Downtown Girl (Lipstick Red #1) by Zara Asher Read Free Book Online Page A

lives in inner city gangs, some with alcoholics or drug addicts for parents, and no positive role models.  Just watching these youths kick sand on the beach after padding in the sea, or take on a leadership challenge to cross a stream using teamwork, was humbling.  They had the skills and they had the dedication.  They just didn’t have the opportunity to get out of the lives they’d led.  All too often, he’d hear of a lad who was well thought of being killed in a gang fight.  He’d taken on as many of the lads as he could in his business, but there were only so many kids he could save. 
    She was showering after their marathon morning session and then, they would head back to shore for lunch and a lazy afternoon before checking into a hotel for the evening.  As much as he’d like to come back offshore for another night and keep her for himself, the weather forecast wasn’t good enough for his nautical skills, and the boat was too small to have his expert sailor of a PA on board at the same time.
    ‘What’s next for today?’ Taylor asked when he went to tell her about the change of plans.  She was towel drying her hair, wearing the bikini and shorts that tormented his wedding tackle.  Down boy, he thought to himself.
    ‘Change of plan, there’s a storm brewing so we’re staying ashore tonight.  I’ve booked a suite with adjoining bedrooms.’  Her face fell.  Damn, she looked disappointed, but so was he.
    ‘Whatever’s good for you,’ she said, her face instantly recovering and giving him her best smile.  He’d make sure she enjoyed herself while she was with him.  He suspected this was just a pleasant affair for her, an excuse for a good time with a wealthy man, or perhaps they were just two lonely people making each other feel better for a while, but he was having trouble thinking about anything other than Taylor Griffiths.
    There was no future for them as a couple, especially if the people out to get Alan Inglebrook decided to go for him too.  That’s why he’d whisked her away to Cannes, away from prying eyes.  He hadn’t counted on spending so much time ashore.
    ###
    It was a subdued Taylor that accompanied him ashore.  His PA would check their bags in, while he took Taylor for a walk along the beach, then a late lunch before a swim at the hotel.
    Walking along the golden beaches of Cannes, he felt happier than he should.  She was a good looking woman.  ‘We’re going to Chavabox at nine tonight.  Have you got anything suitable to wear, or should we stop off and get you something appropriate?’
    ‘I have a blue dress and silver sandals, so I think I’m good.’  She slipped off her flip flops, while he held his shoes in his hands, moving towards the water’s edge to paddle in the sea.  She slipped her hand into his and it felt good.  He tried to imagine having her by his side every day, and then shook his head.  He was getting ahead of himself.
    The water lapped over their feet, warm and inviting, as their toes slipped into the sludgy sand below. 
    ‘It’s a good exfoliator you know, the sand.’ She looked into his face with dancing eyes, squinting in the sunshine, despite her transitional lenses, which darkened at the glare.  He’d never found a woman with specs beautiful before, but seeing her wearing them made him realise how silly he’d been.  Glasses can make a woman look exceptionally beautiful and mysterious.
    She’d carried on talking about how sand pampers your feet to make them radiant and soft if it’s rinsed off properly and feet are patted dry with an application of moisturizer.  She was all he could think of.  He tried not to concentrate on the jealous glances of women sunbathing on the sand, and the admiring men in their short trunks.  He had to consciously focus on her words, to stop his nether regions bursting into life again.  Public humiliation on a beach would not be a good thing.
    On a quieter stretch of beach, hearing a woman scream, he