Adele noted the raised eyebrow and the smirk on his face, and she was tempted. She wanted him yet she should resist. Then he moved into her, his lips seeking hers. She could feel her body yielding to him but her mouth stayed tightly clamped. Then she swiftly pulled away just as his lips grazed hers and a moment before it was too late.

‘Like that, is it?’ he asked as another sexy grin flashed across his handsome face.

Temporarily foiled but unperturbed, it seemed, he acknowledged her goodbye then walked away. Adele shut the door quickly before she changed her mind, and she willed her pounding heartbeat to slow down. Phew! She felt a rush of blood warm her face and neck when she realised just how close she’d come to giving in to him. And if she had have done, who knows where she would have stopped?

She stood motionless next to her front door for a few seconds, recalling the lines of his handsome features and his masculine yet sensual gestures, and a warm glow lit her from within. Despite the temptation, she’d resisted him for now. But next time, she couldn’t be sure that she’d have the power to do so again.

Chapter 40

Sandra was the manageress of one of Peter’s sunbed salons, Super Sol Tanning Salon. It was located in Heaton Moor, an area where people had a bit of extra money to splash out on little luxuries. Super Sol was also one of Peter’s more profitable sunbed businesses. Sandra did a good job and, as the manageress of a sunbed salon, she looked the part.

In her late thirties, Sandra was one of those women who made desperate attempts to slow down the passage of time and tried to make the best of herself. Her blond mid-length permed hair was always immaculate, her nails finely manicured and her makeup perfect. And she was permanently tanned, which made her an excellent advert for the business.

This particular evening she was the last one in the shop. As the day drew to a close, business slowed down so she let her assistant finish early. Her other assistant was away on holiday.

Although Sandra enjoyed her job, she still looked forward to the end of the day when she could finally shut up shop and go home to a restful evening. She was just tidying things away when three large men wearing hoodies walked through the door. She looked up in alarm, knowing that nobody was due to visit; Peter’s men had already been to collect the takings.

‘Sorry, but we’re shut,’ she said, although she somehow knew that these men weren’t here to use the sunbeds, and a cold tremor of fear shot through her.