Capture the Rainbow by Iris Johansen Page B

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