A PORTRAIT OF OLIVIA Read Online Free Page A

film a segment for her new show featuring local artist Peter Brandon. Miss Winters will be seen out and about in Laguna before filming at the home Peter Brandon shares with Jeff Stevens, a private investigator …

    On the day of the filming in Laguna, Olivia arrived with her entourage and took the town by storm. The town’s dignitaries came out in force to greet her and everywhere they went, crowds gathered to gape at the famous daytime TV
    star. Over and over, Peter and Jeff had to suffer endless retakes of a simple stroll along the cliff tops where Olivia had to be seen, gazing down with rapture at J.P. Bowie
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    the famous coastline, the subject of so many artists’ work. It was there that they got a first glimpse of Olivia’s almost as famous temper.
    After some of the more eager onlookers had spoiled yet another take, she gave vent with a string of expletives that would raise the hair on the back of a sailor’s neck. Peter had stared at her aghast, while Jeff smiled and winked at him.
    “Hey, that should spice the show up a bit, don’t you think?”
    Olivia had glared at him, then with a quick shifting of gears, she’d changed the glare to a winning smile. “Oh you,” she simpered. “The boys will cut that…”
    “Too bad,” Jeff had said dryly, causing Olivia to frown and bite her lip. She had spent the rest of the day being more careful around him, causing Peter to remark afterward, when they were alone, that he thought Olivia had become a little wary of him.
    “She probably thinks I have some influence over you, which of course, I don’t,”
    “Yes, you do.”
    “I do?”
    “Don’t get cute with me.”
    “You know you like me cute.”
    “True.”
    “So, if I told you I thought Olivia was a first-class bitch, you wouldn’t argue with me?”
    “She is, isn’t she? I’m beginning to wish this was all over.”
    “It will be soon babe,” Jeff had assured him, massaging the back of his neck.
    “You’re all tense. Are you OK?”
    “Yeah, fine—but I’ll give you all night to stop what you’re doing.”

    It was dark when Peter pulled into the driveway of his house, annoyed that Jeff ’s car was already there. “Damn,” he muttered. He had wanted to get there first, so he could have had time to prepare the surprise dinner he was giving Jeff for his birthday. He’d wanted to have the table set, candles lit—and himself, standing there, showered and shiny, ready to wrap himself in his lover’s arms.
    Oh well, he thought sourly, slamming the car door. The best laid plans…
    “Hi,” he called as he entered the kitchen. “I’m home.”

    J.P. Bowie
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    “Hi, home. Does that make me Watson?”
    “Ouch,” Peter laughed. “Your jokes get cornier all the time.” He hugged his man tightly. “Sorry I’m late. I wanted to have everything ready. Happy Birthday…” Jeff silenced him with a kiss.
    When they came up for air, Peter said, “I thought we’d have dinner at home, just the two of us…”
    “Sounds great,” Jeff murmured, not letting him go.
    “I need to shower first though. I’m all sticky from the car. Then we’ll have some champagne.” He started to pull away, but Jeff held him fast. “Unhand me villain,” Peter said weakly. “I really need to shower…”
    “Okay,” Jeff said, with a quick grin. “I’ll bring the champagne up to the bedroom. See you there.”
    “I’ll be quick.” Peter flew up the stairs throwing off his clothes and dropping them in a heap on the bathroom floor. Stepping into the shower, he soaped himself vigorously, then stood letting the hot water beat down on him for a minute or two. He smiled as he heard the shower door open behind him and felt strong arms enfold him.
    “I couldn’t wait for my birthday gift,” Jeff whispered huskily in his ear.
    “It’s right here,” Peter said, leaning back against Jeff ’s powerful body.
    “Happy Birthday again.”

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    “Let’s see now…” Peter perused the list of