Lethal Seduction by Jackie Collins Read Free Book Online Page A

switched off the light, but after ten minutes realized there was no way she was falling asleep. It was destined to be one of those nights. Maybe Jefferson was right, maybe she did need to see a shrink. Of course, Victor would know the best one in town, but how could she ask him?
    She tossed restlessly, finally gave up and clicked on the television, flicking past several porno stations, marveling at a soft-core movie where the girls’ breasts jutted to attention without a sign of the effects of gravity. What a bunch of freaks. You didn’t see guys running out buying themselves perky silicone balls.
    Silicone balls. What a hilarious thought!
    She began to giggle. Slammer started to pant, a sure sign that he too was not ready for sleep.
    Finally she got up and padded into the kitchen, where she fixed herself a cheese-and-ham sandwich with plenty of lettuce and pickles.
    Slammer got the crusts. He was one happy dog.
    Finally satisfied, they both returned to bed.

CHAPTER
6
    â€œWhat?” Rosarita shrieked bad temperedly, staring at Dex, who stood in the front hall blocking her way. It occurred to her that maybe he’d found out about her and Joel, and she was all set with a thousand excuses. Not that she needed excuses—but until this was over she had to keep up some kind of show.
    â€œGot a surprise,” Dexter said.
    â€œGood or bad?” she snapped, cagey as ever.
    â€œGood.”
    â€œThen perhaps I can come in the fucking apartment,” she said, attempting to push past him.
    â€œDon’t swear,” he admonished in a fierce whisper.
    Maybe, just maybe he’d landed the lead role in a major movie and was about to tell her. Wouldn’t that be something.
    She could dream, couldn’t she?
    Dexter suddenly jumped to one side, making an extravagant gesture with his left arm. And to Rosarita’s horror, there stood Martha and Matt Cockranger, his goddamn parents.
    â€œShit!” The word slid out of her mouth before she could stop it. What in hell are they doing here? followed. But she was able to refrain from actually saying it aloud.
    â€œHello, dear,” said Martha, a plump, faded blonde in a lime-green polyester pantsuit, with jangly rhinestone earrings and white plastic open-toed sandals. “How lovely to see you.”
    Rosarita was still in shock as Matt stepped forward, giving her an all-encompassing hug. Dex’s dad was a florid-faced man in his mid-fifties, with close-cropped gray hair and faded blue eyes. Once handsome like his son, he had been beaten into submission by the passing years. Plus he had a huge, protruding gut—solid as a football.
    â€œHow’s our Dick’s—” he began.
    â€œDexter,” Dexter interrupted, frowning at his father.
    â€œHow’s our Dexter’s little girl?” Matt corrected himself quickly, wary of his famous son’s wrath.
    For once in her life, Rosarita was speechless. This was a nightmare. What had she done to deserve a visit from the Cockrangers?
    â€œMom, Dad, I didn’t tell Rosarita you were coming,” Dexter said, beaming. “She’s kind of overcome. You know how much she loves you.”
    Oh, yes, Dex, pour it on. How could he do this to her? How could he?
    â€œThey’re staying with us, honey,” he continued. “I had Conchita fix up the guest room.”
    â€œYou did?” she croaked, wishing nothing more than an immediate shower and a long night of uninterrupted sleep.
    â€œIsn’t it a neat surprise?” Dexter said, squeezing her arm. “I knew you’d be pleased.”
    â€œI’m . . . I’m . . . shocked,” she stammered. Then turning to his big, blustery dad, she added, “How’d you get away from your job, Matt?”
    â€œTook a three-week leave of absence,” Matt replied proudly. “Everyone at work watches our boy on Dark Days. Makes me something of a celebrity back