Dangerous Kiss by Jackie Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

necklace - anniversary gifts from Steven, 'if you like, I can arrange for my husband to see him, give him some advice about how not to get into trouble.'
    Tern's expression perked up. 'Really?'
    'Steven's great with kids. He occasionally talks to boys at a school in Compton -
    helps them with career tips, that kind of thing. They think he's the greatest.'
    'I bet.'
    'Sometimes we have a few of them over for a barbecue. Steven knows how to motivate. He makes them want to get an education and do well.'
    'Sounds like exactly what my little brother needs,' Terri said, carefully removing Mary Lou's shimmering white evening gown from its protective plastic covering.
    'I'll arrange it,' Mary Lou said, unhooking her bra and reaching for her dress.
    'You're so slim,' Terri said enviously, watching as Mary Lou navigated her way into the slinky gown.
    'It's called hardly ever eating!' Mary Lou said ruefully. 'In my job you have to be thin. I'd much sooner be pigging out on fried chicken and grits. But I figure one of these days - way, way in the future - that's what I'll do. Right now it's important I keep my figure.'
    'Look at me,' Terri said, with a helpless shrug. 'I'm eighty pounds overweight.'
    'Make a goal,' Mary Lou said. 'Promise yourself you'll lose four pounds a month.
    Take it slow and easy, and in less than two years you'll be down to the weight you want.'
    Terri laughed at the thought. 'I can't do that.'
    'Yes, you can,' Mary Lou said. 'We can do anything we set our minds to.'
    'Gee, I wish that was true,' Terri said wistfully.
    'Do I look all right?' Mary Lou asked.
    'Fine as silk,' Terri said, with a sigh, zipping the back of her dress.
    'Thanks,' Mary Lou said, quickly applying a thin coat of lip-gloss. 'Now, I promise I won't forget about your brother. I'll talk to Steven tonight.'
    'You're the best,' Terri said.
    'No, I'm not,' Mary Lou said. 'It's just that I understand when someone needs guidance. One day I'll tell you how Steven and I first met. Boy! Did I need guidance then! Actually, it's quite a story.'
    'Tell me now,' Terri pleaded.
    'No time now,' Mary Lou said, laughing. 'Sit with me at lunch tomorrow and I'll reveal everything. Oh, yes, and tomorrow you're starting your diet - right?'
    'If you say so.'
    There was a knock on the trailer door, followed by Lennie calling out, 'You ready?'
    'Just about,' she said, quickly putting on her spike-heeled silver shoes as Terri opened the trailer door.
    'Let's get going,' Lennie said. 'If I don't make it in time for her speech, Lucky will kill me.' He took her arm and helped her down the steps.
    ' 'Bye, Terri,' Mary Lou said, waving.
    'Don't you look something?' Lennie remarked, as they made their way to his car.
    'Like my dress?' Mary Lou asked, doing a little twirl for him.
    'Love it,' he said. 'But you'd better prepare yourself - Steven'll have a heart-attack when he sees you. He's too old to have a wife who looks like you.'
    'Great!' Mary Lou said. 'Don't tell him that, he's already experiencing a mid-life crisis.'
    'Steven is?'
    'He thinks he's getting fat and boring.'
    'C'mon. Mr Handsome?'
    Mary Lou giggled. 'I told him he can turn into the fattest, most boring man in the world, and I'll still love him.'
    'What a woman!'
    'He's the best.'
    'So are you.'
    'Thank you, Lennie. I appreciate that.'
    'Hey,' Lennie said, as they trekked down the street. 'I'm afraid it didn't occur to me to hire a limo for tonight. I prefer driving myself. But what with you looking so outrageous, I realize I should've gotten us a car.'
    'Don't be-silly,' Mary Lou said. 'I'm happy as long as we get there. And the sooner the better.' She smiled softly. 'Y' know, it's so funny: Steven and I have been married almost nine years, yet when I'm away from him, I still miss him.
    Even if it's only for a day.'
    'I know what you mean,' Lennie said. 'Sometimes I look around at all the miserable marriages in this town - people playing musical beds and getting divorced - and I think how happy I am with