by Janice Lynn
It felt so wrong. As if she was cheating.
She hadn’t had a choice. Rob had won their game fair and square. Okay, so she hadn’t thought he really meant for her to kiss one of the dirty dozen, but obviously he had or he wouldn’t have reminded her. But if Rob had wanted to stop her, he could have. Then she wouldn’t be surrounded by lush and exotic flowers, kissing a man she genuinely liked, but who left her insides cold.
Was Rob in the studio watching? Of course he was. This show was what he cared about. She pumped up the enjoyment factor--fake though it was. So what else was new? Everything she did seemed fake these days--except for her kiss with Rob. That had been all too real.
“That was nice,” Jeff said when he finally lifted his mouth.
“Nice doesn’t begin to describe your kiss,” she cooed, hoping lightening didn’t strike her. There wasn’t a cloud to be found in the bright blue sky, but she had to be tempting the fates with her wordplay.
“Guess I’ll have to do it again, then.”
Uh-oh. Jill ducked her head to avoid his oncoming lips. Once had been more than enough. A little thunderstorm to put an end to this garden stroll would be welcome--should she risk that lightning bolt after all? She glanced up at the clear azure sky.
“Maybe next time,” she whispered.
But not if she could help it.
# # #
Jill’s stomach grumbled. Maybe no one would notice she’d snuck out of her room and into the elaborate, well-stocked kitchen, which was just like the rest of the castle--an exotic blend of the past with all the conveniences of modern technology and an ever-present camera mounted in a corner.
Wondering if her late night pigging out would be aired, Jill rummaged through the industrial-sized refrigerator’s contents. Ham. Turkey. Chicken. Cheeses of more varieties than she could name. She placed her hand over her rumbling stomach and sighed in appreciation of the stash she’d uncovered. Heaven.
She pulled out the packets of meat and cheese, a jar of mayonnaise, and popped a plump grape into her mouth, savoring the tart sweetness. Now, where would bread be hidden in this castle kitchen fit for a king? She smiled at her pun and eyed the gleaming wooden cabinets lining the room.
“Try the third one to the right.”
Jill almost choked on the grape as she spun at Rob’s voice. What was it about him that shot her survival instincts to hell? She hadn’t known he was there. How could she not have heard him entering the room? Something about him short-circuited her wiring.
“Thanks.” She pulled fresh bread from the cabinet he indicated and used the time to regain her equilibrium, which he always managed to knock off balance.
“Want one?” She nodded toward her pilfered deli supplies.
Laughter danced in his eyes. “Aren’t we feeding you well enough?”
Heat infused her cheeks as she looked at how much food she’d dragged out. “I know you told me to watch my weight, but I’ve lost a few pounds since I’ve been here. One late night snack shouldn’t hurt.”
His smile faded as he raked his gaze over her sweats and t-shirt with more than a little interest. His Adam’s apple bobbed. “There’s nothing wrong with your weight.”
Hot flushes dampened her skin at the velvety darkness of his eyes. Her stomach grumbled again, and Jill wasn’t sure if it was from hunger or the 747s that had returned with his stare of male appreciation. She dropped the bread onto the counter top and ignored that he lounged against the doorframe watching her. How dare he insist she kiss another man then look at her like the Chief salivating over a jelly doughnut?
Building irritation at the whole situation tangled with her ever-increasing sexual frustration. Rummaging through a drawer, she found a knife and sliced two pieces of bread. Seething with annoyance, she piled her sandwich full, sliced it in half, and wrapped it inside a paper towel. She returned the meats and cheese and grabbed a couple of sodas from the fridge. She tossed one of the plastic bottles to Rob.
“Come on. I don’t like eating alone. Besides, we need to talk.”
He opened his mouth, and she read the denial in his eyes.
“Oh, get over it. You’ve told me you’re not interested and totally hammered the nail home by insisting I kiss Jeff.” She picked up the over-sized sandwich. “Fine. I can deal with that. It’s not like you’re the only fish in the sea. But we have to work together for the next few weeks. You can’t avoid me.”
“You know there are cameras.” He glanced at the mounted video equipment in the far corner of the room. “We can’t talk in here.”
“Fine.” She handed him half the sandwich. “Take me somewhere we can have some privacy.”
Unable to ignore her stomach’s demands, she took a bite. The meat had a smoky flavor to it and the cheese a sharp edge. Perfect. She closed her eyes and chewed the heavenly morsel.
“Oh, that’s good,” she admitted as she ran the back of her hand across her mouth. The cold drink she held brushed across her lower lip and sent a chill across her flesh.
When her gaze met Rob’s, feminine intuition told her she stared at a tortured man. Or maybe his anguished look of lust and longing told her. Either way, she didn’t have to be a detective to see his angst.
Darn him for making her kiss another man when she wanted him and he so obviously wanted her. Even if she understood and agreed with his reasons for pushing her away.
He opened his soda and took a long swig. “Maybe it would be safer if we stayed in here. I’ll edit the tape later.”
Safer? She hid her smile and set her drink and sandwich on the countertop a few feet from where he lounged. She hopped onto the counter to use it as a seat.
“Okay.”
He watched her but didn’t comment on her very un-princess-like behavior. He took another drink and jealous pangs at the plastic touching his lips racked Jill.
“So, what did you think of your prize?”
A funny sound escaped Rob’s mouth, and Jill got the impression he’d almost spewed soda. She smiled.
“My prize?”
“Sure, the one you claimed this afternoon. My kissing Jeff,” she clarified. As if he didn’t know what she was talking about.
“That prize.” He shrugged. “I’m sure we’ll be able to use some of the garden footage.”
He’d answered without answering. Great. Not that she planned to let him get away with it. “Was it worth it?”
“What?”
“My kissing Jeff.”
He swallowed. “It should help ratings.”
Ratings? Jill took another bite of her sandwich to hide the burning pain caused by his words. Why? Why did she have to want him so much? Why had his kiss knocked her socks off?
Summoning her courage, she flicked him a glance. “If you say so. Just think it could have been you had you chosen your reward for winning more wisely.”
His gaze narrowed.
“Personally, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it quite so much.” She moaned softly as if Jeff’s kiss had been--well, like Rob’s kiss. Out of this world.
“That good, huh?”
“Better.” She lowered her gaze in challenge and pretended to be in remembered ecstasy. “I can’t recall when I’ve last been kissed like that. Must’ve been ages and ages ago.”
“Must’ve been.” His gaze bore into her for long seconds. A tiny tic twitched along his jaw like a live wire. He straightened from where he propped against the doorjamb and set his drink next to hers. His movements pulled his t-shirt across his chest and a new wave of hunger panged Jill. Sexual hunger.
“Rob,” she started, then paused as he stepped in front of her, leaned slightly forward and placed a hand onto the counter to either side of her bottom. He didn’t actually touch her, but his life force crossed the space separating them and sucked her in to the sensation of being surrounded by him.
“Kensington floated your boat, did he?” Mere inches separated their faces.
She stared into his stormy eyes. Her gaze dropped to his all
-to-kissable mouth. “Yes,” she breathed.
Rob’s mouth tightened at her lie. He bent in closer, and Jill held her breath. Was he going to kiss her? She licked her lip to make sure she didn’t have breadcrumbs stuck in the corners of her mouth.
“Good.” His one word stuck like an arrow in her heart and she lost her cool.
Good? What the hell did he mean good? Oh yeah, ratings. Frustrated anger fumed within her as she glared at him. “Maybe we should play for my having sex with him just so those ratings will go up for you?”
Jill didn’t so much as flinch beneath his unreadable stare. His warm breath caressed her skin. In the blink of an eye, his expression changed to one of amusement. “So, you admit I’d win if we played again?”
Jill’s mouth plopped open. “That’s not what I said, and you know it.” She poked her finger into his chest. “I’d win.”
His gaze lowered to where her finger touched him, and her breath caught as she waited to see if he’d comment on the fire raging back and forth from that miniscule area where only the soft cotton of his shirt separated their flesh. He didn’t. Only shook his head and half-smiled. “That you might.”
Without another word, he brushed her cheek with his knuckles and spun on his heels.
Jill’s gaze dropped to the wedge of her sandwich she’d shared with him. Seemed Rob wasn’t willing to let her satisfy any of his cravings. Just as well since she needed to stay away from him.
She picked up the untouched sandwich half and took a bite.
How come she only remembered the reasons why she needed to avoid Rob when he was nowhere near?
Chapter Nine
A large screen television had been set up for the bachelors to watch the show’s premiere as it currently aired in the US even though it was early morning here. Most of the crew were in the media room with the bachelors. Jill wasn’t allowed to watch the show as it might influence how she reacted to the bachelors, and as far as anyone knew, she was sleeping in.
Instead, she snuck into the studio to call Jessie. She’d noticed the cell phone in the locked filing cabinet on the night she’d searched for the transcript of Jessie’s interview and had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to use it ever since.
With ease, she picked the lock again, opened the drawer and was relieved to see the phone still hidden there. She dialed her home number. Please let Jessie pick up.
Ring. Ring. Ring.
Where was she?
“Hello,” Jessie finally answered.
Jill sighed her relief at hearing her sister’s voice. She’d only been gone two and a half weeks, but she missed Jess. “Hello yourself. How’s it going?”
“Oh my gosh! I’m watching you on television at this very moment. And if Larry wasn’t right here with me to remind me why it’s not me, I’d be pea green with jealousy that I gave you this part gift-wrapped.”
“I’d much rather you had this part,” she said, although she wasn’t sure she meant her words. The thought of Jessie being here with Rob wasn’t a pleasant one.
“You look like you’re having a blast. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were a real princess, Jilly. You look fab!”
Jill smiled at her sister’s use of the nickname their parent’s had given. “Thanks. Having a top notch make-up artist at your disposal does that for a gal.”
“Tell me,” Jessie implored. “I want to hear everything. What’s the castle like? And the bachelors? Man, they are so hot. They were showing these clips of them at the hotel, and wow. Hey. Ouch.” Jill heard a scuffling sound, then giggles, and assumed Jessie’s fiancé was punishing her verbal appreciation of the bachelors.
“Oops, sorry about that,” Jessie said. “Now tell me about Bachelor #6, that Steve guy. He’s a certifiable hunk. And so is number ten. What was his name? I can’t remember”
“Jeff,” she automatically replied.
“Yeah, that’s right. And a doctor to boot. You go, girl.”
Jill rolled her eyes. If only it were that simple.
“And that host guy is to die for. I’d about sell my soul to sample a taste of him. Oh.” More scuffling and giggles came over the phone.
Jill was grateful for Jessie’s distraction, otherwise she might have blurted out that Jessie wasn’t the only one. She sighed, not meaning to, but unable to restrain her frustration at her situation any longer.
“I’m sensing negative vibes, and I’m on the opposite side of the world so I know, for once, I wasn’t the cause. What gives?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to check to make sure you’re okay.” Jill stalled, not willing to tell her sister about Rob. Besides, who knew if the phone was tapped? She could just see her conversation being aired for America’s viewing pleasure. Would probably help his precious ratings.
“I’m fine. Larry’s taking very good care of me, if you know what I mean.”
Yeah, she knew what Jessie meant.
Here she was the only woman in a house with almost thirty men and Jessie was still getting more horizontal action.
“How’s Dan?”
“Dan? He’s fine. He’s stopped by a few times to make sure I was fairing okay in your absence. Did you leave orders for him to baby-sit?”
“Yep.” Knowing Dan watched out for her sister offered a great deal of peace of mind. At least as much as one could have with Jessie listed as a responsibility.
“Jilly, forget Dan. I mean I love him dearly, but he isn’t the guy for you.”
They’d had this conversation before.
“Yes, I know,” she said and spoke the truth. If nothing else, this trip had convinced her that she and Dan marrying would have been a big mistake.
“You aren’t surrounded by all those hunks and still moping about him are you? Cause if you are, I’m gonna wring your neck,” Jessie threatened.
“I love Dan, always will. After all, he’s my best friend and partner, but he was right to dump me. I’ve realized that. I’m moving on. You’d be proud of me, because I’ve,” she paused. Cameras. Phone taps. She couldn’t tell Jessie about kissing Rob. Who knew what would happen if the news leaked out that she was lusting for the producer?
“You’re sure you’re okay?” Jill asked instead of mentioning Rob.
“I’m fine,” Jessie insisted. “Now, finish what you were about to say.”
“I’ve got to go. Love you. I’ll call again if I can.”
She clicked the phone to off and slid it back into the file cabinet. In seconds, she had the drawer restored to its former locked state. Phone conversations were not allowed. Period. If there truly were cameras in the studio, they were well hidden. Of course, if the phone was tapped, she was busted anyway.
She spun around to leave the studio and her gaze collided with Rob’s narrowed one.
Uh-oh. How long had he been standing there watching her? Had he seen her on the phone? How much had he heard of her conversation with Jessie? And why did she not hear him sneak up behind her? Her face flamed.
She ran her gaze over him. His snug faded jeans and Got Milk? T-shirt molded his body to perfection. For him, she’d get milk. Gallons and gallons of the stuff. Heck, she’d buy the whole cow.
“Rob,” she exclaimed, leaning back against the locked file cabinet, hoping she didn’t look guilty as sin, knowing she did. “I thought you were at the viewing of the show.”
“Obviously.” His eyes flashed, and he stepped further into the room. “Feel the need to reach out and touch someone this morning?”
“Huh?” Her gaze and attention lingered on the advertisement spread across his broad chest.
He gestured to the file cabinet behind her.
“Oh.” Busted. She quasi-shrugged and plastered a sheepish grin on her face. “I needed to check on my sister. She’s not got a great track record for staying out of trouble.”
He nodded slowly, stopping about three feet from where she stood. “And?”
“She’s fine.”
He gestured toward his cabinet. “Did I
leave my drawer unlocked?”
Crap. She should have left the darn thing open, then she could have fibbed and said yes. She had no defense, so she did what she always did under such circumstances. She went on the offense--distract and regroup. She tilted her chin, let her gaze wander up those washboard abs, broad chest, dynamite lips to meet his eyes.
“Wanna play basketball again tonight? New stakes?” She lowered her voice to a sultry invitation.
“Hell no.” His answer was swift and sure, but his weight shifted slightly and his Adam’s apple bobbed. Feminine power washed over her. No matter what he said or did, or how forbidden their relationship was, Rob did want her as badly as she wanted him. “You aren’t supposed to be on the phone. It’s against the rules.”
Guess her distraction didn’t work. She’d try again.
“And do you always play by the rules?” she teased, enjoying needling him. After his callous remarks yesterday he deserved it.
Okay, so he’d been warning her she could never be anything except a notch on his bedpost, but she’d never really thought otherwise. He was Rob Lancaster, movie producer. She was Jill Davidson, cop turned temporary actress. She knew they had no future together. No doubt they wanted completely different things from life. But, truth be told, long-term wants didn’t seem to matter so much when he stood right in front of her.
“Yes,” he answered her question, but she knew he was lying.
“If you say so.” She swept her gaze over him again in obvious appreciation, and then feigned a yawn. “Guess, I’d better get back to my jail cell before the dirty dozen are released.”
“San Padres’ jail cells must be a lot cushier than the ones I’ve been in.”
Hearing him use the name of the town she lived in churned up reminders that she wasn’t who he thought she was and she’d better quit forgetting it. Her brow rose. “Just how many jails have you been in?”
“Six for various films. I’ve never been detained in one as you seem to be implying.”
She grinned with mock innocence. “Not me.”
They stared at each other for a long time, neither speaking, neither moving. Jill fought the urge to close the distance between them. Although she might yearn for him, she didn’t intend to try to further their relationship. They wanted each other, but this situation was too complicated already.
