The Spiral Path (16 page)

Until, in the end, it was perfect and real.

Afterward they lay in each other's arms for a long time, not
needing to speak. His mind drifted, refusing to think of past or future,
wishing he could stay in the present forever. "This was worth waiting
for."

"Yes--but I'm glad we didn't wait any longer. I might
have succumbed to spontaneous human combustion." She nuzzled his throat.
"There's something powerfully erotic about being surrounded by jet
vibrations."

"Vibrations, vibrators. Surely there's a
connection."

"What a wicked thought. I'm sure you're right." She
trailed her hand over his torso. "I'm glad you don't shave your chest like
some actors do."

He cupped her breast. "And I'm glad these are soft and
real, not improbable silicone."

"I considered implants, but finally decided that if I
couldn't get work on my acting ability, the silicone wouldn't make much
difference."

"Anyone can augment a body, but few people can match
your talent."

"You certainly know the best kind of compliment."
She grinned. "Isn't there a saying that a man should compliment beautiful
women on their brains, and brainy women on their physical attractiveness?"

"Since
you have both, does that mean I can't compliment you at all?"

"A
true master of flattery." She rolled onto him so that her legs bracketed
his and her silky hair brushed his chest. "I like the idea of a week in
bed."

"So
do I." He stroked his hands down her back. She was beautifully fit, her
muscles taut under creamy skin. "Actually, I've got two and a half weeks
before I have to leave for Argentina for my next job."

"Damn."
She gnawed her lower lip enchantingly. "I'm due in New York in two weeks,
and I have to spend at least a few days vertical and doing business before I
leave."

He
felt a stab of disappointment. He'd hoped she would come to Argentina with him,
because already he hated the fact that they would have to separate. He kissed
her navel. "We'll just have to make the best of the time we have."

And
they did.

Kenzie found that
he'd pulled off the road, face sweating and pulse accelerated. Damnation, ever
since Rainey filed for divorce, he'd tried not to think of those first glorious
days, all pleasure and no pain.

Because
remembering was all pain and no pleasure.

CHAPTER 9

S
ince they
were shooting-in remote areas, transportation for cast and crew was done
with rugged four-wheel-drive vehicles rather than the plush cars used on most
productions. Rainey didn't care--to a tired woman, the backseat of an SUV was
plenty good enough for sprawling out and gathering strength.

The
first requirement for a director was high energy, because the work was never
done. After dinner each evening she watched the dailies that had been shot the
day before, flown to Los Angeles for processing, then returned to New Mexico
for viewing. Watching dailies took intense concentration as she made notes on
the scenes and takes that worked best. Her editor back in L.A., Eva Yanez,
would rough out a preliminary cut as they went along, which would save time and
money in post-production.

Before
bedtime, she studied the next day's shooting schedule to decide if she wanted
to go with the angles and shots she'd planned, or if her thinking had changed.
It was essential to show up on the set completely prepared, because an
indecisive director wasted time and undermined the confidence of cast and crew.

Her
cell phone rang. She groaned. Not opening her eyes, she flipped the phone open.
"Yes?"

It
was Marcus Gordon. "How are things going, Raine?"

"Pretty
well." Most of the calls she received increased her stress level, but
talking to Marcus usually relaxed her. Now his imperturbable good sense soothed
the disturbance in her psyche produced by Kenzie. "We're on schedule, and
the film we're getting is first-rate. Greg Marino is doing a great job as
director of cinematography. He's getting exactly the look I want--beautiful but
desolate. A long, long way from Randall's idea of civilization."

"You
must be doing something right, since the biggest part of your job is inspiring
the rest of the crew to do their best work. How about Sharif?"

"Amazing.
He has so much charisma that he'd blow anyone less than Kenzie off the
screen."

"That
good? I can't wait to see this movie. Speaking of which, I'm flying in tomorrow
night for a couple of days."

Her
eyes snapped open. "Is that necessary? An executive producer usually has
better things to do than hang around a set."

"One
of the conditions for getting the money was that I keep close tabs on what
you're doing. Investors are a skittish lot, especially with a first-time
director."

Especially
with a first-time female director, though Marcus was too polite to say that.
"I look forward to seeing you. Is Naomi coming?"

"Not
this time, but she hopes to visit during the English location shooting."

Rainey
finished the call, glad Val would be arriving in a few hours. It had taken
several days for her to arrange a leave of absence, and Rainey's temporary
assistant had a lot to learn. Val did also, but Rainey had infinite faith in
her friend's organizational skills, and her ability to master a job quickly.

The
phone ran again. "Hello?" This time it was Virginia Marlowe.

Rainey
sat up guiltily. She and her grandmother had talked after Darrell Jackson
examined her grandfather's medical files and decided that he might be able to
repair the aneurysm, but Rainey had been so busy she'd forgotten that this was
the day of the surgery. "Hello, Gram. How did the operation go?"

"Very
well. They say your grandfather's prognosis is excellent."

Rainey
was surprised at the amount of relief she felt. "That's wonderful
news."

Virginia
cleared her throat. "Our family doctor told me that Dr. Jackson managed a
miracle. Thank you, Rainey. If not for you..."

She
blinked, unable to remember another occasion when her grandmother had used her
nickname. "The credit goes to Darrell and his willingness to attempt such
a risky procedure. I'm just glad I happened to know him."

"He
told me how you met, and how much time you spent with his mother before she
died. You ... you have a generous spirit, Rainey. Like Clementine."

The
few times in the past that Rainey had been compared to her mother, the intent
had not been flattering. "I owe you whatever help you might need. After
all, you two raised me, and taught me a lot of things worth knowing, like the
value of hard work and honesty." She hesitated. "People in my
business are wildly overpaid. If you want a larger house, or a different car,
or a cruise around the world, I'd love to give it to you."

"We
don't need your money," Virginia said with her usual tartness. Her voice
turned uncertain. "But maybe when you're through with this movie of yours,
if you have time to stop in Baltimore for a visit, we ... William and I would
both like to see you."