Cruel Venus

by Susan Lewis

  After she rang off she regretted sounding so sharp, but he surely had to realize that there weren’t many instances when Tessa’s name could be mentioned without turning her into a wannabe killer, and he certainly hadn’t found one. Still, she didn’t imagine he’d lose any sleep over her tart little responses, so she wouldn’t either, and picking up her script for the next recording, she switched her phones through to Marvin and ran down to her dressing room. On the way she passed Tessa coming out of the small studio, laughing delightedly at the director’s lavish praise for her latest tour de force. Allyson pretended not to see them, and carried on to her dressing room. Once inside, with the door shut firmly behind her, she closed her eyes and fought back the mounting rage. It was hard, so hard, to keep all this anger and hurt bottled up inside, especially when she was having to turn down so many parties and celebrations in the build-up to Christmas, because she was afraid that going without Bob would be even more painful than staying at home on her own.

  The phone rang, and by the time the call ended sadness had blunted her fury, for it had been George, Bob’s father, accepting her mother’s invitation to join them for Christmas. Poor chap, he was all alone there in his high-rise council flat in Lewisham, still waiting for a place on ground level and too proud to take any help from Allyson. And just as Allyson had suspected, he hadn’t had an invitation to spend Christmas with Bob, hadn’t even heard from him since the marriage had split up. Hearing that, Allyson’s heart had flooded with anguish and pain. How utterly besotted Bob must be with Tessa, and the prospect of their new baby, that he didn’t even have time for his own father.

  Shelley was in a great mood. She had just attended a producers’ lunch which Mark had hosted at the Mirabelle, and now, at his invitation, she was leading the way up the stairs to his Russell Square office for a pre-Christmas drink. Thanks to the lengthy conversation they’d just had in the restaurant she was no longer having to feel quite so bad about Allyson, because after tossing around several different ideas, they’d decided to give Allyson a shot at producing the new Continental transmissions as well as presenting the Night Caps. It certainly sorted out the question of Allyson’s fee, though whether or not Allyson was interested in producing, or even up to it, remained to be seen. But at least Shelley had some good news to be going back to her with, something that would hopefully help to ease the tension that was still straining away between them.

  ‘So what are your plans for Christmas?’ Mark was asking as they walked into the reception area of his office.

  As he’d already told her he was spending the time with his brother and sister-in-law who’d just flown in from New York, Shelley didn’t mind admitting to spending the time with her family too. ‘My mother and stepfather have a place in the New Forest,’ she said. ‘I’ll probably drive down there. My stepsister and her husband usually come too, with their three delightful kids.’

  From the way she said it it was evident she found the kids anything but delightful, which didn’t surprise him, she didn’t strike him as the motherly sort.

  He stopped to speak to his assistant, and Shelley used the opportunity to go and powder her nose. When she returned she could see him already in his office pouring them both a drink. The intention now was to watch the two pilot programmes that had been recorded the day before, with Tessa as the Happy Hour host, and Allyson at the foot of the show taking care of the Night Caps. Personalities and all other issues aside, the new-style programmes were even better than Shelley had hoped for. Tessa’s magical quality on screen was richly enhanced by the girl’s wonderful gift of infectious laughter, and an impishness that got people to say or do things as though the camera wasn’t there. And Allyson was perfect in her new role, almost like a parent who had stayed up later than the kids to talk to the ageing relatives and foreign visitors. Shelley had no doubt that Mark was going to be every bit as impressed as she was, when he eventually got to see the shows.

  Closing the door behind her, she put down her bag and took off her coat. She was wearing a close-fitting black cashmere dress and a gold silk scarf. He smiled as he handed her a drink, then touched his glass to hers.

  ‘Merry Christmas and Tessa’s success,’ he said.

  As she drank she kept her eyes on his, and was pleased to see that he didn’t look away.

  ‘Did you bring the videotapes?’ he asked, going to open the TV cabinet.

  She watched as he ejected a cassette from the machine, then putting her drink down she pulled her dress over her head and laid it aside with her coat. Wearing only the gold silk scarf, black hold-up stockings and high-heeled shoes she joined him at the TV and handed him the videos.

  He took them, then catching her reflection in the screen he turned round.

  ‘Merry Christmas,’ she murmured.

  He started to speak but her hand was already twisting round his tie, using it to pull his mouth to hers. She lifted one foot onto the corner of the desk and rubbed herself against him. His hands went automatically to her body, he thought to push her away, but as he touched her and felt the intense hardening of his cock he found himself kissing her back.

  ‘Someone might come in,’ he said gruffly.

  ‘I locked the door.’

  Her tongue moved back into his mouth as she unfastened his trousers, then holding his cock with both hands she sank to her knees and began to moisten him.

  He could stop this, and knew he should, but he also knew he wouldn’t, for she had the power to arouse him like no other woman, and if this was what she wanted then he sure as hell was going to give it to her. So as she sucked him hard, while removing his trousers, he stripped off the rest of his clothes and pressed her head in so tight to his groin he could hear her choking.

  Letting her go he looked down at her face. Her lips were tender and wet, her eyes were blazing with lust. Still gazing up at him, she circled her tongue round the tip of his cock, then licked a trail right down to his balls, drawing first one, then the other deep into her mouth. He was so big and hard he might come right away, but then she was on her feet, taking his hand and leading him to one of the guest chairs in front of his desk.

  As she pushed him down she stood over him, her legs making an arch over his lap as she thrust her pubic hair to his face. He pushed his tongue into it, squeezing her buttocks and sucking her violently as she rotated her hips and moaned with the explosive pleasures of his expert mouth. Then she was lowering herself onto him, her fingers guiding him to her. When he was there, her hands moved behind her, gripping the edge of the desk. Her long, slender legs took her down slowly, until she’d swallowed his cock entirely. Then she raised herself up until he was only just in her. She smiled down at him, then watched as she took him into her again.

  ‘Is this good?’ she murmured.

  His hands circled her waist as he leaned forward to kiss and bite her breasts. Then she pushed him back and told him to watch as she began sliding smoothly up and down his cock, her magnificent legs bending and stretching with the power of an athlete. It was blowing his mind.

  He rubbed her clitoris and watched her come many times before he stood up, laid her flat on the desk and entered her again. He held her legs wide and looked down at her face as he began ramming himself towards climax. When finally he came, in long, exquisite spurts, his thumb was between her legs making her come too. He’d heard about multiple orgasms, but she was the first woman he’d known who experienced them. They were as big a turn-on as the woman herself, and within minutes he was spinning her over and pushing into her from behind.

  It was already dark outside by the time she finally put her dress back on. His assistant had gone and the message light on his phone was blinking hard. The sound of Christmas carols and heavy traffic drifted up from the wintry street below.

  She was smiling that sultry smile as she came towards him, putting on her coat. He was perched on the edge of his desk, still naked.

  ‘I knew you couldn’t resist me,’ she said, kissing him.

  �
�I wasn’t trying,’ he countered.

  ‘But when we last met you said it shouldn’t happen again.’

  Raising his hands he ran them softly over the cashmere that was covering her breasts. ‘Merry Christmas,’ he said, and using her nipples to pull her forward he kissed her on the mouth.

  Chapter 10

  IT WAS CHRISTMAS morning. The floor of Tessa’s flat was strewn with torn wrapping paper and breakfast dishes, while a carol service from St Matthew’s was chorusing cheerily out of the TV. The tree Bob had brought home a few nights ago was standing in the corner, its blinking lights reflecting in the shiny surfaces of the red and gold frosted balls. The mistletoe Tessa had bought was poised with romantic intent over the front door, while fake snow encrusted the corners of the windows giving them a cute, Christmas-cardish sort of look. It was all very festive, except for the faint smell of gas that was leaking from the fire in the hearth, though it was currently masked by the Estée Lauder perfume Tessa had found in a gift from Bob. The slim gold necklace that had accompanied it was back in its velvet pouch on the coffee table, waiting for a special occasion that Tessa would probably also have to pay for, but that was OK, she didn’t really mind. She’d given him a pair of Ralph Lauren cufflinks and a book on how to stop smoking. It should have been drinking, but she’d obviously picked up the wrong book, which had made them laugh when he’d opened it, quite an achievement for Bob, considering the pounding throb of his hangover.

  Now the presents were open Tessa was in the kitchen, flicking through a cookbook to find out what to do with a turkey. Bob was lying on the sofa, still struggling with his hangover and trying to stop shaking. He hadn’t showered yet that morning, nor shaved, and the old pyjama bottoms and T-shirt he was wearing were in need of a wash. He’d do something about himself in a minute, but right now his head was hurting too much to move very far. Tessa, a regular little nurse, had brought him coffee and Alka Seltzer, and gently massaged his scalp, but despite her show of concern he knew she was worried that he’d spoil the day.

  ‘I’ve always hated Christmas,’ she’d told him last night. ‘But it’s going to be different with you. This year I’m going to love it.’

  And he wanted her to, especially after the miscarriage she’d just suffered. He’d come home a few nights ago to find her tucked up in bed, eyes red from crying, and a terrible fear in her heart that he was going to be angry. It had upset him immensely to think she was afraid, though it had been a timely and alarming warning of just how violent his drunken tempers must be getting. Wanting only to comfort and reassure her, he’d slipped into bed with her and held her until they were crying together. Not until later, when she had fallen asleep in his arms, had he given any thought to the fact that he was now free to leave her. But at the time he had brushed it aside, not only because he couldn’t just up and go while she was still so upset about the baby, but because he had no idea what Allyson’s feelings were now. If she hated him as much as he deserved, then no chance of forgiveness could possibly exist, and even if he could bear to swallow his pride and ask, there was really no point even thinking about it while Tessa was still recovering.

  Fortunately she had this new job to keep her mind busy now, and though she still seemed a bit shaky at times, she was throwing herself into all the training and rehearsals to such a degree that he really hadn’t seen much of her since the baby had gone. It was a busy time for sport too, but though he’d been in touch with all his contacts he had yet to hear back from any of them. He’d received a cheque though, for a commentary he’d done a couple of months ago, another cheque that had to be deposited into Tessa’s account, to start paying off the enormous sum he already owed her. With the payment had come a letter informing him that the company concerned wouldn’t be taking up their option on his contract next year. That company had been his last hope, so it was in panic that he’d called up the producer, who, for old times’ sake, had agreed to see him. The meeting had been so excruciating that after, when he’d returned to his car, he’d actually wept.

  ‘Why don’t you come and help,’ Tessa grumbled. ‘I’ve never cooked a turkey before. How am I supposed to know what to do?’

  ‘Just leave it,’ he said. ‘Who wants turkey anyway?’ It wasn’t what he’d meant to say, but the last thing he wanted right now was to go out there and start playing happy Christmas cooks.

  Coming to kneel on the floor in front of him, she rested her elbows on his knees and looked up at him. ‘It’s Christmas. Our first one together,’ she reminded him. ‘We should be celebrating and doing all the things everyone else does at Christmas.’

  More truculence barged past his good intentions as he said, ‘Then get me a drink.’

  Sighing with exasperation she said, ‘That’s all you ever think about. Did you watch the videos of the two pilots I did?’

  He nodded.

  ‘Well? What did you think?’ She grinned. ‘Was I good or was I just great?’

  ‘You were great,’ he told her, smoothing the hair back from her face. ‘And you looked incredible.’

  ‘That’s what everyone said. Now come and help me with this turkey.’

  In the end it was too much effort, so they went to the pub and Bob steadied the DTs with a few stiff gins, while Tessa sipped a Coke, and they made each other laugh by poking fun at all the men who turned up wearing their new Christmas sweaters.

  ‘I should have bought you one,’ Tessa declared. ‘Did Allyson ever buy you one?’

  He knocked back another gin. Yes, Allyson had bought him sweaters, in fact he could hardly remember buying anything without Allyson being there, except surprises for her, of course. He hadn’t got her anything this year, how could he when he’d have to ask Tessa for the money? The sad and crazy part of it was that Tessa would probably have given it to him, but how could he give Allyson something Tessa had paid for?

  ‘Let’s have another drink,’ he growled, angry now that Tessa had made him think about Allyson, whose fault it was that he hadn’t got her a present, since she was the one who’d got the bank to freeze his money. ‘What are you going to have?’

  ‘Another Coke.’

  ‘It’s Christmas Day,’ he reminded her testily. ‘Why don’t you have something stronger?’

  She shook her head. ‘I’m OK with Coke.’

  ‘A sherry, or something?’ he suggested. ‘Or what about a cocktail?’

  ‘I’ve told you before, I don’t really like alcohol. It makes me unhappy. Just a couple of sips of yours is enough.’

  He was feeling belligerent enough to press it, but then she grinned and kissed him on the mouth, and by the time he went off to get a refill he’d forgotten all about her abstinence and was thinking more about when she might be ready to have sex again. But that was soon forgotten too, and Julian’s arrival on the scene a couple of hours later was well timed to help Tessa get Bob home and into bed.

  ‘Please don’t let on that you know he wet himself,’ Tessa said, stuffing Bob’s clothes into the little counter-top washing machine in the kitchen. ‘He’ll get really embarrassed.’

  ‘It’s OK,’ Julian assured her. ‘I won’t say anything. But you’ve got to know he’s in a pretty bad way, if he’s doing things like that.’

  Tessa nodded. ‘But we’ll only end up having terrible rows if I try to make him stop and I hate rows.’ She smiled brightly. ‘Let’s go out somewhere and leave him to sleep it off in peace.’

  ‘OK. Where do you want to go?’

  She shrugged. ‘For a walk. That’s what people do on Christmas Day, isn’t it? Go for walks after lunch. Did you have lunch with your parents?’

  He nodded. ‘What about you? Have you had any lunch?’

  She grimaced. ‘I had some scampi and chips down the pub. I bought a turkey, but neither of us knew how to cook it. Anyway, come on, let’s wrap up warm and go for a walk by the river.’

  Half an hour later Julian was edging his ancient BMW into a parking space on a Chelsea side street, and after locking
up he and Tessa, who was colourfully dressed in a bright red Santa’s hat, Bob’s huge black padded jacket and an outrageous pair of Christmas-tree leggings, strolled out along the Embankment opposite Cheyne Walk.

  ‘Do you think she’s up there?’ Tessa said, gazing up at Allyson’s windows.

  ‘No lights,’ he answered, turning his back to the river wall and resting his elbows.

  ‘I’m thinking I should ask for her dressing room,’ Tessa said. ‘I need a dressing room, now I’m about to do most of the show, and I think I should have the big one. What do you reckon?’

  ‘Where would she go?’

  ‘She could have the one I’ve been using. It’s nice. It’s got a telly and its own shower.’ She looked up at the darkened flat again. ‘I should have brought Bob’s key, we could have gone in and had a look round.’

  Julian turned to look at her. ‘You’d actually do that?’ he said. ‘While she’s not there?’

  Tessa shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Maybe. If we’re going to live there, we should take measurements and things.’

  Julian continued to look at her, his grey-blue eyes searching her profile as his mind tried to link up with what she was thinking. ‘So Bob’s going to buy her out then?’ he said.

  Grinning, Tessa stood on tiptoe and hugged him. Then tucking her arm through his she walked him on towards Battersea Bridge. Despite the bitter cold the sun was shining, and there were plenty of people about, either walking off their Christmas indulgences, or watching out for children on new bicycles or skates.

  ‘Shall I tell you something?’ she said as they stopped to look over the side of the bridge. The water that flowed beneath was shiny and black, with vast swirling depths and thickly clogged banks of mud. ‘Sometimes Allyson reminds me of my mother.’

  When Julian said nothing she turned to look at him, her luminous eyes combing his pale, handsome face. ‘My mother killed herself, did I ever tell you that?’ she said. ‘She had this gun, I never knew where she got it, and she just blew out her brains.’