No easy way out by Elaine Raco Chase Page A

material. The heat of his flesh
echoed the blistering fire that was her blood. "The last time we
danced it was on a balcony beneath the stars. We were hidden behind
costumes and masks." Her cheek rubbed against his neck, her senses
assaulted by spicy cologne.
    "I still prefer the seclusion of that balcony." Alex's voice was
low and vibrant. "But I like the honesty of tonight. No costumes,
no masks, no illusions." His firm hands moved with languid abandon
down the enticing expanse of bare skin to settle low on her
spine.
    Virginia swallowed and shifted uncomfortably. Tonight was a
bigger illusion than Alex could ever have imagined! But in that
illusion came the confidence and security she so desperately
needed. Didn't everyone project a false aura? Wasn't everyone
something other than they pretended to be? Maybe not so brazen, but
life was full of illusions: they were needed to compensate for grim
reality.
    Virginia knew her feelings were honest, her actions genuine.
When she spoke, the words were truthful and from the heart. "Alex,"
she pulled back slightly. The mood lights on the ceiling reflected
off her metal halter and into her eyes. She looked dazzled by
diamonds. "I am all that you see, all that you feel. Nothing more,
nothing less."
    He stared into her radiant features. "I want nothing more. You
are everything that I desire."
    They danced the night away, only succumbing to the outside world
when the trumpet player finally cased his horn and the patient,
bovine maitre d' continually cleared his throat while the busboys
began tabling the chairs for the cleaning crew.
    At some point during the evening Virginia had misplaced her
original intentions. She had meant to annoy Alex with practiced
stupidity; she had meant to masquerade as a vapid coquette; she had
meant to appear artificial and shallow. But she had been none of
those things.
    Virginia felt strangely possessed and deliciously stimulated by
her own femininity. Gone was the scientist who dealt in absolutes
and felt the necessity to dissect tangibles.
    Tonight she celebrated an exquisitely pleasurable range of
emotions that were impossible to interpret. And, to be honest, she
wanted to savor them rather than analyze them.
    The shy, awkward, introspective feelings that had controlled her
for so many years had disappeared. Virginia felt content, relaxed,
and renewed. Barriers had tumbled; reserves had been pushed aside;
and inhibitions were shed. The loss of all excited and stimulated,
rather than depressed and frightened.
    She refused to make sense of her actions. She refused to
acknowledge the danger signals that drifted and darted in her
conscience. She concentrated on Alex and the ultimate enjoyment he
gave her.
    The erotic atmosphere created by her heightened senses echoed in
every pore and screamed for release. Virginia decided not to
squander one precious second. When Alex unlocked the apartment
door, her fingers entwined with his. "I'm not going to let you go
yet." Her provocative invitation was readily accepted: they entered
the dimly lit living room together.
    Virginia found she was anxious to sample the rich reservoir of
pleasure contained within Alex. Her body spoke its lines; the
unconstructed clothes draped and moved enticingly against her lithe
curves. Her come-hither glance bridged a gap of silence that
permeated the surroundings.
    She enjoyed being brazen; she enjoyed being bold. Plum-tinted
toes curled inside the delicate silver evening sandals. She wasn't
sure who was going to enjoy the seduction the most.
    Alex watched her every move. He was fascinated and hypnotized.
Very content to let this golden-haired temptress transport him to
paradise.
    Virginia tossed her jacket on the velour ottoman, then proceeded
to remove Alex's. She continued the striptease, unknotting and
pulling his striped silk tie free. Then slowly, deliberately, she
released the buttons on his shirt.
    Adrenaline pumped through her veins, sending the blood racing,
her breathing