by Leesa Bow
Being enticed by beautiful girls is hardly a new thing. After noticing a girl, it usually takes me two seconds to be attracted to a certain type. Generally, she’s a brunette, although not always. I prefer long, flowing hair, large eyes, preferably a darker colour, and curves. Especially breasts. But, again, it’s not essential if I’m drawn by something else. It’s how my brain is wired for the first few seconds of being lured. The next step is watching how she moves: her sway, if she’s light on her feet, with shoulders back. It’s a turn on to think she’s as confident in herself as I am because, hey, I need a challenge. If only there were a way to warn girls not to act easy around me, because it’s the biggest turn-off.
It’s been a while since I’ve thought about what I like in a girl, and I haven’t had a reason to get past stage two in the last three years. If it’s going to be more than one night then the next step is probably the most important. It can overrule everything if we connect. Spending valuable time with someone means they need to be easy to talk to and get along with. If we can’t communicate then what’s the point, unless we’re heading straight to the bedroom.
On the other side of the room my eyes find Tori. Funny how she can snag my attention, oblivious to the effect she has on me. Yet I’m surrounded by gorgeous ladies dressed in fancy gowns, vying for my interest. Ethan, one of the cameramen, speaks to me, bringing me out of a trance.
“Take your seats, everyone.”
The girls take their positions at the table and check out the printed menu. Some discuss kilojoules in one of the dishes. I tune out, my gaze wandering until I find Tori talking with Grant. I’m getting hard watching her. She stands her ground, emphasising a point with her hands, and when the conversation ends neither of them appears happy. She retreats back to the wall, then our eyes meet. She gives me a quick nod, and my shoulders relax. Monica, the tall girl with the dark hair and shoulders as wide as mine, taps my hand gripping the fork.
“Relax, sweetheart. We don’t bite.”
I take a breath and smile at her. “How do you know I don’t want you to?”
Monica flashes her pearly whites. “No biting before midnight, at least. We should try to get to know each other first.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Let’s see … Were you burned by a girl? Is that why you decided to come on the show to look for true love?”
“Nope. You?”
“Nope. I arrived from the US two years ago. Meeting people is more of a problem.”
“What made you decide to come down under?”
“Work.”
We’re interrupted when the entrée is served, and when conversation continues it’s all trivial.
After the prawn and salmon entrée, I note the extent each girl has gone to, to make an impression on me. It feels odd to be sitting at the head of a table lined with beautiful women on either side, vying to excite me. It’s like being king … again, except my football team is nowhere in sight.
The six contestants I didn’t get to spend time with earlier today are seated closer to me. My conversation is carefully thought out before a single word leaves my lips. I smile, appear interested, and laugh on cue. The strange thing is I’m enjoying myself, and happy to get to know these ladies. I think about Lucy’s words on honesty. If I expect these ladies not to hold back, and be themselves, then they deserve the same from me. So I spend the remainder of the afternoon on my best behaviour, but it’s all me, and none of it fake.
The following day Grant asks me to select a contestant to depart the show. It seems premature, but I know it has to be done. I inform him of my decision and he doesn’t seem at all surprised. When I meet up with Tori, she’s annoyed I’ve selected Verna, but I don’t care. There are too many ladies with a good-girl image and I want most of them gone. Anyone who reminds me in the least bit of Tori has to go. Except Lucy.
Last week all twelve contestants were given a silver bangle with a diamond studded “C” on the clasp. Tonight I have eleven charms to hand out to eleven girls. Grant has positioned me alone in a small room, sitting on a love couch. Alone except for the two cameramen. No one else is allowed entry, not even Tori. Emma is the first contestant to enter. Through her smile her lips twitch nervously. I stand and take her hand.
“Hi, Emma,” I say after the doors close behind her. I place the solid charm engraved with an R in the palm of her hand, before closing her delicate fingers tightly over it. I repeat the words straight from my script. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and wish to get to know you some more. Do you accept this charm and choose to stay?”
She laughs tightly. “Yes, I do. Thank you, Rhett.” Emma throws her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek. Another door opens and she is prompted to exit.
After a short while, Verna is the last contestant remaining. I’m standing, waiting for her. The doors open and even from here I can see her eyes are bloodshot. My heart sinks, thinking about her sitting out there alone, knowing my verdict.
“Come here,” I say and open my arms wide. She steps into my embrace and clings to me like a little monkey. She sniffs into my chest and I tighten my arms around her waist. “I didn’t want you to go home,” I say honestly. “I would have liked the chance to get to know you better because I think you’re an amazing lady. Unfortunately, out of everyone, you held back the most. I needed you to open up to me from the first day, but you stood back and watched everyone else. It’s not a bad thing, because in the real world you’re the type of girl I’d respect.” I kiss the top of her head. “In here, with limited time to learn about each other, I didn’t feel a connection.” She nods against my chest.
Grant’s voice sounds in my earpiece. He needs to see her face. I’m not a complete bastard, so I step slightly to where the camera is angled and shadow Verna. I then cup her cheeks and tilt her head back so she’s looking at me, but the camera will only pick up a side view. “Thank you for being part of Contest. I’m really happy I got the opportunity to meet you.” I kiss her lightly on the lips then take her hand and lead her to a separate door. Waiting on the other side is Anthony, the show’s psychologist. After Verna settles down she can talk to Anthony before she has her final interview. I only hope she has nice things to say about me, and that she gained a positive experience from being on the show, because I know it will reflect on Tori’s coaching. And Tori needs to impress Grant.
Before going home, all the contestants are ushered to the meeting room where they’ll be prepped for the following day. A smiling Tori walks toward me. She stops a good arm’s length away. “Well done. I’m proud of you.” She nods toward the door. “I have tomorrow’s notes in my office.”
“I feel like a bastard.”
“You’re not. You were wonderful with Verna. She’ll be fine. I think from the first meeting it was all a bit much for her. She’s in good hands with Anthony.”
“The shrink?”
Tori pulls a face. “Yes, the shrink. And if you need to speak to him you can. You don’t need to inform anyone to make an appointment. I for one can recommend him.”
“You use him?”
“Of course.” We enter her office and she closes the door behind us. “A lot happens behind the scenes and I need to talk to somebody sometimes.”
“Do you sometimes feel like a bitch?”
Her eyes widen, then soften, sensing it’s a question not an accusation. “On occasions.”
I reach for her hand and circle her soft skin with my thumb. “You’re not. You have everyone’s best interests at heart and only want what’s right for people.”
“Is that how you see me?” I watch her throat as she swallows, then the pulse in her neck quickens. She licks her lips and I force my gaze to level with hers.
“Yeah, I do.”
“I’m glad, because Grant is trying to get you to act more like your … er … former self.”
I smile. “Even my former self wasn’t a bad person. It was more about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. And somet
imes we do things, to forget. Haven’t you ever wanted to have fun to forget the shit going on in your life?”
“Yes,” she croaks. “Many years ago.”
“Did it involve having sex with strangers?”
“One especially,” she corrects.
I let go of her hand and stride to the door. It clicks when I lock it. I turn and catch her expression, eyes wide and lips slightly apart, and I want to take her right now.
“Relax, Boss, I don’t want any interruptions. Come sit with me on the lounge. I’ll be a better listener than Anthony.”
Tori sits on the edge of the chair beside me, her back in a perfectly straight line. “We don’t have time to discuss my past life. We have too much to get through before tomorrow.”
“It can wait.” I edge closer and swivel so I’m facing her, our legs touching, and I’m aware of the warmth where our bodies meet.
“No it can’t. Tomorrow is the first day of the challenges. Grant has set up games, and the winner will be immune to elimination next week. What the girls don’t know is there’ll be a surprise elimination in two days, before your weekend off.”
I fold my arms. “He wants them to fight.”
“He wants them to be competitive for the camera. Next week the challenges will be more appropriate to dating you. He’ll be asking if they have what it takes to date an elite athlete.”
“What? Why didn’t he ask me for my opinion on this?”
“Because he wants you to be surprised too.”
I run my hand over my jaw. “It’ll be interesting, for sure.”
“It doesn’t faze you?”
“Nope. Not when I have your support.”
“Okay. You can’t be making me feel all gooey.”
“I make you gooey?” I raise one eyebrow.
Tori makes a breathy sound. “You know you do. Not only me, all the girls.”
I grunt. “I don’t think so.”
Tori nods. “Even Ingrid.”
“But I haven’t—”
“I know.” She pats my thigh. “It’s the effect you have on everyone. I told Ingrid you weren’t even aware of your own charm.”
“You said that?” Christ, my dick twitches at the thought of Tori talking about me.
“Yeah.” Her gaze flickers, and she blushes a little. “I also told her I’m immune to those intense stares you keep throwing at me.”
“Are you?” I hold her gaze.
Tori’s lip part in a shy smile. Her gaze lowers to her hands. She rubs them up and down the material covering her thighs. “No. But I try not to think of you as anything but a client.”
“Do me a favour and stop,” I demand, while edging nearer to close the distance between our lips. When she remains still I press my lips to hers. We kiss for a few seconds before Tori pulls away.
“Please stop doing that,” she says, out of breath.
“Why?”
“Because it’s complicating everything. We both have too much to lose if we’re caught.”
“So, you’re not denying feeling attracted to me?”
Tori shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter. Nothing can happen.”
“Nothing can happen while I’m on the show,” I correct.
“No. It’s only fair the contestants get a chance to win your heart. I’m here to help you turn over a new leaf and be the type of guy capable of being in a committed relationship.”
“What if I want that with you?” I scan her face but she gives me nothing.
“Then you’re off track.” She stands and walks to her desk, running a finger along it as though she’s deep in thought. “I might be attracted to you but I’m not looking for a relationship. My life is here at the studio. I don’t have time for anyone. Especially now, because I want this promotion more than anything.” She raises her hand and stops me from interrupting. “I’m not about to risk it all for a fling.” She gives me a stern look. “So even though I’ve weakened and kissed you, it doesn’t mean anything. And if you’re trying to change for the better you need to stop thinking there’s anything between us and concentrate on the reason you’re here.”
I glance down at my clammy palms. I can’t remember having to work this hard to impress a girl. I’m out of form, and at a loss how to convince her otherwise. “I see.” I rub my hands together. “Well then, it won’t be a problem if I ask you to come with me to my family’s farm this weekend.”
“Farm,” she repeats in a high voice.
“Yeah. I need your permission to go home, and my mum wants to meet you. So if you want to groom me for your contestants, best you see where I grew up, what shaped me.”
“A farm?” she says, likes it’s a puzzle. “I thought you wanted to keep your family out of this?”
“I do. It might help you to understand me. But I have to warn you it’s not easy. Hope you’re not afraid of a little hard work.” I laugh when Tori narrows her eyes. “And you’d better pack some old t-shirts, jeans, and runners.”
“Can we do some footage? It’s given me some great ideas.”
“Come with me on this trip, and I’ll think about it.”
Tori smiles as though she’s already crossed the finish line. “Deal.”
It’s Friday afternoon, and I feel like a piece of shit. It took more than the allocated five minutes to comfort Cassandra after the shock elimination. She questioned my reasons, and rightfully so. Cassandra is a blonde, beautiful woman. Since I’m making a habit of doing the right thing, I was honest with her, and, like Verna, told her how difficult it was to choose someone to leave but in the end, it came down to connection and communication, not appearance. Cassandra seemed to be relieved when I said I was attracted to her from the beginning, and thought she stood out at dinner in her red gown. Hearing she was beautiful seemed more important to her than us connecting. I’ll never understand how some girls’ brains operate.
Regardless, I still feel like a prick.
“Rhett.” I look up when Grant calls out to me. “Where you headed this weekend?”
I walk with him out to the carpark. “Home to visit my mother. Tori’s aware.” I don’t mention Tori is coming with me, as she asked to keep it a secret.
“Well, rest up. Next week is going to be a big one. Talking of Tori … have you seen her?”
“Sorry, mate. Saw her this morning and the last thing she said was not to be late for the meeting on Monday morning.”
“Yeah, that sounds like Tori. It’s okay. I’ll give her a call.”
“Something up?”
Grant shoots me an odd look. “Are you happy working with Tori?”
“Yeah, why.”
“Just checking, because I could assign you to Ingrid.”
“No. Tori’s fine. She’s looking out for me.”
Grant nods slowly. “So you want to remain working with her?”
“Why all the questions?”
“Wanted to make sure the star of our show is happy.” He smiles at me. “Enjoy your weekend.”
Over the years I’ve learnt to trust my instinct, and right now my gut is telling me not to trust Grant.
I type out a text to Tori. Grant is looking for you. I’m heading home now to pack. Will pick you up around five.
By the time I arrive home from the set Tori has replied.
Thank you. Grant has an idea and wants to discuss it with me on Monday. See you soon.
TORI
While twisting the silver, Celtic ring on my finger I watch the lines in the middle of the road disappear beneath the car. “Are you sure your mother doesn’t mind me coming to stay?” I’m sitting beside Rhett in his SUV, and it’s all I’ve thought about the past half hour. I find it strange he hasn’t mentioned his father, so I assume there’s trouble between them, or his parents might have separated. I’m sure he’ll tell me when he’s ready to open up. I’m more surprised he invited me to visit his family home, especially when he firmly stated in his initial meeting that his family and home were off limits.
Rhett smiles, as though he’s enjoying seeing me nervous. “It was her idea.”
My gaze snaps in his direction. “What? You never told me that.”
Rhett glances at me sideways before looking back to the road. “Didn’t want you to get a big head.”
My heart flutters. “You’re only saying it to stop me from worrying.”
“I’m not. Last time I was home I explained to her why I agreed to be on the show. Guess I talked a lot about you so she wants to meet you.”
I bite a nail then stop myself. I’m not sure why I’m nervous to meet his mother, but it’s important to me to make a good impression. “What did you say?”
“That I doubt you’d come because you’re not exactly a farm-girl type.”
I give him a stern look but he doesn’t see it as his gaze is fixed on the road ahead. “You don’t know me, and that’s not what I meant. What were you saying to your mother?”
“Hmm, now I can’t be telling you about my private conversations with my mum because it’s, you know, private.” He’s smiling, at the road, and it’s driving me crazy.
I bang my head against the headrest in exasperation. “I don’t want to do the wrong thing, so if there’s anything I should know please tell me, because I don’t want to look like an idiot and I don’t want your mum to hate me.”
“She won’t, and stop rambling.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yeah, I do. I know she doesn’t like me doing this gig, but when I explained my reasons, or lack of options, and then told her about you and how you were vested in helping me she got real interested. Then when I said you were helping to rebuild my image, and was someone I could trust, she asked to meet you. And Mum only invites people if she has in her head she’s going to like them.”
“I hope I don’t disappoint her.” I glance at Rhett but he looks distant. “Hello. Earth to Rhett.” I wave my hand.
“Stop worrying. How about you take control of the music and change the song.”
“Oh c’mon, Sam Smith is cool. Besides, I’m sure this song was written for you.”
