre getting long, Bloom. Too long for you, Barrington. Never too long for me, Bloom. She turns her head and sees their reflections in the mirror on the opposite wall. Her long nightgown trails behind her and in the soft light from the nightstand they look like the romantic hero and heroine of the black and white movies her mother likes to watch. But we are not, she reminds herself. All his plans dont include me. The thought is depressing. It makes her feel sad. She buries her face in his neck.

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To sleep? Not quite, Bloom, he replies quietly. He drops her in the bed with a plop and looks down at her tousled hair on the white pillows. In the shadows his eyes are unreadable. What is it? He brings his mouth towards her and her mouth lifts to meet his. This time their kiss is special. She feels him trembling and the answering purr of her own body. It is as though they are drinking from each other. Their bodies meld together. And when they are lying sated in the dark he says, I love it when you come and your pussy grips my cock. She turns her face away from him and shuts her eyes in despair. She understands what he is doing. Always, she must be reduced to an orifice.

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Twenty three

oday, Lana is happy. Billie has called to tell her the good news. The antineoplastons that her mother is on are working. The tests are backthe tumors are regressing. Her mother will have to carry on her treatment for another three months, but she can return in two days time to England and carry it on there. Lana is so happy she cries. To celebrate, Blake has taken her out to dinner at Le Gavroche. She has already dined on the most delicious cheese souffl cooked in double cream followed by grilled scallops. Her dessert, a raspberry millefeuille in pralineflavored chocolate, has just been put in front of her. Blake has the Le Plateau de Fromages Affines. She watches him cut a slice of strong cheese. It is almost transparently thin. He places it on a small square of cracker and slips it into his mouth. She imagines the flavors building up in his nose, the cheese melting on his

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hot, silky tongue, and cheesy liquids traveling down the back of his throat. She watches the movement in the strong column of brown throat. The entire operation is fluid, elegant, almost a ceremony. It is his education. There is no greed in him. Not even for her. She looks away and meets the eyes of another man. He is looking at her with the same expression she must have had in hers while she was looking at the banker. Now she knows what lay in the belly of all those men who gazed at her with desire in their eyes. She looks down at her dessert, dips her finger into the praline-flavored chocolate, and places it on her tongue. She raises her eyes and Blake says, You are in bad trouble. She doesnt take her finger out. What kind of trouble? she mumbles. He smiles and is about to answer when a flash of surprised annoyance crosses his face. Its appearance and disappearance is swift. Very quickly his face resumes its neutral expression. Lana turns her head curiously to see what has caused the disturbance. A silver-haired man is walking towards their table. When the man arrives, he ignores Lana, and looks only at Blake. Blakes lips twist. Father, meet Lana. Lana, my father, he introduces. His father looks at Lana. His eyes are pale blue stones. He pushes his glasses up his nose. He looks mild and harmless. If she had seen him in the street, she would have smiled at him.

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Run along to the ladies and powder your nose or something. I need to speak to my son, he says. His rudeness makes Lana gasp. She picks up her purse automatically and makes to rise, but Blakes voice is like a whiplash. Stay, he commands. Lana looks at him. He is staring at her. She puts her purse down, and he shifts his eyes from her to his father. When I have finished dinner I will come to you, he says softly, and stands. The old man says nothing. It is obvious that he is livid, but he turns around and leaves the restaurant. Blake sits. Sorry about that, he apologizes. But he has changed. Become remote and preoccupied. My father can be brusque sometimes. He looks at her uneaten dessert. Do you want coffee? She shakes her head and he calls for the bill. He puts her into a cab and watches it drive away. Then he hails another cab and tells the driver to head to Claridges. He checks his phone, his brother has called. He calls him back. Whats up, Marcus? Have you seen Dad? On my way to him now. Any idea why he suddenly decided he must see you? Nope, he lies. They chat a bit more and then he hangs up. He doesnt immediately to go to his fathers rooms. He goes to the bar and orders himself a large whiskey. A girl comes up to him.

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Hi, she says. She is very expensively dressed and very seductive. She is a call girl. He can tell a mile off. Buy me a drink? He sighs and raises his hand. Instantly, the bartender comes to his side. He moves his thumb in the girls direction. Get her a drink too, he says. The girl smiles at him. Ah, the clothes were bait, the hook is her smile. She is very beautiful. She has long, shining blonde hair that he can see is natural and pearly teeth. He wants to be distracted. You must be very rich and powerful, she says. Why do you say that? The way the bartender left what he was doing to serve you first. Its always a good sign of big money. Where are you from? Russia. He nods and almost smiles. Clich of clichs. Of course, she is Russian. And you? You are American. Yeah. He has never paid for sex. And then it hits him suddenly. He is paying for sex! It makes him laugh out loud. What is so funny? the Russian asks. Why did you become a hooker? Her eyebrows arch. She is pure sophistication. Because I like nice things. Then she deepens her voice until it is like hot caramel. She is very good at this. And I love a hot fuck with good-looking strangers. She eyes his crotch greedily. She does it well and if he didnt know

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better he would think she was desperate for his body and not the contents of his wallet. Lanas white face when his father ordered her to leave the table flashes into his mind. He signals to the barman. Charge everything to my fathers room, he says, and leaves a fifty-pound tip. His father is tight and actually goes through his hotel bills. Enjoy your drink, he says to the Russian beauty, downs his, and makes his way to the lift. Upstairs, his father is waiting for him. As he expected the meeting does not go well. Do you think you are the first Barrington to be tempted? his father asks him coldly Tempted? Tempted to throw it all away for a bit of flesh. I dont want to throw it all away. Really? It hasnt crossed my mind. Do you think I am a fool? Do you think I cannot see what she is to you? Each one of us has a personal siren summoned from some demonic place, who enters our lives in the most mundane way, leads us to the very edge and sings as we fall to our destruction. I had mine. Many years ago. Blake stares at his father. A memory struggles to surface. A voice in his head, Dont go there, boy. He does not. Instead, he turns almost gratefully to his fathers story. Even the thought of his father being in love is

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foreign, impossible. His father smiles frostily, his voice is calm and unemotional, but the memories must have been bitter for his mouth is a tightly controlled slash in his face. She was a redhead, a fledgling star. Every time I saw her, I could have ruined everything, but I fought it with every ounce of my being. Where is she now? Dead. What happened? It got so bad your grandfather paid a man to run off with her. She became a drug addict and died in a motel room. I saw the pictures and even then I felt an indescribable loss. But now, when I think back, I realize that my father was right. She was the enemy carefully chosen for me by fate. A beautiful butterfly. After she had destroyed me, after Id lost everything, she would have carelessly moved on to the next flower. He looks intently at Blake. What would happen if I paid your girl to leave you? Despite himself, Blake flushes with anger. He turns away from his father. Ill thank you to stay out of my business. I dont want to leave everything for her. It is only a fling. Temporary. He walks away from his father and stands close to the door. He is so angry at his fathers suggestion to pay Lana off that he barely listens while his father accuses him of letting a woman get under his skin. Eventually, he leaves

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and walks the streets of London for almost an hour. He feels confused and lost. The only thing he knows for sure is that he aches for her. With every fiber of his being, he aches for her. He tells himself it is just lust. But he knows, he knows it isnt. It isnt lust when you want to reach out and wipe away her tears and press her body against your own. He doesnt just want to fuck her, he wants to hold her after that. She fills the void inside him that has never been filled by the best schools, the most beautiful women, the fastest cars, the most expensive champagnes, the most glamorous parties. He takes a cab back to St Johns Wood and lets himself in quietly. For a moment he stands at the mouth of the corridor. The living room is dim. Then he walks towards ithis feet soundless on the thick carpetand stops at the threshold. Only the lampshade by the sofa is lit. She has fallen asleep on the couch. Her fingers are slack and trailing down. There is an empty glass that has rolled away from her. He goes to her. She is unbearably, impossibly beautiful. He puts his hand under her neck and the other under her knees and lifts her. She moans softly, but she does not awaken. He smells the alcohol on her breath. Dont leave me, she mumbles. He freezes. For a time he is still, but she does not awaken so he carries her to their bed and puts her down. He bends down and kisses her lips. She is half-asleep, but she opens her mouth and he deepens the kiss. Her hands come up to his hair, her fingers entwine in the silky

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strands. She moans and arches her body towards him. He supports her body with his forearms and lifts her towards him and begins to suck at her exposed throat. Please, Blake she gasps and molds her body towards his. He lets his mouth trail lower. At the soft swelling where her breast begins he stops and sucks again. This time longer. He will leave his mark on her. She moans with pleasure. He takes his mouth away and looks at the red mark possessively. He feels like an adolescent again. She is his to mark. He put his mouth on another part of her creamy skin and sucks diligently. Her hands are moving towards his belt. They are urgent but useless against the metal buckle. She is more than half drunk. He puts his hand into her pajama trousers, slips it under her panties, and touches her between her legs. Her sex is wet and tingling for him. She has never begged him to enter her before. He wants her to. He rips open her pajama top. A button hits the mirror in the room and makes a sound. She does not hear it. He grabs the ends of her trouser legs and tugs. They come off and he flings them behind him. He rips her panties. He unbuttons her top and latches his mouth on her nipple. Her head falls back and she sighs with abandonment. He gazes at her body exposed to him, his to do as he pleases with. He has never felt the need to sexually possess anyone like this before. But her he must. She is like a craving. An addiction. Tell me youre mine, he orders hoarsely.

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Im yours, she says. Beg me to enter you, Please Blake, enter me. I want you to. Badly. Open your legs and show me your pussy. She opens her legs and he sees how wet and glistening her open flesh is. He takes his shirt and his trousers off. She watches him from the bed. Her eyes are huge and strange with desire. He has never seen her like this. It turns him on. He stands a moment longer savoring the way he feels. Hard, ready and so horny. That feeling of animal passion. This is his mate. He owns her. He has paid for her. He climbs on the bedthe mattress gives under his weightand enters her. She cries out, and then she is gripping him so hard, her nail dig into his flesh. He lets her climax before he allows himself to. When they are finished she falls asleep almost instantly. He lays his large hand on her stomach possessively. He thinks of his father and of Victoria. He will not ruin his fathers plan. They are also his plans. Soon he will tire of sex with her, he tells himself. Some deep part of him knows it is a lie, but he goes to sleep snuggled against her warm, soft body, feeling good. There is still time. Plenty of time to sort it all out.

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Twenty four

lake has a business dinner that he expects to run late, so Billie and Lana are going to a wine bar that has just opened in Seymour Place. She washes her hair and dresses in tight jeans and the top that Fleur had called basic even though it is rather grand, with lace and pearl buttons down the front. Peter is on holiday and Blake has left strict instructions for her to take a taxi to and fro. Lana goes to see her mother first. Her mother looks well. She is steadily gaining weight, there is color again in her cheeks, and seems in good spirits. The pouch with her supply of antineoplastons is strapped around her waist. My, dont you look nice, she says, bustling Lana into the kitchen. She puts a skillet on the stove. You cant drink on an empty stomach. We are having grilled chicken and salad. She sprinkles nuts on a bowl of salad. They sit to eat and it is like old times. Afterwards, she

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refuses all offers of help with the dishes and shoos Lana away. Go. Go and have a good time, you. Call me in the morning. OK, OK, Lana says laughing as she is bodily pushed out of her mothers door. At Billies, Lana is ordered to lose the lace top and slip into one of Billies skinny tops. She has to admit the red top looks hip and a whole lot sexier. The taxi drops them outside the entrance of Fellinis. They open the wooden door and enter the dimly-lit interior. It is all green walls, chrome fittings and framed black and white photos of movie stars from the forties and fifties. The clientele is quite a mixed bag, but seems to be mostly office folk. They find a table and Lana buys the first round. When it is Billies turn, she goes up to the bar. A guy sidles up to the half-circle seat that Lana is sitting on. He is wearing a suit and must be in his mid or late twenties. He smiles at her. Friendly face. She will also remember later that he looked clean and trustworthy. There is nothing about him to suggest otherwise Hello, doll, he says. Can I buy you a drink? Thanks, but my friends gone to get me one. Mind if I join you girls? As a matter of fact, yes, interrupts Billie rudely. She is standing behind Lana and actually glowering at the man. She looks quite tough and fierce. No problem, he says immediately, and with a wink to

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Lana, gets up and goes back to join his friends, who are gathered at the bar. He says something to them and they slap him on the back and laugh uproariously. For some reason, their laughter disturbs Lana and makes her think it is somehow connected to her. But Billie is saying something and she turns her head to listen. Blake feels his phone vibrate in his pocket and instantly perceives that it is from Lana. Why, he cannot say, for she has never called him before. He takes his phone out of his pocket and looks at the screen. It is her! He excuses himself, walks away from the table, and puts his mobile to his ear. Hi, says a voice he does not recognize. Yes, he says, his voice, strangely abrupt. Some part of his brain registers surprise at the state of his voice. This is Billie, Lanas friend. Dont panic, but some wanker has slipped a roach into her drink, and shes gone down. Her accent is hard for Blake to understand, and he has never heard the term roach, but he guesses instantly that Billie must be referring to a date rape drug. Gone down? he repeats. Look, Ive had to leave her at the table with one of the bar staff to come outside and call you, so could you hurry here, please? Where are you? She gives him the address.

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Without going back to the table to make his apologies, Blake rushes out of the restaurant. He double parks outside the entrance of Loren, and bounds into the bar. His eyes scan the room. A young girl with extremely white hair is waving at him. Lana is slumped against her and her head is lolling on the girls left shoulder. Billie stands up and tries to keep Lana up with her hand, but Lana flops over it and moans. Its not as bad as it looks, Billie says. Almost all my friends have had it slipped into their drink before, and weve all survived. She jerks her eyes towards a group of men. I think its them over there, but over my dead body will they be taking this girl home with them. Blake glances over at the men. Six lads. Youngish. Their idea of fun. As soon as they sense his eyes on them, they quickly turn away. Blake experiences a fury that he has never know. The urge to go over and punch their smirking faces burns his guts. He turns towards them, raging uncontrollably. A hand on his arm stops him. He looks at it. The nails are painted to look like slices of watermelon. The sight has a strange effect on him. He loses the edge of his anger. He drags his eyes to hers. If you prop her up on one side, we can walk her out, she urges. Her voice is surprisingly strong and purposeful. He had dismissed her, the spiders and the boiled-egg white hair. She was more. No wonder Lana held her in such high regard. No need, he says, and scoops Lana up easily, as if he is Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind.

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Oh! Billie exclaims. Then she turns around and, flicking her middle finger at the group of guys who have turned to watch, follows Blake out of the restaurant. Billie opens the passenger door and Blake deposits Lana into the seat. He closes the door and turns to face Billie. Thank you for calling me. Billie shrugs. No problem. Thanks for coming. Couldnt take her home. Her mumyou know how it is? Blake nods. How will you get home? Oh, dont worry about me. Ill just hop on a bus. Blake frowns. Is that safe at this time of the night? Billies eyes widen. Suddenly he seems so much older. Its only ten oclock, Mr. Barrington. Blake takes his wallet out of his pocket. He pulls two fifties out and holds them out to Billie. Here, take a cab. Uhtaxis dont cost that much, Mr. Barrington. Call me Blake, and please, dont argue with me. Billie reaches out and takes the money. She shifts from one foot to another. Its not as bad as it looks. Tomorrow will be the killer. Shell think shes dying, but shell be OK. Give her lots of water to drink. Thanks again. Oh, and if you want to do anything kinky to her nows the time. She wont remember a thing in the morning. For a moment Blake stares at her in shock, and then he realizes that it is her attempt at a joke. He shakes his head. Strange girl. Billie pulls Lanas phone out of her pocket. Heres her phone. Shell need to call her mum before

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twelve or therell be trouble. Blake takes it distractedly. OK, Ill make sure she does. He walks over to his side of the car and gets in. Billie watches the car roar powerfully into life, pick up great speed almost immediately, and take the corner at an alarming speed. She stuffs the money into the back pocket of her black jeans and casually ambles over to the bus stop. At the bus stop she sits on a cold plastic chair and replays the moment when Blake picked Lana up. She will never have that, but instead of that usual tinge of envy because someone else has more than her, her little heart is soaring for Lana. Banker boy cared. Lana moans and Blake takes his eyes off the road to briefly look at her. Ooh uuugggg why uuuuuuggggg, she says, and covering her face with her hand, mumbles unintelligently. Blake doesnt try to talk to her. When he reaches the apartment block, he takes his keycard from the dashboard and goes out to Lanas side. The night porters eyes are round with curiosity when he carries Lana through reception towards the lift. The porter stands up, but Blake shakes his head, and he sits down again. Blake elbows the lift button. It opens immediately. He slots in his card and they are transported up. The movement of elevator makes Lana stir in his arms. Sorry, Mummy, she says. Oh its you more gibberishthen clearly, wheres Mum?

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Shes home safe. But she appears not to hear, and seems to be trapped in some nightmare of her own. Dont die, Mummy. You promised to come to my wedding. He watches her with a frown. You said you would. She begins to cry. Mum, its cold. Im so cold. Blake curses. The lift door opens and he carries her into the apartment and deposits her on the bed. She grasps his arm and looks into his eyes, frowns, and does not seem to recognize him. Wheres my mother? She shivers. He covers her. Ill tell you now. You wont break me, Barrington, she slurs and turns on her side. Ill tell Jack what you did. Hell sort you out. Jaaaaccccckk, she wails. It makes the hair on his neck stand to see her this way. But it is only when she starts talking gobbledygook in earnest that he gets worried. He goes into the kitchen and phones his doctor. After a few minutes he ends the call and stares at the granite top. He is simmering with anger with her, for being so careless, so nave, and with those pigs that thought they could drug a girl and rape her. His hands clench. He breathes deeply and lifts his chin. He closes his eyes. They didnt get her. They didnt get her. His hands unclench. He takes another full breath. It is not her fault. She is as innocent as a child. Grimly, he goes to sit by the bedside and listen to her ramblings. In all of them, he is the enemy. The one who wants to use her for sex. He clasps his hands and says nothing. The porter brings the doctor up. Dr. Faulks is very

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quick with his analysis. There is nothing much to do. Wait it out. Fluids are the key. Tomorrow will be bad. She will have memory lapses, most likely wont remember a thing. Oh, plastic sheets might be a good idea. Sometime incontinence can occur. After the doctor is gone, Blake undresses Lana. She sighs elaborately. Oh! Its you again. She seems confused, sad. He pulls the duvet over her. She pushes it away. Im hot. Really hot. I thought you wanted to fuck me, anyway. She grabs his hand and kisses it. Thank you. Thank you for what you did for my mother. She moans and falls into a stupor. She sleeps for half an hour and wakes up retching. He brings a large salad bowl that he finds in the kitchen, but it is only dry heaving. He lays a cold towel on her forehead. Her fingers come up to push it away. She pulls his face towards her. Her breath smells strange and stale. He doesnt care, he kisses her back. Suddenly she turns away and begins to cry. For hours he sits beside her as she goes from comatose to babbling idiot to crazed sex fiend, wondering when it would be over. When the sky is beginning to lighten, purely from exhaustion she finally falls into a restless sleep. He texts his secretary to reschedule his morning appointments and gets into bed beside her. He puts his arm around her narrow waist and closes his eyes with relief that her suffering is over for the night and that she will never remember this long and terrible night. His nose hovers over the crook of her neck and finds the faint but familiar scent of her perfume. He registers in his tired,

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tense body a sense of victory that they did not get her, and then, a strong sense of possession. He tightens his hold on her. She belongs to him.

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Twenty five

hile they are having dinner on the balcony Lana says, Weve been invited to a party tomorrow. Do you want to go? Blake looks at her strangely. Its my birthday tomorrow. Oh, she says, surprised. You never said anything. No, its not something I am looking forward to. You will be thirty. Yes. Do you want to come to the party then? I cant. My family is flying over to be with me. Theyve arranged something for me in a hotel. It will be insufferably boring, Im sure, but I am obliged. Of course, of course. Lana tries her best not to show how his news has affected her. Was he never going to tell her? Thats OK then. Ill go with Billie. Only this morning she has tasted the name of Lana

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Barrington on her tongue. The whisper is her secret. It felt right. As Billie would say, so fucking right. So she said it louder. Lana Barrington. Daring the fates. Mrs. Lana Barrington. Your husband has been delayed. Would you like to wait for him at the bar? The fantasy was so perfect she wanted to cry. What a fool she has been. How on earth did she manage to fall in love with such a cold and heartless man, a banker for Gods sake? Let Tom drive you there and back, he is saying. Ill just take a cab. Ill feel better if Tom drives you, waits for you and brings you back. Will she be there? Yes, he says very quietly. Well, thats that then. I hope you have fun. Her voice sounds high and too merry. I wont, he says, but that doesnt soothe her one bit. That was yesterday. Today she is walking into Billies bedroom wearing a pair of white shorts, a cut off, sleeveless, white T-shirt that left her midriff bare and white trainers. Wow, you look seriously hot, Billie comments. You dont think its too slutty? Are you kidding? Its white. You look like a wet dream. Besides, its Toms party. Its always full of working girls.

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Billie is wearing combat boots, a fur trimmed, green beret and a clinging black cat-suit. You look very Miley Cyrus, Lana says. Thanks. I was going for rock chick, but obviously Im not ever going to say no to Miley, Billie replies with a grin. Now get in front of the mirror. Lana sits on the edge of the bed and Billie picks up a curling iron and takes up position behind her. With meticulous care she begins to put corkscrew curls in Lanas hair. She is concentrating so hard she does not speak, so Lana lets her mind wander to Blake. She wonders about his world. So entirely different from hers. At a hotel, he said, careful not to mention the name of the hotel, as if he feared there was a possibility that she might turn up and embarrass him. In a little while Leticia comes to join them. She is wearing a plain grey T-shirt, ripped jeans and a surly expression. Her hair is gelled to spikes around her head. She is a big, butch girl. Hows it going, Let, Lana greets. Leticia grunts moodily. Suddenly, an image of Leticia tied spread eagle on her bed with a chocolate bar stuck between her legs pops into Lanas head. Lana presses her lips together to hide her amusement. Leticia turns towards Billie. You told her, didnt you? she accuses. Unfazed, Billie takes another small section of Lanas

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hair and carefully coils it around the curling iron. Be thankful I didnt tell her what I did to you last night, she says, and crusty, cross Leticia squirms. When they are ready, the girls walk over to Toms place. It is such a warm evening they dont even need coats. The music is loud and there are many people there, but Billie is always the centre of any party and gets pulled to the middle of the dance floor. When Lanas mobile rings she almost does not hear it. She looks at the screen. It is only ten oclock and it is Blake. Hey, she says, but it is very loud and almost impossible to hear him. Wait one moment, she tells him and fights her way out of the crowd. Hi, whats up? Nothing. My party was rather flat, so I left. Can I come join you, after all? Of course. Suddenly her heart feels light and happy. He wants her company. She is sitting on the stairs waiting for him when he arrives. Wheres Peter? Sent him home. He locks his car and walks up to her. What are you doing sitting here? Waiting for you. He turns to look at a group of youths. They are swearing loudly and holding beer cans. It looks dangerous.

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She laughs. I grew up here. I know those guys. Theyre Toms mates. If you want to score some coke, theyre the ones to go to. You dont take drugs, do you? She laughs again. No, she says, and he thinks how very fetching she looks. He sits beside her, and takes a curly lock of hair in his hand. Whats this? Billie did it. Its not permanent. His hands move to the white shorts. And this? I can hardly wear the fancy dresses you bought me here. Ill stick out like a sore thumb. She looks at him. He looks good enough to eat. A soft breeze teases his hair. She has a desire to flirt with him. Dont you like it, then? He looks at her expressionlessly. A master of disguise. What do you think? I think yes. Go to the top of the class, Miss Bloom. She laughs. He watches her. I dont think I have ever seen you laugh. And? I like it. She laughs. Good. Lets go find you a drink. Is my car safe there? Its not Detroit, you know. He jerks his head at the group of youths with the beer

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cans. Are you sure? She looks around and further away notices Kensington standing with a group of boys watching them. She points her thumb over her shoulder. See that boy in the green baseball cap? If you give him a ride hell watch your car for you. Blake looks over at the boy. That black boy? Be careful, you might reveal your hand as not being an equal opportunities employer. Blake crooks a finger at the boy. Kensington doesnt need any further encouragement. He jumps on his bike and tucking his head into his shoulders races towards Blake. He screeches to a stop dangerously close to Blakes feet. Oi! Watch it, Lana warns. Whats your name? Kensington Parish. Want to watch my car for me, Kensington? Yeah, Kensington agrees enthusiastically. He looks at the car admiringly. This car was made by God, man. Heres fifty. Kensingtons eyes sparkle. Fifty quid? His thin hand reaches out for it, but Blake pulls his hand back slightly. If I come back and find the car exactly as I left it then theres another fifty for you. Kensingtons face splits into a huge grin. Thanks, Mister, he says and snatches the note. Unceremoniously,

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he drops his bicycle on the ground and hops lightly onto the bonnet of the car. Youre generous, Lana says. Not at all. A single scratch can cost thousands to repair. They go up the stairs and find Billie. Billie makes a licking gesture behind his back, but she is very polite. Forget about good Scotch here, she says, and goes to get Blake a beer. As they are talking, Jack walks in. He has a pretty girl on his arm. He introduces her as Alison. Hello, Alison. Great to meet you, Lana says warmly. She winks at Jack as if to say well done. He pretends he has not seen her wink and, cautiously, briefly shakes hands with Blake. Right, I want you lot on your feet and dancing, Billie orders bossily, as she thrusts a bottle of beer into Blakes palm. I dont dance, Blake says, and Jack and Alison quickly move off in the opposite direction. A couple vacate one of the battered sofas. Perhaps you would like to join me on one of these lovely sofas, Blake says, and collapses into its creaky springs. Lana laughs and collapses next to him. A young man who looks the worse for wear comes and sits next to her on the sofa. He has a tattoo of men in a tug-of-war on his shaven head. Blake mutters something indecipherable and scoops her up and deposits her on his lap. What are you doing? she squeals.

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Dont want you catching anything off him, he whispers in her ear. She feels the hard muscles of his thighs. Flirtatiously, she looks at him from beneath her lashes. He puts his big hands on her bare knees and pulls her until her rear is in close contact with his groin. She can feel how hard he has become. Blake pulls her closer and captures her mouth. He smells of caramel and tastes divine. She slips her hand into his unbuttoned shirt. And finds a mans skin, hot, taut, muscles rippling underneath. It makes her lips part. I want to take you home now, he growls in her ear. OK, Lana agrees instantly, and they stand to go. Leaving so soon, Bill moans moodily. Its not really my scene, Blake says. Call me tomorrow, Jack says, as she kisses his cheek. I will. She turns to Alison, who is holding onto Jack possessively, as if she fears something is going on between Lana and Jack. Take care of my brother, Lana whispers in the girls ear and sees her relax and smile warmly for the first time. Then Blake and her are leaving, holding hands, as if they are real lovers. As if he has not paid her to have sex with him. As if she is not the living, breathing doll that he expects to get bored with in a few weeks. Kensington hops off the car bonnet when he spots them. Good job, Blake says and slips him the other fifty.

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Cool. What about a ride, then? Another time, replies Blake, opening the passenger door for Lana. Blake is very quiet in the car. Suddenly he reaches past her to the glove box and takes out a velvet box. He tosses it into her lap. I got you a present. On your birthday? I thought it would look great on you. Besides, whats the point of having a rich lover if you cant get expensive baubles out of him. She releases the catch on the box. It opens and she gasps. On a bed of satin is the most beautiful seven strand pearl necklace with a large oval sapphire centre. Oh my! she says, staring at it. He reaches a red light, takes the necklace from her, and puts it around her throat while she holds her hair up. She feels his warm fingers on the back of her neck. Then the light changes and his fingers are gone. She looks at herself in the visor mirror. Even in the dim light, the diamonds set around the large sapphire sparkle like stars. She didnt get him anything. I didnt get you anything. He lets his eyes leave the road and rest on her briefly. I didnt expect anything from you. Did you get lots of presents from your family? We dont do presents. We already have everything we could want. When we were younger we did give each other joke gifts. But how many times can you give

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someone a blow-up doll or a penis enlargement gadget? It was relief when that stopped. When they get to the apartment he picks her up in his arms, throws her on the bed and falls in after her. This is a dangerously sexy pair of white shorts, Miss Bloom, he teases. Do you have the necessary license to operate such a weapon? Its not mine. It belongs to Billie, she answers primly. Ah, Billie of the ear biting fame. Do you think she might let me buy it from her? Oooo I dont know. It did come from a very exclusive market stall in Kilburn. There are only five hundred thousand others like it. His eyebrows rise, his lips curve. That rare? That rare. I better make my bid good then. Good idea, Mr. Barrington. Kill the competition in one fell swoop. As her agent, what do you suggest I offer? I believe she is hankering after a pink car. His eyes gleam. Are you sure, Miss Bloom, that I am not better off approaching the market dealer directly. Of course you can But it will not have the Lana Bloom scent, she says daringly. His eyes widen and fill with delicious longing. You never said a truer word, Miss Bloom. His long fingers very deliberately pop the button and

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pull down the zip. The sound is exciting in the silence. She can hear her own breathing. He slides the shorts off. Ah, these legs So long So silky I swear I never met a girl with skin such as yours. The shorts slip over her ankles and end up clutched in his big hands. He crushes them, brings them to his nose and inhales deeply. The Lana Bloom scent. Ill miss it, he whispers, almost to himself. And suddenly she tenses. All this will end soon. This apartment, this bed, these clothes, this delicious banter, this manwill disappear into nothing. She will be left only with memories. She clutches his forearms and pulls his mouth down to hers and kisses him desperately, opening her mouth, begging him to be inside her. He has already left his mark on her. She must leave her mark on him. She lies naked but for her necklace, and realizes she doesnt know how to. When the desert wind blew it covered everything in sand.

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Twenty six

emember when you said you wanted to be part of my world? Do you still want to? Yes. It is very ugly. I dont care. I want to know. For a moment, he hesitates, there is doubt there, and then an indescribable expression flashes in his eyes. All right. Lets go. He leads her to a BMW parked in the street. She looks at him questioningly. Hired, he says briefly. Where are we going? Somewhere in the New Forest. They drive in silence, the atmosphere in the car taut and foreign, and stop outside what seems to be a lodge of some kind. Lana looks at her watch. 10.00pm. The building is small and unremarkable. There are other cars parked in the car park, but something feels different.

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They are all hired, arent they? Yes, he says shortly. Come. While she looks around her, he gets out of the car, opens the boot and takes out two boxes. They go into the low building and enter a large empty room with many doors. All the doors are open except one. Lana shivers. Something about the place doesnt feel right. They enter one of the rooms and Blake closes the door behind them. There is nothing in that room except a table and a mirror. Blake puts the two boxes on the table. You wanted to come into my world. Heres your chance. Are you sure? He looks different. His eyes are cold. He is hoping she will say no. But she wants to enter his world. So badly, she throws caution to the winds. She licks her lips, swallows, and then nods. He holds out the box tied with a red ribbon. She takes the box from him. It is not heavy. Whats in it? Open it and see. He watches her untie the ribbon and lift the lid. She pushes aside the tissue and finds a mask. White and pretty. She raises her eyes to him. Do I put it on? Not yet. She puts the mask aside and takes out the bulky red garment inside. It is a cloak with a hood. She looks at him. Her expression begs, What? What is this all about? He ignores her unspoken query. Wear it.

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She slips into it and he steps forward and does the button at her throat. The coat is thick and voluminous. It covers her entirely. Then he pulls the hood up and puts the mask on her face. He stands her in front of the mirror. Remember, he warns. Do not take this mask off after we leave this room. No matter what happens the mask and the robes do not come off. Do you understand? She nods in the mirror. He opens his box and dresses himself in the black robes that are inside. His mask is gold with a beaked nose. Unlike hers his seems sinister and forbidding. Ready? Yes. He puts his hand in the small of her back and guides her out of the room. They cross the large empty space and go through another door. It turns out to be the back door of the lodge. A man sitting on a horse-drawn coach is waiting. He does not turn to look at them but stares straight ahead. The bizarre and forbidding alchemy of the moment causes Lana to blankly note the white socks on the horse. They climb in and the coachman immediately sets the horse to a trot. They follow a path that snakes through woods until they suddenly come upon a grand mansion perched on high ground. Lana breath is swept away by it. Made of cut gray stone, it is like something found in a windswept ghost story. Awestruck, she stares at the roaring gargoyles and the many soaring gothic spires that pierce the purple sky.

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Hundreds of windows stare out like glassy dead eyes. Lana thinks one of the windows might have blinked, a flash of yellow iris, before it snapped shut. Someone was watching their arrival. The coach comes to a stop on the entrance stairs and they climb out. She feels Blakes hand on her waist as he helps her out. Remember, the mask does not come off, even in the ladies. OK. And dont tell anyone your name. OK. Dont speak unless spoken to. Right. Im serious, Lana. She looks up at his masked face. Youre making me nervous, Blake. Its important. Then dont leave my side. Ive no intention of doing that. They go up the shallow stone steps. When they reach the top, Lana turns to look down upon the magnificent garden maze. In the purplish light it is very beautiful. At the entrance, a totally expressionless, bone-thin man, dressed in black coat-tails, nods at Blake and slowly waves his hand towards the interior of the house. There are more ushers and silent staff dressed in black who nod at them and wave them deeper into the interior.

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The funereal garments and the silence begin to seep into Lana. She recognizes them to be poisonous. Finally, two men open a pair of double doors and they enter a large hall full of masked, robed people. There is a stage at one end with a throne on it. The room reminds her of an old-fashioned theater with balconies, where people are standing and talking in whispers. There are also many doors that lead away from the hall. A strange throbbing music is playing into that odd air of expectancy and waiting. Lana looks up at Blake. This reminds me of Eyes Wide Shut. Yes, Stanley Kubricks movies are filled with hidden messages. A waiter brings a tray. Blake shakes his head. When Lana tries to reach for a glass, she feels the subtle pressure that he exerts on her hand. She shakes her head. It is at this point that Lana realizes that there are other women besides her who are wearing the exact same mask as her. Hello, a mans voice addresses them from behind. They turn. A stocky man in an odd grey and silver mask is standing about a foot away from them. You broughtsomeone, he says, his eyes glittering blackly through the eyeholes of his mask. Lana feels Blake tense. Yes. Will you be going into the main room? the man asks. Of course, Blake says smoothly, but Lana feels the tremor that goes through his body.

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Good, I will see you there. If I dont, tell your father I send my regards. Blake nods, and the man turns on his heel and disappears into the crowd of robes and masks. Come, Blake says, and leads her towards the entrance. The large doors open, and they retrace their steps out into the evening air. They go down the shallow steps and into a waiting coach. When she turns to Blake, he puts a finger to his lips. The coach drops them off outside the lodge house, they traverse that strange empty room, and go back out to where the hired car is waiting. Blake unlocks the car. Take your cloak off and drop it on the ground, he orders as he takes his own cloak off and chucks it into the back seat. She does as she is told and gets into the car. Her hands are trembling. Blakes fear and tension have transferred themselves to her. Blake starts the engine and the car screeches away. He says nothing and drives very fast. Chuck the mask out of the window, he says when he has been driving for about five minutes. He takes his mask off and flips it onto the back seat where it lands on his black cloak. Why did I have to throw mine away but not you? Yours is generic; my cloak has my family insignia sewn into it and my mask is distinct to me. Ten minutes later, Blake pulls off the road and, turning

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around, takes her into his arms. Im sorry, he says. I shouldnt have taken you there. I dont know what I was thinking of. Youre just a baby. Its OK, she says. Nothing happened. He looks into her eyes. He is full of secrets. Yes, nothing happened. That night he jerks awake in a cold sweat. He sits upright. The movement wakes her. Did you have a nightmare? she asks, her hand reaching for his back. I dreamed I took you into the main room, he says. His voice is hoarse with horror. What happens in the main room? He turns to her. In the dark his eyes are tormented pools. Oh, Lana, Lana, Lana, he whispers in her hair. Tell me, she urges, but he shakes his head. My world is ugly and corrupt. It only looks good from the outside. When our time is over, I must return you the way I found you, pure and innocent. Gently he opens her legs. Let me hide a little while longer in your world, he rasps and buries his mouth in her sex. His mouth is warm and soft. Her body responds, arches; her hands come out to grasp his hair; her legs entwine like ropes around his head, and she comes with a gasp while she is wonderfully full of him, but through it all she never forgets what he saidwhen our time is over.

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Twenty seven

ana wakes up and turns around to look at the man beside her. In the dimness she stares at him. He is so heartbreakingly beautiful when he sleeps he makes her want to cry. That hard mouth softened, the thick, stubby eyelashes dark-blue smudges on his face. She slips out of bed quietly. She is ravenous these days. She smiles to think it must be all the sex. She closes the bedroom door and pads into the kitchen. She switches on the light and goes to the fridge. Her hands reach for the tin of caviar and a jar of marmalade. She goes to the breadbox and cuts two slice of nutty bread. She pops them into the toaster and stands by the counter, yawning. When they are ready, she spreads a thick layer of caviar on one slice of toast and spoons a dollop of marmalade over the other. She slaps them together, pops herself on a stool, and bites into her creation. It is so delicious she closes her eyes to savor it. She opens her mouth to take a second bite.

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Is this another terrible combination that you Brits have conjured up? Blake teases from the doorway. Her eyes snap open, her mouth closes, and her eyes move over her food. Marmalade and caviar. Slowly her gaze lifts to him. He is lounging against the doorframe as nude as the day he was born. Whats the matter? he asks. She closes her mouth and tries to smile. Its my own thing, she says weakly. Her heart is beating so loud in her ears that she is sure he must be able to hear. She puts the sandwich down and looks at him. Cant you sleep? Come back to bed and put me to sleep, he invites, his eyes darkening. OK, Ill finish my sandwich and come join you. Go ahead. She smiles at him, willing him not to enter the kitchen, but go back to bedroom and wait for her. He looks at her and as if he has heard her wishes he nods and, turning around, leaves. The air escapes her lungs in a rush. She puts her elbow on the surface and leans her forehead against her hand. She actually feels sick. She opens the sandwich and really looks at what she has concocted. The smeared caviar and marmalade. It is revolting. Her mother ate anchovies and marmalade when she was pregnant. She covers her mouth. Shes pregnant. She looks at the clock above the door. It is two in the morning. She closes the sandwich. Her appetite is gone.

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Oh God, what now? She begins to count backwards. Yes, she is definitely two weeks late.

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Twenty eight

lake opens the door to the apartment and instantly feels that she is gone. Not gone out shopping or gone to see her mother, but gone away from him. Forever. Her presence seems to have evaporated into thin air. He pushes down the sensation of horror and walks down the corridor to the living room. The curtains are drawn shut. It is dim and cool. He moves to the coffee table. It is empty. He passes the dining room on his way to the bedroom, his eyes skimming the long table. His gaze falls on her purse. For an odd moment, he finds himself staring at it. The thoughts in his brain are foreign. He shakes his head and walks away. Three steps down the corridor, he stops and goes back. Like a sleepwalker he drifts to her bag. He puts a hand out and lifts it by its strap, a metal and black leather interlaced affair. He raises the flap and looks inside.

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Lip gloss, ballpoint pen, compact mirror, sparkly eye shadow anda small maroon wallet. He fishes it out, runs his finger along the leather and opens it. He looks at what appears to be a collage of photographs cut out from different photographs and carefully, lovingly stuck together. Her mother, Billie and Harry. The child-like innocence of her handiwork causes him pain. He does not know why it should. He closes the flap, returns it to her handbag, and walks away from the dining room. He has never done such a thing before. His shoulders feel tense with worry and confusion. What is the matter with him? He has never been curious about the contents of any other womans purse before. In the bedroom, he glances towards his bedside table then hers. Nothing. He goes into the kitchen. He looks at the island top, his eyes scanning the room quickly. No, she has left no note. He goes back into the bedroom and opens the cupboard. Handbags, shoes, clothes. It is all there. She has taken nothing. He keys in the combination and opens the safe. The velvet box is in there. He opens it and the necklace lays nestled on its satin bed. He sighs with relief, puts it back carefully and locks the safe. She must have gone to visit her mother. He rings her number and waits, but on the second ring he hears another ring coming from the living room. He follows the sound. Her phone is lying on the sofa. He cuts the connection and picks up her phone. Last caller, him, last call, her mother. He rings her mothers landline. It rings out. He goes through her address list and rings Billie. Her cocky

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recorded voice comes on and he leaves a message for her to call him back urgently. He rings Jack. Jack answers on the sixth ring just as he is about to give up. Jack, do you know where Lana is? No, why? Just trying to find her. Shes gone out without her cellphone. Its raining here. Is it raining there? Slight pause. Yeah Its raining here. I wouldnt worry, mate, shes probably just gone out walking in the rain. Right. Jack laughs. Shell come home looking like a drowned kitten. Its something to behold. Right. Thanks, Jack. Blake goes out onto the balcony. It is pouring with rain. A jagged flash of lightning splits the sky. He waits for the thunder. It comes deafeningly loud almost immediately. He frowns. He doesnt like the thought of her in the rain. He goes to the edge of the balcony and reaches a hand out to catch some rain. Strange. He leans over the edge and turns his face up to the shower. He tries to imagine what she must be feeling, thinking. The rain is cold and he is quickly drenched. He peels off his shirt that has become transparent with the rain. He balls his shirt in his hand and hears the key in the door. It opens and they stare at each other. Indeed, she is a sight to behold. Instantly he knows she

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is not the same anymore. There is such hurt in her eyes. He strides to her. Come, he says and takes her to the bathroom. He guides her under the shower spray. The water that pelts her cold shivering skin is perfectly warm. She hears him moving away and she closes her eyes and savors the pleasant sensation. She feels life coming back to her fingers and limbs. She has walked too long. She leans her forearms against the tiles and lifting her face to the water, abandons herself to it. She hears the shower door slide and her eyes snap open. He is nude and standing outside. Her eyes rove over him and settle in fascination on his manhood that is already half erect before she suddenly realizes what she is doing, and flushing with embarrassment, turns away. He catches her by the chin and brings her eyes to him. I want you to look at me. Look at me. She returns her eyes to his manhood. It is no longer at half-mast but standing proud. She lifts her eyes back to his face. He steps into the shower. She moves back to make space for him. She watches him through the drops of water and steam. He chuckles and, finding the soap, slips it across the skin of her chest. Lift your arms. She obeys. He soaps her under her arms. His touch is light and unticklish. His swipes the soap along her shoulders and then down to her breasts. Here he is rhythmic and

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meticulous. The mounds get much attention. So much she longs to have him take her nipples in his mouth. The soap travels downward. To her stomach and further to her bare-skinned sex. He doesnt have to tell her. She spreads her legs and the soap slides between them. The water sluices through his hands. Turn around. She turns. The soap is travelling her back and down her spine along her hips and finally entering the crack of her bottom. She feels him kneel to wash her legs down to the soles of her feet, which he does one by one. Then he stands. In her line of sight she sees him return the soap. And pick up the shampoo bottle. She hears him squirt it into the palm of his hand. Then he is washing her hair. The bubbles run down her body. Heat collects between her legs. Now he is so close she can feel his hard body slipping and sliding against hers. Her legs begin to tremble. He turns her around and sucks her nipples. His hands slide down her stomach and boldly without warning grab her hips. She gazes into the storm clouds in his eyes. His jaw is clenched tight. He lifts her body and penetrates her. She curls her legs around his hips and cries with an animalistic pleasure. The deeper he buries himself inside her, the deeper she wants him to go. Afterwards he carries her to the bed and dries her body carefully. She looks up to him. What are you thinking of?

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Your body. She says nothing. Why did you walk so far in the rain? She stares into his eyes. They are unreadable. I like the rain. Ive always walked in the rain. But the rain in England is cold. I dont know any other type of rain. He brings the hairdryer and a brush and sits on the bed with them beside him. Then he calls her to sit on the floor against the bed between his knees and begins to towel dry her hair. He is careful not to rub hard. Afterwards he runs his fingers through her hair and gently untangles any knots he finds. Only then does he switch on the hairdryer and begin to dry her hair. When he switches off the hairdryer she says, You cant cook but you can blow dry hair. I used to dry my sisters hair for her. She swivels her neck around. You dont have a sister. Firmly he turns her head to face away from him. Ive told you before, dont trust everything Wikipedia says. The brush glides through her hair in long, slow strokes. Why is she not known to the public? She was born with a genetic anomaly. Shes not like you and me. She lives in her own world. All great families have such relativesthey just dont acknowledge or advertise them. Its an unfortunate effect of interbreeding. So she is locked away? There is a pause. Something like that.

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Do you still see her? No, she is in our Buckinghamshire property. She has a whole wing and sectioned off grounds. Nurses and servants to care for her twenty-four hours a day. Whats she like? A four-year-old child. She communicates by pointing and smiling. His voice is sad. Why did you stop going to see her? The brush stops for a second, then starts again. The last time I saw her was when I was twelve. I was brushing her hair and my mother walked into the room. She was horrified. Are you going to become a great man like your father or a sissy like your great uncle George? He is another family member that we all pretend doesnt exist. I never went back after that. She turns around and catches his wrist. The brush stills mid-air. I dont care what anybody else says, you are a good man, she says. Dont fool yourself, Lana. Were all no good. Dont trust any of us. Not even me. Is there no one you trust? No one. Not even your dad? Dad? he repeats sarcastically. Dads a sociopath. Lanas eyes widen. Isnt he a great philanthropist? Nave little Lana. My fathers a trillionaire. And there is no such thing as a philanthropist trillionaire. Do you know what one has to do to become a trillionaire? Spend

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your whole life crushing people for profit and then donate a library? I dont trust him and neither should you. It would cause him the same grief to crush you if you stood in his way as it would if he trod on an ant in his path. Do trillionaires exist? Think, Lana. What is the debt of the United States alone? Who are all those lovely trillions owed to? The Federal Reserve? He laughs. And who do you think owns that? The Federal Reserve is a private company just like the Bank of England, and every central bank throughout the world. Through a network of holding companies, the old families own vast controlling portions of not only their stocks, but all the too-big-to-fail banks that you hate so much. Lana frowns. She needs time to think about the true meaning of what he has revealed to her. What about your mother? My mother threw us to the wolves a long time ago. My brothers and I grew up in stifling conditions. Lana shakes her head. And there I was, wishing I was rich, while I was growing up in stifling conditions. You dont understand, Lana, and perhaps you never will. We are different. We are not merely rich. We dont own tracts of land, we own countries and politicians. We have different responsibilities. We have an agenda. Then his face closes over.

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Twenty nine
Your hands are inside my heart.

lake stands on the embankment and watches the water rushing by. He thinks of Lana and feels confused. There is a room inside her that he cant enter. It is like the room inside him that she cannot enter. It is where she keeps all the hurts he has caused. There are other things in that room, too. She has secrets now. He tries to imagine what else could be hidden there. A man talking loudly on his cell phone in some European language intrudes on his musings. He glances away from the water at the tramps sleeping rough. For the first time in his life he sees them as people. People who have fallen on hard times because of the things that his family is doing. They are not the real parasites. She was right that night when she accused him and his family of being the parasites. He has always known. He has just

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never cared before. His phone rings. He looks at it. Marcus. Hello. His brother gets to the point immediately. Morgan just called me. Why is his loan still pending? Morgan is a crook. There is a shocked silence and then his brother sighs heavily. Whats going on with you, Blake? Nothing. It bugs me to approve the loan. This green energy thing is a scam. Of course it is. And so what? Why do we have to be part of everything crooked? My God, youre beginning to sound like Quinn, his brother says referring to their youngest sibling. Quinn turned his back on the family fortune and ran off to Paris to be an artist. Im beginning to think Quinn had the right idea. Its a big accountgovernment approved. Were just facilitating the funds. Were always only facilitating the funds. Father worked hard to get us on board. The other banks will kill for an opportunity like this. Blake sighed. Ill sign off on the papers in the morning. I dont care about the loanwhat I care about is whats happening to you? Youre still in training. You cant get soft, Blake. These are shark-infested waters youre swimming in. Theyll eat you alive. The entire system is corrupt. You cant fight it. If you try to, it will only break

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you. Yeah. Just having a bad day, I guess. Have you spoken to Victoria? Blake frowns. No, why? Nothing. Her father was telling me you havent called in some weeks. Its not a good thing to leave these things for too long. Blake does something he has never done before. He confides in his brother. I think I might have found someone. Someone? What do you mean someone? I think Im in love. What? The burst of sound is so explosive and sudden that Blake has to pull the phone away from his ear and hold it away. Hell! Blake! Have you lost your mind? I dont think so. Who is it? Not one of us. Set her up in an apartment and visit her every day until you are bored of her. Blake smiles in the dark. Done that. Youve fallen for a gold-digger! Shes not a gold-digger. They all are. Well, shes not. Look, Blake, dont fuck this up. This is your future.

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You have to marry Victoria. I dont have to do anything. I dont want to end up like you. A wife you detest, three kids you never see, and cold fucks with models and movie stars in luxurious apartments and hotel rooms. Whats wrong with that? Blake sighs. Youre going to fuck this up, arent you? This is not a club, Blake. You cant terminate your membership and walk away. There are consequences. Quinn did. Youre not Quinn, he says, his voice heavy with meaning. Look, I got to go. Ill call you soon. Bye, Marcus. Blake cuts the call and stands looking at the cold, black water. Spare some change, someone says from behind him. He turns back. A tramp. He puts his hand into his pocket, but there is no change in his pocket. He never carries change. He opens his wallet. There is nothing there but fifty-pound notes. He pulls one out and holds it out by the corner. The tramps eyes widen. God bless you, sir, he cries delightedly, and staggers away to spend the money on more booze. Blake looks up and watches a star tumble from the sky. And takes it as a sign. He wants to go back to the apartment and get into bed beside her, but he wont. That will be a bad idea. She will be asleep and he would only wake her and want to get

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into that beautiful body. No, he will go back to his own apartment and tomorrow he will tell her. He is madly in love with her. He sends her a text: Meet me for breakfast outside the caf? 9am. X Lana is not asleep. She looks at his message. Even the thought of breakfast makes her feel sick, but she will go anyway. Perhaps she will have some black coffee and pretend she is on a diet or something. She wonders where he is. Why has he not come to her? Has he begun to lose interest? So quickly? Alone, she goes to sleep and sleeps badly, tossing and turning. Eventually, when she falls into a deep sleep, dawn is in the sky. Her alarm goes off at eight a.m. and she dresses hurriedly. She pulls an Alice hairband on, dresses in a long shirt and navy and white trousers. There is no bump yet, but it seems like a good idea to start dressing in loose attire. She leans against the mirror and fights the nausea. She shouldnt have agreed to go, but she doesnt want to make him suspicious. She waves to Mr. Nair and walks out of the building. The caf is only down the street. As she walks her thoughts wander. What will become of her and the little life growing inside her? She puts her head down and makes a decision. She steps onto the road and hears a shout. Watch out! In that split second, she sees Blake running towards her.

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He is no longer shouting. As if in slow motion she turns and sees a car speeding towards her. But her feet are unable to move. Rooted to the spot. Even far into the future she will remember how she saw everything so clearly it was like looking through a very clean glass. How Blake, his eyes urgent and full of desperate fear reached her and with both hands pushed her with such force that she was thrown backward out of harms way. The car ploughs into him instead. She lies on the ground and watches him flying in the air like a rag doll to land on the other side of the street. Even from her prone position she can see the stream of blood running away from his head into the grey asphalt. She stands and runs to him screaming. He is lying on his front, but his head is turned in her direction. Are you all right? he mumbles vaguely in the direction of her voice, but his eyes seem unable to focus. Im fine, she sobs, and he closes his eyes and falls into some deep, dark place. Someone has already called the police and the ambulance is quick to arrive. They take him to the nearest emergency room, but Lana is keenly aware that his family will want him to be taken to the best hospital. She takes his mobile and finds Marcuss number. Hello, she says. Her voice is strangely calm. It must be the shock, she thinks. Whos this? comes the suspicious reply. Blake has been in a road accident. Her voice shakes on

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the word accident. Hes been taken to the Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth. I just thought you should know. How bad is he? It looks like a head injury, but there might be other internal things that I dont know about. Are you at the hospital right now? Yes. Will you wait for me? Ill be right there. Lana sits on a chair. She feels numb. There is blood on her wrists and hands. Blakes blood. Suspended inside her cloud of shock she stares at it blankly. She touches it with a finger. It feels sticky. Im not dreaming, this is really happening, her brain says. She wipes her hand on her stained navy and white trousers, takes out her own mobile and calls Billie. Billie is quicker to arrive than Marcus. The sight of Billies worried face hurrying towards her undoes her. Oh, Billie, she sobs. It was my fault. I wasnt looking where I was going. If he had not pushed me out of the way it would have been me that the car hit. Banker boy threw himself under a car to save you? Lana stops crying as she registers what she has not with the shock. But he is cold and unemotional. He hardly ever touches her unless he wants to have sex. Why? Why did he do that? People only do that for the people they love, Billie says. He doesnt love me. If you knew what kind of

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relationship we have youd never say that. He must have acted instinctively. Billie says nothing. Her eyes are on the door. Here comes big brother. Lana turns in the direction Billie is looking in. Indeed, it is Blakes brother; he has the same superior air. He is standing at the door scanning the room. As soon as he spots them he comes over. His surprised eyes slide quickly over the spiders climbing on Billies throat, but he addresses Lana, as if he instinctively recognizes the type of woman his brother could fall in love with. Im Marcus. You must be the one who called me. Yes. Thank you. Where is my brother now? She points towards the desk. They wont tell me anything. What happened? He pushed me out of the way of a speeding car and took the hit himself. Marcuss face is incredulous. My brother did that? Tears began to roll unchecked down Lanas face. She feels like a fool crying in front of that disapproving stranger, but the tears refuse to stop. He looks at the tears unemotionally. It will be the shock, he says. Lana nods. He glances quickly at the two ladies behind the reception desk, obviously eager to talk to them. Look, if

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you give me your name and address, I will be happy to compensate you for what you have done. Lana feels as if he has slapped her. She takes a shocked step away from him. She remembers Blake saying, we are not like you. That wont be necessary, she says. An expression passes across his face. Irritation. Well, thank you for calling me, anyway. He turns away from them and begins to walk towards the enquiries desk. Then he remembers, stops and comes back to her. Can I have my brothers phone back, please? Silently she puts the phone into his outstretched hand. Thank you again for what you did for my brother, he says awkwardly. Lana nods. She feels Billies hand come around her waist. Marcus strides away. After the fear, the guilt, and the worry, the shock of his brothers utter rejection finishes her. She sags weakly against Billie. Fucking heartless, rude bastard. Fuck them and their pissy billions. They can keep it. She leads Lana outside and hails a black cab. They get in and do not speak during the journey, but Billie tightly holds Lanas hand in hers for the entire duration of the trip. When they get out of the cab, Lana retches and is sick by the side of the road. An old biddy walking on the other side of the road stops to stare and Billie hails her to ask if she has a tissue. Oh dear, oh dear, she says, and crosses the road. She fishes a handkerchief from her handbag.

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Whats the matter with the poor child? Shes pregnant, Billie says. Lanas eyes swing around to Billie. Billie claps her hand over her mouth. Oh my God! Youre pregnant, arent you? Can I have the handkerchief back? the old biddy whines plaintively. Billie takes the soiled cloth from Lana and ungratefully stuffs it into the womans hand. Thanks, love. You want to stock up on tissues in future. More hygienic. The woman leaves with a sniff and Billie turns to Lana. Why didnt you tell me? I just found out myself. Besides, I cant keep it. Billies eyes open wide. What? Lana blinks back the tears. Its in my contract. If I dont terminate I will forfeit all rights to it. Im not going to give up my baby to that cold bunch. Billies eyes flash. They cant do that. They can, Bill. The way they feel about crushing us is the way you feel about killing a row of ants heading towards your jam jar. Who do they think you are? Fucking Oliver Twist? Please, sir, can I have some more, sir? You know what? I havent used any of the money that you gave me. Lets give that back to them and work out some plan where we pay the rest back with interest. Lana shakes her head tiredly. Oh, Bill, they dont want the money back. Its all about their precious bloodline.

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The purity of the great Barrington line must be safeguarded at all costs. And any bastard children must go back to the Barrington care. They dont trust the likes of us to bring up children properly. Billie looks as though she is about to go into one. A very long and loud rant. Not now, Bill. Please. I just want to go somewhere I can sit. Billie holds out her hand. Come. Ill take you home. I dont want my mum to know. Its OK, well go to mine and you can clean up there. We dont have to tell anyone. Remember when you said you didnt know whether you would share your lottery money with me if you ever did win? Yeah. Now you know, dont you? Billie smiles sadly. Yeah, now I know.

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Thirty

ictoria walks up to the nurse smiling deferentially at her. Good afternoon, Miss Montgomery. Good afternoon. How is he today? He seems better. I just looked in on him a few minutes ago and he was asleep, but he was conscious for a few minutes this morning, and seemed desperate to know if someone called Lana was all right? Do you know this person? Victoria cant stop the pure rush of shock that invades her body. She shutters her beautiful green and smiles. If he asks again, tell him not to worry about her. She is fine. I certainly will, Miss Montgomery. Victoria nods politely and walks down the corridor. Her heart feels as if it is breaking. She enters the room tentatively. It is quiet and full of flowers. Her eyes move to his face. His eyes are closed. She walks up to his bed

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and stands looking down on his sleeping face. He looks so pale under his dark tan. She knows it is very dull of her, but she loves this man. She doesnt even care that her friends call her Sticky Vicky behind her back. Oh, darling, she whispers. What a perfectly awful fright you gave me. She takes his big hand in her small dainty ones and caresses the inside of his wrist. Every since she met him at her garden party when she was ten years old she has loved him. Im going to marry that boy, she told her father. Her father threw back his head and laughed but over the years, he has been shocked by her total dedication to that boy. While Blake indulged in his meaningless affairs and liaisons she refused to seriously date anyone else. Of course, her father did not and would never know about the drunken one-night stands. Those didnt count. She lets her finger trace a vein. There is nothing she will not do for this man. She bends down and kisses that straight mouth. His lips feel cool. She remembers that other time she pressed her lips to his. Then, he was fifteen. He wiped his lips with the back of his hand and looked at her scornfully. Youre just a baby. Lip kisses are for grown-ups, he chided. She gently pushes back a piece of hair that has strayed onto his forehead and smoothes it down. She knows he is not in love with her. But she can live with that. She wants him on any terms. She wants his seed in her. She wants to see him in her childrens faces. She wants to watch the grey appear in his temples, and she wants to sit out in her

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fathers French seaside home when they are old, watching the sunset. A fond look. An affectionate smile, a caring touch from him would be enough for her. For a long time, she simply sits with her cheek against his hand. Eventually, there is a noise at the door and she turns her head. Marcus has entered the room. He stands awkwardly in the middle of the room for a moment. Hello, Marcus, she says. Hey, he says and coming to her, kisses both her cheeks. The nurse told me he regained consciousness for a short while. Did he say anything? She shakes her head. She didnt want to tell him about Lana. How did it happen? I dont knowexactly, he says evasively, and moves to the other side of the bed. He didnt want to tell her about Lana. About the stupid thing his brother did for love. Victoria knows he is hiding something from her. Now she knows his accident has something to do with that Lana woman he has installed in a penthouse in St Johns Wood. But all this while she thought it was not serious. That it was a strictly sex thing. She saw the contract, after all. I guess Ill come back in the evening, she says. She closes the door and walks along the corridor. She hates the smell of hospitals. It always reminds her of her grandmother. The many months she spent in a hospital bed before she died. As she rounds the corner she stops and takes a step back. The nurse at the desk is talking to

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Blakes tart and a ghoul-like creature covered in tattoos. Anger bubbles inside her. These low people. How dare they? How dare they show up at this hospital where her father could very well come to? The cheek of it. She hears the nurse very firmly enforce the instructions she has left. Im sorry but I have very strict instructions not to let anyone but the family members on this list. It looks to Victoria as if the ghoul would fight it out but Blakes tart takes a step back and the ghoul says loudly, Youre right, Lana, leave these stuck-up, la di da shits to get on with it. She grabs the Lanas hand and pulls her away. They do not see Victoria. Now Victoria knows. Something has to be done.

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Thirty one

he doorbell rings and Lana turns in surprise and simply stares at the door. None of her friends are allowed to visit, so she has never had a visitor. There is always somebody at her mothers door wanting to borrow a hairdryer, a pen, red lipstick, a sparkly handbag, or something. But here? Such a possibility does not even cross her mind. She walks to the door and opens it. There is a woman standing outside. She looks to be in her early twenties. She is dressed as if she is going to a lawn party. In an elegant linen dress and black pearls. Dully Lana notes that she would never have thought to combine black pearls with such an outfit. Her blonde hair is held back by a black band. She has very good skin and is wearing pale lipstick. Her mouth curves into a smile. From every pore of her flawless skin exudes good breeding and finishing school class. She is pure style.

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You can live in a fine home, wear the right clothes and even go to the right parties but you will never be one of us, her very being seems to say. Hello, Im Victoria. May I come in? Lana cannot stop staring at her. So this is the woman that Blake is going to marry. This is the woman who will have his babies and live with him. Please, Victoria says. Lana opens the door wider and stands back. Victoria enters. She looks around the room, but refrains from commenting. Lana precedes her into the living room and turns around to face her. You are prettier in real life, Victoria says. Lana doesnt know if she should acknowledge the compliment. May I sit? Lana nods and Victoria perches. Her movements are all dainty. She puts the small pink purse she has been holding in her hand into her lap and crosses her legs at her slim ankles. She smiles again. Will you sit too? Lana flushes and sits. This is not the womans place and yet it seems she has somehow taken charge. I know you are shocked to see me here and even more shocked to see that I neither hate nor feel angry with you. You see, our ways are different. Youll probably never understand so I wont try to explain too much. Suffice to say that I dont think it is ideal, but I have been trained to understand that men must sow their wild oats before they

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settle down, so I allow it. I can see whats going through you. Lana makes a strangled sound in her throat. You are thinking and hoping for exactly the same thing that every woman who has signed one of these sordid agreements and who then falls in love wants. You want Blake to fall in love with you and marry you. But he never will. Men like Blake have been taught since they were knee high how to take, how to have their cake and eat it in every situation. Marrying you or staying with you will not be that. This agreement until he gets bored and then marrying me will be the options most desirable to our men. And that is what Blake will do too. Has he in any way suggested more than this arrangement? Perhaps given you hope for a different future with him? Woodenly, Lana shakes her head. You see, the most important thing for us is to secure the right bloodlines for our children and ensure our wealth is not dissipated away into careless hands. Blake knows where his loyalties lie. Consequently, I fear nothing from you. If anything, I feel sorry for you and want to be fair to you. I can see that you are in love with him, and in the end, you will be left with nothing more than a broken heart. Well, I guess I might as well come to the point. Nobody knows Im here and Mummy would scream blue murder if she knew I was. So why are you here?

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I know about your contract and I know it will expire in six weeks. How? I have my ways. It is not important to our discussion today. Strange as it may seem, I am now your only friend. Lana has been staring at the carpet but at her words her head snaps up. She cannot imagine a scenario where this proud, self-assured woman could be her friend. Let alone her only friend. What is important to you must be that you are adequately compensated at the end of your time here. She pauses meaningfully. Of course, there is a possibility that Blake will extend or renew the contract for another three months. Then again there is the possibility he will not. I am here to offer you a hundred thousand pounds for you to leavenot at the end of the contract, but today without any explanation. There is no punitive action allowed in your contract if you end it earlier than its term. Lana looks at her with shock. She has glanced through the contract so fast she has not even registered that clause. Yet this woman has perused the contract carefully and is here to bargain with her. I will increase the amount to two hundred thousand pounds if you will leave the country. No note. No goodbyes. Just gone. No note. No goodbyes. Just gone. Wow! Lana looks at the young woman who sits so brazenly before her and feels a bubble of hysterical laughter forming in her throat. She stands up and walks to

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the glass wall. Far below there are small children playing with a dog in the park. With her back to the woman, she closes her eyes. She tries to think, but her mind is blank. Did you think that the billionaires son would marry the poor girl from the council estate? Lana flushes. Of course not. Except for that once when she tasted her name joined with his, she has not really thought that. Always from the start it has been made clear to her that it is a purely temporary arrangement based solely on sex. He has only ever wanted her for one thing and he has been brutally honest about it. There have been no protestations of love or flowery words. Just an animal craving for her skin. As if the woman opposite her has heard her thoughts she remarks quietly, Cravings go away. Please leave, she says, and does not turn around. She hears the woman stand. You will regret this one day, the woman says. There is no malice in her voice. She is simply stating a fact. Unemotionally. If you change your mind, my card is on the table. Please dont mention my visit to anyone. Lana nods. She hears the door close and she goes to stand in front of the beautiful gilded mirror. She looks at herself. How changed she is. Her eyes are full of pain. There are bruises under her eyes where there were none. Her hand moves to her belly. Soon she will be showing. She thinks of the woman. The heartless determination hidden within the beautiful exterior. Between them, they

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will kill the life growing inside her. She loves Blake but for him she is only a wild oat. She must think of the little one inside her now. Secure his or her future. She presses her hand to her mouth and stops the cry that threatens to escape. Tears are running down her face. She wipes them with the back of her hand and runs out of the door. Victoria is waiting by the lift. She turns to look at Lana. And for that one pure moment, Lana understands how murderers feel. She wants to steal this womans heartbeat, take her life and the man that fate has so arbitrarily assigned to her. Ill take Lanas voice breaks. She forces herself to spit out the words,the money. The woman smiles. It is not the smile of a victor. It is not malicious. It is not unkind. Neither is it pitying nor condescending. It is simply the lucky smile of a woman who has never been refused anything her heart desires.

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Thirty two

ictoria Jane Montgomery, daughter of the fourth Earl of Hardwicke, enters the large conservatory built on the east wall of the great house. In her opinion, it is the most beautiful part of the house with its old Victorian stained glass and its profusion of citrus trees, tropical palms, and orchids. When she was younger there was even a banana tree. But Geoffrey died some years ago and this new gardener has other ideas, newer ideas. Her mother is reading a book. Another cheap period romance with a swashbuckling man clutching a buxom woman with flowing hair on the cover. Victoria has never understood why a woman of her age should read romances. Surely, the instinct for romance dies when one reaches a certain age. Victoria herself has never understood the allure of romances. They bore her. She has the real thing in her life. She has Blake, all six feet two inches of him. All she has to do is think of him to make her toes clench. When she thinks of him with that

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hussy, her stomach actually knots and she has to stop herself from doing the bitch bodily harm. In fact, in a dream she once had she was tearing her eyes out. The feeling is so strong that sometimes she has to clench her hands, so hard her nails bite into her flesh and leave half moon marks. Her mother looks up from her book. Oh, daahling. Have you just come from the hospital? How is Blake doing? Her mothers King Charles, Suki, jumps happily at her feet. Victoria picks it up and, tickling the fur next to its pink crystal-studded collar, sits on a chair opposite her mother. He hasnt come around yet, she says, as the dog tries to lick her mouth. Her mother has pink cheeks, soft blue eyes and a small pink mouth. Oh dear, what are the doctors saying? Its a matter of time. The swelling needs to go down. They expect they will be able to operate tomorrow. Im sorry, my dear. Actually, Mummy, Ive come to talk to you about a different matter. Oh? Her mother puts her book down. Well, it is about Blake, but its not about his accident, well maybe it is a little bit. Anyway, I found out that Blake has a mistress. Oh, her mother says again. Victoria bites her lip. It is a blow to her pride to tell her mother this. I went to the apartment where he keeps her and paid

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her to leave the country and never see Blake again. Her mother is Iranian or something, and I suggested she live there for a while until everything blows over. The foolish look drops from her mothers eyes and her voice loses that simpering softness that Victoria grew up with. Victorias mouth drops open in shock. In that moment she realizes she has never known her mother. This woman is nobodys fool. You have taken a huge and unnecessary risk by doing that. These types of women will grow in such soil as ours and wither quickly, but when you force one out by the roots the way you have done, they leave a mark, an ugly scar that some men will mistake for a lost love. The wisdom in her mothers words makes undeniable sense and Victoria looks at her mother worriedly. But he took her to the Craft ball! Her mother looks at her with narrowed eyes. How do you know that? Victoria looks away. Gently, she lowers Suki to the ground. Her mother sighs and throws an imperial mint on the floor. Immediately Suki catches it in her mouth and crunches it. Youve had him followed. You are playing a dangerous game, Victoria. What does she look like? A slut. Her mother looks steadily at her. All right, shes very beautiful and young, she spits out. But dirt poor?

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Poorer than dirt. Oh dear. Perhaps you did the right thing then. What do I do now then? Nothing much. Persuade your father to talk to Blake and take the blame for paying the girl off. It will appear less sordid if such a thing is done by a father to protect his daughters interest. You must remain spotless. Go and see your father now. He is in the study. He never could resist a tear or two from you. Victoria stands and her mother says, You do know that this will not be the last woman that will come into your life, dont you? Yes. Are you sure you want this life? Victoria did not hesitate. Yes. Her mother nodded sadly. Remember this. I married beneath me. So will you. All women do. Victoria gasps. Well, run along then, daahling, she simpers and picks up her lurid novel.

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Thirty three

he first person Lana calls is Jack. He answers on the fifth ring when she is just about to give up. What is it? he says, instantly alert. Oh, Jack, she says. Where are you? Going to Mums. Ill meet you there. Jack, you dont have to meet me there. I just wanted to hear your voice. What happened? Nothing. But her voice breaks. Fuck nothing. What happened? I have to leave. Im taking Mum back to Iran. What? Just for a year. Im coming over.

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Please dont, Jack. I was feeling weak, but Im all right now. Funny, just hearing your voice did it. I know now what I have to do. Ill email you when I get settled. Its a bit primitive over there, so it might take a bit of time, but youll be the first person I write to. Dont you want to see me before you go? Ill be gone by the time you get here. Someone else is making the arrangements. They dont mess about. I kinda jumped from the frying pan into the fire, but I think it will be OK when I get to Iran. What about Blake? He is history. He must never know where I am. Has he hurt you? No. Hes still unconscious in hospital. Youre not going of your own free will, are you? No, but it is for the best and Ive got to go now, Jack. I will write as soon as I can. Goodbye, Lana. Goodbye, darling Jack.

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Thirty four

t is a rich room in which Victoria finds her father. He is sitting in a large armchair reading the newspapers. His favorite foxhound, Sergeant is curled up on a rug at his feet. At her entrance, Sergeant does no more than swivel his mournful eyes in her direction and wave the tip of his thirteen-year-old tail. Daddy. He tilts his head so his washed out blue eyes can peer over his glasses. Hello, pet, he welcomes genially. Daddy, Ive done something rather awful. Hugo Montgomery lowers his paper and narrows his eyes. It is amazing how different his eyes now appear. Sit down, he orders. Victoria walks over to the chair opposite him, her face troubled and unhappy. Well? he prompts. She looks down and twists a black pearl on her bracelet.

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I found out that Blake was keeping a woman. A horrible woman from a council estate. She stood suddenly and moved a few feet away. He was paying her. Her father wisely says nothing. Anyway, I went to see her, Daddy, and it was awful. Just awful. Ghastly woman. There she was in all the designer gear that he had bought her, and she was so arrogant about it too. She challenged me to take him away from her. I was so desperate I offered her money to leave him. Victoria looks him in the eye. Her fathers face is expressionless. Did she agree? Her voice becomes hard and cold. Of course. I had Martin draw up the papers and I transferred the money from my Gibraltar account. Ive checked and shes gone. Left the country. It appears youve taken care of your little problem. What do you want me to do? Daddy, I love Blake, he is a good, strong man, and I know that once we are married he will be a good husband and a fine father. I can forgive him for this little indiscretion. Her father nods carefully. But I know that he will never forgive me for interfering with his affairs if he finds out it was I who offered her the money. Daddy, could you please see him and tell him that it was you who offered her money. Surely he will be able to see what a little tramp she is to leave him while he is still in hospital.

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That will surely ruin my relationship with him. Does it really matter? You will still be his father-in-law and he will come to recognize that you did it for his own good. You are certain you want this man? I have never been more certain of anything in my life. He turns away from her and looks out of the window. Do you have a copy of her signature? Yes. He nods. Of course, the contract. A thought occurs to him. What about a sample of her writing? Yes. He raises a bushy, enquiring eyebrow. I have a copy of her application form at the temporary agency she used to work at. He smiles regretfully. Shame she had not been born a boy. He could have used her at the helm of the family instead of being a tool of consolidation. Give them both to me. I will work something out with Jason. Victoria has never met Jason, but she knows of him. He is a master forger. Thank you, Daddy, she says and running up to him snuggles her perfumed cheek against his. Her fathers arm comes around her shoulder and he gives her an affectionate squeeze. Oh, my pretty, pretty little viperwhat that man doesnt know about you!

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She moves away from him and looks up into his eyes. Daddy? Yes, Victoria. Is it very wrong what I have done? You should have left it alone, Victoria. He is a man and men, my dear, have needs, but these needs do go away. He took her to the Crafts ball. Her fathers eyes narrow to slits with disapproval. Immediately she feels bad that she told him that. She wants her father to think well of Blake. Hes a good man, Daddy. Hes just a bit lost. She has bewitched him. He has never done anything like this before. Her father says nothing but it is obvious he is not impressed. Victoria cannot leave it alone. Are you angry with me, Daddy? she asks, her eyes misting over. Of course not. You did what you thought was best, but there is a very important lesson that a woman can learn from a dog. When a dog finds another dogs scent on his master, he does not panic, feel threatened or hurl abuse, but merely finds it interesting. If you can cultivate that habit you will have a very happy marriage. When his daughter leaves, Hugo Mongomery looks out of the window at the rolling green fields of his estate and the beautiful Van Gogh clouds in the sky. He has known about Blakes woman. Seen photos of them together.

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Something about the pictures makes him worry that this might not be the end of the matter. Still, his daughter is an intelligent, cunning fox. And to date there is nothing she has wanted that has eluded her.

To be continued

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Book
Hey you, Thank you for choosing and reading The Billionaire Banker. It is my first attempt at Contemporary Romance, and I have to say I simply loved writing it, especially the steamy scenes! Book 2 is written through Lanas eyes. Once again, fate has dropped her at Blakes feet, but he is no longer the man who upgraded her mother to first class, took care of her when she was as sick as a dog, and risked his own life to save hers. He is a cold-eyed, vengeful stranger who demands that she finish the term of the contract. He is owed 42 days, and he will have it. Book 2 will be out on January 24th, 2014. Until then, kiss a good-looking stranger

xx

!eorgia
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https://www.facebook.com/ eo! "a.# eca!!e

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