Prologue
JUST BEFORE DAWN
Helen Aiken ran through the snow, her chestnut hair streaming, the collar of her fur coat turned up around her face. With some immune part of her mind, she was shocked at herself, with the wildness of her wanton behavior. Clutching her fur close, she walked into the deserted highway diner and sat down on the end stool.
"What'll it be, ma'm?" the youthful counterman asked. He was tall and gangly and noticeably respectful.
"Whatever you want," she answered tonelessly.
He looked confused. "Pardon me, ma'm?"
She trembled and lowered her eyes. "Coffee."
He placed cream and sugar before her and poured black coffee from a steaming urn. "Would you like something with it?"
Helen steeled herself and let the coat fall open. The boy's eyes widened at the skimpily-covered fullness of her breasts. She watched the tip of his tongue slide unconsciously over the surface of his lips before she responded to his question. "Yes, I'd like something with it. I'd like you with it. Are you interested?"
The spoon fell from his hand and clattered on the counter as he gaped at her in stunned disbelief. "What did you say?" he mumbled dully. "I ain't sure I heard you right."
Helen leaned back so that her large breasts strained the thin material of her nightgown. "I asked you if you were interested in me. Why don't you turn off the lights and lock the door? It's late and there's a storm and nobody will bother us." She hesitated, seeing the lingering disbelief in his eyes. "You won't be sorry, I promise you. I'll make you very happy."