She didn’t answer and his voice hardened to steel. “I wouldn’t try to bargain too hard if I were you, Kendra. You’ll find I can be very determined and I don’t hesitate to be as ruthless as I need to be to get what I want.” He tilted up her chin; his eyes narrowed on her face. “You’ll give me exactly what I…”
His voice trailed off as he noticed that her russet lashes were closed and her breathing deep and even. How much had she heard before she drifted off so peacefully? Probably not much, judging by how soundly she was sleeping. His lips curved in wry amusement as he realized that she had once more wrested control of the situation away from him—and without even trying.
Why wasn’t he feeling the resentment he’d known earlier, instead of this weird protective tenderness? His throat felt oddly tight as he noticed how vulnerable she looked with her lips parted slightly in slumber. He pulled the white wool coverlet over them and then carefully, gently, he brought her closer into his embrace.
Mine.
Even before Kendra opened her eyes she was conscious of the familiar little ache in her lower back and the even sharper one behind her eyes. She sighed unhappily, and nestled closer to Joel’s comforting warmth. Joel?
Her lids flew open and her gaze focused in shock on the mat of coarse black hair on Joel Damon’s chest. Oh Lord, what on earth had she done? Then, as the memories and sensations of last night tumbled helter-skelter back to her, she realized very well what she had done. Rainbow mists and a sorcerer’s green eyes and a driving, explosive physical magic. How many times had he taken her last night?
She bit her lip in vexation. How stupid to worry about how many times they had made love when the obvious problem was that it had happened at all! How could she have done such a thing? Ending an evening in a stranger’s bed might not have been all that unusual for some women, but it was for her, dammit. It was even more bizarre for her to abandon herself to a hedonist like Joel Damon, who was also her boss. For someone who prided herself on her professionalism, there couldn’t be a bigger mistake. Had it been the painkiller she had taken that was responsible for this insanity? She had rejected that idea last night, but she was beginning to wonder now. Perhaps in combination with the champagne she’d drunk…oh, she just didn’t know. Maybe it was the man himself who’d caused this temporary insanity. He had certainly had an incredible impact on her senses even before her abrupt mood change. Well, the catalyst didn’t matter now. The only important thing was that she had regained her usual cool sanity and could act accordingly.
She scooted carefully away from Joel Damon. With any luck she could get out of here without waking him and avoid a confrontation that would be excruciatingly awkward.
Luck wasn’t with her and she was still struggling with the zipper of her gown when Damon’s eyes flicked open. He was instantly wide awake. “Going somewhere?” he asked as he sat up and regarded her intently. “Your bed manners leave a little to be desired, sweetheart. Haven’t you ever heard that a good mistress makes herself available in the morning as well as at night? Take off your gown and come back to bed, Kendra.”
Kendra could feel the color rush to her cheeks as she hurriedly yanked at the zipper. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Mr. Damon,” she said as her eyes searched the floor wildly for her shoes. “I have to leave now. As soon as I finish dressing, I’ll be on my way.”
“Mr. Damon?” he echoed blankly. “Isn’t it a little late for that degree of formality? If I remember correctly, a few hours ago those long, lovely legs were wrapped around me and I was—”
“That was a mistake,” she interrupted, her cheeks definitely scarlet now. “I wish you’d just forget last night ever happened.” She spied one sandal half under the bed and pounced on it. “I realize the entire situation was as much my fault as it was yours, but it still should never have happened.” Where was the other damn shoe? “I’m sure when you think about it, you’ll agree that working together would be very difficult if we allowed any personal relationship to interfere.” How had that shoe gotten under the covers of the bed? “I promise to stay out of your way as much as possible when I come to Sedikhan.”
He muttered a low curse, his face darkening stormily. “Trying to back out of our agreement so soon, Kendra? I believe I warned you about that last night. I’m not settling for a one-night stand when I had a more permanent arrangement in mind.” His green eyes were glacier cool. “You’ll get the part and all the additional roles I can manage to throw your way, but I’m the one who calls the shots. Now get out of those clothes and come back here.”
“The hell I will.” Her brown eyes were blazing as she stomped into her sandals. “On the set you may call the shots but that’s the only place, Mr. Damon. I haven’t the slightest idea what you’re talking about, but I’ll be damned if I’ll stand here and let you threaten me like some kind of petty dictator. Last night was the only time I’ll ever be in your bed and it would be wise if you’d recognize that fact. As soon as I finish this job, I’ll take pains to avoid working on any more of your films.” She tossed her head angrily. “I’m going to have enough on my plate just handling the gags on this picture without having to tolerate a director with a colossal ego.”
“Gags?” His eyes narrowed.
“Gags,” she repeated impatiently. “Stunts. You’re a director, you know what I mean, for heaven’s sake!”
“Yes, I know what you mean,” he said, his expression grim. “I think you’d better come back here and sit down. We’ve got some talking to do. So you’re not an actress?”
“An actress?” Her eyes widened in surprise. “Of course not. What ever made you think that? I’ve been hired to do Billie Callahan’s stunts in Venture.” Then all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place and she glared accusingly at him. “You thought I was sleeping with you to get a part in Venture?”
“Sleeping had very little to do with it,” he drawled, “but yes, I thought that’s why you were vamping Balding, then me.” His lips tightened. “Upon reflection, it could still be reasonable. The business you’re in is very competitive and Venture has a big budget.”
“Sell myself into your film? I’m a professional stuntwoman, not a hooker,” she spat. “I’m very good at my job and I have no need to earn any fringe benefits on my back.” She drew a deep steadying breath and tried to control her temper. “As for Dave, I’ve been friends with him and his wife for years. He’d laugh himself silly at the idea that I was trying to vamp him.”
“You could have fooled me,” he said, scowling at her. “You two were all over each other last night.”
“Affection, not lust,” she said caustically. “I suppose it would be too much to expect you to recognize the difference. You were so busy dreaming up dirty little pictures with that fertile imagination of yours. You wanted me to be some kind of prostitute so that you could feel comfortable about going on the prowl yourself. Not that you need any excuse from what I hear.”
“No, I don’t.” He leaned back on the pillows and regarded her calmly. “And I believe I could be excused for the mistake under the circumstances. You weren’t exactly reluctant to be lured into bed, Kendra, and you displayed a very satisfactory degree of lust yourself.” He paused. “For an amateur.”
She inhaled sharply, feeling as if she had been hit in the stomach. “I told you last night was a mistake. Perhaps Dave was right and I had too much to drink.” Her gaze was steady. “I won’t be dishonest and try to shift the blame onto your shoulders.” She tried to smile. “Suppose we both chalk it up to temporary insanity and just go on from here.”
“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 t
he 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 to his satisfaction.
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 JUST entering 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 st
irring 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 through Venture without 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?”
Billie shrugged. “It’s interesting enough for a while, but I’ll probably be ready to move on by the time the picture is finished. I usually get too restless to stay in one place for long.”
They had reached the jeep and Billie was helping the porter stow the baggage in the back with strength surprising for one of her apparent delicacy. In a few minutes she had tipped the porter and was negotiating her way out of the parking lot into the crowded street.
She darted Kendra a curious glance from enormous eyes as dark as wood violets. “Now if I had a job like yours, I might have more staying power. It must be a real kick to take the chances you do and get paid for it. How did you get started in a business like stunting?”
“I grew up in it,” Kendra answered. “My father was in the business all his life and when other kids were tumbling down sliding boards and playing on the teeter-totter, my brother and I were learning how to fall off thirty-foot towers into swimming pools without breaking our necks.” A nostalgic smile curved her lips. “It’s a good thing we were too young to have sense when we first started or we’d have been scared to death. As it was, by the time we realized just how dangerous some of the stuff we were doing was, it was old hat.”