by Leesa Bow
“You take it off,” she says.
“Your dress or my boxers?” I waggle my eyebrows. Christ. The camera is in my face.
“Both,” she says in a challenge.
“Quite the competitor,” I quip.
“You have no idea,” she says mockingly.
“Ah, but I do.” With the help of many beers, all inhibition fades. I’ve always made good of a dare. I spin her around and unzip the dress. Lucy gasps when it floats to her ankles. “And I work fast.” I pull her against me to hide her chest from the camera. But then I bend and pull off my boxers, grab Lucy’s hand and yank her as I fall sideways into the pool. Taking hold of her hips, I support her so her head remains above the water, so as not to spoil her make-up and hair. I, however, am below, getting a full view of her black lace bra and matching G-string. When I surface she’s laughing, along with the other girls. Probably because they got a quick glimpse of my butt and, yeah, probably my cock. Without thinking I pull Lucy close. “You look fucking hot,” I whisper. And then I kiss her.
Of all the impulsive decisions …
Thank fuck it doesn’t last long, because Ingrid is standing beside the pool cursing me. “Shows over,” she yells. “We have a surprise for you tonight, and you have put us behind schedule. We have to reapply both your make-up.” She throws her hands in the air. “You know, screw it. We’ll take it from here. Someone get these lovebirds a towel.”
“You have pissed her off,” Lucy says and pinches me. I grab her, and she squeals at the way I plonk her on my hip and cart her toward the edge. “Wonder what the surprise is?” she asks, when I set her down near the steps, as we wait for someone to bring us a towel.
“I need another beer before we find out.”
“Don’t like surprises?” she asks.
“Not really.”
“Well, I was pleasantly surprised.” She cocks an eyebrow and lowers her gaze at my dick through the water.
A smile tugs at my lips. Could I do this? Become intimate with Lucy and pick her. We could be the perfect couple for the show. My chest tightens, thinking of Tori. Then I’m reminded of her horrified expression when I didn’t wear a condom, like I was a diseased manwhore. Or worse.
An idiot.
My hand rubs over my gut, the hurt lingering.
Lucy punches my arm. “Hey, it was a compliment.”
I shake my head to get rid of the messed-up image in my head. “Yeah. Maybe one day—”
“What?” Kaetrin says, clearly stunned. My gaze shoots to her and the shocked expressions on the other girls’ faces.
“What’s going on?” Lucy calls out.
Fleur hoists up her long gown and hurries over to us. She leans down but her gaze is directed toward the hotel’s main door. “We have an intruder. Like a whole new contestant who can’t be evicted this week.”
Lucy gasps, equally surprised. “What? That’s crazy.” Then she shouts, “Can someone please get us some towels?”
Fleur’s face pales, and she backs away. “Sorry. You both have to stay there.”
“What?” I growl, but it’s not her fault. Someone has given a directive for Lucy and me to remain in the pool. “Christ, I’m naked.”
“Good first impression,” Lucy says and laughs.
I snort, seeing the funny side. Hell, Grant must approve, or he would have me out by now. The girls stand at the side of the pool. Their hands go to their mouths and they all stare wide-eyed, as the show’s theme song plays in the distance.
“No bloody way,” Kaetrin says, and she’s not happy.
“Who is it?” Lucy shouts.
Emma shoots us a sympathetic look.
“Anyone would think it’s the bloody queen,” I moan. So this chick is coming in late to do what? Upset me? Not bloody likely.
Fleur tilts her head at me and shrugs.
“Oh for fuck’s sake,” I snap.
“Ladies.” James Scott appears, holding a microphone close to his mouth. “So, we have another surprise for you all. It’s been quite a week.”
“Yes,” the girls say in unison
“Well, it’s time to meet a whole new competitor on Contest. Ladies, please welcome …” James’ voice climbs higher. Paige walks around the corner and stands in front of Lucy and I, holding her finger to her lips in order to silence us. “Miss Victoria Winchester,” James says excitedly.
“What the—”
Paige squats directly in front of me, her glare silencing me.
Lucy gasps.
What the fuck is going on?
The girls stand and walk over to greet Tori. They all act as though they’re meeting her for the first time. I can’t see anything with Paige standing in front. Patricia, Grant’s PA, runs over and hands a towel to Paige. She’s looking over her shoulder as though she’s waiting for a cue.
“Okay. You can get out and come meet the new competitor,” she says to Lucy.
“You mean, Tori,” she snaps.
“Yes, Tori. You’re to act like this is the first time you’ve met her, and you’re to greet her as Victoria.”
“Right.” Lucy climbs out of the pool and wraps the towel around her. She follows Paige around the corner. I might not be able to see, but I can hear. “Nice to meet you, Victoria. I’m sorry about my dress; well, lack off. Rhett and I were having a bit of fun. All innocent, I assure you.”
Fuck. This is not good.
Paige returns and ushers me to the side. “Okay, your turn. Are you ready?”
“Towel?” I mutter. “I need a bloody towel, Paige.”
“It’s coming.”
Tori strolls around the corner, and my chest squeezes tight. All the wind is knocked out of me. She’s in a long, satin red dress, hugging her hips. It’s strapless, and revealing a lot of cleavage. I’m gaping at her, and I can’t help it. She looks fucking amazing. Long, dark waves hang over her bare shoulders and down her back. Then I’m caught in her honey gaze. Long lashes lower to the part of me in the water.
Fuck.
Two cameramen follow her, one zooming in on her gorgeous face, capturing her every expression. The other points the camera at me. Other assistants carry long white screens, blocking out everything behind so it’s only the two cameramen, Tori and me.
Tori carries a striped towel. “I believe you require this,” she says, but doesn’t offer it to me.
Christ, my dick reacts hearing her sultry voice. Not good. This is not cool.
I lean over the edge and hold out my wet hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Victoria. I’m looking forward to getting to know you better.”
She doesn’t bat an eyelid. “Do you mind drying off first before I touch you?”
I blink, stunned by her icy tone. “Of course. If you could first hand me the towel.”
She steps back. “You’re going to need to come and get it. I would hate to fall in.”
I arch a brow. “I’m a little—”
“What, Mr Williams? Please don’t talk about size, now.”
A couple of snickers from the crew. Fuck this. “Okay then.”
I submerge my whole body under the water and spring up onto the ledge. Buck naked, I clamber out and stand in front of her with my hands on my hips. I’m aware of the water running down my body, aware of it pooling near her feet. And when her seductive gaze descends I’m aware of my dick reacting to her ...
Christ.
To avert her gaze, I run my fingers through my wet hair and ruffle my fringe, as though I’m making an effort to style it for her. But her eyes are on fire, and I know that look. I’ve seen it many times before. Then I can’t help the words that follow. “Like what you see?”
Tori tilts her head at me. Her eyes widen a little. Then she closes over and looks distant. “Quite impressive, Mr Williams.”
I lower my hands to cover my growing cock. Is this some sort of sick joke? “May I have the towel?” I know the cameras are capturing everything above the waist, but Je-sus fuck-ing hell.
Tori arches a brow. She lifts the han
d not holding the towel. “I think you should cool off first.” She shoves me in the chest, and, although she tries to make it appear ladylike, I feel the force behind her hand and see the anger flash in her eyes. Taken aback, I stumble and allow myself for the third time today to fall into the pool. I barely make a splash, but I hear her laugh, and it’s bloody condescending. Swiping water from my face, I watch her drop the towel onto the limestone pavement before strutting away. The cameras follow her as she stops by the other girls, who are oblivious to my reaction.
Paige walks over, grinning ear to ear. “Quite the surprise, don’t you think?” She grins and it’s almost a snicker. “Best you get out and dry off, so you can officially meet the new contestant.”
RHETT
I’m ushered away, and Tori remains with the other contestants by the pool. Ingrid arranges a new outfit to be delivered to my room while my hair is blow-dried and make-up reapplied.
Ingrid marches into the room after the stylists have left. “A much better look to meet our new contestant.”
“What the hell’s going on?” I snap. “I don’t like being made to look a fool, especially when I’ve been drinking and not thinking straight.”
She knows I’m talking about my impromptu semi-wood. Ingrid has the cheek to act blasé, but she doesn’t fool me. “We needed to up the ante. Tori offered to help out, since she has the inside goss on all the girls. She’s going to make the show rather interesting.”
“Interesting? You want her to be the new bitch of the show?”
Ingrid laughs. “I have no idea what her plans are. This is on her.”
Tori might be many things, but she’s not a bitch, and I know she’d never intentionally hurt anyone. “Bullshit.”
Ingrid’s forehead creases. “What? You do know about her upcoming promotion, right? And the incentives offered every week …” When I fail to keep my expression neutral, she laughs. Once. “Well, of course there’ll be remuneration for her effort. I’m not sure what she negotiated with Dale and Grant, but it’s a big step toward her moving to Queensland for the next four months to manage her very own show.”
I gape at her.
“I shouldn’t be talking out of school. But you’ve worked closely with Tori, and know she’s talented. She has the potential to be a great producer one day.” She leans in like she’s telling me a secret. “Please keep this to yourself. I don’t want Tori to think I’m discussing her private life with her clients.” She taps me on the shoulder, like I’m an actual friend. “Anyway …” She glances at her phone. “Grant is ready for your grand entrance. Tori’s been instructed not to use any secrets you may have disclosed to her in conversations between you. She’ll be using her knowledge against the contestants to help you choose the girl who is perfect for you.”
I open my mouth to ask if I can pick Tori, and wisely close it again. There’s some fucking underhanded shit happening, and I need to play my cards accordingly. “It’ll be good to have her on my side. She understands me, and I trust she’ll be doing the right thing by me as my mentor. Can she still mentor me? I mean, she is on my team.”
“Well, I don’t see why not.” Ingrid checks her phone. “Best we get you downstairs. Oh, and you can’t evict Tori this week.”
“I can’t evict her?”
“Yeah. Though I don’t understand why—”
“Because she’s here to help me … sure. I’ll keep her on the show as long as I can.”
Ingrid smiles. “Smart man.” She pats my shoulder. “You ready?”
“Yep.” I adjust my suit jacket. Underneath I’m feeling anything but … I let out a long, silent breath. There’s no time to dwell on what went down. My brain needs to be sharp, because something is so off with all of this, I can’t afford to slip again.
TORI
Girls are all about having fun.
It’s what I’m telling myself, because honestly, I wouldn’t know. With my work experience I can architect a performance as good as any of the girls on Contest, and this charade is easier than reality—my very own hell.
“Are you excited to be here?” Fleur asks, settling in beside me on the couch.
“I am. After a string of unhappy relationships with shallow men, I’m hoping to find something real with someone who is as serious about looking for love as I am.” Not a complete lie.
To my right I hear Lucy groan, and I ignore her. I may have promised to be her ally—unbeknownst to her—but I’m not ready to talk to her yet, not after—
And I don’t want to think about Rhett and my own private viewing of his … Oh Lord, the look on his face. I swear he wanted to kill me. But it was nothing compared to the incredulous stare he set on me when I first walked up to him, catching him in the pool with Lucy. Naked.
I’m so damn angry with him for many reasons. Heaven knows what was going through his mind.
But I don’t want to think about him. I need to focus and do what is expected so I don’t get fired or sued. As for his contract with the Blackbirds, right now it’s the least of my worries. Thankfully, I’ve had time to think and come to my senses.
“So you’ve recently had your heart broken,” Fleur continues.
I smile, but it’s fake. “Not recently. I’ve hardened a little, and haven’t bothered with dating for some time now.”
“So what was the guy like who broke your heart?”
“Don’t worry, Victoria. We’ve all had this conversation. Poured our hearts out to one another. We’re like sisters, and you’re family now. If there’s anything we can do to help?” Kaetrin sounds genuinely interested and vested in helping me.
“Thanks,” I say, and make eye contact with all the girls, despite Lucy keeping her distance. “So when Rhett’s not around, is this what it’s like?”
“Basically. He can be a bit of a prince sometimes, and none of us know how much time we have left here, so we tend to stick together, like we have each other’s back.” Dumbfounded, I stare at Emma. No wonder Grant needed a new villain on the show. If I want the girls to trust me then I should open up to them.
“So confess. What did he do?” Emma places a soft hand on my arm.
“It was years ago,” I begin. “And I was somewhat naïve. I thought when he said he loved me, he meant he only loved me, that we were exclusive.”
“Exclusive for that night.” Kaetrin scoffs, and hands me a glass of champagne.
I snort. “In the end we weren’t even exclusive for a night. Went to his apartment and found him in bed with someone else at four in the morning,” I tell them. Then I get the same frosty sensation in my chest, like every time I think about Tait. “It was the icing on the cake.”
“Did you scream at him?” Kaetrin asks. Now there’s anger in her tone. I imagine Kaetrin would, and more.
“No. I gently closed the door and got as far away as possible. I never said a word, and haven’t seen him since.” I shrug as if it’s no big deal. Now.
Emma’s eyes become round. “How long were you with him?”
“Long enough for him to steal my heart.”
“What was his name? Some guys have names which are warning signs. Names you know you can’t trust.”
Like Rhett.
“Tait,” I answer truthfully.
“Ladies,” James interrupts from the doorway. He walks to the front of the room. “Please welcome Mr Williams back. I’m sure Victoria is eager to meet him in a more presentable state.”
Emma giggles, and I realise I’ve won her over. Lucy is a whole other ball game. I wink at Emma, surprising myself. Oh shit, have I taken on one of Rhett’s mannerisms? I look over at the door, to where Rhett is expected to make an entrance. He is there, glaring at me. I inhale sharply, taking in his huge frame, filling the doorway.
Rhett tears his gaze from me and stalks over to James. A burst of hot tingles shoots through me. Rhett’s presence changes something in the air. Not only for me. I sense it with the other girls also. He walks with confidence—strong, toned thighs beneath his
black trousers—and his white shirt does nothing to hide his broad back and wide shoulders.
“A new face to Contest,” James says to Rhett.
Rhett rests his gaze on me. “The surprises keep coming,” he says.
“Contest is all about surprises. Victoria’s beauty is not one of them. She has already settled in with the ladies, so let’s get her up here so we can introduce you both formally.”
Ingrid’s voice instructs me to stand. Rhett’s eyes find mine once more, but I cast mine down conveniently, to lift the hem of my long gown. Focusing on James, I walk towards Rhett.
His gaze burns my skin. My knees tremble, the red satin concealing the effect he has on me. I opt to stand beside James, as I need a minute to compose myself. I’m not ready to stand so close to Rhett and endure his damn body heat radiating over me.
“Victoria. After your brief introduction to Rhett earlier today, what was your first impression?”
Out the corner of my eye I see Rhett’s feet move, as though he’s shifting his weight. It’s subtle, but I notice because I’m trained to see those things. He might be uncomfortable with the question, but I’m so unnerved standing this near, it’s taking all my concentration to act calmly. Allowing my arms to hang loosely, I link my fingers in front and turn and give James an easy smile.
“While first impressions may be important, I tend not to form an opinion until I’m given an opportunity to get to know someone. But …” I shoot a quick—fake—smile Rhett’s way, then look back to James just as quickly. “I was hoping Mr Williams would be wearing more clothes on our first introduction, because I like to use my imagination about what’s under someone’s clothes.”
James nods. He glances at Rhett, then back at me. “Mr Williams is famous for having women lusting over his athletic body. Are you saying he didn’t impress you?”
What?
My cheeks warm, and my breathing picks up a notch. Rhett’s lips twitch. Oh shit. “Well …” I pause and focus. I take a deep breath, and then another. “Mr Williams obviously has a drool-worthy body, and may tick the boxes for many ladies, but for sparks to ignite for me, I have to know a man’s heart, and his personality. He needs to be beautiful on the inside as well as the outside.”
