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.Later, she argued, her work would speak for itself.As a rule she acted in a supervisory capacity for the projects Zen undertook, but on this one, she decided, she would be totally involved.The scope and difficulty of the exercise excited her.She had a very clear idea of the way in which Calibre-Shensu’s image should be projected, and she was determined not to compromise on her vision.She would begin with the cars, then focus on the team.The drivers and the pit crew would all be outfitted in matching designs - a totally integrated look that would reflect the electric atmosphere of the Calibre-Shensu team.The clothes would be easy to wear and comfortable - always an essential feature of her designs.Suzie believed that ‘the look’ should come from within as well as from without.The concept would then be sold to the public - a range of Calibre-Shensu clothing that would break for the European summer as the Grand Prix season got underway.Phelps was the perfect backer.He understood the nature of promotion, and that, together with his advertising knowledge, would ensure that all her plans were followed through.He would guarantee that she had the full co-operation of the team.Of course, it wouldn’t pay to let Phelps become too aware of how excited she was about the project.She sensed that he was one of those men who loved to manipulate others.Her aloof professionalism was an elaborately painted mask that protected her from such people.Suzie knew all about Phelps’s reputation with women.The rumour went that once he had slept with a woman, he lost all respect for her.She looked forward to the challenge of manipulating him, for she was sure she could do just that.Now, back in her hotel room, she went to an enormous amount of trouble to make sure that she looked her best for the evening.She made up three times before she was satisfied with the way she looked, and experimented with her long blonde hair - finally deciding to let it hang loose around her shoulders.Her evening-dress completely covered her bosom in black velvet but left a gaping V at her back that ran right down to the curve of her buttocks.It had a long skirt, generously slit to reveal a daring mini beneath.She scrutinised herself in the mirror and was pleased.Slipping on her high-heels, she looked down at her watch and saw that it was almost time to leave.Jack Phelps bathed carefully.German women, he had heard, were fastidious about hygiene, and he did not want to be found lacking in this respect.He shaved slowly, making absolutely sure he did not nick the skin of his throat.Then he smoothed on the after-shave - specially prepared for him by America’s leading couturier, Rudy Washington.He laughed quietly, imagining the way Rudy would react when he learnt that the Calibre-Shensu job had gone to Susanna von Falkenhyn.He chose his finest black-tie suit from the big wardrobe adjoining the bathroom, and stood in front of the mirror, hand-tying his bow-tie.He had seen the flicker of Susanna von Falkenhyn’s ice-blue eyes when he gave her the contract, and he would exploit that weakness to the full.He thought of her now, sitting alone.He would arrive at the restaurant late.The noise of conversation, the glow of candlelight and the dark forms of the waiters created an atmosphere of rich exclusivity.As Phelps walked into the crowded restaurant he caught sight of Suzie sitting at a table.She was talking to another man.He kept in the shadows for a few moments, watching them together.Then he walked across to her table - and was rewarded with a faint smile.He took his hand and kissed it.‘My apologies, Suzie.’The man got up.‘You shouldn’t be late for a lady like this,’ he said, ‘you might find she disappears.’Phelps gave the man an icy stare, and he moved away.Then Phelps kissed Suzie on the lips, enjoying the scent of her perfume.Roses, jasmine - a hint of sandalwood? She was delicious.‘Perhaps I might wish you had not come so soon.’Phelps coughed uneasily.Susanna von Falkenhyn didn’t respond to normal tactics.He’d underestimated her.The meal passed in a delirious succession of intimate moments.They drank a bottle of Tattinger Rose, and soon the lateness of his arrival was forgotten and she was relaxed and laughing freely.Almost despite herself, she was enjoying being with him.Her leg brushed against his under the table.It was the right time to make a move.‘Suzie, why don’t you come back to my apartment for a drink? I’ve just had it redecorated by Rudy Washington.I’d like to know what you think of it.’He saw her eyes light up.‘I didn’t know he dabbled in interior design.I’d like to see what he’s done.’Sitting close to her in the silence of his chauffeur-driven limousine, he could feel the warmth of her body.She rested her hand against his shoulder.She wanted to see just how much she could control him.‘It is an achievement to live in such style,’ she said.‘Is it all showmanship, or do you really enjoy it?’‘It’s the only way to live in New York.’As he’d expected, her eye was critical.Rudy Washington had furnished his apartment entirely with Queen Anne furniture, collected from auctions around the world.He guessed it wasn’t her taste.‘You like antiques, Jack?’‘Well, the choice was Rudy’s - but it was the investment angle that appealed to me.What can I offer you?’‘A Cognac.’He poured her drink, and then a Pernod for himself.Sitting on the couch, they touched glasses.‘To success, Jack.’‘To the most beautiful woman in the world.’To his satisfaction, she giggled.‘You’re not serious!’‘I have never been more in earnest.’He put his glass down and kissed her on the lips.She responded, and the next moment she was in his arms.A long, lingering kiss.Carefully he undid her dress.It slid off easily, the velvet crumpling softly down beside the couch.His eyes drifted around the apartment.The curtains were closed; the room was completely sound-proof.No one would hear a thing.He pushed her down so that he was over her, her naked buttocks rising as she attempted to get away.She tried to resist, but he increased his grip around her waist.‘You’re hurting me.’ Desperately, she tried to wriggle loose.‘Stay where you are.’Her strength surprised him, but he grabbed her shoulders and forced her back down.Suzie couldn’t quite credit what was happening.The cultivated veneer was gone and Phelps was revealed as a savage animal.Desperately she tried to break loose.God knew what he planned to do to her
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