Dangerous Lady (16 page)

‘Terry.’ She drew his name out softly and slipped her arm through his.

‘What?’ His voice was flat and expressionless. He had

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really been looking forward to seeing her tonight. Then, within two minutes, she had started an argument with him. He couldn’t believe it.

‘I’m sorry, Terry.’ Her voice was small.

He relaxed. ‘Let’s forget it. I’ve booked a table for us up West in a snazzy restaurant.’ He saw her face fall again. Now what was the matter with her?

Maura was in a state of acute agitation. She couldn’t go up West with him! Supposing Mickey saw her? Or one of her other brothers? Not to mention all the people who worked for them. They all knew her. Michael might come into the restaurant to say hello! She felt faint just thinking about it.

‘Are you all right? You’ve gone very white.’ His voice was all concern. Maura’s mind was reeling.

‘I feel a bit under the weather. I haven’t eaten all day. Can’t we eat around here?’ She knew she was clutching at straws but nothing would get her up the West End.

‘But I booked the table especially. We’re celebrating.’

‘Celebrating what?’

‘Never you mind. I’ll tell you when we get to the restaurant.’

Oh, God, please help her. ‘Oh, let’s stay around here … please. I don’t fancy travelling back up West.’ Her voice was wheedling. He couldn’t help smiling. She was some girl! Not two minutes in his company and she was biting his head off. Now she didn’t want to go to an expensive restaurant in the West End. He shook his head at her.

‘All right. You win as usual. What’s it to be? Indian? Greek? What?’

Maura felt the tension drain out of her. She kissed him hard on the mouth.

‘Greek, please. I just love taramasalata!’

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She tucked her arm into his. Twenty minutes later they were sitting in a little restaurant drinking retsina. ‘So what are we celebrating then?’ ‘I’ve been given a transfer. I applied for it about six months ago. Anyway, today I was told that it had been passed. From next month I will be at Vine Street! That’s why I wanted to go up West tonight. Get the feel of the place.’ He grinned at her.

Maura felt herself smile in response. She felt the muscles in her face moving. ‘What exactly will you be doing up there?’

‘It’s hard to explain really. There’s a lot of illegal gambling up there, always has been, as well as prostitution and drugs.’

The waiter placed two moussakas in front of them. ‘Anyway, some firms - that’s gangs to you - are using the hostess clubs as a front for many other things. Guns, blackmail… the list is endless. Well, I’ll be a very small cog in the wheel that’s trying to stamp it all out.’

‘I see.’ Maura was finding it increasingly difficult to swallow.

‘You don’t see, but never mind, love. You’ll never have to worry about it. Or are you a closet villain?’ She laughed with him, amazed that she was still able to function normally while her insides were doing the Twist! ‘How about a toast to your new job?’ ‘I’ll drink to that, Maura.’ They clinked glasses and Terry chattered on. ‘It’s so exciting. Do you know that there’s men running clubs up there who would murder somebody like you or me would have a cup of tea? It’s unbelievable. I tell you.’ She stared into her glass of wine. What was she worried about anyway? Michael wasn’t involved with anything like that. And drugs? Never!

But a little nagging voice at the back of her mind kept reminding her of the way he had blown up the taxi rank after Anthony died. A little voice was whispering: ‘They all work for Michael now.’

She pushed the thoughts firmly from her mind, forcing herself to concentrate on what Terry was saying. All the while icy fingers were touching the back of her neck - ghostly reminders of the past. Later on, when they left the restaurant arm in arm, she shivered. Terry pulled her closer to him. ‘I want you, Maura.’

‘I want you too, Terry.’ And she was surprised because she meant it. At this moment she wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything in her life.

‘Really?’ His voice was husky with longing.

‘Yes … really.’

‘Oh, Maura, you don’t know how much I wanted to hear you say that.’ He clasped her hand and pulled her to, his car. ‘Come on, before you change your mind.’

‘Where are we going?’ :’

‘You’ll find out.’

She felt the thrill of sexual anticipation sweep over her body, wiping everything from her mind except Terry, herself, and their need.

Inside the car he kissed her, long and hard. He fumbled in his pocket and took out a key.

‘Do you see this?’ Maura nodded. ‘Well, it’s a key to a flat in Islington. I rented it today. Not for this, Maura, I swear. But to be nearer my job. All that’s in it is a bed and a camping stove, but it’s home for us … if that’s what you really want.’

Maura loved him just for those words. He wasn’t trying to force her into anything.

‘I want to go to your flat in Islington, Terry.’

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He kissed her again and then started up the car. Tonight was his lucky night.

On the way to the flat, Terry had stopped and bought a bottle of wine. Maura sat nervously on the edge of the big double bed while he opened the bottle and brought her a glass. She took it from him. The bedroom had large bay windows covered with grubby nets. Grantbridge Street was the centre of bedsitterland. Even now, record players and radios could be heard. Occasionally a shout or a loud laugh broke the gloom. There was no light in the bedroom, only the moonlight and the subdued glare of the streetlights outside the window. Maura was glad. She drank the wine and placed the empty glass on the floor by the bed. Terry walked out to the kitchen, talking as he moved.

‘It doesn’t look much now, I know, but you wait until I’ve finished it - decorated it, I mean. Hey, why don’t you help me? We could go to Camden Market together and pick out some furniture.’ He walked back into the bedroom with the bottle of wine. ‘What do you say?’ His voice was eager.

Maura caught some of his enthusiasm. ‘I’d love it.’

He refilled her glass and gave it to her.

‘Look, Maura, you don’t have to sleep with me, you know.’ His voice was caressing. ‘I’ll understand if you’re not ready.’

She looked up. In the half-light he looked boyish. She traced the contours of his face with her finger.

‘I am sure, Terry. In fact, I’m positive!’

He sat on the bed beside her and kissed her gently. ‘Well, as long as you’re sure.’

He stood up and removed his shirt. Maura watched him, fascinated. The muscles of his arms and chest were

rippling as he moved and she felt a hot flush creeping over her body. She took a deep breath and slipped off her coat. The room was not very warm and she felt goosebumps on; her arms. Her dress fastened up the front and she began to undo the buttons. She could sense his eyes on her and felt a sudden bashfulness. She had never in her life undressed in front of a man - not even a doctor. She came to the last button and, plucking up all her courage, slipped the dress off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor.

Terry watched her. His throat was dry and his breathing heavy. Standing there in the moonlight in her underwear she looked magnificent. Her breasts were huge - like giant orbs in the confines of her bra, spilling over the top like overripe melons. He couldn’t believe his luck. She was like a larger than life fantasy that had just come true. He dragged his eyes from her breasts to her long legs. He was surprised at how small her waist was. She was like some voluptuous painting by Titian. He could feel himself hardening. ,.,. He slipped off his trousers and went to her. Putting his arms around her back he unhooked her bra, letting her opulent breasts free. He pulled the brassiere from her body and dropped it on to the floor. Instinctively her arms crossed over her chest. He gently pulled them away, staring down at her body. He groaned.

‘Oh, Maura. You’re beautiful. . , You’re so beautiful!’ He pressed his lips against her nipples and she jumped. She could feel them hardening under his tongue and was caught between pure ecstasy and an urge to run from the room. Her heart was hammering in her breast and her breathing was irregular. She could feel herself panting. He squeezed both her breasts together and licked and chewed on her nipples, sending delicious waves of euphoria through her. He pulled her gently on to the bed. They fell

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together, their arms and legs entwined. He loomed over her.

‘I love you, Maura. God, I love you.’ If he never said it again, the way he had just expressed himself to her would last for the rest of her life. She felt his fingers hook into either side of her panties, and as she felt him pull them down her body she closed her eyes. It was finally happening. The mystery of man and woman was about to be unfurled before her. She bit on her lip, an exquisite agony tearing her apart. Her natural shyness was trying to overcome a new, bigger, and more intense feeling.

Unaware that she had even done it, Maura opened her legs wide. As his tongue flicked over her thighs she groaned out loud. Slowly, he pushed his forefinger inside her. She was like a juicy peach.

Terry was in a fever of excitement. Who would have dreamed she would be so fiery the first time? She was like an experienced woman, the way she moved her body and opened herself up to him. He loved everything about her the way she looked, the way she acted - everything. He especially loved the smell of her.

Maura felt him push himself up on his arms. She opened her eyes, and as he straddled her watched his swollen member trying to push into her. Her eyes opened wide. It was too big, surely? She pushed her elbows into the bed to pull herself up, but she was too late. She felt a tearing pain as if Terry pushed against some kind of obstacle. Then she felt a wave of dizziness as he slipped right up inside her. As he moved backwards and forwards she thrust her hips up to meet him at every stroke, a jumble of feelings and emotions raging through them both. Suddenly, she felt a shuddering somewhere in her bowels. It seemed to be slowly creeping into her groin and up … up into her

stomach. She arched her back, and as she lost control in the final throes of orgasm felt Terry biting on her breasts. She called out… All self-consciousness seemed to dissolve in this all-encompassing feeling. She was aware that she was wailing and moaning, but she didn’t care. This feeling was too good, too exciting to let go of. She felt her legs grab Terry’s thighs and was trying desperately to push him further inside her.

Above her Terry was watching her, fascinated. As he felt his own orgasm beginning to pulsate he felt her legs gripping him and drove his penis into her as hard as he could, bursting inside her like a dam.

They lay together, their bodies bathed in sweat, their hearts beating a tattoo on each other’s chests. Terry kissed her gently, little tiny kisses, all over her face and neck. He licked her throat and tasted the saltiness of her.

‘That was fantastic, Maura.’

She lay beneath him, shy again, amazed at her feelings. .,

‘Thank you, Maura. For letting me be the first. And if it lies with me, I will be your last. You’re my girl now. You’ll always be my girl.’

He kissed her again and was surprised to find that she was crying gently. He was immediately concerned. ‘I didn’t hurt you too much, did I?’

‘No, you didn’t hurt me. I’m crying because I’m happy. That’s all.’

He gathered her into his arms and held her tightly. He had promised himself that he would not get too involved with her, but at this moment he could no more have parted from her than he could have cut his own throat.

Maura felt the heightened awareness that comes with lovemaking. That feeling of infinite perception that envelops lovers in its embrace. She was acutely aware that she

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had burnt her boats. That she now belonged to the man lying with her. That her family had taken a back seat in her life. But she was also aware that no matter how she felt, her family would never allow her to relegate them to second place. The fact that Terry was a policeman would be enough for Michael. He would never countenance her having an association with one. He would take it as a personal affront.

She felt Terry’s hand running over her body, kneading her breasts and shoulders, and was caught up in a feeling of presentiment. They were doomed and she knew it. She closed her eyes tightly, praying to her God to take pity on them. To help them find a way out of the morass they had jumped into. She wished fervently that they might be allowed to be together, that nothing would happen to make them part. And even as she prayed and wished, she knew, deep inside, that it was all useless. But with the foolishness of youth, she convinced herself that somehow, somewhere, there was an answer to their problem.

Finally, she abandoned herself to him once again, the moonlight playing on their bodies as they loved each other with a strength that surprised them both. Their whispering and low moans echoed around the empty flat, like ghosts that danced on the ceiling with their shadows.

Maura had never dreamt that she could feel like she felt at this moment. She had indeed burnt her boats. But she smiled while she did it.

Chapter Nine Benjamin Ryan pushed his wife oat of his way. He was drunk as usual, but today, instead of his normal boisterous drunkenness, he was in a violent, vindictive frame of mind. Sarah watched him warily. Ever since Anthony’s death her husband had suffered these fits of depression. His face was bloated and red-veined. His large nose was reddened and bulbous. His dark blue eyes, inherited by all the children, were now listless, the whites a sepia colour, like an old photograph. He looked terrible. His once black hair was grey, hanging across his face in greasy tendrils. Sarah shook her head sadly. He was grey-skinned and the weight that had once given him an air of affability had dropped off him, leaving only a large beergut that hung offensively over his trousers. He stalked across the bedroom to her. Sarah put her hands up to her face through years of habit. The chances were that she was going to get a good hiding. She braced herself for the blows.