Goddess of Vengeance - Jackie Collins [85]
He admired her body, slowly fingering her in the most intimate of places, and when he decided she was ready, he took her into the bedroom and laid her on the bed with her legs spread. Then he went down on her, slowly, surely, until she was in such a state of ecstasy that she was soon begging him to fuck her.
But he didn’t. He forced her to wait, until he was ready to make her come with his tongue.
She lay on the bed writhing with passion, desperate for him to ravish her, all thoughts of Joe set aside.
But Gino took his time, exciting her all the more. He pulled her off the bed and led her to the shower, and only then did he divest himself of his clothes and climb in with her, whereupon he proceeded to soap her body until she reached orgasm again, screaming aloud with pleasure.
Finally they returned to the bedroom where he made love to her for what seemed like hours, then at dawn, he sent her home in a chauffeured sedan, and she never heard from him again.
* * *
Peggy had something on her mind, something she’d conveniently never faced up to, but it was something she’d always secretly wondered about.
In the space of one week in 1968 she’d slept with Joe Piscarelli, Gino Santangelo, and King Emir Amin Mohamed Jordan. A month later she’d discovered she was pregnant.
So who was actually Armand’s real father?
Was it Joe Piscarelli, her would-be gangster boyfriend?
Gino Santangelo, her one-night stand?
Or her ex-husband, King Emir Amin Mohamed Jordan?
Surely it was about time she found out . . .
Chapter Thirty
The board meeting was about to start, and after her unsettling and annoying morning, Lucky was pleased to be in a room with her investors – all of whom were full of positive vibes.
Alex Woods was also present, standing over in a corner drinking a cup of coffee.
She headed in his direction. ‘Thanks for coming,’ she said, touching his arm. ‘I wasn’t sure you would, but I’m glad you did.’
‘You think I’d miss little Max’s birthday?’ he replied, giving her a long steady look.
‘It’s nice of you to make the effort.’
‘And she’s so formal,’ he remarked, giving her another long look, a look that said – we could be making beautiful love together, but you’re still hung up on your goddamn husband.
‘Well, I know how busy you are.’
‘Never too busy for you, Lucky,’ he replied, his eyes never leaving hers.
‘Okay,’ she said, attempting to lighten things up. ‘Let’s not get carried away.’
He fished a packet of cigarettes from his pocket, and went to light it up.
‘No smoking!’ she admonished.
His look turned quizzical. ‘Are you fucking kidding me?’
‘Please, Alex, for me. I gave it up, and I don’t want to be tempted.’
‘You don’t, huh?’
‘No, thank you.’
He put the cigarette back in its packet. ‘When’s Lennie getting here?’ he inquired.
‘Didn’t you just ask me that in L.A.?’
‘Is it a crime to ask you again?’
‘Knock it off, Alex,’ she said, suddenly becoming impatient. ‘I know what you’re doing.’
‘Huh?’
‘Why didn’t you bring a girlfriend with you?’
‘What now?’
‘A girlfriend, Alex,’ she said, repeating herself. ‘A gorgeous young thing to keep you occupied so that Lennie doesn’t get the impression you’re still lusting after me.’
‘Oh, I see,’ Alex said, squinting slightly. ‘Is that what you think?’
‘Actually, it’s not what I think, it’s what I know.’
‘Well,’ he said with a sardonic edge. ‘Glad to note your ego is alive and well and living happily in fantasy land.’
‘Cut the crap, Alex,’ she said. ‘Why don’t you do yourself a big favour and send for one of your many women?’
‘Why would I do that?’
‘Because the last thing I need is any tension between you and Lennie, who incidentally arrives later this afternoon, which I do believe I already told you.’
‘Screw you, Santangelo,’ Alex said, scowling.
‘And wouldn’t you like to,’ she fired back.
‘Jesus!’ he complained. ‘You’re out of control.’
‘Well, that makes two of us, doesn’t it?’
Before Alex could reply, Gino strolled over. ‘Y’know, I’m kinda surprised you two never got together,’ he remarked. ‘You’re always at