September Morning by Diana Palmer Read Free Book Online

little girl trying to play dress-up. She looked about fifteen. All the excitement drained out of her face. Her whole body seemed to slump as she stared at her reflection.
    “It doesn't suit you, does it?” the pleasant blond saleswoman asked her.
    Kathryn shook her head sadly. “It looked so beautiful on the model…”
    “Because it was designed for a taller, thinner figure than yours,” the statuesque older woman explained. “If I may suggest some styles…?”
    “Oh, please!” Kathryn said, wide-eyed.
    “Wait here.”
    The three dresses the woman brought back looked far less dramatic than those Kathryn had picked out. They were simple garments with no frills at all, and the colors were pale pastels—mint, taupe and a silky beige. But on Kathryn, they came to life. Combined with her black hair and green eyes, the mint was devastating. The taupe emphasized her rounded figure and darkened her eyes. The beige brought out her soft complexion and its simple lines gave her an elegance far beyond her years.
    “And this is for evening,” the woman said at last, bringing out a burgundy velvet gown with a deep V-neck and slits down both sides. It's a dream of a dress, Kathryn thought, studying her reflection in the mirror, her face glowing as she imagined Blake's reaction to this seductive style—the light went out of her suddenly when she remembered the warning he'd given her, about provoking him. But surely she had the right to wear what she pleased…
    “Kathryn, we've got to go,” Phillip called to her.
    One expressive eyebrow went up, and her eyes danced mischievously. What would this gorgeous gown do to Phillip?
    She opened the curtains and walked out. He stared at her, with lips slightly parted, his brown eyes stunned.
    “Kathryn?” he asked, as if he didn't trust his eyes anymore.
    “Yes, it's me,” she assured him. “Oh, Phil, isn't it a dream?”
    He nodded dubiously. “A dream.”
    “What's the matter?” she asked, going close to look up at him, while the saleswoman smiled secretively from a distance.
    “Are you sure it's legal to wear something like that in public?” he asked.
    She smiled. “Why not? It's very fashionable. Do you really like it?”
    He caught his breath. “Honey, I love it. But Blake…”
    She glared at him. “I'm grown. I keep having to remind Blake…”
    “You won't have to remind him anymore if you wear that dress,” he said, staring down at the soft, exposed curves of her breasts in the plunging neckline. “He'll be able to see for himself.”
    She tossed her long, waving hair defiantly. “I'll bet that actress wears more revealing clothes than this.”
    “She does,” he agreed, “but her lifestyle is different from yours, kitten.”
    “You mean she sleeps with men, don't you, Phillip?” she persisted.
    “Hush, for heaven's sake!” he said quickly, looking around to see if anyone was listening. “Remember where we are.”
    “But she does, doesn't she?” she kept on, glaring.
    “I know you've been at it with Blake about your writer friend coming,” Phillip told her quietly. “But don't think you'll retaliate by insulting his latest female acquisition. He'll cut you into little pieces, Kate.”
    She felt the rage welling up in her like rain catching in a vat. “I'm tired of Blake telling me how to live my life. I want to move into an apartment.”
    “Don't tell him yet,” Phillip pleaded.
    “I already have,” she replied, her eyes sparkling with temper.
    “And what did he say?”
    “He said no, of course. He always says no. But it won't work anymore. I'm going to get a job, and an apartment, and you're going to help me,” she added, with a mischievous glance upward.
    “Oh, like hell I am!” he replied. “I'm not taking on Blake for you.”
    She stamped her small foot. “That's what's wrong with men today!”
    His eyebrows went up amusedly. “What is?”
    “That no one's brave enough to take on Blake for me! I'll bet Larry will,” she added