How the heck was she supposed to respond? The freaking cameras were still rolling. Was she supposed to be happy and welcoming, or upset about the mix up? Mia hadn’t given her any guidelines.
She made the cut symbol to the cameras and marched to Ronaldo. “Is this a joke? First you have me dressed like a slut and now you’re making Teo and I spend the night together?”
“Of course. We’re upping the stakes to see if you can seduce him or not.” Ronaldo tapped his chin.
“Mia told me to resist. I’m not going to be a tease. This isn’t how I would try to win a proposal from him.”
“Are you directing this or am I?” Ronaldo stabbed his finger at her. “You just ruined this episode.”
“I thought I was supposed to set up the dates. That’s what the contract said.”
“You were too busy last week to consult with Mia, so she arranged everything. The castle, your candlelight dinner, the seduction. You want off this show?”
“I’m not going to compromise my integrity.” Amy glanced at Teo who was rubbing the back of his neck.
He crossed to her side and put an arm around her shoulder. “I want Amy on the show, but she’s right. She should decide how she wants to proceed. Otherwise, it’s fake.”
“Hello!!!” Ronaldo threw up his hands. “It’s all supposed to be fake in the first place. Duh, that’s why we hired an actress.”
“It’s a reality show,” Teo said. “So it needs to feel real.”
“What’ll look real is if Amy spends the night with you,” Ronaldo said. “How’s anyone going to believe you two are involved otherwise?”
“Maybe she wants to take it slower?” Teo said. “Let’s start over.”
“Fine, it’s your money,” Ronaldo said. “Come on, Mia, let’s get out of their way.”
Teo took Amy’s hand. “Let’s find you another room. One that doesn’t have all of the cameras and studio setup.”
“But, what about the episode?” A fluster of worries rumbled in Amy’s gut. “What’s going on here?”
“There is no episode. No show. I’m cancelling it.” Teo marched out of the room and slammed the door.
Chapter 11
Twenty minutes later, Amy was checked into the room adjacent to Teo’s. She removed the red laddered mini dress and put on a pale pink sweater-blouse and a long flowery skirt. Now what? She’d only made thirty thousand, and she’d screwed up. Of course, she’d been stupid to cut the scene and complain to Ronaldo, but they’d been going about this all wrong. If her aim was to catch the bachelor and get a proposal, then looking like a party girl out for sex was exactly the wrong way to do it.
Whatever, it was their show and now it was cancelled.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. She’d never get a recommendation from Silver Studios at this rate. Tears welled in her eyes, and she fought hard to steady her breathing.
The worst part of this nightmare was Teo. He’d disapproved of the dress, and rightly so. What man wanted to be teased by a come-on and then denied? Maybe it made for great drama, but it was no way to win his heart, especially if she should appear to be the type of woman he’d want to marry as opposed to play around with.
There was a knock at her door. “Amy, it’s me, Teo.”
Whew. At least he was still talking to her. The way Mia and Ronaldo had raged as the camera crew departed, she was sure she was on everyone’s shit list.
Amy opened the door. Teo stood there with one hand behind his back. He was still wearing the jeans and polo shirt, but his face was clean shaven and smooth.
“Wow, you look great.” The corners of his lips turned up. “May I come in?”
“Why so formal? Of course you may.” Amy couldn’t help smiling at his endearing look. At least the cancellation took the edge off the magnetic attraction she’d been fighting.
He stepped in and brought out a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. “For you. I apologize for everything that happened back there.”
Wow, whoever knew a billionaire playboy could be so sweet? Men with Teo’s looks, money, and power were usually spoiled too rotten to consider other people’s feelings.
A tiny ray of hope tickled inside of Amy as she took the flowers and sniffed them. Lilies and gardenias, so fragrant. “Thank you. This is a surprise.”
His smile was meek as he cleared his throat and shrugged. “Will you go out with me? No cameras. I promise.”
So cute. He actually sounded nervous, or perhaps he was being nice since he’d just fired her.
“Of course, I will. But tell me what happened. Am I out of a job?” She set the bouquet on the table. “I’m confused.”
“Do you want the show to go on? It’s up to you.”
“I … uh, was counting on the job to tide me through until I land a more long term role.” Amy hated to sound like she was begging, but the seventy thousand she’d forfeit, not to mention the fifty thousand dollar bonus if she could finagle a proposal was the difference between success and failure, at least in her father’s eyes.
A grin crept onto Teo’s face. “Then the show goes on. But tonight, I don’t want any cameras. Ronaldo’s script is bullshit. I could tell you weren’t comfortable with it.”
“I wasn’t. That’s not the type of girl I am.” Amy’s cheeks heated at the thought of almost giving him the wrong idea. “The setup was unfair for both of us.”
“Of course it was. They would have made me look like a fool.”
“Well, disaster averted. I’m really a nice girl.” Amy twirled her long, flowery skirt. “Is this outfit good?”
“Perfect.” He held out his arms and hugged her. “Now, can I have my kiss?”
Amy pushed herself from his arms. “I’m not sure I should be kissing you. There aren’t any cameras around to capture it.”
He took her hand and squeezed it. “Fair enough. Let’s go back to my room and have the dinner they prepared for us.”
“Sounds great.”
A thrill rushed through Amy’s veins. Teo had actually asked for a kiss instead of taking it, and backed off when she’d rebuffed him. Was this new, gentlemanly Teo the real deal?
“We have a connecting door.” Teo waved at the side of the bureau. “I keep my side unlocked. Shall we?”
“Oh, got it. We don’t want the paparazzi to catch us in the corridor.” Amy turned the deadbolt and the door opened.
“I love the way you think,” Teo said. “If you’re going to be my girlfriend, you’ll be subjected to a lot of indignities, with paparazzi topping the list.”
Girlfriend? Who said anything about being his girlfriend behind the scenes? Amy had never been anyone’s girlfriend. Starting with a billionaire wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Even if it was only setting the atmosphere for the show.
“Must be hard to date a billionaire.” Amy’s eyes widened at the luxurious spread of food decked out on silver platters.
“You’ll find lots of fringe benefits.” Teo pulled a chair for her and kissed her behind the ear. “I’ll be at your service tonight.”
Warm tingles shimmered over her body and her cheeks heated with desire. If she closed her eyes and forgot about the contract, the cameras, Ronaldo, and Mia, she could almost imagine she was on a real date with Teo.
She turned her face and met his lips. “I’d love to have you service me tonight.”
Oops. Did that come out too suggestive? She stifled a giggle and received his kiss. Gosh, he was warm and exciting, but respectful. His tongue did not breach her lips. Nothing greedy and sloppy. It left her wanting more.
He gave her a playful nip and pulled back. “Shall we eat?”
For the next hour, they dined on lobster with sugar beets in an apple vinaigrette, forest mushroom collection with black kale, and sipped German Riesling wine.
Teo made a toast to Amy. “To my costar in my own reality show. I’m glad Ronaldo chose you to play my girlfriend.”
“That’s sweet of you to say.” Amy clinked her wineglass with his, her body th
rumming with excitement. “I feel like this is almost a real date.”
He swirled his wine. “This is a real date. Remember I cancelled the episode?”
“Will I still get paid?”
Teo’s face hardened. He leaned across the table and took her hand. “Do you want to be paid?”
“Of course. I came to Germany to shoot this episode. I put in the time already.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll get your money.” He stood from the table. “Let’s dance and get comfortable. Since I’ve paid for this evening, I want to get my money’s worth.”
Crap. That didn’t feel right. What would he expect from her now? Amy’s stomach plummeted to the floor, washing away the warmth and contentment she’d felt during dinner. She was, after all, still on the payroll. But for how much longer? And what would she have to do to stay?
Maybe she would have to give sexual favors if she wanted to continue with the show. Not that it would be too much of a sacrifice with a hot guy like Teo. Amy swallowed a mouthful of wine and stiffened her spine. Anything was better than going back to her parents and admitting she couldn’t cut it in the acting world.
* * *
Teo gritted his teeth as he turned on the stereo. He shouldn’t be bothered by a mere business agreement. After all, Amy was playing the part of devoted girlfriend. What complaints did he have? Oba-chan would be delighted, especially since he’d already texted selfies of him and Amy sitting in front of the candlelight dinner.
He selected a playlist of love songs to set the mood. Whatever. He’d paid for her weekend, and she’d have to do as he asked. He might as well enjoy the benefits of having a girlfriend.
He turned off the electric lights, leaving only the candles flickering in the wall sconces and across the dinner table. Holding out his hand, he crossed the room to her side. “Will you favor me with a dance?”
“My pleasure,” she replied. Her smile was tentative, as if suspicious of his motives.
She set her wineglass on the table and let him take her in his arms. She was small, but with her heels, tall enough to dance cheek to cheek with him.
Teo inhaled her sultry, seductive scent. He closed his eyes and swayed with her to the slow, soulful song. She fit perfectly in a way that was sensual, but comforting, as if she belonged to him. If he’d ever wanted a girlfriend, it would be Amy. Fortunately, this was a business agreement with an expiration date. Unless …
Fear gripped Teo’s ribcage. If Oba-chan was dying, it would no longer be a joke, no longer funny to break up with Amy after the birthday party and claim victory. Not if it meant disappointing his grandmother and lying to her on her deathbed.
He tightened his grip on Amy. Oba-chan could not be sick. No, it had only been an inkling. He’d ask his father at his next opportunity, when the race circuit moved to Great Britain at the end of August.
“What’s wrong?” Amy squirmed in his arms.
“Nothing. You feel great. I didn’t step on your toes, did I?”
“No, you kind of twitched. We don’t have to dance, you know. It’s not like anyone’s around to see us.”
“I know.” He cupped her face and ran a thumb over her lips. “That’s what makes it real. Me and you, alone.”
“You just want to kiss me.” She giggled. “That’s what you want.”
“Hmmm … maybe more.” He tapped her nose with his. “But only if you want it too.”
“I don’t see the harm in a little kissing. Maybe more …” She entwined her arms around him and took his lips.
A rush of passion swelled over him as his mouth mated with hers. Teo had never really kissed a woman. Usually it was a quick prelude to other pleasures, but with Amy, he wanted to explore the entire gamut of getting to know her. And right now, her tongue wrapping around his, teasing and stroking, was almost more than he could bear. The way her body moved and pressed into him enticed him to bend her over the table and take her right then and there. But afterwards, what then? She wasn’t the type of woman to be used and discarded. She was … different.
Maybe it was the wine, the soft lighting, the music, and the woman in his arms, but whatever it was, Teo decided then and there he’d treat Amy with respect. He’d get to know her and be her friend. After all, if Oba-chan were to ask him about Amy, what her interests were, her desires, goals in life, what made her happy, he couldn’t draw a blank.
Amy’s hands slithered over his shoulders, and she wiggled her lush body against him, threatening his newfound control. A tiny moan tore from her throat as she broke the kiss, making him snap to attention. Her eyes glinted in the candlelight, dark and mysterious.
“What do you want, Teo?” Her voice was husky, low, and alluring. “Why did you throw out the cameramen?”
Was she teasing him? Or giving him the green light? His body responded full on, and his dick jumped to attention. “I want to get to know the real you.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “Am I real enough for you right now?”
“Very.” He trailed his fingers down the side of her face to her neck. “You’re tempting me. Making me want you.”
“What’s so bad about that?” Amy arched her breasts and pressed into him. “We’re adults. This isn’t in the script. I can tell you’re ready.”
It may not be in the script, but if Amy were to be the girl his grandmother would approve of, Teo had to make sure she was the right kind. Was she teasing, or would she really sink into the bed with him tonight?
He lowered his lips to hers and dragged his hands to her waist. Moving her backwards, he maneuvered her to the edge of the bed.
She sank onto the bed, allowing him to press over her. He swept her hair to the side and nibbled on her neck while cupping her breast. Normally, a woman at this stage would be wild with lust, raking her fingernails across him and writhing in his arms.
Amy made the motions, but something was off. Teo caressed her nipple over her clothes and captured her mouth again. She whimpered as she took his tongue between her lips. Her breath was hot and she seemed to enjoy the kiss, but …
Teo stopped the kiss and placed his hands on neutral territory.
“Why did you stop?” Amy’s eyes snapped open, and a fleeting look of shock and dismay crossed her face.
“You’re an actress and not a very good one.” He steeled his voice. “Up, off of my bed.”
“Why? You started this. Sorry if I’m not moaning and screaming your name in ecstasy.”
“We don’t seem to get along, do we?” Teo rolled on the bed until he was face up. He clasped his hands around the back of his head, putting on a devil-may-care attitude.
“I seriously don’t get you.” Amy jumped from the bed and stomped toward the connecting door. “If you’re negging me or putting me down to gain control of me, it won’t work. I know everything about players, and I’m only here because I’m under contract.”
“I told you tonight was a night off. No acting. I don’t need to bed you to show that I can. I just wanted to see how far you’d go.”
She picked up her purse and threw it at him. “You ass. I’m not a whore!”
He opened her purse. Ha ha, she had a roll of condoms. He dumped them on the bed. “And what are these? Looks like you came prepared.”
“Give those back.” She charged onto the bed and made a grab for them. “You have no business going into my purse.”
“You threw it at me.” He ducked and turned onto his belly, pushing the condoms underneath him.
She shook his shoulder. “Let me have them.”
“You won’t be needing them.”
“You’re not the only man in Germany.”
Her little fists pounding on his shoulders felt like the pats of a masseuse.
Teo moaned. “That feels good. Tell me, Amy, were you really going to have sex with me?”
“Why didn’t you wait to find out?”
Why didn’t he? A spike of adrenaline stabbed his gut. He’d just lost his chance to test her, to see if she would have res
isted him. No woman had ever stopped him before. Was it because of his magnetic sex appeal, or that he was a billionaire’s son? His gut twisted. He hadn’t wanted to know the answer. Amy’s body language already told him she would have stopped. Better to be the one doing the rejection than be on the receiving end.
Teo extracted the condoms and handed them to her. “I want to make one thing clear. Your employment or being part of the show has nothing to do with whether you sleep with me or not. Honest.”
“That’s good to know.” She stuffed the strip into her purse. “I don’t sleep with people I work with.”
“Why did you have the condoms?”
She cringed and shrugged, then dropped her gaze to the bedspread.
“You thought I was going to force you? And you wanted to be prepared?”
He dangled a bait, so tempting and easy to take. She could play the victim and place the blame on him.
“No, you’d never force me. It’s just I want so badly to be an actress, and you know what they say.”
“Have you ever slept your way into a part before?” He hated that he had to grill her, but Oba-chan was an amazing judge of character and would see right through her if she wasn’t genuine.
“No, but I’ve thought about it. I shouldn’t tell you this. Never mind …”
He reached over and touched her shoulder, drawing her closer so they were side by side, facing each other. “You can tell me.”
Her lips trembled and she took a deep breath. He wanted to wipe the worry lines from between her eyes, except she was still so cute, looking troubled and scared.
“I want this job badly. If I get cut, my parents will think I’m a failure. The last thing I want to hear is ‘I told you so.’”
“And you were willing to sleep with me? Endure it if possible?”
“Y-yes. I-I’m so ashamed,” she stuttered, her gaze downcast.
He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “You wouldn’t have gone through with it, and I wouldn’t have pushed.”
“Am I so bad an actress?”
“Believe me, when it comes to sex, I don’t appreciate acting. I’ve thrown women out of my bed for pretending.”
“You can tell?”
Roaring Hot! (Contemporary Romance): A Billionaire Biker Romance Page 8
