Pick Me (Reality TV Romance)

by Mason, Kristine

  Jonas stepped onto the set, gave a disapproving snort as he looked at her, then turned. “Okay, people, let’s get this over with.”

  The cheesy theme song played softly in the background as the camera focused on Shepp. When the music died, he plastered on his high-wattage smile, and turned to her. “Val, you’ve finished your first dates with all three bachelors, what do you think of the guys?”

  Tamping down the urge to swipe her heated forehead, she manufactured a smile. “They’re all great. I’m having a lot of fun.”

  “Cut,” Jonas yelled. “What the hell was that, Val?”

  God she wished she could hit him again. “Shepp asked me a question and I answered him. If you have something in mind for me to say, then put it on the teleprompter.”

  Palming his head, he spun in a circle, then threw his arms in the air. “A teleprompter, she says.” He stopped, stormed onto the set, then plopped next to her on the sofa. “Shepp, get outta here for a sec.”

  Shepp nodded, and bolted toward Danny who stood a good twenty feet away. Although there were at least fifteen people milling around the set, she had this immense sense of isolation. She detested Jonas, just being near him, and knowing what he could do to her and Colt, had her stomach churning and bile rising in her throat.

  “Look, I know we have our differences,” he began, his tone quiet and meant for her ears only. “But if you don’t take this seriously all of these people will lose their jobs. They’ll blame you. And when they go on to work their next job, they’ll talk. You’re name will become synonymous with cancellation. Do you understand me?”

  She hadn’t considered that the crew would blame her if the show tanked. After all, she was playing bachelorette to help save the show. But now that she thought about it, she wouldn’t be surprised. She’d been around long enough to know the crew liked to gossip, and bad rap directors, producers, as well as fellow and former crew members. “Don’t you think you’re being a little dramatic?” she asked, not willing to allow Jonas the satisfaction of knowing he’d hit a chord. “You’re so worried about time and money, why don’t you get out of my face and let Shepp continue with this stupid interview. I have a date tonight.”

  Leering, he edged closer. “Ah, yes. With your hillbilly cowboy. Make sure you wear the spy cam, and this time, give me something I can use. Now, back to this interview, I want you to act bubbly and excited. You’ve worked on this set long enough to know what works, so do it. If you don’t...”

  “Kiss my ass,” she muttered through clenched teeth.

  “That’ll be Colt’s job, and if you actually caught that on camera, hell, I’d find a way to throw in a monetary bonus for you.”

  Before she could tell him what he could do with his bonus, he shoved off the couch. “Okay, people, let’s try this again.”

  After Shepp returned, and the cheesy music died down again, he repeated his spiel, “Val, you’ve finished your first dates with all three bachelors, what do you think of the guys?”

  With defiance she looked directly at Jonas and gave Shepp the same answer, verbatim. Screw Jonas.

  Shepp’s eyes flickered with amusement and approval. “So tell me about your first date with Colt.”

  She told him about the afternoon date, of course leaving out the fact that they’d had sex in the middle of the woods, and finished by saying that she looked forward to their date tonight. Which was true. She loved simply hanging out with Colt. Carefree, relaxed, comfortable, and the sex...wow. He’d rocked her world more times than she could count on all of her fingers and toes.

  “It sounds like you two had a bang up good time,” Shepp chuckled. “Did Trent match up to Colt?”

  Not even close. “There’s more to Trent than meets the eye,” she answered honestly. “Don’t let the long hair and all of those tattoos fool you. He has a romantic side to him that blew me away.”

  “Really? How so?”

  “For our first date, he had reserved the rooftop lounge of The Ascot Hotel, hired musicians, had the best wine, food. Afterward, he took me to The Mouth House. It’s a local club where his band sometimes plays. Well, while we were there, he’d actually jumped on stage and joined the band, dedicating a song he’d written to me.” While it was probably one of the most embarrassing moments of her life, considering The Mouth House was known for its Goth crowd and heavy metal music, and she’d looked like she’d just stepped off the cover of Miss Prim and Proper magazine—if there was such a thing. Regardless, she’d had a great time with him, and an even better time after he’d dropped her off at her apartment.

  She hoped the cameras didn’t catch the blush heating her cheeks as she thought about how Colt had stopped by, unannounced, then proceeded to satisfy her.

  “It sounds like you and Trent hit it off, but what about Brad?”

  Where to begin. When she’d first heard Brad talking through the partitioned wall, without even seeing him, she’d labeled him a himbo. Every time he’d begun a sentence it started with “um.” She’d worked on the set of Pick Me long enough to know they never had ugly guys as bachelors, so between the “ums” and his not so brilliant answers, she’d placed him in the classification with other himbo’s. After meeting him, she’d hoped she was wrong, but... “Brad is one of a kind.” So true. If they hadn’t been talking about anything exercise related, or the latest low carb, high protein diet, the silence had been deafening. “He’d taken me to a local carnival, and put his muscles to use at one of the games, and won an enormous stuffed animal for me. I swear the thing takes up half of my living room.”

  Brad had been determined to ring the bell of one of those strong man games, where he smacked the mallet to make the bell ring. He’d won, of course, and now she not only had to stare at a bunch of lesbian décor, but a gigantic gorilla with a big smiley face and crossed eyes.

  When Colt had seen the gorilla, he’d suggested buying a strap-on dildo, attaching it to the goofy looking stuffed animal and leaving it behind for the couple that owned the apartment. They’d both laughed until tears rolled down their cheeks, and again later when they’d attempted to have sex on the living room sofa. Even Colt’s hot caresses couldn’t distract her from the cross-eyed gorilla, or her picturing it wearing a strap-on. Colt finally had to flip the thing around so its nose was in the corner. After that, he’d replaced her laughter with moans and multiple orgasms.

  “Well, it sounds like you’ve had some interesting dates. I know you still have weeks to decide, but has one of the bachelors caught your attention yet?”

  Oh yeah, but she wasn’t about to reveal that information to Shepp. She’d already made up her mind to pick Colt. After spending time with him over the past three days, she knew he wasn’t Derek’s red herring, even if he was she’d pick him anyway. How could she fault him for lying about who he was, when she’d been doing the exact same thing?

  “You know, Shepp, it’s really hard to say at this point. But I’m sure after a few more dates I’ll know.”

  Shepp smiled, turned to the camera, and gave his trademark sign off. Once Jonas yelled cut, his smile fell and he snagged her hand. “Watch out for Jonas,” he warned. “I know you work for the show, but I’ve had a few bachelorettes tell me—”

  “Shepp,” Jonas interrupted. “Don’t you have a gig at a radio station in an hour?”

  Nodding, Shepp stood, and without another word, walked off the stage. She had to find out what Shepp knew about Jonas. Maybe she could use whatever information he gave her to counter his threats. Not wanting another confrontation with Jonas, she stood, too.

  Jonas grabbed her arm. “Not so fast. I meant what I said about your date tonight.”

  Jerking her arm free, she spun away without acknowledging him. She had to talk to Shepp before he left, but as she wound her way through the studio, Danny caught up with her wanting to synchronize tonight’s schedule. Anxious and jumpy, she feigned a headache and told him to call her in a few hours. By the time she made it to the parking lot, Shepp had already
left.

  *

  “Would you like to split a bottle of wine?” Colt asked, while trying to keep his leg from jumping clear through the table. While the two camera people had set themselves in alcoves to avoid interfering with the crowded, high-end restaurant, and weren’t necessarily in their face, he hated their presence. Just knowing the cameras were there, watching, waiting, picking up every detail, made him plain uncomfortable, so did the microphones Danny had made him and Valentina wear.

  “Sure, that sounds perfect,” Valentina said, then opened her menu. “This is a nice place. Have you been here before?”

  “A few—”

  “Colt, great to see you. You’re looking good,” Jimmy Fields, the owner of Fields and Green, a popular Dallas restaurant that caters to the local sports and celebrity crowd, interrupted and offered his hand. While Colt returned the greeting, Jimmy zeroed in on Valentina. “Beautiful.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles. “When you get tired of this cowboy, you call me.” He winked, and Valentina chuckled, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink.

  Colt stared at her for a second too long, amazed that she truly had no idea how beautiful she was, or the affect she had on men. As they’d strolled through the restaurant earlier, people had gaped, mostly due to the cameras, but he’d noticed the way men had stared at her. Wearing a tight, black dress that bared her shoulders and accentuated her cleavage, he couldn’t blame them, even if he wanted to wipe their faces with the bottom of his boot heel.

  Jimmy released her, then shoved both of his hands into his pockets. “Thanks again for choosing my restaurant tonight,” he said in a low tone. “You know I’m thinking of expanding, if you want—”

  “We’re wearing microphones,” Valentina blurted, shifting her gaze toward one of the camera people nestled behind a palm.

  “Gotcha.” Jimmy nodded and pursed his lips, then a big grin split his face. “Now I don’t know what the hell to say except enjoy your meals.” Their server approached and Jimmy slapped a hand on his shoulder. “You take care of them, wine and desserts are on me.” With a quick salute, he headed for another table.

  After Colt ordered a bottle of wine and an appetizer, the server left. They sat in silence, Valentina scanning the restaurant, while he only had eyes for her. Damn, he wished they weren’t wearing these stupid microphones, the things he wanted to say to her. Then again, the show was important to her, and Jonas had high expectations. Colt shifted his gaze from Valentina and zeroed in on the bastard sitting in the corner. The sconces reflecting off his head as he brooded.

  “You look beautiful.”

  Her dark eyes widened before they settled on him. “Thank you,” she said and tucked a curl behind her ear.

  He could tell she wanted to say more, her eyes imploring, restless, but the cameras had them both guarded. Fortunately the server approached with their wine. After that, they placed their orders, and when they were alone again, they both seemed to be staring at everything and anything but each other.

  This couldn’t continue. If it did, Jonas would only come down harder on Valentina. Determined to make the most out of an uncomfortable situation, he blurted, “What’s your favorite ice cream?”

  She giggled. “Ice cream? Where did that come from?”

  “It’s all part of getting to know you. So tell me.”

  “Okay, vanilla.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yep. But, if I’m feeling really crazy, I might go for cookies ‘n cream. And yours?”

  “Vanilla chocolate chip, although I’m partial to cookies ‘n cream, too.”

  They’d spent the rest of dinner doing something he’d never bothered to do before—actually learning about his date. Ruger had been right. He’d never asked the women he’d slept with any questions about themselves. Because pretty much all he’d wanted to do was have sex with them. Not that he didn’t care, hell he wasn’t that much of a jackass, but before he’d met Valentina, he hadn’t really thought much about having a relationship. Sure, he’d figured eventually he’d meet a nice girl and settle down, raise a bunch of babies and the whole nine yards. He was only thirty-three and had plenty of time to make that happen. Only it was happening right now. He wanted this woman, wanted to know everything about her. Not just her choice of ice cream or her favorite movie, but what really made her tick.

  Beneath the surface there was more to Valentina. While she’d been open, sexually, and had never evaded any of his questions, on or off camera, he suspected she hid a part of herself from him. Or maybe it was his own conscience rearing up and demanding that he open himself up to her. He didn’t know. He cared, though, for her, for whatever they’d embarked upon, and the only conclusion he’d come up with since finding her again was something he hadn’t been prepared for. He wanted her. Not just in his bed, but in his life.

  After they’d finished eating, they had both declined coffee and dessert. Colt couldn’t wait to end the date, well at least the show’s version. Last night, he’d made arrangements with Valentina to meet back at her apartment once the coast was clear. God he hated this cloak and dagger BS. All he wanted to do was date like a normal couple, talk without having to worry about saying the wrong thing and having it bite him on the ass later.

  The server promptly brought out Colt’s credit card and receipt. As he signed the restaurant’s copy and left a tip, he shifted his gaze around the restaurant. A buzz of excited whispers came from nearly every table. He glanced to Valentina who stared wide-eyed at the hostess stand.

  Colt followed her gaze, then let out a soft chuckle. Reggie Zucker. Two hundred and fifty pounds of honed muscle, and last season’s MVP linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys, the man towered over the other patrons waiting to be seated. He wore a two thousand dollar suit—Colt knew because he happened to have been present when the tailor fitted him—and had a petite blonde on his arm.

  While Reggie had become more of a friend than a client, the timing couldn’t have been any worse. Colt had been itching to end the date and head back to Valentina’s for some one on one time, but now that Reggie was here they might have to stick around a bit longer. Although...he shifted his eyes to Jonas who frantically waved at one of the camera people and pointed at Reggie. With the way Jonas was practically frothing at the mouth, maybe a little camera time with Reggie and his famous, pop star girlfriend might help take Jonas’ mind off the spy cam Valentina wore and what she’d been expected to film later.

  “Wow,” Valentina said and shook her head. “That’s—”

  “Reggie Zucker.”

  Furrowing her brows, she looked back at the couple. “Who?”

  He chuckled again. Apparently even with four older brothers she didn’t follow football. “The big guy, he plays for the Cowboy’s and happens to be my client.”

  She glanced back at Reggie, then at him, and the smile she wore gave him the impression she’d been relieved. Odd, but he didn’t have time to consider her reaction. Reggie and his girlfriend, Shawna—no last name because apparently her first was all she needed to sell out concerts across the country—headed for their table.

  Colt stood and offered his hand as Reggie led Shawna toward them. Instead of greeting him with a hand shake, Reggie gave him a bear hug, any tighter and a rib would likely crack.

  “Dang, I wish I’d known you were gonna be here tonight. We could have double dated,” Reggie said as he released him.

  “I thought you were in LA, but obviously LA came to you,” Colt said with a wink and a grin, then kissed Shawna’s cheek. “How are you, Shawna?”

  “Great. And we were in LA, but when Reggie told me he’d only be in town a few days because he had to head back home for his grandma’s ninetieth birthday party, I had to join him.” She looked up to Reggie. She had to considering the man stood a good foot and a half taller. “I wanted to be here with him, and meet his family.”

  Whoa. He hadn’t expected that one. When Reggie had first started dating Shawna, Colt had cautioned him. Her long tours, living in
separate cities, the paparazzi, the tabloids. He didn’t want Reggie to lose focus on his own career, not when he was in his prime, but they’d been together for almost ten months and apparently were still going strong.

  Retrieving his manners, he introduced them to Valentina, then offered them a seat. They ordered another round of drinks, talking and laughing like regular couples, he supposed. Only regular couples didn’t have paparazzi lurking outside the window or a camera crew following their every move. Regardless, the mood and company had actually taken away some of the earlier tension Colt had been feeling. The girls chatted like they’d known each other for years, and he was able to catch up with Reggie.

  As they finished their drinks, Jimmy approached, telling them that their drinks were on the house, and that the table belonged to Reggie and Shawna. Reggie asked if they’d like to stick around for a while longer, but when he glanced at Valentina and caught that flicker of desire in her dark eyes, he declined.

  They left, the cameras on their tail, and as they waited for the valet to bring around his Corvette—the only flashy thing he owned—she leaned into him. “Well, that was interesting. It’s not every day you meet a bunch of celebrities.”

  “Did you get her autograph?”

  “No, but I got Reggie’s while you were talking to Jimmy. Five of them to be exact, and all on cocktail napkins.” She shrugged. “It’ll be the cheapest and best Christmas present this year,” she finished with a grin. “Oh, there’s your car.”

  “If you want, I can supply you with all kinds of autographs, you’ll never have to buy another Christmas present in this lifetime,” he said, and helped her into the Corvette.

  She laughed, until she caught one of the cameras on her. Colt wanted to knock the damned thing to the ground. For the first time all night, she’d relaxed and let herself unwind, but the reality of the reality show had ruined the moment.