Career Girls by Louise Bagshawe Read Free Book Online

voters trapped in a queue.’
    ‘You got it,’ he said.
    Rowena finished her drink slowly, glad of the break, and smoothed down the fragile silk of her dress. Amazingly enough she’d managed to prevent it from getting torn in the crush, God knew how. She was fond of this gown, it had been in the family for generations and she’d like to see her daughter wear it to a ball some day. Better than turning up semi-naked like Topaz.
    ‘Rowena,’ Peter Kennedy said.
    She spun round to find him standing at the foot of a pillar draped in gold streamers and ivy leaves, watching her. He was leaning against the wall, casually, his black dinner jacket slightly crumpled from holding Topaz outside.
    ‘Hello, Peter,’ she said, flushing red. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?.’
    He nodde°d absently. ‘I wonder if you could spare me five minutes?’ he asked.
    God, how beautiful she is, he thought. Attractive in exactly the opposite way to Topaz. Rowena was so obviously embarrassed, blushing whenever he turned up, trying to get out of coming to see him. He felt the familiar twitch in his thighs. Rowena Gordon was a challenge, much more of a challenge than her best friend. A virgin. And very loyal to Topaz, or so people said.
    She was struggling with herself.
    She wanted him.
    ‘Of course,’ Rowena said. She glanced around her at the ballgoers cramming every available inch of space in the main bui!ding. Only one thing for
    ‘We can go into the Officers’ Offices,’ she suggested, beckoning him to follow her. She turned into what looked like an under-stair cupboard and punched a code into a security lock. The Officers’ Offices, for the Librarian, Treasurer and Secretary, were a little back annexe closed off to the public. It was about the only place that would be private.
     
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    Peter shut the door behind him and whistled softly. ‘Aft Baba’s cave,’ he said.
    Rowena shook her head. ‘Hardly. They don’t even heat it. A few computers, some files and leftover cans of low alcohol beer don’t add up to limitless riches.’
    She couldn’t look him in the face. Suddenly, they were out of all the noise and the crush and she was alone with him. Her best friend’s man.
    How can you be with Topaz! Rowena thought angrily. You’re so different from her!
    ‘You said you’d come to a decision,’ she said, as coolly as she could.
    ‘That’s right,’ Peter agreed. He moved closer to her, and she could smell the faint scent of his cologne. ‘You’ve talked me into it. I can’t actively campaign for you, but I’ll withdraw my support from Gilbert. I’m going to break it to him tomorrow.’
    Rowena felt overwhelmed with relief. He’d just handed her the election. Gilbert Docker had a snowball’s chance in hell without Peter Kennedy’s help. He was talentless, elitist and completely disorganized. At the debate on feminism laext week she intended to prove that.
    ‘I don’t know how to thank you,’ she said, beaming with delight.
    Peter took a step towards her. ‘I do,’ he said. He bent forward and kissed her lightly on the lips.
    A second later, Rowena pulled back. But it was a second too long. Kennedy had already felt her soft mouth welcoming his embrace, her nipples stiffen against his shirt - he could feel them through her dress - the telltale brightness in the eyes and the shortness of breath. Desire surged through him. Topaz Rossi was a skilled, passionate lover, but Rowena’s timidness and uncertainty was something else. He wanted to have her. To teach her about sex. He’d never taken a girl’s virginity. The thought of it aroused him almost unbearably.
    ‘What are you doing?’ Rowena hissed. ‘What about Topaz?’
     
    38
     
    He nearly said, ‘What about her?’ but stopped himself in time.
    ‘I know, I feel so guilty,’ Peter admitted, undressing her with his eyes. Oh, look. She was blushing from head to toe. How sweet. ‘Topaz is a great girl, and I’m fond of her too, but… I can’t help the