Behind Every Cloud by Pauline Lawless Read Free Book Online

the cheek.
    “ Hello, darling, I had a meeting nearby and thought I ’ d drop in and say hello. ”
    Zita saw Rachel ’ s eyes light up.
    “ Carl, what a lovely surprise !” Rachel said, giving him a lingering kiss on the lips.
    “ Yeuch !” Zita said under her breath as the television crew came running back to start filming the new golden boy of politics. She was sure the accidental meeting had been engineered by the Dunnes to gain publicity. She watched Carl smiling and charming everyone in sight . He exuded energy and sexuality and Zita could feel the charisma, even from a distance. I wonder what he ’ s like in bed, she thought, surprised at herself for thinking that. She doubted that the prissy Rachel would be able to satisfy him in that department . Zita couldn ’ t help but admire his broad-shouldered physique and , as she did so , Carl looked her way and a flash of chemistry passed between them. They locked eyes for a moment and Zita knew she was not imagining the sexual message he was sending her.
    Zita had no illusions as to her looks. She was not pretty or glamorous like Rachel Dunne . She ’ d often been called interesting – but never beautiful. She was tall and rangy with small perky breasts and a slim waist and hips. She generally wore unisex clothes : jeans, biker jackets, biker boots and dungarees , which she felt suited her boyish figure. Her hair was jet - black and cut short in a pixie style. She had high cheekbones and a long patrician nose but it was her eyes that were her most arresting feature. They were an unusual gold colour and gave her a distinctive feline look. Despite her masculine clothing and demeanour, men found her intriguing and it was obvious from Carl ’ s glance that he was not immune to her attractions either. Well, well, she thought, so this show of affection with his wife is maybe not all it seems to be. Hmmm . . .
    Zita was ambitious and ruthless and as she watched Carl she sensed that he and she were very alike – both opportunists! The idea formed in her head that he could be very useful to her. There was no doubt that he was the new darling of the political scene and word had it that his star was in the ascendant. Yes, he could be very useful indeed.
    Zita worked as a production assistant for a national television station and knew that she was brighter and more intelligent than many of those higher up the ladder than she . It was a known fact that political interference had been the reason many lesser beings had been promoted to the positions of producer and director. This was what Zita wanted. Perhaps she ’ d just found the political clout that would catapult her up that ladder and perhaps enjoy a sexual liaison at the same time. But how could she get to Carl ? She ’ d have to find a way.

    Zita lived in a small apartment on the very top floor of a beautiful Georgian house on Stephen ’ s Green in Dublin city centre. She took the four flights of stairs at a run a couple of times a day to the dismay of her neighbour and friend, Marcus, who was forever complaining about the climb. She also cycled everywhere and was a familiar figure pedalling through the city-centre streets at weekends. She did most of her thinking while cycling to and from work and now as she cycled home she thought about how she could wangle her way into Carl Dunne ’ s life.
    Then it hit her! Brilliant! Of course! I ’ ll join that wine course and cultivate his wife and , through her, get to meet him socially. She grinned at the idea. Kill three birds with one stone! Hook Carl, take the smug smile off his wife ’ s face and learn something about wine at the same time. Yeeeessss!

    Zita had no illusions where men were concerned. She ’ d been abused from the age of ten by a priest who was a family friend and when , aged fifteen, she ’ d finally found the courage to tell her parents, they hadn ’ t believed her. She ’ d run away to London then and from there made her way to Australia. It