Page 118 of Wicked Fantasies

“Will you promise to give some serious thought to this project? I really do believe your book will make an amazing film.”

“My agent mentioned yesterday that the publisher wants to sell the story rights to you, so it will be a movie whether I want it or not. I have to admit I was a bit miffed at the publisher’s secrecy about which book you wanted to use.”

“The secrecy is my fault. One of the conditions of the contract was that I would reveal the title of the book to you. Another was that you agree to cowrite the screenplay or the offer will be rescinded.”

She paused and he sensed he surprised her with his words. “So if I say no?”

“The movie won’t be made.”

“I suppose your lawyer has contracts drawn up?”

His heart leapt at her question. “Absolutely.”

“Give them to me. I’ll take a look at them and then fax them to my agent. I’m not saying that’s a definite yes, but since I’ve come all this way, I guess I should at least take a peek at what’s in it for me.”

He laughed at her mercenary jest. She was a woman after his own heart. Perhaps the day hadn’t turned out so badly after all.

“Come on. Let’s get you settled in the guest house and then we can have some lunch out on the terrace. We’ll talk about the script.”

Chapter Two

Building the conflict

She felta hand on her shoulder and opened her eyes. A scream crossed her lips at the sight of a man looming over her bed.

“Shhh.” Ty placed a hand across her mouth to quiet her. “It’s me.”

“Dammit, Ty.” She pulled his hand away and sat up. “You scared the shit out of me.”

He grinned and she felt her anger building. “How did you get in here?”

He shrugged. “It’s my guest house.”

“So?”

“So I have a key.”

“Ty. You can’t just waltz in here. While I’m staying with you, this is my room.”

“Who says?”

“I say. You’re invading my privacy.” For three days, she’d tried to accustom herself to Ty’s tendency to occupy not only his space, but hers as well.

She wasn’t used to a man showering her with so much attention, so much care. He was charming and courteous, but beneath all of that, she sensed a darker, more brooding part. A part that made her feel possessed and hot and needy in ways she couldn’t begin to understand or explain to herself.

He sat on the edge of the bed and she fought to calm her racing heart at his close proximity.

“It’s my house. I can do whatever I want,” he insisted.

“Then I’m leaving. I’ll get a hotel room.”

The look in his eyes made her tremble slightly. With just one glance, he dared her to try, while letting her know in no uncertain terms she’d never succeed.

He shook his head and his eyes wandered down her body.

She looked down and gasped when she realized the sheet was pooled around her waist and she was flashing him—big time. She scrambled to pull the sheet up, only to discover Ty was sitting on it.

“Move,” she demanded.

---