Read Online Aged to Perfection by Lauren Fraser - Free Book Online Page B

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    Mark stood a bit straighter against the pool edge. His penetrating gaze glued to her, Rachel drew the dress down her body in a seductive pseudo-striptease. She could see Mark’s eyes heat and the lust on his face from where she stood several feet away. With the dress in a puddle at her feet, she stepped away from it and slowly walked towards the pool edge, never taking her eyes from Mark’s.
    “Jesus, I need to cool off and that wasn’t even for me,” Tony replied from beside Mark before he dunked his head under the water. Mark grinned.
    In a vain attempt to get Mark’s attention back on her, Lisa slid up next to him and pulled on his arm. “Come play with us.”
    Mark shook her off his arm. “I’m already playing with someone,” he said, waggling his eyebrows at Rachel. She winked at him then shot a quick look at Lisa.
    The little blonde had her hair piled on top of her head, not wanting to ruin her makeup and hair. Rachel could never understand going to a pool party then being too afraid of getting wet to really enjoy yourself.
    “You coming in?” Mark asked.
    Rachel grinned mischievously at Mark then jumped off the side, tucking her legs in for a cannon ball. When she came up out of the water, Lisa was dripping like a wet dog, her mascara running down her face. Rachel pasted on her best sweet, fake smile. “Oops sorry.”
    Mark laughed loudly and held out his hand to pull Rachel towards him. When she was pressed up against his body, he leant in close. “Nicely done. You can put your claws away. You made your point. “
    She batted her eyelashes innocently. “What do you mean? I thought you wanted me to come swimming.”
    He shook his head. “I did, but trust me, after your little striptease, my mind was on nothing but you.”
    “I know.” She pressed herself against the front of him and wrapped her legs around his waist. “I just want to make sure she realises I can play the game too.”
    Mark glanced over at Lisa. “Yeah, I’d say you made your point.”
    Rachel looked back over her shoulder at Lisa, who looked mad enough to spit nails and smiled at the woman. Enjoying her victory, she turned back to Mark. “Yep, I’d say she got it.”
    “Chicken fights!” Tony yelled from across the pool.
    Mark grinned at her. “Let’s take ‘em down.”
    “Let’s do it.”

Chapter Eight

    After a rousing game of chicken fights, Rachel pulled herself out of the pool and wrapped her towel around her body.
    Sheila asked her to help bring food out from the kitchen. As they strolled towards the house, Sheila slung her arm around Rachel’s shoulders. “You completely annihilated Lisa. Not only did you make her look like an idiot, but you made every guy here completely jealous of Mark.”
    “Why would they be jealous of Mark?”
    “Come on. You look good and know how to have fun. Ninety percent of the women here are too concerned about their looks to have a good time.” Sheila sighed. “I hope when I am your age, I have as much confidence as you do. I’m still working on it. That must be the great thing about getting old. You really know who you are and are so comfortable in your own skin.”
    Rachel knew the younger woman was trying to pay her a compliment, but yow! That hurt. Her smile pulled her skin tight across her face. “Yep, we old ladies are like that.”
    “Oh shit! That wasn’t what I meant. I just meant I was kind of jealous, that’s all.” Sheila grimaced. “I’m sorry. I’m just going to shut up now.”
    Sheila’s boyfriend came up behind them as they entered the house and pulled her away, leaving Rachel to navigate her way through the house alone. Just about to enter the kitchen, she stopped when she heard Lisa’s voice. The last thing she wanted was to have to deal with her again. She was just about to turn around and head back outside when she heard her name mentioned.
    “Rachel’s just a pathetic cougar. I could have Mark eating out of my hands if I was that obvious