The War of the Roses: The Children by Warren Adler Read Free Book Online Page B

vibrated.
    â€œOh my God,” he cried, feeling the pleasure start in his toes and rise in him like a geyser, exploding.
    Even before he had calmed, he felt remorse.
    â€œThis can’t go on.”
    â€œYes it can. Don’t worry so much.”
    It was then she made her speech again about being a good Italian girl, to which she added, “I’ve never done this. I swear it. Not since I’ve been with Dom.”
    He distrusted her explanation. She had been too wildly aggressive, too uninhibited and immodest.
    â€œNeither have I.”
    That, he knew, was the absolute truth.
    â€œEverybody knows you’re a straight arrow around here, Josh, a real family man.” She pointed to a photograph of his wife and children. “She’s a knockout and the kids are gorgeous.”
    His reaction was to turn the picture around.
    â€œIt’s only a picture, for God’s sake. This has nothing to do with them. Or my family. This is about me and you, about our needs.” Her eyes glazed and seemed to be consulting some inner muse. “I need to feel. I need an outlet for my passion. Up to now I’ve been a very good girl. All the guys see me as untouchable. Don’t I keep my public aura forbidding? Nobody would dare hit on me at this place.”
    â€œBecause it’s too dangerous, Angela,” Josh muttered.
    â€œNot with me. I promise you.” She made the sign of the cross. “Don’t ask me why, but I’d like to be your whore. It’s a mystery. I’ve been walking around here wet as hell since I first met you.”
    Despite what they had just done, her language shocked him.
    â€œWhy me?”
    â€œCall it one of life’s mysteries,” she said.
    â€œDammit, Angela. This is crazy.”
    â€œTell me about it. I never thought I’d have the guts to do this.”
    â€œLet’s forget it ever happened,” he told her.
    â€œWhy do that?” she pouted. “I’m not talking involvement here. I don’t want to mess up our other lives. I’m talking recreation, entertainment. Wild passion. Hot sex. I promise you no complications, no angst.” She crossed herself again. “I love hard, quick sex. It’s what I’ve fantasized about. With you. Where’s the harm? You loved it, too. Admit it.”
    It was as if a satyr had lay hidden in his psyche, waiting for the moment to emerge and possess him. He found himself looking for logic in a place where it was alien. He hadn’t realized he could be so vulnerable. But then such an aggressive female had never approached him.
    â€œI’m your boss, dammit,” he said. That wasn’t all. Angela’s work was imaginative and multi-faceted. She could design and illustrate with a gift for articulating an idea that made her a standout at meetings. She was a recognized major asset to the creative staff, and, because of her talent, he was grooming her for bigger things. The implications of their relationship were endless.
    â€œMakes it even safer. We work together. People around here know I’m teacher’s pet. Deservedly so, right? We can pick the safest time and the safest place. No fuss, no muss, no bother. I’m on the pill. I haven’t been with strange men and you haven’t been with strange women. That eliminates the AIDS issue and means we can ride bareback. No misplaced condoms to worry about. We’re okay as long as we keep it in the right compartment. No emotional brouhahas. Just dirty sex on demand. And this I promise. Whoever wants out, good-bye. No tears or torment.”
    â€œYou’ve sure figured it out,” Josh said, genuinely stunned but starting to feel amused by her explanation. “You make it sound like an ice-cream break.”
    â€œNot a bad image, Josh. Especially if you think ice cream cone. I love to lick it down to the nub.”
    â€œJesus,” Josh mumbled. She reached out for him again. Despite the