Going Overboard by Christina Skye Read Free Book Online Page A

indicating that the film was running. “Let's run through this once for practice, please. Look toward the sun, Ford. One elbow on the deck rail. Yes, that's perfect.”
    “You mean I have to do something?”
    Carly almost laughed at the wariness in his voice. “No bungee jumping or skydiving, I promise you.” She turned him slightly, adjusting his silhouette against the sunset. Then she moved back out of camera range. “Now lift the silver picture beside the orchid.”
    He muttered something as he picked up the photograph.
    “That's it. Now pour a glass of champagne, then turn toward the rail and raise the glass. It's your toast to a dream that's finally coming true.”
    The man was enthralling. He didn't seem to give a damn if ten people or a thousand were watching. Every movement was casual, yet hinted at absolute control and cool intelligence. Carly knew that every woman who saw him would yearn to be the one who could pierce that tough male shell.
    “Hank,” she murmured “are you getting all this on your end?”
    “Oh yeah,” the cameraman whispered.
    “Okay, Ford. You're doing fine. Now we hear the door opening.” On her cue, one of the camera techs re-created the creak of hinges. “Slow footsteps. Very expensive heels. Daphne? You all set?”
    “Ready, Carly.”
    “Stay just off camera until I tell you.” She nodded as Daphne straightened a bracelet that could have fed a Third World country for a week. “Lift your hand, Daphne. Let us see the bracelet.” Carly framed carefully, catching the gleam of diamonds against McKay's black satin collar. “Now we hear the opening strains of Vivaldi. Softly, then swirling louder.”
    The lush melody of violins and brass swept the deck. The sound would actually be dubbed in later, but Carly liked to use music to key up the atmosphere for her actors.
    And right now the atmosphere couldn't have been better. It was almost too perfect, in fact. Something had to go wrong.
    Carly fought off a wave of anxiety, angling in on the diamonds gleaming like white fire against the sunset. “Turn around, Ford. Very slowly. Very controlled. Daphne, keep your hand right at his shoulder. Follow him as he turns without breaking contact.”
    Mentally, Carly raced through every detail of the scene. The focus was tight, the mood perfect, and she had never done anything better. But she knew that most of the credit belonged to her new model. The man was lethal— all tough eyes and tough body, claiming the camera just as she'd predicted.
    “Daphne, move in slightly and raise your hand to his jaw. Tender, okay? As if you have all the time in the world.”
    Carly's pulse hammered as she watched Daphne's hand move into place. She gripped her camera, almost afraid to breathe. “Hold it. Draw it out, that's right. Done,” she called. Suddenly giddy, she collapsed against
    the deck railing. “Daphne, get that bracelet back into its case and call security before I have a heart attack. Ford you're a killer. Hank, you and the crew take a break. Champagne all around.” Her legs were unsteady and she was still clutching her camera. Somehow she couldn't let the scene go.
    “Why do we need a break?” McKay asked tensely. “Aren't we going to shoot the real scene?” When a wave of laughter spilled from the crew, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Well?” he demanded.
    “I'm delighted to say that we have just completed a flawless scene in one take. Congratulations,” she said breathlessly. “You were brilliant.”
    For the space of a breath, anger flared in his eyes. Carly watched in fascination as he blocked his reaction before anyone else noticed.
    So the camera hadn't lied. This was definitely a man who valued being in control. No emotion got through unless he wanted it to.
    Aware that soothing of the waters was due for her deception, Carly filled a glass with champagne and held it out to him. “Sorry. I thought it would help if we jumped right in.”
    “Very smooth. It's been a