Page 9
Story: Capture the Rainbow
“I’m willing,” he said promptly. “Come back to bed and we’ll initiate a brand-new start for our relationship.”
“Haven’t you been listening to me?” Her hands clenched in exasperation. “It’s not going to happen again. It shouldn’t have happened at all. I don’t want one-night stands either, and I certainly have no intention of becoming your mistress even temporarily. I don’t have the time or the inclination to play the games you specialize in, Mr. Damon.”
“Joel, dammit,” he grated out. “And you had plenty of inclination last night. Give me five minutes in this bed and I’ll guarantee you’ll develop an inclination.” His voice softened to a velvet murmur. “Remember how it was, rainbow lady? Remember how you loved my hands on you.” His green eyes were glowing softly. “In you. How you went crazy when I made you wait for it? But I didn’t make you wait long, did I, Kendra? I couldn’t, I had to—”
“No!” She was remembering all too clearly and his words were bringing pictures to mind that she had successfully submerged since she’d awakened in his arms a short time ago. It was all coming back with a vengeance now. Damon’s sleek muscular body bathed in soft delicate hues bending over her, his face dark and heavy with passion, his hands cupping…No! She wouldn’t think about it. It was over and done with.
But the rainbow rays were still bathing the room. Sometime during the night Joel must have gotten up and turned off the exterior lights, for it was sunlight that was pouring into the room now. In its way, it was even more beautiful, she thought dreamily, and Joel was beautiful too. His hair was rumpled. His eyes were shining jewel-bright in that cynical face. She could feel a stirring in her breasts as she recalled those eyes glazed with need looking down at her and shook her head in desperate rejection.
“No,” she repeated. “I don’t remember. I won’t remember. I’m no rainbow lady, no matter what you call me. I have substance and I’m one of the most pragmatic people you could ever hope to encounter. I have no more need for your whimsical little illusions than for the role you want to cast me in.” She wearily brushed her hair from her face. “I’m sure you’d grow bored with me very quickly, but I’m afraid I can’t indulge you even for the short time it would take. My life isn’t any illusion; it’s very real and very earnest.” She turned to leave. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go. Don’t bother to get up; I’ll phone for a taxi.”
“I have no intention of excusing you,” he said quietly. “And you’ll have a difficult time making that call. I’ve never had a telephone installed here.” When she whirled to stare at him in surprise, he shrugged casually. “I told you I wanted to be removed entirely from my usual lifestyle. A telephone would be the first leak in the dam.” His lips curved in an ironic smile. “So, since you’re more or less marooned here until I see my way clear to driving you home, why don’t you make yourself comfortable?” Then as she opened her lips to speak he held up his hand. “Fully clothed if you insist.” His lips quirked. “That’s a giant concession, you understand.” He patted the bed briskly. “Sit down, we still have some talking to do.”
Kendra cautiously approached the bed. “I think we’ve exhausted the only subject we have any mutual interest in.” She halted a few feet away.
“We haven’t even started,” he said coolly. “It’s obvious I’ll have to reopen negotiations, as you aren’t an actress after parts in my films. I have to fly to Sedikhan this evening to set up the production and I want you on that plane with me. What can I offer to insure that you’ll come with me in a capacity that we’ll both enjoy? I can promise you I’ll be willing to give you anything within reason.” He shrugged. “Perhaps anything beyond reason. Try me.”
She shook her head in disbelief. The man was stubborn as the devil. “Listen carefully,” she said, speaking very distinctly. “I refuse. No sale. I’m not interested.Nyet.Is that clear? I’ll be arriving in Sedikhan in a month as provided in the terms of my contract and not before. And when I do arrive, it will be to perform the job I was hired to do.” She turned and marched toward the door. “I think that about covers it.” The door closed behind her with a decided click.
Joel smiled in amusement and grudging admiration as he threw off the covers and got out of bed. It was clear Kendra Michaels was indeed going to be something of a challenge, but one he was confident he could handle. He took his time dressing and strolled leisurely downstairs. He had the keys to the car and Kendra couldn’t get very far on foot in those flimsy high-heeled sandals. He’d pick her up in the Mercedes before she reached the gates. Then they’d continue their discussion tohissatisfaction.
His complacency was shattered to smithereens when he opened the front door. The low purr of the Mercedes was the first sound he heard and then Kendra’s mischievous little laugh as she reversed the car and drove past him through the courtyard.
Her eyes were dancing as she saw his dumbfounded expression. “I hot-wired it,” she called out the window. “I told you I was a very pragmatic person,Mr.Damon.”
With a mocking wave, she drove out of the courtyard and over the rumbling wooden drawbridge.
THREE
KENDRA WAS JUSTentering the customs line after deplaning in Marasef when she became aware of a slim, jean-clad figure calling her name and waving wildly at her from beyond the barricade.
“Kendra Michaels?” the girl shouted cheerfully above the noisy bustle of the airport. “I’m Billie Callahan. I just thought I’d let you know that I was here to meet you. Arriving in a foreign country can be kind of intimidating. You’ll be through here in just a few minutes and I’ll drive you to the location. Okay?”
“Okay.” Kendra smiled back gratefully. She had been on Mideastern locations before and she doubted if the actress would prove correct. She’d probably be stuck here for an hour, but it was nice of the woman to take the time to come to meet her.
To her amazement her processing through customs was both polite and superefficient and she was walking through the barricade to join Billie Callahan within the predicted few minutes.
“You were right,” Kendra said blankly as she piled her luggage in the baggage tote and fastened it securely. “I think that’s the fastest I’ve ever cleared customs in any country. It’s quite a surprise.”
“Sedikhan is a surprise in most ways,” Billie assured her. “I’ve been here five weeks and I still keep discovering new, exciting things. You’ll find all government functions glide on greased wheels here, thank heavens. Sedikhan is an absolute monarchy and the ruling head is Alex Ben Rashid, who evidently runs a very tight ship.”
“You’ve been here five weeks?” Kendra asked, puzzled. “I thought they only started filming three weeks ago.”
“They did.” Billie gave a brisk order in Arabic to the waiting porter and he immediately grasped the tote and took off at a trot through the crowded airport. “I talked Joel into sending me out early. I like visiting new places.” She grabbed Kendra’s arm. “Come on, the jeep’s parked in the short-term lot and our porter is tearing through the airport like that football hero in the car rental commercial.”
“You speak Arabic?” Kendra asked as she obediently fell into step. “After only five weeks?”
Billie made a face. “Not very well. It’s a sinfully difficult language to learn. I lived with an Arab couple for the first three weeks and picked up quite a bit. I can generally make myself understood.” She looked Kendra over with frank interest. “Lord, you’re gorgeous.” She sighed. “And what fantastic bazooms. I look more like a boy than a girl. No sex appeal whatever. Sometimes I wonder what Joel was thinking about when he hired me.”
Kendra burst out laughing. There was something terribly appealing about Billie Callahan and she could see very well why Joel had hired her. Skip was right, however. Kendra would definitely have to bind her breasts to double for the ingenue. They were both of medium height, but Billie was slimmer and her delicate bone structure gave her a porcelain fragility.
That delicacy was completely belied by the crackling vitality that emanated from her. Her faded jeans and strappy sandals were mated with a loose thigh-length tunic, striped in vivid pink and burgundy that should have been a horror with the wild mop of copper curls that tumbled past her shoulders. Instead, it only served to complement that gypsylike vivacity. But it was Billie’s unusual face that probably had fascinated Joel Damon. Though not conventionally lovely, it possessed a quality that was poignantly stirring to the senses. The curve of her lips was tender and compassionate and she had the misty violet eyes of a dreamer.
“Beauty isn’t all that important for stardom anymore,” Kendra said soothingly. “Being a good actress is much more essential.”
Billie groaned with mock glumness. “I wish you hadn’t said that. I’m a lousy actress. After this picture I’ll probably never do another one. I just hope I can muddle throughVenturewithout disappointing Joel.”
“You don’t seem too upset about the possibility of such a short and mercurial career,” Kendra said curiously. “I gather being a movie star isn’t one of your top priorities?”
“Haven’t you been listening to me?” Her hands clenched in exasperation. “It’s not going to happen again. It shouldn’t have happened at all. I don’t want one-night stands either, and I certainly have no intention of becoming your mistress even temporarily. I don’t have the time or the inclination to play the games you specialize in, Mr. Damon.”
“Joel, dammit,” he grated out. “And you had plenty of inclination last night. Give me five minutes in this bed and I’ll guarantee you’ll develop an inclination.” His voice softened to a velvet murmur. “Remember how it was, rainbow lady? Remember how you loved my hands on you.” His green eyes were glowing softly. “In you. How you went crazy when I made you wait for it? But I didn’t make you wait long, did I, Kendra? I couldn’t, I had to—”
“No!” She was remembering all too clearly and his words were bringing pictures to mind that she had successfully submerged since she’d awakened in his arms a short time ago. It was all coming back with a vengeance now. Damon’s sleek muscular body bathed in soft delicate hues bending over her, his face dark and heavy with passion, his hands cupping…No! She wouldn’t think about it. It was over and done with.
But the rainbow rays were still bathing the room. Sometime during the night Joel must have gotten up and turned off the exterior lights, for it was sunlight that was pouring into the room now. In its way, it was even more beautiful, she thought dreamily, and Joel was beautiful too. His hair was rumpled. His eyes were shining jewel-bright in that cynical face. She could feel a stirring in her breasts as she recalled those eyes glazed with need looking down at her and shook her head in desperate rejection.
“No,” she repeated. “I don’t remember. I won’t remember. I’m no rainbow lady, no matter what you call me. I have substance and I’m one of the most pragmatic people you could ever hope to encounter. I have no more need for your whimsical little illusions than for the role you want to cast me in.” She wearily brushed her hair from her face. “I’m sure you’d grow bored with me very quickly, but I’m afraid I can’t indulge you even for the short time it would take. My life isn’t any illusion; it’s very real and very earnest.” She turned to leave. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go. Don’t bother to get up; I’ll phone for a taxi.”
“I have no intention of excusing you,” he said quietly. “And you’ll have a difficult time making that call. I’ve never had a telephone installed here.” When she whirled to stare at him in surprise, he shrugged casually. “I told you I wanted to be removed entirely from my usual lifestyle. A telephone would be the first leak in the dam.” His lips curved in an ironic smile. “So, since you’re more or less marooned here until I see my way clear to driving you home, why don’t you make yourself comfortable?” Then as she opened her lips to speak he held up his hand. “Fully clothed if you insist.” His lips quirked. “That’s a giant concession, you understand.” He patted the bed briskly. “Sit down, we still have some talking to do.”
Kendra cautiously approached the bed. “I think we’ve exhausted the only subject we have any mutual interest in.” She halted a few feet away.
“We haven’t even started,” he said coolly. “It’s obvious I’ll have to reopen negotiations, as you aren’t an actress after parts in my films. I have to fly to Sedikhan this evening to set up the production and I want you on that plane with me. What can I offer to insure that you’ll come with me in a capacity that we’ll both enjoy? I can promise you I’ll be willing to give you anything within reason.” He shrugged. “Perhaps anything beyond reason. Try me.”
She shook her head in disbelief. The man was stubborn as the devil. “Listen carefully,” she said, speaking very distinctly. “I refuse. No sale. I’m not interested.Nyet.Is that clear? I’ll be arriving in Sedikhan in a month as provided in the terms of my contract and not before. And when I do arrive, it will be to perform the job I was hired to do.” She turned and marched toward the door. “I think that about covers it.” The door closed behind her with a decided click.
Joel smiled in amusement and grudging admiration as he threw off the covers and got out of bed. It was clear Kendra Michaels was indeed going to be something of a challenge, but one he was confident he could handle. He took his time dressing and strolled leisurely downstairs. He had the keys to the car and Kendra couldn’t get very far on foot in those flimsy high-heeled sandals. He’d pick her up in the Mercedes before she reached the gates. Then they’d continue their discussion tohissatisfaction.
His complacency was shattered to smithereens when he opened the front door. The low purr of the Mercedes was the first sound he heard and then Kendra’s mischievous little laugh as she reversed the car and drove past him through the courtyard.
Her eyes were dancing as she saw his dumbfounded expression. “I hot-wired it,” she called out the window. “I told you I was a very pragmatic person,Mr.Damon.”
With a mocking wave, she drove out of the courtyard and over the rumbling wooden drawbridge.
THREE
KENDRA WAS JUSTentering the customs line after deplaning in Marasef when she became aware of a slim, jean-clad figure calling her name and waving wildly at her from beyond the barricade.
“Kendra Michaels?” the girl shouted cheerfully above the noisy bustle of the airport. “I’m Billie Callahan. I just thought I’d let you know that I was here to meet you. Arriving in a foreign country can be kind of intimidating. You’ll be through here in just a few minutes and I’ll drive you to the location. Okay?”
“Okay.” Kendra smiled back gratefully. She had been on Mideastern locations before and she doubted if the actress would prove correct. She’d probably be stuck here for an hour, but it was nice of the woman to take the time to come to meet her.
To her amazement her processing through customs was both polite and superefficient and she was walking through the barricade to join Billie Callahan within the predicted few minutes.
“You were right,” Kendra said blankly as she piled her luggage in the baggage tote and fastened it securely. “I think that’s the fastest I’ve ever cleared customs in any country. It’s quite a surprise.”
“Sedikhan is a surprise in most ways,” Billie assured her. “I’ve been here five weeks and I still keep discovering new, exciting things. You’ll find all government functions glide on greased wheels here, thank heavens. Sedikhan is an absolute monarchy and the ruling head is Alex Ben Rashid, who evidently runs a very tight ship.”
“You’ve been here five weeks?” Kendra asked, puzzled. “I thought they only started filming three weeks ago.”
“They did.” Billie gave a brisk order in Arabic to the waiting porter and he immediately grasped the tote and took off at a trot through the crowded airport. “I talked Joel into sending me out early. I like visiting new places.” She grabbed Kendra’s arm. “Come on, the jeep’s parked in the short-term lot and our porter is tearing through the airport like that football hero in the car rental commercial.”
“You speak Arabic?” Kendra asked as she obediently fell into step. “After only five weeks?”
Billie made a face. “Not very well. It’s a sinfully difficult language to learn. I lived with an Arab couple for the first three weeks and picked up quite a bit. I can generally make myself understood.” She looked Kendra over with frank interest. “Lord, you’re gorgeous.” She sighed. “And what fantastic bazooms. I look more like a boy than a girl. No sex appeal whatever. Sometimes I wonder what Joel was thinking about when he hired me.”
Kendra burst out laughing. There was something terribly appealing about Billie Callahan and she could see very well why Joel had hired her. Skip was right, however. Kendra would definitely have to bind her breasts to double for the ingenue. They were both of medium height, but Billie was slimmer and her delicate bone structure gave her a porcelain fragility.
That delicacy was completely belied by the crackling vitality that emanated from her. Her faded jeans and strappy sandals were mated with a loose thigh-length tunic, striped in vivid pink and burgundy that should have been a horror with the wild mop of copper curls that tumbled past her shoulders. Instead, it only served to complement that gypsylike vivacity. But it was Billie’s unusual face that probably had fascinated Joel Damon. Though not conventionally lovely, it possessed a quality that was poignantly stirring to the senses. The curve of her lips was tender and compassionate and she had the misty violet eyes of a dreamer.
“Beauty isn’t all that important for stardom anymore,” Kendra said soothingly. “Being a good actress is much more essential.”
Billie groaned with mock glumness. “I wish you hadn’t said that. I’m a lousy actress. After this picture I’ll probably never do another one. I just hope I can muddle throughVenturewithout disappointing Joel.”
“You don’t seem too upset about the possibility of such a short and mercurial career,” Kendra said curiously. “I gather being a movie star isn’t one of your top priorities?”