Heart's Paradise Read Free Page B

the item. “No, no, no.”
    The condom they’d used had split open and slipped off at some point, and what was left of the useless prophylactic dangled from the tissue.

Chapter 1
     
    “I think it’ll be bloody brilliant!”
    Shawna stared at her cohort. Of course Mark would think his idea brilliant. He believed that about all of his suggestions. Then again, he may be on to something. She tapped her finger on the bench top. Above them a bird quarreled, not appreciating the two interlopers beneath its tree.
    “How would we make it work?” she asked, needing to pick through his brain before agreeing to this new scheme.
    Mark lifted his shoulder. “How do we make anything work, love? By flirtation and force of will if need be. I think our investors will jump at a show involving some spoiled, rich playboy stranded on a desolate island with only his wits to save him. Just picture it, the ratings will be through the roof.”
    Mark shook his finger skyward to emphasize his statement, his blue eyes glittering the way they always did when he was excited. His infectious attitude brought out her own smile. True, audiences would love to watch a billionaire win or fail in a survival situation. She nibbled her bottom lip, her gut told her they needed more, and she mulled over the idea.
    “Why don’t we dig up some chick to join him?” she said, after a minute. “Some tough as nails Rambo-type. We’ll need some estrogen to balance the testosterone.”
    “Good, good.” Mark nodded. “I like it.”
    “Or…hmmm…” Shawna tossed the idea around a bit more, tapping her fingernails on the wood.
    Her partner and co-producer waited with wide eyes. Their partnership worked so well because he came up with the grand plans and she fleshed them out.
    She finally had her eureka moment. “I got it! We’ll let our billionaire and the chick think they’re on some survivalist show, but it’s actually a matchmaking show. Only the audience will be in on it.”
    Mark slapped his hands down on the picnic table and jumped to his feet. “Brilliant! Yes, as always you’ve come up with the most delightful twist. And I haven’t seen anything like it, so people will jump on it.” He ran around the table and planted a big kiss on the top of Shawna’s head. She laughed, he was such a big kid.
    “Think the network will go for it?” she asked.
    “They’d be bloody stupid not to. Now we have to figure out who our lucky duo will be.”
    “Oh, I already have our rich playboy picked out.” Shawna let Mark dangle in his curiosity a moment before continuing. “Jonathon Breck, the tabloids have been eating him up like candy lately. He shines in the spotlight.”
    “Yes, yes, love it. How about our lady? She’ll have to be gorgeous of course, if we’re hoping for romance. And capable, we don’t want her backing out after three days.”
    This brought them both to a standstill. They sat for a long time coming up empty on possibilities. Shawna pulled up an internet search on her phone for survival training. Only one female name popped up on the first page of the search. She opened the website and grinned. A woman with enviable curves smiled from the webpage. Modest length shorts nonetheless showcased well-toned legs, and she had arms that made Shawna curse her own personal trainer.
    “Biceps like those belong in Hollywood,” she mumbled.
    Mark jabbed his finger at the screen. “Her! Let’s get her.”
    Shawna read a brief biography highlighting the woman’s qualifications on the ‘about’ page. She recognized the name. “Phoebe Heart. That’s actually a pretty good idea, she’s the daughter of that eighties and nineties popstar legend…Cybil Heart, isn’t it?” No mention was made of the connection as she scrolled through text and photos. “Though it doesn’t look like Phoebe has taken an interest in exploiting her mother’s fame. I’m not sure if she’s TV material.”
    Mark shrugged. “Never hurts to ask. She does work as