Fallen Too Far Read Online Free Page A

up from his current status with her. Her mouth twitched at the thought.
    Finishing her review, she glanced at the time—she had three hours. Mentally, she subtracted the half hour trip by taxi (her regular driver, Dan was already booked) which gave her two and a half hours to prepare. She reviewed her data, printed out her notes and while reading them, had a quick bite to eat. Satisfied that she had all the particulars about ‘Bill’ now down, she began to prepare.
    She ran a warm bath with scented oils, and lounged in the tub soaking. She washed herself, and shaved all the important places, and got out. Taking a towel, she pat dried her body and let any remaining moisture air dry under the fan and heat lamp combination in the bathroom while she did her hair.
    Fully dry, she applied her makeup. While still in high school in Toronto, she had secured a position at the Lancome counter at a downtown department store. Her training taught her all the knowledge of cosmetics any woman could ever want or need to know. They made that investment in Annik in order for her to sell more of their wares, not knowing at the time (and neither had she) that they were giving her a powerful tool in her current business. Satisfied with her appearance, she went to her bedroom and dressed.
    Gazing into the full-length mirror, she appraised herself. The image she needed to portray for the appointment tonight was important. Bill was visiting Toronto from Edmonton to finalize a business acquisition. He and his partner were hosting a dinner party at Chez Louise, for the executives of the company he was acquiring.
    Bill’s goal, she surmised, was to do a pre-emptive strike on any seller’s remorse. The papers had all been signed, yes; but rather than shake hands at the conference table and return to Edmonton, Bill felt that a night of celebration with his new colleagues was a more elegant way to finish things up.
    When she had been contacted by Bill for the night, he’d told her that there would be three other women present, and that she was to be his companion for the evening. His use of that word scored major points.
    He didn’t say ‘Escort’. He didn’t say ‘Consort’. He didn’t say ‘Whore’. Any of those terms were as accurate, perhaps, but they were crude and cruder. He respected her reputation, it showed in how he discussed their arrangements. He approached her as a professional; both of them would reap the benefits.
    Especially when he saw her in contrast to the other ladies. There would be no contest.
    Annik liked what she saw in the mirror. At thirty-two, she was at the peak of her sexual attraction. Yes, women in their twenties may have slightly firmer bodies but they lacked the exotic appearance she had. Annik’s skin was a smooth, clear mocha. Her black hair hung in ringlets almost to her derriere. She had pulled the sides of her hair back, fastening it with silver, diamond encrusted barrettes. She examined her face and makeup—high cheekbones, large, dark, almond shaped eyes with a hint of shadow, lush, full, red lips—yes, attractive and a trifle mysterious. Her earrings were small diamond studs and on a fine gold chain, a diamond pendant pointed to the cleavage between her breasts.
    Yes, she presented well. It was almost unfair for the younger, more nubile girls that would be there. In their youth, they lacked the people skills and insight that are acquired only with experience and maturity. Maybe she was thirty two, but her four sessions a week with a personal trainer (who was a sadist at times) kept her body fashion model fit.
    She was also pleased with her dress, no surprise there. Again, through the use of the internet, she established a relationship with a fashion house in Shanghai. It had taken a bit of work, but they now had her measurements on file, and when she saw an attractive dress in Vogue or Elle, a scan, an email and relatively dirt cheap payment in advance gave her a made to measure copy in two weeks