Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [110]
‘Jesus.’ Lennie burst out laughing. ‘You’re making me sound like some kind of randy sailor on shore leave.’
‘Yeah, that’s it. My sexy sailor husband – the man with all the right moves.’
‘If you say so,’ he said, pulling her back to bed. ‘Although I’m thinking there could be a few moves we haven’t explored yet.’
‘You think?’
‘I do.’
‘When’s your next visit?’ she asked, snuggling up close and idly stroking his chest.
‘Stop with the visiting crap,’ he scolded. ‘I’m away on location making a movie. I’ll be home permanently in a few weeks.’
‘Nothing about you is ever permanent, Lennie.’
‘Isn’t that exactly the way you like it?’
‘How well he knows me,’ she drawled.
‘Yeah,’ he said, scratching his head. ‘If anyone knows you at all.’
‘I had a strange meeting this morning,’ she ventured. ‘Actually it was verging on creepy.’
‘What kind of strange?’ Lennie asked.
‘I’m not sure really – it was with some moronic asshole who figured he could waltz right in and buy The Keys. Can you imagine?’
‘No shit,’ Lennie said, his interest perking. ‘Who was he?’
‘A man called Armand Jordan. Jeffrey set the meeting up – he was under the impression that Armand’s company was interested in investing in future projects.’
‘And I’m guessing that wasn’t the case.’
‘Not at all. This Armand character seemed fixated on buying The Keys for any price. He had this weird vibe about him – it was almost as if he had a vendetta against women.’
‘Oh yeah, babe,’ Lennie said dryly. ‘Just your type. Did you hang his balls on a post?’
‘No,’ Lucky said, smiling because Lennie did indeed know her so well. ‘But I did have him bounced from the hotel.’
‘Poor bastard,’ Lennie said, laughing. ‘He had no idea who he was messing with.’
‘I guess not,’ she said thoughtfully.
‘Anyway, you threw him out and he’s now history. Right?’
‘Exactly.’
‘So end of that story, and onto other more important things. How’s Max doing?’
‘The same as ever. Desperate to make a break for it, and get out there on her own.’
‘Just like her mom, huh?’
‘Only I knew how to look after myself,’ Lucky said pointedly.
‘And I keep on telling you, so does she. You’ve got to accept that Max is a free spirit. All she wants is her space.’
‘She gets all the space she needs, thankyouverymuch. And . . . we’re throwing her a fantastic party. By the way, Ace drove here to be with her.’
‘I like Ace. He seems like a good kid.’
‘Don’t you think she’s too young to stick with one person?’ Lucky questioned.
‘Not if he’s the right one.’
‘Oh, you mean like you and me?’
‘You got it, sweetheart,’ Lennie said, laughing.
‘I bet you don’t remember our first date,’ Lucky said, deciding to challenge him.
‘Is this a test?’ Lennie asked, propping himself up on one elbow and giving her a quizzical look.
‘Maybe,’ she teased. ‘Perhaps I want to see if you can pass.’
‘Come on. As if I could ever forget our first date.’
‘Go ahead then,’ she said, continuing to bait him. ‘I expect details.’
‘New York. Chinese restaurant. We killed a bottle of vodka.’
‘I’m impressed,’ Lucky said. ‘You really do remember.’
‘Did you honestly believe I wouldn’t?’
‘Well . . . I thought you’d close in on the first time we made love on that raft in the South of France. Now that was unforgettable.’
‘You got that right. We should take a look at re-enacting that scene sometime soon. Like as soon as I’ve wrapped my movie.’
‘I’m up for it.’
‘Me too.’
They exchanged a long intimate look.
‘But hey, I gotta admit – our first date was hot too,’ Lennie said. ‘After killing the vodka you dragged me off to some Greenwich Village jazz joint until four in the morning.’
‘Then you dragged me to some after-hours dive where we stayed forever drinking endless cups of coffee and talking about everything.’
‘And you – my little Lucky – loved every minute of it.’
‘I’m not denying it.’ A long beat, then, ‘But even better,’ she added softly, ‘we fell in love that night.’
‘We did?’ he said, feigning surprise. ‘Now that I don’t recall.’
‘Don’t mess with me, Lennie Golden,’ she said, narrowing