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CHAPTER ONE

He was the sexiest man I had seen in a long time...tall, tan, and terrific. His blond hair was sun-streaked and he walked toward me with long, confident strides. He parked his shopping cart beside the shelves of diet foods and made like he was looking for something special. As I passed, he bumped his cart into mine. I turned and appraised him over the top of my Yves St. Laurent sunglasses.

"Sorry, Miss."

"That's all right."

His voice was deep and smooth and reminded me of dark honey. I made my selection—a box of imitation sugar—turned my cart around and walked past him. He had a fresh lemony scent that smelled like something cool to drink. He watched me move on down the aisle. Just before I turned the corner, I looked over my shoulder and flashed him a dazzling smile. I could feel a thin trickle of perspiration run down the underside of my arm and I knew I was hooked. The supermarket was as air-conditioned as an Eskimo's patio. I whipped my cart around and followed him. I could still smell his aftershave lingering in the air like a wish.

I am Eve Drum, girl spy for L.U.S.T. The initials stand for the League for Underground Spies and Terrorists. It is a by-blow of the C.I.A. and the N.S.A. It does things that those reputable organizations are not permitted to do: fight fire with fire, steal or kill when it becomes necessary to the national safety.

I have killed, stolen, and lied my way out of dozens of tight spots for good old Uncle Sam. In between jobs, I live high; witness my chic apartment in the East Sixties in little old New York and my closet full of originals.

I was on vacation from L.U.S.T. and was taking advantage of the time off to repot some plants on my terrace. It was hot work and finding out that I was out of soft drinks, I threw on a halter top fashioned from two red bandannas that barely covered my 38's and put on a long skirt of patches of bleached denim and went to the supermarket.

I stood on my toes trying to reach a carton of TAB when he came by again. He took it down for me and put it in my cart. He ran his tongue over his lips and surveyed me with his large green eyes, making me feel conscious of my barely covered breasts. He walked up to me and stood very close. I could feel his breath on my neck when he spoke.

"My name is Mac Morris."

"I'm Eve Drum."

"You look like an Eve. How about an apple?"

He laughed and picked up a six-pack of Heinekens beer and dropped it in my cart.

"I'm ready to check out," I said. "So am I," he replied, taking my arm.

We went to the express check-out counter and emptied my cart. While the clerk was checking out my goodies, I was checking out his. He was wearing tight white trousers that left little to the imagination. His shirt clung to his magnificent chest like Saran Wrap and his face was beautiful. Deep forest green eyes, a straight nose, and a large grinning mouth.

"That'll be $6.78," said the nasal voice of the check-out girl.

"Let me," he said reaching into his pocket.

I decided to let him. As a matter of fact, I had decided to let him do anything.

Once outside I asked him to come back to my apartment—the plants would wait. Without any ifs, ands, or buts, he said yes and we walked the two blocks back to my building.

I opened the door to my apartment and took the TABs into the kitchen.

"I'll put your beer in the refrigerator."

"Thanks, Eve. This is a great pad."

"Thank you," I replied modestly. I had just finished decorating it myself—all white and chrome and glass. "Would you like a drink?

"Great! Vodka and tonic if you have it."

"Coming up."

I mixed both of us a vodka and tonic using Wyborowa Polish vodka and topped off the glasses with a slice of cucumber which I think is much tastier than using limes.

"Mmmm, this is delicious."

"I think the cucumber makes all the difference."

"It always does," he said seductively, undressing me with his cool green eyes. "You're lucky to have a terrace. Is that where you got your tan?"

"Uh-huh."

His fingers toyed with my halter top. He was as full of sex as a grape is full of juice. I glanced down and noticed that he was becoming excited.

He blushed and said, "I guess you can see that you turn us both on." His voice surrounded the words with sensuous overtones.

I kicked off my sandals and said, "The feeling is more than mutual."

He sat his drink down on the coffee table and kissed the smooth skin of my neck. I ran my fingers through his hair and tilted my face up to him, waiting to be kissed on the mouth. He brushed my lips lightly with his and said:

"Let's get undressed."

"Let's," I replied without a moment's hesitation.

In my business, I usually have to use sex as a means to get what I want. But, as I said, I was on vacation and it was nice for a change to do it without any ulterior motives. Just to do it for the sheer pleasure of it. Did I mention that my nickname is Double Oh Sex? It's a name given to me by my co-workers at L.U.S.T. and I try to live up to it.

We went into my all-white bedroom and I turned on the air conditioner. I took off my halter top and let my boobs bounce free. He let out an audible gasp. Then I unwrapped my wraparound and let it drop to the floor. The only thing left between me and the Garden of Eden was my red bikini panties.

"Let me," Mac said hoarsely.

He put his large hands into the elastic and pulled them downward, revealing my soft blond triangle.

"Eve, you're fantastic!"

"Your turn, Mac."

He turned from me and stripped off his clothes. When he turned around, he was wearing nothing but an anxious expression and his great body...evenly tanned except for an area of white flesh where his swimsuit had been.

"I'm going to take a quick shower," I said. "Care to join me?"

"I'd love to."

I have a large walk-in shower that can accommodate two people or more very nicely. I turned the water to lukewarm and handed him the soap. He rolled the cake of soap around in his hands until the bubbles foamed up. Then he rubbed it over my back, his fingers gently massaging my skin. He ran his hands down over the small of my back and my buttocks. I turned around and pressed my body against his. The fit was perfect as I knew it would be. He smiled and handed me the soap. I soaped his body. When we had finished, I turned the water to cool and we both rinsed off. After we'd finished drying we went back into the bedroom. Mac sat on the edge of my bed. I went to draw the shades and came back and stood before him. He looked up at me with burning eyes, ran his hand over the inside of my thigh, and pulled me down on the bed. Then he took me in his arms and slowly lowered himself on top of me.

The telephone rang. I grabbed the receiver and barked, "Hello!" A distinctive voice asked, "Eve, is that you?"

It was David Anderjanian, my case officer at L.U.S.T. He was a big blond Viking of a man who was also my sometime lover. What a helluva time to call!

"Yes, David, it's me."

"I take it you're not alone?"

"That's right."

"In the middle of the afternoon? Eve, I'm surprised at you. I'm sorry to interrupt, but this is important. Meet me for dinner at Adam's Apple in an hour."

"An hour? David, isn't that a bit early for dinner?"

"An hour. And don't be late, Eve. This is urgent!" I didn't dare. I knew that tone in his voice. It was all cold spy business and I didn't have any choice. I hung up. Mac and the plants would have to wait. Mac looked up at me from the bed.

"Problems?"

"Sorry, Mac, but we'll have to take a rain-check. I don't like to be rushed."

He leaned over and kissed me where it hurt, saying, "I understand. I don't like to be rushed either."

"Give me your phone number. After I'm finished with my business, I'll give you a call-later this evening—that is—if you're free."

"I'll be free," he said, his face lighting up like a neon sign.

He wrote down his number in my phone book and dressed. I got his beer from the refrigerator and walked him to the door. He kissed me on the nose.

"I'll be waiting for your call, Eve."

"You'll get it, Mac."

"I hope so."