Beneath the Covers (Kimani Romance) Read Free Page A

conversation.”
    “By treating me as one of your patients? Do I look that stupid?”
    “I don’t have patients anymore.” She sighed fiercely. “This isn’t going to work. In less than an hour we’re already getting on each other’s nerves.” She looked at him. “Why did you say yes to this show, anyway?”
    He continued to stare at something else. “Why did you?”
    “Opportunity, money, exposure.”
    He nodded. “Sounds about right.”
    “At least no one knows about us.” Few people knew about their relationship, and even fewer knew about their rash decision to meet in Las Vegas and get married. “That’s a relief, don’t you think?”
    He ignored the question and stood. “I have another reason why I’m here.”
    “What is it?”
    He took her hand and lifted her to her feet. “I wanted to see you again.”
    Claudia’s heart began to race. “Why?”
    He showed her. His mouth covered hers, stirring feelings of longing she hadn’t realized were still there. Years floated away, and in an instant she was a med student again, in love with a man she’d known only a few weeks. A man who made her laugh and feel beautiful. Who believed in her. Claudia closed her eyes, sinking deeper into the special allure of the past.
    His warm, wet lips called to the core emptiness in her, uncovering a hollowness she’d been desperate to keep hidden. It scared her how he made her feel vulnerable, but fear was quickly banished by ecstasy. Then, just as quickly as he’d started his sensual assault, he abruptly stopped and drew away. Claudia opened her eyes, startled by his sudden change, then noticed the electricity had returned. The lights blazed bright, causing her to squint against the glare. Her eyes surveyed her surroundings.
    And what she saw was thirty-three hundred square feet of absolute elegance. The villa had floor-to-ceiling solid glass, and screen doors which faced the ocean and retracted into hidden pockets, creating a complete open-air living experience.
    The interior design consisted of inlaid mosaic tile floors in the entryway, polished dark mahogany and rosewood floors and cabinets, ceilings outlined with mahogany trim, bamboo handrails, and in the kitchen sea-foam green marble counters. The walls were a mix of soothing natural colors with Hawaiian Print wallpaper, and in the living area were silky handwoven Tibetan area rugs and imported leather and Italian furnishings.
    Then her eyes moved to the tall man in front of her. Yes, he was still gorgeous, with silky dark brows and lashes and eyes smoldering with desire so evident her throat went dry.
    Peter shook his head, reading her face. “Don’t think of running away from me. We have unfinished business.”
    “That business ended years ago.”
    He moved in closer and brushed his thumb against her lower lip. “You really think so?”
    Claudia turned her face away from his touch. “Yes. What just happened was a release of tension after a highly stressful situation. Nothing more.” She folded her arms, trying to create some distance. “I was anxious about the lights being off, and it was an adequate diversion.”
    “But the lights are now on.”
    “I know that.”
    Peter glanced at her arms, then her face. “And you’re still scared.” He winked. “Night, Claudia.” He turned on his heel and left.
    Claudia watched him disappear into his bedroom, amazed by how easily he’d gotten past her guard. She knew she’d need all her strength to fight him, but that wouldn’t be tonight. She sank back into the couch and buried her head in her hands.

Chapter 3
     
    “T he camera loves her, but she’s going to cost us money.”
    They were on location shooting a scene in the villa. The weather was perfect as the camera crew moved about.
    Peter looked over at the producer, Frank Brady, a compact man with a bald head, an eye for detail and an uncanny ability for stating the obvious. He’d been working with Frank for the past five years. Frank had known