“What for? I told you I’m prepared. Over prepared. I know his taste in wine, what size suit he wears, his cologne, Spicebomb, his taste in music, even the types of women he likes, tall, blonde, leggy with pussycat eye makeup.”
“No, no, no, no, no, girlfriend, you’re blowing it.” Mia selected a movie. “No more prep. Now, drink up, sit back, and let’s watch a love story.”
Chapter 5
“You look absolutely stunning.” Mia stepped back to admire her handiwork, before moving in to adjust a brushstroke.
Amy gritted her teeth as she watched her face being transformed in the mirror. It was hard having someone as fluttery and bouncy as Mia working on her makeup. The way Mia dressed and gestured, it was a wonder she didn’t spill color outside the lines. Even worse was the guy holding the video camera, his large lens intruding into her personal space, while the mic propped above her felt like a giant bird of prey hovering overhead.
“Stop blinking, missy,” Mia said. “How do you like your face?”
For one, Amy’s false eyelashes felt precarious, as if the glue hadn’t set properly. She tilted her face to the side. “You enlarged my eyes, but the wings are not long enough. Most of Ronaldo’s models have that cat-eyed look.”
“Those are what all the party girls wear. You’re supposed to appear young and innocent. That’s part of the script. Okay, time for your first interview.”
Amy glanced at her shorts and tank top. “In this? Shouldn’t I be dressed?”
“Nope. The producers want a couple of impromptus while you’re preparing for that oh, so very important first date.” Mia winked and stepped back. “I’ll read the prompts, but they’ll cut my voice, so pause one second before you answer.”
“Sure …” Amy shrugged. This was what she was here for. “They want to do it in here, the bathroom?”
“Yep, looks more natural,” Mia said. “Here goes. How do you feel about being here?”
Amy took a second before answering in a way most entertaining to the audience.
“I’m very excited to win over the world’s most elusive bachelor. I know it’s going to be hard, and I’m going to have to be creative, but it’s going to be fun to turn his head and keep him obsessed with me.”
“What are you looking for? Are you hoping to fall in love?”
“Definitely. Wait. Cut that.” She paused to give them room to edit. “All my life I’ve loved challenges. The bigger the better. Tell me I can’t do it, or it won’t work, and I’ll try triple hard to prove you wrong. And let me tell you, the human male is the hardest creature to tame. But if someone’s gotta do it, it’s me.”
Mia rolled her hands to urge her to answer the question about love.
“As for love? It might happen. Actually let me make it stronger. It’ll definitely happen. He’ll fall in love with me. Head over heels. Take that to the bank.” She pointed at the video camera lens.
Behind the cameraman, Mia nodded and pumped her fist. “Okay, that’s it for now. Next, we’ll get your dress. The cameras will be rolling, just so you know.”
She turned to the camera and waved for Amy to follow her. “Have I got the perfect dress for you. You’re going to love it.”
The cameraman got in Amy’s way as Mia opened the closet in the manner of a game show hostess.
“His eyes will pop out of his head.” She held the iridescent evening gown and swirled around with it.
Amy’s eyes popped too, and her hands went to her mouth. “I’m going to wear that?”
The dress was completely sheer, a dazzling form-fitting curtain strung from neck to toe with jewels, sparkling yellow, green, blue, and violet. A high collar of shining rhinestones encircled the neck of the sleeveless gown.
Mia spread the costume jeweled strands apart. “Is this awesome or is this not?”
“I love it.” Amy squealed, remembering she was on camera. “I can’t wait to slip into all these gemstones.”
“You’ll make an unforgettable entrance. All the racers from Team Suzuki will be there. Of course, you’re to be photographed with the target.”
“You mean Ronaldo?”
“Shhh …” Mia’s eyes darted around, then cupped her mouth as if talking to the camera. “She doesn’t know who she’s supposed to be romancing.”
“Uh, wait.” Amy propped her hands on her hips. She was prepared for the false drama these shows always added to spice things up. “I already put a Facebook status saying I’m dating Ronaldo and he accepted. Was I wrong to do that?”
Mia shook her head. “Oh no, he loves the attention. But as you know, these shows always have a twist.”
Amy’s jaw dropped and she palmed her hands up in a beseeching manner. “Unbelievable. Are you saying all the research I did on Ronaldo is a waste?”
Mia winked at the camera. “She must really have the hots for Ronaldo. And girls, he’s one hunk of a biker. Looks like our Amy’s ready to fight for him.”
“You’re darn right.” Amy wiggled her hips to enhance the theatric effect. “I didn’t travel thousands of miles for a substitute. Let’s get this dress on.”
* * *
Amy tried not to gawk as Mia escorted her into the private club built like a castle. Stained glass windows portraying medieval scenes of knights, ladies on horseback, hunters and their dogs overlooked the entrance. Double circular stairways accented with art-nouveau wrought iron railing curved to a second floor landing under a domed skylight fitted with a triple decker crystal chandelier.
Her heels echoed over the reflexive veined marble floor to the parlor where several young men lounged near a two story tall hearth. The walls were paneled with rich, dark wood, trimmed with candlestick sconces and traditional wainscoting. Lush burgundy curtains and swags highlighted the floor to ceiling windows, exuding old world luxury.
“Members of Team Suzuki, meet Amy Suzuki,” Mia introduced her.
Could there possibly be a more handsome collection of hot guys? Amy shook hands with each of the team members. They alternated between flirting with her and commenting on her last name.
She kept her eyes peeled for Ronaldo, wondering when her date would begin. Mia made hand signs and mouthed ‘Good luck’ before disappearing with a swish of her colorful skirt.
After a few minutes socializing with the racers, a butler appeared with a small gong and banged it. One of the guys offered his arm. Amy allowed him to escort her to the opulent dining room sparkling with candelabras, crystals, and silverware.
“A celebration and a toast, Miss Suzuki,” a man’s deep voice said. It was Ronaldo Silver, dressed in a black suit and wearing a black bowtie. He offered her a flute of champagne.
Amy tipped a smile at him and held out her hand. He graced it with a kiss. “I trust your trip was comfortable.”
“It was wonderful.” Amy couldn’t complain. After all, she’d skipped security, customs, and immigration while riding in a luxurious jet with a private bar, leather sleeping couches and hot meals. “And you? You’re looking handsome.”
“Thank you. Doing well.” He tipped his chin toward the entrance to the dining room. “Ready for your first date?”
The cameramen pulled back and swung his lens toward the entrance. Prickly chills crept over Amy’s scalp. Ronaldo’s grin widened, and he gestured for someone to approach. Amy’s hand tightened on the stem of the champagne flute.
She was aware of the cameras and resisted the urge to look over her shoulder. The firm steps of another man approached from behind. Conversation hushed, and she felt all eyes burning on her. What was going on? Was Ronaldo not her date? He’d said ‘your’ not ‘our.’
Ronaldo spoke over her shoulder. “Teo, my man. Glad you showed. Had a hard time tracking you down at the casino.”
Every drop of blood froze in Amy’s veins. Teo? As in caveman? The guy who kissed first and asked questions later?
But more importantly, how was she supposed to react? Mia hadn’t given her any cues. She slapped the champagne flute on the
table. This turnaround wasn’t worth celebrating. They’d double crossed her.
Ronaldo tapped her arm and turned her toward the interloper. “Miss Suzuki, meet your date, Mr. Alexiou.”
Steam poured through her nose, and her pulse swished in her ears, even as her traitorous insides tingled with delight.
Teo smirked and winked as if this had been his plan all along. His hair was gelled, and he was wearing a light gray suit with a silver tie. Oh, he looked suave and devastating all right. But Amy had already experienced his animal ways. No way was she going to endure the entire race season wooing the likes of him.
Actress or not, if they wanted reality, they got reality.
She pushed herself away from Teo and Ronaldo. “This wasn’t in my contract.”
The cameraman and soundman rushed to reposition themselves.
Ronaldo straightened his lapels and took a step toward her, his arm out in a beseeching manner. “You agreed to a romance with a motorcycle racer of our choice.”
“I did not.” She pointed at Ronaldo. “You were the guy I was supposed to tame. Not him.”
“I’m afraid that was a misunderstanding.” He wiggled his fingers. “Our agreement was for the most incorrigible bachelor in the circuit. While the other guests are being seated, why don’t you and Teo take a stroll in the garden to get acquainted?”
Amy seethed under her breath, even as her heartbeat tap danced in her chest. “I will not go anywhere private with this brute.”
Especially when the brute could melt her insides into a quivering mess with a single, devastatingly wicked kiss.
“May I ask the reason?” Ronaldo bent toward her and cupped his hand behind his ear as if expecting her to confide in him.
“It’s a private matter.” She darted a glare at Teo who rocked cockily on his heels with his hands in his pockets.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Ronaldo spoke to the camera. “Miss Suzuki refuses our bachelor. Help him out. Send your text messages and tell him what to say.”
Amy’s mouth hung open. She had a hard time not looking at the camera. “This show isn’t live, is it?”
“Cut, cut.” Ronaldo made a motion, but the cameras kept rolling. “As I said earlier, while the guests are being seated, Miss Suzuki, who’s about to be sued for breach of contract, and Mr. Alexiou, our surprise bachelor, will get to know each other in the garden.”
* * *
Teo suppressed a guffaw at how hot Amy looked while fuming mad. The jeweled curtain of her dress swayed and shimmered, showing her delectable curves, while her legs were well outlined through the less decorated lower half of the transparent gown. It was going to be fun, fun, fun playing with her.
He rubbed his hands and paced himself a few steps behind Ronaldo who was convincing Amy to go forward with the deal. They stepped through a pair of French doors, and the film crew scrambled to take their positions.
After spraying breath mint, Teo straightened his pants and balled his fists into his pockets. This reality TV gig was another one of Ronaldo’s harebrained ventures to get his father to produce a show for him.
Teo and Ronaldo had agreed to split the filming costs, pocket change for sons of billionaires. On the plus side, having Amy at his races would convince Oba-chan that she was his honest-to-goodness girlfriend, even if they never aired a single episode of the Romancing the Racer series.
“Teo, take your position.” Ronaldo waved him to a garden bench across from a peeing cherub. “You and Miss Suzuki will get to know each other. One, two, three, you’re on.”
Showtime! Teo straightened his tie and sauntered to the garden bench. When he reached Miss Suzuki, he took her hand and bowed to kiss it. He’d play ardent, respectable lover to placate her. Now that she knew how hot his kisses were, he’d tone down the heat to make her desire him more.
Amy’s fingers trembled under his touch, but her demeanor was cool, and she didn’t flinch when he nailed her with his sexiest grin.
“Accept my humblest apologies for the rocky start,” he said, not meaning any of it. After all, they were on reality TV, and he could play around with the script to suit his fancy.
Her attempt at piercing daggers didn’t work with her already narrowed eyes.
“Contacts bothering you, miss?” He held onto her hand and slid onto the bench beside her.
“No, sir. I believe I’m allergic to you.” She threw her head back and feigned a sneeze.
“We have to make this work, you know that.”
She extracted her hand from his. “Really? I thought you were the playboy who didn’t want to be caught. The point of this game is for me to entertain the masses while taming the bad boy, you.”
“That’s what I meant. This show could make or break my acting career,” Teo said.
Her eyes widened and blinked with shock. “Acting career? You’re already a professional motorcycle racer. Didn’t you spend your entire life racing?”
“Started when I could barely walk.”
“You’re kidding.” Amy’s upper lip quirked, disbelieving. “Do you ever get tired of tall tales?”
Teo sat up straighter. “The taller the better. I started riding at three and won races when I was five.”
“Unbelievable. I’m surprised your mother let you.”
Teo’s stomach twisted at the mention of his mother. His throat tightened and he swallowed. “I didn’t have a mother to nag me.”
“I’m sorry.” Amy covered her mouth. “I shouldn’t have presumed.”
“Then we’re even.” He tapped her knee. “No more apologies from now on. We’ve got a reality TV show to film.”
“You know they’re filming right now. They’re going to have to edit this out.” Amy’s teeth were gritted.
“Sure, okay, let’s backtrack. You say ‘unbelievable.’ But don’t add the part about my mother.”
“Got it.” She wiggled her shoulders primly. Paused, then said. “Unbelievable. You must have been a real tyke.”
“Tyke on a bike. Sometimes I think I have wheels instead of feet. It’s why I’m never going to settle down in one place.”
“Always on the go?”
“Yes, so we understand where I’m coming from. I’m in for a good time, but I’m here today and gone tomorrow.” Even though she was acting for a reality show, Teo had to be clear, so she wouldn’t have any expectations, in case she were to develop feelings for him. “No commitments for this busy boy.”
“I get what you’re saying.” Her head bobbed in a condescending manner. “It makes it that much more of a challenge when I have you on your knees begging to spend the rest of your life with me.”
“Will never happen.” He held out his fist for her to bump.
She bumped him back. “Famous last words, Romeo.”
Chapter 6
Amy pushed herself from the table during dessert and coffee. She peered at the dining room entrances, looking for Mia. How could her handler not have briefed her about Teo?
He, on the other hand, had behaved like a perfect gentleman the entire dinner. He was attentive, polite, even charming, but Amy could not forget that ambushed kiss at the pool party. The memory still had her lips tingling and her insides pulsing.
Not that she had anything against kissing, or even casual sex. She was, after all, an aspiring actress. Cut. She was an actress with her own reality show.
Amy lifted her head higher and strutted to the powder room. The cameras left off following her, and she had a few minutes to contact Mia. She dialed her cell phone.
“Nice going with the fireworks,” Mia said. “Although you agreed too easily. You were supposed to draw the hissy fit out longer. Be more high strung, maybe throw him a few more insults.”
“You should have told me. You didn’t give me the script. I had no idea Ronaldo ditched me, and now I’m supposed to be dating Teo.”
She had had high hopes on getting to know Ronaldo in a way that would ensure her continued success in Hollywood. A starring role in a major
motion picture would be the first prize.
“That’s on purpose.” Mia’s lips smacked as if she were chewing gum. “To get your genuine reaction.”
“I don’t like him, okay? But I’m a professional actress. Tell me what’s next.” Amy stepped into a stall when another woman entered the bathroom.
“The private movie date. Just you, Teo, and the cameraman. You’re supposed to argue about movie choices, then somehow end up dancing on the balcony while paparazzi from the hotel across the street snap pictures of you.”
Amy put the phone on speaker and laid it on the sanitary napkin collection box. She pulled her gown up, bunching all the jewels to one side. “Who’s writing this silly script?”
“They make it up as they go. It’s a reality show, remember?” Mia’s throaty laugh gave Amy the impression she was the one orchestrating this fiasco.
Amy lowered herself on the toilet. “Give me some guidelines. Am I supposed to accept his advances or repel them? What are the paparazzi there for?”
“Do what comes naturally. We’re giving Teo the script tonight, so you just relax.”
“Isn’t he supposed to resist me? I mean, he doesn’t want to get caught at the end of the show, so why was he being nice at dinner?”
“He’s a man. He’s going to act like one. Be prepared.”
Amy finished with the toilet. “Okay, but if things get out of hand, will someone be there to restore order?”
“The film crew will be with you at all times. Nothing to worry about,” Mia said. “What’s that flushing sound? Are you on the toilet?”
“Only place to ditch the cameras and mics.” Amy pulled up her panties.
“Don’t be too sure of that.” Mia laughed. “Remember, this is a reality show, and even though you’re an actress, you’re supposed to act as if you weren’t acting.”
Huh? Wasn’t that confusing?
The call ended. Amy still had an opportunity to impress Ronaldo through her acting, only it would be with Teo. Blech. Like her mother said, make lemonade.
She counted the condoms in her purse. Her plans to seduce Ronaldo were for nothing. One by one, she dropped the packets into the toilet and flushed. Too bad. He had a really hot bod and connections galore. He would have been a fun lay.
Roaring Hot! (Contemporary Romance): A Billionaire Biker Romance Page 4
