by Haley Travis
Taylor’s left eye twitched as he stared down at me. For a split second, he looked intense. Was it anger? Had I said something that had struck him? Then his gaze softened as he held me.
Rubbing my nose against his, I purred, “Do you like it when I call you husband?”
His fingers dug into my hips as he yanked me against him, spreading my thighs wider as my skirt hitched up. “Yes,” he said thickly. “I had no idea how much until just now.”
Clutching his hips with my knees, he pressed against me, making me moan too loudly. He was deliciously hard, moving it gently against my panties until I began to shake with need. I’d never been so aroused in my life. His searing, deep kiss lasted only a few seconds, but told me more than words how absolutely hot I’d just made him.
Taylor helped me back down from the counter, then held my hand as we walked back into one of the children’s rooms. Placing his hand on my stomach, my knees weakened when he growled low in my ear. “You have no idea how much I want to get you pregnant, so that we could raise a baby or two together.”
My eyes fluttered closed for a second while I tried to catch my breath. Obviously he would say something like that for the hidden cameras. But it didn’t feel like acting.
Turning up to him, I smiled. “Not until we’ve been in the house for at least a year or two by ourselves,” I said briskly. “Stick to the plan, husband.”
The blaze of pure fire in his eyes was indescribable.
We went back downstairs, and let Karen lead us through the large backyard, with promises of flower gardens and a children’s play area.
By the time we were safely back in Taylor’s car, my thighs were rubbing together, as my nipples pointed straight through my blouse.
He reached over to take off my pin, placing it with his own in a small metal box. Instantly, his phone rang.
“Hey, Gary,” Taylor answered. “The feed didn’t cut out. I put the pins away because I’m about to drive Alice home and she doesn’t need to broadcast her home address on the air.”
He paused, then turned to roll his eyes at me. “Yes, I understand. I’ll tell her.” He hung up, then started driving. “Our last challenge is to go to a couples counselor tomorrow afternoon and talk about our problems,” he said.
“Okay. So shall we get together tomorrow morning and make up an easy problem?”
“Yes,” he said, giving me a sideways glance as he turned a corner. “Do you have any other plans this evening, or can we start early?”
“I’m all yours,” I said, realizing too late what that might sound like.
“I like that,” he smirked. “Where do you live? I’ll drive you right home.”
“No, that’s okay,” I said automatically. “You could just take me to the coffee shop again.”
Taylor pulled into a gas station and cut the engine. Taking my hands in his, I was shocked by the intensity of his concern. “Alice, whatever it is, I want you to tell me right away. If you’re doing this behind your boyfriend’s back or something, I won’t freak out. I just need to know.”
My loud outburst of laughter made him smile. “Thank Christ that’s not it,” he muttered. “Now, out with it.” He gave my hands a tiny shake. “Why don’t you want me to see where you live?”
My eyes automatically snapped shut. I realized he was pushy enough that he was going to find out sooner or later. Still, I paused before I answered.
“Honestly? Because I’m embarrassed. I live in a really lousy two bedroom apartment with three roommates,” I explained. “My room is the walk-in closet, and barely big enough for a child’s bed. The guys are all…well, they’re basically jerks, and not the classiest people. I keep trying to clean the place, but it’s always filthy, because they sit around drinking and playing video games all day and night.”
I opened my eyes as his hand stroked the back of my hair.
“I’m taking you to your place, so that you can pack a bag,” he said, looking deeply into my eyes. “I can either pay for a hotel for the weekend for you, or you can come stay in my guest room. Your choice.”
I knew that he was being a gentleman, and that with the prickling heat dancing between the two of us every time we touched, I knew there was no way I would be sleeping alone. For the first time in my life, I genuinely felt ready for that sort of connection, if it was with Taylor.
“Thank you,” I said. “Your place.”
I gave him my address, and he drove quickly through my terrible neighborhood. He refused to let me go in alone, but at least waited in the hallway while I dashed past my roommates.
Quickly jamming some toiletries, pajamas, and a few outfits into my backpack, I was in and out in less than two minutes. I honestly wasn’t even sure if the guys saw me.
As we drove to Taylor’s, I couldn’t believe the neighborhood we went through: giant houses with sweeping landscaped gardens, and far too many expensive cars out front.
When he pulled into his driveway, my jaw fell open. “It’s gorgeous,” I breathed. “You live here?”
“Yes,” he said, parking the car and grabbing my backpack to lead me inside.
It was so grand that I instantly felt nervous. Whose entry foyer actually had a marble floor and a chandelier? This house was big enough for at least ten people. “Is there anyone else here?” I asked.
“Mrs. Henderson?” he called out loudly. There was no answer. “I have a cleaning lady who comes three times a week and cooks for me. But she’s usually only here in the morning.”
Now that we were safely in his home, something about Taylor softened. His shoulders were looser, and his hands were more relaxed.
“You put up a tough guy front for the outside world, don’t you?” I asked. “Why is that?”
I felt his warmth as he came closer, running his hand down my hair. The smallest gestures, the tiniest touches, were all felt so deeply, as if my body was ten steps ahead of my mind.
“Yes, I do,” he said gently. “But I’m going to try to be softer for you, Alice.”
6
_____
Taylor
My mind was racing as I led Alice into the living room. I didn’t think my home was particularly over the top, but the way she was staring open-mouthed at every single detail, I guess she wasn’t used to any level of opulence.
That was going to change. I needed my sweet girl to experience all of the finer things in life. And I had to make sure that my train of thought was on the right set of tracks before I went any farther.
I sat on the sofa, pulling her close beside me. “Alice, you feel this between us too, right? It’s not just me?”
She nodded, those dreamy, smoky eyes making my insides feel strangely out of place.
“I wasn’t looking for a woman in my life. But the second I saw you on that stage, something shifted. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like there was a part of my mind that had been asleep, and seeing you made everything wake up for the first time.”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I probably sound like an idiot.”
“No, not at all,” she said softly. She reached out to thread her fingers through mine. I’d never really held anyone’s hand for any length of time before. I’d always thought that it was a strangely emasculating gesture. Now I loved the connection.
“You’re not an idiot, you’re romantic,” she said. “I like it.”
“So this is real?” I asked hopefully. “This isn’t just for the show?”
“Not at all just for the show,” she said with a tiny, light laugh. “Here I was worried that I’d have some creepy guy drooling all over me and I’d have to put up with it in order to win.”
“We haven’t established completely that I’m not a creep, but I will do my best not to drool,” I chuckled. “Alice, why do you need to win so badly? You need the extra money?”
She nodded. “I work as many hours as I can, but it’s exhausting juggling two jobs plus school. And it’s hard to sleep when the guys are playing games at top volume all nig
ht.”
Alice shook her head, causing tendrils of hair to wave around her throat. “I shouldn’t complain. I know a lot of people have it worse. I was lucky to get into university at all.”
“Why are you studying art?” I asked. “Are you an artist yourself?”
“I wish. I mean, I’ve taken some painting classes, and it’s fun, but I have no natural talent at it. But I really appreciate all kinds of art. I’d love to find new ways to help the average person appreciate art more as well.”
“And going to Italy to study some of your favorite artists is going to help you with your degree?”
Her head tipped from side to side. “I don’t think I’ll ever have enough money. But it was a much more charming answer in front of the cameras. Nobody wants to hear how some student is afraid she can’t afford tuition next term and is facing three months of boxed macaroni and cheese for dinner.”
I held her hand to my heart while staring into her eyes. “Listen, Alice. I’m falling for you hard. I would never have expected this in a million years. But no matter what happens between the two of us, I want you to finish school, and not be stressed about it. May I pay your tuition for next semester?”
Her beautiful lips fell open as she stared at me for a moment. “You can’t be serious.”
“I’m completely serious. Tomorrow morning you’re going to figure out the amount, rounded up by several thousand dollars, and I’ll transfer the money.” I paused. “No, wait. My accountant Albert takes care of transfers, but he’s on vacation for a few more days. As soon as he’s back, though.”
“I can’t accept that.”
Pressing my lips together to shut myself up for a second, I tried to read her expression. Being handed money made her nervous. She seemed a bit desperate about it.
“How about you think about it for a few days, then?”
She nodded. “Okay.”
Trailing my thumb along her cheekbone, I quickly added, “But I need you to know, there are absolutely no strings attached. I mean, other than studying hard and doing well.”
“Thanks.”
“We’ll talk more later about that tiny, crowded apartment, and how you’re not staying there anymore.” I knew I was overstepping every polite boundary, but I couldn’t help it. The thought of her living somewhere she wasn’t comfortable was painful to me.
Alice looked even more uncomfortable for a second, then suddenly grinned. “Hey, maybe that can be our problem for the couples therapist tomorrow.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re the one with the money, so you call all the shots.”
Leaning a little closer, I nodded. “I was a terrible jerk who wouldn’t let you even pick the color of your new car.”
“But I know it came from a place of caring. And honestly, you were probably right.” She held a finger to my lips. “Now, I’m not saying you’re going to be right in every single situation...”
Kissing the tip of her finger, I smiled. “Of course not.”
I lifted her into my lap so that I could wrap both arms around her. God, her curvy hips felt so good against my thighs.
“Now, are you going to tell me why you’re a tough guy out there in the world?” she asked.
“Dammit,” I muttered, making her laugh. “Okay, how about the short version. I was a bodyguard for many years, and accidentally learned a lot of secrets. Some of them I kept to myself, some of them I used to my advantage and cashed in. I made a lot of money fast. Then I used the money to launch a small underground security company as a part time job.”
Alice stared at me curiously. “That sounds…sketchy. Is it?”
“Not anymore. I have three employees that I send to exclusive events as top personal security for insanely wealthy people. These guards are all men who, shall we say, know how to think like criminals. They know what to do in order to keep everything on the up and up.”
She nodded slowly. “Reformed naughty men hired to prevent current naughty men from being naughty.”
Chuckling, I stroked her back. “Precisely.”
Kissing her forehead, I murmured, “That’s why I didn’t want to be on the show. I try to be discreet and didn’t want anyone to recognize me. But then I saw you and…” I shrugged. “Everything went out the window.”
“I’ve never had this feeling before,” she said softly.
“What feeling, sugar?” Calling her that made my blood thicken, as my hands began wandering along her back, her hip, her thighs.
“Being so taken care of, I guess. I mean, I don’t think I’ve ever in my life had anyone carry my backpack for me.”
Dear Jesus. I wondered if Alice could hear the snapping sound of my heart breaking. She honestly didn’t realize how special she was. It killed me to think that she’d never been cared for.
“Sugar,” I whispered, “I’m falling so hard for you. I can’t make sense of all of these feelings, and I know I’m going to do some things ass backwards and sideways. You’re just going to have to tell me when I’m out of line. But until then, I’m just going to lay it all on the table.”
Her sweet little giggle made my arms tighten around her.
“You’re mine now, beautiful,” I said softly. “That means you have to let me care for you, completely.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know, what would I even do with myself?”
“You’ll study hard at school, you’ll quit your jobs so you have more time, and we’ll have a dinner date every single night.” I managed to bite my tongue before I insisted again that she was moving in immediately.
Alice started to laugh, but I interrupted her with a kiss. Searing my lips against hers, it only took a moment to register that she was just as thrilled as I was.
Her hands pressed against my chest, then around my shoulders, pulling me close. Then I kissed down her silky throat, making her gasp against me.
“Tell me you’re mine,” I growled.
“I’m yours,” she whispered.
“Mmm, good.” Working my way back up to her lips, I murmured, “Then let me find us some dinner before I eat you up.”
Her laugh was adorable, and the fire in her eyes assured me that she’d be sleeping in my bed tonight.
7
_____
Alice
After a wonderful dinner of homemade lasagna that Taylor’s housekeeper had left in the freezer for him, we moved back to the living room as Taylor got a text. He chuckled darkly. “Gary sent the link. The intro and first episode are online. Do we want to watch it?”
“Of course!”
He pulled out a laptop and sent the video to his large screen TV that took up half the wall. “This is going to be awkward,” he grumbled.
“Yeah, but we have to know how we’re doing. We only have one challenge left.”
I realized that I automatically curled up against his side without even thinking. It was like my body knew what my heart wanted, and wasn’t allowing interference. His heavy arm wrapped around me, pulling me close.
“Plus,” I looked up at him with a smile, “We’re allowed to be terrible people and point out if the other couples make mistakes, right?”
Taylor leaned in to kiss my nose. “Absolutely.”
The show started, and although Darrell and his shiny suit and teeth were a bit cringey, he conveyed the tone of the program quite well.
They weren’t quite angling it as a prank show, which relieved me. Although there were silly elements to the overall concept, they were framing it more of an experiment, to see if people could lie well when money was on the line. It really was an interesting new angle to a competition show.
I noticed that they were careful not to mention exactly what the winners would be receiving. And they didn’t mention that the six of us were being paid to be on the show.
Luckily, the intro clips were quick, and I didn’t look like an idiot. Everyone looked a bit nervous. It surprised me how slick that lousy set looked on camera. With the lighting adjusted a
nd a warm filter, we all looked pretty good.
“You’re gorgeous in person,” Taylor said softly, “but you also show up really well on camera.”
“You look incredible,” I murmured, as Taylor came on screen. The light hit the angle of his eyebrows, making his eyes seem dark and mysterious instead of warm and sweet. He looked almost savage.
Watching the other two couples at the auto dealership was a painful experience. Michael and Britta looked like they’d never seen a car before, and were terrified to get within three feet of each other.
