“What do you mean?” Wilda took the script and thumbed through it. She handed the papers to Tempest and frowned.
“How long does Bryan plan on keeping you prisoner?”
“Quite awhile.” Kelly thumbed through the papers. “I wonder if I can talk Bryan into letting Felicia have a bath.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “Got to run.” She stood up from the chair and walked out of the doorway.
Wilda watched her go with a frown. “Something is wrong. But I can’t put my finger on it.”
Tempest hugged her sister. “Everything will be fine. That’s why you’re here.”
“I’ll make sure of it.”
* * * *
When Kelly arrived on the set, Bryan pulled her aside with a huge grin on his face. He opened a trade magazine and pointed to a column on the left page.
“Read this.”
Kelly took it and skimmed through the words. She looked up at Bryan when she finished reading. “I take it that the prisoner angle is working for us?”
Bryan roared with laughter. “We’re kicking the other soaps’ asses. Look at this! A reader’s poll is picking you as the winner for best actress. Not to mention this soap is being touted as the trailblazer.” He hugged Kelly. “One more month, Kel. And I’ll bet you’ll be bringing home the Sparks’ trophy.”
Christian wandered over to them and looked from one to the other. “Hey! Aren’t I nominated for something?”
“Hush, boy toy.” Kelly snickered.
Christian’s blue eyes narrowed. “I’m so tying you up for that.”
Bryan shook his head with a laugh. “Let’s get down to business!”
* * * *
When Kelly arrived home, there were flowers in her driveway. Large, red roses burst from a glass vase. She parked her truck and scooped them up close to her face. Then she buried her nose in them and inhaled deeply.
“Do you like them?”
Kelly shrieked and turned around. Sloan was standing against her garage door, looking pleased.
“You scared the shit out of me!” Kelly put her hand on her chest. She looked around slowly. “Where’s your truck?”
“In the garage.”
She scowled at him. “You’re an ass.”
“Yep. But will you take me home anyway?”
“Maybe.” Kelly slanted a glance at him. “What are the terms?”
Sloan scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I suppose I could cook this evening. Perhaps draw you a bath. Have my wicked way with you. How about that?”
“Good.” Kelly opened the garage and shoved her keys into Sloan’s hand. “Because I’ve already been tied up today.” She winked at him and sprinted for her garage door.
“Whoa!” Sloan caught up with her. “You’ve already been tied up today?” He pretended to reach into his back pocket and bring out a piece of paper. “Someone’s been stepping on my toes again.”
She moved her flowers to the side and kissed Sloan. “Park my truck.” She giggled as she took off at a run.
* * * *
They spent the evening together, enjoying the peace and quiet.
“You do realize this isn’t going to last, don’t you?” Kelly was wearing a pajama set and was curled up next to Sloan.
He narrowed his eyes and looked at her questioningly. “What, exactly?”
“This.” She waved her hand around the room. “In one week, I’ll be expected to do the media blitz thing. Bryan will have me booked so solid I’ll barely be able to breathe.” Kelly snuggled closer to Sloan.
She sat up abruptly and snapped her fingers. “I almost forgot. I brought you something from the set.”
Sloan watched Kelly walk out of the living room with a spring in her step. He shook his head. That woman. He stood to get himself a drink when the phone rang. Sloan looked at Kelly’s caller ID and then picked up the phone.
“Hello.”
“Hello.” The female voice on the other end of the phone was unsure at first. “May I speak to Kelly, please?”
“What? No word for the man who wanted to run away with you and your pies?”
“Sloan!” Christine chuckled. “What are you doing?” She lowered her voice. “I take it that things between you and Kelly are better?”
“You take that right.”
“Wonderful! And what’s Kelly doing right now? Can I speak to her?”
“She left the room. Hold on a minute.” Sloan turned around and his chest squeezed tightly. His body hardened at the sight before him.
Kelly watched Sloan struggle with words as she walked slowly toward him. “Who’s on the phone?”
“Your mother,” he whispered.
She plucked the phone from his nerveless fingers and pressed her body closer to his. “Hello, Mama.”
“Hi, Kelly. Is this a bad time?”
“We’re a little busy right now.” Kelly slapped at Sloan’s hands busily wandering below the hem of her gown. “But I promise to call you tomorrow and talk for hours. How’s that?”
“Okay, sugar. Your daddy and I send our love. Bye!”
“Bye, Mama!”
Kelly hung up the phone and watched Sloan’s reaction. She wasn’t disappointed. She finally brought home the amethyst negligee she loved so much from the set. The silver lining on the bodice flirted with the tops of her breasts and the material pushed them up higher. Filmy layers of purple silk fell from her waist to mid-thigh.
Sloan cleared his throat.
Kelly twirled slowly in a circle and then stopped in front of him. “Do you like it?”
“Like it?” he repeated.
She bit her lip to keep from laughing. Kelly brought her hands down the front of the negligee and stopped at mid-thigh. “Do you like it?”
Sloan reached out and cupped the back of Kelly’s head and brought her mouth to his. “I like it,” he whispered softly against her lips.
“Show me.”
He groaned and turned her around so her back pressed up against him. His hands moved from Kelly’s waist down to the edge of the gown and then leisurely back to her waist, bringing the fabric up with him.
Sloan clenched it in his hands and moved his right hand below the gown and across her bare stomach.
Kelly gasped at the feel of his rough hand on her smooth skin and let her head drop back on his shoulder. Sloan’s left hand came up across her shoulder and threaded his fingers through her hair.
He nipped lightly at her pulse point on her throat, and she moved her right hand to cover his. Sloan moved his hand up higher and cupped her breast. Kelly tried to turn, but he didn’t allow her to shift her position an inch.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured against her skin.
Kelly shivered at the feel of his warmth breath against her. “Thank you.” She smiled softly.
Both of Sloan’s hands moved to the straps on her shoulders. He hooked his fingers through them and pulled them down on her arms until they were even with the top of her breasts. And then he turned her so they were facing each other.
Sloan pulled Kelly forward until their bodies were touching with not so much as an inch between them. “You feel so good in my arms.” He bent his head forward and kissed the top of each breast. Not lifting his head, he brought the straps down off her shoulders and to her waist.
He gave attention to one breast and then the other. Kelly fisted her hands in his hair and arched her body into his. And still Sloan moved down further to her belly and rained soft kisses across her stomach.
Kelly trembled powerlessly against him as all the sensations slammed through her body. “Sloan,” she rasped. He lifted his head to look at her. “Take me to bed.”
* * * *
Kelly was right about Bryan’s intentions. When she showed up Monday to work, Bryan thrust a large sheaf of papers into her hand.
“Read these. Be at the events.” He turned to walk off.
“Wait!” Kelly waved the papers above her head. “Don’t you have anything else to say?”
“I’ve talked to Wilda and Tempest. Both are at your disposal.” He turned and walked off briskly.
Kelly stuck out her tongue at his back and sighed. Bryan on a tangent was something she was used to. Every year around time of the awards shows, he was a madman.
She rolled her eyes and turned to walk toward her dressing room.
“Hi, Kelly.”
Kelly’s head popped up, and she attempted to paste a smile on her mouth. Christy stood there with a bagel and a diet soda. “I’ve brought you something.”
“Thanks.” Kelly took both and tried to walk around the girl.
“What do you have there?”
“A list of publicity events.” She shook the large stack of papers at Christy.
“Can I see?”
“Sure.” Kelly handed them over and took a bite of her bagel. She watched Christy thumb through them, nodding.
“Looks like you’ll be one busy woman.” The words were pleasant, but the tone didn’t quite match them.
“Yes.” Kelly snatched the papers back and turned around. “Enjoy the day.” She hurried to her dressing room and shut the door. One of these days very, very soon, she was going to smack the grin right off that young witch’s face. Her hands were itching to do it right now.
“Planning a murder?”
Kelly’s head shot up, and she grinned. “How did you know?”
“You’re clutching those papers so tight, you’re going to give yourself a paper cut.” Wilda gently took the papers and smoothed them out.
“Do you ever have the feeling some people are not what they appear?”
“Yes.” Wilda nodded. “Many people are afraid of who they truly are. And some wear masks so they can hide.”
Tempest walked into the dressing room, clutching a large bouquet of white roses. She placed them on the vanity and winked at Kelly.
“Bryan thought you would enjoy these.”
Kelly glanced at Wilda.
“Yes. I told him that you had a preference for white roses.”
“Thanks.” Kelly brought them up to her nose and inhaled the sweet fragrance. “Twice in one week. Now I know I’m special.”
“Twice?” Tempest looked at Kelly with a question in her eyes. “Do tell.”
“Sloan brought me red roses the other day.”
“Did he?” Wilda chuckled. “I knew I liked that man.”
Kelly shook her head. “And I wanted to apologize ahead of time for all the extra work you’ll both have for the next four weeks or so.”
“You mean the Sparks?”
“Yes.” Kelly groaned theatrically. “Apparently we three are going to be a staple at every event even remotely related to acting. Bryan has seen to that.” She stared morosely at the stack of papers in front of her.
“Wonderful!” Wilda clapped her hands together. “We both get the opportunity to show off our work, and you have a chance to manipulate the publicity to your favor.”
Kelly looked from one woman to the other with a pleased look. “You’re right. And thanks again.” She sat up straighter in her chair. “Now let’s let Felicia come out and play.”
* * * *
Kelly made it through her week fine and took Sloan home with her Friday. They both stepped inside her house and looked around. She was dog-tired, and even Sloan appeared more weary than usual.
“I say we sleep.” She looked up at Sloan hopefully.
“Yes.” He sighed and took her hand in his.
“Then we’ll wake up Saturday and make up for lost time.”
“You are a wise woman.”
Kelly smiled softly. “Let’s go to bed.”
* * * *
Kelly woke Saturday morning to the feel of Sloan’s hands tracing her body up and down. She propped herself up on her elbows and looked down at the top of his head.
“Is the honeymoon over?” She motioned to the bed. “I don’t even think you kissed me yesterday.” Her lips twitched. “You are seriously slipping, Mr. Set Designer.”
“Hush, woman.” Sloan kissed one knee and then the other. He glanced up at Kelly. “I didn’t see you doing bedroom acrobatics either.”
“I’ve saved them for today.” Kelly winced as she looked at the clock. “Later. I have an event at six o’clock this evening.” She met Sloan’s eyes. “I don’t suppose you would consider attending with me?”
“What kind of event?” He struggled with a neutral tone.
“Publicity for the Sparks.” She plucked at the bedspread. “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
Sloan’s hand stilled hers. “I’d love to. Formal attire?”
“Yes.” Kelly’s tone was grateful. “Wilda and Tempest will be by around four o’clock to help me dress and get ready. Can you be ready by five o’clock?”
He brushed his lips across her knuckles. “Yes.” Sloan glanced at the clock. “That’s an awful lot of time to kill between now and then.”
Kelly cocked her head to the side. “Whatever shall we do?”
“I may have a few ideas.”
* * * *
The pair spent the morning and afternoon in bed. Whenever Kelly threatened to get up, Sloan would wrestle her back to the bed and make her forget everything she was thinking.
The gate intercom buzzed at four o’clock, and Kelly scrambled to get off the bed.
“Oh shit!” She snatched her robe off the floor and wrapped it around herself.
Sloan lay back on the bed with his arms behind his head. “Calm down, woman.”
She shook her head. “You better put some clothes on, Sloan. I’m sure Wilda and Tempest would be more than pleased to gaze on your luscious body. But I don’t share.” She wriggled her eyebrows suggestively.
“My luscious body?” he repeated.
Kelly leaned down and nipped at his bottom lip. “Yes. Luscious.” She turned back toward her bedroom door. “Quit getting a big head. And get some damn clothes on.”
She belted her robe and buzzed the women in. When she turned back toward her room, Sloan walked out into the hall with only his jeans on. The top button was undone.
Kelly licked her lips and moved closer. Her hands flattened against his belly and moved up to his chest. “You. Me. Here. Later. Don’t be late.”
“Wouldn’t think of it.”
Wilda walked through the door first, followed closely by Tempest. The women looked at Kelly and then Sloan. Tempest opened her mouth but Wilda slapped her arm.
“Ladies.” Sloan nodded his head and then looked at Kelly. “I’ll be back in about an hour.” He snatched his keys up and walked out the garage.
The women heard his bronco leave, and Tempest sighed. “He’s rather lovely.”
“Yes. He is.” Kelly threw her arms open wide and grinned. “C’mon, ladies. Do with me what you will.”
* * * *
The women worked on Kelly for forty-five minutes before they were completely satisfied with their work. Neither let Kelly even remotely near a mirror while they worked.
Wilda smoothed down Kelly’s gown one last time and then spun her around. “What do you think?”
Tempest was holding a full-length mirror up, and Kelly blinked twice before she realized she was looking at herself.
She reached out an unsteady hand and touched the cool glass. She could see Wilda smiling sedately in the background.
“I take it that you like it?”
Kelly couldn’t find the words. Her red hair had been pulled up and fell in loose curls along her jaw line. It was delicate and showed off Tempest’s make-up to perfection. Her eyes were a deep green boldly outlined with dark black mascara. Three different shades of eye shadow accented her eyes.
Her lips were painted crimson and shone brightly in the light. Emerald teardrop earrings dripped from her ears and softly touched her bare shoulders. An emerald choker circled her throat and sparkled brightly.
And the gown. Kelly brushed her hands down the green silk and sighed softly. The dress hugged her every
curve and fell halfway between her knee and thigh. The bodice was a strapless, sweetheart cut that plunged almost to the middle of her stomach. The fitted waist emphasized Kelly’s curves to perfection.
She twirled in the mirror and beamed. Even the shoes were dyed to match and gave a little height to her short frame. The silky green bands crisscrossed her feet and tied at the ankles.
“It doesn’t even look like me.” Kelly touched the mirror again reverently.
“Oh, honey!” Wilda kissed her forehead. “No matter the wrapping, you’ll always be beautiful.”
Tempest set the mirror down and hurried forward. “Here’s the lipstick and powder. Tuck these in your purse for touch-ups.”
“And don’t forget the wrap.” Wilda tucked it around Kelly’s shoulders. “Perfect.”
“Sloan is going to bite his tongue.” Tempest chuckled.
Just then, they heard the intercom ring. Wilda hurried over and buzzed Sloan through the gate.
“Breathe,” Wilda commanded. “You look as if you’re about to pass out.” She took Kelly by the shoulders and moved her out Sloan’s line of sight. “I want your man to be surprised.”
Kelly took a deep breath and waited expectantly for Sloan to walk through the garage door. And she wasn’t disappointed. She heard him open the door and call out for her.
Wilda ushered him inside and escorted him to the living room. “You handsome devil.” She stopped in front of Kelly. “And here’s your date.”
Sloan turned around and his throat worked soundlessly as he gazed at Kelly.
She chuckled nervously. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes,” he managed.
“You’re gorgeous.” Kelly leaned forward and kissed his cheek. She loved the way Sloan’s black tux emphasized his broad shoulders and showed off his coloring to perfection. His hazel eyes darkened considerably when he gazed at her.
“You’re absolutely stunning.” He picked up Kelly’s hand and kissed the back of it. His eyes met Kelly’s with a promise for more to come later. “I brought champagne for later, too.” He produced a bottle and held it up for her inspection.
“I don’t drink.” Kelly winked. “But I’m sure Wilda and Tempest can find something to do with the bottle.”
“As you wish.” His husky voice washed over her.
Tempest sighed.
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