Read Online Superstar by T C Southwell - Free Book Online Page B

At the door, the
barrage of camera flashes was less than before, but she was glad to
reach the safety of the car. She leant back and closed her eyes as
the limousine whispered homewards.
    At the house,
she headed for her room, but his soft call stopped her.
    "Carrin. Come
for a night cap."
    She shook her
head. Her tiredness undermined her will to remain aloof, and the
longing to surrender to his charms was becoming unbearable. "I'm
tired."
    "I want to
talk to you."
    "If you're
angry about me dancing with Simon before you, I'm sorry. I didn't
realise that I was making a mistake until he told me. I'm just an
unsophisticated country hick. I don't know all the rules and
regulations."
    He
regarded her steadily. "I'm not cross. I know you like Simon. It's
understandable; he's a nice guy. But he's involved with Jenna,
so... I just want to talk to you, that's all."
    The sadness in
his voice made her heart ache, but she hardened it. He was a very
good actor. She had heard him use that seductive tone in his movies
too, and she was too vulnerable to talk to him now. Shaking her
head, she turned to mount the stairs.
    "I'm going to
bed."
    He walked to
the bottom of the stairs and looked up at her, the hallway lights
throwing shadows into the contours of his face.
    "Carrin,
please."
    The
pleading in his voice spurred her, and she almost ran upstairs. In
her room, she flung herself on the bed and glared at the ceiling,
fighting the urge to weep. Why was life so cruel? Why did the man
with whom she had fallen in love from an image on a screen have to
be so bad inside? Helen was right, he had no real feelings. He used
women and tossed them aside when he was finished. Jenna was proof
of that. It was far better to love him from a distance, and let him
remain an out-of-reach dream. She had enough pride not to join the
droves of women who chased after him. She would be the one who got
away, and leave with her dignity intact, no matter how much it
hurt.
    With a sigh,
she rose and went into the bathroom to wash and remove her borrowed
finery. Cinderella's ball was over, and it was time to become a
commoner again. The diamond necklace formed a pool of white fire in
her palm, and she placed it on the dressing table. It was probably
worth more than her mother's farm all by itself. She folded the
dress and placed it in the walk-in wardrobe with the shoes. Donning
her well-worn robe, she went out onto the balcony. A splash made
her look down. Mark forged through the water up and down the pool.
She turned away and climbed into the big soft bed for the last
time.
     
    The next
morning, Carrin packed her few clothes, put on a comfortable outfit
for travelling, and went downstairs. She sat on the patio and
ordered coffee, enjoying the cool, scented breezes that wafted
through the garden. Rita looked upset, even tearful, and Carrin
wondered why. Mark was out, apparently, and she was glad that she
did not have to face him. When the time came for her to go to the
airport, however, there was still no sign of him. Wasn't he even
going to say goodbye? Her gladness at his absence turned into a
fierce longing to see him one last time. By the time Rita informed
her that John was waiting to take her to the airport, her wish had
reached unbearable proportions. She rose and walked through the
empty mansion. John waited by the car, she slid in, and he closed
the door.
    Rita waved
from the steps, and Carrin returned the gesture before she
remembered that the tinted windows hid her. She stared out at the
passing scenery, her mind numb. At the airport, the limousine slid
to a halt at the front doors, and a group of paparazzi rushed
forward. John helped her out while the photographers peered
hopefully into the empty car. Seeing that Mark Lord was not with
her, they lost interest.
    Carrin
wondered how they had found out about his supposed trip to the
airport. Perhaps that was why he had not come. Still, he could have
said goodbye. Maybe that was what he had wanted to do last