Jessica looked over at the large grandfather clock in the corner. It was almost seven p.m. Lucinda's paperwork had taken far longer than she'd anticipated. For almost five hours Jessica had been huddled over the huge desk in Lucinda's living room poring over documents. And at the moment, she felt as though all the muscles in her back were being clenched in a giant fist.

Gingerly she stretched her lithe body, stopping quickly when she felt her body's initial protests. "Oooh," Jessica groaned softly.

"Are you alright, darling?" From across the room Lucinda Walsh eyed the beautiful young attorney with concern.

"Just tired, Lucinda. I have been carrying a double caseload with Tom and Margo out of town for their anniversary." She pulled off her stylish glasses and massaged the bridge of her nose.

Lucinda looked at her over the discreet reading glasses she wore. Extremely reluctant to use them, the astute businesswoman compromised by allowing them the tiniest perch on the tip of her nose. "Oh dear, you are tense. Let me call Sven and have him make an emergency visit. A massage would do you wonders."

Jessica had to laugh at the older woman's statement. "Lucinda, you are the only person I know who has her masseuse on speed-dial. Thank you for your generous offer, but I will have to decline."

Her friend and client rose from the sofa determinedly. "I'm going to go and round Matthew up and have him fix us some drinks."

"No, Lucinda, don't do that." Jessica looked outside toward the patio. "I would rather take a dip in your pool, if you don't mind?"

"Help yourself, darling." Lucinda waved toward the pool house. "You know where everything is if you want to bother with a suit."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me, my dear," she said, striding toward the door. "I'll just let cook know we have guests and that we'll need something light to dine on by the pool."

Gingerly, Jessica stepped out of the pool house. She pulled the terry robe closer around her and loosely tied the belt. Here in the privacy of Lucinda's estate, she wasn't worried about observers. Jessica was still trying to adjust to her attire.

She shook her head in amusement. Leave it to Lucinda to make wearing a suit feel even more indecent than swimming naked. Three tiny scraps of material seemed all that comprised the swimsuit she wore.

Jessica had no doubt that Lucinda had personally selected the array of new suits in her pool house. The white two-piece outfit she'd finally had to settle for barely covered the places that required covering. It was classic Lucinda Walsh.

The older woman was a study in contradictions. A shrewd and ruthless businesswoman, she had no patience for anyone -male or female- who interfered with her climb to power. She played the game as well as any man, and expected no compromises because of her gender.

But her private life was different. Upon observing her, if you didn't know better, you would think she was one of those women who always had a sharp eye out for a ‘sugar daddy'. Lucinda possessed a kind of radar where the male sex was concerned, and she didn't mind playing coy or flirting with the best of them.

She wouldn't have bothered with a swimsuit. Lucinda was confident in her femininity and sexuality. It was just another facet of the supreme sense of self the extremely rich possess.

Not that Jessica had any reason to worry. Her well-toned body could have been a living advertisement for any health club or spa. Her long limbs and lean taut frame accentuated the tiny suit. And her mocha colored skin contrasted beautifully with the white sharkskin she wore.

Barefoot, she walked to the pool and dipped a toe into the clear blue water. Perfect. She wasn't really surprised. Lucinda spent a lot of time just relaxing in her pool. Of course the temperature would be just right. Lucinda wouldn't have it any other way.

Loosening the sash, Jessica prepared to slide the robe from her shoulders. She started in surprise as she felt strong hands begin to relieve her of her covering. Despite her earlier protests, Lucinda had obviously rounded up her houseman Matthew and sent him her way.

"Thank you, Ma-" Jessica's voice faltered as she turned her head to address Lucinda's employee. And found instead Stefan Cassadine.

NEXT