Read Online Fierce Passion by Phoebe Conn - Free Book Online Page A

him, but it would also up the risk he’d quit seeing her before they really got to know each other.
    The waiter put her empty teacup on his tray. “You are too pretty to look so sad. I could show you around Palma and give you a very good time.”
    She picked up her bag. “Thank you, but I’ve other plans.” She mailed the postcards and had started back to the hotel when their photographer, Jaime Campos, overtook her.
    “I’m glad I found you so we can talk privately. Let’s stop here.”
    Ana didn’t want another cup of tea, but sat with him in the outdoor café. He ordered a beer and leaned back to enjoy it. “How many times have we worked together, Ana?”
    Jaime had the haggard look of a photo-journalist, and she’d heard he’d worked in Iraq. He always wore baggy khaki shirts and pants and dusty boots as though he’d be ready if a war broke out that afternoon. He was a fine fashion photographer, however, and she enjoyed working with him. “Half a dozen times, I suppose.”
    He nodded. “You’re one of my favorites, and I’d like to work with you on some art photography for a gallery show.”
    Ana raised a brow. “Are you talking about nudes?”
    “A woman’s figure is a glorious subject, and with your long hair, you’d never look completely undressed.”
    She glanced away. It was such a beautiful afternoon, but she wasn’t in a warm mood. “Jaime, you do excellent work, but I don’t do nudes, ever.”
    “Has anyone else asked it of you?”
    “Not since I let it be known that I’d not consider it. I do fashion, not so-called ‘art photography’.”
    “But I plan a serious study of the female figure—everything elegant with artistic backgrounds. Nothing tacky like a cheap girly calendar.”
    Growing more emphatic, Ana rested her elbows on the table and leaned toward him. She kept her voice low. “I wish you good luck with the project, but I won’t be part of it.”
    His lower lip bulged in disappointment. “I’ve always made you look as beautiful as you are, but if I let a shadow fall across your face each time you pose tomorrow, you might be cut from the final ad.”
    Ana grabbed hold of his sleeve and, nearly shaking with anger, twisted hard. “Are you threatening me? It’s a very bad idea when I could shred your career with every designer I know. If your work isn’t up to its usual high standard tomorrow, I’ll tell Galen why not.” She stood and tightened her hold on her bag. “Let’s forget this conversation ever took place. I’ll see you at dinner.”
    Jaime stared as she walked away, his mouth agape.
     
     
    Ana knew she’d probably overreacted, but Jaime must have finally gotten her message. She walked back to the hotel and around to the courtyard. She sat down on the garden wall and called Alejandro while she was too mad to realize it wasn’t a good idea. “Hi, it’s Ana.”
    “Hi, Ana. How are things going on Mallorca?”
    She smoothed her hair behind her ear. “Not all that well, but I hope they’ll run more smoothly tomorrow.”
    “Sounds interesting. Do you want to add a few details?”
    She bit her lip, then burst out with it. “Not about that, but Alejandro, my black hair is a wig. I’m blonde.”
    “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”
    She sucked in a deep breath. “You don’t like blondes?”
    He laughed. “Blondes are fine, redheads, whatever. You could show up bald, and I’d still like you.”
    “That’s comforting.” Now that she’d blurted out the least important thing about herself, she grew cautious. “The crew is having dinner together tonight, and I need to get going.”
    “You don’t sound happy.”
    “One of the models is probably passed out in the bar, and that’s going to make tomorrow difficult.”
    “You could take her place, but that would make it hard to take the photos, wouldn’t it?”
    “It would. I’ll call you when I get home.”
    “Call me tonight if you want to, or tomorrow, whenever you have a