Desert Rain (2 page)

Holly grabbed sunglasses and a bottle of mineral water from the catering van that followed
her to every location, whether it was mountain-top, sea, or desert. The van was just one
of the fringe benefits of being the Royce Reflection.

Holly put on the darkly rose-tinted glasses and sipped at the cold water. With a sigh, she
rolled the bubbly liquid around on her tongue and rubbed the icy bottle over the pulse
that beat hotly in her wrists.

What the hell do you think youre doing? Jerry shouted. Were in the middle of a shoot and
youre sitting on your tight ass like Queen Elizabeth!

Holly ignored him and concentrated on her hands. They showed an alarming tendency to shake.

Jerry began yelling names.

Holly ignored that, too. Grimly she reminded herself that Jerry was a great fashion
photographer as well as a miserable human being.

Roger Royces clipped British voice cut across Jerrys tirade.

Belt up, Jerry. Youve been working Shannon like a donkey for hours in this heat. Any other
model would have told you to get stuffed long ago.

Slowly Holly turned and faced her boss. He was blond, elegantly masculine, and almost six
inches taller than her own five feet eight inches. Roger was a genius with shapes,
textures, colors, and womens bodies. He was also that rarity in the fashion businessa
gentleman.

You okay? Roger asked.

Working on it, Holly said tightly.

Roger touched her forehead with his palm.

Youre pale underneath all that makeup, he said.

Im fine.

You dont look it.

Holly smiled thinly.

I didnt realize Jerry had been at me for three hours, she said. It caught up with me all
at once.

Youre certain?

Sure.

Roger turned Holly so that her face was not in shadow.

Youare pale, he said, alarmed.

She shrugged.

I shouldnt have trusted Jerry, Roger said. Hes beastly with models who wont sleep with him.

Its not all Jerrys fault that Im pale.

Roger said something contradictory under his breath.

But its true, Holly said.

As far as she was concerned, if anyone was to blame for her wan state, it was a man called
Lincoln McKenzie, not Jerry.

No, thats not fair either,Holly told herself.Im to blame. I was the one who let memories
and dreams seduce me.

Sweet memories. Sweet dreams. Bitter reality. Holly didnt know why Linc hated her now. She
only knew that he did. I get wrapped up in what Im doing and forget about time, Holly
added carelessly. I know. Its one of the things that makes you such a fantastic model.

Rogers blue eyes narrowed as he took in the lines of strain around Hollys eyes and lips.
He stroked her hair away from her elegant face.

You look positively transparent, love, he said in a low voice. Go back to the hotel and
lie out by the pool. Not too long, or

Ill get tan lines and wont be able to wear half your designs, finished Holly, smiling
crookedly. Roger laughed and gave her a quick hug. Thats why I love you, he said. You
understand me so well. You love every model who looks good in your clothes, Holly pointed
out.

Ah, but you look the best so I love you the best.

Holly smiled even as she shook her head. She took Roger seriously as a designer and as a
friend, not as a potential lover.

Roger would have liked it otherwise, but he was wise enough to know that if he insisted on
seducing her, he risked losing her. If he settled for friendship, he would continue to
have Shannons unique, incandescent presence to grace his products.

For her part, Holly felt no more physical attraction toward Roger than she had felt for
any man since Linc. Rogers kindness and his quick wit, however, had made him one of her
favorite people. She needed his friendship in the cold, slick world that Shannon inhabited.

Sorry to break up this little love feast, said a mans hard voice, but I was told Id find
Roger Royce here.

Even as Holly turned, she knew she would find Linc. She could no more forget his voice
than she could forget the feel of his skin beneath her palms.

Im Royce, Roger said.

Lincoln McKenzie.

Lincs voice was flat. He didnt offer his hand or add anything to his clipped statement.

Roger looked Linc over from the top of his curly chestnut hair to the dusty soles of his
cowboy boots. Like a race announcer, Roger gave a running description of what he saw.

Six four, maybe five, Roger said. Good muscle development. Well defined but not overdone.
Dreadful cowboy clothes, but you wont be wearing them if I use you.

Holly held her breath, wondering what Linc would do in response to being looked over like
a thoroughbred on the auction block.

Clean hands, Roger continued. Good legs, lean but still powerful. Expensive boots. All in
all, not bad. Quite good, actually. Except for the face. Too . . . dangerous. Husbands
would take one look at you and

decidenot to buy Royce products. Can you smile, Lincoln McKenzie? Lincs smile made a chill
move down Hollys arms. She didnt know what game Roger was playing, but

she knew he was playing it with the wrong man.

No, Roger said, shaking his head. You wont do at all. Tell your agency to send out someone
pretty. And tell them to be quick about it. We shoot at Hidden Springs on Monday.

Lincs smile vanished, leaving nothing to soften the hard planes of his face.

No, Linc said.

Holly couldnt help staring at him. This was not the Lincoln McKenzie she remembered. This
man didnt look capable of tenderness. His mouth was too unyielding to have the warmth and
sweetness she remembered.

No what? Roger asked. No, your agency doesnt have anyone pretty, or no, they cant be quick
about sending another male model out?

No. Period.

Come, come, Roger said, his British accent increasing along with his impatience. One can
carry the tight-lipped western man act too far, you know.

Linc laughed with genuine amusement.

Im male, but not a model, Linc said. I dont have an agency, but Ive seen men prettier than
me. You, for instance. A nicely civilized Viking.

Surprised, Roger smiled in return. He cocked his head to one side, reassessing the tall
man in front of him.

Not a model? Roger asked. No. Pity. You have possibilities. And brains. I also have
control of Hidden Springs. Oh. Thats where were going to shoot on Monday. No. Thats where
yourenot going to shoot on Monday or any other day. Roger frowned and released the lock of
Hollys hair that he had been absently playing with. Would you mind explaining that? Roger
asked. Not at all. Lincs smile made Holly wince, though he was not looking at her, had not
looked at her since he had

found her in Rogers arms.

I dont like jet-set parasites and their prostitutes, Linc said clearly. I wont have them
on my ranch.

If Holly had been pale before, being called a prostitute made her go white. She was too
shocked by Lincs words to defend herself or to say anything about who really owned Hidden
Springs.

Roger looked sideways at Holly. He knew that Hidden Springs was on land owned by Sandra
Productions. In fact, it was Holly who had suggested that Hidden Springs would make an
ideal backdrop for Rogers new line of products.

He put his arm around Holly in a protective gesture and turned to confront Linc. I sell
style, period, Roger said in a clipped voice. Linc shrugged and looked at Holly. You may
be selling style, he said, but shes selling something more basic. Lincs cool appraisal of
Hollys body was more insulting than any mans touch had ever been. Apologize to Shannon,
Roger said, and then leave.

I dont apologize for telling the truth. If she cant stand the name, she should get out of
the game.

Anger flared in Holly, burning away the pain that had frozen her. She stepped out of the
protective curve of Rogers arm and confronted Linc with a flashing, professional smile.

Im going to enjoy the shoot at Hidden Springs, she said in a husky voice. Knowing that you
dont want us there will make every minute . . . special.

No one steps on that land without my permission. Really? Bet on it. Hollys smile vanished.

You lose, Lincoln McKenzie, she said. We have a little piece of paper from the owner of
Hidden Springs that says we can camp there all summer if we like.

Lincs face changed, showing surprise and some other emotion that was too complex to be
easily labeled.

Holly? he asked incredulously. Do you mean that Holly North gave you permission to use
Hidden Springs?

For a moment she was too stunned to speak. The fact that Linc hadnt recognized her brought
both relief and unexpected pain.

In the wake of pain came the realization that she shouldnt have been surprised that Linc
didnt recognize her. The only thing about her that hadnt changed in the last six years was
the unusual color of her eyes, and that was concealed behind sunglasses.

Fortunately, Roger was also too surprised to say that Holly North and Shannon were one and
the same woman. Before he could find his tongue, she did.

Yes, she said. Holly North gave us permission to use Hidden Springs.

I dont believe it, said Linc. Holly wouldnt associate with people like you.

She put a restraining hand on Rogers arm, afraid he would reveal who she was.

Let me defend Holly, she murmured to Roger. After all, shes my best friend.

She turned to Linc again.

Do you know Holly very, very well? she asked.

Her voice was pure Shannon, bright and cold.

Roger snickered.

I knew Holly. Lincs voice was as hard as the line of his mouth. Its been six years since I
saw her.

People change, she suggested lightly. They must. The Holly I know would never have put up
with a dirty-minded boor.

The Holly I knew would never hang around with prostitutes.

On that, we are in perfect agreement, she snapped, dropping her brittle accent for a tone
closer to outright anger.

Surprisingly, Linc smiled.

Maybe you do know her after all, he conceded.

Better than you ever did, Holly retorted.

Instantly she regretted it. She didnt want Linc to investigate how close her relationship
was to Holly.

She couldnt bear to know that the contempt in his eyes was directed at herself rather than
the high-fashion creation called Shannon.

I know Holly well enough to guarantee that well shoot at Hidden Springs on Monday, she
said.

Im managing that land for Holly. If I say no, shell say no.

Youll have to get to her first, Roger pointed out, suppressing a smile. I think shes on a
desert safari.

Thats right, Holly said quickly. She wont be back in Manhattan for weeks. Im afraid that
you lose both this battle and the whole bloody war.

Youve spoiled her, Linc said lazily to Roger. Mongrels like that one need a firm hand if
you want them to show well in the Companion Class.

Wind whipped Hollys hair across Lincs face as she leaned forward. He flinched as though
her hair were black fire.

Ill bet youre one of those tall, tight-lipped men who is only good with dogs and horses,
she murmured.

Roger moved uneasily. Shannon

Holly shook off his warning and gave Linc her most seductive smile. Through the tinted
glasses her eyes were dark, nearly brown, brilliant with anger and pain.

To be so close to Linc again and see only contempt in his look was almost more than Holly
could bear. She had hoped he would be drawn to her beauty, that he would see her and
return her love, a love that hadnt wavered in all the long years of their separation.

Dogs, Linc drawled, are docile, obedient andloyal, unlike beautiful women.

You noticed, Holly murmured, lowering her thick lashes.

That youre beautiful? Linc shrugged. Lightnings beautiful, too, but only a fool wants to
touch it.

Then crawl back under your rock, tall man, Holly said between her teeth. Lightning wont
reach you there.

For a moment there was only charged silence beneath the awning of the catering truck. Then
a pouting, breathless voice spoke from behind Lincs back.

There you are, Linc, honey. Ive been looking all over for you.

Numbly Holly watched as the stranger rubbed against Lincs arm like a hungry cat. The woman
was everything that Holly was nottiny, blond, and lushly built.

Next to Lincs hard body she looked delicate and delicious. If her figure had a fault, it
lay in her ample bottom. Few men would have noticed the flaw, or objected if they did.

Linc smiled down at the woman. Even though she was wearing very high heels, the top of her
head barely reached to his breastbone.

Hi, Cyn, Linc said. Tired of shopping already?

Cyn gave Linc a pout that Jerry would have loved to photograph. Fingernails as pink as the
tip of her tongue scratched lightly down Lincs arm.

I picked out three dresses and the cutest little negligee you ever saw, she said.

Then Cyn glanced sideways at Holly. Her blue eyes were as hard as glass. The negligee is
meant for a woman, not a giraffe, Cyn added sweetly. Linc laughed and wound a lock of her
fine blond hair around his finger. Sharpened your claws, too, didnt you? he asked.

The last of Hollys dream broke around her as she watched the easy intimacy between the man
she loved and the lush, beautiful woman called Cyn.

Well, now I know why he never wrote me, Holly thought starkly.He was too busy with his
busty blond.

Holly felt like running away and hiding, but her face showed nothing at all. She was every
inch the professional model posing for the most important assignment of her career.

Life had taught Holly that you either fought back or went under. She hadnt gone under when
her parents died. She would survive the death of her childish dreams, too.

At least, Shannon would survive.

You bought only dresses? Holly murmured, glancing at Cyns hips with a knowing smile. Roger
could design a pair of pants for you. Im sure we have some cloth around here somewhere,
dont we, Roger?