The Spiral Path Read Online Free

to
direct." A tremor, instantly suppressed, sounded in her voice. "I
want to make this story, now, and to do that I need you."
    The
rigid set of her shoulders showed how much it was costing her to ask for his
help. "Who else is involved?" he asked.
    "Marcus
Gordon will be the executive producer."
    "Impressive.
If he's on board, you shouldn't have any trouble with financing."
    Her
hands clenched. "He's always had a soft spot for me, but he's a
businessman first. Even though he thinks the script is terrific and that I can
probably do a decent job of directing, he wants a bankable star like you to
ensure that the movie at least breaks even."
    He
studied her slim silhouette against the window, alarm bells going off in his
head. Agreeing to this project would he a very, very bad idea. They'd rub
against each other painfully every minute of every day. The odds were high that
they'd end up in bed together again, which would mean another excruciating
separation when shooting ended. He'd be tempted to forget common sense and try
to get her back, while she'd probably want to strangle him, especially when he
was making cinematic love to the toothsome young Sarah.
    But
he couldn't resist Rainey. The fierce clarity of her will had attracted him
from the moment he first saw her screen image. She had dreams and passions and
the willingness to work to achieve them.
    He'd
also worked hard, achieving great success in wordly terms, but he hadn't been
building toward a goal like Rainey. He'd been running from life. He flowed
while she burned. They were complementary personalities, and together they'd
produced blistering, dangerous steam. He knew in his bones that they were
better off apart, but that didn't prevent him from missing her like an
amputated limb.
    The
rationalizing part of his brain pointed out that even though making this movie
was a terrible idea, there was no risk it would change their situation, since
Rainey was resolved on divorce and nothing would change her mind. He'd be able
to do one last project with her, and in the process help her achieve her dream
of directing. If at the end he was crippled by sorrow--it wouldn't be that
different from how he felt now. "Very well. I'll make your movie."
    She
whirled to face him, startled. "Without even reading the script?"
    "I'm
willing to trust you and Marcus Gordon that it's good." Wryly he
paraphrased the words English judges had used when pronouncing the death
sentence: "And may God have mercy on our souls."

    Rainey climbed into
her car, still dazed by Kenzie's agreement. At heart she'd been sure he'd
refuse, but once again, she'd failed to understand him. Maybe he felt he owed
her for breaking their marriage? Or maybe he just wanted a shot at an Oscar.
    Whatever
his motives, The Centurion was in business. As the realization sank in,
she threw back her head and gave a triumphant biker babe war whoop, feeling
like herself for the first time in months.
    Grinning,
she put her car into gear and set off. Time to seal the deal with Marcus
Gordon. She'd chosen her words carefully to give Kenzie the impression that
Marcus was definitely set as executive producer, but she'd been stretching the
truth to the breaking point. A sure sign she'd spent too many years in
Hollywood, where the art of the deal had been raised to heights that would make
a camel trader blush.
    She
swung onto the freeway, hoping she'd reach Marcus's home on time for their
meeting. Negotiating the details of Kenzie's contract had been time-consuming,
especially since they'd continued exercising the whole time. For her, settling
everything without the intervention of Kenzie's sharp-toothed lawyer had been
too good an opportunity to pass up.
    By
the time they finished, she'd been sweating and unfit for the sight of a man
from whom she wanted a lot of money. She showered in the locker room of the
gym, then swiftly redid her hair and makeup before racing out.
    She
was looking forward to being a director and not having to worry