Without You I Have Nothing Read Online Free Page A

leave.”
    “You just said you're in no hurry, Jennifer,” chimed
in Karen, “you agreed.”
    Turning to Bob, she leant against him, to touch him
in a flagrant gesture of welcome. “We’re all free tonight and thought we might
go to the pictures.”  She put her head on Bob’s shoulder and her long red
fingernails looked like talons as they curved around his arm to stop his
departure.
    “Where are your manners, Bob?  Introduce your two
friends to Jennifer.”
    “I’m sorry, Jennifer. This big, uncouth bear in
man’s clothing is the wild Irishman Peter O'Brien.”
    He threw his head back and chuckled at Peter’s
mortification.
    Peter’s blush of embarrassment only brought more
hilarity from everyone except Jennifer who, expressionless, stared through
Peter.
    “Don’t let him lead you into any dark corners or
hold those dainty hands of yours.”  Bob’s face emphasized the lechery in his
voice and Peter could gladly have throttled him.
    Jennifer realized she now knew who had studied her
from across the room. Those eyes belonged to Peter.
    Bob’s poor attempt at humor did not impress her and
Karen, seeing that look cross Bob’s face was definitely sharpening her claws. Ignoring
the reactions, blithely Bob continued, “The other criminal is Ted.”
    Jennifer studied the men.
    Ted, a gangling, bespectacled young man with lewd
eyes and a high-pitched laugh and wearing an immaculate, expensive suit ogled
Ruth as he pulled his chair closer to her side and raised her hand to his lips.
    “What would you like to drink, fair one?”
    Ruth giggled as she gave her order with pretended
modesty. She was no fool but she played along.
    Bob was tall, dark and handsome and he knew it. Completely
aware of his attractiveness, he flaunted it. Even his voice was seductive and
his movements were studied carelessness, but his eyes betrayed him. They were
cold and calculating despite the laughter on his face and the hand he had
placed on Karen’s shoulder was blatantly laying claim to her.
    Jennifer knew him from the office and had repulsed
his advances several times. His cultured attractiveness and studied behavior
with women did not appeal in any way.
    “What will you have to drink, Jennifer,” he asked,
“the same as the others?”
    “No, I will have just a tomato juice please.”
    “You want tomato juice?”  Bob’s voice dripped
derision. “That’s all?”
    “With lemon,” was Jennifer’s sweet reply as she
thought she would fix him.
    “Don’t take any notice,” Peter was quick to come to
her assistance. “He’s only trying to be funny.
    “How do you like Sydney?  I suppose you're lonely
now. Bob told me you’ve only just arrived from Melbourne.”  Disconcerted he
realized that he had inadvertently disclosed that she had been the topic of
conversation at the bar. He faltered and stopped
    Actually, Jennifer had guessed that he had inquired
about her and felt pleased. Giving him her full attention, she felt wary about
what he had discovered. She had already noticed that Peter had a friendly face
- pleasant looking - not overly handsome but certainly not ugly. Although his
dark brown hair was rather short, a lock fell partly over his forehead and, as
he brushed it back with his hand, he presented a curious self-defensive, boyish
attitude. His eyes were two powder blue, sparkling gems that flickered and
changed. They were very alert, almost too bright and observant.
    Jennifer wondered if he had noticed that the girls
had ordered more expensive, fancy drinks than the ones they had previously
drunk. She sat quietly, adding little to the chatter, unaware that beside her
Peter was already breathing in her delicate perfume, basking in the warmth of
her presence.
    When he had seen her arrive, her beauty had
attracted him, but he had not expected the impact of her closeness. Now her
delicate fragrance was urging him to taste. His fingertips tingled as he
battled the thought of touching her skin.
    “I’m finding