Notorious (15 page)

“I think you’re right. Handel respects you now.” His lips curved in a slow, warm smile. “And so do I.”

Her heart leapt, and joy swept through her, miraculously banishing the weariness. A brilliant smile lit her face as she hurried toward the bathroom. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Don’t hurry.” He paused. “You did, you know.”

She looked back at him inquiringly.

“Pinned my ears back.” He smiled faintly. “You blazed up and let me have it with both barrels. Not a calm, pacifying thought to be seen on the horizon.”

“You seem very pleased about it.”

“Oh, I am. It’s not all I could hope for, but I think it bodes well for the future.” He began to dial the number on the phone. “A full fifteen minutes in that shower. You need the extra time to get the kinks out of all those muscles.”

D
INNER PROVED TO
be a wonderfully relaxing affair. The lobster was delicious, the air-conditioning all that Sabin had claimed, and Sabin, himself, completely companionable and undemanding.

When they arrived back at the trailer, he unlocked the door and handed her the key. “I’d offer to share that bed of nails, but I doubt if either one of us would sleep. We’d be on top of each other, and you can be sure more than the springs would be poking at you.”

She found herself giggling like a teenager. “I think you’re just too fond of your air-conditioned hotel room to give it up for my humble abode.”

His smile faded. “After five days away from
you? Not likely. I’m so hot I wouldn’t even notice the temperature.”

She inhaled sharply as she met his gaze. She had a sudden vision of herself astride Sabin, her knees on the garden bench, his hands on her hips sealing her to him as he plunged wildly upward. “I’ve … gotten used to the springs poking me. I’m very adaptable.”

He took an impulsive step forward and then stopped. “No, I don’t want you adaptable.” His index finger touched her left cheek. “I want you horny as hell.” His finger moved down to test the rapid pounding of the pulse in the hollow of her throat. “And you’re too involved in this struggle with Handel to give me the response I want right now. Work out your problems.” He kissed her lightly on the nose. “I’ll be around.”

With a puzzled frown, she watched him walk away. His entire attitude since she had turned on him in the café bewildered her. She knew he could be kind, but as patience was not his forte, she had expected him to accept her invitation.

She made a face as she opened the door of the trailer. Carey had said she looked tired, and
Handel had used the word wilted. Not descriptions to inspire passion in any man. Maybe Sabin hadn’t desired her as much as he had said and wanted an excuse not to spend the night with her.

She just hoped Sabin would keep his word and be around when she was in better shape. Dedication to one’s work was all very well, but she felt very much alone as she climbed the steps and shut the door of the trailer.

The next day on the set revealed that the worst was indeed over. Handel worked Mallory hard, and his manner was not warm, but she saw only fleeting glimpses of the biting sarcasm that had previously characterized his attitude.

Two days later, a hot plate appeared mysteriously in the trailer.

The next day when she returned from the set, a window unit air-conditioner had been installed.

At the end of the week the dilapidated couch had been replaced by a new one that opened into a comfortable bed.

Handel gave no indication he was responsible
for any of the changes, and Mallory discreetly made no mention of their miraculous appearance in her small domain.

“The lap of luxury,” Carey said. He sighed as he stretched his legs out before him and leaned his head on the cushioned back of the couch. “Though I believe I was getting used to those broken springs.”

“I wasn’t.” Mallory came out of the tiny bathroom after dressing for dinner. “You didn’t have to sleep on them.”

“That’s true.” He met her gaze. “Neither did you. You know Sabin would have—”

“I haven’t seen Sabin lately.” She tried to keep her tone casual. “Has he left Sedikhan?”

Carey shook his head. “He’s been having meetings with the reigning sheikh. I’ve seen him almost every day.” He grinned. “Shall I tell him you inquired?”

“No,” she said quickly. “I only wondered why … He said he’d be around.”

His grin faded. “I told you Sabin couldn’t stand around idle when things aren’t going to his satisfaction. He’s very protective of you, and I’d
bet he knew the only way he could allow you to fight your own battles was not to be there to see them.”

Happiness and relief flowed through her. “You think so?”

He nodded. “Now that you’ve slain your dragon, he’ll be knocking on your door.”

A knock sounded at the trailer door.

Carey chuckled. “Right on cue.” He threw up his hands. “As God is my witness, I swear I didn’t stage this.”

Her heart gave a leap. Sabin?

She jumped up, crossed the room in three strides, and opened the door.

James Delage stood on the grass outside the trailer looking as cool and Brooks-Brothers-neat in the hot Mideastern sun as he had when she had last seen him in New York.

She blinked, gazing at him in disbelief. “James?”

He smiled. “The same. Don’t I get a hug after traveling all this way?”

Mallory flew down the steps and into his arms. “James, what on earth are you doing here?”

He kissed her cheek, his arms holding her close. “You know Gerda and I didn’t like the idea of your going to this outlandish place. We were worried about you.”

“So you came halfway around the world to check up on me?”

“Are you kidding?” He shook his head ruefully. “You know I couldn’t afford a trip like this if it wasn’t on an expense account. Sedikhan Oil threw some business my way, and I let them pick up the tab.” He kissed her lightly on the lips again. “I thought I’d kill two birds with one stone. Put Gerda’s mind at rest and dip my toes into international law.”

“I’m glad you did.” Mallory hugged him again. “Did you bring Gerda with you?”

He shook his head. “Sedikhan Oil wouldn’t shell out for my spouse.”

“Really?” Carey stood in the doorway looking down at them. “We’ve dealt with them before and found them very generous to their employees when they bring them overseas for any length of time.”

Mallory felt James stiffen against her as he
looked overhead at Carey. “Who the devil are you?”

Carey looked surprised at James’s belligerence. “Carey Litzke.”

“Carey’s connected with Global Cinema,” Mallory said. “He acts as a liaison between the production company and Wyatt Enterprises. This is James Delage, Carey.”

“Hi,” Carey said casually. “I understand you and Mallory are great friends.”

“Yes.” James didn’t smile. “Very good friends.”

Mallory stepped back out of James’s embrace. “We were just going to dinner. Come with us?”

James’s gaze was still fixed coldly on Carey. “Delighted.”

“Good.” Carey came down the steps and closed the door. “Wyatt Enterprises has a good deal of clout with Sedikhan Oil. Maybe I could put in a word with them and ask them to bring your wife over.”

“No,” James said and when Mallory looked at him in surprise, he smiled easily. “I’m only going
to be here for a short time, and I don’t want to make waves with a new client.”

Carey shrugged. “Whatever you say.”

Mallory slipped an arm through each of the men’s and asked eagerly, “Tell me what’s happening in New York, James. It seems as if I’ve been gone a decade.”

“Where should I start?”

“Gerda, of course.”

“She’s tinted her hair red.” James grimaced. “And she’s wearing kelly green contact lenses. She looks like a punk rocker.”

Mallory laughed.

“And she’s learning to play the guitar.” James added, “You should hear the racket she …”

James’s dialogue went on through the drive into Marasef, dinner, and the drive back to the location. He appeared to have completely discarded his belligerence and was being charming with Mallory and courteous to Carey.

James left Mallory at the door of the trailer with an affectionate kiss and a promise to call her in the next few days. He nodded politely to Carey
and strode off toward his navy blue rental car parked a short distance away.

Carey watched him walk away with a slight frown on his face. “He’s different from what I imagined from Sabin’s description.”

“What did you expect?”

“I’m not sure. Someone older and more … settled. Maybe Gregory Peck in
To Kill a Mockingbird.”
He grimaced. “He didn’t like me being here in your trailer.”

“He and Gerda are very protective of me.” Mallory unlocked the door of the trailer. “I wish she could have come with him.”

“Yes, it’s too bad Sedikhan Oil didn’t come through for him.” He brushed her forehead with his lips. “Good night, Mallory. Sleep well.”

“On my new deluxe couch?” She cast him a smile over her shoulder and opened the door. “It’s a sure thing.”

Mallory was instantly aware of Sabin the moment he walked onto the set the next day. He settled himself on a chair in the corner of the room,
watching the proceedings with keen interest. When she had finished her scene, she came over to his corner.

He stood up. “Are you finished for the day?”

She nodded. “We’re done with the café shots unless the rushes aren’t up to par. In fact, my work in the picture should be finished in the next few days.”

His gaze searched her face. “Are you all right? Carey says Handel’s been treating you pretty well.”

“Working with Handel could never be a tranquil experience, but it hasn’t been hellish either.” She paused, her gaze on his face. She couldn’t seem to look away from him. “How have you been?”

A rare smile broke the impassiveness of his face. “Impatient.” His gaze traveled slowly over her. “Did I ever tell you how much I like that gown? Sexy but romantic. Like you.”

“Not Pollyanna?”

“Not tonight.” He glanced around the rapidly emptying room. “Stay here. I left a picnic basket in the refrigerator at the commissary tent.”

“But I have to change.”

He shook his head. “Not yet. Humor me. Okay?” He touched her cheek with his index finger, and she felt the familiar tingle of response. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I want it to be right.”

She could feel the breath catch in her throat as she looked up at him. Lord, she had missed him. She hadn’t realized until this moment how hollow the days had been. “Okay.”

His rare smile illuminated his face. “Great. Sit down at one of the tables and rest. I’ll be right back.”

She gazed after him bemusedly for a moment before turning and moving back onto the set and sitting down at one of the small damask-covered tables. She mustn’t feel this excited, she told herself. It would be too difficult to face being without him if she let these moments mean too much. She deliberately tried to concentrate on her surroundings, the framed pictures of World War II aviators on the walls, the ceiling fan whirring softly, the huge lights focused on the set. …

It was no use, she
was
excited. She could feel
the blood pounding in her veins and the exhilaration soaring through her like a wild bird.

The set was completely deserted by the time Sabin walked back into the café carrying a huge picnic basket. He stopped at the door and shot the bolt before turning to face her. “Are you hungry?”

“No.”

“Neither am I.” He came toward her. “Suppose we save dinner for later.” He set the picnic basket on the table and foraged in its interior and brought out a tape recorder. “A little music …” He pressed the button on the tape recorder and the triumphant music of “Shall We Dance” poured from the small machine. “Shall we dance, Mallory?”

Mallory began to laugh helplessly.
“The King and I
. I’m sorry, your majesty, I can’t dance the polka in these four-inch heels.”

“I know.” He fast forwarded the tape. “That was just to make you laugh and relax you. This is for us.” He pressed the button, and her own husky voice soared out over the set singing “I’ll Be Seeing You.” “I had Carey bring a tape
recorder to the set the other day.” He held out his hand. “Let me hold you, Mallory.”

Mallory stood up and flowed into his arms, moving languidly to the music. His body was big, comforting in its strength against her. Yet there was no real comfort in this embrace. The heated response between them was too intense to ever be soothing. It had been too long since that night at Kandrahan, and she only wanted him
closer
. She cuddled nearer and felt him stiffen against her.

“Not yet,” he said thickly. “I’m trying to be romantic, dammit.”

She looked up at him. His face was flushed and his lips heavy with sensuality. “Why?”

“Because you deserve it. Because I want you to look at me like you did that Greek god who played opposite you in that scene.”

“That was acting.”

“Well, I want the real thing,” he said roughly. “I want it all.”

She laughed helplessly. “And you think a romantic setting will get it for you?”

He frowned. “No?”

“No.” She shook her head. “For Pete’s sake,
Sabin, who wants Little Lord Fauntleroy when they can have the Sheikh.”

“I thought most women these days preferred the polished approach.” He stopped in the middle of the dance floor. “You’d rather have me the way I am? Rough edges and all?”

A faint smile touched her lips. “Rough edges can be very… stimulating.”

He smiled down at her. “Thank the Lord.” He drew her close. “Then I can tell you that hearing your voice singing that song reminds me of the first time I saw the videotapes.”

Her amusement vanished as she remembered those erotic tapes. “It does?”

He nodded against her temple. “Your voice wraps around me, pulling at me.” His hands slid around her, cupping her bottom in his palms as he began to dance again. “Stroking me.”

A liquid tingling started between her thighs. His big hands were a heavy, sensual weight, and every step felt like an erotic caress. “Handel … didn’t think I did the song all that well.”