Desert Rain (14 page)

the subject of beautiful models.

And he had to be rational if there was any hope for their future together. What you need
is a rubdown, Holly said. Just like a horse, huh? Fortunately, youre somewhat smaller.
Barely.

Linc smiled. Im a lot bigger than the newest horse on the place.

Laughing, she walked past him toward the bathroom. She came back with the bottle of
scented oil she had used after her own shower.

Youll have to wash off afterward, she said, but for now you can just hold your nose.

Linc inhaled as Holly came close.

Smells fresh, clean, he said. Like you.

With a muffled sigh, he lay facedown in the middle of a big bed. The only way she could
reach him was to get on the bed and put a knee on either side of his hips, straddling him
like a horse.

She moved into place unselfconsciously, warmed some oil in her hands, and went to work.
She started with the long, resilient muscles of his back, kneading from the waist upward.

She leaned hard into the massage, for his muscles were as strong as they were tight. Linc
groaned. Too hard? Holly asked. Too wonderful. Who taught you how to do this?

My ballet teacher. We were always pulling muscles or straining something, so he taught us
how to rub out the kinks.

She worked in silence for a few minutes, admiring the lines of Lincs back. His spine was a
valley just wide and deep enough to accept her fingertip. On either side rose ridges of
muscle that were well defined without being bulky.

He was built like a professional swimmer, with long, smooth muscles that were both supple
and powerful.

Carefully Holly placed one elbow over a particularly knotted part of Lincs back. She
leaned down, applying a steadily increasing pressure to the knot with her elbow.

He groaned again, but it wasnt a complaint.

She warmed more oil and eased forward to knead his shoulders and arms and hands right down
to his fingertips. The sighs and murmurs of appreciation he gave made her smile.

As the minutes went by, Holly worked over Linc until her hands and wrists ached, but she
didnt really notice. There was a purely sensual pleasure in touching him that was almost
hypnotic.

Until Linc, she had never thought of a man as beautiful. Handsome, yes. Pretty, all too
often, especially in the modeling business. But never beautiful.

Yet there was no other way she could describe Linc except in terms of beauty, a potent
masculine beauty that enthralled her the same way deserts and mountains and storms did.

Long after his muscles had relaxed beneath her hands, she continued stroking him. Finally
she sighed, flexed her fingers, and began working on his legs.

After a few moments Holly made an exasperated sound. The thick fabric of the jeans not
only felt unpleasant to her, it prevented her from following the line of Lincs muscles to
work out the knots.

Are you asleep? she whispered. His back shook with silent laughter. Not likely,nin‡ .
Anytime your back is that tight, so are your hips and legs. So?

Holly slid off his legs and stood up.

So the jeans have to go, she said.

Linc rolled onto his side. He propped his head on his fist and looked at her with smoky
hazel eyes.

If I take off my pants, he said, it wont be to get my legs rubbed.

Sure it will. Holly smiled. Trust me.

He rolled onto his back and stretched, watching her out of half-open eyes. Without warning
his arms shot out.

Before she realized what was happening, she was lifted off her feet and pulled over his
body like a blanket. His legs wrapped around her ankles, imprisoning her.

She felt the heat and unmistakable hardness of his arousal pressing against her. Its me I
dont trust, Linc said bluntly. You make me lose my head.

Holly opened her mouth to answer Linc, but it was impossible. He had pulled her lips down
against his and was giving her the kind of kiss that made her whole body tighten with
pleasure.

She didnt fight the heady embrace. She gave herself to his passion as freely as rain gives
itself to the desert.

Slowly his tongue searched her mouth. With intense concentration he traced the delicate
serrations of her teeth and probed the soft interior of her lips.

Then he made a sound deep in his throat. Reluctantly he pulled his mouth away.

I want you more each time I look at you, Linc said huskily. If it was anyone else but you,
what I feel would scare the hell out of me.

The ache that had never left Holly changed suddenly into a lightning stroke of desire. As
she shuddered, her hips moved over his hard body in an instinctive, sensuous caress.

Its the same for me, Holly said. It always has been. I dream of you, Linc.

She lowered her mouth to his, tasting him with slow, thorough strokes. His hands slid
beneath her blouse until the tips of her breasts were caught between his fingers. She
twisted against him, crying out with need and pleasure.

Abruptly his hands moved, stroking down her back, fitting her over him. His long, powerful
fingers cupped her hips hard against his own, rocking her, turning all of her body into
one long caress over his

aroused flesh.

Hunger and pleasure burst through Holly. The explosion of sensations just made the ache
worse. She dug her nails into his arms out of sheer frustration.

I want your hands to touch me everywhere, she said. I want to touch you the same way. I
want your mouth to know all of me. I want mine to know all of you.

Holly, Linc said raggedly. My God.

I want your body to be part of mine, she said, her voice shaking.

The kiss he gave her then was like nothing she had ever experienced before. Hard, urgent,
almost violent.

Holly didnt object. She wanted Linc in the same way. She wanted to sink into him like a
rainstorm into the desert, joining them until there was no Linc, no Holly, only a net of
lightning and ecstasy surrounding them like thunder.

When he suddenly rolled aside, she could have wept in frustration. For a moment there was
only the harsh sound of their breathing.

His eyes were closed, his muscles rigid along his jaws, his hands clenched into fists.

Dont you want me, Linc? Holly asked raggedly, her voice caught between tears and desire.

With a swift, savage motion, he took her hand and pressed it hard against his abdomen.

Beneath her palm, the reality of his desire was heavy, blunt, rigid.

What do you think? he asked through his clenched teeth.

Then why did you stop?

When Lincs eyes opened they were more green than hazel, burning with barely contained
passion. He was shocked by his lack of control with Holly.

Shes a virgin,he reminded himself savagely.Somehow Ill have to keep a better leash on my
own hunger, or Ill end up hurting her instead of giving her pleasure.

I want your first time to be perfect, Linc said.

From what I hear, thats not likely.

He didnt argue. He was afraid she was right.

But Im told the second and third and the fourth times make up for it, Holly said, smiling
slowly. Not to mention all the others.

Linc drew a long, uneven breath. Hollys smile was like paradise shimmering just beyond his
reach, promising sweet, wild oblivion.

I dont want to make love to you with one ear on the door, waiting for some fool guest to
barge in, he said.

Ill lock it.

I dont want to love you just once and then have to get out of bed and be host to hundreds
of people.

Half a loaf she began.

And I for damn sure dont want to smell like the bottom of the barn while Im loving you, he
interrupted.

Holly nuzzled Lincs chest.

You smell like Romance to me, she countered.

He lifted one eyebrow in silent query. She smiled and pointed to the bottle of scented oil
on the bedside table.

Romance, she said.

With a swift, powerful motion, he rolled out of bed, beyond the reach of temptation.

Of her.

Only the top half of me smells good, Linc said. The jeans could stand up and walk without
me.

Have you heard of that modern convenience called a shower? she asked.

She got up and walked to the door that connected the master bedroom with the office. She
slid the bolt home. Without looking at him, she walked to the hall door. The bolt clicked
into place.

Then Holly turned with all of her models grace and walked toward Linc. With each step her
fingers undid another button of her blouse.

Now, about that shower . . . she said. For an instant Holly thought Linc was going to
agree. And so did he. Then he swore, stepped into the bathroom, and quickly locked the
door behind him. Holly leaned against the door, letting the cool wood soothe her flushed
body. Linc? she whispered, knowing he couldnt hear unless he, too, was leaning against the
door. He was. I have to show horses on the auction block in ten minutes, he said. If thats
enough time for

youthe lock clicked openthen come in.

Youre the expert, she said. Is that enough time?

For some women, its nine minutes more than Id care to spend. For you, Id want at least a
lifetime.

Starting when? Holly groaned. Damn it, Linc, youre not being fair!

He laughed softly.

Youre not the only one whos hurting,nin‡ . Ill make it up to you tonight. To both of us.
Truce?

Holly set her teeth and pushed away from the door.

Truce, she muttered. Damn it!

She buttoned her blouse and went to find the caterer.

If the man still wanted to argue about microwaves, she was ready to oblige.

Beth fidgeted, unable to contain her excitement.

Can I look yet? she asked.

Smiling, Holly unwrapped a long strand of blond hair from a fat roller.

Not quite yet, she said.

What are you doing?

Brushing the hair that I didnt braid.

Im so excited, Beth whispered.

Really? teased Holly. Id never guessed it.

Youre as bad as Linc.

Sit still or it will take twice as long.

Beth grimaced and tried to sit still. It wasnt possible.

Jacks here already, she said. Isnt he wonderful?

Holly tried to remember one special face out of the group of teenagers who had arrived
just in time for the barbecue.

I must have missed him, she admitted. Which one is he? The good-looking one.

They all looked pretty good to me.

Beth giggled.

He was standing next to the little redhead, she said. Shes my best friend.

Oh,that good-looking one.

Holly untied the cloth she had used to protect Beths clothes while makeup was applied.

Okay, Holly said. Stand up and be counted.

With a subdued squeal, Beth leaped up and hurried toward the mirrored sliding doors that
covered the guest room closet.

Oh She sighed.

It was all she could say. Her eyes widened as she looked at her own image in disbelief.

Hair the color of late-afternoon sunlight fanned over the silk of her blouse and curled
over the gentle swell of her breasts. The turquoise skirt fell in graceful folds from her
slim waist to the tips of her silver sandals. Tiny drop earrings glowed like an echo of
her turquoise eyes.

I cant believe it, she said. Im actually pretty!

Smiling, Holly smoothed a last lock of blond hair into place.

Youre more than that, she said. Youre beautiful, Beth.

A shadow passed over the younger girls face.

I look like my mother, she said, her voice suddenly empty.

Holly ached at the pain that darkened Beths eyes.

Was she . . . Beth hesitated, then finished in a rush, as though if she spoke quickly it
wouldnt hurt so much. Was she really a bad woman?

Holly couldnt lie and didnt want to tell the truth.

Your mother was a very unhappy woman, she said finally. Unhappy people do unhappy things.

For a moment Beth looked much older than her fifteen years.

And I look like her, she said starkly.

Thats just the outside. Youre a good person, Beth. Whatever your mother was or wasnt has
nothing to do with what you are today.

Linc doesnt believe that.

Two beautiful women hurt him very badly.

Yes, Beth whispered.

So I guess it will take two other beautiful women to teach Linc that beauty and cruelty
dont mean the same thing.

Holly tipped Beths face up and studied the girls clear eyes. Will you help me teach him?
Holly asked. Slowly Beth nodded. Good, Holly said. Now its time for me to do my
caterpillar-to-butterfly act. Wait for me? Beth looked surprised, but agreed immediately.

Sure, she said. Can I help?

Nope. I want to surprise you, too.

Beth laughed, but she went and turned on the bedrooms small TV without arguing.

Holly closed the bathroom door behind her. She had showered and set her hair earlier. All
that remained was to put on her dress and makeup, and comb out her hair.

Moving quickly, she took her favorite outfit out of its opaque traveling bag. As always,
the long black dress delighted her. Its lines were simple and elegant. The neckline was a
wide, shallow curve that stretched from shoulder to shoulder. The bodice fitted her like a
shadow of her own beauty.

There was no back, simply a black fall of silk from waist to ankle. The skirt swung
enticingly with each movement of her body.

Inset at the bottom of each short sleeve was an inverted V strung with loops of
unbelievably fine gold chain. The chains were repeated in a diamond shape between Hollys
breasts.

The gold warmed against her skin, shifting and gleaming with each breath she took.
Although very little of her skin was revealed through the closely spaced chains, they hung
in loops that tempted a mans finger into searching beneath the sensual glow of
eighteen-carat gold.

Holly smoothed the dress into place before she put on a wrap that went from chin to
ankles. She opened her cosmetic case. Smiling, she went to work.

The foundation she applied was so sheer it was all but invisible. Blusher heightened the
slanting line of her cheekbones. A touch of scented oil smoothed into each black eyebrow
made them glisten.

Eye shadow heightened the tawny color of her eyes. She applied liner artfully, all but
hidden just above her eyelashes. The liner transformed tilted eyes into cat eyes,
unblinking and luminous gold.

Mascara brought out the thickness and unusual length of her eyelashes. A smooth,
tawny-rose lip liner and gloss emphasized the sensuality of her mouth.

The result was breathtaking, but not to Holly. To her, it was simply her public face, a
kind of armor she wore against the world at large, protecting the vulnerable Holly within.

With practiced motions she stripped the rollers out of her long hair. She brushed with
deep strokes that made her hair crackle and shift as though it were alive, restless, wild
to be free.

She caught up some of the hair at the sides, making silky wings that covered half of her
ears. She clipped the hair in place at the back of her head.

The clip was a twist of gold capped by a long tassel of chains that matched those on her
dress. Except for that single restraint, Holly allowed her hair to fall down her bare back
until black hair and black silk were indistinguishable.

She stepped into high-heeled gold sandals, removed the wrap that had protected her dress,
and examined herself critically in the mirror.

Ice formed in the pit of her stomach.

Never had her transformation been so startling, so complete. The sensual awakening that
Linc had begun showed in the heat of her skin, the luminous gold of her eyes, the bruised
impatience of her mouth.

With a mixture of pride and fear, Holly realized that she had never looked more alluring.

When she opened the bathroom door and walked out, Beth didnt hear. She was standing in
front of the television, staring at the screen with a peculiarly intent look.

Holly heard the words before she saw the picture.

. . . Royce, made to be worn over nothing more than a womans perfumed skin.

It was a commercial Holly had made last year, featuring a line of lingerie that had since
sold very well.

Beth?

Ive seen that commercial a hundred times, Beth said without turning around. Shannon has to
be the most gorgeous woman in the world.

Thank you. Startled, Beth turned and saw her for the first time. Holly . . . ? she asked
weakly. The same. Stunned, Beth simply stared.

Well, almost the same, Holly amended. A Royce does wonders for any woman, and Roger
designed this dress especially for me.

II Beth swallowed and tried again. I cant believe it. Why didnt you tell us?

I said I was a model. I am.

Beth shook her head, speechless.

What was I supposed to say? Holly asked dryly. Hi, Im Shannon, the internationally famous
model. If youre famous, you dont have to mention it, do you?

Beth blinked. Then she started laughing.

Wait until Cyn sees you! she said. Oh, I want to be there. I want to be rightthere!

Thought you might, Holly said. Thats why I asked you to wait for me.

And Linc. Oh boy, when Linc sees

Beth stopped abruptly, realizing that her brother was not going to be delighted.

Far from it. Linc would be furious.

God. Lincs going to have a cow.

Yeah, Holly said, trying to smile. Thats the other reason I wanted you to wait. I dont
think hell kill me in front of his kid sister.

Beth didnt look all that certain. Holly took a deep breath, settled her Shannon armor
firmly into place, and held out her hand. First things first, Holly said. Whats first?
Seeing how far Cyns jaw can drop.